MASSAGE & ASSISTED STRETCHING IN CENTRAL LONDON
“I just feel tight.” It's one of the most common things people tell me, and often they don't mean one particular muscle. They mean their hips feel stiff, their shoulders don't move as freely as they'd like, their legs constantly feel tight or their whole body could simply do with moving a little better. Massage & Assisted Stretching combines hands-on massage with guided stretching in the same appointment, giving us more than one way to work with that feeling of stiffness. Sessions are available in Soho and Liverpool Street.
WHY COMBINE MASSAGE AND STRETCHING?
Massage and stretching feel very different, which is precisely why they can work nicely together in the same session. I can use massage techniques on areas that feel particularly tight and then incorporate assisted stretches where they make sense. Some appointments may involve considerably more massage than stretching. Others might be closer to an even split. There's no formula we have to follow.
WHAT IS ASSISTED STRETCHING?
It's exactly what it sounds like. Rather than doing all the stretching yourself, I'll guide you into different positions and control the movement while you try to stay relaxed. That allows us to work on areas that feel stiff without turning the appointment into a workout. You don't need to be flexible before booking assisted stretching. In fact, most people interested in it are coming precisely because they don't feel particularly flexible.
FOR PEOPLE WHO TRAIN
If you lift weights, run, cycle or exercise regularly, you'll probably recognise the feeling of certain areas always being a little tight. Maybe your hips feel restricted when you squat. Perhaps your calves are constantly worked from running, or your shoulders feel stiff after a lot of upper-body training. We can use the massage portion of the session to concentrate on those areas and incorporate stretching according to what you're doing and how you move.
FOR PEOPLE WHO SIT ALL DAY
You don't need to exercise to feel stiff. Spending most of the working day sitting down can leave you feeling just as restricted, particularly through the hips, back and shoulders. If you work at a desk and feel like you need to move more but never quite get around to stretching properly, this can be a useful way to combine both approaches in one appointment.
A PERSONAL TRAINER'S PERSPECTIVE
This is one treatment where my background as a personal trainer is particularly useful. A large part of my work involves watching people squat, hinge, push, pull and move under load, so I'm very familiar with the way people describe restrictions during exercise. You don't need to know the name of the muscle involved. If you tell me, “I feel really tight here when I squat,” or “my shoulder doesn't feel as free on this side,” that's enough for us to start from.
MASSAGE & STRETCHING OR SPORTS MASSAGE?
If your main concern is training-related muscle tightness and you want a predominantly hands-on treatment, Sports Massage may be the better option. If stiffness, flexibility and movement are a bigger part of what you want to work on, adding Assisted Stretching may make more sense. And if you're not sure, don't worry about the label. Tell me what's bothering you and we can decide how best to use the session.
DO I NEED TO BE FLEXIBLE?
Absolutely not. There's no flexibility test and you're not expected to arrive able to touch your toes. Everything is adjusted to your current range and comfort. Assisted stretching isn't about forcing your body as far as possible; it's about working within a range that's appropriate for you.
ASSISTED STRETCHING IN SOHO & LIVERPOOL STREET
I offer massage and assisted stretching in Central London, with appointments available in Soho and Liverpool Street / the City of London. Whether the stiffness comes from training, sitting at a desk or simply everyday life, we'll tailor the balance of massage and stretching around what you need.