Body massage
Massage is an instinctive human response; when we bump ourselves, we rub it and the ‘ouch’ soon goes away. This basic instinct has been slowly developed over countless generations into a sophisticated healing art and science.
Professional therapeutic massage is an age-old healing art which can alleviate physical, mental and emotional ailments. The practice dates back to the Chinese in 3000 BC. Other references in The Bible refer to anointing the body with oil. In 460 BC, Hypocrites prescribed it as a beneficial treatment for his patients.
In one form or another, it developed in all the nations of the old World. Hippocrates, who is considered the Father of Medicine, said that all physicians should have experience of the techniques of rubbing, massage and soothing the body. It is recognised that rubbing can bind a joint that is too loose and loosen a joint that is too rigid. Furthermore, rubbing can either increase the flesh or cause parts to waste depending on the softness or how vigorous the massage is. It is these latter beliefs that are so important for those concerned with figure improvement.
In 1813, the Royal Central Institute was established in Stockholm, Sweden, and here the known massage movements were studied scientifically and systemised. This was the most important single development in this field in modern times and it is because of this that remedial massage is often called “Swedish”.
Massage relieves the symptoms of stiff, tired joints, speeds up digestion and encourages improved circulation, it promotes relaxation and it improves sleep. Clients who have experienced these forms of specialised massage report that they find the treatment soothing and highly effective.
The following are some of the beneficial results that you can receive from massage treatment:
- Improve circulation
- Increase blood circulation and the flow of tissue fluid (lymph)
- Improve lymphatic drainage
- Help and stimulate breathing
- Assist the flow of nutrients and oxygen to tissues
- Lower the heart and pulse rate
- Detoxify the body systems
- Hasten excretion of waste products
- Assist weight loss
- Nourish the skin (with the right oils)
- Promote nourishment
- Repair and renewal of body cells
- Assist in removal of deposits of tissue
- Stimulate activity in skin and glands
- Improve muscle tone
- Induce muscle tone
- Soothe and relax nerves
- Relieve stress
- Release emotional tension
- Relieve pain in certain conditions
- Relax the mind and the body deeply
- Give pleasure
- Create a feeling of well-being
- Release Serotonin and Oxytocin
If you are not sure that you qualify to be treated with Body Massage treatment please consult your doctor or medical professional.
Massage is generally a safe treatment however there are health factors known as contraindications which may affect the type of treatment you can receive. Contraindications are usually discovered during the consultation process (you will be aware of how you feel and your medical history) and they relate to pre-existing medical conditions where massage may impact on an illness, an injury or exacerbate a condition.
Total contra-indications mean that the client cannot receive any massage with any of the following conditions:
• Fever
• Contagious or infectious diseases
• Under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Having had an operation recently
• Neuritis
• Skin diseases
• Allergies
Local contraindications mean that the client cannot be massaged over areas affected by the following conditions:
• Skin diseases
• Undiagnosed lumps, bumps and bruising
• Varicose veins
• Pregnancy (abdomen, with medical permission)
• Bruising
• Cuts and abrasions
• Scar tissue (2 years for major operation and 6 months for a small scar)
• Sunburn
• Inflammation
• Menstruation
A medical referral means that the client cannot be treated with any of the following conditions unless they have written consent from their doctor or health professional:
• Pregnancy
• Cardio – vascular conditions such as heart conditions, hypertension, hypotension (low blood pressure), thrombosis and phlebitis
• Any condition already being treated by a medical practitioner or by another complementary health professional
• Medical oedema
• Osteoporosis
• Arthritis, acute arthritis and rheumatism
• Nervous and psychotic conditions
• Epilepsy
• Diabetes
• Asthma and Bronchitis
• Kidney infections
• Bell’s Palsy, trapped or pinched nerves
• Gynaecological infections
• Recent operations
• Acute rheumatism
• Nervous/psychotic conditions
• Cancer
Indian Head Massage
Indian Head Massage is a massage involving the neck, shoulders, scalp and face and is an extremely effective therapy that has evolved from traditional techniques practiced in India as part of family rituals for over a thousand years. The technique is true to the original massage brought over to the UK from India.
This massage works on particular areas of the body especially the neck and the shoulders where stress affects major muscle groups and often brings immediate relief. Tensions are eased and fibrous knots and nodules melt away. The efficiency of the circulatory and lymphatic systems improve, toxins are dispersed from tense muscles and flexibility and fluidity of movement are restored.
An Indian Head Massage takes place with the client sitting in a comfortable chair for the duration of the massage, ideally wearing a camisole or vest top with thin straps. Treatment normally begins with a deep kneading and probing of the neck and shoulder muscles, at times similar to osteopathy but with no crunching or cracking of joints. The head is then worked upon with the scalp being squeezed, rubbed, gently tapped and prodded. The hair is briskly tousled and gently combed. Pressure points are gently worked on and the ears are tugged and pressed. Lastly the practitioner moves to the face, working with acupressure points to help relieve any sinus pressure, to stimulate the circulation and to increase alertness.
