Massage Aftercare.
Aftercare plays a crucial role in maximizing the benefits of a treatment session.
It encompasses various practices to promote relaxation, healing and overall well-being. These include staying hydrated, practicing gentle stretching, getting sufficient rest, maintaining proper nutrition, and listening to your body’s needs.
• Drink plenty of water – toxins and waste will have been released during the treatment. Drinking water will help your system flush them out.
• Avoid strenuous activity – your body needs to be allowed to continue to balance itself after treatment. Resting will assist this process. Try to relax as much as possible for the next 24 hours.
• Avoid alcohol/tea/coffee and smoking for 24 hours as these contain toxins and can dehydrate the body. Your body will be working hard to eliminate the toxins released, adding more toxins will make the treatment less effective.
• Eat a light meal in the evening after treatment – this will enable your bloodstream to concentrate on clearing the toxins from your body.
In general, find time for regular gentle exercise and regular relaxation and try to eat a healthy balanced diet.
You may experience some mild effects following your treatment today. These are nothing to worry about and are all part of the natural healing process. They should not last for more than a day or so. If you are at all worried, please feel free to contact me for further advice.
You may experience all, some or none of the following effects, this does not however mean that your treatment has not been effective:
Nausea, tiredness, headaches, aching muscles, tingling limbs, heightened emotions (tearfulness or irritability), light headedness, increase in urination, mild flu-like symptoms, increased thirst, increased release of mucus in the nose or mouth. These reactions are normal and show that toxins are being expelled from the body as it re-balances and cleanses itself.
Deep Tissue Massage.
Deep Tissue massage is used to release chronic muscle tension through slower strokes and more direct deep pressure.
This treatment aims to help release muscle holding patterns and to stretch and lengthen tissue thereby correcting poor postural patterns.
⦁ helping to loosen muscle tension
⦁ aiding the release of toxins from muscles
⦁ allowing blood and oxygen to circulate properly throughout the body
⦁ helps in increasing flexibility and helping to heal old injuries
Deep Tissue massage focuses on more specific areas of the body and during your treatment you can expect the use of fingers, thumbs, fists and elbows to be used to apply the needed pressure.
How does Deep Tissue Massage work?
When there is chronic muscle tension or injury, there are usually adhesions (bands of painful, rigid tissue) in muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
Adhesions can block circulation and cause pain, limited movement, and inflammation.
Deep tissue massage works by physically breaking down these adhesions to relieve pain and restore normal movement.
Deep Tissue can help to decongest and improve the condition of the muscle which will alleviate the symptom.
Regular massages assist to increase Lymphatic circulation and regulate the flow of fluid throughout the entire body. This nourishes and cleanses cells, flushes the body of harmful wastes and toxins, increases resistance to sickness and disease.
In brief –
Deep tissue massage is best for giving attention to certain painful, stiff “trouble spots” in your body. The massage therapist uses slow, deliberate strokes that focus pressure on layers of muscles, tendons, or other tissues deep under your skin.
Pregnancy Massage.
Pregnancy massage is beneficial throughout the entire nine months of the pregnancy; however, if you are having a high risk pregnancy it is best to discuss your condition with your midwife or doctor before seeking a therapist. After doing so you may be able to receive massage work with a written release.
It is best to avoid eating a large meal before the massage or drinking large amounts of liquids.
Benefits that a mother may experience:
⦁ Reduces swelling in hands, feet and ankles
⦁ Lessens sciatic pain
⦁ Eases muscular discomforts in areas like the low back & neck, calf cramps, it also helps with tension and tightening that can be experienced throughout the body
⦁ Tones lose muscles relaxes tense muscles and can help increase flexibility.
⦁ Helps with relaxation which in turn can decrease insomnia
⦁ Increases blood and lymph flow which can help increase the elimination of toxins through the circulatory and lymphatic systems, this can also help with fatigue.
⦁ Increases oxygen in the blood, sometimes on up to 10-15% after a massage.
⦁ Strengthens the immune system
⦁ Stimulates the release of endorphins, the body’s natural pain killers, into the brain and nervous system.
⦁ Helps relieve anxiety or depression
⦁ Helps increase blood circulation, which in turn delivers more oxygen and nutrients to the mother and baby
⦁ Reduced back pain. Reduced joint pain. Improved circulation. Reduced edema. Reduced muscle tension and headaches. Reduced stress and anxiety. Improved oxygenation of soft tissues and muscles. Better sleep.
There are many benefits that last long after the massage has finished.
Reflexology.
A wonderful treatment that involves applying different amounts of pressure to the Feet or Hands to provide a range of health benefits.
