Muscles are often damaged by being subjected to a sudden exterior force or an interior force caused by a minor misalignment of the skeletal components. Muscles cause further skeletal misalignments if they spasm (go into contraction) and then lock as they then exert a continual pull upon their anchoring points until "something gives".

Both mental and physical stress induce muscle tensions, which in turn produces pain, and so stress is increased. Remedial and sports massages break this cycle and is far more than a pampering exercise, as often performed by less capable people. It is important not to segregate the mental, physical and esoteric aspects of the individual as they all have a reliance upon each other - a fire will result from heat, oxygen and fuel but will ultimately extinguish if there is an insufficiency in any aspect it depends upon.

A correctly administered massage not only releases muscle spasms and reintroduces the correct muscle tone, but also releases endorphins (the body's natural pain killers which have a similar chemical structure to morphine) into the client's system. In addition to their analgesic effect, endorphins are thought to be involved in controlling the body's response to stress and determining mood. It is therefore not surprising that any massage will help in the short term, but for the longer term benefit, and for proactive reasons, it needs to be a structural style of massage such as remedial.

Massage is probably the oldest form of physical therapy in existence today. We all practice it to a lesser degree, rubbing children's knees when they trip over at play, or our neck when we've been on this damned computer all evening - designing a web site.

It is totally non invasive and safe, providing a few simple safeguards are in place - which is the reason a medical questionnaire is taken prior to treatment on the first session, and why you are asked if there are any changes at subsequent treatments.

In the process of massaging a client it is easy to determine other structural problems inherent in the client's body and often apportion blame to certain activities or lifestyles. These problems can then be addressed by further treatments or advise on how to balance the body, either by diet, exercise, emotional, referral or trying to be more symmetrical in your approach to everyday activities.

Key Benefits

• Improved blood flow to damaged tissue, enabling a speedier recovery.
• Removal of muscle "knots" and imperfections affecting efficiency of use.
• Tension is released from the muscle and surrounding tissues, relieving pain.
• Tendency to suffer further damage reduced as correct muscle tone is maintained.
• Stress, both mental and physical, is reduced - helps you to cope with today's lifestyle
• With regular treatments, a proactive attitude promotes a better quality of life

Capabilities

• Member of the Association of Therapeutic Masseurs
• Diploma in Remedial Massage
• Taught massage at Complimentary Therapies College of Wales
• Run my own massage school

Typical testimonial

Clive Forth, mountain bike maniac
I was told that I would be out of action for many weeks and that it would be a slow recovery after that. David had me back on my bike and winning the national competition in 3 weeks.

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