Sports massage

At certain moments sports massage can be particularly challenging as a treatment.

However, it certainly does not have to be painful.

First and foremost we are a patient-centred practice.

Therefore, it is important to us that you feel comfortable at all times.

Importantly, you must tell your therapist if you are feeling uncomfortable at any time.

Our therapists are trained in a particularly wide number of techniques. Therefore, there is always another technique that could be used that is equally as effective.

Finally, there’s often a question as to what degree of pressure is optimal for effective treatment.

However, in our experience, patients’ preferences vary widely.

The bottom line is, ultimately, the amount of pressure that you as a patient are comfortable with.

Sports massage has been found to help in two broad areas.

It has a positive effect on you both physically and also psychologically.

PHYSIOLOGICALLY.

The flow of blood and lymph increases, and also muscle fibres are stretched.

Hence, you gain from an increase in flexibility.

PSYCHOLOGICALLY.

Secondly, on a psychological level, it is very effective at reducing anxiety and stress levels. Finally, you will feel great because it also leads to the release of endorphins.

THE CASE HISTORY.

First and foremost, your massage therapist will want to understand the reason you have come for a sports massage.

They will take a brief case history to record any current symptoms as well as any historic health issues. In order to ensure that it is an appropriate treatment for you.

Your massage therapist will ask you about how your injury occurred and, in particular, factors that may be affecting it.

The case history allows us to build a picture of your health and activity as well as helping to build a treatment plan.

Importantly, based upon your individual needs.

THE EXAMINATION.

Firstly, we will assess your general posture and your range of motion.

Then your massage therapist will also assess any specific injuries that you may have.

THE SPORTS MASSAGE TREATMENT.

Generally, patients undress to their underwear for sports massage treatment; however, by far the most important thing is that you are comfortable.

Although we have towels that we can use for your modesty, ultimately, it is entirely up to you what you wear.

Often patients will wear shorts or, alternately, gym wear that can stretch.

The treatment is structured around your individual needs; therefore, you should let your therapist know if you ever feel uncomfortable in any way.

Finally, sports massage involves a number of different techniques.

You can read more about these in the section below.

Importantly, sports massage does not need to be painful.

We can adjust the pressure, or alternatively, we can choose to use a different technique.

Competitive athletes use sports massage as a vital part of their training programme.

IMPROVED RECOVERY.

Firstly, it reduces the time it takes to recover between training sessions.

BETTER MUSCLE TONE.

Secondly, it reduces the muscle tone.

Therefore, it improves the function of the muscles. Importantly, this reduces the potential for injury.

INJURY RESOLUTION.

When an injury occurs, sports massage is effective in supporting an athlete to recover.

ENHANCED PERFORMANCE.

Finally, the combined effects of all of the above lead to enhanced athletic performance.

So, it’s not surprising that competitive athletes use sports massage as an integral part of their training schedule!

We treat a wide range of sportspeople at the practice, including international athletes and professional footballers.

Firstly, sports massage is not only for sportspeople or those involved in competitive sports.

Most people will certainly experience some degree of muscular tension and stiffness at some point.

Increasingly, our sedentary occupational lives and our recreational activities are clashing.

For example, many of us are sitting hunched over a computer all day, and then we race out to get to a gym class. Unless you take the time to stretch and prepare for exercise, it is likely to result in muscular tightness and pain.

We are here to help!

It depends on a number of factors; however, in our experience, a monthly treatment supported with a regular stretching regime between treatments appears to work well for most patients.

Similarly, there are times when we treat competitive or professional athletes multiple times each week. In order for them to cope with the demands of competition.

Sports Massage in the West Midlands. The Guildhall Practice

SPORTS-RELATED INJURIES.

The Guildhall team treats a variety of injuries, often as a consequence of trauma.

However, they are frequently due to repetitive use.

Athletes often present with injuries such as shin splints, calf strains, and also hamstring tears.

Racket sport patients often struggle with tendon overstrain injuries. We frequently see patients with tennis elbow, as well as frozen shoulder and rotator cuff injuries.

DANCE-RELATED INJURIES.

The Guildhall Practice has an excellent reputation in Birmingham for the treatment of dance-related injuries.

For almost 30 years we have been the “go-to” practice for all of the major dance and theater companies in Birmingham.

We work very closely with the dancers from Birmingham Royal Ballet, ACE Dance and Music, and Rosie Kay’s Dance Company.

The Guildhall Practice are the resident practitioners at Birmingham REP Theatre.

EVERYONE ELSE!

We all have the vulnerability to have tight and aching muscles.

Often patients book appointments because they have done more exercise than normal. Maybe digging in the garden or doing DIY.

Frequently patients with sedentary occupations often complain of muscle tightness through their neck and shoulders.

The Guildhall Practice is widely regarded as being the “go-to” clinic for the treatment of sports as well as dance-related injuries.

We are very proud of our long history of supporting competitive sportspeople and professional dancers in Birmingham.

We have worked very closely with Birchfield Harriers, BRB, CBSO, ACE Dance and Music, Rosie Katy Dance Company, Birmingham REP, and the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire for over 25 years.

However, we pride ourselves on providing the same excellent care for every single one of our patients!

Generally, it is best to allow the acute phase to ease before having a sports massage.

The inflammation normally takes about 48 hours to begin to settle.

However, you should always feel comfortable calling the practice, and a member of the team will be happy to give you advice.

Importantly, applying ice, elevating, and resting the injury will generally help to reduce the degree of inflammation

At The Guildhall Practice, we use a combination of these techniques.

We will use whichever technique is the most appropriate for you and, importantly, for your individual needs.

EFFLEURAGE.

Effleurage is the light contact massage technique.

We often use it at the start and also at the end of each session.

We use effleurage to generally increase blood flow, and people, therefore, find the increased warmth relaxing.

PETRISSAGE.

Petrissage is a compressive movement that is similar to a ‘kneading’ movement.

Consequently, it is certainly a deeper massage technique.

We frequently use this to have a more localised effect on some deeper muscles. It is also useful for encouraging mobility between tissue layers.

MYOFASCIAL RELEASE.

Myofascial release creates a localised stretch to a particular muscle by applying gentle pressure.

The technique is particularly effective where the connective tissue has become restricted.

DEEP TISSUE MASSAGE.

Deep tissue massage unsurprisingly involves creating sustained pressure upon the deeper muscle and also the soft tissue structures.

The technique is very useful for treating long-standing mechanical patterns.

TRIGGER POINT TECHNIQUE.

The trigger point technique is applied directly to a specific location in order to affect the surrounding musculature.

They are particularly useful for affecting the larger muscle groups.

DEEP FRICTION MASSAGE TECHNIQUES.

Deep friction massage techniques are deep massage strokes across the muscle fibres.

We often use this for breaking through scar tissue

MUSCLE ENERGY TECHNIQUES.

Muscle Energy technique involves the patient gently contracting a muscle for a short time.

Importantly, we do this while it is being stretched.

This is a very effective technique for relaxing muscles and also for improving flexibility. e (ART).

ART is a soft tissue technique.

Firstly, it involves stretching a muscle while also applying pressure or massage.

This technique can be highly effective. However, it is an active and deep technique. Therefore it can be quite intense.