Treatments

Deep tissue massage which incorporates clinical massage techniques is a therapeutic massage effective for relieving pain from muscular tension. It’s helpful in managing chronic pain as well as enabling you to relax.

Deep tissue massage is perfect if you’ve sat for long hours at a computer or ache from overdoing any activity. Pressure is applied with thumbs, forearms and elbows and includes remedial techniques such as trigger point therapy, myofascial release, acupressure and stretches, connecting with the deeper muscles, fascia and other soft tissues of the body. Pressure given will be individual to your own requirements and massage doesn’t have to be painful to be effective!

Treatments help physically and mentally and if you have a chronic health condition massage can be beneficial in managing any associated pain and be integrated within your existing healthcare.

Thai massage is a unique, powerful and effective therapy, helping you to relax both physically and emotionally. Hands, elbows, forearms and feet are used to apply rhythmic pressure to relieve pain and tension.

It combines a number of bodywork techniques including compression and stretches for a balancing, therapeutic massage that is relaxing as well as energizing. Nearly everyone can receive Thai massage irrespective of age or flexibility, it’s safe during pregnancy and can also be integrated with your existing healthcare if you have any chronic health conditions. Adaptions with cushions and bolsters can be made for your comfort.

Myofascial release or MFR is applied with a sustained, gentle pressure allowing the fascia to elongate naturally. Tissue becomes softer and more pliable, fascial restrictions are released returning it to its normal resting length.

No oil or wax is used and during the treatment sensations can vary from tingling, tightness, heat, cold and sometimes emotions and old memories may occur. You’ll be supported and secure during this process.

Fascia is the tough connective tissue holding our bodies together. It’s a 3D continuous web of elastin and collagen fibres that envelops every structure in the body including our muscles. ‘Myo’ meaning muscles. It varies in thickness depending on the area of the body. The collagen provides strength, the elastin the elasticity, it’s normally fluid and pliable with the ability to move without restriction. However, restriction in one area can affect every other area, in both the fascia itself and the structures it surrounds. These can develop due to many factors including physical and emotional trauma, poor posture, repetitive strain and scaring. Fascia, like muscle has the ability to contract and relax playing a major role in mobility and stability of joints.

Pregnancy massage is a wonderful way of providing nurturing emotional support which is both calming and energising. Experience the relief from back pain, achy hips and heavy legs. See also postpartum massage info here too.

Studies show massage to be effective during pregnancy and both thai massage and holistic massage are safe throughout all stages of pregnancy, giving you the lasting benefits of stress reduction, relief from aches and pains as well as being deeply relaxing.

Each massage is unique to your needs and requirements. Great care is taken with comfort and positioning with you lying on your side fully supported with pillows. The Thai pregnancy massage takes place on a futon with you wearing loose no oils are used. Additional work in seated or semi-reclined is also possible. Holistic pregnancy massage uses safe and neutral oil, with all areas not being massaged covered.

Reflexology is a natural holistic therapy that works on reflex areas of the feet or hands. The anatomy of the body is reflected in miniature on your feet and contains reflex zones that correspond to all the major organs and glands.

Applying pressure to these areas stimulates the body’s own healing process, freeing and releasing energy to restore balance and promote deep relaxation. 

Reflexology is suitable for all ages and may bring relief from a wide range of acute and chronic conditions. It helps us to cope on a physical and emotional level thereby encouraging us to heal and maintain health in all areas of our lives. Reflexology has many of the same benefits as body massage and perfect for ease of accessibility. I use a refreshing natural mix of tea tree and mint or unscented vegan wax for the treatment.

This age old traditional treatment has been practised in Asia for well over 2500 years but only in the 1930’s Eunice Ingham developed the foot reflexology charts. These show how particular parts of the foot relate to other parts of the body. Less research than massage is available but studies show that Reflexology may help with pain reduction. 

Thai foot massage uses a blend of refreshing essential oils for massage and stretches of the feet, ankles and lower legs. It’s a balancing and holistic treatment which can help boost general health and well-being, promoting deep relaxation, improving sleep and is extremely beneficial for stress relief. It helps reduce stiffness and improve flexibility of the feet and ankles as well as stimulating the circulation of these areas.

Reflexology and Thai foot massage can be combined.

 TMJ (temporomandibular joint) massage is a therapeutic treatment aimed at relieving tension, pain, and discomfort in the jaw and surrounding areas including your head, neck and shoulders.
I can help with many of the symptoms you may be experiencing as well as improving the movement of your jaw. Techniques used can include, with consent intra-oral work, this is inside your mouth with surgical gloves. This can be a focused treatment to the upper body and jaw or incorporated within your regular massage.
It can be extremely beneficial if your Dentist has diagnosed you with TMD otherwise known as temporomandibular joint dysfunction or you have been experiencing the following:

• Chronic pain/tenderness in muscles around the ear, neck, face, upper back and
  shoulders
• Bruxism (teeth grinding)
• Jaws that get stuck or lock in the open- or closed position (Trismus)
• Earaches or loss of hearing (without infection)
• Ringing of the ears (tinnitus)
• Twitching of the face or eye muscles
• Vision problems and sensitivity to light.
• Dizziness
• Difficulty swallowing/speaking
• Headaches/migraines

The TMJ is the joint that connects your lower jaw (mandible) to the temporal bone of the skull, in front of each ear, it enables us to move our mouths including whilst talking and eating. Causes of TMJ pain and dysfunction include stress, whiplash, having a dominant chewing side, gum chewing, dentures or braces, also you may experience the symptoms if you have other health conditions.

Asian Abdominal massage helps stimulate our internal systems naturally to allow for optimal function and maintaining health. It’s deeply relaxing and really helpful if you have any bloating, constipation or other digestive issues.

Abdominal massage is comprehensive approach to energise, strengthen and detoxify the internal organs with the focus on the digestive system. The soft abdomen is an area that frequently has problems due to the food and drink we consume, the environment we live in, the toxicity we breathe in, and the stresses we experience in our daily lives.

Emotions are stored within our internal organs, include those of trauma, grief, and stress. This may result in depression, low energy levels and inflammation. If we are experiencing congestion in this area, it can greatly impact on our vitality and energy and decrease the effectiveness of our complex digestive system, therefore our physical and emotional health can benefit from this form of massage.

The stomach can be a delicate and vulnerable area, I work sensitively using a listening touch on your abdomen to detoxify, replenish, tone and energise the internal organs. I work firstly on the skin and fascia, releasing adhesions and with permission working on scar tissue. Then gradually working deeper to release abdominal muscles and stimulate the digestive organs, unblocking restrictions helping improve the flow of energy to the area. Encouraging the bodies wellbeing, massage of the abdomen may help emotionally with stress, depression & anxiety.

Oncology massage can be highly beneficial for people who have had a cancer diagnosis. it can help relieve the symptoms of cancer or side effects of treatments such as chemotherapy related fatigue, depression, nausea, insomnia, and pain.

Sore muscles and scar tissue can be eased and range of movement increased as well as giving an emotional lift, helping to manage stress and anxiety. Massage can also help stimulate your digestive system and increase relaxation by encouraging deeper respiration. It’s not however a treatment or remedy for cancer but can be received in conjunction with conventional treatments.

Adaptions and modifications may be needed depending on your current stage of health. These may include using a slower lighter touch, changes to the length of a session as well as site restrictions. Considerations are taken with positioning and avoiding any areas affected by cancer, such as tumour sites or lymph nodes. A face massage and/or scalp massage, foot massage or hand massage can be as equally beneficial and comforting.

Please find further info on my blog or on this helpful post from my teacher.