It’s aim is to encourage healing and relieve stress and tension throughout the body.
Benefits include
• Stress Reduction,
• Soothes tired feet,
• Reducing pain,
• Improves circulation,
• Boost immune system,
• Increased energy,
• Enhancing overall well being,
Many people also find reflex helpful in reducing stress related ailments including
• Tension headaches,
• Arthritis,
• Digestive disorders,
• Insomnia,
• Back pain.
The treatment starts with a full consultation and a full Foot or Hand cleanse then the reflexology is preformed.
With your permission a Crystal Wand maybe used in the treatment to further enhance the benefits.
For an extra charge you may also wish to add a warm Lava Shell to your treatment to aid the benefits listed above.
Please allow an Hour for your appointment. The reflexology itself is 45 minutes.
Sport Massage.
Sports massage therapy which is also known as soft tissue therapy or deep tissue massage, is a treatment that works with the soft tissues of the body including the muscles, fascia, ligaments and connective tissue, through a variety of techniques.
Anyone can benefit from sports massage, from professional athletes aiming to maintain performance, to office workers spending hours sat at a desk wishing to achieve good posture and avoid muscle tightness.
* Alleviating muscular discomfort and pains due to tightness and imbalances
* Improve range of motion of joints
* Promoting soft tissue repair reducing recovery time
* Alleviating tension/stress and enhancing levels of relaxation and mental health
* Alleviating symptoms of many musculoskeletal conditions
Sports massage is widely recognised as a vital component to achieve a balanced training programme.
Before your first treatment a full consultation will be given.
Jing Method.
I am a Jing Method™ advanced clinical massage therapist. (ACMT)
I am qualified to treat a range of chronic musculoskeletal pain conditions including low back pain, neck pain, headaches whiplash, RSI fibromyalgia and many other ongoing injury or pain conditions
As an advanced clinical massage therapist I am trained in a range of safe and effective soft tissue and massage techniques that aim to reduce your pain and increase your movement within 1-6 clinical treatments. The techniques I use include fascial work, trigger point therapy, acupressure, stretching and tailored self care.
I use a warm and heart centred approach that takes full account of all your physical and emotional needs and am committed to working alongside you to get the results you need.
TMJD.
Do you have unresolved toothache, face pain, jaw pain, headaches/migraines, ear pain, clicking or popping in your jaw?
These are amongst some of the symptoms of what is known as TMJ disorder. There are many ways to treat and relieve the pain you are feeling. Massage has been found to be the most non intrusive and effective way for long-term results.
The temporomandibular joint is a hinge joint that connects your mandible (jaw bone) to the temporal bone of your skull, it is located in front of your ear.
The joint, along with it’s associated muscles allows us to move our jaw up and down and from side to side to talk, eat, yawn, laugh etc.
Problems with the joint and it’s muscles are known as Temporomandibular joint disorder or TMJD and can manifest as severe pain in the jaw itself or along the face, restricted jaw movements and noises such as clicking and popping from the TMJ during jaw movement.
Massage can help address the cause of TMJ disorders, whether the pain comes from a jaw injury, or simply fatigue from repeatedly grinding or clenching your teeth, regular massage therapy can make a difference.
More Symptoms include :-
* Clicking, popping, or grating sounds in the jaw joint when you open or close your mouth or chew. This may or may not be painful.
* Ringing of the ears (tinnitus)
* Dizzy Spells
* Earaches (without infection)
* Headaches
* Migraines
* Difficulty swallowing
* Difficulty speaking
* Chronic pain or tenderness of the muscles around the ear, neck, face, upper back and shoulders
* Worn teeth
* Twitching of the face or eye muscles
* Difficulty sleeping
* Sensitivity to light and noise
* Bruxism (teeth grinding)
* Trismus (difficulty opening mouth normally
* Jaws that get “stuck” or “locked” in the open- or closed-mouth position
* Trouble chewing or a sudden uncomfortable bite, as if the upper and lower teeth are not fitting together properly.
“How can massage help?”
Massage can help heal and release the soft tissue (muscles), relieving the pain and reducing the symptoms caused by problems in and around the jaw joint, this is done by treating the trigger points around the jaw, neck and shoulders.
”What happens within a treatment?”
Following an assessment of your TMJ I will work on two areas:
I will work on the muscles of your neck and upper shoulders and then assist you in treating the muscles around your jaw (these are known as the muscles of mastication). Everything is connected and the neck and jaw have a particularly close working relationship, so tension in your neck and shoulders will be referring tension up into your jaw.
