Massage
Massage Therapies (Bodywork) |
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In This Article
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The word massage is thought to stem from the Latin word ‘massa’ which means ‘to handle or feel’. Massage can be defined as a mechanical form of therapy in which soft tissues are made more pliable by rubbing, pinching, kneading, tapping, etc. Massage can help with relaxation & promoting an increase in blood flow & healing.
Massage dates back many thousands of years, in fact there are historical records that show a form of massage used in China as far back as 2700BC. Nowadays massage is an effective treatment that involves the manipulation of the soft body tissues with the goal of obtaining physical, functional and in some cases emotional benefits.
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The act of massage itself involves manipulating the patient's body with pressure applied in various forms - fixed, moving, structured & unstructured. It’s actually a natural mechanism which we all do without sometimes realising, if you knock a part of your body, stretch a muscle of feel stiff you naturally rub the area.
Depending upon the ‘type’ of massage being undertaken the practitioner may apply pressure using some of the following - hands, fingers, elbows, forearms or feet. During a massage the tissues which are being targeted by the practitioner may include ligaments, skin, joints, muscles, connecting tissues, lymphatic system or even the gastro- intestinal system. A variety of oils can be used such as macadamia oil, sesame oil, arnica (derived from flowers or leaves of the Arnica Montana), coconut oil, grape seed oil, pecan oil, mustard oil. Predominantly olive oil or almond is used as a base for many of the oils.
Regarding scientific evidence for the effectiveness of massage as a therapy, a number of studies have been made. The general consensus is that massage is effective in helping relieve pain (particularly back pain), anxiety and stress whilst also helping reduce the heart rate and blood pressure. Other physical ailments which can be helped by forms of massage are constipation and menstrual pain. It has also be found to work on a psychological basis (at least on a short term basis) with patients receiving chemotherapy by helping reduce anxiety & depression.
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There are a number of types of massage therapy’s available in the UK and it can be hard to know which one is suitable for a particular condition or ailment. Some massage therapy’s can simply be used for relaxation e.g. Indian Head Massage, whilst others such as Sports Massage or Deep Tissue Massage (known as therapeutic massages) can be used to address a specific problem such a muscle or ligament damage.
You may find you need to try one or two different types of massages first before you find the right one for your particular problem or requirement. Below is a brief overview of some of the massage therapy’s available, some of which are discussed in more detail on GoToSee.
- Sports Massage
- Deep Tissue Massage
- Holistic Massage
- Infant Massage
- Pregnancy Massage
- Ayurvedic Massage
- Indian Head Massage
- Daoyin Tao
- Lymphatic Drainage Massage
- Swedish Massage
- Shiatsu
- Thai Massage
- Stone Therapy
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A Sports Massage is the term that is used to describe a specific type of massage tailored for patients with injuries related to or derived from a specific sporting activity.
The term sports massage is used in relation to the management, manipulation & rehabilitation of the body’s soft tissues such as tendons, muscles & ligaments.
Unlike other massage treatments a sports massage is not intended to be soothing or relaxing in fact treatment can be rather energetic at certain stages of treatment. Your practitioner will assess your ailment or condition and tailor your treatment specifically to your needs i.e. recovery, ensure peak performance levels etc. Click here for more information
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Deep muscle massage is a form of therapeutic and corrective massage created by Therese Pfrimmer from Canada. Deep tissue massage techniques are mainly used for more specific therapy work such as breaking up and eliminating scar tissue etc. Click here for more information.
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A Holistic massage is a nurturing process of response and touch. Treatments are tailored to every client's specific need & physical characteristics.
The key difference between a holistic massage and a standard massage is that a holistic massage is designed specifically for the individual and their ailment/ requirement. A standard massage is more often than not a fixed routine. Click here for more information
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A baby massage (infant massage) is the process of rubbing a baby’s muscles & stroking them in a routine designed specifically for them. Baby massages are a tradition in some cultures that date back a very long time. It wasn’t actually practiced in the West until the early 1970’s. Click here for more information.
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Specially trained massage practitioners can provide a pregnancy massage that can help with pains and stress encountered during pregnancy. As the baby grows it can cause the mother’s weight distribution to shift affecting their posture and centre of gravity which can lead to muscular and joint pain. Click here for more information.
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Ayurvedic Massages work by mixing pressure points and hot oil massage. Depending upon the type of massage you want it can be the entire body or only a specific area such as an Indian Head Massage. The techniques employed during an Ayurvedic massage include squeezing, tapping & kneading as well as some more traditional manipulations you might expect.
An Ayurvedic Massage therapist is trained to focus on the ‘marma points - marma is a Sanskrit word meaning hidden or secret - similar to the pressure points in reflexology, acupuncture & acupressure.
An Ayurvedic Massage is designed to:
• Cleanse & Detoxify
• Boosts the immune system
• Promotes health & overall well being
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Daoyin Tao (pronounced Dow-yin TOW as in TOWn) is a mixture of Chinese and Western massage skills. It relaxes balances to the whole body through contact on the Face, Neck and Shoulders and breathing movements which can help internally massage organs.
