Sports Massage or Deep Tissue Massage?

Sports Massage or Deep Tissue Massage?

Part three – Myofascial Trigger Points

Trigger Points, also known as Myofascial Trigger Points (MTP’s), are areas of extreme tension in soft tissue. They are often referred to as ‘knots’ but this isn’t quite correct as although both form in soft tissue and can have the same cause MTP’s cause referred pain whereas knots do not necessarily. Trigger Points have been well mapped within muscular tissue due primarily to the work of Dr. Janet Travell, White House Physician to President John F. Kennedy. Continue reading →

Sports Massage or Deep Tissue Massage?

Sports Massage or Deep Tissue Massage?

Part two – Myofascial Release

The myofascialmuscles in the human body are wrapped up rather like a parcel and each layer of wrapping paper is known as fascia. It provides a connective tissue throughout the body in a web-like formation without interruption or breaks. If this fascia becomes tight as wrapping can it puts pressure on the muscle and surrounding connective structures binding the tissue together thus causing pain and limited movement. Continue reading →

Sports Massage or Deep Tissue Massage?

Sports Massage or Deep Tissue Massage?

Part one – Introduction

A good qfootmassageuestion and one I get asked often as it is not always easy to know the difference when it is not your field of work. The simple answer is if you have soft tissue pain or limited movement you need a soft tissue therapist qualified in one or other or preferably both. The techniques used are the same but their application and the client recovery will follow different patterns. Continue reading →

What to look for in a massage therapist

Health and well-being

How do you know when you search the internet looking for a therapist you are finding the right person? It can be difficult to know as websites can be very impressive but that doesn’t necessarily mean the therapist will be! There are some easy ways to ensure you find a suitable person who not only has the relevant qualifications and insurance but also the correct experience to suit your own unique needs. Continue reading →

Out Injured

Health and well-being

A couple of months ago I returned from visiting a friend in London with a mild pain on the top of my foot. Not one to ignore any potential injuries I checked the soft tissues involved and my range of movement to find them all perfect. This led me to think the problem had to be a bone problem – not what I wanted. I had a stress fracture confirmed by a local physiotherapist and was on rest from many of the sporting activities I usually enjoy.
Although bones need some weight bearing activity to allow them to repair and remain strong the fracture needed some rest to heal. I decided my job as a massage therapist was probably all the weight bearing I needed and had to look fro alternative forms of exercise for 6 weeks. Any athlete whether professional, amateur or occasional will tell you enforced rest is difficult and maybe more so as I wasn’t really in any pain. Continue reading →

Breaking Ground

Health and well-being

I have always believed it is important to stay relevant and up to date. This is especially true from a work point of view but makes good sense in life. The old maxim ‘use it or lose it’ applies to work skills, talents and intellectual capacity. I really believe keeping the mind active and pushing boundaries however small is essential for a hacomfortzoneppy and healthy life.
I originally qualified in my profession in 1993 and have spent more time in education than out since then. I have advanced my initial skills and added new ones. It keeps me relevant, focused and interested as well as motivated and challenged. It also gives me a great sense of achievement when I step out of my comfort zone and learn something new.

Continue reading →

Perfection

Health and well-being

stevejobsI have just finished reading a great biography of Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson; a fascinating story of a very complex man. He was driven by his vision of perfection and it seems many would testify he could drive others to distraction and tears.
The author gives many insights into Jobs’ personality showing why he became the CEO of the richest company in the world. When he faced criticism regarding the iPhone he declared “We’re not perfect. Phones are not perfect. We all know that. But we want to make our users happy”. What a simple philosophy that set me thinking about perfection and our desire for it. Continue reading →

Ohashiatsu

Trainers and therapists

Do you ever think how great it would be to really treat all your clients and
yourself holistically? To be able to look at them and assess their condition
and at the same time benefit yourself? As therapists it would be ideal for us
to look at the whole person even when they come through the door with
shoulder pain.
I often see people in practice who have gone through the medics and found
no diagnosis for various symptoms. As a massage therapist sometimes I can
help and sometimes not but with Ohashiatsu I am not only helping more
people but getting better results.

Continue reading →