Massage Styles
Remedial Massage
Relaxation Massage
Lymphatic Drainage Massage
Sports Massage
Ante Natal Massage
Remedial Massage
Remedial Massage is a holistic treatment which focuses on the treatment of soft tissue injuries, aching muscles and postural imbalances using a variety of techniques. Remedial massage can be helpful in treating specific areas of muscle tension caused by stress or injury and has both short and long-term effects on the body. Remedial massage can also be used for relaxation and general well-being.
The massage therapist endeavours to identify the original biomechanical dysfunction, treating the cause of the disorder as well as relieving the symptoms. Remedial massage therapy supports and speeds up the body's own repair mechanisms.
Key benefits of remedial massage include the stimulation to the blood supply allowing toxins in the muscles to be removed; the calming of the peripheral nervous system to ease pain and discomfort and the toning and relaxing of muscles to improve joint mobility. An improvement to the health of the cells, the reparation of tissues, and the easing of stiffness and tension can also be experienced through therapeutic relaxation.
Muscular and skeletal dysfunctions often addressed with remedial massage include muscle tightness and pain, arthritis, frozen shoulder, tennis elbow, whiplash, neck and back pain, scoliosis, headaches and sports injuries.
Relaxation Massage
Relaxation or Swedish massage is a smooth flowing style that helps reduce:
- stress
- improve circulation and range of movement
- eases and tones muscles
- provides the deep relaxation that allows our minds and bodies to recharge and rejuvenate.
Lymphatic Drainage Massage
Lymphatic Drainage Massage is a manual technique which uses a range of gentle rhythmic pumping techniques to move the skin in the direction of the lymph flow. This stimulates the lymphatic vessels that carry substances vital to the defence of the body, and removes waste products.
The lymphatic system is one of the five main elimination channels in your body along with skin, lungs, kidneys & bowels. It is a major route for the absorption of nutrients from digestion into the tissues and it is also your body’s metabolic waste-disposal system. It clears toxins, harmful substances, bacterial infection, unwanted proteins and waste which can not be removed by any other means from your tissues and cells. These are by-products of metabolic reactions and stress, dead cells, metals, inorganic substances and other assorted debris which your cells cast off. The lymphatic system maintains connective tissue to its optimal state, helps transport lymphocytes and hormones throughout the body (immune reaction) and maintains the balance of fluids in the tissues.
The Lymphatic System has no pump, its nourishing, water balancing and eliminative functions are dependant upon muscle contractions, diaphragmatic breathing and body movements. It is common to develop a somewhat sluggish lymphatic flow, causes being inactivity, consumption of inappropriate food & beverages and reduced water intake. All these factors stress the lymphatic system.
Lymphatic Drainage Massage is a light technique designed to stimulate the circulation of lymph to speed up the removal of wastes from all over the body. It works wonderfully on the nervous system by reducing sympathetic activity, allowing parasympathetic activity, stimulates the defences of the immune system and increases the flow and volume of lymph fluid. People will often feel the results for as long as a week.
Lymphatic Drainage Massage is great for scars, stress, cellulite, stretch marks, detoxification, chronic fatigue, overweight, arthritis, neurological disorders, well being, pregnancy and pain.
Sports Massage
People who play regular sport, and particularly those playing frequently or at an elite level, build up a lot of lactic acid in their muscles. Sports massage is a fantastic way to assist in the removal of lactic acid, as well as other waste products commonly produced by the body.
Sports massage therapists also utilise passive and active stretching techniques to improve and increase the flexibility of joints and muscles, allowing the athlete to perform at a higher level.
Ante Natal Massage
Massage during pregnancy is a great way counteract the physical demands pregnancy makes on a woman’s body.
Touch of Healing is very proud to offer an antenatal massage service for mums-to-be.
For pregnant clients, massage takes place on a massage table using a ‘belly pillow’, an exquisitely comfortable cushion with a hollow for the belly and the breasts. While allowing the masseur to perform a full massage on the back, the position also gives the client a chance to lie comfortably on their front up until term – an experience that can be a relief in itself!
The physiological and anatomical changes that occur through pregnancy can exacerbate any existing (often minor) dysfunction or misalignment in the body. Ante natal massage is an important tool in restoring well-being in tired, sore and stressed mums -to-be.
Ante natal massage usually involves a combination of both remedial and relaxation massage techniques, depending on the client’s requirements. Ante natal massage improves the blood and lymphatic circulations, assists in maintaining a proper posture and balances the body and mind. Regular pregnancy massage or ante natal massage relaxes the muscles, bones, nerves and mind.
A pregnancy massage is highly beneficial for the expectant mum, providing emotional support and easing musculoskeletal pain caused by stress on weight bearing joints. Pregnancy massage helps to keep expectant mum healthy and in the best condition for giving birth.