A very thorough treatment with the use of hot or hot/cold stones with a blend of various massage techniques tailored to the individual needs of a client. The heat from the stones can be very effective in treating cases of chronic pain by reducing muscle tightness and decreasing the recovery time from injuries.

Additionally, the use of heat or alternating between hot and cold stones allows faster and more effective work aimed at alleviating and preventing musculo-skeletal pain. It allows faster access to those tight and knotted muscles, flushing out congregated toxins, releasing tension and letting fresh blood and nutrients flow freely again.

60 min – £50  / 90 min – £70 / 120 min – £85

Medical massage uses a variety of massage techniques to treat a specific problem area. It can be used very effectively to treat chronic pain and restore motion.

What is a Trigger Point Therapy?
A trigger point feels like a “knot” in a muscle, hurts when you press on it and can cause pain in a site distant from where it is located. Trigger points are known to cause or distribute pain to upper and lower back, carpal tunnel symptoms, tennis elbow, neck pain, migraines, jaw pain, many kinds of joint pains mistakenly attributed to arthritis. They are very common and can develop in any of 200 muscles in the body.
Trigger points can be caused by accidents, falls, repetitive motions, poor posture or stress. Trigger points cause muscles to shorten. This can cause a squeezing of nearby nerves, leading to symptoms such as tingling, burning and hypersensitivity. This is common in the arms and hands due to compression on nerves by the scalene muscles (located on the neck). Tingling down the leg can also be caused by shortening of the piriformis from trigger points, mimicking a “slipped disc”.

60 min – £50  / 90 min – £70 / 120 min – £85

Massage can greatly reduce stress and encourage relaxation – Pregnancy is often a time of intense emotion, both positive and negative which can lead to high stress levels. Ongoing stress increases adrenal production of stress hormones called cortisol which can have a significant negative impact on childbearing and the baby’s development. Massage therapy can help to lower the amount of cortisol in the blood and raise the amount of the “feel good” hormones dopamine and serotonin easing the effects of anxiety and depression.

According to Nickols and Humenick (2000), when relaxed, an expectant woman will have:

– Steadier blood pressure, pulse, and respiratory rates
– Regular blood flow to the uterus, placenta, and foetus
– Healthy immune system function
– A healthy emotional state and better response to stressful stimuli and so would feel less fearful and anxious.

Postural changes created by the growing baby and extra weight gained can cause great discomfort and pain. Targeted massage can reduce:

• Headaches – Usually caused by tension, strain and trigger points in the upper back and neck.
• Fatigue and insomnia – Massage helps soothe the nervous system, making it easier to fall asleep.
• Hip, lower back and buttock pain
• Oedema (swelling) of the feet and lower legs – This is a common problem in pregnancy because fluid builds up in the extremities. Massage increases the circulation of blood and the lymphatic system, helping to carry the excess fluids from the extremities and thereby decreasing the swelling.
• Varicose Veins
• High Blood Pressure
• Carpal tunnel – Caused by Pectoral Girdle restrictions and Oedema.
• Leg cramps and “restless leg” – Primarily caused by a magnesium and calcium imbalance.
• Sciatic pain – When actually only 1% of women experiencing this pain have true sciatica.

A study Field, et al. (1999) has shown that pregnant women who were massaged twice weekly for the duration of 5 weeks experienced less anxiety and less pain in their backs and legs. They reported better sleep and improved moods. Their labours had fewer complications, including a smaller number of premature births.

Massage can also promote deeper and slower breathing. The growing uterus restricts the diaphragm and causes rapid upper chest breathing. Massage helps with this by “opening up” the chest by loosening the upper back, chest, neck and shoulders.

60 min – £50  / 90 min – £70 / 120 min – £85

After a very demanding 9 months of childbearing and the birth of a child massage can be very beneficial to the body. The body needs time to rest and heal. Massage gives you this important time out, helps to reduce stress levels and allows deep relaxation. It can also help you adjust emotionally to your new role as a mother and the changes that are occurring in your life.

Massage can:
– Help speed up postpartum recovery
– Wase fatigue
– Improve posture
– Reduce tension and pain

Massage has also been proven to increase milk production.

When to start massage after giving birth?
You may start receiving postnatal massages as soon as you feel comfortable, even as early as the first few days after childbirth. However, if there have been severe complications there may need to be time allowed for recovery and to obtain medical advice. Mothers who delivered with c-section can still enjoy massage, the abdomen area is not touched until the wound has healed.

60 min – £50  / 90 min – £70 / 120 min – £85