Category: Massage

Massage At Home – Book Yours Today!

If you struggle to find the time to look after yourself between juggling work, family, friends and day-today life, you’re not alone. But rather than your physical and mental health being an afterthought it should be a priority. Receiving a professional massage at home is a good way to start for many reasons. As a qualifed massage therapist and personal trainer I’m well aware of the benefits and how important it can be.

Table of contents

Convenience And Comfort Of A Massage At Home

shows the comfortable ambience available with a massage at home
| With a massage at home you are in control of all aspects of all aspects of the treament

Arranging for a massage therapist to come to your home is far more convenient than going to a spa or clinic. Finding the time amongst a busy schedule to commute through traffic is bad enough. But add to that the stress involved and it hardly seems worthwhile. If you don’t need to leave your home for treatment you can instead just enjoy the many benefits of massage therapy.

Also you are in full control of the setting. You can decide on the lighting, the temperature, whether or not you want relaxing music, to chat or just silence. You also know exactly who is going to give you your massage and what my qualifications and experience are. And that I specialise in various techniques that will best suit your requirements. Whether that’s a deep tissue massage to relieve muscle tension, a sports massage for injury rehabilitation or a Swedish massage for relaxation.

Additional Benefits Of A Massage At Home

woman laying on bean bag at home
| After a home massage there’s no need to fight the traffic and drive home. You can just relax.

Unlike a massage in a spa or clinic, a massage at home allows you to extend the benefits long after the session is over. Already in the comfort of your own home you can continue to relax without having to rush back to the chaos of the outside world. You can enjoy a drink, take a hot bath or shower, read or just simply rest. Whatever you feel like doing to make the most of your massage and continue its therapeutic effects. This can turn a one-hour experience into something that continues to benefit you for far longer, allowing for an even greater sense of rejuvenation.

Flexible Hours

Getting a massage at home also means you don’t have to stick to strict appointment schedules or 9-5 opening hours. At a spa or clinic you will probably have to book well in advance and their availability might not match yours. If you have an irregular schedule or need to see massage therapist urgently this can be a major issue. But you can book a massage at home with a lot more flexibility. I am available throughout the day and until 9pm in the evening, often at short notice. This allows you to book whenever you feel the need for relaxation or relief from muscle pain or tension.

Additionally, having the massage in the comfort of your own home eliminates any self-consciousness that may arise in a more public setting.

Personalised Massage For Optimal Results

woman with bad back needing massage at home
| For targeted results, experience a personalised massage at home

When it comes to having massage therapy, one treatment should never be just like the rest. Our bodies are unique and we all have different requirements, preferences and desired outcomes that we expect from a massage. That’s why a massage at home is personalised to each individual to provide the best results. As a qualified massage therapist, I understand the importance of adapting the massage experience to meet your specific needs. Whether that’s pain relief, post-op rehabilitation, pre or post event treatement, improved flexibility or simply relaxation. I use different techniques, muscle anatomy knowledge and many years experience to improve your issue with each session. By communicating your unique requirements I will provide a massage at home that gives you maximum benefits.

As I am qualified in sports massage, deep tissue massage and Swedish massage I can address your specific issues. Whether this is chronic pain, muscle tension, mobility issues or something else. The combination of my experience and knowledge from various health and fitness fields allows me to address your specific needs and relieve any discomfort or tension. This is one of the many advantages of a personalised massage at home.

Complement Your Home Massage

Another benefit of a massage at home is the chance to ask for further help and guidance. As I am also a qualified personal trainer I can provide insights and recommendations on stretches, exercises and practices that can complement your massage and promote long-term health. This will help you maintain the benefits of the massage between sessions.

Emotional Health

In addition to addressing physical concerns, a massage at home can also cater to your mental and emotional wellbeing. Stress, anxiety, and tension can take a toll on your overall health. By creating a calm and soothing environment in the comfort of your own home, I can help you relax and unwind. Soft lighting and gentle music can enhance the relaxation experience and promote a sense of tranquility and inner peace. Furthermore, it allows for more open communication. During the session, I encourage clients to provide feedback on the pressure, techniques, and areas of pain or tightness. This feedback is invaluable in ensuring that the massage is tailored to your preferences and comfort level. By actively participating in the massage experience, you can have a greater sense of control.

Reducing Stress And Anxiety Through Massage

stressed woman working from home
| Working from home can be stressful, but getting a massage at home isn’t

Stress and anxiety can manifest in various ways which can affect both your physical and mental state. High levels of stress or even low levels of chronic stress can lead to numerous symptoms. These include tension headaches, muscle pain, illness, irritability and difficulties in focusing. Anxiety is more likely to present itself as a persistent feeling of unease, restlessness, fear and difficulty in sleeping. As both of these conditions have a detrimental effect on your overall mental health they will also reduce your quality of life in general.

Massage therapy has been shown to have significant mental health benefits(1). By receiving a massage at home you can enhance them further. The familiar surroundings and absence of external distractions allow you to fully immerse yourself in the massage experience. This promotes a sense of tranquility and inner peace which has been proven to reduce stress, anxiety and depression. The result is a much-needed mental break from the demands of everyday life.

Deep Relaxation And Decreased Stress

Massage can induce a deep state of relaxation, which in turn helps to reduce stress levels. Through the release of tension in muscles and tissues, your body enters a state of calm and relaxation. As stress diminishes, so does the mental strain associated with it, allowing you to experience relief from its physical and emotional effects.

Promotion Of Emotional Balance

woman meditating at home
| Yoga can help you relax and rejuvenate, but so can a home massage

Through home massage, the body’s natural production of endorphins and serotonin, often called the “feel-good” hormones, is stimulated. These hormones serve as natural mood stabilisers and can create feelings of happiness, calmness, and emotional well being. By stimulating the release of these neurochemicals, massage helps to rebalance emotions and provides you with a renewed sense of clarity and peace.

Relief From Anxiety Symptoms

People suffering from anxiety often experience a constant feeling of worry, restlessness and unease. Massage can help ease these symptoms by promoting a state of deep relaxation and reducing your body’s stress response. The gentle pressure can calm the nervous system, lower heart rate and reduce production of stress hormones such as cortisol. This results in an overall sense of tranquility, allowing you to find relief from your symptoms.

Improved Sleep Patterns

Sleep disturbances are common amongst people experiencing high levels of stress and anxiety. Massage can be valuable in addressing these sleep issues. By reducing tension and promoting relaxation, massage contributes to better sleep quality and duration. The combination of physical release, emotional balance and enhanced overall well being induced by the massage can greatly assist in achieving restful sleep.

The Convenience Of Massage At Home

Receiving a massage at home adds to the already significant benefits it offers for mental health. By eliminating the need to travel for a massage you can further reduce stress and anxiety associated with commuting. The comfort of your own home provides a familiar and secure environment, contributing to a deeper level of relaxation. Additionally, the convenience of a massage at home ensures access to regular treatment. This enables you to sustain the mental health benefits over time.

