Swedish massage

What is it?

As the best-known type of bodywork performed today, one of the primary goals of the Swedish massage technique is to relax the entire body. This is accomplished by rubbing the muscles with long gliding strokes in the direction of blood returning to the heart. But Swedish massage therapy goes beyond relaxation.

What does it do for you?

Swedish massage is exceptionally beneficial for increasing the level of oxygen in the blood, decreasing muscle toxins, improving circulation and flexibility while easing tension.

Prenatal massage

What is it?

It is therapeutic bodywork that focuses on the special needs of the mother-to-be, as her body goes through the dramatic changes of pregnancy. A massage that is there to help you get through and decrease the side-effects of pregnancy.

What does it do for you?

It has known that Prenatal massage is good for releasing pregnancy pain and discomfort. It can decrease the symptoms like nausea, vomiting, cramps.

Aromatherapy massage

What is it?

Aromatherapy massage is Swedish massage therapy using massage oil or lotion that contains essential oils (highly concentrated plant oils).

Here are some widely used essential oils and their purported properties:

• Calming: chamomile, lavender, and geranium oil
• Uplifting: ylang-ylang, clary sage, rose, and neroli oil
• Energizing: rosemary oil
• Decongesting: eucalyptus, pine, and tea tree oil

What does it do to you?

Reiki massage

What is it?

In massage therapy, the practitioner manipulates the patient, whereas in Reiki, the healer barely touches the patient, in a non-invasive and non-manipulative 45- to 90-minute session. The practices are complementary, however, and many massage therapy schools also teach Reiki healing techniques so they can be incorporated into graduates’ private practices. Some massage therapists use Reiki techniques during their massage sessions, which is referred to as a “Reiki massage”, to promote physical, emotional and mental well-being.

What does it do for you?

Reiki massage is alleged to aid relaxation, assist in the body’s natural healing processes, and develop emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being. It is also said to induce deep relaxation, help people cope with difficulties, relieve emotional stress, and improve overall wellbeing. Additionally to all Reiki benefits, with Reiki massage, you also get the same benefits as Swedish massage.

Acupressure massage

What is it?

Acupressure massage is an ancient remedy of Chinese traditional medicine known to relieve pain in specific areas of the body. Acupressure is often the choice for people who prefer a natural form of pain relief instead of using medication. The goal of acupressure massage is to bring relief from pain without the use of medications.

An acupressure practitioner will use her thumb, knuckle or a finger to apply a firm but gentle pressure to both local and trigger acupoints on certain parts of the body. This pressure lasts from thirty seconds up to two minutes, after which it is slowly eased off. This operation may be repeated three to five times. The area around the point may also be massaged or ‘stretched’. Practitioners apply acupressure massage as you lie fully clothed on a soft massage table, with sessions lasting usually about an hour.

Some people may feel lightheaded for a short while after a session of Acupressure, or even sore at the pressure points, but this soon wears off. A session of Acupressure is not considered to be a painful procedure.

What does it do for you?

Along with its ability to help treat variety of ailments, patients experience additional benefits of acupressure massage. It’s a deeply relaxing experience and — like other types of massage — can help with:

• Relieving stress, tension and anxiety
• Improving sleep
• Relaxing muscles and joints
• Soothing the pain and discomfort of a sports or other injury
• Reducing digestive issues
• Minimising headaches
• Alleviating chronic pain

The therapy stimulates the body’s circulatory, lymphatic and hormonal systems. It also helps the function of the immune system and the body’s natural ability to heal itself.

Reflexology massage

What is it?

Reflexology is an alternative treatment for a variety of conditions and has been in use for thousands of years. The ancient Chinese and Egyptians have documented practices similar to reflexology as a treatment for certain afflictions. It involves the reflexologist applying pressure to specific areas in the hands, feet, and ears that affect certain reflex areas of the body.

The practice and purpose go deeper than the skin and muscles by taking specific reflex points on the foot to induce a healing response in corresponding organs and areas of the body, as seen in the chart to the left. Kneading the soft fleshy ball of the foot, pulling on the toes, tracing around the heel and pushing deep into the arch are just a few of the many small, intense movements you’ll experience during a reflexology treatment.

