Massage is the manual manipulation of the external and the deeper layers of muscles using different techniques for the purpose of enhancing health and wellbeing. It is done for a variety of reasons. It may be to heal body pains and sicknesses, promote relaxation and relief from stress, muscular overuse and many chronic pain syndromes, to inhibit motor neurone excitability, to enhance energy and vitality, to help decrease muscle reflex activity, to improve functions and athletic performance, and for recreation.
There are 2 main ‘styles’ of massage:
- Relaxation
- Clinical
The relaxation style is gentle. Its main purpose is to give relaxation, improve blood circulation, relieve pain, nourish cells, improve bowel movement and treat sleeping disorders.
The clinical style on the other hand has therapeutic goals, i.e., to relieve pain, release muscle tightness, repair injured tissues, muscles, tendons, ligaments, release adhesions, release scar tissue, release nerve compression, increase flexibility and range of motion.
Some of the different types of massage:
REMEDIAL
Remedial massage works on the whole body to help it return to normal health using many different techniques of massage, combined with active and passive stretches.
SWEDISH
This is mainly for relaxation by way of rubbing the muscles with long gliding strokes in the direction of blood returning to the heart. As with all massage it works on the sympathetic nervous system “fight and flight” or stress mode.
DEEP TISSUE
This is similar to Swedish massage but this requires a deeper pressure to release chronic muscle tension.
AROMATHERAPY
A relaxation massage with the addition of essential oils.
REFLEXOLOGY
Is a science based on the principle that there are reflex areas in the feet, hands and ears. Pressure is applied to specific areas of the feet as they believe that each part of the foot corresponds to every gland, organ and body part. These reflexes are stimulated to improve circulation and nerve function for healing and restoring normal body functions.
HOT STONE
Using warm smooth stones to massage with and lay upon the body. The warmth goes that much deeper into the muscles and adds another dimension to relaxation.
THAI
Like yoga without doing any work, as the therapist moves & stretches you.
CRANIOSACRAL
This is a gentle massage for the head, spinal column and sacrum.
PRE AND PERI-NATAL
It is a way to relieve stress, discomforts and pains during and after pregnancy. Very relaxing for the baby during pregnancy as it sends off feel good endorphins.
INFANT
A gentle massage to nurture infant’s physiological, neurological and psychological development and function.
GERIATRIC
A gentle massage for the elderly.
SHIATSU
A Japanese form of massage with the therapist using pressure on the acupuncture meridians to aid with the healing of certain organs by releasing blockages.
SPORTS
Focuses on the parts of the body of an athlete that are overused and stressed from repetitive and often aggressive movements. Sports massage is also invaluable for pre sport activities as a rigorous type massage.
TRIGGER POINT
Specifically designed to ease the pain through its source by way of cycles of isolated pressure & release.
ONCOLOGY
Massage for those with cancer, performed by trained therapists who know the correct pressure and techniques to use. It aids in alleviating the unpleasant side effects of chemotherapy and radiation.
POST-SURGICAL
This helps to relax the muscles of post-surgery patients whose muscles have become tight due to the trauma of surgery.