For thousands of years many cultures have used the manipulation and massage of the body as a form of treatment for illness and ailments.  Theories behind the benefits of massage include blocking nociceptive pain and activating the parasympathetic nervous system which can stimluate the reslease of endorphins and serotonin.

Remedial Massage

This form of massage is often used in the treatment of sports injury but it's many benefits are not isolated to injury related pain.  It often works at a deeper level than  a relaxing massage would and is based on the location of trigger points and the identification of contraction within muscle fibres.  Once the location of pain has been established the practitioner will then being to manipulate the affect area to stimulate the muscle and help it reduce it's contraction.

The benefits of remdial massage are:-

• Improved blood flow and general mobility of the joints within the affected area.
• Improved resistance in the area of concentration.
• Reducing stress and muscle tension and improves muscle tone.
• Increases the lympathic flow to the treatment area which consequently reduces pain and inflammation and helps the bodys healing mechanisms.

Shiatsu Massage

Shiatsu originated in China and can be traced back for over 3000 years.  Its underpinning lies in the basis that along with acupuncture and a healthy diet and lifestyle optimum health is achievable.

The principle of Shiatsu implies the flow of Qi circulating through the body is the most important aspect of a healthy being.  This form of massage promotes the movement of Qi and lymph throughout the body.  It uses a combination of firm pressure and stretching to promote this movement.

Shiatsu forms a general feeling of health and wellbeing and is an essential element to form balenced state within the body.

For further details on Shiatsu massage please see the Traitional Chinese Medicine section of this site.

Reflexology

Reflexology is a popular form of massage that is used frequently in western society.  It is based on the concept that all the parts of the body are connected through energy pathways that terminate/originate in the feet.

The practitoner will work over these relfex areas in a repetitive systematic way to stimulate the bodies responses and prmote a general feeling of wellbeing.

Indian Head Massage

It is based on ancient Ayurvedic techniques which seek to promote stress relief and relaxation of the shoulders, upper back, neck, scalp and face.  A treatment can also improve mental clarity and focus.

Indian head massage can be used to treat a number of ailments like aches, pains, headaches, localised blood and lymphatic problems muscle tension and joint movement. 

The therapist focus on the three charkas relating to mind, body and spirit.  These chakras are critical to the maintenance of wellbeing wthin oneself.  The massage mainly focusses on the head and scalp and one of it's many benefits is the versatility of the treatment and it's applications.

Reiki

Swedish massage

This form of massage is perhaps the most well established in the west.  It was popularised by Per Hennrick Ling in 1700's.  It is really useful for stimulating oxygen flow in the blood and releasing toxins from the body,evacuating the body of metabolic waste like uric acid and lactic acid and so is often used to improve recovery time from muscular strain. 

This form of therapy can be used to treat many conditions and injuries as outlined in Sports and injuries sections of this site.  Sports massage can incorporate all the treatment moadilities along with myofiscal release techniques and massage strokes which elongate contracted muscles fibres and assist lymphatic drainage.