PAUL SKIDMORE THERAPIES
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Why Sports massage helps with aches and pains but its not just for the 'sporty types'

3/15/2016

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Picture of neck massage

Sports massage is not just for the 'sporty' 

I'm often asked if you have to be 'sporty' to have sports massage?  absolutely not, if it's done well  it is beneficial to all. 
I have used Sports and remedial massage to help very delicate people with fragile bone conditions, little old ladies to rugby players, body builders, marathon runners and Olympians. It is very necessary however to adapt each sessions to suit each person and their individual needs. 

Sports massage is becoming commonly known as 'brutal massage', it has largely got this fame from some therapists who believe unless the client leaves the couch 'beaten up' then they have not given a good massage!

In my clinics and home visits in the Oxford and Bicester area I see a wide range of people who benefit from both deep tissue massage, often too a light touch relaxed and targeted stretching can have a big impact too on mobility and function without the pain!

What is Sports and remedial massage? 

Sports an remedial massage begins with a full assessment which looks at the whole body and then a treatment plan is agreed which may include massage, stretches and remedial exercise and postural recommendations.

Professional practitioners can be found in your area at the Institute of Sport and remedial massage practitioners:  Find a therapist at the 'ISRM' 
​
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Paul Skidmore therapies for sports massage, Ultrasound and acupuncture in Oxford, Bicester, Oxfordshire.
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Running the London Marathon and training? how to keep injury free 

3/15/2016

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Picture of runners in london marathon
Training for the London Marathon and want to be injury free?

By now you are probably running lots of miles per week building up your cardio fitness to peak performance ready for the marathon.

Marathon training and a few points to consider 

  • ​The more miles you run the greater the risk of short term and long term injury!
  • Is the type of training you are doing really helping you get stronger and prepared?
  • Are you getting good nutrition to fuel your training and recovery? 
  • Have you a good stretching program in place?
  • Are you ignoring those niggles, aches and pains?
  • Feet ok?  Black nails, blisters foot and heal pain?
If 'no' to any of these then you could be missing a big part of the jigsaw
  • The right training is the key to running a marathon, just banging out the miles won't do it and you risk overuse injuries which can set you back weeks in recovery. Interval and core training will unlock the door to endurance sports.
  • A good diet, rich nutrients is the best fuel to maintain a training program.
  • Stretch those tight muscles or they will learn to stay tight, a tight muscle will create a tight joint and stiffness.
  • Get professional help for those niggles early with a sports massage, it could be more costly to fix if you leave it hoping the aches will just go away
  • Look after your feet or they will let you down, get good running shoes and have gait analysis to assess your foot health, a foot out of neutral requires more muscle strength to restrain it an so will lead to early muscle fatigue, stress fractures etc 

I can help you in Oxford and Bicester with Sports, deep tissue massage and acupuncture, marathon training and nutrition plan, Postural assessment, gait analysis and custom Orthotics.
Contact Paul for help with your marathon training and injuries
Paul Skidmore therapies for sports massage, Ultrasound and acupuncture in Oxford, Bicester, Oxfordshire.
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Trigger point therapy

3/11/2016

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Picture of shoulder in pain
Radiating trigger point joint pain

What is a trigger point?


Trigger points are small areas of dysfunctional muscle fibre which are in a state of chronic spasm, they are often caused by muscle fatigue overuse syndromes and related to bad posture. they are commonly the  source of joint pain, shoulder, wrist, hip, knee, and ankle. Often trigger points are mistaken for arthritis, tendinitis, bursitis, or ligament injury. These areas are painful to touch and trigger radiating pain into other areas of the body.
​Shoulder trigger points for example will radiate into the neck ear and behind the eye and can be the root cause of headaches and migraines etc.
Lower back and disk pain can be the result of chronic trigger points in the quadratus lumborus which can lead to disk compression and sciatic pain.
 
The area of a trigger point will have a higher PH level and contain a build up of acidic metabolic waste and will send neurological pain signals to the brain which will then try to avoid contraction and further irritation of that area leading to muscle weakness and the cause of postural and functional imbalances.  

Why is it important to treat trigger points?

Apart from causing radiating pain, these areas of localised chronic muscle fibre contractions put a compression or loading force on joints - a tight and weakened  muscle equals a tight joint leading to bad posture and adverse muscle compensation patterns.
If left untreated  this can lead to uneven wear patterns on the cartilage of joints and be a cause arthritic conditions, it is also thought trigger points can be the start of fibromyalgia.

How to treat trigger points

Rubbing the skin in these painful areas won't work, deep tissue massage and pressures, trigger point therapy and acupuncture will help in the treatment of these painful points. 
Depending on the length of time you have had trigger points will determine the length of time needed to treat them.

Trigger points respond well to Ultrasound therapy and remedial massage treatments including muscle strength exercises which will assist in rehabilitation and recovery of the affected muscle fibres.

In the assessment it will be important to find the source of muscle fatigue, this could be from general postural issues and be related to work, repetitive movements etc. Postural changes will have occurred and it is vital to address these or trigger point pain will return.

I would like to book a trigger point therapy session with Paul
Paul Skidmore therapies for sports massage, Ultrasound and acupuncture in Oxford, Bicester, Oxfordshire.
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    Hi Paul here, welcome to my blog about massage, acupuncture, sports injuries,
    fitness training, cycling and more.......

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20/22 South Street, Middle Barton, Oxon OX7 7BU T: 01869 349 100 M: 0773 000 2450 E: help@paulskidmore-therapies.co.uk

Need a massage in Oxford, or Oxfordshire - Bicester, Banbury, Witney, Chipping Norton? Paul Skidmore Therapies offers a full range of professional and sports massage treatments, including remedial massage and Swedish massage. For first-class therapy, contact Paul Skidmore Therapies in Oxford. Our sports injury clinic has a reputation for excellence. Paul Skidmore Therapies for massage and sports therapy in Oxford and Oxfordshire

  • Home
  • About
  • Therapies
    • Sports remedial therapy
    • Acupuncture
    • Deep tissue massage
    • Massage in the workplace
    • Swedish and aromatherapy massage
    • Gait analysis and Foot Orthotics
    • Indian head massage
  • Disabilities
  • Costs
    • buy a treatment with Paul
  • Contact
  • references
  • Blog