What is the difference between sports and deep tissue massage?
Deep tissue is a very descriptive name and is self-explanatory. The confusion comes when it is compared to sports massage. The big difference is the focus.
Sports massage is dedicated to
- improving sports performance
- prevention of and treating sports injuries
The reasons for booking a sports massage are:
- You work out religiously, but aren’t as relgious about stretching
- You cycle or run to work and don’t think to stretch
- You play sports but don’t cross train so have specific trouble spots
- Your performance (in a particular sport) has dropped
- You have a history of injuries and want to reduce the likely hood of further injuries
Deep Tissue massage is a problem solving massage for everyone.
The reasons for booking a deep tissue massage are:
- You work at a computer all day and your neck, shoulders & back are chronically sore
- You are so tense your back feels like concrete
- You have tired achy legs
- You are in pain
- You are stiff (or are unable to move your neck/arm/leg freely)
- You are stressed or anxious
- You have a knot or a muscle spasm
To book a treatment click here.
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How to Prevent Running Injuries – Part 2
In part 1, I explained the importance of listening to your body when running. I know want to build on this and focus on specific actions you can take. Flexibility The natural stress-recovery cycle of running can cause the muscle fibers to knot up and stick together, limiting their function and leaving you more susceptible to injury. Breaking down these adhesions increases the muscles mobility which allows it to properly contract and lengthen. Sports or Deep Tissue massage can break down any adhesions or you can use a foam roller. Strength When a strong body runs, the brain tells the muscles to brace for impact before the foot hits the ground. The glutes and core contract to steady the pelvis and leg, and the foot and ankle muscles are activated to provide a solid foundation to land upon. If there was one muscle group I would encourage you to target it is to strengthen your glutes. The one leg squat is ideal for this. Shoes Please don't choose running shoes based on the brand. The best running shoes for you tend to be the ones that fit your feet the best and are most suitable for the terrain on which you run. For example, people with flat feet are best with motion control shoes while people like me with rigid, high arches need extra cushioning. Remember a pair of running shoes should be worn for no longer than approximately 400 miles.

Using Positive Psychology to boost Resilience – Part 2
In part 1, I introduced the concept of positive psychology. Positive psychologists say that it takes 21 days to re-program the brain. They also say that doing the following activities every day can allow you to see the positive in your life rather than looking for negatives, to reduce stress and anxiety.
- Write down 3 things you are grateful for in your life.
- Write a diary entry about 1 good thing that has happened to you over the last 24 hours.
- Exercise - its boosts your mood and reduces stress.
- Meditation helps you stop over thinking!
- Random acts of kindness - do at least one kind act a week, even if its just sending a text to say thank you.
- Share your joys and foibles with the ones you love.

Do you go home being mentally exhausted but physically full of beans?
I know when I worked in IT I would often leave the office mentally very tired and depending upon how trying the day had been somtimes I was just mentally exhausted but often I was not physically tired. The simplest solution to this conundrum is to go down the gym and burn of the excess physical energy and going to the gym also helps to switch off from work. However there are times when we are injured or feeling run down when this is not possible, so then what can you do? Recently I have seen a few people in clinic who are in this situation. This means they are stuggling to switch off from work and relax. So I wanted to share a few tips on how to handle this if it happens to you. Depending upon the injury you can:
- Start taking the stairs at work - even if you can't walk up all the flights of stairs for example if you are based on the top floor, you can walk up some flights and take the lift for the rest.
- Go swimming instead of going to the gym.
- Get of the train or tube one stop earlier and walk the rest of the way (this obviously depends upon your commute).
- Go for a walk in park or any type of greenery.
- A lot of museams in London have a late night opening, so why not go walk around a museam.
- If you have a garden, do some gardening.

