Massage

Benefits and effects of Massage

  • Enhance metabolism
  • Helps with blood circulation
  • Release physical and emotional tension
  • Ease muscular tension, soreness and stiffness
  • Increase range of movement and joint mobility
  • Balance the nervous system
  • Boosts immune system
  • High Blood Pressure
  • Improve skin tone, circulation and elasticity
  • Arthritis
  • Bad Back
  • Aids better sleep and reduces insomnia
  • Massage allows the body to recover and heal faster.

 

 Massage and the Physiological Effects

The Skeletal System

  • Massage improves balance and muscle tone, reducing any stress on joints and bones.
  • Massage can help with joint mobility reducing any thickening of the connective tissue helping to release restrictions in the facia.
  • Breaks down scar tissue and any inflammation

 

Effects on the Muscular System

  • Increases the circulation of blood bringing more oxygen and nutrients to the muscles
  • Reduces fatigue and soreness
  • Relief of tightness, stiffness, spasms and any restrictions within the muscle tissue.
  • Due to muscular relaxation it aids flexibility.

 

Effects on the Cardiovascular System

  • Dilate blood vessels helping them to work efficiently
  • Decrease heart rate due to relaxation
  • Improve circulation by mechanically helping the venous flow of blood back to the heart
  • Delivery of fresh oxygen and nutrients to the tissues is improved and the removal of waste products, toxins is quickened via the venous system.

 

Effects on the Lymphatic System

  • Reduce oedema by increasing lymphatic drainage thus reducing waste from the body.
  • Having a regular massage can help to strengthen the immune system, by increasing white blood cells.

 

Effects on the Skin

  • Improve the circulation, increase nutrients to the cells encouraging cell regeneration
  • Increase production of sweat from sweat glands, encouraging urea and any waste products through the skin.
  • Elasticity in the skin is improved

 

Effects on the Respiratory System

  • Improves lung capacity by relaxing tightness in the respiratory muscles

 

Effects on the Digestive System

  • Increase peristalsis in the large intestine, relieving constipation, colic and gas.
  • Stimulates digestion.

 

Effects on the Urinary System

  • Increases the flow of urine output due to the increased circulation and lymph drainage from tissues.

 

Physiological Effects

  • Creates balance and enhanced self-esteem
  • Reduction of stress and anxiety with mind and body
  • Stimulates digestion.

 

Contra-indications

Although massage is generally suitable for all, there are some conditions where it would be inadvisable to have a massage.

Total contra-indications:  The following are conditions/situations where massage should be avoided by a client, however a very light massage to other areas would be acceptable.

  • Cardiovascular problems
  • Contagious/infectious skin disorders
  • Malignant tumors
  • Raised body temperature of above 100 f.
  • Within 8-10 weeks of a stroke
  • Where there is Tuberculosis of the joints.
  • Acute constipation.
  • Cancer
  • Loss of skin sensation
  • Strong drugs or painkillers

 

Partial contra-indications: The client suffering from the following can have a massage but it should be avoided in these areas/situations:

  • Areas of unexplained swelling, inflammation or bruising
  • Unexplained lumps, bumps or areas of pain.
  • Over sites of recent injury/wounds/recent scars
  • Bone fractures
  • Varicose veins
  • Menstruation – not over abdomen within first couple of days of onset

 

Medical advise required:  If any of the following are being experienced by the client, then they should avoid massage until their doctor gives them written permission:

  • Diabetes
  • Thrombosis
  • Heart disease
  • AIDS
  • Psychiatric illness
  • Pregnancy
  • Recent inoculations

 

Client Consultation

With each new client I will conduct a client consultation which is confidential.  I will fill a form which will cover your medical history, past illnesses/injuries, lifestyle and general fitness.  For the sports side I will check your range of movement.  This will give us the opportunity to discuss which treatment you would like.

 

Please note that you are required to give 12 hours notice if you cannot make or have to change your appointment or you may be charged as I arrange appointments around both massage clients and Personal Training clients. 

 

 

 

Male Client Policy

At all times male clients will be required to wear underwear and cover the part of the body being worked on, ensuring modesty at all times, also to re-enforce working boundaries between the client and therapist.

I reserve the right to refuse to treat male clients who do not adhere to my policy.