Untie the knots
Woman&Home, September 2006
Squeeze along the top of your shoulders. Feel any lumps?
Stress is most commonly to blame, but bad posture and strenuous exercise
can also cause balls of fibrotic tissue to build up. The best way to
prevent and dispel these knots is with regular massage, so don't
think of money spent on treatments as an indulgence.
Massage stimulates the nervous system, releasing tension
and relaxing the mind. It increases circulation, leaving your skin
glowing, and helps your muscles move more easily too, giving you better
posture and making you feel years younger.
Follow our guide to understanding the most popular massages
and choose the one that's right for you. Prices quoted are for
London, but expect to pay around £10 to £20 less elsewhere
in the UK.
Swedish massage
WHAT IS IT? The masseur directly rubs, kneads and
presses the muscles to stimulate the system, boosting circulation and speeding
up the removal of waste. This relaxes the body and releases muscular tension.
Movement of the joints becomes easier and the long rhythmic strokes ease
frazzled minds. You only wear underwear, but are covered by towels. GOOD
FOR Tense back and shoulders, stress, headaches, fitness and general relaxation.
EXPECT TO PAY £45 to £60. Call
01777-700383 for a list of practitioners.
Shiatsu
WHAT IS IT? Expect to be crawled over. The masseur
uses his or her hands, elbows, knees and feet to apply pressure, while
moving your limbs into different positions to increase pressure. It's
based on the principle that a vital force, or ki, flows through your body
in channels known as meridians. Disease is seen as an excess or deficiency
of ki. The aim is to balance the energy along these meridians using the
pressure points and restore the body to health. GOOD FOR General wellbeing,
digestive problems and lower back pain.
EXPECT TO PAY £45 to £60. Call
0845-1304560 or visit www.shiatsu.org
Sports massage
WHAT IS IT? A variety of soft tissue and neuromuscular
techniques (applying resistance to the muscles), friction and stretches
are performed on a table under towels. The aim is to release tight muscles
and reduce pain and trauma. The masseur may target particular muscle groups,
tendons and ligaments. This also improves the supply of nutrients to the
muscles and facilitates removal of waste. GOOD FOR Anyone active, as well
as sports fans, as it helps to speed recovery after injury and prevent
muscle damage. It also increases overall flexibility and enhances physical
performance.
EXPECT TO PAY £45 to £60. Call
0870-0052678 or visit
www.sportsmassageassociation.org for
more information.
Thai yoga massage
WHAT IS IT? Described as a moving meditation, this
balances energy flow by means of pressure, stretching, and applied hatha
yoga, which helps the body heal itself. The therapist uses hands, feet
and elbows and moves with you to assist the postures, which take place
in loose clothing. GOOD FOR Joints, back pain and migraines. The stretches
and poses can be quite demanding, but you'll feel fully invigorated
afterwards. Not recommended if you suffer from osteoporosis or have joint
replacements.
EXPECT TO PAY £60 to £75. Visit www.embodyforyou.com to
find out more.
Hot stone massage
WHAT IS IT? Traditional oil massage is combined with
American Indian healing practices. The masseur heats a number of smooth
basalt stones to apply added pressure to the muscles. The heat from the
stones feels wonderfully relaxing. They can also be placed along points
on the spine, in the palms or between the toes to improve energy flow.
Cool marble stones are used for areas of inflammation or injury. GOOD FOR
The thermotherapeutic effect of the stones relieves muscular aches and
pains and rheumatic and arthritic conditions. It is also helpful for depression.
EXPECT TO PAY £60 to £90. Visit www.lastonetherapy.co.uk to
find a
practitioner.
Chi Nei Tsang
WHAT IS IT? Also known as "hara" (abdomen)
shiatsu, this massage originated with Chinese Taoist monks. Soft, deep
movements over the abdomen help the internal organs function better, while energy flow is increased through manipulation of pressure points
around the navel. Working the five major energy systems, this detoxifies
the body by reducing stagnation, improving circulation and releasing
emotional tension. It is performed in loose clothing on a table. GOOD
FOR Digestive and reproductive problems. It promotes deeper breathing
and increased vitality.
EXPECT TO PAY £40 to £55. Visit www.learn-shiatsu.co.uk to
learn more.
Aromatherapy
WHAT IS IT? After a consultation, the therapist blends
a mix of carrier and essential oils (extracted from the leaves, flowers,
seeds and roots of plants), which is applied to body and face. Absorption
of the oils is the key, so the massage strokes will be gentler than normal.
Oils are absorbed through the skin into the bloodstream and have differing
therapeutic properties, while the fragrance directly stimulates the brain
to relax or uplift. GOOD FOR Skin problems and emotional wellbeing as well
as common ailments like colds, sinus problems and PMS. The advantage is
that treatment can be continued between sessions using oils in the bath
or inhalation. Some oils are not suitable during pregnancy.
EXPECT TO PAY £45 to £75. Visit www.ifaroma.org for
more information.
Ayurvedic massage
WHAT IS IT? Based on the concept of the three "doshas" (energies): "vata"
(air), "pitta" (bile) and "kapha" (phlegm), which
determine our body type and influence the internal organs. Ayurvedic massage
helps balance the doshas, restore harmony and prevent diseases, which arise
from a disharmony between body, mind and spirit. The relaxing treatment
uses herbal oils according to body type, "chakra" (energy centre)
massage and "marma"
(pressure) points to balance the flow of "prana" (vital force)
through the body. GOOD FOR Respiratory problems, migraine, arthritis and
hypertension. It brings toxins to the skin's surface, improves circulation
and relaxes muscles and joints.
EXPECT TO PAY £50 to £60. Visit www.apa.com to
find a practitioner.
How to prepare for your massage
WHAT TO DO:
- Call the therapist beforehand if you have any questions or concerns.
- Tell the therapist if you're pregnant.
- Wear loose clothing so that you are comfortable afterwards.
- Take a bottle of water to drink after the treatment.
- Allow at least an hour for your body to adjust before doing anything
strenuous.
WHAT NOT TO DO:
- Eat a heavy meal beforehand.
- Drink alcohol immediately before or after the treatment.
- Drive or overexert yourself immediately afterwards, as many people
can feel woozy, if not just supremely relaxed.
HOW TO MANAGE YOUR MASSAGE
- Your session is confidential, so discuss any concerns.
- Take off as much clothing as you're comfortable with. Qualified
masseurs are so skilled at manipulating towels that there shouldn't
be any embarassment.
- Tell the therapist if the pressure isn't right and if there
is any part of your body you're uncomfortable being touched.
- Tipping is appropriate if it's a wellbeing treatment, not
if it's for a health reason. You can give the tip (ten per
cent) to the practitioner or leave it at the desk.
© IPC Media 2006
This article appeared in the September issue of Woman&Home.
For more ideas visit www.womanandhome.com