MASSAGE

THERAPY

What Is Massage Therapy?
Massage therapy is a hands-on manipulation of the soft tissue and joints of the body. The soft tissues include muscle, skin, tendons and associated fascia, ligaments and joint capsules.

Massage has many diverse physiological effects, which are primarily due to the therapist's hands moving over the body. The different movements can physically stretch muscles, ligaments, tendons and fascia, encourage the circulation through the tissue, inhibit muscular spasms and be either sedating or stimulating to the nervous system.

The therapeutic use of massage by a registered massage therapist affects all the systems of the body - in particular, the muscular, circulatory, lymphatic (immune) and nervous systems.

No wonder so many people find massage therapy so helpful in so many ways!

Benefits of Massage Therapy
Massage offers a drug-free, non-invasive and humanistic approach based on the body’s natural ability to heal itself. Massage has many physiological effects, such as:

• Increasing circulation, allowing the body to pump more oxygen and nutrients into tissues and vital organs.
  

• Stimulating the lymph system, the body’s natural defense, against toxic invaders. For example, in breast cancer patients, massage has been shown to increase the cells that fight cancer.
  

• Relaxing and softening injured and overused muscles.
  

• Reducing spasms and cramping.
  

• Increasing joint flexibility.
  

• Reducing recovery time for strenuous workouts and eliminating subsequent pains of the athlete at any level.
  

• Releasing endorphins, the body’s natural painkiller. For this reason, massage is being incorporated into treatment for chronic illness, injury and recovery from surgery to control and relieve pain.
  

• Reducing post-surgery adhesions and edema and reducing and realigning scar tissue after healing has occurred.
  

• Improving range of motion and decreasing discomfort for patients with low back pain.
  

• Relieving pain for migraine sufferers and decreasing the need for medication.
  

• Providing exercise and stretching for atrophied muscles and reducing shortening of the muscles for those with restricted range of motion.
  

• Contributing to shorter labor and reduced tearing for expectant mothers, as well as lessening the need for medication, minimizing depression and anxiety, and shortening hospital stays.

It’s important to note that there are some conditions where massage is not recommended. For example, massage is contraindicated in people with:

• Certain forms of cancer
  

• Phlebitis
  

• Some cardiac problems
  

• Some skin conditions
  

• Infectious diseases

What is Indian head massage

Massage

• Shoulders • Arms • Neck • Scalp • Face

How does Indian Head Massage work?

  The treatments involve massage, shiatsu and acupressure techniques on upper back, shoulders, arms/hands, neck, scalp and face. This relaxes tense areas but, at the same time, helps to rebalance the energy, clearing any areas of negativity.

The therapist uses a range of different massage pressures and rhythms to stimulate the head and neck area. A typical massage lasts about 20- 30 minutes.

The Hindi word for head massage is "("champi" or "champissage")" and has been practised in India for over 5000 years. The treatment has a long tradition in Indian families and it was practised by women to improve and keep their hair shiny and in good condition, and Men would receive a very vigorous head massage from their barber when they went to have a hair cut. One of the most important developments of modern Indian Head Massage was the introduction of an Ayurvedic element of energy balancing and the extension of the massage element to include massage of the face and ears, enhancing the overall effect.

The sense of utter well-being that follows a treatment with head massage has to be experienced to be fully understood. We live in stressful time and head massage is one of the ways of alleviating tension and achieving a relaxed, calm frame of mind. On the other hand - a stimulating head massage helps to clarify the mind and enables one to concentrate without tension.

It requires little space as it is done sitting up and can be carried out anywhere, as it does not require the removal of clothes.

Remember prevention is better than cure. Once you show signs of improvement we will continue to work with you to keep harmony and balance already achieved. A regular treatment, depending on your timetable, will stop future stress accumulating.

What is Indian Head Massage used for?

 Some of the benefits are:

• Tension headaches, Eyestrain / eye problems

• Tinnitus and other ear problems

• Sinusitis and congestion

• Insomnia

• Hair loss/thinning

• Neck and shoulder stiffness

• Mental tiredness/anxiety/stress

• Relief from stress, anxiety and chronic depression

• Stronger immune system helping to fight illness

• Improved circulation and younger looking skin

• Nourished scalp, encouraging strong, healthy hair

• Helps blockages and congestion caused by hay fever

• General feeling of wellbeing, calmness and relaxation for muscles, providing immediate relief of tension and fibrous adhesions, knots and nodules.

• reduces stress and can induce a feeling of euphoria

• Dispersal of toxins and waste products from tense, knotted muscles

• Stimulation and improvement of circulatory and lymphatic systems and nervous systems

• Improvement of joint mobility in the upper back and shoulders

• Higher levels of alertness and concentration

• Releasing stagnant energy.

• Allowing clearer thinking.

Are there any side effects?

There are no side effects with Indian Head massage.

What a typical Session entails
The lovely thing about this treatment is that it can be done anywhere - only requiring a chair - making it an ideal treatment for the corporate environment. The client remains fully clothed whilst the treatment is performed and just takes advantage of a little "time to themselves".

Contraindications
It is inadvisable to perform Indian Head Massage, if there are any of the following conditions present. Please read the following carefully to avoid disappointment. If in doubt, please call and ask us to advise:

• Spondylitis and other sever bone inflammation
  High temperature or fever
  Acute infectious disease
  Skin infections, on the head, neck or shoulders
  Recent haemorrhage
  Recent head, shoulder or neck injury
  Recent surgery
  Severe circulatory disorder
  Heart condition
  Alcohol or drug abuse
  Thrombosis or embolism
  Very high or low blood pressure
  Dysfunctions of the nervous system
  Epilepsy
  Diabetes
  Recent scar tissue
  Severe bruising, open cuts or abrasions
  Undiagnosed lumps, bumps or swellings
  Severe allergies
  Severe migraine or headaches
  Scalp infections