Susan Martin Soft Tissue Therapy

25/10/2025

Boots that have studs or spikes on the bottom are used in a number of sports in which maintaining grip and control on the ground is crucial. The most common of these sports are football, rugby and athletics. In professional sports the officials take great care to regulate the type of studs allowed which serves to limit the danger somewhat, but the same strictness does not always apply to grass roots or casual sport. e.g. A kick about at the park.
There are two main mechanisms that result in boot stud injuries:
The first is when an athlete comes into contact with a fellow competitor's studs. This type of injury is most commonly sustained during tackling or a fall on the pitch/track. These injuries are typically restricted to minor cuts and bruising but the speed and ferocity of the tackle/fall will be a major factor in the outcome. Some deep cuts may need stitching and can scar. General first aid will be necessary and referral to a doctor if more treatment is required.
The second injury arises when a person's studs/spikes become stuck in the playing surface while they are still moving. This results in the athlete continuing to move forward as the boot tries to anchor them in place. The body is forced to twist or contort in unpredictable ways and this can cause serious injuries. Damage to muscles, tendons and ligaments is common and bone fractures are possible. These will all need the attention of a doctor and may put the athlete out of action for some time. The treatment required will depend on the seriousness of the injury but a regime of rehabilitation exercises, Soft Tissue Therapy and a nutritious diet will be necessary to regain full range of movement and sufficient strength to return to sport.

22/10/2025

Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, is one of the most important vitamins for immune health, aiding in the prevention of colds and other infections. It also helps with the absorption of Iron which transports oxygen and nutrients around the body in the blood.
Vitamin C is also needed by the body in order to make Collagen. This protein is the main component of connective tissues that provided support at your joints. Collagen also plays a part in wound healing and is a major component of scar tissue so Vitamin C helps to speed recovery.
Vitamin C deficiency is rare in UK but initial symptoms are fatigue, skin problems and decreased resistance to infections.
Vitamin C is found in a wide variety of fruit and vegetables:
• oranges and orange juice
• red and green peppers
• strawberries
• blackcurrants
• broccoli
• brussels sprouts
• potatoes
It is also added to some Breakfast cereals and many people take an oral supplement.
The body is unable to store this vitamin so it needs to be eaten every day. Excess is usually excreted and causes little or no harm.

20/10/2025

Sports and Deep Tissue massage has somehow gained a reputation for being painful. I have had clients come to me with stories of gritting their teeth at other massage sessions (not mine) or being warned by friends to expect pain if they want to get a beneficial therapy. This attitude goes along side the “No pain, no gain” mentality of some athletes and coaches but neither need to be true.
It is sometimes assumed that if you want effective relief from muscle tension then the therapist needs to apply a lot of pressure. This is not good for the client or the therapist.
Changes in muscle tension are caused by changes in the nervous system. This system allows the muscles to relax under a caring and sympathetic touch. Too much pressure makes the body react and “kick out” the therapist so no relaxation can take place. Any adhesions or knots that cause points of pain should be eased out, not beaten out.
Once the top layers of muscles are softened, the therapist’s hands can sink deeper into the under-lying muscles.
An effective, therapeutic massage depends more on the communication between client and therapist, the therapist’s knowledge of anatomy and the client’s understanding that they can’t be fixed by another person. It is a joint effort. Many therapists will have learned other techniques that can be blended with the massage including stretching and rehabilitation exercises. Any pain felt during your massage should be communicated to the therapist so that techniques or positioning can be modified. In this way you can both learn what works best for your body.

18/10/2025

You will all have heard by now that sitting for long periods of time is bad for your health and if you have an office job you may already feel the effects of not moving enough.

Why does sitting hurt our backs, though, and what can we do about it?
Our bodies are designed to move. Muscles, connective tissues, bones and spinal discs all need regular deliveries of blood, oxygen and nutrients. These deliveries can only be made if blood and fluids are being pumped around the body. Movement makes the body pump.

