Massage Therapy

Who does it?

1. Chinese Massage – is a part of Traditional Chinese Medicine. This massage therapy is closely related to Herbal Medicine, Acupuncture and Acupressure. Chinese Massage treatment creates movement and is therefore seen as a treatment for pain relief. It is almost always given on a couch or a stool.
2. Connective Tissue Massage – this technique is connected to the Myofascial release technique, and does not involve the use of oil or lotion. It can relieve chronic tension, improve posture and relieve painful symptoms of chronic diseases such as Arthritis, Tendonitis, TMJ and Sciatica.
3. Hot Stone Massage – aids the client to experience deep relaxation. The therapist places heated basalt stones on the body’s acupressure points. A series of Swedish Massage style techniques is used with the therapist holding smooth stones and applying essential oils to work away muscle tension.
4. Deep Tissue Massage – focuses on the deeper layers of muscle tissue. It is designed to reach the deep sections of thick muscles, specifically the individual muscle fibres.
5. Remedial Massage – works to heat muscles and tendons that are damaged, impaired or knotted. It holistically treats the whole body and traces the discomfort back to the original cause. It uses specialised techniques to support and speed up the body's own repair mechanisms. The massage is applied directly to the skin usually with an oil lubricant. Passive stretching moves are also employed.
6. Shiatsu – is a traditional hands-on Japanese ‘healing therapy’ originating from the Japanese amma therapeutic massage. It is quite an intense form of massage whereby the therapist uses thumbs, elbows, forearms, feet and knees to apply pressure on the body. This is combined with stretches, joint rotations and joint manipulation to give an all-over treatment.
7. Swedish Massage – is a system of long strokes, kneading, friction, tapping, percussion, vibration and shaking motions that apply pressure between muscles and bones, rubbing in the same direction as the flow of blood returning to the heart. Swedish Massage feels good, is relaxing and invigorating.
8. Thai Massage – This is a more physical manipulation of the body using passive stretching and gentle pressure with the hands and feet. Allied with yoga stretching movements, this massage will help to adjust the skeletal structure, increase flexibility, relieve muscular and joint tension, stimulate internal organs and balance the body's energy system. The effect is both relaxing as well as energising. This type of massage is performed on a floor mat.

What should I expect from a massage session?

Massage normally takes place in a private room or space. Clients are expected to partially undress and are given a towel or robe to place over themselves. The exception to this is with ‘Mobile Massage’ whereby the client may remain clothed and is not always in a private space. Most massage will take place on a massage table lying down, but in some cases the massage takes place whilst you are seated on a massage chair (see Chinese Massage), or on a floor mat (see Thai Massage). Massage therapy can last for 10 mins to 1 hour depending what is requested.