Horse riding, also known as equestrianism, is a moderate intensity exercise. Horse riding engages many of the body’s main muscles, which means many chances for injury.
A common issue for horse riders is over-exercised core muscles which leads to an imbalance in the low back. Horse riders also have unique muscle requirements especially the leg, hip, abdominal, shoulder and back muscles. Shoulder injuries and soft tissue damage are very common and the joints in the lower body, particularly the hips, knees and ankles can take some serious impact while riding because of the repetitive and persistently forceful vibrations placed on them.
As there are so many muscle groups and opportunities for injury, there are various preparation and aftercare methods recommended by medical professionals and therapists. Warming up and stretching is always advised. But Simple stretching cannot properly warm those muscles up.
A massage therapy is an alternate way of warming up and stretching horse rider’s muscles. Regular massage treatments can help keep horse rider’s muscles flexible and relaxed. 
A massage therapist can help identify, address and relieve the issues that might be affecting your ride. Stiff, tight muscles often lead to injuries and a massage is known to relax them, so it can reduce the risks of injuries. Massage therapy also can help you achieve better balance, boost control and a more relaxed seat as a rider. By improving body awareness, a massage can help improve your concentration and bond with the horse, which results in a more enjoyable ride for both of you.
Massage therapy has a lot of positive effect on muscle recovery and boosting athletic performance. The key to getting the most from your massage program is not to wait until you’re tired or injured. Massage therapy should be a regular part of your schedule for safe and enjoyable horse riding.
Do you need a massage? – 
Call Oberon Remedial Massage at 0438 042 153 or visit our website www.oberonmassage.com

1. Colder Weather Causes Muscle Tension
If you have been outside in the cold for work a sports event, when you come home and your body warms up, you may notice that your neck, shoulders and even your glutes are sore. In cold conditions, the body tenses up in defence and if you are exposed for a long period of time in cold temperature, that muscle tension can remain long after you are back in a warmer environment. Massage therapy during the colder months is a great way to release the tension you may experience during this time.
2. You get SAD during winter 
You may be noticed that you start to feel depressed as the seasons turn from warm to cold. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a real thing and it can cause anyone to feel the effects of the winter blues as the nights get longer, the days get shorter and the weather gets gloomy.
Massage encourages positive changes in the endocrine system where hormones are created. These changes decrease cortisol levels (stress related hormone) & increase oxytocin levels (happy hormone) leading to the release of serotonin and endorphins, relieving the stress and enhancing your mood.
3. Boost your immune system
Being out in the cold really might make you catch a cold and flu. Massage therapy can help your body fight cold by boosting your immune system. Massage therapy increases lymph flow which fights off infections and bacteria, boosting your immune system during the cold and flu season!
4. Massage helps dry skin
As the humidity drops in winter the cold, winter air makes the water in your skin evaporate quicker, making your skin drier. Massage therapy is proven to improve skin hydration during these dry winter months. Oils and lotions used in massage contain healthy amounts of vitamin E, which your skin will absorb better through circulatory motion, leaving your skin feeling nourished and hydrated!
Do you need a massage? 

What exactly are the benefits of receiving massage? Most people would agree a massage makes them feel good. But many probably don't realise exactly how good a regular massage is for their overall health.
One of the immediate benefits of massage is a feeling of deep relaxation and calm. This occurs because massage prompts the release of endorphins, the brain chemicals (neurotransmitters) that produce feelings of well-being. Levels of stress hormones, such as adrenaline, cortisol and norepinephrine, are also reduced. Studies indicate that high levels of stress hormones impair the immune system.
It may simply look like a lot of pressing and kneading on skin, but massage is actually a scientific process. The reason you feel different after a massage is because it is healing and invigorating tired, aching or injured muscles. Massage increases blood flow and lymph circulation. Lymph is a fluid that rids body tissues of waste, is dependent on the squeezing effect of muscles. Massage can dramatically aid lymph movement, which together with blood, supplies nutrients and oxygen and rids wastes and toxins. It is easy to understand why good circulation is so important to our health and why massage can be so beneficial just for this purpose.
Getting a massage can do you a world of good. And getting massage frequently can do even more. This is the beauty of bodywork. Taking part in this form of regularly scheduled self-care can play a huge part in how healthy you'll be and how youthful you'll remain with each passing year.

Migraines and other types of headaches are one of the most common complaints seen in the medical clinic today. Oberon Remedial Massage clinic recommends that client with migraines spend at least a half-hour each day doing something either relaxing or that involves the relaxation of muscles.
How can massage help to manage migraines?
Massage is a great way to manage stress and relieve tension- two of the main causes of migraine headaches. According to medical research, massage therapy decreased the occurrence of headaches, sleep disturbances and distress symptoms while increasing serotonin levels in adults with migraine headaches.
There are many potential causes of headaches, and some are a lot more serious than others. If you do suffer from chronic headaches, you want to check with your doctor first to make sure you do not need additional treatment. Once you see your doctor and cause of your headache is not too serious, then provide as much information about your headaches as you can to massage therapist, and the therapist can help to develop a treatment strategy that is right for you.
Do you need a massage? 

