Massage therapy is a general term for pressing, rubbing and manipulating the soft body tissues (muscle, connective tissue, tendons and ligaments) to enhance a person’s health and well-being. It is a very well-known relaxing treatment that has been around for thousands of years. The word “massage” comes from the Greek root “masso,” which means, “to touch”. Massages may range from light rubbing to deep pressure. Massage therapists typically use their hands for massage, but may also use their elbows, forearms, and even their feet.
People seek massage therapy for a variety of reasons, including to relieve pain, reduce stress, depression and anxiety, relax muscles, rehabilitate sports injuries, and promote overall health and wellness. Due to its great benefits, a massage is often recommended for people who have recently undergone surgery. Consult your doctor before receiving massage therapy; there may be a period of healing that is necessary before receiving a massage.
Aromatherapy -
This is a full body massage with the added relaxation and therapeutic benefits of essential oils. Essential oils are concentrated natural plant extracts with complex, beautiful aromas that offer a wide range of health benefits when absorbed through the skin during the massage.
Essential oils are well known for their antibiotic, detoxifying and relaxing properties, they also work fast! entering the blood stream within 30 seconds.
Treat yourself to an aromatherapy massage to manage pain fight depression, improve blood pressure, ease nervousness, irritability and apprehension, reduce inflammation, calm your mind and promote restful sleep.
Relax- Massage - This massage involves long strokes, kneading, friction, tapping, percussion, vibration and shaking motions from light to medium to firm pressure between muscles and bones, rubbing in the same direction as the flow of blood returning to the heart.
This type of massage is considered to be one of the most relaxing styles because it is exceptionally beneficial for increasing the level of oxygen in the blood, decreasing muscle toxins, relieving muscular tension, improving circulation and flexibility.
It is used especially for relaxation as it reduces stress, both emotional and physical. Some other benefits include fast recovery time from muscular strain or stretching of ligaments and tendons, skin stimulation and is suggested as part of a regular program for stress management.
Deep tissue massage This is a specific type of massage therapy that concentrates on realigning deeper layers of muscles and connective tissues. The primary goal for this type of massage is to restore a balanced upright posture and improve your range of motion working on the deeper layers of muscle tissue.
It is recommended by many doctors as a treatment option for chronic aches and pains and contracted areas such as low back pain, stiff neck and upper back, leg muscle tightness, and sore shoulders due to physical or mental tension and stress. It can also be beneficial to dig deep into the core of the muscular structure to heal and recuperate those living parts of your body. Some other benefits include breaking up and eliminating of scar tissue from previous injuries, reducing tension and stress which may lead to lower blood pressure.
Please note that following a deep tissue treatment, some muscle soreness may occur.
Prenatal Massage -
Expectant mothers have special needs as their bodies go through the many changes of pregnancy and childbirth. The Prenatal massage is a therapeutic massage that offers undeniable physical benefits throughout every prenatal stage. It is designed to alleviate stress, muscle soreness and tension as well as to improve overall health.
The benefits of the prenatal massage are in many ways similar to the Relax -(Swedish )massage.
These benefits include relief of pregnancy discomfort, relaxing the muscles and relieving joint pain, increasing blood circulation and lymphatic flow, strengthening the immune system and reducing stress hormones. It also increases the levels of hormones, which tend to be low in women who are depressed.
Research has shown that women who receive a massage while pregnant may have easier deliveries, with better health outcomes for both the mother and her baby. More relaxed mothers tend to have a lower risk of interventions during labor and recovery to the body is much quicker. In most cases, a massage is perfectly safe during pregnancy and can help the mom-to-be relieve general body aches and tension that her body is going through with a feeling of being pampered at the same time.
Pregnant women should avoid this massage if they have preeclampsia or sudden swelling with retention of fluid or severe headaches. If you are in a high-risk pregnancy category or have previously had a premature labor please consult your doctor first. It is
always a good idea to check with your doctor beforehand to make sure this massage is the best option for you.
Reflexology - This massage is based on the Chinese principle that certain areas on the soles of your feet or hands contain millions of nerve endings that are linked to every part of the body. It is a relaxing type of massage which may be used to treat illness.
This ancient method may also be an effective way to alleviate stress, helping the body achieve a state of deep relaxation and homeostasis (optimal balance of the body’s biochemical and other systems) which helps the body to restore its balance naturally.
The most obvious effect of reflexology massage is relaxation but also it can boost a sluggish circulation and is useful for treating stress, anxiety, back pain, poor digestion, respiratory problems like asthma, migraine or tension headache, sinusitis, bladder problems, pain reduction, menopausal symptoms and menstrual pain.
Lymphatic drainage -
The massage uses very light pressure and long, gentle, rhythmic strokes to increase the flow of lymphs and reduce toxins in the body.
The lymph system is part of the body's immune system and helps fight infection. Lymph itself is a clear, slightly yellow fluid which transports nutrients and oxygen to cells, collecting toxins on the way and flushing them out through the lymph nodes. You have around twice as many lymph vessels as blood vessels in your body.
However, unlike blood, which is pumped around by your heart, the lymph system has no pump. The pressure from your blood vessels and the movement from your muscles push the lymphatic fluid around.
Lymphatic drainage can
reduce the chance of catching minor colds and viruses by helping your body fight off infection. It speeds up healing and recovery from illness
by helping reduce water retention (because the lymph system has no pump, sitting for a long time without moving slows the lymph flow and this is why you may experience swollen feet or fingers).
Improving the lymphatic system will improve your metabolic rate, which helps you burn calories more efficiently.
Manual lymphatic drainage is also used in the treatment of lymphoedema.
A lymphatic drainage massage can improve your skin texture by reducing swelling, puffiness and blotches giving you clean, healthy pores which can
speed up the healing of scar tissue or improve the appearance of stretch marks by
helping to reduce cellulite. This massage increases blood flow and circulation to the affected areas, which helps the body break down the toxins which cause dimply skin.
Always tell your therapist in advance if you are, or think you might be, pregnant or have any medical conditions in which you are receiving treatment or medication. If you have recently had an operation, or are allergic to anything. Please let your therapist now.