What is a bike fit?
Everyone’s body is different just as every bike is different. Here’s the thing though – bikes comprise of many adjustable parts, which can all be tweaked and adjusted specifically to your body.
To summarise a fairly extensive process into one sentence: we aim to enhance your comfort on the bike by reducing pain and numbness, we want to prevent any injuries and we want to enhance overall performance on the bike.
Do I need a bike fit?
Getting a proper bike fit is one of the most overlooked aspects of cyclists who are starting out (or starting up again). Ironically, it’s one of the most crucial aspects of cycling. If you’re suffering from numb toes or hands. knee pain, lower back pain, neck and shoulder pain or just any other general discomfort after riding your bike?
Chances are you are suffering from an improper bike fit.
Over time, your bike fit will also change due to changes in body mass, fitness level, skill level and changes in flexibility. If anything at all changes with your body then it’s a great idea to get an updated bike fit.
Similarly if it has been a few years since your last fit, book an appointment for an updated one as undoubtedly your anatomy, fitness and/or skill level has changed in that time!
What changes will be made during a bike fit?
We will start by getting you and your bike set up on a stationary trainer, and attach the motion sensor markers to various points on your body. We will take a short film of you riding.
Depending on what issues you have, these are the adjustments that can be made to your bike during a fit:
Saddle height
Saddle fore/aft position (movement of seat on the saddle rails)
Saddle tilt (angle of saddle in relation to the floor)
Getting a new saddle (we may suggest a completely different saddle based on your body position and anatomy)
Stem length (for reach adjustments)
Stem height (“drop” or how high/low your handlebars sit on the steer tube. Generally, the lower the handlebars, the flatter your back; the higher the handlebars, the more upright you will be)
Handlebar width
Grip/ grip tape diameter
Brake lever adjustments (brake levers can be dialed in our out so you can comfortably reach them, the brake levers can also be moved on the bar so you have an ideal hand position)
Crank length
Shoe, insole and cleat adjustments
what types of massage are offered at mcbodyworx?
Deep tissue massage
Deep tissue massage uses more pressure than a Swedish massage. It’s a good option if you have chronic muscle problems, such as soreness, injury, or imbalance. It can help relieve tight muscles, chronic muscle pain, and anxiety.
During a deep tissue massage, your massage therapist will use slow strokes and deep finger pressure to relieve tension from the deepest layers of your muscles and connective tissues. While deep tissue may be more intense, you shouldn’t feel any pain or soreness.
Sports massage
Sports massage is a good option if you have a repetitive use injury to a muscle, such as what you may get from playing a sport. It’s also a good option if you’re prone to injuries because it can be used to help prevent sports injuries. You may also use sports massage to increase flexibility and performance. Additionally, sports massage can be used to relieve pain, anxiety, and muscle tension.
A sports massage can be done as a full-body massage or the massage therapist may focus on the parts of the body that need the most attention.
Remedial massage
Remedial massage is used to locate and repair damaged areas of the body and speed up the body’s own healing processes. The pressure applied in this healing treatment can either be strong and deep or gentle and shallow, depending on the problem.
Problems with the muscles can trigger or radiate pain to other parts of the body. Remedial massage aims to trace the original reason for the pain, tackling both the cause of the problem and the symptoms.
Myofascial cupping
Myofascial cupping is a soft tissue therapy that encourages healing by creating a negative pressure or suction on the skin using plastic or glass cups that pull up underlying tissues, blood, and other fluids close to the surface of the skin. Cupping is typically applied on the neck, shoulders, back, sacrum, hip, abdomen, thigh, calves, and upper arms.
Myofascial cupping can help treat soft tissue conditions and musculoskeletal tension, pain, and common sporting injuries. It can also create relaxation by stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system.
do you offer health care rebates?
Yes, for Remedial Massage - we will provide a receipt for you to claim via your private health fund.
How can I get the most out of my massage?
Drink Water
After your massage is done you should drink plenty of water. It is important to stay hydrated to replenish your muscles and eliminate metabolic waste.
It is also important to stay well hydrated before a treatment. Without enough water, our blood flow may be sluggish to process the lactic acid and toxins that emerge from the muscles during the massage.
Muscular aches and pains can actually be a sign of chronic dehydration, so it is important to drink enough water on a regular basis! Oh and if you are an exercise enthusiast (those who sweat a lot!), don’t forget to take enough electrolytes as well!
Talk About Pain
If you are experiencing pain during the massage, tell your massage therapist. It is often assumed that a deep tissue massage should induce pain. You will experience strong pressure, but pain is not necessarily a good sign. Pain can cause your muscles to tense up which is the opposite of what deep tissue massage is trying to accomplish. When they know you are experiencing pain, a therapist can adjust so that the massage will be effective without pain.
Wait to Work Out
Your muscles are getting a workout during the massage, they need time to rest. If you exercise right away, you may undo the work your massage therapist did, or worse sustain an injury. You will also find that energy levels are lower and therefore performance is reduced when doing high intensity exercise after a massage. A good alternative is going for a walk, gentle stretching or a casual swim.
Make It Regular
It is important to make it regular to get the most out of your massage because the more time you leave, the more space to cover for the next session. But, how often? Well, once a month would be a good interval for almost everyone. If you are in a heavy training block or you have to deal with some more stressful environment, consider having one more frequently. The periods people feel more stress both physically and mentally is most likely the time they will get injured or become ill.