Therapies Explained
Therapeutic Massage
Therapeutic massage utilises massage strokes and varying degrees of pressure adapted to the individual client’s health problems, constitution and preference. A therapeutic effect is achieved by stimulating body processes and natural recuperative ability to promote health. The emphasis of the session can be relaxing or invigorating.
Some physiological effects gained are:
- Increased blood circulation and lymph flow. This feeds muscles and joints and removes waste products respectively.
- The oxygen carrying capacity of the blood increases reducing fatigue.
- Contracted tight muscles are loosened, weak muscles are toned and gentle stretching improves flexibility and posture.
- The nervous system is calmed or stimulated as appropriate and the blood flow to the nerves serving our internal organs is increased.
- The functions of the skin are improved.
Aromatherapy Massage
Aromatherapy massage is a gentle, soothing massage making much use of long, flowing, strokes to promote relaxation and facilitate the absorption of essential oils by the skin. These essential oils then circulate within the body addressing the areas of need. At the same time the volatile essential oil’s aromas are inhaled adding a psychological dimension, by improving mood for example.
Selected essential oils may sometimes be supplied for use at home as inhalations, additions to a bath, or as cold or hot compresses to help alleviate symptoms.
The essential oils used in my practice are pure, unadulterated and are from organic and/or wild sources.
Massage can be helpful for many conditions and in many situations so please contact me to discuss whether massage is the right approach for you.
I frequently find clients benefit from a combination of therapeutic and aromatherapy massage.
Manual Lymphatic Drainage
Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) is a different experience to therapeutic and aromatherapy massage. It profoundly relaxes the nervous system and helps relieve pain but the ‘big’ strokes of conventional massage are replaced by a gentle skin technique employing very precise, repetitive, circular movements of the skin. These movements have been devised to stimulate the lymphatic system alone making the technique a very effective way to remove excess fluid and toxins from the body.
When the body’s natural defences are mobilised to address a health problem, extra fluids and chemicals are produced. MLD encourages the lymphatic system to work at its optimum level to efficiently remove this build up, once it has served its purpose, thus easing symptoms. Sinusitis is a good example, or rheumatoid arthritis where the build-up of the products of inflammation is excessive or inappropriate.
MLD has been observed to stimulate the immune system assisting it to combat recurrent infections – colds, tonsillitis, glandular fever, etc.
Discomfort due to congested tissues, the aching, heavy legs associated with varicose veins for example, benefits from MLD because fluid is removed rather than encouraged to the area.
Situations of excessive fluid build up such as those associated with hormonal changes can also benefit.
The repetitive movements of MLD calm the sympathetic nervous system engendering profound relaxation making it beneficial for stress and insomnia, while the continually varying light pressure of the technique interferes with pain pathways resulting in a pain relieving effect.
Many people love MLD and choose it for relaxation, general detox and health maintenance.
It is because the lymphatic system is fundamental to the efficient functioning of the body and therefore to good health that improving its function with MLD provides so many benefits.
Please contact me if you have any questions about MLD or my massage therapies.