When it's painful to shampoo your hair or put your arms around friends for a photo, the problem might be adhesive capsulitis. Known as frozen shoulder, this stiffness and soreness within your shoulder joint can last for as long as a year or even two years.
Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis), is an inflammation and stiffness of the connective tissues that surrounds the shoulder joint. Frozen shoulder causes formation of adhesion of the tissues in the shoulder, which severely restrict the movement of the shoulder, and causing chronic pain. This pain is usually constant, and worse at night and when the weather is colder. Also, the combination of the pain with the restricted movement can make even small daily tasks impossible. Furthermore, certain movements can trigger intense pain and cramping that can last a long time. The recovery for a Frozen Shoulder is slow, which causes great frustration for the patients and caregivers.
While your frozen shoulder will eventually go back to normal, Oberon Remedial Massage can make it easier to live with in the meantime. Various kinds of massage will relax muscles in the affected area. That means less chance of inflammation, which otherwise would cause tenderness and swelling.
In addition, regular massage therapy can help improve your range of motion. Tight joints restrict flexibility, but massage encourages blood flow to underlying tissues that need the nutrients delivered by fresh, oxygen-rich blood.
Do you need a massage? 

Most runners love to get a massage. Not only does it feel great, but it can also help speed recovery, reduce muscles soreness and facilitate injury healing. Massage has long been a part of a runner’s training program. You’ve no doubt heard many of the benefits of massage: improved circulation, less muscle soreness, and a removal of exercise waste products like lactic acid.
The major benefit of massage is that it relaxes tense muscles and removes adhesion or minor scar tissue between muscles and fascia, a fancy word for the sheath or casing that surrounds your muscles. Unneeded tension and adhesion can restrict movement and impair your range of motion, potentially leading to abnormal movement patterns that can cause overuse injuries.
Quite a few runners have asked me if they should get a massage the day before a race. Or if a massage right after a marathon is a good idea.
The answer to both questions is no. Massage right after a hard race or workout (or maybe even the day after if you’re still significantly sore) is counterproductive to the recovery process. And massage right before a race might leave you sore on the starting line.
Think of massage as a workout where deep pressure can cause some muscle soreness. You don’t want to layer too many sources of muscle soreness so it’s best to wait 1-2 days after a hard workout or race to get your massage.
If you want to get a massage before a race, it’s best to do it 2-3 days before. Massage can sometimes require “recovery” so you want to wait until that wobbly feeling disappears. Don't worry your legs will return to normal after 1-2 days.
For those runners not racing right now, you should still follow these principles around your hard workouts or long runs.
Do you need a massage? Book your appointment with Oberon Remedial Massage

What is "Plantar fasciitis? 
Experiencing persistent pain and stiffness in the bottom of the heel or foot? The cause of this either sharp or dull discomfort could be plantar fasciitis, inflammation of the thick tissue or fascia, that runs along the bottom of the foot. Plantar fasciitis is a common and often persistent injury afflicting runners, walkers and hikers, and nearly anyone who stands for a living - cashiers, for instance. It causes mainly foot arch pain and/or heel pain. Morning foot pain is a signature symptom. Plantar fasciitis is not the same thing as heel spurs and flat feet, but they are related and often confused.
What Causes plantar fasciitis?
Plantar fasciitis is one of those injuries that magically seems to appear for no apparent reason. However, plantar fasciitis is caused by one of two methods. They are either traction or compression injuries.
What are the Symptoms of plantar fasciitis?
You'll typically first notice early plantar fasciitis pain under your heel or in your foot arch in the morning or after resting. Your heel pain will be worse with the first steps and improves with activity as it warms up.
Would a rub help?
If only! A foot rub is nice, and in fact it can help a little, but massage therapy is actually one of the least effective of the common therapies for plantar fasciitis.
Reflexology helps treat plantar fasciitis by loosening the ligaments and muscles in the foot and lower leg, by increasing circulation, and by improving flexibility. Clients who routinely receive reflexology sessions experience less pain in the foot, heel and lower leg and are able to maintain full flexibility during routine activities.
Do you need a massage? Please book appointment with Oberon Remedial Massage.

Your muscle function is impaired in intense heat weather along with energy levels, sluggishness, sleep etc…. Whether you work hard, play hard or both you are most certainly using your muscles hard and you need to make sure your muscles are functioning effectively.
What do our muscles need in order to function properly?
Our muscles tissue requires plenty of fluids, as well as good nutrition to enable them to function properly. Lack of the correct nutrients and liquids can easily lead to muscle spasms and sprains. In extreme temperatures this becomes more difficult as people do tend to not drink enough.
What muscle problems can occur in hot weather?
When we work or exercise hard, our muscles build up lactic acid, this is normal, but often it can become lodged within the muscles tissues which is what causes spasms or strains to occur, it can shorten our range of motion as well as creating what people call “Knots” in the muscles. These pockets of lactic acid if not dealt with, can become more toxic to the body.
What can a remedial massage do for you?
Remedial massage therapist will apply a range of techniques to your muscles to release the areas of the muscle which are thus contracting. This will help with the removal of metabolic waste which will in turn increase muscle tone and help to restore the muscles to full functionality.
Who can benefit most from massage in hot weather?
Everyone can benefit – Stress levels increase during extreme temperatures along with sluggishness and of course, massage and aromatherapy massage can also help with relieving these. This can lead to headaches which massage will help to with. Your sleep pattern will be improved which will clear your thinking and concentration.
Massage also releases important feel-good chemicals in the brain – namely endorphins and dopamine helping our sense of well-being, and for some people this can be essential, especially if you suffer from depression.

