Ospreys v Ulster

Delme provided sports massage to the Ulster rugby squad both before and after their Pro12 rugby match with the Ospreys last night. Delme's specialist sports massage skills were put to the test, with Ulster taking a narrow win over their south Wales opponents. 

The Ospreys have now slumped to their second successive RaboDirect Pro12 defeat of the new season, not a great start, but I'm sure the Ospreys will come back firing in their next match! 

The Ospreys captain, Alun Wyn Jones, said 

“We are disappointed and we sound like a broken record at the moment.” 

"It's not good enough and we have to put it right."

Sports massage in Cardiff, Penarth and Cowbridge

With many sporting events coming up (Ironman Wales, Cardiff Half Marathon, Cardiff 10K, Swansea 10K, etc) more and more of us are getting out there and doing some serious fitness training. This occasionally brings along aches and pains, but have no fear, Mark and Delme are here to help and support you through this process and get you back fighting fit!

Sports massage is designed to assist in correcting problems and imbalances in soft tissue that are caused from repetitive and strenuous physical activity and trauma. The application of sports massage, prior to and after exercise, may enhance performance, aid recovery and prevent injury.

So if you're in the Vale of Glamorgan, Cardiff, Barry, Penarth, Cowbridge or Bridgend and need some sports massage, check us out at Vale Sports Therapy.

Product reviews coming soon!

Coming soon to this blog will be a whole set of product reviews, from nutrition products, to training equipment, to coaching and training plans and even some things you wouldn't think of!!! However, if there's something you'd like me to review, just let me know.

Trigger Point Performance: The Grid

The Grid from Trigger Point Performance Therapy is my toy! OK, it's not a toy, it's a revoluntionarly foam roller, you know the kind of thing, the tube shaped piece of foam that looks like a kids swimming float that runners use on themselves to make them cry!!! Traditionally, foam rollers are used to treat common running issues like iliotibial band syndrome, piriformis syndrome and plantar fasciitis.

As you can see from the photo below, the Grid has a hard hollow shell (so doesn't lose its shape like a traditionally foam roller) covered in a patterned EVA foam, whose patterns provide a different feel on the body depending on the pattern you use. Due to the faster running training I've been doing lately I've been using it a lot on my calves and glutes as these have been very tight of late and the Grid helps to stretch these muscles and ease out the tight spots.

The Grid has a series of DVD's too (which you have to purchase separately) which act as a guide to using the Grid as a tool for core strengthening exercises (whilst massaging you at the same time), with some of them being very similar to pilates exercises. I've been incorporating these exercises into my routine too and have found them very beneficial, I can feel the difference in only a week or so. 

It's portable too, it's a small roller, less than half of the length of traditional rollers, so fits neatly into your bag when travelling (which I'm doing a lot of lately too!). It's a great bit of kit and for £40 I'd say it was a bargain! Check out the main Trigger Point Performance Therapy website for more information on the products and some great videos on how to use them effectively.

Sports massage and half marathon training

With the Cardiff half marathon just over 3 months away, you should be starting to pick up the training, you'll be starting to get more time on your feet and extending your longer runs. As you increase your training this is when you start to pick up little running niggles. To ensure you keep these issues at bay, you should consider some sports massage to ease those aches and pains, thus ensuring you can keep going with your half marathon training. 

So if you're a runner in Cardiff, Penarth, Barry, Bridgend, Cowbridge or Llantwit Major who's doing the Cardiff half marathon or another local running race, and would like some sports massage to keep your training on track, check out our Vale Sports Therapy website  or contact Mark (Cardiff, Penarth & Barry) on 07947 010276 or Delme (Bridgend, Cowbridge & Llantwit Major) on 07887 924901.

Sports massage in Penarth and Cowbridge

With the weather getting better, more and more of us are out and about being active and doing outdoor pursuits. This sometimes brings along the inevitable aches and pains, but have no fear, Mark and Delme are here to help and support you through this process and get you back fighting fit! 

Sports massage is designed to assist in correcting problems and imbalances in soft tissue that are caused from repetitive and strenuous physical activity and trauma. The application of sports massage, prior to and after exercise, may enhance performance, aid recovery and prevent injury.

So if you're in the Vale of Glamorgan, Cardiff, Barry, Penarth, Cowbridge or Bridgend and need some sports massage, check us out at www.valesportstherapy.co.uk

Herbalife sports nutrition

Herbalife 24 is the new range of sports nutrition from Herbalife, now being used by Barcelona FC, LA Galaxy FC, Reading FC and the new Worlds Strongest Man!

For more information or to order, contact Delme at www.completehealthandwealth.co.uk

Trigger Point Performance comes to Vale Sports Therapy

Trigger Point Performance Therapy comes to south Wales with Vale Sports Therapy! So what's it all about?

Trigger Point Performance Therapy products allow you to self massage in a safe and effective way, on a daily basis! It's about empowering yourself and using the products to facilitate optimum functioning of soft tissues and help manage aches and pains associated with the muscles that allow the body to move.

The Trigger Point Performance products are specifically designed to support Myofascial Release, which refers to the manual massage technique for stretching the fascia and releasing any "stickiness" between the fascia and the muscles. The goal of which is to provide a more elastic soft tissue that has the capacity to withstand force and generate power.

Whether you're a serious athlete or a weekend warrior, the Trigger Point Therapy products can help to reduce back pain, plantar fasciitis, shin splints, knee pain and more.

The range of Trigger Point Performance kits will be available soon, for information check out the main Trigger Point Therapy website at www.tptherapy.com or our friends at Balance Physiotherapy.

Cardiff City v Burnley

Delme provided sports massage to the Cardiff City squad both before and after their Championship match with Burnley last night. Delme's sports massage skills were put to the test, whilst Cardiff City managed a 1-1 draw with Burnley. Cardiff are now 2nd in the Championship, touch wood, Cardiff can stay 2nd which would mean automatic promotion to the Premiership. Come on Cardiff!