Hot Stone Massage & Treatments
The stones are used in two ways during the massage.
One is to impart heat onto the body by laying stones under the client with a layer of fabric between the client and stone (a sheet or towel) and/or on top of the client, again upon a towel. Stone layout typically will be along both sides of the spine, or along the chakra centers and in the hands. While these layout stones are delivering concentrated centers of heat, the therapist is simultaneously massaging the client with oiled, heated stones held in the palm of the hand with firm strokes along the muscles of the legs, arms, and torso areas.
An authentic hot stone massage is not simply the "gliding" of heated stones lightly upon the surface of the skin, but rather the stones are used as tools to deliver effective tissue and muscle massage at a pressure level comfortable to the client. The client can request light, medium or deep pressure, which is the beauty of the hot stone massage technique. It can be customized in an instant to the request of the client. The hardness of the stones makes for a fantastic deep tissue massage and is easy on the joints of the therapist’s hands. The heat from the stones relaxes muscles, increase the blood flow to the area being worked on which further accelerates the healing process. This increase in circulation and the relaxation of the muscles also aids in mental relaxation.
Indian Head Massage
Indian head massage is based on the Ayurvedic system of healing which has been practiced in India for over a thousand years. It provides Indian families with relaxation and healing on a daily basis, as well as playing a part in rituals such as weddings and births, not to mention everyday events like a trip to the barber.
How does it work?
The aim of Indian head massage is to release the stress that has accumulated in the tissues, muscles and joints of the head, face, neck and shoulders.
What does it involve?
The client, fully clothed, sits in a massage chair for the treatment. The therapist uses a range of different movements including application of deep kneading and compression movements over the neck, shoulder and scalp areas. In addition, the therapist will also gently stimulate and stroke pressure points on the face. The session will usually last from twenty to forty-five minutes, and most therapists like their clients to sit quietly for ten or twenty minutes once the massage has been completed.
What is it good for?
Indian head massage is especially good for relieving stress, tension, fatigue, insomnia, headaches, migraine and sinusitis. Clients report that the experience is deeply calming and relaxing, leaving them feeling energised and revitalised and better able to concentrate.
What are the benefits?
Indian head massage helps increase joint mobility and flexibility in the neck and shoulders, improves blood circulation and lymphatic flow, frees knots of muscular tension, relaxes connective tissue, and aids in the elimination of accumulated toxins and waste products. It is particularly good for reducing the effects of stress and tension.
What are the side effects and when should it be avoided?
Following a treatment some clients experience tiredness, dizziness, an increased desire to urinate (as the body eliminates toxins and waste materials) or aching muscles. All of these side effects usually last for no more than a few hours, after which clients generally experience increased energy and alertness. Indian head massage should be avoided if you have had recent surgery, or a head or neck injury; a history of Thrombosis or Embolism; Spondylitis or Spondylosis. If you have high or low blood pressure, Diabetes, Indian head massage is particularly good for reducing the effects of stress and tension Epilepsy, any kind of heart condition, Cancer or Osteoporosis, talk to your doctor before arranging a treatment. Always make sure that you avoid alcohol for at least five hours before the treatment.
Massage Therapy
In all types of massage therapy, the intention is to relax the soft tissues, increase delivery of blood and oxygen to the massaged areas, warm them, and help the body to relax.
In a typical massage therapy session, the practitioner will discuss symptoms, medical history and the desired results. The practitioner generally performs some evaluation through touch before beginning the massage. Oil or powder help reduce friction on the skin and the therapist may use other aids, such as ice, heat, fragrances, or machines.
Massage may be found to bring relief from everyday aches, reduce stress, increase relaxation, address feelings of anxiety and tension, and aid general wellness. It can also be used in support of other therapies to assist in the rehabilitation of muscular injuries.
Deep Tissue Massage
Deep Tissue Massage is a massage technique that focuses on the deeper layers of muscle tissue. It aims to release the chronic patterns of tension in the body through slow strokes and deep finger pressure on the contracted areas, either following or going across the fiber's of the muscles, tendons and fascia.
