The Benefits of Massage

We've all heard it, said it, or thought it before: "I need a massage." Massage therapy provides relief to people from all walks of life. The weekend athlete, the home gardener, the over stressed executive, secretaries, waitresses, laborers, virtually anyone can feel a need for massage therapy sooner or later.

MASSAGE REDUCES THE EFFECTS OF STRESS

Massage therapy has a profound effect on your body's nervous system. When massage therapy activates your body's parasympathetic nervous system, it counteracts your body's negative response to stress, relaxing muscle tension and allowing your heart rate, blood pressure and circulation to return to normal.

Massage therapy also helps you become more aware of your body and your unconsciously held tension. As you become more aware of your body, you will begin to recognize tension as it builds during the day so that you can consciously release it before it can have a negative effect on your body.

MASSAGE RELAXES TENSE MUSCLES

Massage therapy stretches and loosens tight muscles, and connective tissue, breaking down and preventing further formation of adhesions, freeing your range of motion and reducing the dangers of fibrosis.

MASSAGE INCREASES BLOOD CIRCULATION

Like a sponge that is squeezed, a tight muscle cannot hold much fluid nor can it allow much fluid to pass through it. This decreases your circulation of blood and increases the strain placed on your heart. Among the obvious problems that this can cause, this can leave you feeling fatigued and sore, reducing your precious energy reserves. Massage therapy releases contracted muscles and pushes venous blood towards the heart, thus easing the strain on this vital organ.

This increase in circulation brings energy producing nutrients and oxygen to your cells as well as carriers away metabolic waste products that can make you feel listless and drained. In addition, massage therapy increases your body's oxygen carrying red blood cell count helping to bring even more oxygen to your body's cells.

MASSAGE DECREASES CHRONIC PAIN 

Far too many of us face our daily lives with chronic pain due to injuries or illness. Not only does massage therapy help to correct the conditions that cause chronic pain, but it also acts in two ways to decrease the actual pain itself. The first is by the trained touch of a massage therapist activating nerve receptor signals along myelinated nerve fibers to temporarily block chronic pain signals from reaching the brain.

The second is by the stimulated release of endorphins (The body's natural painkiller) into the brain and nervous system to reduce your feelings of pain and discomfort without the use of unnatural drugs.

MASSAGE STRENGTHENS THE IMMUNE SYSTEM

Massage therapy not only improves the circulation of blood and its vital nutrients, but also increases the circulation of lymph in your lymphatic system thus helping your body to fight off infection and speeding your recovery from injuries and illness.

MASSAGE CAN IMPROVE NERVE FUNCTION

Contracted muscles can press on or pinch your nerves causing tingling, numbness, or pain. Massage therapy relaxes these contracted muscles to relieve the compression on you nerves. Sensory receptors in the skin and muscles wake up bringing new awareness to areas that have felt cut off by chronic tension patterns.

MASSAGE HELPS YOU TO SLEEP BETTER

Tension from everyday stress can disrupt your sleep leaving you tired, irritable and emotionally drained. This can rob you of the patience and stamina needed just to face day-to-day life. Massage therapy relaxes tense muscles and calms the nervous system, causing your body's rhythm to slow down. When this happens, your blood pressure lowers, your heart rate settles, and your breath becomes deeper and more rhythmic, priming you for a perfect night's sleep.

MASSAGE CAN GIVE YOU MUCH NEEDED RELIEF DURING PREGNANCY

Pregnancy is a time of major structural, physiological, spiritual and social changes. Some of these changes produce discomforts, which can be addressed with appropriate massage therapy.

Massage can alleviate many physical disorders and can also work with your subtle energy to leave you feeling deeply relaxed and peaceful, or renewed, uplifted and invigorated.
Holistic Massage and bodywork can enable your body to heal and restore its own unique balance and most importantly, allow you to use your positive energy for living life.

What to expect

 
As part of your first visit I take a confidential consultation which allows me to build up a picture of you and your needs so that I can create the best possible session tailored to your needs.

It is important to tell me about any constant or recurring conditions, injuries and serious ailments that you may have or any medications you are taking.

It may also help to think about what you want to gain from a treatment such as reducing muscle tension, slowing a busy mind, feeling cared for or stimulating your energy. This is only a few examples of what massage therapy can help you achieve.

Some clients feel uncomfortable with the thought of removing their clothes. As a professional massage therapist I am concerned with your care and well being. Please let me know if you are uncomfortable undressing. There are many techniques which can be used over clothing and still allow the session to be effective for your needs.

The effects of massage therapy can be felt for several days and if massage becomes part of your regular self care routine you will become used to the positive effects that Holistic Massage Therapy can have in your life.

Following your massage treatment you may experience over the next few days some of the following symptoms:

· Cold like symptoms
· Increased sweating
· Stuffy, blocked or runny nose
· Heightened emotions - high or low
· Sleepy & fatigued or deeply relaxed
· Irritable
· Energised
· Temporary worsening of symptoms
· Increased thirst
· Increased urination
· Sounder sleep

As everyone is different and may 'react' differently to a massage treatment these symptoms are quite normal and are a good sign that the treatment is working. This is known as a healing reaction.

 

 You should do the following:

 

Drink plenty of water over the next 24 hours following treatment
(This can assist your body to flush out toxins that massage helps to release from your body).
If you feel tired, rest as much as possible.
Avoid heat treatments (bath, sauna etc) for at least 24 hours.
Avoid strenuous activity or exercise for the rest of the day after treatment
or for at least 24 hours.
Avoid alcohol for at least 24 hours.
If you feel concerned about anything following your treatment do not hesitate to call your therapist for advice.

 

Practice room at - 37 High Street, Theale, RG7 5AN, Reading

M:07525 464973 E: maria.wood@creating-harmony.me.uk

 

Please Note: Holistic Massage is a totally safe and complementary treatment (it does not replace medical treatment) but there are some physical conditions which could be contra-indicatory to massage. If you are being treated by a GP for anything please let me know in advance.

 

  

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