As the massage proceeds the client will relax and breathe more deeply, releasing suppressed emotions and negative energy, making room for more positive feelings. This simple massage has a powerful energy and is of real benefit to the receiver. This form of massage should not be taken lightly. It is both subtle and deep leaving the client feeling deeply relaxed and rejuvenated.
- Relief from pain and stiffness in the muscles of the face, scalp, neck, upper back and shoulders
- Stimulates and improves scalp circulation which in turn helps with strength and the growth of hair
- Removes tension from the jaw and smooths out face muscles
- Disperses toxins from tense, knotted muscles
- Stimulates and improves circulatory and lymphatic systems
- Relieves muscular tension and stimulates blood circulation
- Improves joint mobility
- Increases levels of alertness and concentration
- Stretches and mobilises the tissues of the neck and the shoulders
- Alleviation of stress, anxiety, lethargy and mild depression
- A sense of tranquility, calmness and positive well-being
- Tension headaches
- Eyestrain and eye problems
- Tinnitus and other ear problems
- Insomnia
- Neck and shoulder stiffness
- Sinusitis and congestion
- Hair loss and thinning
- Scalp tension
- Mental tiredness, anxiety and stress
- Fever high temperature
- Infectious disease: cold, flu, mumps, TB, measles
- Skin/scalp infections – most common include, ringworm, impetigo, herpes simplex, folliculitus, scabies
- Recent Haemorrhage
- Intoxification – dizziness and nausea
- Migraine – is not treated at onset on a migraine. But may help as a preventative measure with regular treatment
- Recent head or neck injury
- Bruising, open cuts, abrasions of massaged area
- Undiagnosed lumps and swellings – refer to GP
Hopi Ear Candles
This is an ancient and natural therapy handed down by many civilisations. It is believed that the Ancient Greeks used ear candles, initially for cleansing, purifying and healing on a spiritual basis, but much later on a purely physical basis. Then the practice reached the modern world. Ear candles were used traditionally by Shaman healers. Ancient wall paintings show their importance in initiation rituals and healing ceremonies of the tribe. The candles are still made today on the basis of the old traditional formula.
As the massage proceeds the client will relax and breathe more deeply, releasing suppressed emotions and negative energy, making room for more positive feelings. This simple massage has a powerful energy and is of real benefit to the receiver. This form of massage should not be taken lightly. It is both subtle and deep, leaving the client feeling deeply relaxed and rejuvenated.
The candles are made from the natural ingredients of beeswax, cotton, honey extracts, sage, St John’s Wort, camomile, beta-carotene and organically grown flax. A constant high quality is ensured.
The candles work on a chimney principle, drawing any impurities to the surface where they can be gently removed. They equalise the pressure in the head and ears, making them suitable for most conditions.
Secretion flow is gently stimulated and the vapour collects and removes impurities or deposits. Most of these are carried away through the candle “chimney” although some of them can be found in the condensed candle wax residue after removal from the ear, or they could even work their way up to the surface 24-48 hours later.
Though results may vary from patient to patient, some clients may report Hopi Candles to be helpful with:
- Excessive or compacted wax in the ears
- Promoting lymphatic circulation
- Improving immune system
- Snoring
- Sleep disorders/difficulties
- Enhancing hearing, or even taste and smell
- Irritation in ears and sinuses
- Pressure regulation in cases of : sinusitis / rhinitis / glue ear / colds / flu / headaches / migraine
- Stimulation of local and reflex energy flow
- Energetic revitalisation in cases of hearing impairment
- Relaxing and calming effect in cases of stress
- Noises in the ears, ringing, tinnitus
An ear candling session can last up to 45 minutes, during which time a series of 1 or 2 ear candles may be burned for each ear. The experience is generally described as being unusual, but pleasant and relaxing.
You may hear some crackling and popping and feel some warmth during the ear candling session.
NB ear candling should not be practiced on people who have:
- Ear tubes – grommets,ventilation tubes, auricular drains (paracentesis)
- Perforated ear drums or lack of ear drum
- Artificial ear drums
- Eczema or dermatitis in the outer ear – itchiness and dryness of the outer ear
- Cochlea implant – a type of hearing aid implanted in the cochlea of the ear
- Outer ear infected or allergies to the candle ingredients
- Current or recent ear infection of the outer ear
- Under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- High temperature/fever heavy cold
- Diarrhea and vomiting
- Recent head or neck injury
- Recent ear surgery
- Skin or scalp infections
- Infected inflamed ear
- Auricular cysts
- Acute mastoiditis
- Otosclerosis
- Otospongiosis (ankylosis of the stapes)
- Ear tumour
- Any condition of the ear for which you are currently receiving medical treatment, without consulting your prescribing doctor.
