Massage

If you’ve never had a real massage, you don’t know what you’re missing!

Massage Therapy is one of the more pleasant ways to increase your health and wellness! There are many different types of therapeutic massage.  Listed below are the most widely used ones.

Swedish Massage
Broad-based strokes are used in a sweeping motion to soothe away your stress and tension. Light to medium pressure is used, best for relaxation purposes.

Aromatherapy Massage
Essential oils are one of the great untapped resources of the world. The concentrated essences of various flowers, fruits, herbs and plants have been used for centuries all over the world. Because the essential oils are so sweet smelling, many people suppose their value is essentially one of aroma and fragrance. Modern scientific research has proven that essential oils are potent, with remarkable medicinal properties.

Remedial Massage
When muscles become knotted and tense or damaged, remedial massage provides a healing treatment that can be gentle or strong, deep or shallow. Remedial massage holistically treats the body. The massage therapist endeavours to identify the original biomechanical dysfunction, thus healing the cause of the disorder, as well as the symptoms.  Remedial massage supports and speeds up the body's own repair mechanisms.

Deep Tissue Massage
Deep tissue massage is a type of massage aimed at the deeper tissue structures of the muscle and fascia, also called connective tissue. Deep tissue massage uses many of the same movements and techniques as Swedish massage, but the pressure will generally be more intense. It is also a more focused type of massage, as the therapist works to release chronic muscle tension or knots (also known as "adhesions").  

Advanced Deep Tissue Masssage
Deep tissue massage, as its name suggests, focuses on the deeper layers of muscle tissue. It is designed to reach the deep sections of thick muscles, specifically the individual muscle fibres.

Using deep muscle compression and friction along the grain of the muscle, the purpose of deep tissue massage is to unstick the fibres of the muscles and release both toxins and deeply held tension points. Specific hand positions and strokes are used to respond to various tissues while breath and movement techniques are employed to release muscular congestion. It helps to loosen muscle tissues, release toxins from muscles and promote proper blood and oxygen circulation. It is both corrective and therapeutic. It is beneficial for many physical problems, including sports injuries and chronic pain. Because it works very deeply, emotional issues can also be addressed, when these have been stored in the body.

Sports Massage
Sports massage is designed to help athletes prepare their bodies for optimal performance, recover after a big event, or function well during training. But you don't have to be an Olympian to benefit from sports massage. Sports massage is also helpful for people suffering from injuries, chronic pain or restricted range of motion.

Lymphatic Drainage
This is a light and gentle massage that encourages the drainage of fluid and toxins through the lymphatic vessels. This can be useful during detoxification, after removal of lymph nodes and can aid weight loss as well.

Pregnancy Massage
Pregnancy massage promotes relaxation, soothes nerves and relieves strained back and leg muscles in expectant mothers, particularly in the second and third trimesters. A pregnancy massage differs from traditional massage in a few different ways. Firstly, the massage therapist will take extra care to make sure your body gets the cushioning and support it needs.

Reflexology
The idea of using zones of the feet as reflex areas of the body was first introduced in the 1900's. The hands and feet are the parts of the body with the least depth, so the nerves and energy circuits are more accessible for massage. In ill health these areas become more sensitive and massage helps to break down the accumulation of toxins and acid crystals on nerve endings and to stimulate the harmonious functioning of the body parts again.

Trigger Point Massage
A trigger point is a hyperirritable spot that is painful. It is called a trigger point because it 'triggers' a painful response.

But a trigger point is more than a tender nodule. It affects not only the muscle where the trigger point is located, but also causes 'referred pain' in tissues supplied by nerves.

Trigger points are located in a taut band of muscle fibres. The trigger point is the most tender point in the band. The therapist will locate and deactivate them using finger pressure. One technique is to pick up the muscle fibres in a pincer grip.

Shiatsu
Shiatsu literally translates as 'finger pressure' and is a Japanese therapy originating in Orienta medical theory an traditional Japanese massage techniques.

