Sports and Remedial massage - offered by Paul Atkins

Sitting at a computer all day? Trying to improve your fitness? Getting pain as a result of your job?

Sports massage is effective at:

• Speeding recovery time from injury

• Eliminating muscular pain

• Reducing muscular tension and stress

• Decreasing recovery period between training sessions

• Improving flexibility

• Optimising muscle function

• Helping prevent injury

Who is it for?

40% of my clients are active sports men and women, especially during marathon training. But over 50% are people who suffer pain and discomfort because of activities associated with their work as well as leisure time.

The demands on the body can be as great for those sitting in an office all day, driving or having a young child, as for those working in the building trade where there are the more obvious stresses on the shoulders, back, hands and arms. Whether you are going to the gym, enjoying team sports or other leisure activities such as gardening or DIY, maintaining fitness becomes increasingly important; particularly for those over 30 years of age when the demands for better performance are not always matched by an increase in speed and ability and when we become more susceptible to injury.

What happens during a treatment?

Sports Massage focuses on treating the specific muscles that have been injured or stressed and are causing discomfort. I use a range of techniques that relaxes the muscle, improve a person’s flexibility, range of movement, and speeds the recovery from injury and fatigue. These techniques include direct manipulation of muscle and limbs to achieve better alignment of muscle fibres and improve body posture.

There is a common misconception that Sports Massage is painful. This should not be the case, although firm pressure may be necessary when breaking down scar tissue, relieving chronic tension or a muscle in spasm. Some individuals prefer a more firm approach than others and so the degree of pressure is controlled by the client. Sports massage also includes a number of other, more subtle and gentle techniques, such as connective tissue work, which are equally effective in offering significant benefits.

What should I wear?

Many of the techniques are undertaken clothed, so track suit bottoms or loose jogging pants and a T-shirt are fine. Some of the techniques involve direct manipulation of muscle when lotion is applied. Only those parts of the body being worked on are exposed, so you can wear ordinary underwear. I only use water based lotions so there is no problem for those who have nut allergies or for staining of clothes which can sometimes be caused by massage oils.

If you have any doubts whether this is the right therapy for you, please feel free to ring me on 07765193638 and discuss your concerns, or send an e-mail to me at: paul@paulatkinsmassage.co.uk

Price: £35 per session. Gift vouchers are available.