After your first treatment you will feel a difference but due to the chronic nature of this condition, ongoing treatment is required for a minimum 6 weeks. This is based on clinical experience.
Dry Cupping.
Key benefits include –
*Increase in circulation to the muscle, fascia and skin.
*Increase the removal of chemical irritants within the muscle and fascia and the removal of stagnant blood.
*Cause micro trauma which leads to sterile inflammation and a renewed healing process.
*Produces a stretch reflex in fascia and connective tissue, which increases mobility at the joint.
*Cupping techniques that include active movement stimulate the nervous system and aid in re-educating muscle memory and proprioception.
*Aids in the management of pain, as cupping therapy reduces muscular tension, nerve compression and irritation through the build up of chemical irritants whilst increasing range of movement.
Cupping pulls blood to a region to stimulate healing.
It is effective at stretching tight fascia and muscles. Cupping helps the tissue develop new blood flow and stimulates the healing process
Cupping marks.
Cupping draws blood to the external capillaries of the body and as a result minor marks may occur.
With static cupping circular cup marks may be visible. With sliding cups lines may be visible.
These may last anything from a few hours to 10+ days depending on the strength of the treatment and severity of the condition.
As the stagnation clears clients often start to feel the benefits of the treatment more. With subsequent treatments the marks will decrease and clear up quicker.
Dry cupping can be a stand alone treatment or combined with another form of massage.
K Tape.
Any type of injury or trauma to the body will set off the body’s natural protective mechanism known as the inflammatory response.
The main identifiable signs are : Pain, Swelling, Heat, Redness as well as restriction to range of movement.
Correct application of K-tape will help alleviate pain and encourage the facilitation of lymphatic drainage by microscopically lifting the skin.
Used as part of a rounded treatment approach it can be used alongside other treatments such as Massage.
It works by supporting the muscle, lifting the tissue, helping shortened muscles to relax and weak muscles to contact correctly.
K-Tape can act as a treatment in between treatments. Lasting for 3-5 days.
It’s is also safe to use during pregnancy.
Hot / Cold Stone.
Hot stone massage combines the benefits of thermotherapy with massage using natural basalt stones to create a deep, relaxing and healing massage treatment.
Some of the Benefits include –
Improved blood flow,
Relive pain and tension in muscles,
Reduce stress and anxiety,
Promotes sleep,
Plus it feels amazing!
Cold Stone Therapy.
Cold stone therapy also known as cryotherapy works on the principle of heat exchange, this occurs when a cooler object is placed in contact with a warmer temperature, the cooler object will absorb the heat in an attempt to achieve balance.
The benefits of cold stones in conjunction with hot stones have been recognised as being very beneficial.
Some of the benefits include –
Dispersal of tissue congestion,
Alleviation of swelling,
Decreased muscle spasms,
Stimulation of the autonomic nervous system,
Increased tissue metabolism,
It’s invigorating and can feel wonderful!
Oncology Massage.
Cancer is commonly overlooked in massage. But it shouldn’t be, it can make such a big difference to a persons wellbeing and wellness.
Oncology massage is a holistic an therapeutic treatment.
In the past there have been claims that massage can spread cancer but this has been proven to be a myth.
In fact, a lovely gentle massage can help people cope better with what is often a very anxious time, it can help reduce the symptoms of side effects of treatment, improve quality of sleep and provide a all round general feeling of well being.
It aims to improve sleep, aid in relaxation and potentially reduce the symptoms of medical treatment.
Scar Work.
Scar Work is a really gentle non-invasive treatment. A series of highly effective scar tissue release techniques are used as well as integration work across the body as a whole.
Scar Work can have immediate changes to the scar both visually and physically.
*Scars visually improved
*Return of lost sensation
*Reduced irritation and hypersensitivity
*Improved range of motion when near a joint
*Aids the natural healing process
*Beneficial for new and mature scars.
Effective for all scars including but not limited to surgical scars, c-section scars, old injuries, burns, keyhole, as long as it has completed the initial healing stages which is 8-16 weeks.
As a Certified Oncology and ScarWork Therapist, when I work with oncology clients, I aim to create an experience where you are more than your diagnosis, treating you, the individual, to the me-time you deserve away from a clinical setting.
Massage not only aids in relaxation, helping to improve sleep patterns, it also aims to reduce pain, relieve stress and help to reduce anxiety, working to help create a prolonged sense of well-being.
Having massage treatments helps to relax and rejuvenate your mind and body.
The aim of an Oncology Massage is to help you to feel like you again, to look after your wellbeing by providing a mindful touch therapy that will hug your nervous system, relaxing and rejuvenating your mind and body and empowering you to take back control of your like.