About me
Why i chose a career in soft tissue/sport and remedial massage therapy...
If someone told me several years ago I'd have changed from being a commercial electrician to a massage therapist, I never would've believed them! But then I'd also never have believed that I'd find myself in hospital for over six weeks diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at age 29.
In January 2012 whilst working my usual long hours on a job I felt a tingling up my arm. At first I dismissed it as tiredness from working early mornings and late nights but when it continued into the next day with the tingling and numbness moving through the body, when my balance was starting to be affected I knew something wasn’t right.
Over the next couple of day's i gradually got worse, i began to slur words, then eventually unable to walk. Over the next six and half weeks I was hospitalised, I was very ill and finally diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS).
As I spent time under the fantastic care of doctors, nurses and therapists I was given a variety of rehabilitation techniques. I always remember being in hospital and my brother coming to visit me, my legs were numb and I was unable to move them. He started to massage my legs and move them passively, saying, "come on, we’ve got to get you moving!"
I couldn't believe how stimulated my legs felt and the positive physiological affects it had on me. Along with the physical therapy I continued to have massage therapy and believed it made a big difference in my rehabilitation.
I was so fascinated with the effects the massage therapy treatments had on me, i wanted to learn more. I feel very passionate in how the treatments have helped me and i wanted to help others in the way that it helped me. I knew i wanted to learn about the antmony and how it works.
After completing an access course in massage therapy I worked towards and achieved my level 5 BTEC professional diploma in soft tissue/sports and remedial massage therapy. This qualification was great for me as not only was I passionate about getting people moving and feeling better through my own experiences, but it also has the sport element too. Being a keen sportsman myself and doing martial arts for 20 years, this was perfect for me, as it not only covers the remedial massage and posture imbalances but the sports side as well.
Since I’ve qualified I’ve treated a wide range of people from top athletes (world kickboxing champions) to desk bound office workers, hairdressers and builders. I like to take a practical yet thorough approach to my treatments, working together with my clients to get the best possible outcome.
Get in touch if I can help you.
Ross Arscott MISRM
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VARIOUS SOFT TISSUE TECHNIQUES USED IN TREATMENTS.
Soft tissue release
This technique is used to stretch and break down fibrous adhesions or scarring that bind muscle tissue together that cause tight muscles or a lack of range of movement. The technique will bring back elasticity to the muscle.
Positional release technique
Ever felt like your a muscle was 'locked' or spasming? This technique works by puting your muscle into a position of ease to send a signal to the central nervous system to 'relax' and to release the spasm in your muscle. This technique is very effective on whiplash, stiff neck and lower back pain.
Neuromuscular technique​
Also referred to as trigger point therapy, the neuromuscular technique applies deep localised focused pressure on a trigger point to squeeze the blood out of any underlying tissues so the body pumps blood back into the tissues which then aids the heeling process and relaxes and relases tension within the muscle tissue. This will also release endorphines into the area which will subside the pain and relax the muscle tissue.
MET (muscle energy technique)
Using the clients contracting muscle energy, this technique is used to bring back and restoring muscle balance. This will release tension, give good length to the muscle and great easticity to the muscle fibres. This technique is based on two principles of PIR (post isometric relaxation) and RI (reciprocal inhibation)
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Cross friction technique
This tecnique is great to break down scar tissue and ahedsions in and around a joint that may be causing the joint limited ROM (range of movement)
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Did you know?
Massage can help manage and ease some of the symptoms caused by neurological conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson's Disease.
Multiple sclerosis
Parkinson's disease
A study took place in 1998 investigating the effects of massage on MS patients. The study found that massage helps spasticity, releasing the tension in the muscles and helping them relax, It helped relieve anxiety and depression. It improved mood, self-esteem and body image, and it also increased amulation and improved physical and social functioning. Massage therapy is also a great way of speeding up your recovery after an acute relaspe.
* source of infomation is the National Multiple Sclerosis society.
There are many benefits of massage therapy for people suffering with Parkinson's disease. Massage therapy can relieve muscle and joint tension, which is very common with Parkinson's. A study took place in 2002 by Touch Research Institude at the University of Miami proving that massage therapy helped to reduce the symtoms of Parkinson's disease. It said: "These findings suggest that massage therapy enhances functioning in progressive or degenerative central nervous system disorders or conditions". The study reports improvement of function, from the reduction of rigidity and improvement of sleep, to the reduction of tremor and increase of daily activity stamina.
*source of information - integrative healthcare