When performed by a trained acupuncturist acupuncture is very safe. Almost certainly a lot safer than any medication you may be taking for your complaint.
We only use blister packed sterile disposable needles so there is no risk of cross infection.
We have a section on acupuncture techniques, accessed here.
The acupuncture profession is not regulated so anyone can call themselves an acupuncturist!
Both our acupuncturist are fully trained, are members of the British Acupuncture Council and hold appropriate insurance.
When choosing an acupuncturist it is very important that you make sure that your chosen practitioner is fully qualified, is insured and understands the nature of any pre-existing medical conditions you may have.
Generally no. Anyone who has experienced both will tell you the techniques used are miles apart. The needles used are the same but that is where the similarity ends.
Acupuncture in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a holistic form of acupuncture. This means that you are treated as whole person not just as a painful elbow, a skin rash, a painful period or whatever happens to the manifestation of your problem. Therefore the case history and the examination is far more comprehensive and the diagnosis is based on several factors such as your mental and physical wellbeing, the appearance of your tongue (colour, shape, smoothness, coating), the quality of your pulse in your wrist etc. These are all part of the holistic approach to any person seeking help from an acupuncturist who is trained in Chinese Medicine.
Those who are not TCM trained use Western Acupuncture or Dry Needling. Both of these methods are very symptom targeted and far less comprehensive in their approach to the underlying problems causing your your discomfort. Therefore the needling technique and the needling sites are also different.
The insertion of the needles causes little or no discomfort, but a localised ache may be felt when the acupuncture point is reached.
The needles range from 25mm to 75mm (1 to 3 inches) in length and are only slightly thicker than a human hair.
Treatment can produce rapid results but usually a course of treatment is required, normally 5-10 weekly appointments.
As each treatment plan is tailor-made it is important that you discuss the options and duration of the course with the acupuncturist.
As there is no regulation of the acupuncture profession the blood donor service has decided not to accept blood from anyone who has had acupuncture within the previous four months. The is due to the very small risk of hepatitis, which can be a problem if proper hygiene procedures are not followed.
Rest assured that we do everything possible to minimise this risk.
Yes, our Worthing Chiropractors provide treatment which has been proven to be remarkably safe. Chiropractic treatment is a holistic, non-invasive approach to health. No surgery or drugs are involved, however our chiropractors appreciate the benefits of certain painkilling and anti-inflammatory medication during the acute phases of an injury. Chiropractic is the world’s third largest health care profession after medicine and dentistry and over the past 100+ years millions of people have found help from chiropractic care, even after surgery.
Over the years various people have expressed concerns about the safety of neck manipulation sometimes used in the treatment of neck pain and headaches. However, through extensive research these concerns have now been proven to be unfounded. For more information on this subject please click here.
No form of treatment is completely risk free and your chiropractor will explain possible risks of treatment and discuss any concerns you may have prior to commencing with chiropractic care.
We have a section on most of the chiropractic techniques we use It can accessed here.
Unless your medical insurance requires a GP referral you do not need to see your GP before coming to see our Worthing Chiropractors. Nearly all GPs will be quite happy for you to choose to have appropriate chiropractic treatment by our chiropractors at Park View Clinic. However, despite both The General Practitioners Committee and the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommending chiropractic for low back pain not all GPs know enough about our profession to suggest it to you. There is also substantial research evidence supporting the use of chiropractic treatment for neck pain, whiplash injuries, headaches, migraines, shoulder pain, hip and knee arthritis, and more.
In general our Worthing Chiropractors enjoy a good working relationship with the more traditional medical professions and we regularly receive referrals from GPs, medical doctors and specialists.
We like to send your GP a letter outlining your reason for seeking chiropractic treatment with us and how we have got on. However, we will not do so unless you give your written consent.
No. Chiropractic is a regulated profession and it is illegal for anyone to call themselves a ‘chiropractor’ or claiming to provide chiropractic treatment without being registered with the General Chiropractic Council (GCC).
All chiropractors have to undergo Continuing Professional Development to maintain their license to practise.
