THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE IN SPRINGFIELD

Sports massage is specifically designed for people who are involved in physical activity and sports. Of course you don’t have to be a professional athlete to have one, it’s also used by people who are just active and work out often. The focus isn’t on relaxation but on preventing and treating injury and enhancing athletic performance.

A combination of techniques are used. The strokes are generally faster and deeper than a remedial massage. Facilitated stretching is a common technique. It helps to loosen muscles and increase flexibility.

When muscles become knotted, tense or damaged, Remedial massage provides a healing treatment that can be gentle or strong, deep or shallow. Remedial massage holistically treats the body, lymphatics and nervous system. A skilled massage therapist endeavours to identify the original biomechanical dysfunction, thus healing the cause of the disorder, as well as the symptoms.

Remedial massage uses several specialised techniques to locate and repair damage to muscles, fascia, tendons and joints. Massage therapy supports and speeds up the body’s own repair mechanisms. Often a lubricating medium – oil or cream - is applied directly on the skin. This ensures that the muscles associated with the disorder are deeply penetrated. Passive joint stretching moves are also used.

The main purpose of a relaxation massage, also known as Swedish massage, is to increase the oxygen flow in the blood and release toxins from the muscles. Some other benefits include shortening recovery time from muscular strain, increased circulation without increased heart load, stretching of ligaments and tendons, skin stimulation and soothing of the nervous system. It reduces stress, both emotional and physical, and is suggested as part of a regular program for stress management.

This massage technique works on a system of long strokes, kneading, friction, vibration and shaking motions that apply pressure between muscles and joints, rubbing in the same direction as the flow of blood returning to the heart. Relaxation massage feels relaxing and is an invigorating treatment.

Deep tissue massage can be incorporated into any of the other style and targets the deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue. The massage therapist uses Trigger Point Therapy and holds on “knots”, slower strokes or friction techniques across the grain of the muscle. Deep tissue massage is used for chronically tight or painful muscles, repetitive strain, postural problems, or recovery from injury.

Many conditions can produce unwanted oedema or fluid around your body. This could be from injury, surgery, scar tissue or some chronic and congenital conditions. Feet, legs and arms are most common areas where Lymphatic drainage is often impaired, however Lymphoedema can occur anywhere there is stagnation of fluid, cells or poor drainage (e.g. in pregnancy, scar tissue tension in wound sites and lymph node removal due to breast cancer). Lymph nodes and vessels are supposed to clear swelling automatically but when this process is interrupted manual Lymphatic drainage by a trained professional can be the answer. 

Pregnancy is a special time. However it can also bring a lot of new aches and pains or even exacerbation or previous injuries and pain. Moreover, due to changing hormones and weight changes as your baby grows, pressure and pain around your pelvis, back and hips can ensue.  Stiffness, pain and even irritation on nerves (e.g. nerve pain down the legs – sciatica) can all add up to trouble sleeping due to discomfort. One of the best ways to alleviate this discomfort is Pregnancy massage with a trained professional. Pregnancy Massage can be safely performed during ALL trimesters of your journey and can even help right before the due date to help with sleep, relaxation, achy legs and fluid retention. Can’t lay on your tummy?  Don’t worry, at our professional clinics we have special made Pregnancy cut-out cushions, so even in final trimesters you can lay prone OR if you prefer just to be massaged side-lying and other safe positions to make a massage as safe and relaxing as possible – however big your baby belly!