If you not sure that you qualify to be treated with Hopi Ear Candling treatment
please consult your Doctor.
Hopi Ear Candles have been reported by clients as being effective at treating a number of conditions that are associated with the Ear, Nose and Throat.
These are listed below:
- Colds – treatment recommended up to once a day for 5-7 days then less often in the second week if symptoms persist. Helps to clear congestion and ease discomfort.
- Sinusitis – In the first few days of acute sinusitis daily treatment is recommended. Monthly treatments may then help to prevent the severity and frequency of attacks. Chronic sinusitis will probably require weekly treatment for first month then 1-2 times per month for a further 2-3 months.
- Wax Blockage – to help clear wax blockage one treatment may be sufficient, however 2-3 may be needed dependent upon extent of build up. Regular treatment every 8 weeks may help to relieve and prevent excess build up.
- Allergic rhinitis / Hay fever – depends upon the severity of the condition 2-3 times in the 2-3 weeks.
- Tension Headaches – depends upon the severity of the condition.
Treatment time: 45 minutes approx
- Step one – Initial grounding (Time needed 5 minutes approx)
- Step two – Stimulation of Face Acupressure Points (Time needed 10 minutes approx)
- Step three – Ear Candle Application (Time needed 20 minutes approx)
- Step four – Facial Massage (Time needed 10 minutes approx)
You are asked to lie comfortably and relax (Initial grounding). The Stimulation of Face Acupressure Points is then carried out. Afterwards the candle is lit and gently placed into the auditory canal. The candle is held in a vertical position, keeping it secure and preventing any ash falling on to the client. During treatment the client will experience a pleasant crackling sound as the candle burns and a warm comfortable feeling. As the candle burns down, the residue ash (if it falls) will just turn to dust. The candle is then taken away while you lie there for a few moments before turning over and treatment of the other ear begins. Most clients find the whole experience very relaxing. Some fall asleep during treatment. After treating both ears the Facial Massage is carried out. Then there are a few minutes rest.
Chinese Cupping Therapy
Cupping therapy is an ancient form of alternative medicine that has been used for centuries to promote healing, improve the flow of energy and wellbeing. The therapy involves the application of suction cups to the skin to create a vacuum effect that lifts the skin and underlying tissues. The cups are typically made of glass, silicone or plastic and come in different shapes and sizes. All been used in this practice in Ancient Egyptian, Chinese, Unani, Korean, Tibetan, and Latin American cultures, all of which have served the purpose of supporting the body’s ability to heal itself. In North Africa, cupping therapy was first documented on Eber’s papyrus (1550 BCE), where a cup is the Egyptian glyph to reference a physician. In Asia, during the Jin dynasty, Ge Hong (281-341 CE) mentions the use of animal horns as a means of draining fluids from the body. In Arabic and Islamic countries, cups (Hijama) are recommended in the Al-Qanun Fi’l-Tibb, Canon of Medicine (1025CE), to treat menstrual conditions. Prophet Muhammed is reported to have been a user and also advocated about it. Have you noticed more and more celebrities showing up to events with little round marks on their backs? These come from cupping therapy.
The cups are placed on the skin, and a vacuum is created inside the cup, either by heating the cup or using a suction device. The suction created by the cup draws the skin and underlying tissues into the cup, creating a vacuum effect that helps to increase blood flow, relieve muscle tension, and promote healing. Many believe that cupping helps balance yin and yang, or the negative and positive, within the body. Restoring balance between these two extremes is thought to help with the body’s resistance to pathogens as well as its ability to increase blood flow and reduce pain. The therapy can be used on different parts of the body, including the back, neck, shoulders and legs. Cupping is believed to help relieve pain, reduce inflammation, improve overall blood flow, and promote relaxation and cell repair. It may also help form new connective tissues and create new blood vessels in the tissue. People use cupping to complement their care for a host of symptoms and conditions.
Cupping therapy comes in a variety of forms, such as dry cupping, wet cupping, and fire cupping. In dry cupping, the bell shaped cups are placed on the skin and left in place for several minutes. In wet cupping, small incisions are made on the skin before the cups are applied which allows a small amount of blood to be drawn out.
Fire cupping involves using heat to create suction in the cups, which can be achieved by lighting a flame inside the cup and quickly placing it on the skin.
In my practice I use plastic bell shaped cups. They aid in my massage treatments on specific parts of the body where client feels tension and knots in the muscles. Cupping promotes relaxation of the tissue, loosens the fascia, soothes and reduces pain resulting in improved communication between the cells and resulting in a decrease in inflammatory reactions. The cups are left in place for several minutes (3 to 10 depending from the treatment) and then moved around to different areas of the body.