Save Money With A Massage At Home

Receiving a massage at home is a much more cost-effective option. Traditional spa or clinic massages are expensive, especially when considering the additional costs of transportation and parking. By eliminating these costs, you can enjoy the benefits of a professional massage at a more affordable price. This makes regular massage therapy more accessible and sustainable, allowing you to prioritise your well-being without breaking the bank.

Home Massage Offers Increased Accessibility

A massage at home is a more accessible option for people with physical limitations or mobility issues. You may find it challenging to visit a spa or clinic due to mobility constraints or transportation difficulties. By bringing the massage to your home you can benefit from the relief and relaxation therapy provides. This accessibility ensures that everyone, regardless of physical abilities, can enjoy have a access to massage therapy.

By offering massage at home I aim to make this therapeutic practice accessible to all.

Summary

woman relaxing at home with feet on chair
| With a massage at home you get all of the benefits without any of the hassle

Receiving a massage at home offers numerous benefits for both your body and mind. The convenience, privacy, personalisation and cost-effectiveness make it an attractive option for anyone seeking therapeutic relief. As a qualified massage therapist and personal trainer I am dedicated to providing a professional and effective experience in the comfort of your own home. So don’t bother searching Google for “massage near me” when you can get one at home.

How To Book A Home Massage

If you would like to book a massage at home please contact me on 07713 250352 or email david@massageinyork.co.uk. Includes sports massage, deep tissue massage and Swedish massage. For more information on booking click here

Treatment For Cellulite

Woman needing treatment for cellulite
| Treatment for cellulite can reduce visibility

If you are looking for the best treatment for cellulite you have probably realised they have some things in common. Whether it’s creams, lotions, lasers or surgery they tend to be expensive, unproven and can be very invasive. But what you might not have considered is that having a massage is not only relaxing and therapeutic, it can naturally get rid of visible cellulite. As a massage therapist I have massaged hundreds of clients for varies issues. This includes pain, tight muscles, strains, knots, anxiety and more. And many times I’ve been told something along the lines of, “This might sound silly but, I don’t seem to have as much cellulite and I look more toned.”

Let’s take a quick look at what cellulite is and why it isn’t silly to suggest that massage treatment can help.

Table Of Contents

What Is Cellulite

Cellulite is simply fat that is acting against connective tissue and therefore gives the appearance of an uneven surface. It is most commonly visible on your thighs, buttocks and stomach but can also affect arms, breasts and hips(1). Although it is not at all harmful or a sign of being overweight (slim women have it too) the more fat there is the more cellulite might be visible. Factors that can make the issue worse include age, poor diet, an unhealthy lifestyle, genetics and pregnancy. For more information on this read my article here

The Causes Of Cellulite

So if cellulite is natural how can massage help? Well it can not physically get rid of cellulite any more than it can get rid of fat. But according to healthline.com, “Creams don’t remove the cellulite. Instead, they temporarily reduce the appearance of it. The fat cells still exist under the skin.” And the same applies to massage. From experience and client feedback however, I have noticed that massage can reduce its appearance. It can also give a more toned look to treated muscles. In other words, it is an effective and natural treatment for cellulite.

The reason for this is that your lifestyle will almost certainly involve something that has a detrimental effect on your body. This might be an active lifestyle that includes a busy job and lots of exercise. It might be more sedentary and leave you working at a desk all day, driving or watching TV. It might be that your days are stressful and leave you feeling anxious and in need of a drink or some comfort food. Or it could be a combination of all three. Whatever it is the result will be tight muscles, knots and the build up of scar tissue. By impeding blood flow, these restrictions compromise the body’s natural detoxification processes. This can cause toxins to build up and potentially lead to further health concerns.

The result is that cellulite becomes more visible than it otherwise would be. And massage to the affected areas, or even to the body as a whole, can reverse this.

How Massage Is A Treatment For Cellulite

Reduced scar tissue and relaxed muscles enable optimal blood flow. In turn this leads to improved nutrient and oxygen delivery and efficient toxin removal. Ultimately this enhances the appearance and function of the muscles.

This is why I believe massage is an excellent treatment for cellulite, as it reduces its appearance in a natural and beneficial way.

How Many Sessions Will I Need

woman bum after treatment for cellulite
| Reduce the visibility of cellulite with massage

Like all issues that can be helped by massage, how much treatment you require for cellulite depends on several factors. These include the condition of your muscles, your overall health and fitness, and how well your body responds to massage. In this case it also depends on how visible your cellulite currently is. One massage should be enough to make some difference. However, it might be a few days later that you really notice the benefits. After which, further massages will continue the improvements and maintain them.

Massage Treatment For Cellulite Summary

As I said earlier, like any other treatment for cellulite, massage can not physically get rid of it. But I have seen it become less visible even when treating cellulite was not the purpose of the treatment. And many clients have confirmed this. So if you would like to book or have any questions get in touch.

Book A Mobile Massage

If you would like to book a mobile massage in York please contact me on 07713 250352 or email david@massageinyork.co.uk. Includes sports massage, deep tissue massage and Swedish massage. For more information on booking click here

Sports Massage For Neck And Shoulders

A sports massage for neck and shoulders can have many benefits besides just feeling good. They help to relieve stress and tension, correct poor posture and reduce the severity of your headaches. They can even prevent them altogether.

What Is A Neck And Shoulder Massage

Neck And Shoulders muscle anatomy invovled in sports massage
| The main muscles of the neck and shoulder

Although everybody is different, a neck and shoulder massage usually involves treating the same muscles. These are the trapezius in your upper back, the deltoid muscles of your shoulders and the muscles in your neck. You might also require some massage work to the rhomboid muscles between your shoulders blades and your rotator cuff muscles. Or even the erector spinae which run along each side of your spine. Each massage is unique to you, however.

Table of Contents

Why Have A Sports Massage

Whether we are sitting or standing, at home or at work, we are frequently looking down at a screen. This could be your laptop, your phone, your ipad or your TV. This puts an unnatural strain on the muscles of your neck and shoulders which can lead to stiffness and poor posture. Combining this with stress and heavy lifting or exercise can leave you in constant pain that goes on to cause other problems. These can include headaches, jaw pain or insomnia, or it could progress into lower back problems too.

Other common causes of pain or discomfort include poor posture, which often comes from sitting incorrectly or for long periods. Also stress or anxiety, which can cause prolonged shrugging of shoulders and jaw clenching. As well as this, untreated injuries, whether recent or long-term, can result in tightness and inflammation.

A massage can help these issues by loosening your muscles to relax tension and correct imbalances (1).

Fix Headaches With A Sports Massage For Neck And Shoulders

While there are many things that can trigger a headache, one of the most common is tension in the muscles of your upper back, shoulders and neck. In turn this causes tension across your scalp and forehead. The usual culprits for this are poor posture and stress. A neck and shoulder massage can relax tight muscles in your neck allowing the head to be held in the correct position. This has also been shown to help reduce the severity and intensity of tension headaches and migraines, or even prevent them altogether.

Sports Massage For Stress And Anxiety

woman with pain in neck and shoulders
| Sports massage targeting the trapezius muscle can effectively treat pain between your neck and shoulders.