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Lymphatic drainage (also known as 'manual lymphatic drainage' MLD) is light form of massage, which stimulates the body's lymphatic system. The massage acts as a delicate pumping technique that drains lymph nodes of water and trapped toxins. Whilst promoting the removal of toxins the massage also strengthens the immune system and soothes and relaxes. Click here for more information
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Swedish Massage (also known as a therapeutic massage) was developed in Sweden in the early 19th century, Swedish Massage is a system of therapeutic massage/ exercise for the muscles & joints. It involves using the hands, forearms & elbows to massage & manipulate superficial muscle layers. The overall benefits are increased blood circulation, mental/ physical relaxation & improved ranges of motion. It can help with recovery times for muscle & ligament damage whilst helping revitalise the skin and nervous system.
A Swedish massage can be described as invigorating and rejuvenating as the therapy helps increase the oxygen flow in the blood whilst moving & releasing toxins from the tissue & muscles. The treatment is so beneficial on physical & emotional levels that is often used as part of a stress management programme.
The range of techniques employed during a Swedish Massage are:
- The use of oils to help manipulation & relaxation
- Effleurage – Passive & active movements which stretch & relax the superficial muscles using gliding strokes with the palms, thumbs, finger tips
- Petrissage - The kneading & squeezing of deeper tissues & muscles using the thumbs & finger tips
- Friction & compression - Rubbing & ‘holding’ the tissues to relax muscles & break down scar tissue using circular pressures from the palms of the hand, thumbs & finger tips
- Tapotement - Rhythmical movements & tapping performed with the edge of the hand or heel of the palm to increase blood circulation
- Vibration - Rhythmical movements that shake the body & release tension, boosting circulation
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A Thai Massage is a more physical manipulation of the body that makes use of soft pressure applied by the hands with passive stretching. A Thai Massage is usually carried out on the floor on a mat & can best be described as energising & relaxing.
There is some similarity between the movements & stretches within a Thai Massage & Yoga and the therapy can help in a number of ways by:
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The key aim of a shiatsu therapy is to increase the body's self healing mechanism by balancing the circulation of the body's energy known as Ki (Chi). It is believed that an individual's well being (comprising balance between mind, body & spirit) relies on the harmonic flow of this energy.
Shiatsu therapy (usually carried out on a mat) is delivered by the application of sustained pressure with thumbs, hands, elbows, knees & feet to meridians & other physical structures. Shiatsu comprises stretching & rotation of limbs & joints. Click here for more information.
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Lomi' is translated from Polynesian as 'massage'. The Hawaiian Lomi Lomi Massage consists of long, flowing full body strokes using hands and forearms. This massage is designed to bring balance and harmony to the whle body.
A Hawaiian Lomi Lomi Massage doesn't follow a specific routine or patter meaning that no two massages will ever be the same. The massage itself is delivered in flowing rythmic motion with the practitioner using his or her hands and forearms. People who have expereinced the massage describe it as feeling like soft relaxing waves are rolling over their body. The Lomo Lomi Hawaiian Massage differs to others forms of massage or body work because two areas of the body may be massaged or worked upon at the same time e.g. one hand could be working a shoulder whilst the other forearm is working the lower back.
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Stone therapy is type of massage that uses different types of hot & cold stones which are placed on the skin to deliver relaxation, reduced muscle inflammation & swelling & an overall sense of well being.
The stone are in a variety of shapes sizes & temperatures and are placed on the body in positions dictated by the ailment. For example cold stones can be used to reduce swelling or inflammation by removing the blood from a specific area. The stones can help stimulate the body’s natural healing mechanism and also promote the body circulation. The cold stones are made from cool sedimentary stones such as marble & the hot stones are made from volcanic rocks such as basalt.
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Conditions Treated
Accident trauma |
Anxiety |
Arthritis |
Back Pain |
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Blood pressure |
Childbirth |
Chronic Fatigue |
Chronic Pain |
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Circulation Problems |
Constipation |
Dementia |
Depression |
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Dermatitis |
Digestive Problems |
Disc Problems |
Dysmenorrhea |
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Ear Ache |
Eczema |
Endometriosis |
Foot Problems |
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Fractures |
Frozen Shoulder |
Glue ear |
Headaches |
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Heel Pain |
Indigestion |
Infant colic |
Insomnia |
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Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) |
Joint Pain |
Ligament Sprain |
Lumbago |
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Lymphedema |
M E |
Menopausal symptoms |
Migraines |
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Multiple Sclerosis MS |
Muscle cramps |
Muscle stiffness |
Neck pain |
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Neck stiffness |
Obesity |
Period pain |
PMS PMT |
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Post operative pain |
Postural problems |
Pregnancy |
Psoriasis |
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Repetitive strain injury |
Rheumatism |
Sciatica |
Scoliosis |
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Shoulder pain |
Sinusitis |
Spinal Injury |
Sports injuries |
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Sprain (Ankle, Knee) |
Stomach cramps |
Stress |
Stroke |
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Tennis Elbow |
Tiredness |
Whiplash |
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