A little bit about deep tissue/remedial massage

It is helpful to imagine a muscle in the body as being composed of individual muscle fibers or 'strings'
For a muscle to function properly, the fibers need to be able to glide smoothly alongside one another, much like the strings on a stringed instrument.

Over time or as a result of bad posture, emotional stress, injury or overuse, a local area of muscle fibers can mat together into a hard lump or 'knot'.

These knots or adhesions together with muscular tension affect the nerves governing vital organs and represent blockages in blood and lymph circulation.  Fresh blood is prevented from flowing to the local area, toxins build up and we begin to feel those troublesome aches and pains.

Adhesions can also form between different structures, such as between a ligament and tendon or a muscle and bone; leading to stiffness or a significant restriction in movement.  All in all we begin to feel the need for a massage!

The aim of deep tissue/ remedial massage is to relieve the body of tension and 'break down' these knots and adhesions so as to separate and realign the muscle fibers, thus allowing the muscle and the body's systems to function properly again.

 It may take a few sessions to break down large fibrous knots that have formed  over a long period of time but to feel your muscles relaxing and realigning to where they should be is always deeply satisfying.  The body becomes open and clear encouraging a healthy blood, lymph and energy flow; and thus stimulating healing of the body's systems.

You may at certain points feel discomfort but this is more of a 'feel good pain' and I will never work outside of your comfort range. This is not to say that this work is not pleasurable, in fact many people report an increased degree of relaxation, alleviation of pain and longer lasting benefits when compared to regular 'relaxation' massage.

The more regularly you enjoy massage the healthier and more pliable your muscle tissue becomes and the less painful they are to be worked on.  When muscles are in good condition there is less risk of injury which is why massage is so good for people who regularly play sports.

In fact a short (10-15min) massage before exercise increases blood flow to the muscles; warming them up and so helping to keep ligaments,tendons and muscles loose and flexible.  Whilst a post exercise massage (again 10-15min) allows the mind and body to relax and improves recovery time by flushing toxins (metabolic waste) away from the muscle tissue.

In general this treatment is especially helpful for people suffering from chronically tense and contracted areas of the body such as stiff necks, lower back tightness and sore knotted shoulders. There is an  improvement in many stress related conditions such as high blood pressure, headaches, insomnia and digestive problems; the mind relaxes and the body returns to its natural balances state.

Over time your muscles learn what it feels like to be relaxed; this helps you become more in tune with your body and conscious of your posture and alignment as well as any tension you may be holding.  Postural problems are improved and there is a positive body awareness and an improved body image through relaxation and connection to self.

We become 'in tune' with ourselves.

A deep tissue session may be spent working solely on problematic areas of the body such as the back, neck and shoulders or for a longer full body massage, deep tissue techniques can be combined with more traditional Swedish strokes so as to work deeply when the need a rises without becoming too over whelming. So....

Look forward to seeing some bodies soon!

Spring clean massage

Detox, De stress, Relax and Re align with a Really good spring clean massage...

Well it’s been a long time coming but I think spring may finally be here.  The days are certainly longer and lighter and the occasional burst of sunshine has had me outside freshening up old paint work and cleaning windows; albeit with a big winter coat, scarf and hat on!

It’s amazing how just cleaning out a cupboard or a drawer can make us feel so much better; the process of throwing away things we don’t use or need anymore, creating space and freshening things up is certainly good for the soul.

So if like me you’re enjoying a good sort out this Easter then spare a thought for your body and mind which may also be in need of a good spring clean!   

Here’s how a spring clean massage can help....

Let go of what you don't need

1. Improved effectiveness of the lymphatic system flushes out toxins from the body helping you to feel lighter and invigorated.  

2. Physically working into areas of the body releases all that stress and tension you've been collecting.

3. A sense of relaxation will leave you feeling like your thoughts have been De-cluttered!
 

Clean inside those hidden places

1. Stretch out all those muscles that have been scrunched up from the cold and release all that tension your bodies been holding onto.
2. Physically working into tight, congested muscles allows built up toxins to be released thus easing aches and pains.  

