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After the excitement and stress of the World Cup and watching Wimbledon, now is a good time to unwind with a truly relaxing massage. Find out what it is like to spend a whole hour or more just letting both body and mind be still with healing touch to take away all the tension.
And do please feel free to use the comments box on the "Contact" page not just to ask about treatments but also to tell me what you thought of the treatment you received. All feedback, good or bad, really is valuable in enabling me to give you exactly the massage you want.
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FAQ
What is muscular tension, and how does massage help?
Tightness in the muscles can be caused by both mental stress, acting through the nervous system, or physical stress coming from poor posture, problems and imbalances in the skeletal system or over-use of particular muscles. The individual fibres of the muscles contract and shorten, often in specific areas, and tend to form into knots, or nodules. These restrict the flow of blood through the small blood vessels in the area, and hence healing.
Massage both promotes mental relaxation, which enables the physical body to relax, and through deep techniques unravels and stretches out tight and knotty fibres, and allows blood circulation to return. Working also on the nervous system can persuade it to let go of the tension that is being held.
What happens if muscular tension is not treated?
Long-term muscular tension becomes chronic. The nervous system becomes used to always holding the affected muscle fibres in tension. Restricted blood flow to the area starves it of proper nutrients and prevents the removal of toxins and excess fluid. Surrounding muscle fibres tighten to protect the damaged area. The pain or soreness felt encourages you to try and protect the area by using the affected muscles less, and thus they become weaker, and a vicious circle of muscle pain, strain and weakness perpetuated. The longer the tension remains untreated, the more painful it is likely to be, and the longer it takes to dispel it.
Can massage help me sleep better?
Yes, as well as relaxing you, massage works on all body systems, including the endocrine system which affects hormonal balance and body rhythms.
How can I get maximum benefit from my treatment?
When you lie down on the couch, try to clear your mind of all other issues. This is your special time, so breathe deeply and slowly, consciously relax your muscles, be still and just be aware of the healing touch on your body.
The work on the body continues for some time after your massage has ended, with increased blood flow and increased lymphatic drainage carrying toxins away, and a general feeling of relaxation and well-being. Drink plenty of water and take it quietly for a while before getting back into the fray of your usual life. Avoid hard physical exercise with muscles that have just been loosened off for a day or so if you can, or you risk undoing the work that's been done.
When I strain a muscle, what should I do?
The immediate treatment for a muscle injury is:
- Rest - stop using the muscle
- Ice - apply an ice pack approx. once an hour for 5-10 minutes (wrap in a cloth or teatowel to prevent skin burns)
- Compression - apply an elastic cuff or bandage, tight enough to slightly restrict circulation (but not too tight) to reduce inflammation.
- Elevation - raise the affected area if possible above the level of the heart to help drain away excess fluid.
After 1-3 days, depending on the severity of the injury, start gentle movement and mobilization. Then gradually build up to greater strengthening exercises,and do lots of slow stretching. Alternating hot and cold packs can also help stimulate recovery. At this point, massage is very helpful in restoring good circulation to the area, restoring joint flexibility, reducing any residual swelling, and in breaking down adhesions and scar tissue which form at the injury site and which will prevent full functioning of the muscle if not dealt with.
I've never had a massage before. I'm not sure if I'm comfortable undressing and being touched by someone that I don't know well.
Before your treatment starts, it will be carefully discussed. You will be covered with towels (apart from the area being worked on) at all times, both for your modesty and for warmth and comfort.
If you are still not sure, why not try a Thai massage. It will still be a very effective treatment, but you will receive it through your clothing.
I'm not really a sporty person, so is a sports massage appropriate for me?
Yes, muscular problems arise from the way we use our bodies, whether on the sports field or in the home or office. In fact, postural problems and RSI injuries which are work-related are extremely common. Tensions are created from the habits of a life-time. A deep massage specifically tailored to your needs will be the most effective in addressing your problems.
When should I not have a massage?
There are conditions and occasions when massage is not advisable:
- if you have a fever, or a severe cold or flu
- an infectious disease
- a contagious or infectious skin condition, or sunburn
- pregnancy-induced diabetes, toxaemia, eclampsia and pre-eclampsia
- cardio-vascular conditions such as angina, thrombosis, phlebitis and high or very low blood pressure, unless well-controlled and with medical advice
- cancer, except with medical permission
- if you are intoxicated either with alcohol or recreational drugs
If in doubt, talk to your doctor before booking a treatment. High blood pressure,for example, is generally helped by massage, but it does need to be well managed.
Other conditions will require the avoidance of a local area, though the rest of the body may be treated:
- the site of a fracture or any other injury or open wound
- open skin lesions and sores
- recent scar tissue
- unexplained inflammation and pain or unrecognised lumps
- deep pressure needs to be avoided over areas of varicose veins
How often will I need to book a massage to make a difference to how I feel, what kind of commitment am I looking at?
Massage is a very individual and personal thing. In an ideal world with unlimited time and resources, it would be wonderful to receive massage at least once or twice a week, but most of us have to find the optimum we can manage, given our busy lives.
The important thing when trying to get rid of muscular tension and imbalance is to keep the healing and improvement moving forward. You therefore need to "catch" the returning tension before it becomes bad again, as it was before your first treatment. How soon that happens will be anything from 4-20 days, depending on the severity of your problems, and how chronic they are. The more chronic the problems, the longer they will take to eradicate. With time, you will find that treatments can be increasingly spaced out, especially if you work at stretching, strengthening muscles and improving your posture.
If you are using massage to destress or to seek a feeling of balance and well-being in your life, again you must listen to your body, which will tell you when you need a treatment.
To maintain optimum muscular-skeletal health and mental rejuvenation, it is really beneficial if you can make massage a regular feature of your life. I promise you will notice the difference.
How can I assist the recovery of tight or damaged muscles in between treatments?
Achieving a successful outcome to your treatments depends on a partnership between you and your therapist. The more you take responsibility for your body, the greater potential there is for a huge improvement. If you make a real effort to regularly do stretches and strengthening exercises that are recommended to you, and to be more conscious of your posture, even to make small lifesyle changes or practical ergonomic changes that will help, the quicker you will recover.
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