Holistic Massage
What is holistic massage?
Massage can be defined as the systematic and manual manipulation of the body's soft tissue for therapeutic purposes promoting health and well-being.
It is generally believed that the word massage derives from the Arabic ‘mass' or ‘Mas'h' meaning to press softly. As an art it must be about as old as man himself because to hold or rub an injured part is an instinctive reaction to pain or discomfort.
Massage has evolved from a combination of Eastern and Western traditions. By far the greatest advancement of therapeutic massage recorded in history was by a Swedish physiologist named Per Henrik Ling (1776-1839), who created a scientific system of massage movements and techniques known as Swedish Massage. This consists of five basic strokes: effleurage (stroking), petrissage (kneading), friction, tapotement (percussion), and vibration, though all of these strokes are not used on every part of the body.
Today, massage is a multidimensional skill encompassing a wide variety of ever evolving techniques, many of which have their roots in the Swedish system. The general public is now very aware of the value of massage in combating the stresses and tensions of modern living. Athletes, sports people and dancers include massage in their training schedules to aid recovery and to prevent or treat soft tissue injuries.
Most massage therapists utilise Swedish Massage as the foundation for a treatment and blend in various techniques, depending upon training and experience, to address the specific needs of the client. In general, the manipulation of the body's soft tissue (i.e. the skin, muscles, tendons, ligaments and facia) using the hands is a gentle, flowing massage technique that uses varying degrees of pressure and stretching movements. It is most commonly used for relaxation and improving well-being.
Treatment employs massage techniques designed to treat both deep and superficial tissues, not dissimilar to those used in sports massage. The remedial massage therapist uses skilled manipulation combined with in-depth knowledge of anatomy and physiology to bring about pain relief, correcting and normalising the body's muscles and soft tissues.
What happens in a treatment?
A typical full-body massage session lasts about one hour, and at Bodytalk Therapies we offer a shorter session of 30 minutes for treating specific areas such as backs, shoulders and necks or any areas giving discomfort, aches or pains. On the first visit clients are asked a number of questions concerning general well-being, injuries and medical conditions that the therapist should know about, in order to determine if there are any contra-indications (physical conditions that would prohibit or limit a massage treatment).
The client is asked to undress to their level of comfort/modesty, and to lie on the treatment couch under a large towel. During the session, the therapist will use the towel to expose only those parts of the body to which treatment is being applied. No body part or area will be massaged without the client's permission.
What are the benefits?
There are many benefits from massage and include:
Physiological benefits - Aromatherapy massage can:
- enhance lymphatic drainage - this helps to reduce fluid retention and prevent oedema
- induce a feeling of deep relaxation in the body
- help to restore balance in the body
- stimulate the body's natural immune system
- increase the oxygen and nutrient supply to the tissues by increasing the blood circulation
- help to increase energy levels as blockages and congestion in the nerves are eased
Psychological benefits - Aromatherapy massage can:
- promote a general state of well-being
- calm and soothe the mind
- help to reduce nervous tension
- help to lift the mood and reduce feelings of depression
Skeletal system
- Massage can help increase joint mobility by reducing any thickening of the connective tissue and helping to release restrictions in the facia.
- It helps to free adhesions, break down scar tissue and decrease inflammation. As a result it can help to restore range of motion to stiff joints.
- Massage improves muscle tone and balance, reducing the physical stress placed on bones and joints.
• Muscular system
- Massage relieves muscular tightness, stiffness, spasms and restrictions in the muscle tissue.
- It increases flexibility in the muscles due to muscular relaxation.
- It increases blood circulation bringing more oxygen and nutrients into the muscle. This reduces muscle fatigue and soreness.
- It promotes rapid removal of toxins and waste products from the muscle.
Cardiovascular system
Massage can:
- improve circulation by mechanically assisting the venous flow of blood back to the heart
- dilate blood vessels helping them to work more efficiently
- produce an enhanced blood flow; delivery of fresh oxygen and nutrients to the tissues is improved and the removal of waste products, toxins and carbon dioxide is hastened via the venous system
- help temporarily to decrease blood pressure, due to dilation of capillaries
- decrease the heart rate due to relaxation
- reduce ischaemia (ischaemia is a reduction in the flow of blood to body parts, often marked by pain and tissue dysfunction).
Lymphatic system
Massage helps to:
- reduce oedema (excess fluid in the tissue) by increasing lymphatic drainage and the removal of waste from the system
- regular massage may help to strengthen the immune system, due to increase in white blood cells.
Nervous system
- Massage stimulates sensory receptors: this can either stimulate or soothe nerves depending on the techniques used.
- It also stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, helping promote relaxation and the reduction of stress.
- Massage helps to reduce pain by the release of endorphins (endorphins are also known to elevate the mood).
Skin
Massage can bring about:
- improved circulation to the skin, increased nutrition to the cells and encouraging cell regeneration
- increased production of sweat from the sweat glands, helping to excrete urea and aste products through the skin
- vaso-dilation of the surface capillaries helping to improve the skin's colour
- improved elasticity of the skin
- increased sebum production, helping to improve the skin's suppleness and resistance to infection.
Respiratory system
- Massage deepens respiration and improves lung capacity by relaxing any tightness in the respiratory muscles.
- It also slows down the rate of respiration due to the reduced stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system
Digestive system
Massage can:
- increase peristalsis in the large intestine, helping to relieve constipation, colic and gas
- promote the activity of the parasympathetic nervous system, which stimulates digestion.
Urinary system
• Massage increases urinary output due to the increased circulation and lymph drainage from the tissues.
