Massage Therapy
February 12, 2020
Fact: It is estimated that between 35-43% of the UK population is estimated to suffer from chronic pain, that’s 28 million people. It accounts for 40% of time off work and costs the NHS over £10 billion pounds a year.
Fact: It is estimated that 37% of the population of developed countries and 41% of developing countries, suffer from chronic pain.
It is one of the most common reasons why people visit Massage therapists and physiotherapy accounting for up to 40% of visits.
Other common reasons include rehabbing sports injuries, relief of pain from accidents or muscle strains, relief of stress and as a form of preventative health care.
And also, just that good old relaxation that can only come from human touch.
What is massage therapy, exactly?
People with specific massage therapy training will have gone to school for a minimum of 100 hours training and received skilled instruction in the manual manipulation of the body’s soft tissues, including muscles, connective tissues, tendons, and ligaments.
They are highly knowledgeable about anatomy and physiology and are skilled diagnosticians with regards to chronic pain and how to treat it.
The underlying idea behind massage therapy is that a relaxed and loose muscular structure promotes the flow of energy through the body, which enables the body to maintain health and heal itself, without resorting to drugs or surgery.
Here are some common massage therapy modalities that you may encounter, ranging from simple relaxation to treatment of complex pain issues and connective tissue realignment.
Swedish Massage
This is your standard relaxation massage. Swedish massage is very popular in spa settings.
As one of the most popular types of bodywork performed today, the overarching goal of Swedish massage is the ultimate relaxation of the entire body. It is exceptional at achieving this, easing tension while promoting the release of environmental toxins stored in the body’s fat and epidermis layers while simultaneously increasing the oxygen levels in the blood.
Swedish massage has also been shown to produce significant reductions in the stress hormone, cortisol.
Trigger Point Therapy and Myofascial Release
A trigger point is a small area of tightly bound and ‘knotted’ muscle that will produce referred pain into another part of the body when pressed upon. For example, a trigger point in the rhomboid muscle in the upper back can produce headache-like pain at the base of the skull.
Trigger points such as these are often misdiagnosed as migraines.
Trigger points range in severity from mildly annoying to completely debilitative. The affected muscle fibres are in a permanently shortened and tense state, and can even pinch nearby nerves, producing even more related symptoms, sometimes spiraling into full-blown fibromyalgia, a disorder of the connective tissues.
This is one area where massage therapy has a distinct advantage over every other form of treatment. Conventional medicine’s answer to trigger points is usually an injection of a local anesthetic or a corticosteroid injection. Both of which are temporary, unnatural treatments and in the case of the corticosteroid, actually damaging to the tissues.
Massage therapy treats these by the application of pressure directly to the trigger point, going over time from light to very deep, (usually within the same session) whereupon the trigger point will begin to release and relax.
Follow-up treatment is nearly always needed to retrain the muscle fibers to lengthen and “smooth” back out. A good massage therapist can often boast a near 100% success rate with trigger point therapy, even when other treatments have failed.
Myofascial release is a broader application of this type of therapy that seeks to restore mobility and function to the body’s underlying network of connective tissue that is present in every muscle in the body. It improves lymph circulation (keeping the blood clean) and enhances the muscle’s natural stretch reflex, keeping the body supple and strong.
It should be noted that these types of massage therapy are not the same as a relaxing Swedish massage and can sometimes be quite painful as the body relaxes, releases, and returns to normal homeostasis. It’s important to communicate to us during your treatment if you are uncomfortable at any time.
Sports Massage
As the name implies, sports massage is focused on the athlete. From the highest level of competition, to the casual weekend warrior, sports massage therapists can be found everywhere from weekend 5ks to professional locker rooms and Olympic fields.
Sports massage focuses on both pre- and post- event training and recovery.
Pre- event for example, may involve stimulating a stretch reflex in the quadriceps muscle of a runner to help lengthen her stride, with repeated treatments resulting in a faster runner who is less prone to injury.
Post-event can take the form of a light, relaxing massage to stimulate healing blood flow to an overused muscle group, enabling the athlete to recover safer and faster, and enable them to perform at the top of their game sooner than otherwise would be the case.
