Massage
What is Massage?
Swedish massage (also known as therapeutic massage) is a range of techniques applied to the skin using oils, including effleurage (stretching and relaxing superficial muscles), petrissage (kneading and squeezing deeper muscles and tissues), friction and compression (rubbing the tissues to break down scar tissue and relax muscles), tapotement (rhythmical movements and tapping performed with the hand or heel of the palm to increase blood circulation) and vibration (movements for releasing tension and boosting circulation).
Massage involves different types of touch, pressure or flowing movements applied to the skin and underlying tissues to release muscular tension and pain, relax the body and enhance well-being.
What is it used for?
Massage is often used to alleviate stress and aid relaxation, to relieve pain and to facilitate healing from injury. It's a part of many cancer care programmes and is also used for premature babies, infants, young children and older people. It also plays an important part in sports therapy.
What does it involve?
Touch is used to locate areas of stiffness, pain or tension and then various techniques involving pressure, friction or stretching of the skin are used to promote circulation and release tension. Oils or powder may be used to enable smooth, flowing massage movements.
How does it work?
Massage of the skin and underlying tissues increases circulation of blood and lymph fluids, which is thought to increase oxygenation of the tissues and aid the removal of waste products.
Massage is believed to stimulate skin receptors and the nervous system triggering the release of 'feel-good' chemicals, known as endorphins, that help us relax. It may also help 'block' pain signals.
The History of Massage as a preventative
With its long history, massage can hardly be called a "new" healing tool. However, its application and validated benefits are increasing in awareness and use throughout the health care spectrum, worldwide.
Massage is thought to aid circulation, relax the body and mind, encourage better sleep, relieve mental stresses and anxieties and is considered to encourage a feeling of wellbeing.
How many treatments will I need?
Daily treatments may be advised to treat pain or sports injuries. A weekly massage is often given for relaxation and the relief of stress and anxiety. These may last for a set number of weeks or be on an ongoing basis.
How much will it cost?
Massage can cost from £20 to £60 depending on the type of massage, the length of time taken and whether it's a full body or partial massage. Massage is not generally covered by private health insurance.
When should I not have a Massage?
Massage is not suitable on broken, damaged, bruised, swollen or infected skin, burns, open cuts or wounds, over varicose or inflamed veins or when someone has deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or a fever.
It is also not advised if someone has suspected broken bones, brittle bone disease (osteoporosis), advanced cancers or serious heart problems.
Sports Massage
Whether you're taking part in sport for fun or on a competitive level, sports massage should be an important part of your routine, and not just for if you get injured. Regular sports massage can improve your performance and help to prevent injury....sorting out those day to day niggles.
Sports massage is one specialisation that hold a unique position as it has a fundamentally different approach form all other forms of therapy, both orthodox and complementary. The aim of the treatment is to restore the body functions in terms of strength, speed and movement, to enhance performance and to prevent injury.
Deep Tissue Massage
Deep tissue work is not painful and can be very nurturing. Deep massage is not "hard" massage, which is simply the result of exerting more effort; it does not require exceptional strength or size. Deep tissue massage does not require significantly more effort than light massage, and is beneficial for most clients. In deep tissue massage there is less emphasis on pleasure as the primary goal and more emphasis on altering structure and muscle restrictions. This is not to say that the work is not pleasurable. Most clients, once they are accustomed to the benefits of deep tissue work. prefer the increased degree of relaxation, the alleviation of pain, and the longer lasting benefits.
| Back Massage | 45 minutes | £30.00 |
| 60 minutes (includes head & scalp massage and tops of arms) | £35 then £5 per 15 minutes thereafter |
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| Leg Massage | 40 minutes | £25.00 |
Deep massage manipulates the tissues of the body to breakdown connective tissue which should not exist.
Therapeutic Massage
Massages are no longer an indulgence but a necessity for all of us who lead busy lives juggling families, work and the environment we live in. Give yourself a break and let us unravel your tensed aching body and mind. You will leave a different person. These total body treatments take a holistic approach by promoting total relaxation for body and mind. Massage promotes relaxation, improves circulation and mobility of the body. Passive and active movements are used to ease muscular and skeletal problems.
Massage is believed to stimulate skin receptors and the nervous system triggering the release of 'feel-good' chemicals, known as endorphins, that help us relax. It may also help 'block' pain signals. Touch is used to locate areas of stiffness, pain or tension and then various techniques involving pressure, friction or stretching of the skin are used to promote circulation and release tension. Oils or powder may be used to enable smooth, flowing massage movements.
| Full Body Massage | 2 hours | £40.00 |
| Back Massage | 45 minutes | £26.00 |
| 60 minutes | £30.00 |
|
| Leg Massage | 45 minutes | £20.00 |
Indian Head Massage
The therapy is the use of different types of massage movements to the scalp, neck top of back and arms.
Massage has always played an important part, it encourages the natural healing abilities of the body. Indian head massage springs from traditional family grooming; it has been practised for over 100 years. It was originally developed by women who used various oils according to the season to keep their hair strong, lustrous and in beautiful condition. The skills have evolved from generation to generation, nowadays it is very common to go to a barber's shop, receive a wet shave and a head massage as part of treatment.
There are no languages or intellectual barriers and physical contact can be especially valuable for those experiencing isolation or loneliness. Touch is essential for stimulating the nervous system and promoting healthy physical development. Physical touch conveys a sense of companionship, comfort and communication.
| Indian Head Massage | 40 minutes | £25.00 |
Benefits of Massage
Encourages better sleep
Creates better elimination of toxins overall
Helps normalise glands and organs to create a better balance in body
Helps relieve mental stresses and anxiety
Encourages feeling of well-being
Untangles muscular knots
Tanya has recently followed training courses in ART - Advanced Reflexology Technique - which is more robust than many reflexology methods. However it has been found to be far more therapeutic than most techniques, and can be done in a shorter time, with appointments being 30 minutes rather than the more usual hour. It is useful for most ailments, and whilst not as relaxing as some reflexology techniques during the treatment it has very effective results. It has been developed over 30 years by Tony Porter, and Tanya has been taught by Tony himself. The techniques can produce a very powerful healing response to the body's inherent healing potential, and proper training by Tony or one of his teachers is essential to appreciate its potential benefits.
Treatments last around 30 minutes, and as it's just the feet that are being worked on you remain fully clothed, simply removing shoes and socks. You will be reclined on a treatment couch; if it is not possible to work on your feet your hands can be used instead. Shorter, more frequent treatments are sometimes recommended - 10 minutes can give very good results, and chronic conditions may respond better to several short treatments over a few days than one longer treatment several weeks apart. You will be advised on the best course of action during your consultation.
The Feet
The feet hold very important physiological and pathological relations. A wiser maxim for the preservation of health was never given than that which enjoins upon persons the necessity of keeping the head cool and the feet warm. The latter is quite as important as the former. Indeed the circulation of the brain cannot be healthful, and perfectly carried on, unless the feet are kept warm.
It may be truly said that if the feet are kept entirely healthy, no organ in the body can be unhealthy. For so intimate is the sympathy between all parts of the body that no organ can be deranged without disturbing the circulation in the feet.
If there is indigestion after a hearty dinner the feet suffer; if the liver is disturbed the feet suffer; if there is pressure upon the lungs, or if the bowels are inactive, or if the kidneys do not perform their function properly, the feet are sure to feel the reactionary influence detrimentally. So if one will be sure to keep his feet in an entire state of health, he may be certain that he cannot be sick in any department of his system. But the feet of almost every grown person suffer from abuses put directly upon them. Health reformers generally, give as much care to the feet as they deserve.
