Massage Therapy

Relaxation and Swedish Massage is a system of long strokes, kneading, friction, tapping, percussion, vibration and shaking motions that apply pressure between muscles and bones, rubbing in the same direction as the flow of blood returning to the heart. The main purpose is to create deep muscular and nervous system relaxation, increase the oxygen flow in the blood and release toxins from the muscles. Other benefits include shortening recovery from muscular strain, enhanced circulation, stretching of ligaments and tendons, skin stimulation. It also helps reduce stress, both emotional and physical, and is suggested as part of a regular program for stress management.

Holistically treating the whole body and tracing your body concerns back to the original cause. Remedial therapies work towards aiding correction of muscular and postural imbalances, and releasing muscles and tendons that are impaired or knotted. Commencing with postural and/or functional assessments, then using oil or balm directly on the skin, remedial techniques may include swedish, relaxation, trigger points, deep tissue, deep transverse friction, myofascial release, active and passive stretching. Heating or cooling therapy techniques may be used to enhance treatment outcomes.

Sports Massage is a type of massage that is specifically tailored to sporting injuries or ailments. It is not meant to be a relaxing massage and, indeed, can become quite vigorous at times. Contrary to its name, sports massage is not only utilised by professional sportspeople or people that exercise heavily. It is of benefit to anyone that exercises, even if it is only mild exercise such as regular walking. It can be carried out before, during, or after playing sport or exercising and uses techniques that are designed to increase endurance and performance, to minimise the chances of injury and, if there is an injury, to reduce the recovery time.

Trigger Point Therapy, also known as myofascial trigger points, are areas of hyperirritability in the soft tissue structure. These can be acute sources of pain or may go unnoticed by the client until pressure is applied by the practitioner. Trigger points are manifested as small contraction knots in the muscles, that control the state of contraction and active ones may cause muscle spasm and referred pain. Treatment consists of physical therapy, manipulation and stretching. A firm digital pressure is applied by the practitioner, who is able to locate the specific points causing pain and restricted movement and these may often be located in places different to where the client actually feels the pain.

Focuses on both the deeper and superficial layers of muscle tissue. It is designed to reach the deep sections of thick muscles, specifically the individual muscle fibres, and may release deeper tension as well as tapping into emotional stress that may be stored in different areas of the body. Myofascial release techniquemore specifically includes very little or no use of oil or lotions, while applying rolling and stretching techniques to the fascial layer of tissue. It may be used within a standard remedial consultation or as a stand alone therapy and can help relieve chronic tension, improve posture and relieve painful symptoms of chronic diseases such as Arthritis, Tendonitis, TMJ and Sciatica. Cupping may also be used within these sessions to aid the release of fascial tension, density and fibrosis.

Acupressure is an ancient healing art using the fingers to gradually press key healing points, which stimulate the body’s natural self-curative abilities. Acupressure was developed in Asia over 5,000 years ago and uses the same meridians and points as acupuncture without the needles. Acupressure Therapy is effective in the relief of stress-related ailments, tension, it can increase circulation, reduce pain, and develop balanced energy flow throughout the bodies systems.

Aromatherapy is the use of aromatic plant oils, including essential oils, for psychological and physical wellbeing. Aromatherapists blend therapeutic essential oils especially for each individual and suggest methods of use such as topical application, massage, inhalation or water immersion to stimulate the desired responses.

The different smells (aromas), and the chemical constituents of the oils, can produce different emotional and physiological reactions. Essential oils can be massaged into the skin, added to bath water or vaporised in an oil burner. You should always advise your therapist of any conditions and pregnancy before using essential oils.

Aids the client to experience deep relaxation. The therapist places heated basalt stones on the body’s acupressure points. Gently warming and relaxing, a series of Swedish Massage techniques is used, with the therapist holding smooth stones and applying essential oils to work away muscle tension.

Oncology Massage (OM) is ‘mindful massage’ focusing on eliciting the relaxation response in clients who have cancer, are in treatment for cancer or who have a history of cancer. The level of pressure of the tactile connection is very important and the Society for Oncology Massage has developed international guidelines ensuring that oncology massage pressure is universally practised. A trained oncology massage therapist can work safely with you before, during and after cancer therapies, OM can improve bowel movements and modify the unwanted side effects of chemotherapy and radiation.

Deeply relaxing yet surprisingly energizing, reflexology works primarily on the hands and feet and yet can have powerful effects on all of your body systems. Based on the principle that there are reflexes in the feet, hands and ears and their referral areas within zone related areas, which correspond to every part, gland and organ of the body. Through application of pressure on these reflexes, the feet being the primary area of application, reflexology relieves tension, improves circulation and helps promote the natural function of the related areas of the body.