Massage

What is Massage? 

Massage therapy is part of a traditional holistic system of healing methods that began over 5,000 years ago. Used by Hindus, in India, in Ayurveda ‘life health’ medicine, massage therapy was used to heal injuries, relieve pain, and prevent and cure illnesses. The Hindus of ancient India believed that massage restored the body’s natural balance so that it could heal itself naturally.

Throughout the ages, the system of massage travelled across the world, evidence of which can be found in the history of various ancient civilisations. These include China, within traditional Chinese Medicine, and Ancient Egypt, where massage is depicted in the tomb paintings. Massage is also illustrated and described in ancient texts from Japan, Greece and the Roman Empire.

In its simplest form, massage is the manipulation of the body’s soft tissues – muscle, connective tissue, tendons, ligaments and skin. Massage techniques are commonly applied with the hands, elbow, or forearms with varying degrees of pressure and movement.

In the modern world we commonly think of massage as a way to pamper or indulge ourselves, but more recently, thankfully, it is beginning to be recognised for its ability to relive the body of stress, tension, inflammation, and pain. In short, it’s being recognised for the holistic healing therapy that it is. 

The Science Bit

So then for thousands of years we have known that massage ‘works’. Even in the modern day, although countless research studies and reports have shown that massage therapy reduces pain, without scientific proof as to the how, the therapy hasn’t demanded a lot of respect from the medical community. We are however now beginning to understand the ‘how’…

Firstly, it has now been proven that massage therapy helps the body to heal on a cellular level. A study conducted by Tarnopolsky, a neurometabolic researcher at McMaster University, Canada, took tissue samples from volunteers before and after a vigorous workout. One group received massage therapy after, the other didn’t, and then they compared the genetic profiles of each. The researchers found a clear difference between the massaged and unmassaged legs after exercise. The massaged legs had 30% more PGC-1alpha, a gene that helps muscle cells build Mitochondria. (You might remember Mitochondria from school as the ‘powerhouse’ organelle, as they turn the cells food into energy.) The massaged legs also had three times less NFkB, which turns on genes associated with inflammation. In essence this proves that on a cellular level that massage suppresses the inflammation that follows exercise whilst also promoting faster healing. Massage therapy is therefore clearly a valid treatment for pain, inflammation and soft-tissue recovery.  

The remaining benefits and science behind these benefits depends on the type of massage:

Swedish Massage

Also known as a Holistic or Relaxation Massage, the Swedish Massage is the modality that most people think of when they think of massage. This whole-body therapeutic massage treatment is designed to improve your circulation, soothe your muscles, release muscle tension, and promote relaxation. I will use techniques of gliding long strokes, deep circular movements, kneading, vibration, pounding and passive joint movements to work on the soft tissues and muscles. This will help to restore health and create a calming and balancing effect on your nervous system.

Key Benefits of Swedish Massage:

Eases back, neck, shoulder, chronic and joint pain

Releases muscle tension resulting in reduced nerve compression

Reduces both emotional and physical stress. Some strokes have a stimulatory effect on the nerve endings which encourages the release of endorphins reducing pain and promoting a sense of well-being.

Fosters relaxation, improving our immune system

Increases levels of oxygen in the blood, improves circulation throughout the body and aids better cellular metabolism.

Increases lymph drainage, decreasing muscle toxins, removes lactic acid and therefore enables better function.

By the stimulation of synovial fluid, massage helps to keep ligaments and tendons supple, improving range of motion

Improves muscle tone by stimulating stretch receptors

Helps reduce the formation of scar tissue and adhesions between tissues

Aids with digestion

Deep Tissue Massage

Deep Tissue Massage is similar to Swedish Massage but concentrates on the deep layers of muscle, tendons, dense connective tissue, and fascia in the body. This is usually intended for athletes, runners, or clients with injuries. I will start using many of the same strokes and kneading movements as Swedish massage and slowly, as your muscles warm up and relax, start working deeper through the layers of muscles applying more pressure. I would then begin to use techniques with my fingers, knuckles, forearm and elbow to reach and stretch the deep tissue. Although this can be uncomfortable, contrary to belief, this should never be painful, and I will check the pressure with you throughout the treatment. A Deep Tissue Massage can be full-body or can focus on one area - we will discuss and decide upon this in the consultation prior to your treatment.