What does it do for you?

Aside from relaxation and stress management, reflexology can have a number of other benefits too.

• Arthritis – reflexology has also been used to treat for rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, with patients reportedly feeling up to 40% less pain.
• Anxiety and depression – the two most common mental health problems. The relaxation side of reflexology can extend to the mind to calm and aid any signs of depression and anxiety.
• Circulation – receiving foot reflexology is known to improve your blood circulation to vital organs. This in turn can result in quicker healing and regrowth of any damaged cells.
• It can also be useful during pregnancy and even reduce the risks of post-natal depression.

If, however, you suffer with varicose veins, ingrown toenails, bruises, cuts, foot fractures, athlete’s foot or a foot sore then you should avoid receiving reflexology treatment.

Holistic massage

What is it?

Holistic massage is an ancient method of healing that clears the lymphatic drainage system and releases toxins from the body. By recognising that illness and stress affects not only our physical but also our emotional, spiritual and mental well-being, holistic massage allows the body’s natural healing abilities to come forth and balance the entire body as a whole.

What does it do for you?

It can lead to better circulation, less physical tension and deeper breathing, which oxygenates the entire body. There are also many emotional and mental benefits from holistic massage.

Deep Tissue massage

What is it?

Deep tissue massage is a technique that focuses on the deeper layers of muscle tissue, aiming to release chronic tension in the body. It is a deep tissue massage involves applying firm pressure and slow strokes to reach deeper layers of muscle and fascia (the connective tissue surrounding muscles). It’s used for chronic aches and pain and contracted areas such as a stiff neck and upper back, low back pain, leg muscle tightness, and sore shoulders.

What does it do for you?

Ayurvedic massage

What is it?

Ayurvedic massage combines the 5,000-year-old Indian principles of Ayurveda—the science of life—and pressure points. This type of massage is designed to create balance among the mind, body, and spirit, and help the body heal itself. It’s sometimes referred to as an “oil massage” because it typically incorporates warm herb essential oils, as well as time-honoured and non-traditional strokes and kneading that suit an individual’s needs.

What does it do for you?

Indian Head Massage

What is it?

Indian head massage is based on the ayurvedic system of healing which has been practiced in India for over a thousand years.

The aim of Indian head massage is to release the stress that has accumulated in the tissues, muscles and joints of the head, face, neck and shoulders. Indian head massage is especially good for relieving stress, tension, fatigue, insomnia, headaches, migraine and sinusitis. Clients report that the experience is deeply calming and relaxing, leaving them feeling energised and revitalised and better able to concentrate.

What does it do for you?

It sounds divine doesn’t it?  A real treat. But actually, Indian Head Massage isn’t simply a ‘treat’ – the benefits are really rather crucial and can assist with a variety of physical and emotional problems and concerns. Here’s a few of them:

• Helps prevent migraines, headaches and back pain
• Promotes hair growth
• Detoxifies the body by stimulating lymphatic drainage
• Relieves sleeplessness, restlessness and insomnia
• Relieves symptoms of anxiety and depression
• Renews energy levels
• Boosts memory capabilities

Thai-Massage (Classic, Dynamic)

What is it?

The practice of Thai Massage is said to be thousands of years old but it is still part of Thailand’s medical system due to its perceived healing properties at both emotional and physical level.

The massage generally follows designated lines (“sen”) in the body. The legs and feet of the giver can be used to position the body or limbs of the recipient. In other positions, hands fix the body, while the feet do the massaging. A full Thai massage session may last two hours and includes rhythmic pressing and stretching of the entire body. This may include pulling fingers, toes, ears, cracking knuckles, walking on the recipient’s back, and moving the recipient’s body into many different positions. There is a standard procedure and rhythm to the massage, which the giver will adjust to fit the receiver.

What does it do for you?

• Relieves tension and headaches
• Reduces back pain
• Relieves muscle pain and joint stiffness
• Stimulates circulation and lymphatic drainage
• Boosts energy
• Calms the nervous system