Sports Massage: What to expect from your first treatment
by Melissa Culver
Choosing the right sports massage therapist can be tricky. Whether you have a current or old injury, or even if you just feel achy and need a body MOT, it’s not easy to decide which therapist has the best qualifications or the right approach for you.
What experience & qualifications do I have?
I started my career in 1999 after graduating from a 2200 hour diploma course in addition to obtaining the national board certification in Toronto, Canada. I worked in Toronto until 2008 before moving to the Caribbean. In 2010 I moved to London, England where I have been working ever since.
How do I approach my clients?
My approach to clients is simple. I look at medical case history (accidents, careers and life events) to build a treatment plan that is bespoke to their needs. I observe clients from the moment they walk into the treatment room and say hello, noticing how the client walks, carries items or open the door.
In my 20 years of practise, I have seen just about every imaginable injury and medical trauma. I view each new case as an exciting challenge, with the end goal of decreasing pain and increasing range of motion for my client.
Do I use a certain sports massage technique?
I incorporate many different massage modalities that include effleurage, pettrasage, kneading, trigger point work and myofacial release techniques.
Rather than treating the symptoms I treat the client. Every back is not equal. I listen to the body and feedback from the muscles. This allows me to work with both insertion and origin frameworks, applying my extensive anatomy knowledge to gain access and provide both pain relief and increased range of motion for clients.
What can I expect from the first treatment?
In our first treatment I am learning as I work. I’m gaining valuable information about your specific musculoskeletal holding patterns, adhesions and body type. During this treatment I will discuss what I’m finding, how the muscles are responding and what I believe I can achieve.
Many new clients arrive to me saying they’ve tried many other medical treatments, both eastern and western. They are unsure of whether or not this will work but they are open to trying. Usually they’ve hit a wall with progress and are unhappy living in a state of constant pain (severe or mild). They do not want to accept this is their new normal. I agree. No one should accept a constant state of pain or limitations as the norm.
My clinic hours at Clapham Junction are:
- Tuesday and Wednesday: 16:00-21:00
- Friday: 12:00-17:00
- Saturday: 11:00-16:00
I offer a complementary 15 minute assessment for every new client.
For online bookings please follow this link https://lrbericsztwqovgbwlagh-free.10to8.com
Otherwise I am available on 07948 074426.
I look forward to answering any of your questions and helping you to achieve your goals!
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Melissa Culver is fully certified in Swedish, Deep Tissue, Trigger Point, Sports Massage, Hot Stone Massage and Myofacial Cupping.
With her ethos of ‘bringing wellness to everyone’ and her focus on balance for both mind & body, Melissa has helped clients relieve the pain of both past and current injuries, stress, trauma (car accidents etc) and general Myofacial discomfort. Her clientele range from pregnant women, elite sports athletes and everyone in-between. Her extensive background in anatomy and remedial care helps her tailor specific treatments and provide home-care recommendations.