Marathon-mad Debbie explains why you don’t have to be sporty to enjoy the benefits of Sports Massage Therapy
Earlier this year, in May, our newest team member, Debbie Grayson joined our Totley Clinic.
Debbie has a Level 5 Sports and Clinical Therapist and her own clinic in Ecclesfield. She is a very keen runner, Personal Trainer and England Athletic Running Coach and operates her own running club. She is trying to achieve her goal of running all six World Major Marathons - yes you've read that right!
Debbie Grayson has recently joined our Totley team as a Sports Therapist
She says: 'I've completed London a few times already, running in the Abbott WMM Wanda Age Group World Championships. I ran in the Berlin Marathon last year and this year will be hopefully completing the Chicago Marathon in October- competing again in the World age group championships.'
Debbie explains how Sports and Remedial Massage isn't just used by sports and exercise participants although sports massage is well known to be used effectively as a maintenance massage, or as a pre or post-event treatment.
Debbie treating one of her patients
'It can also help to alleviate muscle aches and pains associated with daily living, work-related complaints and general physical activities. For example, gardening.
'Sports Massage is a set of specialised massage techniques for the treatment of muscle, tendon and ligament problems. It can help to maintain muscular strength and improve a patient's range of movement. It can also help to reduce the effects of muscular pain, postural discomfort and repetitive strain injuries - as well as be beneficial in rehabilitating the body back to fitness following an illness or injury.'
Such treatments, Debbie explains, are not necessarily 'stand-alone' and can be used in combination with other modalities. For example, Cupping, Dry Needling, Muscle Energy Techniques, Mobilisation and Electrotherapy - dependent on each patient's needs. The purpose of the massage can be to identify and treat the source of the problem - not just any associated pain.
Debbie Grayson taking part in the Great North Run
She concludes: 'Where appropriate, physiotherapists can advise on remedial exercise to help with any rehabilitation or preventative needs. These improvements often lead to reduced daily stress levels and muscular pain, improved sleep and nutritional habits and help increase feelings of wellness and vitality'.
Debbie is available to be booked on Thursdays at our Activ Totley clinic from 4pm to 8pm and every other Saturday from 9am to 1pm (beginning on Saturday May 13th). Also, if you require any advice on running styles or you need assistance with niggling injuries, why not book in with our Runfit clinic (which is our running physiotherapy service) where we can provide you with a full assessment.
A one hour sports massage is £55, 45 minutes is £45 and 30 minutes is £35. Bookings can be made by phoning the Activ Totley clinic.
Call the Totley Reception team on 0114 235 2727 to book.
NB. At our Hope clinic we have two sports massage therapists, Karen McDonald and Marianne Sharp.
Karen is a Sports and Rehab Therapist.
She uses a combination of therapies to treat clients. She helps the older generation stay healthy and pain-free, keeps workers' backs and necks healthy and helps stroke survivors to regain health and fitness.
Marianne is a Sports Massage/Soft Tissue Therapist.
Her techniques are informed by a deep understanding of the physiological impact of exercise, strain, injury and pain on the whole body.
Please contact Activ's Hope clinic for Karen and Marianne's appointment details by calling 01433 623 602.
