Swedish/Holistic Massage and its Benefits

 

Swedish massage uses a combination of movements to manipulate the soft tissues of the body, particularly muscles.  It can be used for relaxation, stimulation or rehabilitation of the whole body or part of it.  It promotes suppleness of the muscles, improves circulation and reduces stress and is a natural and effective way to treat physical and psychological conditions.

Massage for children

For many children in the 21st century, growing into their teenage years can be very stressful. As John Killinger observes in his book The Loneliness of Children (Published 1980, Vanguard Press): 'Childhood is a very difficult time of life. For many children it is filled with fear, anxieties and confusion. Adults often forget how hard it is to be a child.'

Research has shown that children who are massaged show decreased levels of stress hormones. And children who are experiencing conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, asthma or diabetes show less anxiety and report feelings of increased well being after massage.

Massage therapy is used to help children suffering chronic pain, and research has also shown that children with ADHD, autism and other special needs also benefit greatly from the massage experience. When organising massage for children, it's especially important to ask the child for permission before the massage begins, and also to ensure that the therapist is thoroughly qualified to work with, and sensitive to, the needs of children.

Massage during pregnancy

More and more women are finding that a weekly or monthly massage during pregnancy helps to reduce stress and promote relaxation; provides emotional support (especially for those women who are going through the experience alone); relieves muscle spasms, cramps and general aches and pains; increases circulation and thus reduces the possibility of varicose veins and swelling in the feet and legs; helps with digestion and reduces the likelihood of stretch marks. Pregnant clients report that their massage sessions leave them feeling relaxed and comfortable, and with increased self-confidence and an enhanced body image. However, massage during pregnancy should be avoided by women with placental dysfunctions, pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, toxaemia or threatened miscarriage. If in any doubt at all, have a chat with your doctor before booking an appointment with a therapist.

Massage for the elderly

Massage can be especially helpful for the problems that most people experience as they grow older. Gentle massage can be used to soothe conditions such as muscle stiffness and soreness, loss of flexibility, arthritis, tendonitis, bursitis, and help with respiratory disorders such as asthma and emphysema. But, perhaps most important of all, for elderly people who have lost their partners and live alone, massage provides the sense of nurturing that comes from being gently and respectfully touched. Elderly people with Alzheimer's or who have had a stroke and find it hard to communicate verbally benefit greatly from massage.

Very frail or modest clients can benefit just as much from a foot, hand or face massage as they might from an all-over body massage. It's important to make sure that the therapist is told about any medication the elderly client is taking.

Massage is a very enjoyable and extremely relaxing experience, and there are numerous healthy benefits that can gained from this treatment. Listed below are some of the physiological and psychological effects of massage treatments.

The physiological effects of massage are:

  • Improves the tone of the skin and colour
  • Encourages better circulation thus a more efficient delivery of nutrients
  • Encourages deeper breathing to a more relaxed breathing
  • Reduces swelling by encouraging better lymph drainage
  • Releives muscle fatigue to tired sore muscles
  • Relieves stiff joints therefore more beneficial for arthritis sufferers
  • Promotes general relaxation
  • Can sedate or stimulate the nervous system (depending on the type of massage performed)
  • Encourages sleep, therefore helps insomnia
  • Encourages better waste removal

The psychological effects of massage:

  • Relaxing, thereby reducing tension and the effects of stress

    Relaxes the mind thereby reducing anxiety and its effect

    Promotes self esteem

  • Eases discomfort of aches and pains 

    Increases energy by invigorating all the body systems thereby reducing fatigue after the energy in the body is spent held in a state of tension and strain


    Massage is one of the best known antidotes for stress. Reducing stress gives you more energy, improves your outlook on life, and in the process reduces your likelihood of injury and illness. Massage can also relieve symptoms of conditions that are aggravated by anxiety, such as asthma or insomnia.

    Painful or Tight Muscles

    Massage can relieve many types of muscle tightness, from a short-term muscle cramp to a habitually clenched jaw or tight shoulders. Some massage techniques release tension directly by stretching, kneading, and compressing your muscles. Other techniques work indirectly by affecting your nervous system to allow your muscles to relax.

    Delayed Muscle Soreness

    After vigorous exercise, a buildup of waste products in your muscles can leave you feeling tired and sore. Massage increases circulation, which removes waste products and brings in healing nutrients.

    Pain or Tingling in Arms or Legs

    Muscles can become so contracted that they press on nerves to the arms, hands and legs, causing pain or tingling. If this happens, a massage to release the contracted muscles can bring relief.

    Injuries

    Massage can help heal injuries that develop over time, such as tendinitis, as well as ligament sprains or muscle strains caused by an accident. Massage reduces inflammation by increasing circulation to the affected area, which removes waste products and brings nutrients to injured cells. Certain massage techniques can limit scar formation in new injuries and can reduce or make more pliable the scar tissue remaining around old injuries.

    Prevention of New Injuries

    By relieving chronic tension, massage can help prevent injuries that might result from putting stress on unbalanced muscle groups or from favoring or forcing a painful, restricted area.

    Joint Pain or Restriction

    Besides releasing tight muscles that restrict joint movement, massage works directly on your joints too by improving circulation around them and stimulating the production of natural lubrication within them, relieving pain from conditions such as osteoarthritis.

    Posture

    As massage releases restrictions in muscles, joints, and surrounding fascia, your body is freed to return to a more natural and healthy posture. Massage can also relieve the contracted muscles and pain caused by abnormal spinal curvatures such as scoliosis.

    Please note:

    If you regularly suffer from bouts of stress, tension, sore, tight muscles, aches and pains, I strongly recommend massage treatments on a regular weekly or fortnightly basis in order to gain a more efficient/effective beneficial releif of these symptoms mentioned above