Massage therapy is a form of manual therapy that involves moving soft tissues in the body to reduce stress, ease muscle tension, and promote relaxation and overall well-being. It is a hands-on technique performed by trained massage therapists. Massage has been practiced for thousands of years. Swedish, hot stone, and deep tissue are just a few massage types. The best option for you will depend on personal preference and the type of relief you’re seeking. Massage is the practice of rubbing and kneading the body using the hands. During a massage, a trained massage therapist will apply gentle or strong pressure to the muscles and joints of the body to ease pain and tension.
A massage treatment involves working the soft tissues of the body using hands, fingers, and forearms to ease muscle tension, improve blood flow, and promote deep relaxation. Sessions typically take place in a quiet, warm room where the client lies comfortably on a padded table while draped with towels for privacy and warmth. As a soft tissue therapist I use various Sports and Remedial massage techniques to maintain and improve the function of the musculoskeletal system. These techniques can help to normalise muscle tone, stretch the muscles fibres and increase the pain free range of movement. Massage techniques are also influence the nervous system as therapeutic touch to take the nervous system it from a state of ‘fight and flight’ to state of ‘rest and recover’. This is really important for muscles to function well and for pain management and rest and recovery.
Realistically, there are a raft of issues and conditions where a massage will yield positive and highly effective benefits. Everything from the well known – easing muscle tension and soreness or improving flexibility, for instance – to the less widely understood, amongst them, reducing pain sensitivity, stimulating the lymph system, and minimising pre and post natal discomfort, we like to say there’s never a wrong time for a massage. Additionally, every massage should feel good, and you should always feel better having had one.
Our expert therapists – adept at anatomy and physiology – take an evidence-led approach along with a focus on your personal needs, unique history and current condition to guide each session. Whether you’re looking for regular body maintenance, recovering from an injury, or seeking immediate pain relief, they can help, provide feedback on causes and, if necessary, point you towards additional services such as Pilates, Physical Training or Physiotherapy. A great massage can modulate pain perception, aid in tissue recovery, reduce swelling, enhance body awareness and encourage relaxation. No less important than physical wellness, it can also can support stress management and promote mental wellbeing.
