SPORTS MASSAGE
Sports Massage is a special form of massage and is typically used before, during, and after athletic events. The purpose of the massage is to prepare the athlete for peak performance, to drain away fatigue, to relieve swelling, to reduce muscle tension, to promote flexibility and to prevent injuries.
Purpose of Sports Massage
The main purpose of sports massage therapy is to help alleviate the stress and tension which builds up in the body’s soft tissues during physical activity. Where minor injuries and lesions occur, due to overexertion and/or overuse, massage can break them down quickly and effectively. The massage will help prepare the athlete for peak performance, to drain away fatigue, to relieve swelling, to reduce muscle tension, to promote flexibility and to prevent injuries. Sports massage can help prevent those niggling injuries that so often get in the way of performance and achievement, whether a person is an athlete or a once a week jogger.
BOWEN THERAPY
Bowen Therapy was practiced in Geelong, Victoria by Tom Bowen and was recognized by the Federal Government in Australia in 1970 as alternative therapy. [Sturgess R.2006]. Bowen therapy is a dynamic, remedial body technique that is extremely gentle and very relaxing. It empowers the body’s own healing resources, achieving balance and harmony, resulting in fast and lasting relief from pain and discomfort. Bowen is an all embracing vibration energy therapy, safe to use on anyone, newborn to the elderly, with any condition from sport injuries to chronic or organic complaints.
A treatment comprises sequences of small gentle moves, each at a specific site on the body. It is not powerful manipulation, just a light cross-fiber maneuvering of a muscle, tendon or ligament, pleasant to the recipient. However, fascia also plays an important role in this technique. The precise location of the Bowen moves correlate markedly with latest research into the meridian energy system, acupressure-points and Myofascial point therapy. Observation also suggests the lymphatic system is greatly affected by the technique.
Bowen is generally a stand alone therapy or performed as last set of treatments. Clients are advised not to receive other massage treatments for at least seven days after a Bowen session as the body repair itself.
DEEP TISSUE MASSAGE
Deep Tissue Massage is a massage technique that focuses on the deeper layers of muscle tissue. It aims to release the chronic patterns of tension in the body through slow strokes and deep finger pressure on the contracted areas, either following or going across the fiber of the muscles, tendons and fascia.
Deep tissue massage is used to release chronic muscle tension through slower strokes and more direct deep pressure or friction applied across the grain of the muscles not with the grain. Deep tissue massage helps to break up and eliminate scar tissue. Deep tissue massage usually focuses on more specific areas and may cause some soreness during or right after the massage. However, if the massage is done correctly you should feel better than ever within a day or two.
Purpose of Deep Tissue Massage
A Deep-tissue massage helps loosen muscle tissues, release toxins from muscles and get blood and oxygen circulating properly. It release adhesion and realign the muscle fibers while releasing deeply-held patterns of tension, removing toxins, while relaxing and soothing the muscle. It is both corrective and therapeutic. Clients are advised to drink plenty of water after a deep-tissue session to help eliminate these toxins from the body.
TRIGGER POINT RELEASE
Trigger point therapy is a bodywork technique that involves the applying of pressure to tender muscle tissue in order to relieve pain and dysfunction in other parts of the body. Most often times it is perform in conjunction with other therapy. It was developed by Dr. Janet Travell in the United States in the 1940s.
Trigger points are areas of tenderness in a muscle that gives pain. There are two basic types of trigger points: active and latent.
Active trigger points cause muscular pain and will refer pain and tenderness to another area of the body when pressure is applied. Latent trigger points only exhibit pain when compressed; they do not refer pain to other areas of the body. Latent trigger points are believed to be one of the causes of stiff joints and restricted range of motion of old age. Trigger points may be associated with myofascial pain syndromes or fibromyalgia. Trigger points are very common. They are also referred to as muscle knots.
Trigger points differ from acupressure points. Acupressure points are concentrations of energy or blockages of the body's energy pathways. Trigger points are physical phenomena that can be felt by touch.
