Therapeutic/Swedish Massage
Therapeutic / Swedish massage uses a variety of soothing strokes with firm but gentle pressure to create relaxation, reduce tension & ease aching muscles. The relaxing & detoxifying effect of massage helps to restore balance to the body, which decreases stress & increases the overall health & vitality in the body & mind. The skin, blood, digestive & lymphatic systems a
re all stimulated which boosts circulation, aids cellular renewal & removes toxic waste from these systems. This in turn enables the body’s own healing mechanisms to work more efficiently, making therapeutic massage a very effective means of combating stress-related conditions which can occur when the body is out of balance as a result of experiencing unhealthy levels of mental & physical stress. The effect of massage is dictated by the speed & pressure of the strokes and can be more relaxing or invigorating depending on personal preference and the desired results. The treatment can focus on the whole body or be adjusted to concentrate on specific problem areas - these will be tailored to meet each client’s individual requirements. Treatments typically last for 1 hour. Treatment Objectives. There is a choice of 6 objectives:
- Relaxation
- Sense of Wellbeing
- Uplifting
- Anti-Cellulite
- Stimulating
- Deep Tissue
When should I get a massage? Any time is a good time to get a massage. You don’t need to wait until you’re stressed or injured. Massage works wonders as preventative care for body & mind. A regular massage is a wonderful way to cope with stress, both physical & emotional, and to keep it from causing discomfort or harm to your body. When should I not get a massage? There are occasions when it is not appropriate to massage. Avoid if there are any of the following conditions:
-Fever or Severe cold
-Fracture, bleeding, burns or other acute injury
-Chronic conditions of internal organs, i.e, heart condition
-High blood pressure (unless controlled by medication)
-Post-operative recovery
If you are unsure about any of the above, please check with your doctor. Some conditions may be worked around, if they are localised to one area. What is not included in a Therapeutic Massage? There is no massage of the intimate areas. Any client asking for this sort of treatment will be immediately asked to leave. Does the gender of the massage therapist make a difference? No. There is a perception that male therapists can give a deeper massage, but this is not the case. Deep tissue massage is available on request. What if I’m overweight or embarrassed about my body? I have experienced my own body confidence issues and so familiarise with worries surrounding body concerns. Regardless of age, weight, or confidence level, you have no need to feel embarrassed, you will be treated with respect & dignity. Do I have to be completely undressed? Please, do not undress completely. You should undress to your comfort level. In most cases it is preferred to dress down to the underwear & you will be provided with a towel. I will work around the clothes left on. What happens during the massage? Once you are in a comfortable position on the table, I will begin by apply warm oil to your skin & gently work it over the treatment area. Some gents prefer a talc massage as they find that the oil can cause discomfort when hairs tangle together. To start, I will use long, soothing, stroking movements called Effleurage to spread the oil & sooth the nerve endings. This will be followed by a variety of Petrissage movements designed to reach the deeper tissues layers, increase blood circulation & flow of lymph. These moves include palm, thumb & fingertip Kneading, Rolling, & Picking up of the skin & muscles. Friction moves are penetrating circular motions which applies pressure to one particular site of muscle tension, using fingertips, thumbs or knuckles. Tapotement, or percussion movements, are fast & stimulating. They include Hacking, Cupping, Pounding (or pummelling), which may sound like painful practices but when carried out properly should not cause pain or bruising. Percussion movements stimulate blood circulation, tone & help strengthen sagging skin & muscles, in particular, soft tissue areas such as thighs & buttocks, which are prone to cellulite. Can I talk during a massage? The key to massage is relaxation & allowing yourself to enjoy the experience. Understandably, some people feel uncomfortable when undressed in front of a stranger who is about to touch their body. It’s my job to help you relax & feel comfortable. Many clients talk in the initial stages of the of the massage, and as the massage progress, they slip further into a state of total relaxation & become quiet. Don’t feel bad about falling asleep either, I’d take it as a compliment. There are times when you should speak up during a massage. If anything makes you uncomfortable, please tell me. Room temperature, lighting, or adjustments to the pressure I’m applying should be brought to my attention, don’t be shy. How often should I receive a massage? For those who use massage as preventative care & managing daily stress in their lives, once a fortnight is about the norm. However, if you know you have a particularly stressful time approaching, the you may want to shorten the time between treatments.