Our Worthing Chiropractors, Jan Olsen and Roger Cracknell, have maintained their registration with the GCC since regulation started in 1999. Their registration number are 00152 and 00260 respectively.
All decisions to take x-rays have to comply with Ionising Radiations Regulations 1999 (IRR) and the Ionising Radiations (Medical Exposure) Regulations (IRMER). The recommendation for routine x-ray examination for back and neck pain was discontinued many years ago. Only if a thorough case history taking and examination fails to give reassurance of a benign cause of symptoms or if treatment fails to provide relief, is imaging recommended. Otherwise it serves little purpose other than exposing you to unnecessary and potentially harmful ionising radiation.
Our Worthing chiropractors have a good working relationship with the local GPs who generally are more than happy to refer you for an NHS x-rays, if we feel it may help shed some light on your problem. These are often done and reported on within a couple of weeks. If you are happy to pay for private imaging we can advise you on local providers. X-rays are around £125 and MRIs are less than £400 per area, e.g. lower back.
If your Park View chiropractor decides that other investigations are required he can advise you on how best to organise these. If you are happy to pay it usually tales a few days – if not, we can liaise with your GP to set up the appropriate investigation or appointment. Simple NHS tests do not take long but specialist appointments can take months to come through. Most medical insurance policies require GP or medical consultant referral to pay out for these.
Well, it depends.
As we mostly deal with painful conditions and injured tissues, some discomfort may be unavoidable. Your chiropractor will be sensitive to your discomfort and ask you for feedback on the severity of the pain you feel and adjust the treatment accordingly. You may also experience some soreness after the treatment – rarely a bruise. This will soon pass as your body begins to heal and adjust. Your chiropractor will be able to tell you if this is likely to happen and how to minimise any discomfort.
Please get in touch with us if you have ANY concerns.
This will depend on the individual problem, how long time you’ve had it, how bad it is and how many areas and tissues are affected. Your general health and lifestyle habits can also significantly affect your body’s healing time.
Whilst every patient reacts differently, your chiropractor will be able to advise you on your likely recovery path. In most cases you will feel a definite change for the better early on in your treatment plan. Most patients express feeling ‘easier’ or ‘lighter’ after just one or two treatments, but in general, the longer you’ve had it, the longer it will take to get better. Also having no or little remaining pain can also be a poor indication of the degree of recovery, merely a good sign that your body is better able to cope and that you can start to slowly increase your activity levels. Ligament, muscle and tendon injuries can take longer to fully heal than a broken bone – sometimes much longer.
Optimise your recovery and minimise the risk of setbacks by sticking with the treatment plan, following your chiropractor’s advice on rest and activity, doing your exercises and adopting any recommended lifestyle adjustments.
Getting it right from the start pays dividends later on.
The frequency and the amount of chiropractic treatment you require depend on several factors: Your specific health problem. For how long you have had it. How severe it is. How many areas and tissues are affected and to what extent etc.
Your goals are very important in determining what is best for you. Do you just want crisis care for pain relief or are you looking for a more permanent solution? What lifestyle and activities do you want to keep, return to or start pursuing?
Your individual treatment plan and how well you are likely to get will be explained during your initial consultation.
Most people cannot avoid the very activities that over time brought them to us in the first place, or are likely to cause a recurrence. It may be work, home or leisure related. If that is you, you should consider opting for the full 3-stage care package. But ultimately it is up to you to decide how long you wish to benefit from chiropractic care – and, rest assured, you can change your mind at any time.
The 3 stages of care:
- Crisis care (once or twice per week)
to provide pain relief and postural stability. Usually 2-4 weeks. - Rehabilitative care (weekly to fortnightly)
to optimise healing and gain maximum benefit of the treatment. Strengthening and re-education of the injured tissues.
Usually 4-6 weeks. - Maintenance care – Ongoing – usually once every 2-4 months.
To optimise function and performance, and minimise the risk of recurrences.
The majority of people will benefit from self-help advice and exercises. Your chiropractor will determine when your are ready and instruct you on what to do. Your chiropractor’s recommendations are intended to help you recover quicker and get better long term results, providing a future with less pain and less need for treatment. We cannot force you to follow the advise but we believe it is in your best interest to do so.
