Holistic massage
A holistic approach to massage therapy includes much more than just loosening up muscle knots. Find out what types of holistic massage treatment we offer below.
Swedish Massage
Swedish massage is one of the most commonly offered massage techniques. The technique aims to promote relaxation by releasing muscle tension. Swedish massage is gentler than deep tissue massage and better suited for people interested in relaxation and tension relief.
A traditional Swedish massage involves the whole body. During a Swedish massage, therapists use kneading, long strokes, deep circular movements... These techniques are meant to relax you, stimulate nerve endings, increase blood flow and lymphatic drainage.
Deep Tissue Massage
Deep tissue massage uses many of the same stroking and kneading movements as Swedish massage, but there’s far more pressure. This pressure can sometimes be painful.
In order to reach the deep muscle tissue, a therapist will massage layer by layer of muscle, applying more and more pressure and employing special techniques with the fingers, fists, and maybe even elbows to reach and stretch that deep tissue.
This type of massage facilitates healing by releasing contracted areas of muscle and tissue. It can help increase blood flow to the soft tissues and may help to reduce inflammation.
Sports Massage
Sports massage is a form of massage involving the manipulation of soft tissue to relieve exercise-related aches and pain. The name Sports Massage defines an overall approach to massage therapy, rather than something that's exclusively for sportsmen and women.
Using deep but controlled pressure that promotes long term benefits, your therapist will promote lymph fluid and blood circulation along the key muscle groups that need relieving. This will help improve your range of motion, reduce the development of scar tissue, and can provide mental and physical relaxation too.
Your therapist can also show you how to maintain the benefits of the session with key exercises to do at home or in the gym.
Hot Stones Massage
Hot stone massage is a type of massage therapy. It’s used to help you relax and ease tense muscles and damaged soft tissues throughout your body.
During a hot stone massage, smooth, flat, heated stones are placed on specific parts of your body. The stones are usually made of basalt, a type of volcanic rock that retains heat.
The stones may be placed:
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along your spine
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on your stomach
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on your chest
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on your face
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on your palms
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on your feet and toes
Massage therapists may hold heated stones as they massage your body using Swedish massage techniques.
When performed by a trained therapist, a hot stone massage is generally safe. There are some circumstances where it should be avoided. Consult your doctor before getting a massage if you have:
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a bleeding disorder or take blood thinners
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burns on your skin
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open wounds
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a history of blood clots
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had surgery in the last 6 weeks
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a fracture or severe osteoporosis
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a low platelet count (thrombocytopenia)
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diabetes
Pregnancy Massage
A pregnancy massage is a specially adapted gentle and soothing massage tailored specifically for the mother-to-be. As a term, ‘pregnancy massage’ applies to any hands-on massage treatment for a woman during her pregnancy. It can therefore vary enormously in terms of what it consists of. However, for many women, pregnancy massage benefits include easing aches and pains, as well as facilitating relaxation and preparation for labour.
The therapist will listen to your particular concerns regarding any tension or pain, and work to facilitate deep relaxation, helping you to enjoy your pregnancy and alleviate any unwanted symptoms. As with other body massages, you’ll lie on a massage table and you may be given additional cushions or specially shaped bolsters, to make lying more comfortable. Usually you’ll lie on your side, particularly later in pregnancy, when this is more comfortable.
There are many different massage techniques which can be drawn on by the therapist for pregnancy massage. Typically, deeper tissue techniques will be avoided, and more gentle techniques will be used. During pregnancy, the woman’s body goes through many changes; a pregnancy massage will be mindful of these. For example, blood volume during pregnancy increases by as much as 50%. This causes pressure on the lower legs. The therapist will avoid deep tissue massage here and instead use light, relaxing and long strokes which help circulation.
Your therapists
Yoshi
Micaela
Kal
