Holistic Massage

Holistic Massage is an ancient therapy designed to improve health by treating mind, body and spirit. It uses classical Swedish techniques to manipulate the soft tissues of the body (skin, muscles, tendons, ligaments). These techniques are deeply therapeutic, relaxing and has significant benefits for all the body’s essential systems.

Swedish Massage

Swedish Massage uses a system of long gliding strokes, kneading, and friction techniques on the more superficial layers of muscles, generally in the direction of blood flow toward the heart, and sometimes combined with active and passive movements of the joints. It is used to promote general relaxation, improve circulation, range of motion, and relieve muscle tension. Swedish massage is the most commonly used form of massage.

Deep Tissue Massage

Deep Tissue Massage is a massage technique that focuses on the deeper layers of muscle tissue. It aims to release chronic patterns of muscular tension using slow strokes, direct pressure, or friction directed across the grain of the muscles. It is applied with greater pressure and to deeper layers of muscle than Swedish, which is why it is called deep tissue and is effective for chronic muscular tension.

Sports Massage

Sports Massage uses techniques that are similar to swedish and deep tissue, but are specially adapted to deal with the effects of athletic performance on the body and the needs of athletes regarding training, performing, and recovery from injury. It combines more advanced techniques such as lymphatic drainage, (encourages the removal of toxins and useful for treating fluid retention). Neuromuscular technique is a form of deep massage that is applied to individual muscles. It is used primarily to release trigger points (intense knots of muscle tension that refer pain to other parts of the body), and also to increase blood flow. It is often used to reduce pain. Soft Tissue Release combines pressure and movement. The muscle is stretched causing the muscle fibres to lengthen and stretch, releasing adhesions, knottiness and tension. Muscle Energy Technique is a variety of techniques that involve restricted or resistive movement to stretch muscles. These movements require the client to resist the therapist’s movements of the joints. It is used to mobilize restricted joints, increase range of motion and to lengthen tense muscles and fascia.

Sports massage aims to improve the suppleness and flexibility of muscles and joints, improve blood circulation, speed up the healing of damaged or stressed muscles, tissues and joints, and prevent future muscle and tendon injuries.

A sports massage can be carried out prior to a sports event, when it will stimulate circulation, calm nervous tension and prepare the individual for optimal performance whilst at the same time reducing the risk of injury. It can be carried out after a sports event, when it will relieve soreness and assist with the removal of lactic acid and other waste products. It is often used during training, when the practitioner will focus on speeding up the healing of existing injuries and preventing the development of future injuries.

Hot Stone Massage

Hot Stone Massage is the application of heated basalt lava stones to bring about physiological responses within the body to promote healing. The stones are used as a massage tool to help induce a deep state of relaxation through their weight, shape and conductivity properties.

During a treatment hot stones are placed on the body, in the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, coin sized stones are lightly wedged between the toes. Heated chakra stones align and balance the chakras or key energy points, benefiting the whole body, not just specific areas. The placing of the stones can be followed by a massage using heated stones, which can be deeper and more intense as heat penetrates the body and relaxes the muscles. In certain cases cold marble stones can also be used to help muscular injury and inflammation. Warm stones expand the blood vessels, increasing blood circulation, therefore faster delivery of oxygen and nutrients to all tissues of the body and more efficient waste removal. Heated stones also sedate the nervous system. The application of cold stones increases range of motion, stimulates muscles and nervous system. The result is a feeling of warmth and healing creating a deep relaxing,meditative state.

Cancer Care Massage

I recently attended an intensive training programme for oncology massage. The last 10 years has seen numerous studies designed and undertaken to evaluate oncology massage. The findings of these studies are typified in the position now taken by oncologists at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Care Centre, New York.

The role of complementary therapies in cancer care has transformed the way many patients cope with illness and related side effects. The Irish Cancer society endorses complementary therapies and gentle, comforting, light touch massage, whatever stage you are at whilst undergoing chemotherapy or radiation treatment.

Massage is an effective and highly appreciated therapy for cancer patients and their families. It is physically and emotionally relaxing, it reduces stress and it provides substantial comfort. Massage is the therapy most often requested by cancer patients at MS-K’s Integrative Medicine Program. Scientific studies show that cancer patients receiving massage have lower anxiety scores than those receiving no massage therapy.

I am delighted that I can offer this additional modality to my treatments. Treatment time may vary depending on your presenting condition. There are many variables in oncology massage because each individual presents with different issues (different cancers, different stages of treatment, severity of side-effects etc). Everyone is unique and accordingly treatments are personalised to suit your requirements.

Facial Rejuvenation Massage

With a natural face lift massage, wrinkles and expression lines can be eased to give you a more vibrant and youthful appearance. Your skin becomes softer and your complexion looks fresher and more toned. It works by using Ayurvedic (ancient Indian tradition) massage techniques, energy balancing and stimulating pressure points to free constrictions within the facial muscles and connective tissue. This is achieved through the use of gentle massage, which release deep seated tension and smooth away lines. The treatments bring an elasticity and sheen to the skin, leaving you looking and feeling relaxed, stress free and rejuvenated. Treatment lasts 1 hour. In order to retain the new muscle tone and texture of the skin, an initial course of 8 treatments at weekly intervals is generally recommended with follow ups on a monthly basis.