A vastly underrated exercise is walking and we nearly all do too little of it. As long as you can walk a little way without pain this is a good place to start. Further self-help advice can be found here.
No. With chiropractic treatment no drugs or surgery is involved although we appreciate the benefits of certain pain killing and anti-inflammatory medication during the acute phases of an injury. Pain killing medication should only be used to allow more comfortable rest periods – NOT to carry on as if nothing is wrong. Chiropractic care employs a holistic, natural approach to health. Your chiropractor will try and determine the underlying cause of your problem and correct it, rather than just masking it with painkillers. Chiropractors use their hands to manipulate the joints, muscles, tendons and ligaments of your body.
Instead of putting something in or taking something out of the body, the power of the body to heal itself is restored. Painkillers may make you feel less pain, but they do not address the cause of the problem, and can have serious side effects. One of the first aims your chiropractor care is for you to be able to function normally without pain and without painkillers.
Yes, chiropractic treatment is suitable and safe throughout the pregnancy and after giving birth. Chiropractic care can help with common problems associated with pregnancy such as pain in the back, neck and shoulders, joint and muscle aches and pains.
Yes, people of all ages can benefit from chiropractic care, although treatment techniques used with young children obviously differ dramatically from those of most adults. Talk to your chiropractor to find out more.
Absolutely.
In essence sports people are no different from ‘normal’ people. However, sports performance often puts higher demands on the structure and function of the joints, muscles, tendons, muscles and ligaments and therefore athletes may require a higher intensity and frequency of treatment.
Just like a car anything mechanical – the more you use it, the faster you make it go, the more care and maintenance it needs to keep going.
Appropriate chiropractic treatment has been proven to be very cost effective.
As well as receiving treatment during the visit to your chiropractor, you will be given advice on rest and activity, any exercises to speed up your recover, and other things you can do get better as quickly as possible.
Our Chiropractic fees are shown at the bottom of the Chiropractic page, accessed here.
Jan Olsen is a registered provider with most PMIs including Aviva, Axa, Bupa, Vitality and others.
Most Private Medical Insurers (PMI) and Cash Plan providers will reimburse you for some or all of your chiropractic care but you must check your policy first. Levels of cover vary hugely as do the excesses (the amount you have to pay before they start paying) applied.
For PMI claims you will need to contact the insurer who will provide you with a claim reference number, which you will need to pass on to us along with your policy number before your Initial Consultation.
In general Cash Plan providers require you to submit our invoices once you have paid us, and most PMIs want us to bill them directly.
Our Chiropractic fees and our general T&Cs are available via the links below.
For the most part, sports massage is safe with very few side effects. Potential side effects of sports massage include tenderness or stiffness for one to two days after a therapy session. It’s also possible that you could have a skin reaction to the massage oils used.
We have a section on sports massage techniques, accessed here.
Overuse injuries can occur in everyday life and are generally brought on by the things we do repetitively everyday. We will use remedial massage to treat you and look at what day to day activities could be the cause and will give you simple solutions to help with this. Generally making a few small changes can have a big effect.
Sometimes yes. If you have a tight, painful neck and shoulder complex, for example, you can expect to come away from a Sports Massage experiencing a lot of relief, at least for a while. But it probably took you months or years to get that way. It’s not reasonable to expect permanent relief from an hour session of Sports Massage. But over time you should see constant improvements.
A brief history is taken prior to the massage including your sports goals or event deadlines. We may do some standing tests and no doubt will review your posture (this we do with your clothes on). The majority of our treatment is hands-on work, however we want to fix you, so may glean as much information from you so we can work out what’s going on.
That depends on several factors: if you are an athlete/participate in sport, factors such as training volume and intensity need to be considered; also whether or not you have chronic pain or acute injury, etc. If you don’t participate in sport, then occupational factors may come into play, for example, do you sit at a desk all day and have a tight neck and shoulders? Or do you carry out heavy manual work which makes you tight and prone to injury?
