Today's Swedish massage began life in the 18th century and many of the techniques used then are still used today.
It involves the manipulation of body tissues in order to produce therapeutic effects.
Massage can be used for a variety of reasons; to ease muscle pain and fatigue, reduce oedema, relieve stress and tension, help you to relax or give you energy, and improve digestion, to name but a few.
Sports massage uses and adds to, the same techniques as Swedish Massage, but includes additional knowledge and techniques to enable the assessment and treatment of injuries.
It involves helping you to prepare for and recover from events, boosts performance and helps to prevent injuries. The techniques can also be used for anyone with an injury or disability. Reducing damage and improving mobility.
Indian Head Massage was practiced by the women of India in order to keep their long hair in a beautiful and healthy condition. They used a variety of oils, such as sesame, olive, coconut and almond. Regular massage promoted a lustrous healthy growth and improved the circulation, with the oils improving the texture of the hair. Barbers in India then started to introduce it as a treatment for their male customers. Nowadays it is given to babies from an early age and families may massage each other.
Indian Head Massage has been modified in the West and oils are not always used. The treatment now involves massaging the upper back, shoulders, arms face and neck as well as the head and hair. A whole treatment takes about 40-45 minutes and, if not using oils, the client remains fully clothed and may either lie down or sit up to experience this therapy.
Indian Head Massage can help to eliminate muscle tension and increase the flow of oxygen and nutrients to the body. The treatment can also improve the circulation of the lymphatic system, thereby boosting the immune system, it can help relieve eye strain and tension headaches and improve concentration. It may also provide relief from mental and emotional stress, as well as aiding relaxation and restful sleep.
Baby Massage
Babies and children respond to touch and the parent or carer who learns to massage their child often experiences a strong bond growing between them.
New mums sometimes feel nervous or unsure about coping with a baby. Massage can improve your confidence in handling your child, whilst relieving stress and tension. It soothes, relaxes and encourages the body to heal itself from many of the ailments we and our children experience and may help to sustain the flexibility that is lost with age.
Massage can be adapted for able and disabled children. Why not give it a try, you may enjoy it!
Thai Foot Massage is part of the traditional massage that is offered throughout Thailand, and is influenced by techniques from Japan, Korea and China. It has elements of reflexology, shiatsu, yoga and Chinese massage within it. It is a massage treatment of the lower legs and feet which includes stimulation of the reflex points on the foot, using a small stick, plus some stretching. Thai Foot Massage can stimulate the mind and relieve stress, improving the quality of sleep and providing respite from insomnia. It can encourage the immune system to detox by improving lymphatic drainage and removing toxins, thus accelerating physical healing, reducing stiffness and improving flexibility. The internal organs and immune system are stimulated and circulation improved.
The treatment involves lighting and inserting hollow candles inot the outer part of the clients ears. This creates a soothing and warming sensation whils generating a massage like effect caused by the movement of the flame. When the candles have extinguished naturally, the clients face and neck is massaged, giving particular attention to the areas around the sinuses and ears.
Thermal auricular therapy is said to relieve earache and headache, ear noise and stress. Clients normally find the treatment soothing and may experience relief of pressure and pain in the ear and head. The treatment can also aid freer nasal breathing and improve the sense of smell, even though the nose was blocked before treatment.
The immediate effects of the treatment can be felt for up to 48 hours as the candles encourage the body to heal itself. They do not, as has been previously thought, suck out excess wax from the ears but cause a softening and therefore loosening of the wax. This in turn can cause the wax to be more easily expelled.
Stress Management
A Stress Management consultation assesses your lifestyle and teaches you ways to lessen some of the stress you experience. It includes advice on lifestyle, diet, fluid intake and exercise as well as relaxation and meditation techniques.
At the end of the consultation a short Indian Head style massage is normally performed.
Therapies available
Traditional Thai Massage is sometimes known as ‘passive yoga’, due to it’s use of stretches and energy balancing techniques.
It involves acupressure and reflexology techniques, along with deep stretches, rocking and compressions.
It has great benefits for sports people and those in the performing arts, whilst also being of benefit to anyone wishing to keep or improve their flexibility.
It is performed on a mat on the floor and it is recommended that light, loose clothing is worn.
Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils (made from plant extracts) to improve health and emotional well-being and restore balance to the body.
Aromatherapists will first conduct a consultation to enable them to select a small number of essential oils whose properties will be of particular benefit to the client. These will then normally be incorporated into a full body massage.
Clients may also be advised which essential oils could be used at home, in the bath or a diffuser/vaporizer.
