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After a vigourous personal training session we all know and accept that there is nothing like a good massage for easing aches and pains and generally making us feel a whole lot better physically. The top of many people’s personal wish list is to have a masseur on hand 24/7.

This of course may not be financially feasible for most of us, yet the truth of the matter is that if you strip out the overly fancy accoutrements, massages and related treatments such as ART (Active Release Techniques) are not always as expensive as people first think, and their much vaunted “luxury” status is both misguided and off putting to many.  Certainly at Ultimate Performance we don’t view massage or ART as an occasional treat, but as a necessity to ensure that our bodies function optimally and without ache, pain and injury.

We offer the full range of massage services, with an emphasis being on enhancing our clients’ recuperation, regeneration and recovery. With the correct treatment of ART (Active Release Techniques) that dodgy neck and bad back don’t need to hold you back!

Massage Therapy is an important part of any health and fitness plan. It is now widely recognized by the medical community for the positive effects that it has on mental health, physical health, and the prevention and treatment of many chronic and acute health problems that we face today. Our advice is that anyone who takes their health and fitness seriously should make massage therapy and ART an integral part of their overall plan.

We offer:

• Sports Massage

• Myofascial Release (deep tissue therapy)

• ART – Active Release Techniques

A word on Active Release Technique (ART):

ART® (Active Release Techniques) is a patented, state of the art soft tissue system/movement based manipulation technique that treats problems with muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia and nerves. ART® sessions are a combination of examination and treatment. There are over 500 treatment specific protocols (treatments) for the whole body which are unique to ART®. Headaches, back pain, carpal tunnel, shin splints, shoulder pain, sciatica, plantar faciitis, knee cartilage issues, and tennis elbow are just a few of the many conditions that can be resolved quickly and permanently with this technique.

Soft tissue conditions can either arise from sudden traumas initiating muscular tears, adhesions and scar tissue or from an insidious or build-up of chronic tightness. Both causes often result in a reduced range of motion, loss of strength and stability and induce pain, weakness and sometimes numbness.

Most Active Release Techniques / ART® practitioners are fully trained therapists who once trained in ART®, have to take a yearly course retain their certification. Although ART® is still fairly new to the UK it is a highly successful method used in Europe and America in professional sport as well as the general population.

ART® is patented, because it is different from any other treatment. The patent protects the public by ensuring practitioners are fully trained and certified to the highest standards and strict criteria of Active Release Techniques founder Dr. Michael Leahy.

Additionally, as part of the therapeutic service and as part of our regular personal training services, we incorporate PNF stretching into our programmes. PNF is an acronym for proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation. It is unquestionably the most effective way to increase the passive/static range of motion in your muscles. PNF takes advantage of the sudden “vulnerability” of the muscle and increased range of motion by using the period of time immediately following the isometric contraction to train the muscle to this new and increased range of motion. This form of stretching is the ONLY way to get the flexibility you need to address imbalances between muscle groups due to work related chronic pain, playing sports,(especially golf), general sporting injuries or from a sedentary lifestyle.

These are some of the many benefits that massage and PNF offers:

•Physical & Psychological Benefits

• Relieves stress and aids in relaxation

• Relieves muscle tension and fosters healing in muscles

• Improves range of motion in joints and muscles

• Reduces pain swelling and the formation of scar tissue

• Enhances athletic performance

• Improves circulation of blood and lymph

• Reduces blood pressure and tension related headaches

• Strengthens immune system

• Improves posture

• Enhances nourishment of skin

• Treats musculoskeletal problems

• Rehabilitation for post operative care and after injury

• Promotes a relaxed state of mental alertness

• Enhances capacity for calm thinking and creativity

• Helps relieve mental stress

• Fosters a feeling of well being

• Reduces anxiety

• Creates body awareness

• Emotional benefits

• Fosters piece of mind

• Satisfies needs for a caring nurturing touch

• Improves ability to monitor stress signals and respond appropriately

• Increases awareness of mind body connection