Massage Therapy

Massage Therapy… & How it can help you!

Why do we need Massage?

For many of us, pain or restricted movement can limit our lifestyles. Causes range from sports injuries, accidents, repetitive action, or simply the stress and tension of every day living. Quite often our emotional stresses take up residence in our bodies, and massage can be an excellent and lasting form of relief.

How does Massage reduce stress?

Massage improves the body's circulation, eases muscle pain & tension, assists our body's immune system and promotes a feeling of well-being. All these physical factors combine to reduce our emotional and mental stress levels, which in turn give us more energy and reduces the chance of injury and illness.

How does Massage help muscle pain?

Massage works directly on the muscles, stretching and kneading actions stimulate the nervous system, causing muscles to relax and relieve tightness. Massage also assists the muscles to flush out any built-up toxins that can be stored after exercise, which eases pain and tightness.

How does Massage help injuries?

Massage releases tight muscles and loosens scar tissue, it increases range of movement in the body's joints especially after injury. This promotes flexibility and strength, and stimulates production of natural joint lubrication. This all combines to help prevent further injury.

Did you know Massage improves Posture?

Massage relieves muscle tension and promotes flexibility in our muscles, joints and connective tissues; it assists our bodies to return to a freer and more natural posture.

Massage relieves muscle contractions and pain caused by spinal abnormalities such as scoliosis & kyphosis. Sitting at a Computer every day changes your posture too and massage can help improve it.

How does Massage help with fluid retention?

Massage really does improve our body's circulation and assists our waste system to flush toxins and residual fluids from the body.

Because of this benefit massage is a fantastic form of relief for those suffering from fluid retention caused by surgery, inflammation, injury, hormonal imbalances or pregnancy.

What will a Massage feel like?

Therapeutic massage is always a very pleasant, relaxing sensation. Remedial massage is different and when working on areas of recent injury or chronic pain, you may notice some discomfort initially which will usually lessen noticeably in the first few minutes as the muscle tension begins to ease.

Massage Therapist's are trained to work within each client's comfort zone; communication is the key factor to ensure the treatment is right for you.

Making Massage work for you!

On your first visit you will be asked a number of questions regarding your general health and any conditions or problems you have.

This assists your therapist to assess any problem areas (they may do special tests and check for restricted movement, muscular and joint pain, muscle tenderness and posture), and this assessment will assist in structuring the best treatment plan specifically for you and your body.

A series of treatments may be recommended eg. A series of 6 may be needed to alleviate your problems. However, if you're just after a relaxing massage, then how often is up to you.

Is massage right for you?

Always let your Doctor know you have regular massages, there are certain conditions where massage is contra indicated, so advise your therapist if you are being treated for anything, communication with your doctor may be necessary.

What's best to do after a massage?

Drink plenty of water to help flush out the debris and toxins that have been broken up. It is good to walk for 5 minutes after a massage so the body stays in balance.

You may feel lethargic or fatigued, so rest and relax, try not to drink alcohol; it may have a stronger effect.

How can you help yourself?

Self-Massage is simple and free of charge. Learn some techniques so you can use them outside of your massage treatment.

Techniques include breathing, relaxing, stretching and gentle exercise. This will help relieve tension between treatments.

Claiming the Cost of a Massage

Most private Health Funds and personal injury insurance plans provide rebates for Remedial Massage - Check your policy or ring your insurer to see if your covered.

Massage is good for the following conditions:

Anxiety, arthritix, asthma, back pain, breathlessness, carpal tunnel syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic pain, colds and flu, constipation, contractures, cystitis, diabetes, dislocations, dizziness, eczema, fibromyalgia, gastro intestinal, headaches, high blood pressure, insomnia, joints, mastitis, muscular aches and pains, neck pain, oedema, osteoporosis, plantar fascitis, postural deviations, pregnancy, sciatica, scar tissue, skin conditions, sprains, strains, sore throat, sports injuries, TMJ, tendonitis, whiplash.

