07/25/08

Benefits of Remedial Massage

Key benefits of Remedial Massage include: the stimulation to 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. An improvement to the health of the cells, the repairing of tissues, and the easing of stiffness and tension can also be experienced through therapeutic relaxation.

Muscular and skeletal dysfunctions often addressed with Remedial Massage include Fibrositis, Spondylitis, Arthritis, frozen shoulder, muscular cramps, Whiplash, muscular atrophy, sports and dancing injuries.

Sessions usually take 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the whether the practitioner will just address a specific area or give a whole body massage. As oil is used, it is necessary for the patient to be unclothed for the treatment.

 

RELAXATION/SWEDISH MASSAGE

Swedish massage is now known as "traditional" massage and it  includes long gliding strokes, kneading, friction, tapping, and shaking motions. It is effective for most  ailments and has a positive effect on the nerves, muscles, glands, and circulation, and promotes health, wellbeing and relaxation.

PREGNANCY MASSAGE

We use a combination of Swedish and Remedial techniques, 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 practitioner. Massage reduces peripheral swelling, soothes the nervous system, helps to prevent insomnia, muscle cramps and back pain.  Various techniques are used as the client progresses through the pregnancy and massage can be performed whilst she is lying on her side, or seated.  Once the pregnancy is advanced, she is discouraged from lying on her back as this may cause pressure on deep blood vessels.  Regular massage throughout the pregnancy is also said to shorten labour time and the return to optimal fitness after birth.

At Springs Massage Therapy we discourage clients from massage in their first trimester of pregnancy.  Additionally, for both the clients' and our safety, we prefer not to massage clients in their final trimester of pregnancy unless we have seen them for massage prior to this time.
 

REFLEXOLOGY

Reflexology treats all the organs of the body through the feet.  it can be used to balance emotions, restore circulation throughout the physical body, and increase spiritual awareness. While increasing circulation in the brain, it can improve concentration and the ability to meditate. Reflexology can relieve insomnia and help in lowering blood pressure. 

AROMATHERAPY

Essential oils such as lavender, rosemary, or rose are used in conjunction with other appropriate techniques, such as massage, hot stones or reflexology. Mixed with a base oil, the essential oil is absorbed through the skin and into the body to affect physiological change.

HOT STONE THERAPY

This is a native American Indian modality, but known to many indigenous peoples around the world.  Our massage therapist studied this method in New Zealand, where Maori also utilize the Stones in their healings.

She sourced her stones or Kohatu (the Maori term for stones) from New Zealand, one of the few countries where basalt stones naturally occur.

Unlike U.S. methods, where the stones are often just laid upon the body, she uses the hot stones as massage tools to relieve aching & sore muscles.  This is a truly special massage.

LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE MASSAGE

 In the 1930s, a Danish doctor, Hans Vodder, noticed the connection between swollen and blocked lymph glands and colds, infections and other ailments. Since the lymph system is designed to remove bacteria and toxins from the body, he reasoned that massaging the lymph system would improve the flow of lymph and benefit the patient. Together with his wife, a massage practitioner, they developed a specific technique that massages the lymph nodes and lymph system using light rhythmic strokes. A characteristic of lymph system massage is that the strokes are always with the muscle fibre, rather than cross-fibre, because the lymph system runs in the direction of the muscle fibre.

Jane featured in an NZ Fitness Magazine which explained the benefits of Lymphatic Drainage Massage.

NZ FITNESS MAGAZINE An article featuring Jane explaining the benefits of Lymphatic Drainage Massage.

 

 

 

DEEP TISSUE MASSAGE

Deep Tissue Massage is designed to reach the deep portions of thick muscles, specifically  the individual muscle fibres. Using deep muscle compression and friction along the grain of the muscle, its purpose is to realign the fibres and release both toxins and deeply held patterns of tension.