Massage can be performed as part of physiotherapy management for a variety of musculoskeletal conditions as well as can be booked as a stand alone session with one of our Massage Therapists.
If you book a massage then you will be treated in a clinical room and on your first visit you may be asked a few questions about your past medical history before treatment.
You will be asked to uncover the relevant body part/s that needs massaging and to lie on the plinth. Your underwear must be kept on and we have spare shorts and plenty of towels to maintain your privacy and dignity at all times. We will make sure you are comfortable with the temperature. During the course of a massage you may be asked to move position e.g side lying to front lying.
Many massage styles consist of one or more of the following actions: effleurage (a gliding or sliding movement over the skin), petrissage (lifting, wringing or squeezing of soft tissues in a kneading motion, or pressing or rolling of the tissues), friction (penetrating pressure applied through the fingertips), tapotement (strike the tissues at a rapid rate) and vibration.
A massage milk, almost fragrance-free, will be used to look after your skin whilst the massage is carried out. You may want to wear something that you don’t mind a little bit of oil getting on.
At the end of the massage you will be asked to sit up and then get dressed. You may be advised of some specific exercise the therapist feels you would benefit from.
Research into massage is ambiguous however, it may have a variety of physiological responses including: increased lymph flow, a shift from sympathetic to parasympathetic response, prevention of fibrosis, increased clearance of blood lactate, and effects on the immune system, cognition and pain.
Local biochemical changes from a massage, may also lead to a release of the body’s natural endorphins (the same chemicals released after sport). Thereby, potentially reduce anxiety, depression and pain.
A recent literature review looked at massage as a stand-alone treatment and found that massage reduces pain and improves function. The positive effects were mainly found in people with low back pain, shoulder pain or osteoarthritis of the knee.
If you’re interested in booking a massage then don’t hesitate to book an appointment online today or contact us on 01865 311686.
