Massage Styles

Remedial Massage – provides a healing treatment using several specialised techniques to locate and repair damage and to support and speed up the body’s own repair mechanisms. Benefits include the stimulation of 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. Muscular and skeletal dysfunctions often addressed with Remedial Massage include headache, neck and back pain, Arthritis, muscular cramps, whiplash, muscular atrophy, sports and dancing injuries.

Sports Massage – is designed to prevent and relieve injuries and conditions that are associated with exercise. It can often be quite strenuous and is meant to relieve and reduce the stress and tension that can build up within the body’s soft tissues while exercising. It is of benefit to anyone that exercises, even if it is only mild exercise such as regular walking.

Trigger Point Therapy – Trigger points are areas of hyperirritability in the soft tissue. These can be acute sources of pain or unnoticed by the client until pressure is applied by the therapist. Trigger points are manifested as small contraction knots in the muscles, that control the state of contraction and active ones may cause muscle spasm and referred pain. Conditions that will benefit from this modality include: Sports Injuries, Headaches, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, TMJ, Neck and Jaw Pain, Stress and Fatigue.

Polarity Therapy – is a gentle system of hands on healing, working with the body’s natural energies. If our energy flow becomes imbalanced or blocked it can lead to a general sense of malaise, illness or disease. Clearing blockages and imbalances restores the energy flow and allows the body to heal itself naturally. The bodywork session does not require disrobing, but loose comfortable clothing should be worn.

Lymphatic Drainage – The Lymphatic system is our front line of defence in fighting bodily infections, detoxifying the body and transporting metabolic wastes, excess water, bacteria and toxins out of the body. The Lymph glands (at neck, armpits, groin, etc.) are connected by a broad network of vessels which transplant the fluid. Muscular movement is required to move it, as there is no “Heart” to pump it. Lymphatic Drainage is a gentle whole body treatment that relaxes the nervous system and aids the body’s immune system. It is highly recommended for those prone to and recovering from sore throats, colds, infections, on-going tiredness, excess fluids, low immunity, swollen nodes and also for the physically inactive.

Bowen Therapy – The Bowen Technique is a cross fibre muscle release technique that balances and stimulates energy flows, resulting in a deep sense of overall relaxation. There are regular pauses between the series of gentle moves to give the body the required time to allow the body to reset and heal itself. Bowen Technique strives to find the origin of a problem and is therefore very effective for muscular-skeletal problems, including ankle, knee, lower back and neck pain. Other problems addressed by the Bowen Technique include: Asthma – Dizziness – Frozen shoulder – Headaches – Repetitive stress injury (RSI) – Whiplash – Dental or Facial pain -Many muscle or joint pains of unknown origin -Emotional stress and anxiety. A treatment usually requires the client to lie on a bed or treatment couch and can be performed through light clothing. Sessions can last from 30 minutes to an hour. It is usually recommended to have two to three sessions of the Bowen Technique with a break of five to ten days between each session.

Pregnancy – A combination of Swedish and Remedial Massage techniques are used to assist with the tensions and pains experienced during pregnancy. These are often caused by the extra weight and shift in the centre of gravity. There are many physical benefits to Pregnancy Massage, in addition to the nurturing and emotional support provided by the therapist. Massage reduces peripheral swelling, soothes the nervous system, helps to prevent insomnia, muscle cramps and back pain. Regular massage throughout the pregnancy is also said to shorten labour time and assist with returning the mother to optimal fitness after birth.

Myofascial Release Therapy – The fascia is a web that surrounds every tissue of the body. When the body experiences trauma this tissue becomes tight and constricted. Myofascial Release Therapy is said to release disruptions in this fascia network. Pressure on the bones, muscles, joints and nerves is relieved in the process, and balance is restored. There is a release of tension once the body has responded to the fascia and associated structures. Release may also facilitate the emergence of negative or repetitive emotional patterns, which have interfered with the healing process.