Different people hold stress and anxiety in different parts of their body. However, muscles in the jaw, shoulders and neck are among the most affected. This is because it is a natural response when under pressure, such as in a stressful or anxious situation, to shrug your shoulders. If this happens a lot it results in tight, shortened muscles which never properly relax and can cause chronic pain. It also increases the risk of injury. A neck and shoulder massage can help by softening the muscles and removing stored tension, which gives an overall feeling of calmness and relaxation.

Neck And Shoulder Massage For Jaw Pain

Another response to stress, besides shrugging your shoulders, is to clench your jaw or even grind your teeth. You might not even be aware that you are doing it. But whether it’s caused by teeth grinding from stress, tightness in the neck or an imbalance in the muscles of the jaw, jaw pain is most often felt in the joint just in front of the ears. A neck and shoulder massage can help by reducing stress in the body and relaxing tension in your muscles. This can reduce the damage done by clenching your teeth and can even prevent you from doing it at all.

A Sports Massage For Neck And Shoulders Can Improve Your Posture

Woman giving her Neck and shoulders a massage
| Poor posture caused by prolonged sitting or looking down at your phone can cause chronic neck and shoulder pain

Poor posture in the upper body is usually the result of too much computer or phone use, prolonged sitting or standing, or pain resulting from injury. But whatever the original cause, an untreated poor posture can very often get worse and even cause issues elsewhere. If you are looking down at a phone or ipad a lot you are weakening the muscles at the back of your neck and shoulders. If you work with a desktop computer you are more likely to be shortening those muscles and causing tension. Either way, the result will be a change from the natural curvature of your neck and upper back. This can cause pain, such as in the neck, shoulders or jaw, headaches, or even issues with the lower back. A neck and shoulder massage can relax tight muscles and correct imbalances to improve posture, all while reducing stress and tension.

Book A Mobile Massage

If you would like to book a sports massage for neck and shoulders please contact me on 07713 250352 or email david@massageinyork.co.uk. Includes sports massage, deep tissue massage and Swedish massage. For more information on booking click here

Sports Massage For Lower Back Pain

tight lower back muscles that can be eased by a sports massage
| A sports massage for lower back pain will relax tight muscles

As a massage therapist, I most often give sports massages for lower back pain. Back pain can start as a small ache or twinge that you feel now and again. Something which comes and goes that you treat with a hot bath or painkiller. But then it hurts more often than it doesn’t and before you know it the pain is constant and seriously affecting your daily life. Even if it seems like it came on more suddenly, your muscles were no doubt tight long before that. There are many possible causes, such as prolonged sitting or standing, poor posture, jogging or weight training. But these are just the most common and it’s important to figure out the source of yours to help prevent it returning in the future.

Let’s start with a few examples before moving on to how a sports massage for lower back pain can help.

Table of Contents

Lower Back Pain When Sitting

woman sitting with lower back pain from tight muscles
| Sports massage can effectively treat lower back pain often caused by prolonged sitting

Some health experts have said that too much sitting is as bad for our health as smoking(1). Whether or not this is true, it’s definitely bad for your back. If your lower back pain is like an ache when you’re sitting, there’s a good chance that prolonged sitting is what caused it in the first place. This could be from driving, working at a desk, or slumped on the sofa working at home. Unless you have a very strong core that can keep your back in its correct position for several hours a day your muscles are going to be tight. And tight muscles eventually become sore and inflamed, even when you’re not sitting.

If prolonged sitting is the reason you’re wanting of a sports massage for lower back pain, it will definitely help. But the area most in need might not be in your lower back, it could be the muscles of your hips and glutes. When you’re in a seated position, your hip muscles contract and become shortened. As are your gluteus medius, gluteus minimus and piriformis. This means they will tighten up, become inflamed and have reduced blood supply. And that can send pain into your lower back. The job of those muscles is to assist with hip abduction when you’re walking. When they’re tight however, your quadratus lumborum (QL) has to take over. This back muscle now has to do a job it wasn’t designed for, which further stresses something that is already a tight and weak.

Lower Back Pain When Standing

woman standing with lower back pain
Prolonged standing can cause lower back pain, especially if you have a bad posture

If your lower back issues are at their worst when you are standing, or straightening up after bending forward, the cause is likely to be related to your hips and glutes. As mentioned earlier, sitting for long periods can tighten up those muscles and affect your back. But so can prolonged standing. This doesn’t mean when you’re walking around or being generally active though. It means standing in pretty much the same place.

Jobs such as a greeter, factory worker or chef are good examples(2).

This position shortens your glutes and your lower back, leading to a lack of flexibility in these muscles. Specifically, your gluteus maximus and medius and your quadratus lumborum (QL). As well as your erector spinae muscles which run alongside your spine from your lower back up to your neck. And let’s not forget your hamstrings, already tight from sitting and driving, which can tighten further, adding to the discomfort.

Bending forward becomes a particular struggle when these shortened muscles tighten further, leaving your lower back feeling stiff and achy.When you do, all of these muscles have to stretch, which they no longer find easy. And because your glutes can’t do the job they’re meant for, your hamstrings and especially your lower back have to try to take over. This can turn a chronic back ache into a jolt of sudden of pain. Even if it’s something as simple as putting on your socks in the morning.

Lower Back Pain In Bed

woman laying down with lower back pain
| Laying down can make your lower back pain worse, even with a good mattress

If you struggle through the day with back pain you can at least check your sitting and standing posture. You can also do some gentle stretches and mobilisation exercises to help prevent things getting worse while you have treatment. For some people, laying down takes all of the pressure off their back and allows them some relief. But for others, laying down, especially in bed, can make things even worse. And a good night’s sleep free from waking up every time you turn over a distant memory.

You might also find sitting up to get out of bed in the morning just as difficult. And instead you have to wriggle on to one side so you can get your knees underneath you and then roll to the floor. This problem can be caused by issues which have been mentioned before. A tight quadratus lumborum (QL), erector spinae and tight glutes.

If you tend to sleep on your front or back this puts these muscles in a very short position. As a result they will stiffen up during the night. Sitting up to get out of bed then requires these muscles to stretch, which is what causes the pain. Side sleeping stretches one QL while shortening the other, creating a muscle imbalance that can contribute to pain. Especially if you have a soft mattress(3). Then when you try to turn over you are asking these muscles to work and for the shortened muscle to stretch. Not only can this action be very painful it can also cause injury in the form of a muscle strain.

Exercise And Lower Back Pain

There are many causes of lower back pain while exercising, whether this is group classes, lifting weights or jogging. And while the muscles involved are usually the same, the reason why you are having problems with them can differ.

Lower Back Pain From Deadlifts

If deadlifts are your issue, such as a sharp pain or stiffness during the exercise, there are two main reasons. The first is glute muscles that are too tight or weak to allow you to bend at the hip. The second is a tight QL and erector spinae muscles trying to do a job they’re not designed for. Both of these things will also prevent you from maintaining a correct S-shaped spine and instead it will be more C-shaped. If you are doing squats, these tight muscles will instead cause an excessive lumbar curve. And this will put a lot of pressure on your lower back.