If we sit for long periods of time, our back, hip and leg muscles do not need to work. They become lazy and weak leading to abnormal tilts in the pelvis. All these factors can lead to poor posture and increased stresses in your lower back.

How can we help to fix this? The main way is to move more -
1. Take regular micro breaks every half hour or so and a larger active break at lunch time,
2. Stretch and hydrate during these breaks,
3. Stay active outside of work hours to strengthen your muscles,
4. Watch your posture, both seated and standing,
5. Make sure your office desk and chair are set up to suit you,
6. Regularly de-stress through socializing, massage, meditation, journaling etc.

If you need any help or advice about getting more movement into your life or want to find out how massage might help you to relax, please get in touch.

15/10/2025

Your scars can tell the story of your life but sometimes they are constant reminders especially if they are tight, uncomfortable and affect how your body moves .
ScarWork™ is a gentle, non invasive therapy working to release the tension in the scar and surrounding tissue. Scar tissue can become softer and more pliable allowing the body to function in a more natural way. Results are usually permanent and a few short sessions can make all the difference. Please get in contact if you want to discuss how I can help.

13/10/2025

As any sufferer knows, the main symptoms of Osteoarthritis are pain and stiffness. There is no cure for this disease and treatment usually consists of lifestyle management through weight loss and gentle exercise along with pain relieving medication.
Soft Tissue Therapy is a non-invasive, safe and natural option for individuals suffering from Osteoarthritis. With regular massages, patients can not only find relief from the residual pain caused by the disease, but also find improvement in mobility and flexibility in the affected joint.
Pain is relieved as the muscles surrounding the joints relax, releasing stiffness and allowing for better range of motion and mobility. Increased relaxation, decreased stress, and a sense of well-being are also common benefits of massage therapy. Additional results can include a reduction in swelling due to improved blood and lymph flow, improved posture as the joints become re-aligned and the release of endorphins which make the patient feel happier and more able to manage their condition. If you have any questions or wish to discuss, please contact me.

10/10/2025

Massage and Mental Health:

Massage therapy of all types is becoming a popular treatment for the relief of sports injuries, muscle soreness and everyday aches and pains. However, its’ benefits are more than just physical: it is also an effective way to alleviate stress, depression and anxiety.

The usual treatment for many mental illnesses typically includes taking an assortment of medications to balance out hormone levels and stimulate the nervous system. Through touch, massage activates the nerve cell receptors under the skin and stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system which generates a calming effect through the release of mood-enhancing chemicals such as dopamine and serotonin. It will also reduce the stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline. It does the same job as the medicines.

Chronic pain caused by lifestyle stresses, disease or injury can pull down a patient’s mood. Relief from this pain through therapeutic massage can therefore improve their physical and mental well - being. Massage can also improve sleep quantity and quality, lower our resting heart rate and lower blood pressure. All of which plays a big part in our general health.

Many organizations hire massage therapists to help lower employee stress levels and improve productivity as a massage break can improve morale, reduce sick days and improve workplace efficiency.

If you are interested in trying massage to help your mental health, please discuss with your doctor as it is not suitable for all conditions. If you get the go ahead, prepare to be open and honest with yourself and your therapist about what it is that you hope to achieve from your session.

08/10/2025

Scar Tissue affects all of the systems in the body. We only see scars on the skin, but you can also have scarring in muscles, connective tissue and organs. Much of this scarring comes from surgery.

Scar tissue does not work in the same manner as the original tissue that it has replaced. Often it does not “work” at all. Scarred skin has no hair follicles, blood vessels or sweat glands. Scarred muscle fibres do not contract and scarred heart muscle no longer beats. Therefore, the un-affected tissue needs to work harder to make up for the damage.

Since all organs and muscles have connections with other soft tissue structures around them and many have ligament attachments to the skeleton, this scar tissue can create pain and widespread musculoskeletal problems.

For example, the gallbladder is connected to the liver and pancreas. These, in turn, are connected through the fascia to the diaphragm which is attached to the rib cage. A surgery to any of these three organs, therefore, produces scar tissue that can disrupt breathing.

