A year since our last ChamoFix Massage update… admin took a bit of a back seat, while Ruth Martin has been doing sports massage treatments on ultra runners, road cyclists, mountain bikers, climbers and skiers over the last year, not to mention the odd Superbike rider. But let’s talk about the runners, since the big 2017 UTMB running week is rapidly approaching in Chamonix Mont Blanc. And great sports massages are an essential part of the Chamonix ultra running survival kit.
2016’s UTMB week in Chamonix was packed full of brilliant ultra runner clients running the UTMB, the TDS, the OCC and the CCC. Congratulations especially went to the Singapore crowd who nailed amazing times. Ruth Martin at ChamoFix Massage performed pre-event and post-event sports massages, both of which proved popular and invaluable to optimal race performance and post-race recovery. The 2017 UTMB sports massage calendar is rapidly booking up, so please get in touch. SMS or Whatsapp Ruth Martin on +33-783-72-63-76 or email Ruth Martin. Your sports massage is performed at your chalet or residence wherever you are in the valley of Chamonix Mont Blanc (from St Gervais and Les Houches to Chamonix, Argentiere, Le Tour and Vallorcine!).
A quick and long overdue website update to say that Ruth Martin is back doing massage treatments in Chamonix Mont Blanc, Scotland and beyond!
Ruth Martin’s massages are available 1500-2000 in the afternoons/evenings and 0700-0830 in the mornings.
For bookings, please call Ruth on her new phone number 0033.783.72.63.76. Or email revive@chamofix.com.
Apologies for any absence in contact… Life events became someone tumultuous and challenging through the winter 2014/15 but happily Ruth Martin is now a mamma to one healthy gorgeous little girl.
Summer 2015 had me busy massaging various Ultra Trail Mont Blanc runners and long distance road cyclists, massaging at the Chamonix Running Camps brilliantly led by Julia Tregaski of Tracks and Trails. I’m delighted to have been invited to teach about “touch” and “fascia” at Mariza Smith’s yoga teacher training course. Mariza will be offering yoga teacher training next summer too. Even if you don’t want to become a teacher, the month long course is intensive, transformative and amazingly rewarding. I have often referred clients to Mariza Smith for yoga instruction as I love the way she works, combining her vast experience of yogic practice with her strong knowledge and comprehension of anatomical science. So it’s an honour to be asked to collaborate in some of her teaching, especially when it comes to sharing my passion for the new way of looking at anatomy and physiology, not least in helping others be aware of how fascia (connective tissue) is a key player, rather than a bystander, in the mammalian body.
In September 2015 I also gained my EquiTherapy UK Diploma in Equine Sports and Remedial Massage, after a couple of years of studying equine physiology and massaging horses, ponies and also dogs! My experience in treating horses helps my work with the human body and has helped refine my touch and awareness of tissue responses. I’m looking forward to helping more sports and working horses in 2016.
The Brazil Olympics 2016 are also calling… I’m looking forward to volunteering in Sports Massage. Final plans are forming.
I’m amazed at how the body can repair itself… having not been able to walk more than 30metres a couple of weeks after a difficult birth in February 2015, I’m now back massaging, hiking, mountain biking and snowboarding… albeit taking it a bit easier on the sports front, as you have to respect the healing process as well as allow energy for being a 24/7 mum, while keeping up with all my massage appointments! The body is AMAZING! It’s worth looking after.
Wishing all my clients and visitors a wonderful winter and a thriving 2016.
ChamoFix Massage is already getting booked up over the festive season, so book your massages now. From 28th December, prices will go up a little – the first price raise of my standard rates in five years.
2013 has been a hectic year, with yet more studying in order to keep at the top of my game. I’m now an iMFT practitioner, a specialist qualification in Myofascial Release. Many of the techniques I already practiced for years within my Sports Massage work, but the specific MFR studies have been fascinating and phenomenal… and still I feel like I’m in the opening chapters of my studies of integrative anatomy and the intrinsic effects of touch through the whole body, not just the muscles or areas I specifically work on.
ChamoFix’ most exciting news is that I (Ruth Martin) have been invited to massage at Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games’ gymnastics. It will be an amazing experience and a professional ambition and dream come true.
In the meantime, ChamoFix Massage is working away, mostly in the Chamonix Valley this winter, and open for business in Sports Massage, Hot Stones Massage, Well Being Treatments, Myofascial Release, not to mention Indian Head Massage.