Lower Back Pain When Jogging

If jogging is when you feel your lower back pain, a common reason is tight glute muscles. Specifically, your gluteus medius. The reason for this is when you run (or walk) it should be doing the job of hip abduction. But if it’s tight and weak your QL has to do the work instead, which puts excessive strain on your lower back. Running on hard surfaces like pavement or roads can further exacerbate the situation.

Lower Back Pain From Exercise Classes

woman with lower back pain from exercise
| Weight training can cause lower back pain but so can exercise classes

The two previous examples can cause your lower back pain even if you’re concentrating on your technique. But doing them at speed in a group exercise class such as Body Pump can be just as bad if not worse. Countless reps involving bending, lifting and twisting with no time to think about that twinge in your back can all add up to a major problem. And a tight muscle anywhere can lead to compensation by others that shouldn’t really be involved in that movement.

Poor Posture And Lower Back Pain

woman standing with bad back posture
| Tight muscles can cause a bad posture

Having a good posture means your body is in its optimum position for what it’s doing. Whether this is sitting, standing, picking something up, running, doing a specific exercise at the gym, DIY, gardening, using your phone or laptop or even sleeping. If your posture is good, you are less likely to get injured. This is because you are using your body as it was meant to be used. If it’s bad you could be using the muscles on one side more than the other. Or making them work in a way they’re not designed to.

It could be that many years ago you had an accident or injury that caused a small change to your posture you were unaware of. And over time this has developed into something far more significant in that area. Or it could have progressed to the point where the painful muscle is not the one you originally injured(4).

What Does This Have To Do With Lower Back Pain?

Well, if you have a poor posture it affects the way you sit, stand, move and lift. Instead of maintaining a healthy S-shaped curve, chronic poor posture can gradually flatten your lower back, setting the stage for potential discomfort. Especially if you slump in your chair.

erector spinae muscle shown as part of a sports massage for lower back pain
| The Erector Spinae is on the left

Another common cause is picking things up by bending at your waist rather than your hips, which can lead to a strain or even a slipped disc. In turn this can lead to excessive lumbar curve and be the cause of problems in your upper back. The reason for this is your glute muscles have become tight and therefore weak. This means that your hamstrings and lower back have had to take over the role to compensate. Your erector spinae and QL also then become tighter and therefore shorter, which is what causes you to have a poor posture. And your poor posture is what can cause lower back pain.

Muscles Targeted In A Sports Massage For Lower Back Pain

This article has highlighted the quadratus lumborum (QL), the erector spinae and the gluteus medius muscles as major contributors to lower back pain. But where exactly are they and how will a sports massage for lower back pain help?

The Quadratus Lumborum (QL) And Erector Spinae

QL muscle shown as part of a sports massage for lower back pain
| The QL muscle is on the right

The QL is a deep muscle in your lower back. It runs from the iliac crest of your pelvis and connects to your lumbar vertebrae and lowest rib. If just one side contracts you will bend to that side at the waist. If you are already bending forward and both sides contract they will straighten you up to an upright position.

The erector spinae is a group of 3 muscles alongside your spine. They run from the iliac crest of your pelvis all the way up to your head. Like the QL, if one side contracts you will bend to that side, if both sides contract you will straighten. The difference is that the erector spinae affect the length of the back, therefore keeping it straight during a deadlift type movement.

Tightness in the erector spinae or QL will contribute to an excessive lumbar curve. And it is tightness, overuse or incorrect use of these muscles that is most often responsible for lower back pain.

The Gluteus Medius

gluteus medius muscle shown as part of a sports massage for lower back pain
| The Gluteus Medius is on the right

Although you are less likely to feel pain in your gluteus medius, issues here are often the initial cause of your lower back pain. It is hidden deep under your gluteus maximus (buttock) and connect your femur (thigh) to your pelvis. When contracted it abducts your hip, meaning it moves one leg away from the other. It also stabilises your pelvis when you walk or run. Problems arise when you do something that involves bending at the waist, especially with a heavy weight or when twisted. It is tightness or weakness here that contributes to incorrect use of the QL.

How A Sports Massage For Lower Back Pain Can Help

A sports massage for lower back pain can improve your posture

A sports massage for lower back pain would initially focus on reducing the discomfort in your QL and erector spinae. This means getting rid of any scar tissue that has built up and increasing blood supply to the area. As well as increasing flexibility to allow your pelvis to move more freely. This is likely just a symptom of issues with your gluteus muscles however. So in order to prevent your back issues returning the underlying cause should be dealt with by also massaging your gluteus medius.

How To Book A Sports Massage For Lower Back Pain

If you would like to book a sports massage for lower back pain please contact me on 07713 250352 or email david@massageinyork.co.uk. Includes sports massage, deep tissue massage and Swedish massage. For more information on booking click here

Sciatica And Lower Back Pain – How Massage Helps

Sciatica and lower back pain in general can have many causes, some of them more serious than others. In most cases, massage can provide significant relief from muscle tension or inflammation.

Table Of Contents

What Is Sciatica And Lower Back Pain?

Sciatic Nerve For Sciatica Massage In York
| The sciatic nerve runs from the hip and down the back of your leg to your foot

Sciatica is pain in your lower back and leg that is the result of pressure on your sciatic nerve. This runs from your hip down the back of each leg as far as your foot. It activates and supplies sensation to the muscles in the pelvis, legs and feet. As a slipped disc could be the underlying cause of your sciatica, a visit to your doctor as soon as possible is advisable. But it could be the result of tight muscles in your lower back, glutes or your leg. These can become inflamed and press on your sciatic nerve, which can cause chronic, long-term pain if left untreated.

Sciatica is a condition which involves pressure on your sciatic nerve, but isn’t necessarily related to general lower back pain. Tightness in your hips or lower back, or a weakness on one side of your back, can often lead to lower back pain. This is typically ongoing and uncomfortable yet bearable. However it can flare up into a debilitating injury from something as simple as bending down to tie your shoelaces.

Symptoms Of Sciatica And Lower Back Pain

Depending on the original cause of your pain, there are a variety of symptoms you could have. You might feel one or more of the following, or your symptoms could change. For example, it can be quite mild and have very little effect on your life, or it can be so severe you are unable to do everyday tasks. It might come on gradually and get worse over time, or it might be sudden and intense.

Also the way people experience sciatica and lower back pain can vary considerably. It might be a dull ache that you only feel in your lower back, or it might feel more like a burning sensation that can extend to the back of your legs or even your feet. You might have muscle spasms and tightness in your lower back, upper back or hips, and you might only feel pain after prolonged sitting or prolonged standing (1).

Is It Sciatica Or Lower Back Pain

Sciatica and lower back pain are not the same, though they can have similar causes. Unlike lower back pain, sciatica uniquely transmits its characteristic pain down the leg and foot, even though both can originate in the lumbar spine. The difference is, a muscle spasm in the lower back can cause back pain, but only if the muscle presses on or impinges the sciatic nerve will it cause sciatica. Sciatica can also result in leg tingling, numbness or weakness that can cause your leg to give way when you are standing. Sciatica pain usually affects one leg and is more burning or sharp compared to a dull ache or throb.

