RELAXATION MASSAGE
Swedish massage is a classic, therapeutic “Relaxing” Massage where by one of the primary goals of the therapist is to relax the entire body. Full body massage relaxation tends to be performed with mild to medium pressure and usually takes an hour.
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Massage is one of the oldest forms of treatment for human ailments dating back to the Chinese of 3000BC though it was not practiced nor advocated as a therapeutic tool until more modern times. In 1813 the first massage institute opened in Stockholm Sweden. It is here that different types of movements and techniques were established and taught and hence why remedial massage is often called Swedish massage.
Therapeutic massage involves a number of techniques. Some of the most common are Effleurage (stroking), Petrissage (kneading), Friction, and Tapotement (rhythmic percussion)
Effleurage: Hands palm down, with light to medium pressure using a flat stroking movement to soothe or deeper movement to stimulate muscles and tissue. It is usually carried out in the direction of the flow of blood and lymph towards to the heart.
Petrissage: Using the whole hand with a variety of techniques to move and roll the skin and underlying tissue. It stimulates circulation and helps stretch and relax hard, contracted muscles.
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Friction: Using the pads of the fingers, or heels of the hand to vigorously rub the superficial layers of the skin to increase heat and circulation to muscular areas such as the thighs or calf muscles. Small circular motions can be used for strained ligaments or tendons.
Tapotement: A technique that uses a tapping motion with relaxed, alternating hands to stimulate muscles and improve circulation usually on the more substantial parts of the body such as thighs, buttocks and shoulders.
Benefits of Therapeutic Relaxation massage: This type of massage is exceptionally beneficial for:
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Increasing the level of oxygen in the blood.
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Improving circulation and lymph flow which can strengthen the immune system.
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Soothing the nerves and easing emotional stress which can relieve pain in certain circumstances.
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Reducing muscle tension , relieving muscle stiffness and increasing flexibility.
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Stimulating activity in the skin and other glands.
THERAPEUTIC DEEP TISSUE MASSAGE
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Deep Tissue Massage is similar to a therapeutic relaxation massage but the deeper pressure is more beneficial for chronically tight muscles of the body. The aim of this technique is to work through the superficial layers of the skin and muscle fibres to the deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue (known as fascia) and tendons. If you have specific areas of tension that you would prefer to have worked on then one hour is a good amount of time.
Techniques incorporate long, slow, deep strokes following and also transverse to the muscle fibres. The therapist may use strong finger and hand movements or her elbows to apply deeper pressure to certain muscles. As the name suggests deep tissue massage is applied with a firm to very firm pressure.
During a Deep Tissue Massage it is very important to communicate with your therapist. A therapeutic edge scale will be discussed prior to commencing therapy. As the therapist works she will be able to feel the tension in the muscles but is unable to feel what you are experiencing. At no time should you experience pain that is beyond your own comfort zone.
Benefits of Deep Tissue Massage: This type of massage is exceptionally beneficial for:
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Increasing the level of oxygen in the blood.
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Improving blood flow and hastening excretion of waste products from the body.
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Help reduce muscle tension and stress.
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Stimulating activity in the skin and other gland.
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Aid with scar tissue and adhesions.
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Help reduce headaches caused by neck tension.
REFLEXOLOGY
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Reflexology is a type of massage therapy that involves applying different amounts of pressure to the feet or hands. It is based on the theory that these body parts are “minimaps” of the whole body and its organs. By massaging and applying pressure to these minmaps known as reflex areas the corresponding and connected areas of the body will feel the benefit and balance or homeostasis will improve.
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It encourages both relaxation and stimulation. Relaxation to help the body rebuild its energy and recover from any illness or injury. Stimulation to help activate the circulatory and nervous system.
It also relieves stress and tension, improves waste removal and activates the body’s self- healing process.
Feet are more commonly used than hands as being more sensitive as they tend not to be as uncovered or exposed as the hands.
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Reflexologists use their thumbs and fingers to look for areas of tenderness in the reflexes or a gritty feeling or crystals under the skin. These are signals that there is a problem in the corresponding part of the body and working that reflex will remove the build -up of crystals and give relief in the reflected problem area.
Benefits of Reflexology:
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Relieves stress and tension and has a deeply relaxing effect (75% of disease is estimated to be stress related).
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Improves homeostasis or balance of the body.
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Improves circulation thus increasing the efficiency of all the organs and cells.
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It helps release trapped nervous energy and improve neural efficiency (approx. 7000 nerves are stimulated by reflexology massage).
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( see Introductory Guide to Reflexology for history of Reflexology by Louise Tucker)