The pain caused by trigger points may be the biggest cause of disability and loss of time in the workplace.
The Purpose of Trigger Point Therapy
The purpose of trigger point therapy is to eliminate pain and to re-educate the muscles into pain-free habits. After several treatments, the swelling and stiffness of neuromuscular pain is reduced, range of motion is increased, tension is relieved, and circulation, flexibility and coordination are improved.
MYOFASCIAL RELEASE
Myofascial Release is a form of manual massage techniques for stretching the fascia and releasing bonds between fascia, integument, muscles, and bones are mainly applied; with the goal of eliminating pain, increasing range of motion and balancing the body. The fascia is manipulated, directly or indirectly, allowing the connective tissue fibers to reorganize themselves in a more flexible, functional fashion.
Fascia is located between the skin and the underlying structure of muscle and bone, it is a seamless web of connective tissue that covers and connects the muscles, organs, and skeletal structures in our body. Muscle and fascia are united forming the myofascia system.
Injuries, stress, inflammation, trauma, and poor posture can cause restriction to fascia. Since fascia is an interconnected web, the restriction or tightness to fascia at a place, with time can spread to other places in the body like a pull in a sweater. The goal of myofascial release is to release fascia restriction and restore its tissue health.
REFLEXOLOGY
Reflexology is the application of pressure, stretch and movement to the feet to effect corresponding parts of the body. Reflexologies view the feet and hands as a mirror image of the body. By applying reflexologies technique it can break up patterns of stress in other parts of the body.
Pressure applied to the feet generates a signal through the peripheral nervous system. From there it enters the central nervous system where it is processed in various parts of the brain. It is then relayed to the internal organs to allocate the necessary adjustments in fuel and oxygen. Finally a response is fashioned that is sent on to the motor system.
This message is fed forward to adjust the body’s tone or overall tension level. If applied properly the tone will reset itself to a lower operating tempo. A lower operating tempo means a lessening of stress and less wear and tear on the body’s systems.
The history of Reflexology goes far back to ancient Egypt in the evidence of pictograph dated around 2500-2330 B.C., but the modern reflexology known as zone therapy was founded by Dr. William Fitzgerald in 1872. The technique was later refined by Eunice Ingham between 1879 and 1974. She was latter known as the Mother of Modern Reflexology. [Dougans,I 1975]
SWEDISH MASSAGE
The term "Swedish Massage" refers to a variety of techniques specifically designed to relax muscles by applying pressure to them against deeper muscles and bones, and rubbing in the same direction as the flow of blood returning to the heart.
Swedish massage was developed in the 1700's by a Swedish doctor named Per Henrik Ling.
Purpose of Swedish massage
The main purpose of Swedish massage is to increase the oxygen flow in the blood and release toxins from the muscles. Swedish massage shortens recovery time from muscular strain by flushing the tissues of lactic acid, uric acid, and other metabolic wastes. It increases circulation without increasing heart load. It stretches the ligaments and tendons keeping them supple and pliable. Swedish massage also stimulates the skin and nervous system and soothes the nerves themselves at the same time. It reduces stress, both emotional and physical, and is suggested in a regular program for stress management. It also has many specific medical uses.
REIKI
Reiki was rediscovered by Mr. Mikaomi Usui of Kyoto, Japan toward the end of the 19th century. It is a technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. It is administered by "lying on hands" and is based on the idea that an unseen "life force energy" flows through us and is what causes us to be alive. The word Reiki is made of two Japanese words - Rei which means "God's Wisdom or the Higher Power" and Ki which is "life force energy". So Reiki is actually "spiritually guided life force energy."
A treatment feels like a wonderful glowing radiance that flows through and around you. Reiki treats the whole person including body, emotions, mind and spirit creating many beneficial effects that include relaxation and feelings of peace, security and wellbeing. It is a simple, natural and safe method of energy work.