The specific location of the sciatic nerve compression determines the symptoms you experience. L4 issues usually cause problems with your thigh and you might feel weakness when straightening your leg. L5 issues can go as far as your big toe. They can also cause numbness on top of your foot, especially between your big toe and second toe. S1 issues are more likely on the outside of your foot and little toes. You might also have weakness when trying to stand on your tiptoes.

Common Causes Of Sciatica And Lower Back Pain

Sciatica and lower back pain that does not involve your sciatic nerve generally have the same causes:

Bad Posture Needs Sciatica Massage In York
| Which of these common examples of bad posture most matches your own?

Poor Posture

Whatever the cause of poor posture the result is weakened, tight muscles or muscles doing work they’re not designed for. For example, tight muscles on one side means that the other side has to do extra work. This can increase the chances of a strain on either side.

Heavy Or Awkward Lifting

Heavy lifting, or lifting in awkward ways, can put stress on areas already susceptible to injury. Bending forward at the waist and twisting to pick something up with one hand is an example of awkward lifting.

Sitting For Long Periods

If your job involves a lot of sitting, many muscles will become shortened and weak. The most affected areas are usually the hip flexors and hamstrings. In turn this prevents the hips being in their correct position which puts pressure on the lower back.

Being Overweight

The more overweight you are the more likely you are to have poor posture and the more stress there is on your back. This can cause chronic lower back pain and lead to a slipped disc or sciatica.

How Massage Can Help Sciatica And Lower Back Pain

Most causes of sciatica and lower back pain can be relieved by sports massage from a massage therapist(2). If the cause is a slipped disc, your muscles can become inflamed and further press on the sciatic nerve. This can be close to the injury or further down your back or your leg. If the cause is poor posture, whether from being overweight, awkward movements at work or prolonged sitting, sports massage can loosen tight muscles. This allows them to work correctly and be strengthened evenly on both sides so there are no imbalances. Sports massage can also reduce muscle spasms and increase blood flow which speeds up the healing process.

Book A Mobile Massage

If you would like to book a mobile massage in York please contact me on 07713 250352 or email david@massageinyork.co.uk. Includes sports massage, deep tissue massage and Swedish massage. For more information on booking click here

Back Massage – Who Should Have One?

A back massage generally refers to the area between your shoulders and your waist. Issues that usually involve the lower back include pain, stiffness or problems affecting the sciatic nerve down into the legs. In the upper back the problems are most often between the shoulders blades and up towards the neck. Also, muscles running alongside the spine, from the pelvis to the upper back, often become shortened and tense.

These can all benefit greatly from a sports massage from a qualified massage therapist.

What Is a Back Massage Good For

There are many issues that can be helped by a back massage but some are more common than others(1).

Upper Back Massage

Back Massage Anatomy - Massage In York
| Issues with the deeper muscles can often manifest as pain in the superficial muscles closer to the skin.

In the upper back, tension in your rhomboids, which are muscles between your shoulders blades, can cause a feeling of stiffness. This can radiate into your shoulders, especially when reaching upwards or forwards. It can also involve your trapezius muscle, which causes tightness in your neck from prolonged computer work or phone use. If left untreated, upper back issues can go on to cause migraines, tension headaches and make you more prone to injury.

Mid-Back Massage

Twisting your upper body can reveal tightness in the large latissimus muscles, potentially contributing to discomfort in your mid-back. It could also be the intercostal muscles between your ribs, which are often neglected in a back massage. This can be due to activities such as running or racket sports that involve sudden twisting movements. Prolonged inactivity, such as driving or sitting at a desk all day, can result in a lack of flexibility. In turn this can lead to pain or stiffness in the muscles that can sometimes affect your breathing.

Lower Back Massage

Pain in your lower back can have many causes. The most common is tightness in the muscles which run up alongside your spine (erector spinae). To avoid misdiagnosis with sciatica, be aware that lower back pain can also stem from tightness or inflammation in your gluteal muscles. This is usually the result of heavy lifting with poor technique or prolonged sitting.

Even if you have no specific issues, the muscles in your back can store a lot of tension which a back massage can help alleviate.

What Type Of Massage Do You Need?

The type of back massage you need depends the cause of your discomfort, the severity and it’s specific location. In many cases a Swedish massage is sufficient as it relieves stress and anxiety, relaxing muscles which were in spasm. In some areas, like between the shoulder blades, a targeted application of deeper pressure may be necessary for optimal relief.

For muscle tension or even injury, a deep-tissue or sports massage more actively addresses the problem. This is often the case in the lower back area and involves softening the superficial muscles in order to work on the deeper ones. However, it does not mean that the massage will be painful.

What Else Can Cause A Bad Back

Woman With Neck And Back Pain - Massage In York
| Two areas frequently targeted by back massages are the lower back and the region between the shoulder blades

If you have pain, tension or other problems in your back then a back massage will help to relieve it. But in some cases the cause is elsewhere. Tight hamstrings in the back of your legs can pull your pelvis out of alignment, contributing to lower back pain. This is often the case with people who sit at a desk all day.

Another common but often overlooked cause of problems is tightness in the upper part of the glutes (buttocks). This can often lead to tightness and pain in the hips due to a lack of flexibility. The same is true of the hip flexors at the top of the thigh. If the muscles here are tight from prolonged sitting it can be difficult if not impossible for your hips to be in the correct position. The result is an over-arching of your lower back which can cause pain, tightness and increase the risk of back injury.

In your upper back there are two areas which are common sources of problems. One is the trapezius, which is a diamond-shaped muscle that runs between your shoulders and up into your neck. The other is your rhomboids, which are responsible for pulling your shoulder blades together. However, tightness in your neck or shoulders can also cause incorrect posture which could be the source of the problems.

Book A Mobile Massage

If you would like to book a mobile massage in York please contact me on 07713 250352 or email david@massageinyork.co.uk. Includes sports massage, deep tissue massage and Swedish massage. For more information on booking click here

Migraines And Tension Headaches – How Massage Can Help

There are many things that can cause migraines and tension headaches and the symptoms they produce can vary from person to person. They can last for a few hours or for several days and have a serious effect on your life. However, massage therapy can relieve them but also has the potential to prevent their onset entirely.

Table Of Contents

Tension Headaches

Woman Having Migraines Or Tension Headaches Before Having Massage In York
| Tension
| Tightness in neck and shoulder muscles can exacerbate, or even cause, tension headaches.

The most common type of headaches are tension headaches and most people will experience them at some point. They generally feel like a tight band around your head or at your temples. This can also include your forehead and scalp and involve a mild to moderate level of pain(1). The pain can also cause stiffness in the neck, which may be an indication of their source. They can last for a few minutes or for several days and happen very rarely or every month. This all depends on the cause, which is often related to stress or bad posture leading to muscle tension.

