Swedish gymnast Per Henrik Ling was largely responsible for re-establishing
therapeutic massage, based on anatomical principles, in Europe in
the late 19th century. In the 20th century, French chemists, doctors
and beauticians revived the study and use of plant oils in healing
and massage, leading to the popularity of aromatherapy today.
Modern Western
massage techniques are based on an understanding of the anatomy
and physiology of the body. The hand movements are used to facilitate
the circulation of blood and the lymphatic system and to release
muscular tension and joint stiffness.
What’s it good for?
When the body’s touched, receptors in the skin send
messages to the brain causing the release of chemicals such as endorphins.
These produce a sense of relaxation and wellbeing and can also relieve
pain.
Massage also improves the flow of blood and lymph fluid, helps to
eliminate waste products from the body, relaxes the muscles and
can help regulate hormone production and stimulate the immune system.
It’s also useful for specific ailments such as asthma, depression,
neck and back pain, insomnia, immune deficiency disorders and diabetes.
It can be helpful during pregnancy and labour, too, and is used
to help premature babies thrive and mothers bond with their infants.
What
does it involve?
Western massage therapies are performed directly on the skin. Clothing
is usually removed for a full-body massage, although underwear is
worn. Towels cover the areas not being massaged and help to keep
the body warm.
A full-body massage usually takes about an hour. If only part of
the body is being massaged, such as the neck and shoulders, the
massage may last 30 to 45 minutes.
Stress
Stress can manifest itself as physical, emotional or spiritual discord,
especially in today's world, where we do not give enough time to
ourselves. That is, the time to rest, to heal and to repair....
We always seem to be rushing, and never stopping to listen to the
warning messages our bodies send us. Pain is the body's last resort,
and is a result of us not listening to those warnings.
What if, by actually taking the time out to regularly maintain our
bodies and therefore our own health, we were less prone to illness?
However, it is not always possible to give ourselves all the time
that we need, so how can we compromise? Choosing to see a therapist
to give back what we give out, is a good first step. How often do
you even stop long enough to take a good deep breath? This is stress-relieving
in itself. During massage, you will be encouraged to remember to
breathe. Sometimes, we need to be shown how to relax, and this is
where massage therapies can help.
Men in particular have fewer outlets for stress. Women tend to see
hairdressers and beauty therapists, and in doing so, are taking
time out for themselves, unwinding and downloading...is this why
we live longer? We MOT our cars, why not our bodies? After all they
have to last us a lifetime. Putting back what we give out, it's
like the current advert.... "Because you're worth it",
we need to give ourselves permission to be healthier and to feel
better, and the first step towards that, is to give time to You
Massage at The Mersea Road Clinic
The clinic has a highly qualified massage therapist who offers a
wide range of approaches, depending on what your body requires.
It is possible to attend for massage alone or at the clinic your
Osteopath may recommend that you consult the therapist to aid the
recovery of your ‘soft tissues’.
The clinic offers massages of 30, 45 and 60 minutes so that your
session can be tailored to address your needs appropriately.
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