For some people, a weekly massage gives huge results. Other people only get an occasional Sports Massage if they’re in pain. The best way to reduce the effects of hard training, stress or occupational aches and pains, is with regular Sports Massage. It is a fact that even getting massaged once a month regularly has a long lasting positive impact.
Yes. Contraindications are conditions when you should not be massaged.
The most common condition is that of an acute injury or inflammation. Usually, the first 72 hours after an injury is the acute stage. After the swelling and pain begin to diminish, massage is recommended.
Other contraindications are pre-existing injuries or medical conditions that make it inadvisable for clients to undergo a massage treatment.
This is because the massage could be harmful or dangerous to the client, or could exacerbate the symptoms of their existing condition or injury.
These can be classified as:
- TOTAL – conditions or illnesses that prevent the client from receiving sports massage therapy, or
- LOCAL – a condition or illness restricts the areas of the body where massages can be received.
One of the most common examples are infections – viral, bacterial, or fungal.
Some skin conditions, including psoriasis, eczema, severe acne, open wounds or sores, including cold sores could be classed as total or local sports massage contraindication depends on the type of condition that it is.
If you feel you have a condition that maybe of a concern, please identify and clarify it with your therapist.
During pregnancy, hormonal changes cause ligaments and joints to soften leading to additional strain on the skeletal system. This often causes aches and pains most commonly in the hips, buttocks and lower back. The increasing weight of the baby can pull on the lumbar spine causing postural imbalances. These changes can be difficult to prepare for, but massage during pregnancy can help to reduce these discomforts and promote relaxation and a sense of well-being. Massage therapy during pregnancy can help:-
- Ease muscle and joint strain
- Reduce stress and anxiety
- Promote relaxation and sleep
- Reduce oedema and blood pressure
- Improve flexibility and energy levels
- Support your physiological and emotional needs
Please note: If you are in your first trimester of pregnancy, please contact your GP before having a massage. If you are considered high risk, please also take the advice of your GP at any stage of pregnancy.
Our Massage fees are shown at the bottom of the Sports Massage page, accessed here.
When performed by a trained acupuncturist acupuncture is very safe. Almost certainly a lot safer than any medication you may be taking for your complaint.
We only use blister packed sterile disposable needles so there is no risk of cross infection.
We have a section on acupuncture techniques, accessed here.
The acupuncture profession is not regulated so anyone can call themselves an acupuncturist!
Both our acupuncturist are fully trained, are members of the British Acupuncture Council and hold appropriate insurance.
When choosing an acupuncturist it is very important that you make sure that your chosen practitioner is fully qualified, is insured and understands the nature of any pre-existing medical conditions you may have.
Generally no. Anyone who has experienced both will tell you the techniques used are miles apart. The needles used are the same but that is where the similarity ends.
Acupuncture in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a holistic form of acupuncture. This means that you are treated as whole person not just as a painful elbow, a skin rash, a painful period or whatever happens to the manifestation of your problem. Therefore the case history and the examination is far more comprehensive and the diagnosis is based on several factors such as your mental and physical wellbeing, the appearance of your tongue (colour, shape, smoothness, coating), the quality of your pulse in your wrist etc. These are all part of the holistic approach to any person seeking help from an acupuncturist who is trained in Chinese Medicine.
Those who are not TCM trained use Western Acupuncture or Dry Needling. Both of these methods are very symptom targeted and far less comprehensive in their approach to the underlying problems causing your your discomfort. Therefore the needling technique and the needling sites are also different.
The insertion of the needles causes little or no discomfort, but a localised ache may be felt when the acupuncture point is reached.
The needles range from 25mm to 75mm (1 to 3 inches) in length and are only slightly thicker than a human hair.
Treatment can produce rapid results but usually a course of treatment is required, normally 5-10 weekly appointments.
As each treatment plan is tailor-made it is important that you discuss the options and duration of the course with the acupuncturist.
As there is no regulation of the acupuncture profession the blood donor service has decided not to accept blood from anyone who has had acupuncture within the previous four months. The is due to the very small risk of hepatitis, which can be a problem if proper hygiene procedures are not followed.