Create some space

1. Releasing tension allows your shoulders to drop and space to be created around your head, neck and shoulders which allows for a better posture.
2. Stretching, lengthening and realigning the muscles to where they should be creates space in the body enabling better circulation of blood and lymph, greater mobility and freedom of movement.
3. Relax, breathe and empty your mind!

Freshen up

1.  Breaking down knots. adhesions, stretching and realigning muscle fibres allows fresh nutrient rich blood to flow unimpeded around the body thus improving the health of internal organs
2.  The life force energy known as 'prana', 'Chi' or 'Ki' in different traditions such as yoga and martial arts is encouraged to move freely around the body as stagnant trapped energy is released.  This brings life and balance back to the body, mind and spirit.

Create a valentines love potion with essential oils!

Since the ancient Egyptians, essential oils have been used to enhance health, beauty, fertility and of course love.  The Greeks learned from the Egyptians exactly how to use the oils and this knowledge has since spread throughout the rest of the world.

Today modern research has confirmed that essential oils do influence the brain; creating subtle changes in brain chemistry so as to produce specific and repeatable emotional responses in an individual.

So in the spirit of valentines I thought it would be fun to create a 'love potion' for you to take home and use in the bath.  Only £1 with any treatment or gift voucher (or 50p if you bring back an old bottle), the following essential oils are known to create a mood enhancing atmosphere with aphrodisiac effects...!

Rose: The symbol of love and valuable in all loves aspects.  It honors and celebrates union in the first flush of love; it balances, comforts and opens doors to love and sexuality and when wounded in love Rose will assist in the healing of a broken heart. Rose has a subtle yet captivating aroma and is the most aphrodisiac of all the essential oils.

 Jasmine: This night time fragrance is said to reveal the inner temptress hidden in every women and its floral scent is surprisingly pleasing to men; in fact Jasmine is considered to be a sacred flower in ancient Persia and is reputed to attract a lover due to its irresistible aroma!

Ylang Ylang:  The 'flower of all flowers' or 'fragrance of all fragrance'.  Ylang Ylang is native to Asia and is associated with weddings and honeymoons; where petals are spread over the bed of the newly weds.  Known for its calming effect on the nervous system ylang ylang releases inhibitions and boosts sexual confidence.

Patchouli:   Unlock the hidden depths of your passion with the deep and mysterious scent of patchouli.  This oil is also good if you and your partner haven't been getting on recently as it helps calm and settle things down after an argument.  This oil is best used in a blend as it has a very persistent aroma; but just one drop will add a hint of oriental mystery to your night.

Neroli:  Citrusy and sensual this oil both calms and arouses at the same time; in fact Victorian  brides wore a sprig of neroli in their head dress as well as carrying it in their bridal bouquet so as to calm their nerves and stimulate romance for their wedding night.

The best time of year for a hot stone massage and a bit of pampering...

After a long month of feeling the cold, not having much money, having to be careful with what we eat and drink, fighting off nasty seasonal bugs and feeling the cold some more I think that we could all do with a bit of cheering up.... and some much needed heat on our bodies too!

Of course February brings valentines day where if we're lucky we get to be pampered for the day but if you can't wait till then or you're just looking to show yourself that you care then I hope you enjoy this months massage idea (which also makes a great valentine gift idea)!  So come and.......

   ''Warm your bones with a hot stone massage and pamper your soul with a free soothing face massage'' 

An elderly Cherokee Native American was teaching his grandchildren about life. . . 

He said to them, “A fight is going on inside me, it is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One wolf is evil—he is fear, anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, competition, superiority, and ego. The other is good –he is joy, peace, love, hope, sharing, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, friendship, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith. This same fight is going on inside you, and inside every other person, too.” They thought about it for a minute and then one child asked his grandfather, “Which wolf will win?” The Elder simply replied, “The one you feed.”

Start the new year with a detoxing massage

Happy New Year!

I hope you all enjoyed a lovely Christmas and are feeling positive about the year ahead.  This is always a great time to assess and rejuvenate, as the beginning of the new year offers us a chance to reflect and a clean slate in which to start a new.

