Michelle Hawkins

Osteopathy is a health care approach which specialises in treating musculoskeletal problems and supporting well-being.

Osteopaths believe that the whole body will work well if it is in good structural balance, so as well as treating the problem area, we also try to identify and target other areas which may be contributing.

Treatment is tailored to each patient, with consideration of the problem within the context of your life and medical history.

Osteopathy can be helpful for a wide range of problems. Treatment may include gentle massage, stretching and movement of the joints and muscles, to help ease pain, encourage your body’s natural healing mechanisms, and promote health. Exercises and postural advice may also be given.

The prime purpose of Sports Massage Therapy is to help alleviate the stress and tension which builds up in the body’s soft tissues during physical activity. Where minor injuries and lesions occur, due to over-exertion and/or overuse, massage uses a combination of deep tissue massage and other techniques to break them down quickly and effectively. Above all, it can help prevent those niggling injuries that so often get in the way of performance and achievement, whether one is an athlete, ardent keep-fitter or a once a week jogger.
This type of therapeutic massage is not just for the sports person. Anyone can benefit from sports massage, including people in physically demanding jobs and those not quite so obvious (occupational, emotional and postural stress may produce many similar characteristics to sports injuries).

The initial session will include a consultation followed by a massage, using a variety of techniques to best suit your individual needs.

The benefits of regular sports massage are:‍

• Eradication of lactic acid from muscles speeding up recovery between training session and therefore helping to maximise training and improve flexibility
• Prevention of and break down of fibrous adhesions
• Release of muscle tension
• Reduction of muscular aches and pain
• Stress relief
• Can ease stress and muscular tension that lead to headaches and migraines
• Lympathatic drainage
• Potential injury areas can be identified before they have a chance to develop
• Improvement in self-awareness and induces relaxation
• Pre & post event massage can help enhance performance and aid recovery

It is the most effective treatment for many soft tissue injuries and assists rehabilitation after injury.