Rather than a specific technique as in trigger point or myofascial therapies, sport massage focuses on the dual goals of athletic performance and recovery and may borrow heavily on other modalities to achieve these ends.
The tip of the proverbial iceberg…
The above is by no means a comprehensive list of massage therapy modalities. There are literally dozens of different types of massage, used in everything from lymphatic drainage, body realignment, even neuromuscular therapy that seeks to balance the nervous system.
If you’d like to go into greater detail on these and other modalities, and to get the latest, most cutting-edge information on the art and science of massage therapy, pain relief and injury prevention, then please click this link http://bit.ly/35TC9Je
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Running is one of the most rewarding forms of exercise. It improves cardiovascular fitness, strengthens muscles and bones, supports mental wellbeing, and helps people of all ages stay active. However, recurring injuries can quickly turn an enjoyable hobby into a frustrating cycle of pain, rest, and disappointment. At Weaver Physiotherapy & Sports Injury Clinic in Northwich, Cheshire, we believe that simply treating pain isn’t enough. Our goal is to identify why an injury occurred, correct the underlying cause, and help you return to running stronger than before. That’s why we’ve developed the Weaver Physio 5-Step Running Recovery System™—a structured, evidence-based approach designed to reduce injury risk, improve performance, and keep runners moving confidently. With 70+ years of combined clinical experience, our Chartered Physiotherapists and Sports Injury Specialists have helped thousands of runners recover from injury and achieve their goals. Why Do Running Injuries Keep Coming Back? Many runners experience the same injury repeatedly. Common complaints include: Shin splints Plantar fasciitis Achilles tendinopathy IT Band Syndrome Runner’s knee Hamstring strains Calf injuries Hip pain Knee pain Foot pain Often these injuries aren’t caused simply by running too much. Instead they’re usually the result of several contributing factors combining together over time. Examples include: Poor balance Weak gluteal muscles Reduced ankle mobility Poor running mechanics Insufficient strength Poor stability Lack of coordination Returning to training too quickly Inadequate recovery Sudden increases in mileage or intensity Treating only the painful area often provides temporary relief—but unless these underlying issues are addressed, the injury frequently returns. The Weaver Physio Difference Rather than focusing solely on pain, Weaver Physio focuses on improving your entire movement system. Every runner is different. Your running style, strength, mobility, previous injuries, footwear, training history and biomechanics all influence how your body copes with the repetitive forces of running. Our clinicians look at the complete picture before creating an individual rehabilitation programme. The Foundation of Injury-Free Running The Weaver Running Recovery System™ is built around five key performance pillars: 1. Balance Balance provides the foundation for efficient movement. Every stride involves standing on one leg for a brief moment. Poor balance increases unwanted movement throughout the foot, ankle, knee and hip. Improving balance can: Reduce injury risk Improve control Enhance proprioception Improve confidence on uneven surfaces Increase running efficiency 2. Strength Strong muscles absorb force more effectively. Running places forces of up to three times your body weight through your legs every time your foot hits the ground. If muscles cannot absorb these loads efficiently, tendons and joints often become overloaded. Strength training helps: Reduce injury risk Improve running economy Increase power Improve endurance Reduce fatigue Support healthy tendons 3. Stability Strength alone isn’t enough. Your body also needs stability to control movement. Hip, pelvis, trunk and ankle stability all influence how efficiently force travels through your body. Improved stability helps: Reduce excessive movement Improve alignment Improve efficiency Protect joints Improve endurance 4. Coordination Running is a highly skilled movement. Better coordination allows muscles to work together more efficiently. Improved coordination means: Better movement patterns Improved technique Reduced wasted energy Lower injury risk Greater running efficiency 5. Plyometrics Once strength and stability have been restored, plyometric exercises teach your body to store and release energy efficiently. These exercises improve: Speed Power Elastic tendon function Running efficiency Return-to-sport readiness Plyometrics are introduced progressively when clinically appropriate, helping