Well, with the recent weather improvements (!!), the gardens are blossoming, and there is certainly an increase in the numbers of cyclists and joggers on the streets in the evenings.
With these improvements many of us feel happier, and with more energy and “get up and go” we are doing more with our time. Rather than slobbing out of a weekend in front of the TV watching old films, we are more likely to be taking a stroll in Thetford Forest, or along a pretty beach somewhere with the dogs, or of course, tackling the never ending weeds! Warm weather of course brings with it a spate of DIY and spring cleaning.
Why, you might be wondering, am I drivelling on about all this stuff? Well….with the increasing exercise regimes, gardening and more general physical effort comes a corresponding increase in the number of bad backs and injuries. Surprisingly, although the natural instinct is to rub or touch an injury, many people simply don’t consider massage as a method of help and just knock back anti-inflammatory tablets and painkillers for weeks on end.
Why does massage help so much? When there is an injury, there are usually (painful) adhesions – bands of sore and rigid (spasming) tissue – in muscles, tendons or ligaments. These adhesions block or limit circulation, causing the build up of toxins in the area together with exacerbating inflammation, pain and swelling. Massage physically breaks down these toxins though pressure and though increasing circulation, helping to disperse them into the bloodstream. At the same time it increases blood, oxygen and nutrient supply to the area . If muscles are spasming then the act of massage can stop, or at least help this. In addition it helps to prevent cramp (as does a good magnesium supplement). Tight bands of adhesion are soothed by gentle or deep pressure, releasing the painful sensations that can occur. Literally, massage therapists can have a patient in who can’t walk (only hobble) at the beginning of the treatment who will get dressed without much discomfort and walk out almost normally. It’s truly amazing to witness.
What is deep tissue massage? Actually, deep tissue massage is precisely what it says on the tin! It’s a massage which works on deeper layers of muscle than normal therapeutic, Swedish or holistic massage. It combines a variety of techniques, and although it features to a certain degree in most massage techniques, it uses slower and firmer pressures which concentrate on areas of tension and discomfort. The strokes generally go across the muscle fibres (rather than along them) with the intention of realigning the muscles and connective tissues. The purpose of the treatment is to “unstick” the muscle fibres whilst releasing deeply held patterns of tension, plus relaxing and soothing. It is both corrective and therapeutic, and is particularly helpful for areas which get very contracted such as stiff necks with a low range of movement, low back tightness (across the belt area) and tight and sore shoulders.
We should probably note here that when you come for a deep tissue massage, you come both to be relaxed as well as to tackle particular physical muscular problems. You’re unlikely to go to sleep (although it has been known!), but you also won’t be flinching in pain. The treatments are intended to be a relaxing yet therapeutic blend. As such, those who suffer with anxiety and stress related issues will find a multitude of benefits, not least a better quality of sleep.
What is holistic or clinical aromatherapy? These combine the benefits of massage with the therapeutic use of essential oils; volatile plant extracts extracted from all parts of the plant – such as roots, flowers, fruits and bark etc. Aromatherapy is as such, an aromatic medicine – and whilst being gentle, enjoyable and powerful, its success relies on the scientific use of natural and organic essential oils. Through inhalation and absorbsion though the skin, these oils produce physiological changes in all the body systems.
Holistic and Clinical aromatherapy differ in their prescription methods. Clinical aromatherapy generally uses a high concentration of essential oils to base carrier oil than holistic aromatherapy. Clinical is also a more medically orientated system of prescribing than Holistic aromatherapy, which tends to look towards the more chronic and long term problems.
Aromatherapy is a very useful adjunct for many conditions, including stress and anxiety, nervous tension, insomnia, muscle aches and pains. It is also very beneficial for simple relaxation.
Your treatment will consist of a wonderfully relaxing and aromatic massage treatment with a blend of oils to suit your personal needs – emotional, physical and spiritual.
What are the benefits of having a treatment? Massage helps to refresh and relax muscles, increasing the blood flow and therefore the oxygen flow around your body. As mentioned above, this helps get rid of toxins in very sore and strained muscles, which then helps them to strengthen and heal. Deep tissue massage in particular is great for releasing chronic muscle tension, and for breaking up and eliminating scar tissue where required. Aromatherapy helps to enhance the benefits of a massage, whether it is a gentle and relaxing holistic treatment, or a more vigorous deep tissue massage using a clinical prescription.
A word of warning……for those of you out there who read this article and have back pain and think, “it only lasts a day or two, then everything is okay for the next couple of weeks/months/years”. Please! Think fire fighting versus maintenance. It may well be that a regular treatment could stop those couple of days of agony – and by regular, we aren’t talking every week here. The aim of your therapist is to keep you in good working order with the minimum required number of treatments. Of course, there are always occasions when regular fortnightly or monthly treatments are required; however your therapist may only want to see you every 3-6 months. Think of these treatments as giving yourself a bit of an MOT every now and then; just like we do with the car! Is there any need to mention that at the same time they are a relaxing, stress-busting opportunity to simply chill-out and have some “me” time? Always bear in mind the following too: It’s a myth that massage has to hurt to be effective, and sometimes too much pressure can cause muscles to seize up!
Author: Georgina Fisher, Practice Manager of The Complementary Health Care Clinic, Clinical Aromatherapist & Deep Tissue Massage Therapist. Georgina has been practicing massage and aromatherapy since 2001. She holds a BSc (Hons) degree in Complementary Therapies specialising in both Aromatherapy and Stress Management together with Diplomas in Massage, Aromatherapy and Indian Head Massage. She is also attuned to Reiki level 1 and is a member of the MTI (Massage Training Institute). She is currently studying for an MSc in McTimoney Chiropractic, and is in the 2nd year of the Licentuate in Homeopathy offered by The Homeopathic College of East Anglia.
As a standard part of her consultation, Georgina offers basic supplement, herbal and nutritional advice. She specialises in both Stress Management and its related disorders together with deep tissue massage for long standing muscular problems, injuries and of course general aches and pains! She also offers a gentle and relaxing holistic massage and both clinical and holistic aromatherapy.
Although it is recommended that you book in advance when possible, emergency appointments in the evenings for keen gardeners and sporting enthusiasts are available!
Contact Georgina at The Complementary Health Care Clinic, 34 Exchange Street, Norwich, NR2 1AX, Tel 01603 665173, emailgeorgina@holistic-care.com
