I have quite a few clients who often say that they are expecting their treatment to be painful or that they believe in the "no pain, no gain" approach to their treatment.  If it doesn't hurt then it can't be doing any good right?

• Remedial means to apply a remedy - so Sports & Remedial Massage is about supporting the body in order for it to heal from injury tension or pain not create pain.
  

• The aim of massage should be to relax muscles that are under tension which may be a result of injury, bad posture or stress and not cause discomfort.
• PAIN is the body's way of indicating that something should stop.  When we feel pain the body's natural reaction is to tense up to protect the area of pain.  This is the opposite of what we as massage therapists are trying to achieve.
• In order for a massage to have a beneficial effect then the client should be able to relax in order for the muscles to be able to release tension.

• There is also the small matter of Connective Tissue (also known as Fascia)...
• This is a sheet of connective tissue that is just beneath the skin and attaches, stabilises and separates muscles and other internal organs.
• When pain is caused or felt by the body then this connective tissue will harden into a protective state - this can affect other parts of the body other than that which the therapist is working and therefore create more tension throughout the whole body.

• Can certain techniques cause pain for example Neuro Muscular Therapy (NMT) which is a deeper treatment
• If there is a need to use this technique which uses a deeper pressure on a particular part of the body to help release tension (Trigger Point) then the top layer of tissue needs to be warmed up and relaxed to enable the deeper technique to work effectively.  This will allow the tissue to relax and enable the technique to be used without causing pain.
• If a therapist suddenly digs an elbow into a muscle this will immediately cause discomfort and the body will tense up around this area and access to the deeper tissue will be denied.

• Will you feel sore after a Sports Massage?
• There may be some residual tenderness if you have had a Sports Massage as the muscles are getting a bit of a workout during your treatment espeically if stretching techniques are used (Active Release) but no pain or bruising should occur.  
• Everyone responds differently to massage treatments but most people sleep well after a massage and some may feel more of the benefits of the massage over the next couple of days.

In Summary... 

• Sports Massage shouldn't be painful during the treatment but you may feel some slight tenderness the day after a treatment which is perfectly normal.  So next time you have a Sports Massage you now know that you don't need to feel pain for it to be beneficial.

Plantar Fasciitis is a common cause of heel pain.  Symptoms can come on gradually over time and often be worse in the morning.

Symptoms

• Gradual onset of pain under the heel which can also move up to the foot arch.
• Pain is usually worse in the morning as the foot has been relaxed overnight and the Plantar Fascia becomes shortened temporarily.
• Moving around tends to ease the pain as the tissues warm up and stretch out.

What is the Plantar Fascia?

• It is is a thick band of tissue that runs from the heel to the front of the foot

• Plantar Fasciitis tends to be more common in sports such as running, dancing and jumping where more load is put through the Plantar Fascia.
  

• Inflammation of the fascia causes pain at the heel attachment which can then radiate along the bottom of the foot.

• Overuse injury is usually the cause of Plantar Fasciitis but there are a number of factors that can increase the possibility of developing it such as:-

• Having a high arched foot.
• Tight muscles in the hips, hamstrings and calves.
• Wearing flat or hard soled shoes.
• Overpronation of the foot which is where the foot rolls inwards and can then over stretch the Plantar Fascia.

Treatment

As always if you are not sure whether you have Plantar Fasciitis please seek advice from a professional before starting any self treatment.

• Ice - in the initial stages aim to ice for 10 minutes every hour.  This can reduce to 3 times a day once the pain has lessened.
• Never put ice directly onto the skin.  Wrap in a wet tea towel before applying.

• Rolling a ball under the foot to help stretch the Plantar Fascia.

• Stretching the calves off a step or against a wall. Aim for 3-5 times a day and hold each stretch for at least 30 seconds.

• Stretch under the foot by bringing your toes towards the front of your leg.

• Wear Supportive Footwear such as trainers or comfortable shoes.
  

• Taping - this can help protect and support the Plantar Fascia until there is minimal pain.

• Massage - when the condition has become less painful deep tissue techniques can be used to relax and stretch the fascia.  Treatment around the calves and achilles will also help relax the surrounding muscles.

It's the start of the New Year and the time when people tend to start to exercise more as they aim to become fitter and healthier. 

It is important to start slowly and build up your training over time to avoid over training and to prevent injury. 

Overuse injuries can be caused by repeated motions or impact which can cause muscles and joints to become inflamed and irritated, and this can happen when you start training too intensely too soon.  It is natural for your body to feel a bit sore as you start to exercise but you don't want to over do it so that you need to take too much time out from your training and then potentially lose your motivation.

We all know that regular exercise has both physical and emotional benefits but it is important to stay safe when training. 

Here are 6 top tips to staying injury free

1. Train at your level

Don't try to keep up with everyone else!  Go at your own pace; start slowly and build up to a more intense level.  This way you will avoid over stresssing your body and risking injury.

2. Wear the right gear

Ensure that your shoes fit properly and are appropriate for the activity.

3. Cross Train

Enjoy a range of exercises to balance the workout intensity on your body.  For example if you have started running then include swimming or spinning which are non weight bearing activities but are still aerobic to maintain fitness.

4. Recovery/Sleep

Ensure you have a least one rest day a week and make sure you get good quality sleep.   This is key for your well-being and essential for our bodies to repair effectively.

5. Diet/Hydration

Hydration is key and an essential part of any training plan.  Drink plenty of water before, during and post exercise.  Ensure you eat a balanced diet, including enough protein for your body weight, choose wholegrain, avoid processed foods where possible and eat lots of fruit and vegetables.

6. Sports Massage

There are a number of benefits to having regular sports massage when you are exercising regularly.  It improves circulation which brings fresh blood to tired muscles, improves flexibility and range of motion which can result in increased power and can help prevent and heal injuries through preventing and breaking down adhesions.