Migraines

Migraines are the second most common type of headache. The pain is an intense throbbing and usually just affect one side of your head. This visual aura, often accompanied by one or more other symptoms, serves as a potential 30-minute warning signal for the impending headache. These include sensitivity to light or sound, nausea, vomiting or numbness. Their duration also varies. They can last from a few hours up to around three days and reoccur at various intervals. Some people have several attacks a month while others are more fortunate and have less than one a year. The causes of migraines are numerous but include diet, sleep habits, stress, posture and environment.

How Massage Can Help Stop Migraines And Tension Headaches

Woman Getting Treatment For Migraines And Tension Headaches From Massage In York
| By massaging the muscles of the neck and shoulders a massage therapist can relieve and prevent migraines

As I have described, both migraines and tension headaches can arise from poor posture and stress. Sitting at a desk or driving all day puts your body in a poor position, leading to tight and shortened muscles in the shoulders, upper back, neck and scalp. Reacting to stress, especially on a regular basis, typically causes shrugging of the shoulders and clenching of the jaw. This can make migraines and tension headaches even worse.

Massage can help by relaxing muscles that would otherwise add to the severity and frequency your migraines and tension headaches. This releases the stress and anxiety that contributed to the tension in the first place. In turn this reduces pressure on nerves and blood vessels which improves circulation, allowing oxygen-rich blood to the muscles. Another benefit of this is that it helps with pain relief.

Through the relaxation of tense muscles and improved flexibility, massage directly contributes to improved posture. This allows the body to be in it’s correct position. Failure to achieve proper posture, due to the impingement of blood vessels, nerves and muscles, can trigger migraines and tension headaches.

What Type Of Massage Is Best For Migraines And Tension Headaches

Which type of massage is best for you depends on the causes, and on the individual. If it’s psychological stress or anxiety that brings on your migraines and tension headaches then Swedish massage will help you to relax and unwind. As a result your muscles will also naturally relax. The massage can be concentrated on the affected area, such as neck and shoulders, or it can be a more general, stress-busting full-body massage.

For other people the muscles require a more direct treatment such as deep tissue massage. This is often the case if you are prone to shrugging your shoulders or clenching your jaw in times of stress. The result is more likely to be muscle tension, stiffness and “knots” that need working out in specific areas.

Both types of massage will relax your mind and your muscles, but some people prefer one over the other. Or it might be that you would prefer a combination of the two. In the end it is your decision which to have.

Book A Mobile Massage

If you would like to book a mobile massage in York please contact me on 07713 250352 or email david@massageinyork.co.uk. Includes sports massage, deep tissue massage and Swedish massage. For more information on booking click here

Massage For Pain After Running

Whether you’ve just started jogging or you’re a veteran of pounding the pavements (or treadmill), pain after running is a common complaint. It might start as a niggling twinge, but could become a permanent part of your run if left untreated. It could even cause further problems elsewhere that leave you unable to train, so don’t just ignore what might currently be an annoying discomfort. Getting a massage for pain caused by running is the best way to stop it becoming more serious.

Table Of Contents

What Causes Pain After Running

There is a reason that running is such good exercise – it’s hard work. And it’s hard work because it involves all the major muscle groups in your lower and upper body. This includes stabilisation and shock impact by your core, while your arms, shoulders and back help maintain balance and momentum(1). The precise use of muscles depends on your running action and whether you prefer sprints, long distance or something in between. But however you run, if you push yourself things can get uncomfortable by the time you reach the finish line. However, that’s not the same as your shins hurting every time your foot hits the ground or waking up the next day with lower back pain.

If left untreated, pain can cause you to alter your running action so the affected muscle doesn’t have to work as hard. For example, knee pain can cause you to rotate your hip internally or externally from where it should be. And this just adds a new issue which is likely to cause you problems in the future. In this case, shin, hip or even lower back pain.

So let’s take a look at some common problem areas and what might be causing them.

Knee Pain After Running

man with knee pain after running
| Knee pain after running isn’t always a sign of damaged cartilage. It can also be due to muscle or ligament issues

Many people automatically assume that knee pain after running is a sign of cartilage damage. And while this is a possibility, it could also be related to ligament or muscles issues. Hundreds or thousands of steps per run, especially on concrete or tarmac, takes its toll on shock-absorbing cartilage. And once the damage has occured, treatment options arae limited.

Ligaments, of which there are 4 main ones, hold the bones of the upper and lower leg in place. They can become damaged by over extension, such as a sudden turn, though this is unlikely if you’re just out for a run. Instead it is muscle issues, even without injury, that are the cause of most knee pain after running. The hamstrings at the back of your thigh and the quadriceps at the front can become tight and inflamed. And because they pass over your knee this can lead to pain above, below or along either side of it.

Massage For Knee Pain After Running

To rule out potential cartilage or ligament damage, initial examination of knee issues by your doctor is crucial. This is especially important if it is severe, came on suddenly or there is any swelling. After ruling out anything serious, issues through an initial medical examination, a targeted massage can treat knee pain caused by running. It can also reduce inflammation and help to relax tight muscles in your legs to treat or even prevent knee pain.

Shin Pain After Running

man with shin pain after running
| The most common cause of shin pain is shin splints

Shin pain, usually known as shin splints, refers to pain below the knee and above the ankle. But another possibility is a stress fracture. Shin splints cause pain that radiates down the majority of the lower leg and tends to feel worse the day after exercise. A stress fracture is only painful at the site of the injury and feels slightly better after a day’s rest.

The most common cause of shin splints is weak muscles at the front of the lower leg and stronger, often tighter muscles at the back. Beginners can develop the problem from trying to progress too quickly, but a seasoned veteran can also suffer. This is especially likely if a build up of injuries or muscle imbalances has lead to an improper running action(2).

Massage For Shin Pain After Running

If running gives you painful shins you should reduce your training to a level that doesn’t aggravate it. This might mean that you have to take a break from training for a few weeks. Also, given that muscle tension and imbalances are likely to have at least contributed to your shin pain, massage to the lower leg will help correct this. This includes the calves at the back and tibialis anterior at the front. Your upper thigh muscles may also benefit from massage if the issue has progressed to other areas. Click for more information on shin splints

Hamstring Pain After Running

woman with hamstring pain after running
| Hamstring issues can be a sign of weak or tight glutes

Hamstrings are the muscles at the back of your upper thigh, extending from your pelvis down to your lower leg. Bending your knee and powering explosive movements like deadlifts and squats rely heavily on the hamstrings. Long periods of sitting, whether it’s at a desk or watching TV, causes them to shorten and become tight. And they can also become inflamed by running, especially if it involves inclines. The result is pain after running that isn’t just due to sore muscles but to areas of tension (knots). These can in turn progress to strains and tears if left untreated.

Hamstring pain can also affect your running action. Shortening your stride in an attempt to stop you aggravating the problem area. It can also pull your hips out of alignment which can lead to lower back pain.

Massage For Hamstring Pain After Running

Painful hamstrings after running, whether caused by tension, knots or inflammation, can benefit from massage. Having a deep-tissue sports massage will relax and lengthen your muscles to increase flexibility. Hamstrings can also benefit from a sports massage after running as it helps to prevent soreness the next day. This can also help your pelvis to return to its correct alignment and ease lower back problems.