Shiatsu therapists treat the whole body as well as specific problem areas by addressing both emotional and physical wellbeing.  The aim is to treat the body by balancing the flow of Ki (life energy), applying pressure to obstructed or weak areas.  This relieves symptoms and resolves conditions, improving the patient's strength and vitality.

Shiatsu is recognised as being suitable for treatment of most common conditions including musculo-skeletal, menstrual, digestive and immune system disorders as well as being one of the most effective therapies for stress management and relaxation.

Cupping Therapy
Cupping is an ancient Chinese method.  A partial vacuum is created in cups placed on the skin either by means of heat or suction. This draws up the underlying tissues. When the cup is left in place on the skin for a few minutes, blood stasis (bruising) is formed and localised healing takes place. Cupping therapy has been further developed as a means to open the 'meridians' of the body. Cupping has also been found to affect the body up to four inches into the tissues, causing tissues to release toxins, activate the lymphatic system, clear colon blockages and help activate and clear the veins, arteries and capillaries. The cupping technique is very useful and very safe.

Chinese Accupressure
Acupressure massage has the ability to regulate nerve function in order to strengthen the body.  Acupressure is an ancient Chinese technique based on the principles of acupuncture, and involves the use of finger pressure (without the needles) on specific points along the body.

Acupressure is a way of accessing and releasing blocked or congested energy centres in the body. Acupressure massage therapy stimulates and activates the body’s own energies to help fight illness and restore harmony. Some of the acupressure points are significant as they relate to a specific part of the body while others are more general in their effect.

Acupressure can help alleviate ailments such as tension, stress, aches and pains, menstrual cramps and arthritis. Acupressure can also be used for general preventative health care.

Cross Fibre Mobilisation
A gentle remedial body technique done without oil. Comprising small gentle moves, there is just a light cross-fibre manoeuvering of a muscle, tendon or ligament. This can be relaxing, it relieves muscle tension and assists with structural realignment – very beneficial in conjunction with chiropractic treatments (after adjustment). It is suitable during pregnancy; often alleviating the related lower back pain and assisting with child birth. Cross fibre mobilisation is a technique which is so very gentle that is suited for the elderly.

Ka Huna Massage
Ka Huna massage is known as the ancient Hawaiian ‘Temple of your soul’ style that's been handed down through families for many generations. Hawaiians believe the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual are all part of the ‘whole self’.

Ka Huna massage therapy uses a unique combination of flowing movements, dance, rhythm, energy and massage in which the practitioner follows specific choreographed patterns of foot placement and body posture while the hands, arms and elbows sweep over the body to the pulse of music, creating a very fluid and rhythmic massage.

Ka Huna massage therapy combines body draining, soft and deep tissue massage, under body massage, and energy balancing. Students also learn techniques for staying energised while giving the massage.

Lomi Lomi Massage
Hawaiian for massage therapy, Lomi Lomi massage enables the recipient to relax, give in and simply ‘be’. With long, flowing strokes, the practitioner uses both hands as an instrument of his/her heart while focusing on the body’s natural flow and rhythm. Combines deeply relaxing techniques with energy balancing.

As with Ka Huna massage, Lomi Lomi massage explores the Huna Philosophy, Hawaiian breathing and energy balance. It also emphasises the importance of intent, focus, movement and practitioner care within the performance of the massage.

Hot Rock Massage
The hot rock massage is deeply relaxing; its warmth calms and soothes. This massage induces a state of serenity, calm and peace. It combines the benefits of hydrotherapy and thermalism (or thermotherapy – the use of heat applications) with the strokes of massage using stones to create a deep, relaxing and healing treatment.  The heat of the massage stones warms the skin, which allows for the absorption of moisturising and therapeutic oils, while simultaneously preparing the musculature of the body so the massage therapist can work into the deeper muscle layers.

·       Treatments take place on a massage table on bare skin.

·       Water based oil is used in some treatments. Showers are available on request after massage.

·       Affected areas may cause some soreness or bruising during or after the session.

All our therapists are qualified and use appropriate towel techniques for your comfort and dignity.