What can a massage do for you?
There are many massage techniques that have been developed all around the world from Swedish, Shiatsu (from Japan), Thai and Tuina (from China). There are also more specific massages like sports injury and remedial, both helping to improve recovery time after an injury or heavy exercise. This is not necessarily a sporting injury per se, but could be incurred through some unaccustomed DIY or gardening.
Gentle massage affects the nervous system through nerve endings in the skin, stimulating the release of endorphins, the body's natural 'feel good' chemicals, to help induce relaxation and a sense of well-being, to relieve pain and reduce levels of stress chemicals such as cortisol and noradrenaline. It helps reverse the damaging effects of stress by slowing heart rate, respiration and metabolism and lowering raised blood pressure.
Stronger massage stimulates blood circulation to improve the supply of oxygen and nutrients to body tissues and helps the lymphatic system to flush away waste products. It eases tense and knotted muscles and stiff joints, improving mobility and flexibility.
It also feels great, so why not treat yourself or a friend?
At Clinic Rooms Therapeutic, Sports Injuries and Remedial Massage are offered, together with the cupping element from acupuncture.
Therapeutic Massage
This is the most common type of massage therapy in the UK. It is also known as Swedish massage or simply “massage therapy”. The techniques generally used are long smooth strokes, kneading, and circular movements on superficial layers of muscle using a massage lotion or oil.
Sports Injuries Massage
Sports massage is specifically designed for people who are involved in physical activity. But you don't have to be a professional athlete to have one; it's also used by people who are active and work out often. The focus isn't on relaxation but on preventing and treating injury and enhancing athletic performance.
A number of techniques are used where the strokes are generally faster and deeper than a therapeutic massage. Treatment is specific to individual muscles and muscle groups, tendons or ligaments. Facilitated stretching is a common technique which helps stretch muscles and increase flexibility.
Remedial Massage
Remedial massage (deep tissue massage) targets the deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue. Slower strokes or friction techniques across the grain of the muscle are used. Deep tissue massage is used for chronically tight or painful muscles, repetitive strain, postural problems, or recovery from injury. Patients can feel sore for a day or two after a treatment.
Cupping
Cupping uses a partial vacuum to lift the superficial tissue and muscle whilst moving the cup across the back or other area of the body. Cups can also remain static over painful areas to relieve pain and increase blood into the area. Be warned though, these cups can leave circular marks for up to 3 to 5 days! Don’t have this done if you are planning on wearing a low cut dress during the following few days.
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