Key Benefits of Deep Tissue Massage:

Relieves deep chronic pain (Deep Tissue Massage can also help clients with chronic pain conditions such as fibromyalgia, arthritis, plantar fasciitis and lower back pain).

Releases contracted areas of muscle and tissue by loosening tight muscle clusters

Softens hard fibrous muscles, separates adherent fibres, allows circulation and therefore nutrients to reach cellular areas, “cleans” cells by removing waste, relieves pain, and relieves congestion and the inflammation that causes pain.

Helps move blood in the blood system and assists the calf in returning venous blood, especially in the lower extremities. (Quick basic biology lesson/reminder – Arteries (except the Pulmonary Artery) take fresh blood, loaded with oxygen and nutrients, from the heart to the rest of the body and veins (except the Pulmonary Vein) bring the deoxygenated blood back to the heart and lungs to start the cycle again. It is the movement of the skeletal muscles (predominantly in the legs) which help to bring the deoxygenated blood back to the heart. In our modern, predominantly sedentary lifestyles of desk work, this process typically isn’t happening as it should but can be helped with Deep Tissue Massage.)  

Improves joint range of motion, clears deposits and debris from old bone injuries, restores damaged ligaments and tendons and improves posture.

Releases trapped nerves in soft tissue, and congestion along nerve pathways.

Releases restrictions in breathing muscles, promotes postural improvement which reduces crowding of lungs, and removes congestion in lung and rib areas.

Improves circulation to the skin, improves skin tone and helps reduce the build up of cellulite.

Regular Deep Tissue Massage can also help break down scar tissue

Lowers blood pressure and heart rate and can help lower cortisol levels and increase levels of oxytocin - a hormone that relaxes the body, produces a feeling of well-being and strengthens our immune system.

Trigger Point Massage

As part of a Deep Tissue Massage Treatment, I will also conduct some work on any trigger points and knots that you have using a technique called Neuromuscular Technique (NMT).

It is not yet understood why trigger points and knots form, but we do know that in essence trigger points exist when over stimulated sarcomeres (the part of the muscle fibre that contracts to create movement) are chemically prevented by the brain from releasing their interlocked state. These trigger points and knots then cause pain, weakness, and discomfort in the referred area. NMT is a technique which uses manual compression to deactivate it.

The technique comprises of me applying specialised pressure with either my fingers, knuckles or elbow onto the relaxed muscle, directly where the trigger point or knot lies, for approximately a minute. The technique then includes additional strokes on the area afterwards. This may need to be repeated 2 or 3 times and I like to include some breathwork techniques with my clients to help them relax and aid this process.

Who is Massage for?

The majority of clients can benefit from massage and is now commonly being prescribed alongside western medicine, however the therapy does have some contraindications. Some contraindications require that the massage is adapted, whilst others mean that the therapy would unfortunately be unsuitable. With this in mind, please do let me know in advance if you suffer from any of the following and we can then discuss together whether this type of therapy is appropriate for you:

Fever

Contagious diseases

Nausea or vomiting

Blood clots

Cancer

Pregnancy

Kidney or liver conditions

Inflammation

Uncontrolled hypertension

Varicose veins

Broken bones

Skin conditions

Cuts or open wounds

Burns

What to Expect

Your session includes time prior to your treatment for a consultation, in which we will discuss your reasons for wanting massage therapy. We will lightly touch on your current diet, lifestyle and state of mind, go through any medical conditions, injuries or contraindications, ascertain your goals for the treatment and then together we will compose a treatment plan.

Next, I will take you through to my treatment room where there will be soft lighting, scented candles and music playing. I will leave you to get undressed and position yourself on the treatment couch and cover yourself with the provided towels. I will then knock on the door to see if you’re ready and conduct your chosen massage. After the massage is finished, I will give you some lemon water to drink and leave the room whilst you get dressed.

After your treatment I will give you some specific aftercare advice for your needs and there will be time for a chat and debrief. (Cups of tea are always available too!)

“I cannot recommend Kat highly enough, she seemed to know exactly what my body needed and adapted the massage to focus on, and treat, the areas of my back that were causing me problems. Kat’s attention to detail and in-depth understanding of the anatomy made me feel very reassured and she was fantastic at answering any questions I had in an easy and uncomplicated way that helped me to understand how and why she was conducting particular strokes. I came away feeling incredibly relaxed and far less tense. I will most definitely be back. Thank you Kat.”

Anna Bevis - Events Executive