To book a ChamoFix Massage treatment in the Chamonix valley, please call or text Ruth Martin on +33.783.72.63.76 or email ruth@chamofix.com
For those who trained hard enough to be racing the TDS, the UTMB (Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc) or the CCC (Courmayeur-Champex-Chamonix) you deserve a reward! ChamoFix offers all competitors 10e off the standard price of a ChamoFix Sports Massage in your own chalet or residence for 25-30th August (pre-race massage), Sunday 1st September, Monday 2nd September and Tuesday 3rd September, 2013 (post race recovery massage).
Pre-race massage helps stimulate the micro-circulation, loosen up any adhesions or fascial blockage, helps muscles glide during movement and helps the runner relax any tension (mental or physical) from the natural stress before the event.
Post-race massage will massively aid recovery from the endurance race, helping to reduce tissue adhesion from micro-inflammation, stretch out any over-contracted, over-worked muscle tissues, flush out waste products from muscle exertion and generally loosen up tired limbs.
If you haven’t heard of the Ultra Trail, which starts in Chamonix Mont Blanc… it’s an insanely tough ultramarathon held annually in the French Alps, where racers run the mountains surrounding the entire circumference of Mont Blanc, covering 166km and 9400m elevation across France, Italy and Switzerland. You can walk the Tour du Mont Blanc comfortable over 8 – 10 days. The fastest of the UTMB runners do it over 1 night and 1 day, without stopping.
If you are on holiday in Chamonix (and not even running) here’s this year’s program for the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc. It’s well worth going along to Chamonix town centre and watching the start or cheering on the finishers, not to mention all the inspiring sporty stands and craft fair.
If you are a climber or mountaineer, you’ll be spending long days moving in the high mountains with technical traverses, rope work and some hard slogs to reach the peaks.
This all is made easier if your muscles glide smoothly and your body feels energetic, not exhausted. A couple of massages before, during or after can benefit your body (and mind) in so many ways. Massage for mountaineering:
ChamoFix offers massage tailored for each individual, combining deep tissue work, effective stretching, trigger point release and invigorating strokes that loosen and restore your body, ready for more mountaineering action.
For any massage therapist in Chamonix, the Alps & beyond … here’s another an unmissable opportunity to brush up on your winter sports massage techniques. ChamoFix Massage in Chamonix will again host world-renowned Sports Massage Coach, Mel Cash, to front a three day pre-season winter sports massage workshop (31 jan – 2 feb 2012). Some of the latest techniques and understanding in practical massage will be discussed, demonstrated & practised. Mel Cash is founder of the London School of Sports Massage and author of such useful publications as Sport & Remedial Massage Therapy and Pocket Atlas of the Moving Body.
Available for qualified Massage Therapists (minimum BTEC/ITEC A&P and Holistic Massage Level 3 or equivalent), the three-day sports massage course is limited to 12 spaces, so book early to avoid disappointment!
Day 1 and day 2 will focus on specific techniques while Day 3 will encompass an essential recap, putting the training into practice for real-life winter sports case study scenarios. This is where any of your own clinical experiences or queries can be addressed. Mel will discuss the latest understanding of soft tissue and musculoskeletal anatomy. Throughout Mel Cash’ massage training there will be ongoing focus on good working posture and efficient use of body-weight and our hand/arm/elbow tools! As ever, the massage techniques will include a variety of side-lying and other treatment positions.
Myofascial Release is an effective & relatively gentle massage technique to rebalance connective tissue restrictions, therefore restoring motion and eliminating pain from myofascial tension. Postural & palpatory assessment is essential for deciding on direction, location and intensity of tissue pressure.
Reciprocal Inhibition (RI) is a massage technique used when antagonist muscles are engaged instead of the agonist muscle/muscle group in need of stretching. This is useful when the agonist muscles have experienced trauma or are otherwise painful when contracting.
Post Isometric Relaxation (PIR) is useful for areas of chronic soft tissue tension and can be used to safely and effectively restore normal tissue length.
Soft Tissue Release (STR) is a versatile and efficient massage technique to release tension in non-acute conditions. STR can be applied through clothes or directly onto skin in a wide variety of clinical and out-door situation.
Recap and further practice of the techniques learned over the last two days, working with sports-specific massage case study scenarios – especially winter sports!
290 euros or £270 (pounds sterling) for 3 day course
120 euros or £110 (pounds sterling) per day
For more info or to book a place on our 2012 Mel Cash Sports Massage Workshop in Chamonix Mont Blanc, please email ChamoFix Massage. We’ll send you a booking form, payment details and further specific information (venue, accommodation, timetable, what to bring, reading list, etc)