Deep tissue massage is used to release chronic muscle tension through slower strokes and more direct deep pressure or friction applied across the grain of the muscles not with the grain. Deep tissue massage helps to break up and eliminate scar tissue. Deep tissue massage usually focuses on more specific areas and may cause some soreness during or right after the massage. However, if the massage is done correctly you should feel better than ever within a day or two.
Why get a Deep Tissue Massage?
It feels good and it is beneficial to your health. When muscles are stressed, they block oxygen and nutrients, leading to inflammation that builds up toxins in the muscle tissue. A deep-tissue massage helps loosen muscle tissues, release toxins from muscles and get blood and oxygen circulating properly. Because many toxins are released, it's important to drink plenty of water after a deep-tissue session to help eliminate these toxins from the body.
What is the purpose of Deep Tissue Massage?
The purpose is to "unstick" the fibers of a muscle while releasing deeply-held patterns of tension, removing toxins, while relaxing and soothing the muscle. It is both corrective and therapeutic.
Oriental Face Massage
Oriental Face Massage is a wonderful relaxing treatment . It is used to improve blood circulation, remove toxins from the face and wrinkles and improve your complexion and overall health.
The Oriental Face Massage uses techniques that have been drawn from Natural Facelift Rejuvenation Massage, Indian Face Massage, Japanese Face Massage and Tibetan Face Massage. The fusion of theses massage techniques, works on the facial muscles, easing tension, smoothing away lines and increasing elasticity. The aim of this treatment is to release toxins and allowing the connective tissue to regain its freedom and elasticity resulting in visibly rejuvenation of the skin. The massage is also very relaxing and helps reduce stress.
Swedish Massage
The skin's natural functions will be stimulated improving the condition of the skin and the warmth created will help relax the body physically and mentally.
Body massage originated in Sweden. Swedish body massage is the original massage technique involving a sequence of movements working superficially and deeper into the tissue layers. Movements such as effleurage work over the skin with the palm of the hand producing relaxation, whereas movements like petrissage work deeply.
Petrissage movements such as wringing and kneading will help to relieve tension promoting deep relaxation in the tissues and muscles.
As no two people are alike, the body massage sequence will be adapted to the client's needs. Massage may be offered in the salon for one hour or half hour treatments, treatments may also be described as back massage, stress massage, all being adaptations of a Swedish body massage.
For those clients who are apprehensive about a massage treatment and of course the stigma attached to this may need some reassurance.
A professional therapist will offer this treatment respecting the client's modesty at all times. The client is covered in soft towels, which are turned back to reveal only the area to be massaged at that time. Areas massaged in a full body massage are normally, legs, arms front of shoulders, abdomen (optional) back of legs or thigh and back.
Thai Massage
The traditional healing massage of Thailand (commonly known as Thai massage) originated in India during the Buddha’s lifetime, over 2500 years ago. As Buddhism spread from India, so did this form of healing massage. Monks in Thailand originally used this therapy as one element of their healing practices, which consisted of dietary advice, the use of herbs, meditation, and what we now call Thai massage. This form of massage involves manipulation using stretching techniques and gentle pressure along the meridians or energy lines of the body.
How does it work?
The aim of Thai massage is to release toxins and waste materials from the joints, muscles and connective tissue, and stimulate internal organs by gentle pressure on specific energy points.
What does it involve?
Thai massage is carried out on a mat or thin mattress, which is laid out on the floor. The therapist uses both their hands and feet to apply pressure to the client’s fully-clothed body and to carry out a range of gentle stretching movements.
The therapist focuses on the client’s energy lines (which, in this therapy are called shen), with the aim of unblocking stagnant and trapped energy, stimulating specific energy points and encouraging the body’s own life force (or chi) to flow freely and easily. Thai massage is normally carried out in silence as, for the therapist, the giving of the massage is an important meditative and spiritual practice.
