Below are some commonly asked questions. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any queries.
What will massage do for me?
Massage is used by people from all walks of life and their reasons for having a massage will vary enormously. Massage can help to relax a physically and emotionally stressed body, relieve muscular tension, prevent muscular and tendinous injuries. Massage also helps to reduce the strain and discomfort of physical activity, resolve chronic injuries, rehabilitate soft tissue injuries, thereby helping to prevent chronic injuries, and restore lost mobility and flexibility. Other benefits to be had from regular massage is that it can restore normal muscular function (where muscle spasm inhibits function), promotes faster recovery following training and competition, plus it help with focus on physical and mental preparation for athletic competition.
How often should I have massage?
This will vary with your individual needs. Ideally, we would all have access to massage weekly, or even daily. In the real world however, this is not usually possible due to time and/or financial constraints. To a large extent it depends on what you do (work, sport, recreation etc) and how you look after yourself. In many cases a massage once a week, fortnight or monthly can produce favourable results particularly when we remember that the effects of massage are cumulative.
Where massage is part of an injury management plan involving remedial work, a massage may be indicated every 5-10 days for a period of 4-6 weeks, depending on the severity of the condition/injury and other treatment being received at the same time.
When is the best time to have massage?
The best time to have a massage ddepends on why you are having massage, but massage is not recommended in the first 48-72 hours following injury as this could cause more bleeding, inflammation and greater and/or prolonged pain. Other than this consideration, the timing of a massage (day or evening) is usually dependent on when you are available to see your massage therapist and the purpose of the massage.
Is it okay to have Massage while having other treatment?
A multi-disciplinary approach to the treatment of injuries and soft tissue dysfunction is often the most effective management plan especially where speed of recovery is critical. Pip welcomes referrals from other health professionals and will liaise with them to ensure the massage work is complimentary to other forms of treatment being carried out .