Physically though you may still be feeling the effects of Christmas, with all the excessive eating and drinking we do as well as the lack of sleep and exercise it's little wonder that we begin the new year feeling less than our best.

Drinking plenty of water, eating clean healthy food and getting some exercise will all help us feel better and of course enjoying a massage will be sure to give your body a clean slate too!

Detox with a massage

Thousands of channels, veins, arteries and energetic pathways (called meridians) run through our body like little highways; a healthy body moves energy, fluid and solid matter through these channels freely without obstruction however toxic build up can cause congestion in these channels, interrupting our body's ability to function properly.  You may find yourself feeling sluggish, tired, constipated, head achy, low in mood and uncomfortable in your body.  An essential element of detoxing is too get things moving...

• Massage is not only relaxing but the firm rhythmic strokes applied towards the heart greatly improves circulation around the body.  Fresh oxygenated blood improves the functioning of the colon as well as other organs involved with the elimination of waste.
• A combination of different massage strokes and alternating application of pressure, gently compresses and stretches the muscle tissues enabling toxins to be released.
• The firm flowing movements applied to the body also stimulates the lymphatic system which our body relies upon as the main system for eliminating waste.  (The lymphatic system is one of those highway networks' and getting this moving more efficiently will greatly assist in clearing away toxins).
• As you relax so does your body, which allows it to return to its natural balanced state; this in turn enables it to cleanse/de tox more effectively.

To further cleanse your body and return it's systems to a balanced state; an oil blend containing the essential oil Juniper berry can be used during the massage.  Juniper berry has an earthy, refreshing and pine like aroma; it is extracted from the berries of the Juniper tree which is found in Northern Europe, Canada and Scandinavian.  This oil is well known for its cleansing properties....

 

• The chemical compounds found in Juniper berry have very strong detoxifying effects on the body (and so not advisable if pregnant or suffering from kidney problems)

• Juniper berry is great at helping the digestive system to function properly particularly in the cases of obesity and after an over indulgence of food.  It's helpful for indigestion, flatulence and regulating bowel movements.
• Great for hangovers or if you've been drinking a lot of alcohol recently; Juniper helps the body to retain water in our cells and so protecting us from dehydration.
• A great tonic for the liver, Juniper assists in the elimination of uric acid and so may prove helpful in those suffering from gout, arthritis or rheumatism.
• Due to its cleansing properties Juniper berry is also known to help conditions of the urinary tract such as cystitis.
• As well as cleansing and detoxing the body, Juniper berry is also known to have a calming effect on the mind and so is beneficial for those suffering from stress, anxiety or the post festive blues.

Bodies needed to practise deep tissue techniques!

''I'm really excited because deep tissue work involves some new techniques and ways of working that I'd love to practice on you all!''

Recently I have been training in sports massage and although I'm not yet qualified to treat any injured muscle tissue; I have been doing a lot of deep tissue work and have learned a lot of new techniques and ways of working with the body that I would love to practice on you!

 A little bit about deep tissue massage... 

The first thing is, don't worry, deep tissue massage doesn't mean an hour of pain!  Although It does involve working deeper into the muscles and connective tissue so as to realign muscle fibres and further release tension, knots, aches and pains. You may at certain points feel a slight discomfort but it is more of a 'feel good pain' and I will never work outside of your comfort range.  Also the massage session will involve plenty of relaxing Swedish techniques which will leave you feeling completely relaxed!

In fact many of the 'strokes' are the same as the regular Swedish style massage only with deep tissue work, I get to use my forearms a lot more and the movement is a lot slower.  This allows the body to relax into, rather then fight against the pressure being applied.  Working along the grain of the muscle in this way breaks down stubborn knots, relieves pain and restores normal movement.  It is especially helpful for chronically tense and contracted areas such as stiff necks, lower back tightness, and sore knotted shoulders. 

Willing bodies must be happy to feel in a detailed consultation and have a postural analysis at the beginning of treatment as well as give me some written feedback at the end.

P.s If you enjoy sports and belong to a club i.e swimming, football, rugby, badminton etc, then let me know where and when you train and a small group of therapists could come along and give free on site massage!

Hope to see some bodies soon!
Beth