Sports massage is not the only body working profession out there, and when I say body working, I do not mean repairing car dents, but rather the repair of the human body holistically and non-invasively.
What is the Role of other body work professionals?
There seems to be a lot of choice, but it boils down to the big ones of Physiotherapists, Chiropractors, Osteopaths, Podiatrists, Sports Massage Therapists, and Personal Trainers.
You’re hurting, you know you don’t need the doctor, but you need something, but what? And who do you choose? Do you need more than one? How do you know the one you’ve chosen is the right one?
A rough guide to Choosing your Body worker
If you are in pain with something and you really do not know what you need to do about it or who to visit, usually a physiotherapist or an osteopath is a good place to start. They can diagnose you and give you detailed advice about your problem, and physio or osteo advice works really well with sports massage, and it gives me or Jen a bigger picture of what you need.
If you already have a diagnosis from one of those professionals or your doctor, then you might know that it is something that needs to be readjusted, and that you have been told to visit a chiropractor. Chiropractic treatments work well with sports massage, and I often have clients who have a treatment every few weeks but alternate between me and their chiropractor.
Podiatrists
Podiatrists specialise in your feet and lower limbs, so if it is localised to that area of your body then get yourself over to a podiatrist for specialist diagnosis and treatment.
Sports Massage works the soft tissues in your body directly and can effect the feeling of your muscles, tendons, and ligaments, as well as lowering your blood pressure and creating the release of feel good hormones, which all go towards helping you feel less pain overall.
Personal Training
Personal Training is probably the least considered body working profession, simply because it doesn’t require touch to the body. However, it is probably the most valuable in my honest opinion. Those members of the population who are active and partaking in exercise that gets the heart pumping and the muscles strong, are the most likely to remain strong and active and relatively pain free. Personal Training can get you moving and fit if you don’t know where to start, or what to do, or are particularly interested in other physical activities.
Now you have an idea of who you would like to see, how do you go about choosing the right one?
Check back next week to find out how I would go about choosing one of the above, as well as who I personally recommend because I have worked with them, or I have great respect for them through their reputation.
Thank you for taking time to read this week’s blog – What is the Role of other body work professionals? Don’t forget to get your next sports massage at www.astralfitness.co.uk. You can use my Booking Link or check out my website for a little further information at www.astralfitness.co.uk
We hope to be helping you soon.
Chloe & Jen