natural health
Therapeutic Massage
Sue Stokes - Massage Therapist
What is Massage Therapy?
Massage therapy is defined as “the manual manipulation of muscular structure and soft body tissues of the human body (including muscle, connective tissue, tendons and ligaments)”.
How can massage help me?
The role of a massage therapist can vary widely depending on their specialty. I am fully qualified in a variety of specialties (see below), and by using my fingers, hands and arms, I will manipulate your body’s muscles and soft tissue to:- release/relieve aches and pains
- to reduce inflammation
(including post-injury and -surgery) - to stimulate lymphatic drainage
- to improve circulation- to improve relaxation and sleep- to improve flexibility/movement- to reduce stress- to reduce anxiety and depression- to reduce fatigue- to improve wellness/wellbeing
A brief history of massage
Throughout history massage has been employed to improve recovery time, restore energy, manage stress and ease body aches. The first records of massages date back over 3,000 years to Ancient China, and today massages are considered to be one of the longest-standing forms of “healing art.”
Many of the world’s most influential cultures have had their own specific therapies and techniques related to body massages that have been handed down from generation to generation. This includes the Ancient Greeks, Hindus, Persians, Egyptians, French, Swedish, Thai, Indian, Japanese and Chinese.
“Massage” can mean a lot of different things depending on who you ask. Medical texts dating back centuries to pre-dynasty China listed massage techniques, which could be used to alleviate common aches and pains and improve the flow of energy. Hippocrates was said to have written papers recommending the use of rubbing and friction for joint and circulatory problems. It’s believed that the French first termed the word “massage” to describe a healing practice of kneading the body. And in the West, massage has been a popular way to naturally treat the body since about the 1930s.
Acute Pain Massage
Acute pain usually stems from specific, identifiable causes (injuries, accidents or surgeries) or from tight muscles) and lasts briefly, therefore massage therapy for acute pain aims to facilitate short-term relief and—in that regard—is typically also short-term.
After injury/surgery, soft tissues including muscle, ligaments, tendons and nerves are damaged causing pain to increase. High levels of pain after an injury/surgery can cause discomfort and stress. Pain is reduced through massage by encouraging healing to increase. A massage stimulates blood and lymph flow to increase around the injury site in order to provide essential nutrients for repair and remove metabolic wastes preventing healing. Repairing damaged soft tissues more quickly can increase relaxation and decrease stress. Increasing relaxation and decreasing stress all help to improve the effects of injury.
In general, the sooner you treat, the better the outcome!
Deep Tissue Massage
A deep tissue massage is a type of massage that focuses on deeper layers of muscle and connective tissues. It is used to help realign tissues back into normal form. A deep tissue massage is used to help relieve pain and stiffness. Deep tissue massage techniques are applied with deep pressure and at a slow rate to areas of tension and pain in order to reach deep muscles and fascia. Deep tissue massage works by hpysically breaking down hard areas of rigid tissue called adhesions and relive pain. A deep tissue massage uses massage oils t relax muscles and then work into deeper musculature.
Lymphatic Massage
Lymphatic (also known as lymphatic drainage) massge is a form of gentle massage that encourages the movement of lymph fluids around the body to relieve the swelling that happens when medical treatment or illness blocks your lymphatic system.
The fluid in the lympathic system helps remove waste and toxins from the body tissues. Some health conditions can cause lymph fluid to build up. Lymphatic drainage massage can benefit people with lymphedema, fibromyalgia or other conditions.
Relaxation Massage
Massage has both physiological and emotional responses. A physiological response to massage is the effect it has on the musculosketal system. An emotional response to a relaxing massage is the feeling of relaxation and a sense of calmess. Massage relaxes the body by increasing blood circulation and releasing endorphins. Endorphins are released from the brain that produce a feeling of happiness and wellbeing.
Relaxation massagecan be used on a regular basis to maintain relaxing and healthy muscle condition.
What should I expect at my appointment?
As well as being a front line health care work, I am a clinical nutritionist and massage therapist.
At the start of your appointment we will review your aches/pains and have a discussion around your medications, medical history and any symptoms, in order that I can understand the bigger picture of what is happening within your body.
For head, neck and shoulder massage, you will remain seated; for other areas of the body you will be laying on the specialist massage "table".
The best way to receive the most benefit from a massage is to wear underwear and a towel. If this does not suit you, please tell me and I can adapt to your needs. It is important to note that wearing clothes can interfere with the depth of the massage you receive, but you will still be delivered a satisfying massage experience.
I am also able to offer guidance relating to posutre, gait, sleep, strength and relaxation.
Each massage appointment is 60 minutes.