Cupping therapy may also help to stimulate the immune system. The negative pressure within the cup draws the blood in the underlying tissue up to the surface of the skin, it is what causes the characteristic hickye-like discoloration of the skin in the treatment area. There is no hard and fast rule, but the discoloration appears to happen more frequently in people over 40 and generally diminishes with successive treatments. The marks typically vanish in a couple of days, like a regular bruise. Which can trigger an immune response. This can help to promote healing and reduce inflammation in the body.
Though results may vary from patient to patient, some clients may report Cupping to be helpful with:
- Pain relief: caused by conditions like rheumatoid arthritis; back and neck pain; knee pain; headaches and migraines
- Improve circulation: by creating a vacuum effect that draws blood to the area and deliver oxygen and nutrients to the cells, which can promote healing and reduce inflammation
- Relaxation: cupping therapy can be a relaxing experience for many people. the suction effect of the cups can help to release tension in the muscles, which can promote relaxation and reduce stress, anxiety and other mental ailments
- Immune System Support: can help to promote healing and reduce inflammation in the body
- Digestive health: the suction effect of the cups can help to stimulate the digestive system and improve circulation to the digestive organs. This may help to relieve symptoms of conditions like irritable bowel syndrome and constipation
- Increasing pain thresholds
- Improving local anaerobic (without oxygen) metabolism
- Boosting cellular immunity
- Stretches underlying tissue
- Activation of Heme oxygenase, a gene that plays a critical role in the prevention of vascular inflammation, could account for many of cupping therapy’s claimed local and systemic health benefits
- Increasing the flow of lymph in the lymphatic system
- Decrease uric acid and both types of cholesterol
- Changing the molecular structure and function of haemoglobin (HB)
- Other conditions that cupping treatment could help with: shingles; facial paralysis; acne; cough and dyspnoea; lumbar disc herniation; cervical spondylosis; brachialgia, pain produced by a trapped nerve in the neck; carpal tunnel syndrome; hypertension; diabetes mellitus; asthma.
- If you are using blood thinning medication
- Bleeding disorders like haemophilia
- Skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema
- Seizures (epilepsy
- High blood pressure
- History of blood clots
- A sunburn
- A wound a skin ulcer
- Experienced recent trauma
- An internal organ disorder
- Thinning skin
- Varicose veins
- Pregnancy
- Cancer
- Pacemaker or other electronic devices
- Compromised immune system
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
Where will my practitioner place the cups?
Depending from the requirements of the client and the treating issues cups can be placed on:
- Back
- Chest
- Legs
- Abdomen
- Buttocks
Generally, the back is the most common area for cups to be used. If you’re receiving facial or cosmetic cupping, cups will be placed on your face.
How long does the cupping treatment last:
With dry cupping, the cup is kept in place for a set time, usually between 5 and 10 minutes.
Running cupping usually involves the application of oil before the use of suction. Then the cups are slowly moved around the area, creating a massage-like effect. Depending on the kind of treatment you are receiving the session could last anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour or more.
When it comes to flash cupping, the cups are quickly suctioned and then released, usually in the same generalized area of the body. This is usually a 5 to 10 minute process as well.
How long will it take for cupping marks to disappear?
The effects of cupping therapy can vary depending on the individual and the condition being treated. In general, the immediate effects of cupping therapy, such as redness and swelling on the skin, usually last for few hours to 7 days from the session.
The therapeutic effects of cupping therapy, such as pain relief and improved range of motion, may last longer. The duration of these effects can vary depending on the severity and chronicity of the condition being treated, as well as other factors such as the individual’s overall health, lifestyle, and treatment plan.
For some conditions, such as chronic pain, cupping therapy may need to be repeated over weeks or months to achieve lasting results. In other cases, such as acute muscle strain or respiratory infections, cupping therapy may provide immediate relief that lasts for several days.
How often should I get cupping treatment:
The frequency of cupping therapy can vary depending on the individual and the condition being treated. In general, cupping therapy is safe when performed by a qualified practitioner and can be repeated as often as needed to achieve the desired therapeutic effects.
For acute conditions, such as muscle strain or respiratory infections, cupping therapy may be repeated daily or every few days until symptoms improve. For chronic conditions, such as chronic pain or digestive disorders, cupping therapy may be repeated once or twice a week over several weeks or months.
The frequency of cupping therapy may also depend on the individual’s response to treatment. If cupping therapy provides significant relief after the first few sessions, the frequency of treatment may be reduced. If cupping therapy doesn’t provide significant relief after several session, the treatment plan may need to be adjusted or other therapies may be recommended.
Aftercare:
– Moisturise the treated areas
– Avoid sun exposure for at least 24hrs after cupping treatment
– Avoid hot shower or baths and body peeling
– Avoid strenuous exercises for at least 24hrs
– Avoid alcohol and caffeine
– Refrain from additional treatments like: waxing, threading or facials for at least 24hrs
