De-stress with massage therapy. Our top massage treatments
Day to day life can be exhausting, we run from pillar to post all day, finally falling into bed often having had no time for ourselves, it can feel like a bit of a hamster wheel sometimes and can be a cycle thats hard to break, resulting in anxiety, stress, insomnia and even depression. The idea of a massage may not even have crossed your mind, time is precious as it is, not to mention the cost, however one recent study showed that during massage the level of cortisone in the clients saliva decreased ( cortisone is the hormone that causes stress). Having a massage may feel a little indulgent to you if it is not something you normally do, more expensive than a walk in the park or a bar of chocolate but is spending the cash really worth it ?
Stress can be a positive motivator when striving for a promotion or accomplishing an important task. Stress may be temporary, such as running late for work due to traffic or weather conditions, however stress may also be chronic — during financial difficulties, chronic illness or dealing with family issues. It is not necessarily the event, but rather your body’s response to the event that causes stress. When the brain senses any kind of stress, your heart rate and blood pressure rise, and your muscles tighten. Feelings of stress that continue for long periods have a detrimental effect on the body. Massage helps you relax, calming the mind and body and relieving your stress.
Massage therapy can relieve stress, alleviate pain and improve mood and sleep patterns. Not just anyone can massage though so seek out a qualified massage therapist who will work with you according to your individual needs. Sometimes you can feel a little tender after a massage but that is normal if you have had a lot of knots that need worked out, this should be discussed with you at an initial consultation. Since there are so many massage therapies out there, it may require some trial and error before you find the right massage technique to suit your stress level.
We offer several different massage therapies in our salon, so heres a little info on our favourites ….
Reflexology
A foot massage is a great way to de-stress, but by combining it with reflexology you can gain some extra benefits. Reflexology is an ancient Chinese therapy that is non-invasive, suitable for all ages, and can bring relief from a wide range of acute and chronic conditions.
Reflexology is an ancient Chinese practice used to rebalance Qi which is the life force flowing through energy channels in the body. It is based on the principle that specific areas on the soles of your feet (known as reflex zones) correspond to different parts of the body. Reflex zones contain millions of nerve endings and by applying pressure to these zones you can stimulate the nervous system to release tension which can benefit your general health.
Reflexology helps unblock energy pathways which stimulate the body into healing itself by improving circulation, reducing stress, relieving pain and restoring natural balance. Reflexology is a therapeutic foot massage that aims to break down any blockages in the reflex zones which may cause you to feel unwell, encouraging a free flow of energy through the body and cleansing your body of toxins.
Hot Stone Massage
This is a wonderfully relaxing massage designed to work on muscle tension at the deepest level.
Stone massage involves the application of water-heated basalt stones of varying sizes to key points on the body, giving a deep massage and creating sensations of comfort and warmth. The direct heat relaxes muscles, allowing manipulation of a greater intensity than with regular massage. In cases of muscular injury and inflammation, cooling marble stones may also be used. This creates a type of thermotherapeutic ‘vascular gymnastics’ in the circulatory system to help the body detoxify and heal.
Indonesian Massage
This is a deep massage designed to give you deep stimulation to the soft tissues. It is not just a muscular massage though, as it follows the common oriental belief that the body has energy flowing within it and it aims to release blocked energy channels, or meridians.
Meridians carry energy throughout the body and are believed to be associated with the functioning of the body’s organs. Under healthy conditions meridians carry energy freely, while blocked meridians can create a feeling of unwell. During an Indonesian Massage the therapist uses slow, strong pushing techniques to clear these meridians of any blockages, releasing deeply-held patterns of tension and helping to de-stress, relieve pain and revitalise. This type of massage is perfect for you if you like a deeply worked massage.
Swedish Massage
Swedish massage tends to be much deeper than Aromatherapy massage.The pressure applied during the massage is designed to increase the flow of oxygen to particular muscles assisting the body in removing any unwanted toxins. This treatment will help reduces stress, both emotional and physical, and is suggested as part of a regular program for stress management.
Lava Shell Massage.
During a Lava Shell Massage, the therapist uses real shells from the Philippines to gently massage your body.
The heat comes from inside the Lava Shells due to a mixture of a minerals and algae with salt water and essential oils. When they are combined inside the shell, it creates a chemical reaction that causes heat for one or two hours.
The benefits of a good rubdown may run deeper than you think, a little time out for yourself can only be a good thing !!!