Massage Therapy

The factor that probably boosted Paula Radcliffe’s performance more than any other is her ability to regenerate. Her regular massages were to give extra maintenance to the whole body. Above all it’s to give Paula’s muscles and tendons the best chance to recover from the heavy workloads she puts them through. –The training secrets of Paula Radcliffe article written by Orlando Pizzolato in TN40 July 2003.

Sports Massage is the manipulation of soft tissue for the treatment and prevention of injuries and also for therapeutic purposes such as muscle conditioning, stress relief and relaxation. The primary goal of this therapy is the restoration to normal activity of various muscles of the body, while maintaining good physical condition and health. . Whether you are actively involved in sport or do little or no exercise Sports Massage can help maintain a healthy and active body, aid injury recovery and relieve tension from everyday life stresses. Using a variety of techniques such as classic deep tissue massage, trigger point therapy, cyrotherapy (ice), thermotherapy (heat) and a variety of controlled stretches such as STR’s (Soft Tissue Releases) and MET’s (Muscular Energy Techniques), sports massage mobilises and improves muscle tone, promoting relaxation and stimulating circulation, and in doing so has the potential to produce therapeutic effects on many other systems of the body.

Physically, the pressures of massage along the flow of the lymphatic and venous systems encourages more efficient blood flow and lymphatic drainage, and the movement of other substances which in turn are essential for repair and growth. This aids the restoration of normal tissue condition. The process also facilitates the exchange of fluids and helps in the removal of waste products, such as lactic acid. Massage will also stretch muscle fibres and the fascia surrounding muscles, breaking down scar tissue and adhesions.