Lower Back Pain After Running

As mentioned above, tight hamstrings can be the source of lower back pain. But there are other possible causes.

Gluteus Medius

One potential cause is a tight or strained gluteus medius muscle, which is deep under your gluteus maximus. Together these are better known as your buttock. The job of the gluteus medius is to abduct your hip, to move it outwards away from your other leg. Plus it stabilises your pelvis and keeps it level when one foot is off the ground, such as when running. Sitting for long periods can cause a lack of flexibility in the glutes, which can radiate into the hip. And putting in the miles, especially on hard surfaces, can lead to painful glutes.

Tight or painful glutes can then lead to weak glutes from lack of proper use. And this means muscles in the lower back have to take over the job of hip adduction when walking or running. This is why some people have to swing their leg out and forward to run rather than just straight forward. Overworked lower back muscles, forced to compensate for weak glutes, cause inflammation and pain

IT Band

IT Band anatomy
| A tight or inflamed IT band can be the cause of pain in various other places

The IT Band is a thick band of connective tissue and fascia that runs from your hip to the outside of your knee. It works with muscles to extend your hip and, like the gluteus medius, with abduction. Plus it helps to rotate your leg and stabilise your knee. Running can cause your IT Band to become inflamed, especially if you have poor technique. Which in turn can lead to hip or knee pain after running. And because it connects to your hip it can also affect your gluteus medius muscle, which as stated above, can cause lower back pain.

Lower Back Issues

Although lower back pain often has its source elsewhere, that doesn’t mean the problem can’t simply be with the muscles of your lower back. And it can also be the case that your lower back is causing problems in other areas. An example is a misaligned pelvis putting more stress on one leg, and one knee, than the other. This can be caused by prolonged sitting or standing with poor posture, muscle imbalances or injury. Injuries, such as strains, tears or even a slipped disc, usually occur with heavy or awkward lifting. But sometimes a sneeze or just bending down to tie your shoelace can be enough to cause a significant injury. Especially if there is already an underlying issue.

Massage For Lower Back Pain After Running

If you get lower back pain after running, massage to the affected muscles will help to reduce areas of tension and inflammation. Along with any scar tissue that might have built up due to injury. As mentioned above though, your lower back issues may well be a symptom of muscles problems elsewhere. Therefore you would also benefit from massage to the areas that are the source of your lower back pain.

Shoulder Pain After Running

woman with shoulder pain after running
| Shoulder pain after a run can be due to chronic stress or anxiety

Shoulders generally aren’t the first place people think they might feel pain after running. After all, it’s your legs that do all the work and take most of the impact. But if running makes your shoulders sore or you wake up the next day and they feel tight, you know this isn’t the case.

Your arms swing as part of your running action and it is your shoulders that are making this happen. If you have tight muscles, whether from stress or tension, you might be shrugging your shoulders as you run. This can cause pain and inflammation which makes the situation worse the next time you train. This would be felt mostly in your neck and the top of your shoulders.

If the pain is closer to your shoulder joint or upper back the problem is more likely to be with your rotator cuff. An indication of this is if reaching overhead causes discomfort, or if the pain is worse lying on your side(3).

Massage For Shoulder Pain After Running

Stress or poor posture can manifest as tension in your trapezius, leading to shoulder pain after running. This muscle extends from the centre of the back up to your shoulders and neck. By applying deep tissue massage to the trapezius, you can ease its tension, promoting a more relaxed running action and improving shoulder mobility.

If the issue is more to do with your rotator cuff, massage can help to reduce tension and inflammation in the affected area. It can also increase flexibility and allow the muscles to regain strength and functionality. Click for more information on shoulder pain.

Summary

These are some of the most common areas you could feel pain after running along with the most common causes. But running is tough on your body and affects many other muscles. So while discomfort might just mean you’re pushing yourself, pain is your body’s way of telling you something isn’t right. Don’t ignore it if you want to stay healthy, see a massage therapist.

Book A Mobile Massage

If you would like to book a massage for pain after running please contact me on 07713 250352 or email david@massageinyork.co.uk. Includes sports massage, deep tissue massage and Swedish massage. For more information on booking click here

Tennis Elbow & Golfer’s Elbow – Causes Of Elbow Pain

Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow have one thing in common – they both cause elbow pain. This can come on suddenly and become chronic if left untreated, or appear gradually over time. Different causes, not just the pain location, distinguish tennis elbow from golfer’s elbow. Tennis elbow mostly targets the outside of your arm and golfer’s elbow the inside. Knowing the symptoms, causes and how to treat them can speed up your recovery and prevent it returning.

What Is Tennis Elbow

Tennis Elbow Golfers Elbow Pain
| People with tennis elbow typically feel pain on the outside of their elbow.

Tennis elbow is a term for pain on the outside of your elbow. The cause is usually inflammation of the tendon which comes from the wrist and inserts into elbow. It is more technically known as epicondylitis or extensor tendinopathy(1). Tennis elbow can also arise from a variety of other activities. These include heavy lifting (especially if repetitive), typing or twisting actions similar to using a screwdriver.

Tennis elbow is usually a chronic injury that develops from overuse. But suddenly overloading the muscles on the back of your forearm, responsible for hand-raising, can trigger rapid-onset tennis elbow. This acute injury can cause chronic, long-term elbow pain if not suitably rested.

Tennis Elbow Symptoms

The main symptom of tennis elbow is elbow pain on the outside about an inch below the bone. This is often accompanied by weakness in the muscles of your forearm and wrist. The result is that simple tasks such as using a door handle, picking up a cup or using a pen can cause a sudden sharp elbow pain and loss of strength. Actions such as typing are more likely to cause a throbbing in your forearm. Turning your arm so the palm is facing upwards is the best way to relieve it.

What Is Golfer’s Elbow

Golfer’s elbow is also known as medial epicondylitis. It is similar to tennis elbow in that it is an overuse injury that causes elbow pain. But the pain is instead on the inside of your elbow and the result of bending your wrist downwards, or preventing your wrist moving upwards against resistance.

Golfer’s Elbow Symptoms

For individuals with golfer’s elbow, downward wrist flexion, especially against resistance, causes pain on the inner elbow. Pain is also felt by twisting your wrist inwards so the palm is facing down. Golf is a good example. Also any underhand throwing action, weight training or repetitive computer work such as using a mouse. As with tennis elbow there may well be weakness in the muscles of your forearm and wrist.

How To Treat Elbow Pain

Tennis Elbow Golfers Elbow Anatomy
| Golfer’s elbow manifests as pain on the inner side of the elbow.

Whether the cause of your elbow pain is tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow or both, the treatment is the same. If the pain is acute and came on suddenly the first 72 hours involve resting and icing the source. Not doing so can result in the condition becoming chronic which makes it more difficult to deal with. After 72 hours, or if the elbow pain is already chronic, sports massage by a massage therapist has shown to be very effective in treating tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow. This involves massage to the source of the pain itself. As well as the muscles of your forearm and upper arm. This will help reduce tension and take the strain off the tendon at the elbow, helping prevent the problem returning.

