Sports Massage

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Winner for 2024. 

Australian Enterprise Awards proudly hosted by APAC Insider for Best Sports Massage Therapist 2024 - ACT. 

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  LUXlife Eighth annual Health, Beauty and Wellness Awards go to Massage Therapist of the Year 2024 (ACT): Ray Flaherty, LUXlife Excellence Award for Sports Massage Services 2024 - ACT.

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Athletic Sports Massages Canberra is all about women's health and wellness in sports, including sports massage, PNF stretching, active release therapy, myofascial trigger point therapy, and myofascial cupping treatments.

$100 - 1-Hour Adult Sports Massage.

$60 Teens 1/2 Hour Sports Massage. 

Sports massage and stretch therapy are for adults and their children who are athletes. 

You might want the sports massage for yourself because of the sports you play or your teens who play basketball, football, dance of any kind, etc. The sports massage session can typically be used before, during & after athletic events. Sports massage and stretch therapy aims to prepare the athlete for peak performance, relieve swelling, drain away fatigue, reduce muscle tension, promote flexibility, and prevent injury or help with an injury. 

This type of massage can be useful for anyone with chronic pain, injury, or range of motion issues, and it has stretch therapy within it.  When you strenuously and frequently use your muscles, like if you're really into weightlifting, they can become chronically tight or hypertonic, which can make you more susceptible to tears and pulls.

Relaxing and loosening muscles increases flexibility and range of motion in the joints and helps to reduce swelling. To put it simply, making your muscles less stiff is good for moving them around.

Several techniques can be combined, including but not limited to just sports massage, deep tissue massage and myofascial trigger point release, as they help to break down adhesions & improve muscle tone, myofascial release, also PNF stretching, which was originally developed as a form of rehabilitation, which is very effective. Stretching can assist in improving the range of motion using PNF (Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation) is a more advanced form of flexibility training, which involves both the stretching and contracting of the muscle group being targeted. 

1. A trigger point is a tight area within muscle tissue that causes pain in other parts of the body. A trigger point in the back, for example, may produce referral pain in the neck. Receiving a massage with trigger point therapy regularly can help naturally manage pain and stress from chronic injuries.
2. Myotherapy for fascial release involves applying sustained pressure into the fascial connective tissue restrictions to eliminate pain and restore motion. 
3. Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) is a more advanced form of flexibility training, which involves both the stretching and contracting of the muscle group being targeted. PNF stretching is one of the most effective forms of stretching for improving flexibility and increasing range of motion.
4. Active release therapy (ART) is a soft tissue manipulation technique aimed at relieving tension, adhesions, and scar tissue in muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia, and nerves. It’s typically performed by a therapist using their hands to hold parts of the muscle with the movement of limbs. 

I use Caronlab Hydro 2 Oil Muscle & Joint scented massage & body oil 5-litre pack is a deeply penetrating blend of wintergreen, eucalyptus, pine, rosemary and pepper essential oils to help relieve inflamed joints, stiffness and muscle pain. Massage into sore, tight muscles to supercharge circulation and reduce pain and inflammation. This water-dispersible massage oil is ideal for sports massage, athletes or anyone experiencing aching muscles and joints.

 $140-1.5-hour session

If you are a high-level female athlete representing Australia or Canberra and you are a regular fortnightly client, then a few days before your competition, I will give you a free sports massage. 

If four or more ladies from your team come to me for regular massages, I might be able to support you with free PNF stretching.  
Active release therapy (ART) and massage at your event for free within Canberra, this would all depend on the day and time.

Sports massage and stretch therapy are typically used before, during & after athletic events. Sports massage and stretch therapy aims to prepare the athlete for peak performance, relieve swelling, drain away fatigue, reduce muscle tension, promote flexibility, and prevent injury or help with an injury. 

This type of massage can be useful for anyone with chronic pain, injury, or range of motion issues and it has stretch therapy within it.  When you strenuously and frequently use your muscles like, if you're really into weightlifting, they can become chronically tight or hypertonic, which can make you more susceptible to tears and pulls.

Cupping will not be done if you have not looked after your body, have broken skin, pimples, etc.
 

Some Of The Benefits Of A Good Sports Massage.

Sports Massage helps increase the flow of blood and oxygen to your tissues. This allows your body to recover faster from training and perform at its peak.

Most strokes used in sports massage are similar to those utilised in therapeutic massage. What differentiates the two is the goal. Sports massage aims to improve exercise performance and muscle function. Therapeutic massage emphasizes stress relief and well-being. 

During a sports massage session, the massage therapist focuses on the muscles and tissues that are overused and stressed.