runners transition safely back to higher-speed running. The Weaver Physio 5-Step Running Recovery System™ Step 1 – Assess Everything starts with an expert assessment. Our comprehensive examination identifies: Injury history Training errors Biomechanics Strength deficits Mobility restrictions Running technique Balance Functional movement Tissue loading capacity Understanding the true cause allows us to design the most effective rehabilitation programme. Step 2 – Correct Next we address the underlying problems. Treatment may include: Hands-on physiotherapy Soft tissue treatment Joint mobilisation Running gait retraining Exercise prescription Mobility work Shockwave Therapy (where appropriate) Acupuncture Sports massage The aim is to restore normal movement while reducing pain. Step 3 – Strengthen Once pain is improving, rehabilitation becomes more active. Your programme may include: Glute strengthening Calf strengthening Core stability Single-leg control Foot strengthening Hip stability Tendon loading exercises Functional strengthening Each programme is tailored specifically to your injury and running goals. Step 4 – Progress Many injuries recur because runners return too quickly. Our clinicians carefully guide your return using progressive loading principles. We monitor: Pain response Running volume Speed Recovery Functional capacity Strength improvements This structured progression builds confidence while minimising the risk of re-injury. Step 5 – Perform Recovery isn’t simply about becoming pain-free. It’s about returning stronger than before. We aim to help runners: Run further Run faster Stay injury-free Improve efficiency Build resilience Achieve personal bests Whether you’re training for your first 5K or your next marathon, we help you perform with confidence. Conditions We Commonly Treat Our experienced clinicians regularly help runners recover from: Achilles tendinopathy Plantar fasciitis Shin splints (Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome) Runner’s knee Patellar tendinopathy IT Band Syndrome Hamstring injuries Calf strains Hip pain Gluteal tendinopathy Stress reactions Foot and ankle pain Muscle strains Tendon injuries Why Early Assessment Matters Many runners try to push through pain. Unfortunately, continuing to train with an underlying injury often makes rehabilitation longer and more complicated. Seeking assessment early allows us to: Identify the cause sooner Reduce recovery time Prevent compensation injuries Keep you active where possible Develop a clear recovery plan Why Choose Weaver Physio? Choosing the right physiotherapy clinic can make a significant difference to your recovery. At Weaver Physio we offer: 70+ years of combined clinical experience Chartered Physiotherapists Sports Injury Specialists Evidence-based rehabilitation Individual treatment plans Comprehensive movement assessment Running injury expertise Hands-on treatment Exercise rehabilitation Shockwave Therapy Acupuncture Sports Massage Friendly, supportive care Convenient Northwich location We don’t believe in quick fixes. We believe in creating stronger, healthier runners. Helping Runners Across Cheshire Our Northwich clinic welcomes runners from across Cheshire, including: Northwich Knutsford Winsford Middlewich Tarporley Frodsham Hartford Lostock Gralam Weaverham Chester Warrington Sandbach Whether you’re recovering from injury or looking to prevent one, our team is here to help. Book Your Running Assessment Today If recurring injuries are stopping you from reaching your potential, now is the time to take action. Discover the Weaver Physio 5-Step Running Recovery System™ and experience a structured, evidence-based approach designed to help you recover, rebuild and return to running with confidence. Our expert team will identify the root cause of your injury, create a personalised rehabilitation programme and support you every step of the way. Weaver Physiotherapy & Sports Injury Clinic 110 Middlewich Road, Northwich, Cheshire, CW9 7DP ☎ 01606 227484 🌐 http://www.weaverphysio.com Run Stronger. Recover Smarter. Stay Injury-Free. At Weaver Physio, we believe every injury is an opportunity to build a stronger foundation. By combining expert assessment with balance, strength, stability, coordination and plyometric training, we help runners break the cycle of recurring injuries and enjoy long-term success. Whether your goal is to complete your first parkrun, achieve a marathon personal best or simply run without pain, our team has the expertise to help you get there safely and confidently. Your recovery starts with the right plan—and we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
By Weaver Physio & Sports Injury Clinic – Cheshire’s Running & Tendon Rehabilitation Specialists
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