During the massage the client, whilst being manipulated gently and respectfully, is given the opportunity to look within and focus on the healing experience. A Thai massage can last for up to two hours and clients are advised to wear loose, comfortable clothes.
What is it good for?
Thai massage helps to relieve tension within the body and can be effectively used for pain relief. It improves the function of the lymph glands and blood circulation, balances the nervous system and clears out blocked and stagnant energy. It is appropriate for a range of musculoskeletal problems including back, neck, shoulder, hip and leg pain.
What are the benefits?
This form of massage is especially good for releasing stress and tension, and encouraging relaxation of both mind and body. Clients report that Thai massage is wonderfully soothing and relaxing and leaves them feeling energised, refreshed and with a deep sense of well-being.
What are the side effects and when should it be avoided?
Thai massage is suitable for everyone, including the very young and the very elderly. However, it should be avoided if you have osteoporosis or very brittle bones; spinal fusions or artificial hip, knee or elbow joints; phlebitis, haemophilia or lymphatic cancer. If you have high blood pressure or heart problems, talk to your doctor before booking a treatment.
Reflexology
Reflexology is a complementary therapy based on the belief that there are reflex areas in the feet and hands which are believed to correspond to all organs and parts of the body. Some practitioners may also include work on points found in the face and ears. Reflexology works on an individual basis and may alleviate and improve symptoms such as everyday stress and tension.
During a typical reflexology session the Reflexologist will take a detailed medical history. Sessions are usually performed in a comfortable chair or couch. If it is to be performed on the feet, the client will be asked to remove footwear and socks but other forms of reflexology require no removal of clothing. The practitioner will make a visual and tactile examination of the area to be worked before beginning the precise reflexology massage movements. The particular types of movements involved require the application of an appropriate pressure using the thumb and fingers.
Reflexology can be a wonderfully relaxing experience where you can take time out from everyday pressures. The therapist’s expert touch will help you relax which can help improve mood, aid sleep and relieve tension. The result is an overall sense of wellbeing.
Reiki
"Reiki" (ray-key) is Japanese for ‘universal life energy', a term used to describe a natural system to help bring about an improved sense of wellbeing and a positive feeling of spiritual renewal. This tradition was founded by Dr Mikao Usui in the early 20th century and evolved as a result of his research, experience and dedication. It is a tradition that is open to any belief system and benefits may include deep relaxation and the promotion of a calm peaceful sense of wellbeing.
The method of receiving a Reiki treatment from a practitioner is simple. The recipient remains clothed and comfortably lies on a couch or sits on a chair. The practitioner gently places their hands non-intrusively, on or near the body using their intuition and training as a guide. There is no massage or manipulation. Reiki can be used on the person as a whole, or on specific parts of the body. It is also possible to receive Reiki at a distance.
Reiki is taught by Reiki Master/Teachers, who have trained in the tradition passed on, in person, from Master to student. Students go through a process of initiation/attunement to the Reiki energy. They are then able to treat themselves and others, not only from a personal and emotional perspective, but also as an aid to individual development and spiritual growth.
Shiatsu
Shiatsu is a form of body therapy which uses a system of points and meridians to treat the body. Sometimes referred to as ‘Acupuncture without needles’, Shiatsu relies on the power of touch to restore balance, health and vitality. This contact may range from gentle palm healing to deeper thumb pressure or more dynamic stretches. The techniques used are always appropriate to the receiver.
Shiatsu has been found to be effective in the treatment of common ailments such as headaches, back and neck pain, digestive and menstrual disorders and stress related problems. It can also be used as a preventative treatment, to monitor and regulate a person's overall health.
Shiatsu is traditionally performed on a futon, or comfortable floor mat. Receivers remain fully clothed and sessions last for one hour. During a typical session I would spend some time discussing your state of health, how you’ve been since the last session and what you want from the treatment. The rest of the time is devoted to the Shiatsu treatment itself.
The techniques of Shiatsu involve stretching and pressure which may range from very gentle palm healing to deep stimulation with thumbs and fingers and sometimes elbows, knees and feet.