The Benefits of Remedial Massage are as follows:-

~ improve blood supply, seperate fascial binding, stimulate arousal

~ soften scar tissue

~ relax, increase self esteem, create body contact

~ increase lymphatic drainage

~ broaden muscle envelopes, free up adhesions

~ increase muscle health, trigger points, pain

~ release neuro-vascular entrapements

~ relax fascial tethering, disolve crystals

~ release blocked energetic segments

~ reduce joint pain by direct loosening of capsule, ligaments and muscles

~ soften hardened tissues, indrease confidence, awareness and well being.

~ Mobilise life energy

~ increase bio-energetic processes and emotional co-ordination & expressions

~ Increase body-mind unity

~ Dissolve bio-energetic bodily splits

~ Transfer healing energies for physical, spiritual, emotional, mental being.

Did you know stress effects every cell in the human body?

How does massage help?

Massage, relieves tension and restores suppleness.

Massage improves the blood circulation and helps the cardiovascular system to carry oxygen and nutrients to cells, tissues and internal organs.

Massage is great for health restoration, easing muscle pain and tension it assists our body's immune system, and promotes a feeling of well being, which reduces our emotional and

mental stress levels.

Massage also breaks down waste products trapped in the muscles, assisting in decongestion and elimination, while boosting the body's lymphatic system in its vital cleansing role.

Additionally, friction of hands on skin directly affects the nervous system.

Massage can help in the relief of headaches, aching feet, neck pain, shoulder pain, and lower back pain. It is also used in the treatment of pain from sport and work injuries.

Massage also improves circulation, muscle tone, increases nutrition of joints,

increases blood flow and soothes the nervous system.

Sprains & broken bones also benefit considerably from regular massage.

Illness and disease are not the same.

Common mediators of illness:

Biochemical: Stress, hormones, neurotransmitters, neuropeptides, prostanoids, cytokines, free radicals and nitric oxide.

Cognitive/emotionl: Fear of pain, fear of loss, beliefs about sickness, feelings about sickness, poor self exteem.

Social: rewards for being ill, behavioural conditioning, lack of resources.

Subatomic: Ions, electrons, electrical and magnetic energy fields.

Common triggers of illness:

Adverse social interactions, drugs, feelings of anxiety, memories, microbes, physical injury, physical exercise, repetitive activities, stressful live events, toxins, temperature extremes.

Chronic illness:

Severe emotional distress, severe infection, exposure to toxins, precipitating events.

Physical Benefits of Massage Therapy

Faster healing time from pulled muscles and strained ligaments. Physically relaxes the body, Calms the nervous system, Lowers Blood Pressure, Reduces heart rate, Slows respiration, Loosens tight muscles, Stretches connective tissues, Reduces Chronic Pain, Improves skin tone. Increases blood and lymph circulation, Speeds the removal of metabolic waste, Increases red blood cell counts, Relieves tired and aching muscles, Stimulates the release of endorphins, Improves muscle tone, Relieves cramps and muscle spasms, Increases flexibility and range of motion, Speeds recovery from injuries and illness, Strengthens the immune system, Reduces swelling, Reduces scarring, Improves Posture, Reduces tension headaches, Increases tissue metabolism, Decreases muscular deterioration, promotes deeper and easier breathing.

Mental Benefits of Massage Therapy

Clearer thinking, Reduces mental stress, Promotes better sleep, Calms a bad temper, Induces mental relaxation, Improves Concentration, clears the mind (also includes physical benefits above).

Emotional Benefits of Massage Therapy

Eases expression, Reduces depression, anxiety and insecurity. Enhances self-image, Provides a feeling of well being (also includes physical benefits above).

Spiritual Benefits of Massage Therapy

Enhances mind - body connection, meditation and spiritual awareness, gives a feeling of healing, love, unity and oneness with core/soul. Gives a euphoric feeling (also includes physical benefits above).

The stress, strain & tension of every day life will drift away with massage.