Massage Therapy Techniques

Deep tissue massage aims to release tension in the body through slow strokes and deep pressure on specific areas of contracted or congested muscle and surrounding fascia (soft-tissue). It is performed on the whole body.

Pressure is applied across the grain of the muscle in order to break-up and eliminate scar tissue and sticky fibres, releasing toxins and improving circulation.

A series of deep-tissue massage will help to correct deeply-held patterns of muscle tension for a permanent relief of symptoms.

Myofascial release is a specialist physical therapy that works on the entire fascial (soft-tissue) network in order to treat specific areas of pain.

Fascia are fibrous bands that form a continuous, connective web throughout the body in order to cushion, support and protect our muscles, tendons and other organs.

When healthy, these fibres are highly flexible, but physical or emotional trauma can cause hardening or scarring to develop along the network. Hardened fascia can pull the whole network out of alignment, putting undue pressure on pain-sensitive areas.

Pain is often felt distant to the original injury.

This specialist massage technique involves slow, gentle stretching of the fascia without the use of oils. Using light, sustained pressure and specific timing, the therapist will work on specific areas of pain, as well as the whole body, to relieve discomfort and pain.

Trigger Point Therapy is a specific myofascial release technique (see above), that applies more direct pressure to a specific area using massage tools.

Trigger Points are areas of tenderness in a contracted muscle and the surrounding fascia (soft-tissue or fibres), often caused by poor posture or overexertion. Trigger Points are often referred to as ‘knots’ and can be found in multiple areas of the fascia.

While painful in themselves, commonly they will refer pain to other areas of the body.

A series of Trigger Point treatments will not only alleviate pain but re-educate the muscles and soft-tissue network to avoid future problems.

It is an isometric technique (i.e. a static contraction of the muscle against a restrictive force), and so during the treatment, the patient is asked to contract their muscles against a restrictive force supplied by the therapist.

It is appropriate for rehabilitation of injured joints and muscles that safely re-aligns tissue, lengthens muscles and relieves discomfort.

This technique combines passive stretching (i.e. movements that are done to you) and isometric stretching (i.e. a static contraction of the muscle against a restrictive force with no visible movement). It aims to target nerve receptors in the muscles to extend the muscle length, thereby increasing its strength and flexibility.

This is a passive technique, which means that the therapist will take your joint (i.e. knee) to flex and extend it, using gentle oscillating movements.

The therapist will hold or stretch the movement to release natural, pain-killing endorphins and restore ‘joint play’ that may have been lost due to injury or disease.

If you’re suffering from emotional stress manifesting itself in headaches and/or muscle tension, or you’d like a relaxing massage to help soothe over-used muscle groups (such as the neck and shoulders), you may benefit from holistic massage therapy. Like all massage therapies, the treatment will help to relax the muscles, release toxins and improve blood circulation. Unlike sport massage therapies, the treatment will be accompanied by soft music, relaxing low-lights and scented oils.

Holistic means ‘whole’ and so your treatment will take into consideration your whole person to promote every-day relaxation, increased energy and better nutrition. Depending on the client, we may also explore spiritual energy.