What is Holistic Massage?
Holistic Massage is a relaxing yet energising massage, which benefits the body on both a physical and emotional level. It is a mix of light to firm strokes, which are not only extremely enjoyable to receive but also very therapeutic.
A Holistic Massage generally covers the whole body although each massage is uniquely tailored to the needs of the client. The sequence of strokes includes light gliding strokes (effleurage) to warm the body and prepare it for massage followed by medium depth (petrissage) and deeper strokes (friction). These strokes target specific problem areas in order to relax tense muscles and mobilise stiff joints. The deeper strokes reach deep down into the tissue where tensions may be stored and while they are very effective in reducing tension they are not designed to be painful.
A Holistic Massage may also use a series of stimulating movements (percussion) such as cupping and pummelling, which wake up the whole body improving circulation and skin tone and gives you a real buzz.
The variety of strokes effectively relaxes the body and stimulates the mind leaving you feeling calm and with a real sense of well-being.
What are the Benefits?
Holistic Massage has a huge number of benefits for the mind and the body. The chief ones being that it:
- Relaxes tight muscles and is particularly helpful for those suffering back, shoulder and neck stiffness and discomfort
- Mobilises joints with the aim of easing painful joints and increasing movement
- Stimulates the Lymph system and speeds up the movement of toxins and other wastes through body
- Improves circulation, bringing oxygen and nutrients to the muscles to help them function better
- Improves flexibility and posture (we spend so much of our lives stooped over computers, steering wheels etc –sometimes we just need to be stretched out in the shoulders and chest to counteract this)
- Reduces stress and calms the nervous system. Anxiety is a major cause of illness in Western society and massage can help reverse the ‘fight or flight’ response. It slows down the breathing and heart rate and brings the blood pressure down making us feel calmer and more able to cope.
- Induces a feeling of well-being and serenity Your Sports Massage Therapist
Consultation and Treatment
The first session will be a 1½ hour session to include an initial consultation, the massage, relaxation following the massage and a debrief and aftercare advice.
The therapist will ask some questions regarding medical history and life style issues in order for her to put together the best massage programme for you. Once this is agreed you will be asked to undress while the therapist is out of the room and to lie under a towel on the massage table. Although the client is either fully or partly undressed – according to what they prefer - the body is always completely covered with towels other than the specific area being worked on. The focus is always on the client feeling safe and confident with the practitioner.
Following the massage which will take between 1 hour – 1¼ hours the client will be left to relax for a few minutes, get dressed and have some water while the therapist is out of the room. The therapist will then discuss how the client feels following the treatment and if appropriate, may provide aftercare advice for the client.
Holistic Massage/Hot Stone Combo
You may like to try the ‘Massage Combo’ which is a Holistic Massage with the strategic use of hot stones to target specific areas of pain and discomfort. This treatment brings together the benefits of using hot stones with the ‘human touch’ of holistic massage.
The therapeutic heat of the stones and the pressure the therapist can put on the stone to reach deep down into the tissues (up to 3 cm) is a highly effective way to release deep seated tension and tightness. For those of you who want the benefits of sports massage but not the pain, this part remedial and part relaxing massage may well be an effective solution.
Your Therapist
Your therapist is Jane Hobbs who trained with and is registered with the Massage Training Institute (MTI). The MTI is one of the most reputable massage bodies in the UK and is committed to driving up standards within the industry. Jane is qualified in Holistic Massage, Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology. In addition she is a qualified practitioner in Hot and Cold Stone Massage, Indian Head Massage, Reiki Healing and Hopi Ear Candles.