Most athletes experience increased flexibility and range of motion, greater endurance, and reduced muscle pain after a massage. This therapy helps healing and prevention of injuries, leading to faster recovery. It’s an excellent choice for athletes as well as for people with limited mobility, chronic pain, or injury.

It can have health benefits, which can include:

Better flexibility and movements within the joints.

Pain relief.
Reduced recovery time.
Increased energy and stamina.
Improved mobility and flexibility.
Muscular relaxation.
Improved blood flow.
Reduced inflammation.
Enhanced sports performance.
Improved mood.
Stress and anxiety relief.
Stronger immune function.
Lower injury risk.
Scar tissue breakdown.
Better sleep.
Improved tissue elasticity.

1. A trigger point is a tight area within muscle tissue that causes pain in other parts of the body. A trigger point in the back, for example, may produce referral pain in the neck. Receiving a massage with trigger point therapy regularly can help naturally manage pain and stress from chronic injuries.
2. Myotherapy for fascial release involves applying sustained pressure into the fascial connective tissue restrictions to eliminate pain and restore motion. 
3. Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) is a more advanced form of flexibility training, which involves both the stretching and contracting of the muscle group being targeted. PNF stretching is one of the most effective forms of stretching for improving flexibility and increasing range of motion.
4. Active release therapy (ART) is a soft tissue manipulation technique aimed at relieving tension, adhesions, and scar tissue in muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia, and nerves. It’s typically performed by a therapist using their hands holding parts of the muscle with movement limbs. 
5. Myofascial release gliding: Where oil is applied, and the cups are glided across the surface of the skin, pulling the tissues into the cup as it moves along the skin. Slid cupping marks go away quicker and normally just leave a red mark and no bruising unless you bruise easily.
6. Myofascial release stationery: This is where the cups are placed on one specifically tight area of the body and left for 8 minutes depending on the client. 

This is where the marks are more likely to occur. 

Testimonial for   

Athletic Sports Massage Canberra

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2024 Google reviews

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Surfer

Ray is great at getting deep into tight muscles and is very generous with his time. His massages certainly help with improving my range of movement and I always feel relaxed after the appointment. Highly recommend for anyone needing relief from overused muscle pain. Kate Blakeney 29.11.24 Google review

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 Ray is very skilled, professional, and respectful. He’s got decades of experience and knows how to adapt his practice to the different bodies and needs of his clients. His services are also very reasonably priced.  Amy: Google review. 24/011/2024 

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Powerlifter went to the USA for a powerlifting competition.

 I have had the most positive experiences seeing Ray for remedial massage. He is lovely, super skilled, works around any injuries and his knowledge on muscles and the body is really great. The studio is lovely and you feel immediately comfortable. I am a powerlifter and seeing Ray has dramatically improved by mobility, allowing me to get the range of motion I need for my sport. Thanks again, I’ll be back soon! Rebecca 10/03/24

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Mum And Her 2 Teen Ages. 

Ray is an amazing massage therapist who I highly recommend. I've also taken my athletic teenagers with sore muscles to see him and they felt so much better afterwards. Ray is very responsive and always try’s to work around what time suits us. Very glad I found his services. Jenny 07/2023 Google review.

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Jocky

 Glad Ray was recommended to me, usually quite hesitant on trying someone new. Have always had ongoing issues related to being an athlete. He has made my day to day a lot more manageable with reducing pain, tightness, as well a significant decrease in migraines.  Very adaptable with treatment dependant on how your body is feeling. Flexible with times. Easy going and welcoming presence. Would 100% recommend Ray and will continue to see him for his great work. Teaghan 2021 On goggle review

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Elite Tokyo Olympic Athletic

 I've been seeing Ray regularly in the lead up to competing in the Tokyo Olympic Games, and his care and communication as a massage therapist is outstanding. Ray is exceptionally friendly, professional, knowledgeable and has tailored to my changing needs week to week with patience and consideration. He's particularly helped with both upper and lower back pain, as well as general aches and pains due to the training load of elite level sport. Would not hesitate in recommending. Thanks Ray! Maria 2020 on Goggle review!

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Gym Training

 I've been going to Ray for sports massage, trigger point therapy and stretching for years! He is the only remedial massage therapist I have been to that takes the time to work on my problem areas to release the tension in my muscles which helps in my recovery from weightlifting and keeps me mobile to perform my lifts with full range of movement. Highly recommend! Nicky 2020 on Goggle review

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 Ray knows his stuff, best massage I have had to release tightness in my lower back and hips, walked out feeling loose and much more at ease.  Trigger point treatment is not for the faint hearted, but it certainly gets results.  Great results after 2 sessions and I will be back on a regular basis for maintenance. Karen 2022 Goggle review. 

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