We use 3 main techniques during a sports massage here at Prima. Below we summarise those techniques and the benefits of using them during your treatment.

Effleurage

The term Effleurage derives from the French word ‘to skim’. This form of massage is primarily used to warm up your muscles in preparation for much deeper techniques used later in your treatment.

Effleurage is a technique carried out in a smooth, slow, and yet rhythmical manner starting off lightly and becoming more aggressive after a short period of time. This form of massage increases circulation and starts to stretch out tissue.

This also assures the client of ‘your touch’ and familiarises their body with the massage itself creating relaxation. The massage follows the contours of the client’s body and increases lymphatic flow thus aiding the removal of waste products.

Petrissage

This comes from the French word ‘to Knead’. It is a deeper technique used to compress and release soft tissue by using direct pressure by gently manipulating the muscles.

Petrissage techniques include picking up, squeezing, wringing, shaking, and rolling soft tissue with aim of stretching muscles fibres, increasing mobility between tissue interfaces, and aid the removal of waste products.

This technique can be uncomfortable and at Prima we work on a 7/10 pain scale (10/10 being excruciating pain) we don’t need to hurt you to achieve results! Petrissage is usually performed in the majority of the massage dependent on the client’s end goal.

Soft Tissue Mobilisation

The final techniques use is Soft Tissue Mobilisation. This form of massage is specifically used to break up adhesions in muscles, fascia, and ligaments. These adhesions are usually the formation of scar tissue which is formed by the body to naturally heal itself after some form of trauma.

STM breaks down these adhesions which in turn can decrease pain and swelling, improve Range of Motion, Lengthen muscles and tendons, strengthen the immune system, improve oxygen flow, increase endorphins and relieve muscle tension.

Conditions that are commonly known as soft tissue injuries include

Tendonitis
Sprains
Tennis/golfers elbow
Plantar Fasciitis
Bursitis
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Stress Injuries
Fibromyalgia

To find out more about our sports massage treatment and prices, please visit our treatment page. Altenatively, please email us on info@primaclinic.co.uk