Book A Mobile Massage

If you would like to book a mobile massage in York please contact me on 07713 250352 or email david@massageinyork.co.uk. Includes sports massage, deep tissue massage and Swedish massage. For more information on booking click here

Pain After Horse Riding – Causes And Treatment

If you get pain after horse riding you’re not alone. Whether it’s hip pain, lower back pain, knee pain, inner thigh pain, sore legs or even a sore bum. But it might not be your technique that’s the problem. Horse riding can create muscle problems but it can also make existing ones worse. It doesn’t matter if they originated at work, while mucking out stables, or from poor posture in general, horse riding can exacerbate them. So let’s take a look at a few common reasons for pain after horse riding. As well as what could be causing them and how to treat or even prevent them.

Table Of Contents

Hip Pain After Horse Riding

Hip pain after horse riding is a result of riding position and tight muscles at the top of your leg. Although mainly on the outside of the hip, the discomfort can extend to both the front or back. Regardless of your riding style, the constant shortening of the tensor fascia latae and gluteus medius muscles due to an unnatural position is the primary culprit behind the discomfort. Basically the bigger the horse, the greater the distance between your feet, and the worse it is for your hips. Also, prolonged sitting, particularly with poor posture, compounds the hip strain. Whether this is at a desk, driving or watching TV, your hip muscles are in a shortened position.

Treatment And Prevention

There is little that can be done to alter your riding position but regular stretching of the affected muscles can help to keep them flexible. Unfortunately knowing exactly which muscle is the problem and how to do the appropriate stretch effectively isn’t easy. And sitting all day and riding demands more than just a few minutes of stretching to address bad posture anyway. A deep-tissue sports massage from a qualified massage therapist is the best answer.

Lower Back Pain After Horse Riding

Back Pain After Horse Riding
| Upper and lower back issues often occur together after horse riding

Lower back pain after horse riding can, like hip pain, be caused by being seated for long periods. But that doesn’t mean that horse riding isn’t also responsible. If your upright posture comes more from arching your back than correctly engaging your postural muscles then you are causing the muscles of your lower back to become tight. As well as this, your spine isn’t able to act as a shock absorber each time you drop back into the saddle when you ride(1). This can further exacerbate muscle inflammation which can press on your sciatic nerve, leading to sciatica.

Treatment And Prevention

Like hip pain, reducing the amount of time you are sitting down can help lower back pain. If you’re just getting the occasional twinge after riding, stretching your upper thigh, hamstrings and glutes (bum) can help. The goal is to be flexible enough to maintain an upright posture using your core muscles in your abdomen. This probably means you’re going to need to do some core exercises to get them up standard. If you’re not just getting lower back pain after horse riding but find it’s a more chronic issue that affects you throughout the day, massage is the better option. If left untreated it could go on to develop into sciatica or even a slipped disc. And this could keep you out of the saddle for several weeks.

Upper Back Pain After Horse Riding

If you have upper back pain after horse riding the cause is having a slumped posture. This can be while standing, while sitting or while riding. Instead of sitting upright with arms and shoulders relaxed, riding, driving, computer work or even mobile phone use puts your upper back into a more rounded position. Having your arms forward, such as driving or riding, shortens muscles in your shoulders making a proper posture more difficult. This can also lead to neck and shoulder pain after horse riding.

Treatment And Prevention

The first thing to address if you have upper back pain after riding is your general posture. When you’re standing keep your back straight, your shoulders relaxed and your head up. Computer work and mobile phone use means your head is down looking at a screen, weakening you neck muscles. So the same applies when sitting down. Maintain an upright posture which has your spine in its natural, neutral position. Stretching can be of some benefit to easing neck pain, but it is difficult to effectively stretch the upper back or shoulder area. A deep-tissue massage can lengthen and relax the muscles in the upper back and shoulders, making it easier to maintain a correct posture on or off your horse.

Inner Thigh Pain After Horse Riding

Inner thigh pain after horse riding is one issue not directly caused by being in the saddle. Instead this can actually lengthen your adductors and other muscles of your inner thigh. The problem comes, once again, from long periods of sitting or standing, combined with the hard work your inner thigh muscles continuously have to do while you are riding. Although squeezing with your legs might help to keep you in the saddle, it also tightens the muscles. In turn this can affect your hip alignment making a good riding position difficult and go on to cause lower back pain.

Treatment And Prevention

Like hip pain, inner thigh pain after riding comes from being in the saddle with your legs around a horse. No change to your riding technique can help. Instead, regular stretching of your inner thigh muscles, like doing a beginners version of the splits, can help with flexibility. If you’re already getting inner thigh or back pain after riding, you’re going to need some deep-tissue massage first. Relaxing your tight adductors, shortened hips and hip flexors will go a long way to help. It will also ease or prevent associated lower back problems.

Knee Pain After Horse Riding

Knee Pain After Horse Riding
| Knee pain after horse riding can develop into something more serious and long term if left untreated

Knee pain after horse riding generally has 2 main causes depending whether it came on suddenly or gradually over time. If it was sudden, especially after a fall or abrupt movement, it is probably a strain or tear. This could be to a muscle, tendon or ligament and should first be checked out by a doctor to establish severity. If it came on gradually, especially after riding, the cause is more likely to be tight muscles in your leg.

Treatment And Prevention

Where your knee pain is offers a good guide as to which muscles are causing it. If it’s at the front it’s probably your thigh muscles that are tight. The inside your sartorius or hamstrings, the back your hamstrings or calf. While the outside of your knee is most likely to do with a tight IT band. Fortunately, consistent and correct stretching can effectively resolve early-stage tightness in your muscles. But to be sure you’ve identified the right muscles and they are getting sufficient attention, a deep tissue sports massage is the answer.

Sore Bum After Horse Riding

Bum Pain After Horse Riding
| Besides the superficial glute muscles that make up the buttock there are many deeper muscles that control the hip

A sore bum after horse riding means you’re getting sore glutes, which is what the buttock muscles are called. The main muscle of the glutes is the gluteus maximus, with the gluteus minimus and medius beneath it. Their main job is to help you straighten up after bending forward as if to touch your toes. But lifting your leg out to the side and stabilising your hips is also part of their roles. As with hip pain after horse riding, a sore bum comes from your glute muscles being in a shortened position. As usual, this can also come from sitting down for long periods. Unfortunately the glutes are often are often weak or not working correctly but frequently neglected as a source of lower back and hip pain.

Treatment And Prevention

Tight or weak glute muscles can also get lazy and force your lower back to do all the work instead. Therefore, given the amount of work it’s already getting when riding, proper glute function is important. Stretching can help to keep the gluteus maximus loose but the deeper muscles will probably require some massage work. This is especially likely for horse riding due to the strain placed on them.

Horse riding doesn’t have to be painful, or leave you with aches and pains for several days after. With some deep tissue massage to get you started, regular stretching can keep your muscles loose, relaxed and flexible.

Book A Mobile Massage

If you would like to book a mobile massage in York please contact me on 07713 250352 or email david@massageinyork.co.uk. Includes sports massage, deep tissue massage and Swedish massage. For more information on booking click here