Rest assured that we do everything possible to minimise this risk.
Yes, our Worthing Chiropractors provide treatment which has been proven to be remarkably safe. Chiropractic treatment is a holistic, non-invasive approach to health. No surgery or drugs are involved, however our chiropractors appreciate the benefits of certain painkilling and anti-inflammatory medication during the acute phases of an injury. Chiropractic is the world’s third largest health care profession after medicine and dentistry and over the past 100+ years millions of people have found help from chiropractic care, even after surgery.
Over the years various people have expressed concerns about the safety of neck manipulation sometimes used in the treatment of neck pain and headaches. However, through extensive research these concerns have now been proven to be unfounded. For more information on this subject please click here.
No form of treatment is completely risk free and your chiropractor will explain possible risks of treatment and discuss any concerns you may have prior to commencing with chiropractic care.
We have a section on most of the chiropractic techniques we use It can accessed here.
Unless your medical insurance requires a GP referral you do not need to see your GP before coming to see our Worthing Chiropractors. Nearly all GPs will be quite happy for you to choose to have appropriate chiropractic treatment by our chiropractors at Park View Clinic. However, despite both The General Practitioners Committee and the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommending chiropractic for low back pain not all GPs know enough about our profession to suggest it to you. There is also substantial research evidence supporting the use of chiropractic treatment for neck pain, whiplash injuries, headaches, migraines, shoulder pain, hip and knee arthritis, and more.
In general our Worthing Chiropractors enjoy a good working relationship with the more traditional medical professions and we regularly receive referrals from GPs, medical doctors and specialists.
We like to send your GP a letter outlining your reason for seeking chiropractic treatment with us and how we have got on. However, we will not do so unless you give your written consent.
No. Chiropractic is a regulated profession and it is illegal for anyone to call themselves a ‘chiropractor’ or claiming to provide chiropractic treatment without being registered with the General Chiropractic Council (GCC).
All chiropractors have to undergo Continuing Professional Development to maintain their license to practise.
Our Worthing Chiropractors, Jan Olsen and Roger Cracknell, have maintained their registration with the GCC since regulation started in 1999. Their registration number are 00152 and 00260 respectively.
All decisions to take x-rays have to comply with Ionising Radiations Regulations 1999 (IRR) and the Ionising Radiations (Medical Exposure) Regulations (IRMER). The recommendation for routine x-ray examination for back and neck pain was discontinued many years ago. Only if a thorough case history taking and examination fails to give reassurance of a benign cause of symptoms or if treatment fails to provide relief, is imaging recommended. Otherwise it serves little purpose other than exposing you to unnecessary and potentially harmful ionising radiation.
Our Worthing chiropractors have a good working relationship with the local GPs who generally are more than happy to refer you for an NHS x-rays, if we feel it may help shed some light on your problem. These are often done and reported on within a couple of weeks. If you are happy to pay for private imaging we can advise you on local providers. X-rays are around £125 and MRIs are less than £400 per area, e.g. lower back.
If your Park View chiropractor decides that other investigations are required he can advise you on how best to organise these. If you are happy to pay it usually tales a few days – if not, we can liaise with your GP to set up the appropriate investigation or appointment. Simple NHS tests do not take long but specialist appointments can take months to come through. Most medical insurance policies require GP or medical consultant referral to pay out for these.
Well, it depends.
As we mostly deal with painful conditions and injured tissues, some discomfort may be unavoidable. Your chiropractor will be sensitive to your discomfort and ask you for feedback on the severity of the pain you feel and adjust the treatment accordingly. You may also experience some soreness after the treatment – rarely a bruise. This will soon pass as your body begins to heal and adjust. Your chiropractor will be able to tell you if this is likely to happen and how to minimise any discomfort.
Please get in touch with us if you have ANY concerns.
This will depend on the individual problem, how long time you’ve had it, how bad it is and how many areas and tissues are affected. Your general health and lifestyle habits can also significantly affect your body’s healing time.