Suffering from sinus congestion or Frequent headaches or Backache? Before you reach for the pain killers or aspirin bottle, lets pamper your feet first. The ancient art of reflexology may be just what you need to bring your body back into balance, and to feel good all over.
Imagine lying on a table in a dimmed room. You take a few deep breaths and begin to relax as you listen to the healing music playing in the background. You feel the therapist takes your foot in his hands. His fingers begin to apply gentle, yet firm pressure to your toes and the base of your foot. He applies pressure to your big toe and you moan and say "Hey, that hurts." Then he askes "Have you been having headaches?". "Yes, but how did you know that?"
Therapist explains that the foot is divided into zones or reflex areas, and that each zone corresponds with a different part of the body. The big toe, for instance, is associated with the head. Pain or tenderness in one area of the foot may reveal a problem elsewhere in the body.
Reflexology is the art, science, and study of specific touch techniques. The concept of reflexology holds that various organs, nerves and glands in your body are connected with certain "reflex areas" on the bottoms of your feet, hands and other areas of the body. Moreover, reflexology claims that by massaging these corresponding areas or "maps," prompt relief from a variety of conditions in the body can be obtained. In most instances the thumb, or sometimes a knuckle, is used as the massaging force. When properly administered, reflexology is thought to help relieve stress and tension, stimulate deep relaxation, improve the blood supply, and bring balance to the entire body.
If you're not familiar with reflexology, you might assume it's a relatively new modality of body work. However, the art of reflexology is so ancient, it cannot be traced to any one culture. An Egyptian wall painting found in the tomb of Ankhmahor at Saqqara also known as the Physician's Tomb shows four men who appear to be engaged in hand and foot reflexology. The painting is dated at the sixth dynasty, which would have been 2330 B.C. Evidence of reflexology treatments can also be traced back thousands of years to China, Japan, and India. And it's believed that North American Indian medicine men rubbed and massaged their patients' feet as part of their medicinal ritual.
Since reflexology treats the whole person, not the symptoms of disease, most people benefit from treatment. The therapy brings relief to a wide range of acute and chronic conditions, and is suitable for all ages. An increasing number of people are using this safe, natural therapy as a way of relaxing, balancing and harmonizing the body.
Do you need a massage? Call Oberon Remedial Massage on 0438 042 153.

For most of us, the answer is probably 'yes', since massage is non-invasive and considered very low risk for most people. Massage therapy is becoming more widely accepted in the medical community as a credible treatment for many types of back pain and/or as an adjunct to other medical treatments.
Massage in general is good for relaxing aching or tired muscles and to release stress. In particular with back pain relief, massage techniques help to reduce soreness and soothe the tired back muscles. Massage works on different levels; it improves blood circulation thus aiding better blood flow and oxygen to the muscles, it also relaxes the muscles and releases endorphins that makes one feel good and reduces back pain.
Massage to ease tiredness and soothe lower back muscles:
When the body is tired and the lower back muscles are strained due to overuse these mild massage techniques help. Using both the thumbs, apply gentle kneading pressure along the muscles of the spine, taking care not to run them over the spine. The thumbs should move in tiny circular motions going in an upward direction and wherever knots or tightness is felt gently kneading it away until they disappear. Then move downward to the small of the back area and gently knead in the bony area of the lowest point of the backbone. This helps to soothe the tightness and relieve mild back pain of the lower back.
Massage to relieve muscle spasms:
This type of massage requires an expert therapist and is not meant to be done at home. This is a sophisticated massage technique aimed at muscle injury, reducing spasm of the muscles, of the lower back that are the cause for the pain. In this form of massage the therapist alternates the pressure applied to the muscle experiencing the spasm. The therapist uses fingers or knuckles with varying intensity to relieve the injury or spasm. The therapist follows the lead of the patient who directs him to intensity of the pressure felt. Although it can be mildly painful in the beginning the patient has to inform the therapist if it’s very painful. The patient is required to also communicate to the therapist if the technique is helping in reducing the pain or if it is making it worse in which case the therapist abandons the massage or decreases the pressure intensity. The increased blood flow helps reduce the spasm.
Although massage is relatively safe, it is always advisable for clients to first check with their doctor before beginning massage therapy or any other treatment. There are some contraindications for massage therapy, such as (but not limited to): recent surgery; infectious skin disease, rash, or unhealed wound; varicose veins; and osteoporosis.
Do you need a massage for your back pain?
Call Oberon Remedial Massage now.