Massage is a “hands on” treatment in which a therapist manipulates muscles and other soft tissues of the body to improve health and well being. Varieties of massage range from gentle stroking and kneading of muscles and other soft tissues to deeper manual techniques.
Massage has been practiced as a healing therapy for centuries in nearly every culture around the world.
It helps relieve muscle tension, reduce stress, and evoke feelings of calmness. Although massage affects the body as a whole, it particularly influences the activity of the musculoskeletal, circulatory, lymphatic, and nervous systems.
Massage is one of the oldest forms of physical therapy having been used for over 3000 years.
Garry has long experience as a sports therapist, long before he qualified as an osteopath. He has a thorough understanding of anatomy and physiology, particularly the muscular and skeletal systems.
Athletes wishing to improve performance by enhancing their skill, strength, stamina, suppleness and speed are individually assessed and advised a training schedule.
An additional benefit is that it helps to prevent injury.
How does massage work?
For centuries, human touch has been shown to be emotionally and physically healing.
Particular massage techniques may either stimulate or calm the body’s muscles and tissues to create a desired effect. When a practitioner massages soft tissue, electrical signals are transmitted both to the local area and throughout the body.
These signals, in combination with the healing properties of touch, help heal damaged muscle, stimulate circulation, clear waste products via the lymphatic system, boost the activity of the immune system, reduce pain and tension, and induce a calming effect.
Massage may also enhance well being by stimulating the release of endorphins (natural painkillers and mood elevators) and reducing levels of certain stress hormones.