Whilst every patient reacts differently, your chiropractor will be able to advise you on your likely recovery path. In most cases you will feel a definite change for the better early on in your treatment plan. Most patients express feeling ‘easier’ or ‘lighter’ after just one or two treatments, but in general, the longer you’ve had it, the longer it will take to get better. Also having no or little remaining pain can also be a poor indication of the degree of recovery, merely a good sign that your body is better able to cope and that you can start to slowly increase your activity levels. Ligament, muscle and tendon injuries can take longer to fully heal than a broken bone – sometimes much longer.
Optimise your recovery and minimise the risk of setbacks by sticking with the treatment plan, following your chiropractor’s advice on rest and activity, doing your exercises and adopting any recommended lifestyle adjustments.
Getting it right from the start pays dividends later on.
The frequency and the amount of chiropractic treatment you require depend on several factors: Your specific health problem. For how long you have had it. How severe it is. How many areas and tissues are affected and to what extent etc.
Your goals are very important in determining what is best for you. Do you just want crisis care for pain relief or are you looking for a more permanent solution? What lifestyle and activities do you want to keep, return to or start pursuing?
Your individual treatment plan and how well you are likely to get will be explained during your initial consultation.
Most people cannot avoid the very activities that over time brought them to us in the first place, or are likely to cause a recurrence. It may be work, home or leisure related. If that is you, you should consider opting for the full 3-stage care package. But ultimately it is up to you to decide how long you wish to benefit from chiropractic care – and, rest assured, you can change your mind at any time.
The 3 stages of care:
- Crisis care (once or twice per week)
to provide pain relief and postural stability. Usually 2-4 weeks. - Rehabilitative care (weekly to fortnightly)
to optimise healing and gain maximum benefit of the treatment. Strengthening and re-education of the injured tissues.
Usually 4-6 weeks. - Maintenance care – Ongoing – usually once every 2-4 months.
To optimise function and performance, and minimise the risk of recurrences.
The majority of people will benefit from self-help advice and exercises. Your chiropractor will determine when your are ready and instruct you on what to do. Your chiropractor’s recommendations are intended to help you recover quicker and get better long term results, providing a future with less pain and less need for treatment. We cannot force you to follow the advise but we believe it is in your best interest to do so.
A vastly underrated exercise is walking and we nearly all do too little of it. As long as you can walk a little way without pain this is a good place to start. Further self-help advice can be found here.
No. With chiropractic treatment no drugs or surgery is involved although we appreciate the benefits of certain pain killing and anti-inflammatory medication during the acute phases of an injury. Pain killing medication should only be used to allow more comfortable rest periods – NOT to carry on as if nothing is wrong. Chiropractic care employs a holistic, natural approach to health. Your chiropractor will try and determine the underlying cause of your problem and correct it, rather than just masking it with painkillers. Chiropractors use their hands to manipulate the joints, muscles, tendons and ligaments of your body.
Instead of putting something in or taking something out of the body, the power of the body to heal itself is restored. Painkillers may make you feel less pain, but they do not address the cause of the problem, and can have serious side effects. One of the first aims your chiropractor care is for you to be able to function normally without pain and without painkillers.
Yes, chiropractic treatment is suitable and safe throughout the pregnancy and after giving birth. Chiropractic care can help with common problems associated with pregnancy such as pain in the back, neck and shoulders, joint and muscle aches and pains.
Yes, people of all ages can benefit from chiropractic care, although treatment techniques used with young children obviously differ dramatically from those of most adults. Talk to your chiropractor to find out more.
Absolutely.
In essence sports people are no different from ‘normal’ people. However, sports performance often puts higher demands on the structure and function of the joints, muscles, tendons, muscles and ligaments and therefore athletes may require a higher intensity and frequency of treatment.
Just like a car anything mechanical – the more you use it, the faster you make it go, the more care and maintenance it needs to keep going.
Appropriate chiropractic treatment has been proven to be very cost effective.
As well as receiving treatment during the visit to your chiropractor, you will be given advice on rest and activity, any exercises to speed up your recover, and other things you can do get better as quickly as possible.
Our Chiropractic fees are shown at the bottom of the Chiropractic page, accessed here.
