New Page 1

Floatation & Sports massage therapies fro sports training and maintenance.

Floatation testimonial

Neurophysiologist Dr Jeffrey Gmelch, of Columbia University, has the following to say about the effects of floating.

“I found that I could run much more easily for a week of two after floating. I tend to look at things as a scientist, so seen physiologically it’s because of the build up of lactic acid – it’s lactic acid that causes fatigue and muscle soreness, and after those two weeks the lactic acid builds up and the effects of the float wear off.

I am sure it’s also because the body is so relaxed when you get out – for a number of days or even weeks after floating. It is a long term alteration in the metabolism. I noticed better athletic performance from the tank. It improved my ease in movement, even just walking around. I normally have stress in my upper back, especially if I run. And for a week or two after I float, I don’t experience it.

When I was floating every 2 weeks, I felt no strain or tension in running. Also my stamina and endurance are much better, and my ease in running is much greater after floating. I don’t experience any lactic acid build up and cramping for a week or two after a float, so the effect of floating could not only be a reduction of lactic acid, but a speeding up of clearing of lactic acid from the body.”

Gmelch also noted that floating had helped him come back from injuries faster. He had frequently had problems with shin splints from his running, but he said “ I did notice that it healed quicker from being in the tank. It was impressive!”

- The book of floating, Michael Hutchison

The advantages of floatation for sports training are numerous:

Increased physical relaxation, which leads to improved performance, greater stamina, speed strength and co-ordination.
Reduction of injuries due to overtraining or muscular tension and imbalance. “Most sports injuries are not contact injuries but are the result of inappropriate muscular tension; most of these injuries could have been prevented by relaxation. The floatation tank causes a major across-the-board reduction of muscular tension – this has been proven by the Chicago Medical School and University of Health Services through EMG measurements.
Alleviating the pain of injuries found that reduction in tension persisted for days and even weeks.
Enhancing the body’s ability to recover form injuries and the normal stress of intensive exercise.
Speeding recovery from the stress of peak output (races, competition) and eliminating post competitive letdown.
Improved co-ordination and performance skills due to in tank visualisation rehearsal
Elevating the athlete’s mental state through increased concentration, calmness and poise.

There is still time to take advantage of the effects of floating for those training for Comrades. So take the advantage of a couple of float sessions, as well as our sports massage, and deep tissue massages both before and after the race to maximise your training effort and performance.

Sports massage for Injury prevention and improved training effectiveness

Massage is the only actual treatment that can be applied specifically to help prevent injury. This is not only true for sport, but also in terms of posture and stress.

All cells need a good supply of blood. The blood contains all manner of ingredients needed for them to grow, repair and function. Cells at work also eliminate waste material, and debris from tissue damage and inflammation.
The stroking techniques of massage have a pumping effect, which stimulated the circulation of blood and increases the supply of and removal of substances at a cellular level. As well as benefiting the local tissues, the general circulatory stimulation of massage helps improve the health and recovery of most other systems in the body. When blood (with debris) is moved away from issues with the massage, it is immediately replaced with fresh blood, with oxygen and nutrients.
Massage helps increase the size and flexibility of blood vessels, which means they are better able to pump blood, and their absorption and filtration is improved.
Massage stimulates the lymphatic system, which absorbs excess interstitial fluid and returns it to the blood system via lymph nodes that filter out any toxins. In cases of tissue injury, or following hard exercise or as a result of other medical conditions, there is an increased demand on the lymph system. With injuries, the lymph fluid, (usually moved by muscle action) is in particular need of stimulation through massage.
When tissue damage takes place, (through injury or repetitive strain) the resultant build up of scar tissue can calcify and become hard and inflexible. Massage can soften and make this scar tissue more flexible, improving movement and decreasing discomfort.
Massage stretches muscles increasing flexibility and range of movement