Never underestimate a scar's connection to any aches and pains that you may be feeling. If you want a no-obligation chat, please get in touch.

06/10/2025

Excellent infographic to show why going for a walk can be the best exercise for mind and body.

04/10/2025

Sciatica is a symptom, not a diagnosis.

The term “Sciatica” means that you have pain radiating down your leg from your buttocks to feet. This pain is caused by compression of the sciatic nerve. It usually occurs on one side only. If you have symptoms on both sides or any loss of bladder / bowel control, please see your doctor urgently.

The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in the body and runs from each side of the lower spine, through the buttocks, then into the back of the thigh and all the way down to your feet.

Common Symptoms of Sciatica include a sharp pain or tingling that starts in the lower back or buttock and travels down the leg. Pain is usually worse when standing or sitting still and can feel better when lying or walking.
The most common cause of true Sciatica is a herniated (slipped) disc that is irritating or pressing on the nerve as it leaves the lower spine. You should see your doctor to get this assessed and treated.

However, there are a number of other causes of Sciatica – like symptoms such as:
Poor posture,
Hours of sitting,
Tight muscles in lower back or buttocks (Piriformis muscle),
Pregnancy.

These can usually be self-treated with change in lifestyle or some help from a Soft Tissue Therapist.
Some gentle exercises may help to stop the symptoms returning including core muscle stretching and strengthening (to support the spine), Hamstring stretches (to decrease stress in lower back) and gentle aerobic exercise such as walking to improve general fitness.

Please get in touch if you need help or advice about this common condition.

01/10/2025

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and today I am going to share a few facts with you from https://www.breastcanceruk.org.uk/breast-cancer-awareness-month

Sadly, not all breast cancer cases are preventable and most of us will know someone who has been affected by this common disease. However, studies have shown that at least 30% of breast cancer cases are preventable by making changes to your lifestyle.

Physical activity, including structured exercise, lowers levels of hormones, such as oestrogen, androgen, insulin, leptin (a hormone associated with hunger), and certain growth factors. Increased levels of all of these have been associated with breast cancer. Being active also generally improves the capacity of the immune system to protect you from cancer.

A good diet and healthy weight can reduce your risk of developing most forms of cancer. Being overweight puts extra stress on your body. Smoking is known to increase risks of many cancers, including Breast.

Some Lifestyle choices have been shown to impact the risk of Breast Cancer. Night shift work, the age that you have your children and whether you use the Contraceptive pill or HRT have all been studied and some results show an increased risk.

If you are concerned, please discuss with your doctor.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Play your part, help raise money to prevent breast cancer for future generations.

29/09/2025

World Heart Day has been celebrated globally on 29th September ever since the year 2000. It is aimed at drawing our attention to heart illness and the range of associated health issues. It encourages individuals and organisations to promote different preventative steps and changes in lifestyle to avoid any cardiovascular diseases like heart attack, stroke, heart failure and vascular dementia.

Many groups do this by organising activities such as sponsored walks, public talks, fitness sessions and exhibitions. Some landmarks and famous buildings also choose to go red on this day as a show of cardiovascular disease awareness.
Any person interested in celebrating this day is advised to do so by being more attentive to their heart health. There are several ways you can do that, including partaking in physical exercise, stopping smoking, reducing alcohol intake and starting eating a healthier diet. Also, getting your heart, blood pressure and cholesterol checked frequently with the doctor.

How can I help?

Massage therapy can help people with cardiac issues to address some of the factors that may be contributing to their condition. It relieves tension in muscles and improves blood flow. This helps to physically and mentally relax you. Touch releases hormones that reduce anxiety and help you to sleep. It can be a great stress reliever and may be used to reduce anxiety before or after surgery. High blood pressure and heart rate are major factors in heart attack risk. Studies have shown that regular massage therapy can reduce blood pressure and heart rate and people who combine massage treatments with doctor-led medicine can experience an increase in energy, relaxation and mental focus. This can all combine to help you recover faster from surgery or avoid a major cardiovascular event.