Massage therapy is not a simple relaxation therapy, but, as certified Sports and Therapeutic Masseuse Jan Farrugia explains, can help in a number of situations where one would perhaps not have considered, including in situations involving bullet wounds.

Jan Farrugia completely changed his path in life at age 33 and is now 37, where in four years he undertook a gym instructor course, personal training course and went on to study therapeutic and sports massage therapy gaining a multitude of diplomas and certificates in the field from institutions both in the UK and Malta.

"As a secretary I worked in various University departments and in my final years I worked within the faculty of medicine and surgery. I used the opportunity to read books from the library and always enjoyed studying anatomy and physiology. Although I always enjoyed reading about the human body, reading books in the library I advanced my knowledge in these fields. When I began my studies at age 33, I already had a thorough knowledge of muscles and joints".

He enticed other people interested in his profession to continuously work to improve their skills. "Just focussing on Spa Massage Therapist for example, would mean that people miss out on the wealth of knowledge regarding muscles, nerves joints etc.

He continuously aims to further his knowledge and skills and is currently working towards achieving ITEC level 5 for Sports massage therapy.

He currently works with a group of foreign wounded soldiers who are in Malta, suffering from gun-shot wounds. "Nursing a gun-shot wound, from a masseur's perspective, requires stimulating the nerves and muscles around the wound, where the nerves would effectively be dead. The body, in turn, adjusts by keeping other muscles in a contracted state. Utilising trigger-point therapy through therapeutic message, built-up pressure could be eased".

"I've seen wounds that affect limbs, intestines etc. Due to dead nerves, a person would not feel a thing in that area. As for amputees, they can suffer from bad posture and I can also help stimulate the muscle around the amputated area. If a person has his leg, up to his thigh, amputated, then he would most likely suffer from lower back pain. Why? As he would be seated most of the time. In these situations how can a masseuse help? I would apply a therapeutic massage to his back, chest and abdominal area stimulating muscles and releasing tension".

A massage is both physiological and psychological. Stress is a fight and flight reaction, and can result from a multitude of situations, he explains

From the moment a client walks into Jan's clinic, he begins his evaluation, and then consults with them, assessing the subject. He then considers the persons characteristics, which could be skeletal, postural or emotional, which effect the client's life. "By applying a massage, one can release muscle tension and stress. It it a physical, mental and spiritual approach. To work as a masseuse one must have a thorough knowledge of the anatomy, sports injuries as well as conditions and disorders that can affect an individual".

The most common condition Jan sees in his work relates to posture, resulting in slouching and neck pain. Of course the lower body can also be affected, where leg muscles would tighten. "Women struggle with bad posture due to wearing high heels, as the core muscles will constantly need to be balanced. Swivel chairs also work against good posture, resulting in tension in the lower back. The less physically active the person, the worse the posture".

Jan, in the sports field, has mainly worked with sportsmen from track and field, with the majority being runners. "As a sports masseur I must first be referred by a sports doctor or a physiotherapist. Professional boundaries exist, and should an athlete come to me first with an injury I would immediately refer them to someone from the aforementioned professions. Obviously if it's a simple case of a tight muscle then I can help them out there and then".

"In certain cases, clients are referred to me and I would perform a corrective massage, if it's a sprain or strain, where I release certain muscles which tighten following an injury, or even treat the injury itself".

"Unfortunately as far as I know there is no public liability and public indemnity insurance for my profession in Malta and thus I had to insure myself abroad in the UK, who insured me for all my practices ranging from gym instructor to sports massage therapist".

After an injury an athlete would have scar tissue, and thus they are not at 100%, he said. "I can provide them with some corrective exercises, however there are sports rehabilitators and I would refer to them if needed. If an athlete tries to train at a 100% right after an injury, it can results in problems. An athlete would need to build up his strength and conditioning at a slow and steady pace and if the athlete does not, it could lead to further injuries. I would, as I said, subscribe some corrective exercises and then refer them to a sports doctor".

Jan aims to improve the reputation of sports massage therapy in Malta, by seeing more collaboration with medical staff. "I believe that the sports massage profession is still building its reputation in Malta. If we see more massage therapists respect their professional boundaries and continuously improve their skills then the profession as a whole will improve".

"While studying in the UK I had to log in 60 hours of work experience, working hand in hand with a chiropractor and a physiotherapist. First, patients would go to one of the two and then be referred to my office for soft-tissue release. By working in this way I learnt how working as a team with other medical staff can improve results. If you respect your professional boundaries, then you will earn respect".

Jan is a member of the Sports Massage Association in the UK and the Federation of Holistic Therapists UK and is recognised by both.

Currently, Jan is teaching at the Nefertiti Academy in Malta, where just last year he undertook his ITEC level 4 Sports Massage course and currently teaches the ITEC level 3 Sports Massage, and is also a Personal Training tutor at Future Focus.

"Medicines also affects persons in certain ways, such as lowering heartbeats and if a patient comes in with a condition I need to know what that condition is in order to properly help".

He gave some insight into the causes of migraines, explaining that they can be caused by stress or can even be related to a person's diet. "One must realise that there is a difference between a tension headache and a migraine. With migraines a person tends to be photophobic and would feel nauseous. A tension headache would cause rear neck pain. In situations with a tension headache, the muscles at the base of the skull would be tense thus making other muscles in the head tense. By applying trigger point massage this could be fixed. A more on-the-spot solution would see people raise or lower their chair, adjust the angle of their screen etc. to improve posture". 

Jan is one of the recommended sports masseur s of the Mellieha athletic club and sees clients at Nyoo in Hamrun and in his personal studio at his home in Birzebbugia.