Jan Olsen is a registered provider with most PMIs including Aviva, Axa, Bupa, Vitality and others.
Most Private Medical Insurers (PMI) and Cash Plan providers will reimburse you for some or all of your chiropractic care but you must check your policy first. Levels of cover vary hugely as do the excesses (the amount you have to pay before they start paying) applied.
For PMI claims you will need to contact the insurer who will provide you with a claim reference number, which you will need to pass on to us along with your policy number before your Initial Consultation.
In general Cash Plan providers require you to submit our invoices once you have paid us, and most PMIs want us to bill them directly.
Our Chiropractic fees and our general T&Cs are available via the links below.
For the most part, sports massage is safe with very few side effects. Potential side effects of sports massage include tenderness or stiffness for one to two days after a therapy session. It’s also possible that you could have a skin reaction to the massage oils used.
We have a section on sports massage techniques, accessed here.
Overuse injuries can occur in everyday life and are generally brought on by the things we do repetitively everyday. We will use remedial massage to treat you and look at what day to day activities could be the cause and will give you simple solutions to help with this. Generally making a few small changes can have a big effect.
Sometimes yes. If you have a tight, painful neck and shoulder complex, for example, you can expect to come away from a Sports Massage experiencing a lot of relief, at least for a while. But it probably took you months or years to get that way. It’s not reasonable to expect permanent relief from an hour session of Sports Massage. But over time you should see constant improvements.
A brief history is taken prior to the massage including your sports goals or event deadlines. We may do some standing tests and no doubt will review your posture (this we do with your clothes on). The majority of our treatment is hands-on work, however we want to fix you, so may glean as much information from you so we can work out what’s going on.
That depends on several factors: if you are an athlete/participate in sport, factors such as training volume and intensity need to be considered; also whether or not you have chronic pain or acute injury, etc. If you don’t participate in sport, then occupational factors may come into play, for example, do you sit at a desk all day and have a tight neck and shoulders? Or do you carry out heavy manual work which makes you tight and prone to injury?
For some people, a weekly massage gives huge results. Other people only get an occasional Sports Massage if they’re in pain. The best way to reduce the effects of hard training, stress or occupational aches and pains, is with regular Sports Massage. It is a fact that even getting massaged once a month regularly has a long lasting positive impact.
Yes. Contraindications are conditions when you should not be massaged.
The most common condition is that of an acute injury or inflammation. Usually, the first 72 hours after an injury is the acute stage. After the swelling and pain begin to diminish, massage is recommended.
Other contraindications are pre-existing injuries or medical conditions that make it inadvisable for clients to undergo a massage treatment.
This is because the massage could be harmful or dangerous to the client, or could exacerbate the symptoms of their existing condition or injury.
These can be classified as:
- TOTAL – conditions or illnesses that prevent the client from receiving sports massage therapy, or
- LOCAL – a condition or illness restricts the areas of the body where massages can be received.
One of the most common examples are infections – viral, bacterial, or fungal.
Some skin conditions, including psoriasis, eczema, severe acne, open wounds or sores, including cold sores could be classed as total or local sports massage contraindication depends on the type of condition that it is.
If you feel you have a condition that maybe of a concern, please identify and clarify it with your therapist.
During pregnancy, hormonal changes cause ligaments and joints to soften leading to additional strain on the skeletal system. This often causes aches and pains most commonly in the hips, buttocks and lower back. The increasing weight of the baby can pull on the lumbar spine causing postural imbalances. These changes can be difficult to prepare for, but massage during pregnancy can help to reduce these discomforts and promote relaxation and a sense of well-being. Massage therapy during pregnancy can help:-
- Ease muscle and joint strain
- Reduce stress and anxiety
- Promote relaxation and sleep
- Reduce oedema and blood pressure
- Improve flexibility and energy levels
- Support your physiological and emotional needs
Please note: If you are in your first trimester of pregnancy, please contact your GP before having a massage. If you are considered high risk, please also take the advice of your GP at any stage of pregnancy.
Our Massage fees are shown at the bottom of the Sports Massage page, accessed here.
