Further Information About Massage

Touch is the core ingredient of massage therapy and also combines science and art. Practitioners learn specific techniques for massage and use their sense of touch to determine the right amount of pressure to apply to each person and locate areas of tension and other soft-tissue problems. Touch also conveys a sense of caring, an important component in the healing relationship.

When muscles are overworked, waste products such as lactic acid can accumulate in the muscle, causing soreness, stiffness, and even muscle spasm.

Massage improves circulation, which increases blood flow, bringing fresh oxygen to body tissues. This can assist the elimination of waste products, speed healing after injury, and enhance recovery from disease.

Therapeutic massage can be used to promote general well-being and enhance self-esteem, while boosting the circulatory and immune systems to benefit blood pressure, circulation, muscle tone, digestion, and skin tone. It has been incorporated into many health systems, and different massage techniques have been developed and integrated into various complementary therapies.

Massage can be defined as the systematic and manual manipulation of the body’s soft tissue for therapeutic purposes promoting health and well-being.

It is generally believed that the word massage derives from the Arabic ‘mass’ or ‘Mas’h’ meaning to press softly. As an art it must be about as old as man him because to hold or rub an injured part is an instinctive reaction to pain or discomfort.

Massage has evolved from a combination of Eastern and Western traditions. By far the greatest advancement of therapeutic massage recorded in history was by a Swedish physiologist named Per Henrik Ling (1776-1839), who created a scientific system of massage movements and techniques known as Swedish massage. This consists of five basic strokes: effleurage (stroking), petrissage (kneading), friction, tapotement (percussion), and vibration, though all of these strokes are not used on every part of the body.

Today, massage is a multidimensional skill encompassing a wide variety of ever evolving techniques, many of which have their roots in the Swedish system. The general public is now very aware of the value of massage in combating the stresses and tensions of modern living. Athletes, sports people and dancers include massage in their training schedules to aid recovery and to prevent or treat soft tissue injuries.

At the Mind Body Centre we use Swedish Massage as the foundation for a treatment and the practitioner may also blend in various techniques from other traditions to address the specific needs of the client. In general, the manipulation of the body’s soft tissue (i.e. the skin, muscles, tendons, ligaments and facia) using the hands is a gentle, flowing massage technique that uses varying degrees of pressure and stretching movements. It is most commonly used for relaxation and improving well-being.

A typical full-body massage session lasts for about one hour, many therapists will offer shorter sessions for treating specific areas such as backs, shoulders and necks or any areas giving discomfort, aches or pains. On the first visit clients are asked a number of questions concerning general well-being, injuries and medical conditions that the therapist should know about, in order to determine if there are any contra-indications (physical conditions that would prohibit or limit a massage treatment).

The client is asked to undress, to the client’s level of comfort/modesty, and to lie on the treatment couch under a large towel (draping). During the session, the therapist will utilise the draping to expose only those parts of the body to which treatment is being applied. No body part or area will be massaged without the client's permission.

At the Mind Body Centre we only use the finest natural massage media which include oils, lotions, creams and talc; oil is the most common. Good oil will nourish the skin and allow a free-flowing movement as it allows the hands to glide over the area. The therapist will sense responses but will also ask the client about the strength of their touch. Remember, "No pain, no gain" holds no truth in massage. If in discomfort or hurting, the client should feel free to ask the therapist to modify their treatment.

Environment is important to the massage experience. At the Mind Body Centre we have created a treatment room that is warm and peaceful. Clients are able to look out at the trees and sky as they receive their treatment. Please look at the section on Benefits and Effects of Massage to find out how beneficial massage therapy can be.

In order to understand the benefits and effects of massage, it is important to consider how the body responds both physiologically and psychologically.


The Physiological Effects of Massage

Effects on the Skeletal System

  • Massage can help increase joint mobility by reducing any thickening of the connective tissue and helping to release restrictions in the facia.
  • It helps to free adhesions, break down scar tissue and decrease inflammation. As a result it can help to restore range of motion to stiff joints.
  • Massage improves muscle tone and balance, reducing the physical stress placed on bones and joints.

Effects on the Muscular System

  • Massage relieves muscular tightness, stiffness, spasms and restrictions in the muscle tissue.
  • It increases flexibility in the muscles due to muscular relaxation.
  • It increases blood circulation bringing more oxygen and nutrients into the muscle. This reduces muscle fatigue and soreness.
  • It promotes rapid removal of toxins and waste products from the muscle.

Effects on the Cardiovascular System
Massage can:

  • improve circulation by mechanically assisting the venous flow of blood back to the heart
  • dilate blood vessels helping them to work more efficiently produce an enhanced blood flow; delivery of fresh oxygen and nutrients to the tissues is improved and the removal of waste products, toxins and carbon dioxide is hastened via the venous system
  • produce an enhanced blood flow; delivery of fresh oxygen and nutrients to the tissues is improved and the removal of waste products, toxins and carbon dioxide is hastened via the venous system
  • help temporarily to decrease blood pressure, due to dilation of capillaries
  • decrease the heart rate due to relaxation
  • reduce ischemia (ischemia is a reduction in the flow of blood to body parts, often marked by pain and tissue dysfunction).

Effects on the Lymphatic System
Massage helps to:

  • reduce oedema (excess fluid in the tissue) by increasing lymphatic drainage and the removal of waste from the system
  • regular massage may help to strengthen the immune system, due to increase in white blood cells.

Effects on the Nervous System

  • Massage stimulates sensory receptors: this can either stimulate or soothe nerves depending on the techniques used.
  • It also stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, helping promote relaxation and the reduction of stress.
  • Massage helps to reduce pain by the release of endorphins (endorphins are also known to elevate the mood).

Effects on the Skin
Massage can bring about:

  • improved circulation to the skin, increased nutrition to the cells and encouraging cell regeneration.
  • increased production of sweat from the sweat glands, helping to excrete urea and waste products through the skin.
  • vaso-dilation of the surface capillaries helping to improve the skin’s colour
  • improved elasticity of the skin.
  • increased sebum production, helping to improve the skin’s suppleness and resistance to infection.

Effects on the Respiratory System

  • Massage deepens respiration and improves lung capacity by relaxing any tightness in the respiratory muscles.
  • It also slows down the rate of respiration due to the reduced stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system

Effects on the Digestive System
Massage can:

  • increase peristalsis in the large intestine, helping to relieve constipation, colic and gas.
  • promote the activity of the parasympathetic nervous system, which stimulates digestion.

Effects on the Urinary System

  • Massage increases urinary output due to the increased circulation and lymph drainage from the tissues.

The Psychological Effects of Massage
Massage can help to:

  • reduce stress and anxiety by relaxing both mind and body
  • create a feeling of well-being and enhanced self-esteem
  • promote positive body awareness and an improved body image through relaxation
  • ease emotional trauma through relaxation
There are so many more benefits of massage and if you've never had a massage before then now is definitely the time to get one.

Remember:  Prevention is better than cure. Once you show signs of improvement we will continue to work with you to keep harmony and balance already achieved. A regular treatment, depending on your timetable, will stop future stress accumulating.

We encourage you to have regular treatments to prevent illness and maintain a state of well being.