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	Holistic Vitality Centre

Massage

Soft Tissue Therapy: what is it?

Soft Tissue Therapy is the treatment of musculoskeletal pain, injury and dysfunction. Through the use of therapeutic modalities such as remedial, relaxation and deep tissue massage, cupping, stretching, and postural advice, muscles are returned to their optimum length and function, joint range of motion is restored, and the body returned to a relaxed resting state.

Musculoskeletal dysfunction can be responsible for many common types of pain such as headache, earache, jaw pain, ringing in the ears, backache, neck, shoulder and knee pain, as well as poor sleep patterns and generalised fatigue. Pain and dysfunction cause the body to be put under stress. This process can spiral out of control and cause the body to go into 'shutdown'. Muscles and other soft tissues are deprived of oxygen and essential nutrients, waste products build up in muscles and surrounding tissues, and the balance of the body is disrupted. This unbalanced state can affect the quality of your sleep, your emotional and psychological state, and your stress levels. This perpetuates the cycle of pain and dysfunction. The most common trigger for this unbalanced state is the stress of today's modern lifestyle.

Muscle pain and dysfunction: what causes it?

Musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction can be caused by any or a combination of the following:

Mechanical stress such as over-exertion during sport, gardening or other physical pursuits
Emotional or psychological stress
Hormonal Stress
Dehydration
Poor diet
Periods of immobilisation such as illness or injury
Trauma to muscles, ligaments, tendons, joints or bones eg. whiplash, falls
Drug or alcohol use
Physiological stress
Feeling 'stressed out' or overwhelmed

How does Soft Tissue Therapy restore the body's natural balance?

Soft tissue therapy helps by:

stimulating the production of endorphins - the body's own pain killers
improving/restoring circulation to tight muscles which provides oxygen and vital nutrients
moves the body from a stressful state to a relaxed state
stimulating the lymphatic system to remove built up waste products
restoring optimum length and function to tight muscles, allowing joints to move easier

Massage for the relief of stress and tension

Massage helps move the balance of your body's nervous system from the "sympathetic" or stressful state to the "para-sympathetic" restful state. The restful state produced through relaxation massage is similar to the state of mind and body that people achieve through meditation. Many of us experience a lifestyle that constantly stimulates us and keeps us in a stressful state. Relaxation Massage provides a break from the stress and an opportunity for rest and return to balance. Our bodies have an increased capacity for healing and the improved functioning of the immune system while in the restful state that practices such as massage can provide.

Massage for the relief of aches and pains

Relaxation Massage has been shown to increase the body's production of Endorphins which are our body's own pain killers. In addition to this benefit Relaxation Massage improves the circulation of blood to and from the area being massaged. This means that essential oxygen and nutrients can more effectively enter the area and waste removed. In the case of our muscles this relieves aching and tired muscles and relaxes over tense ones.

Many people experience excessively tense muscles in their neck & shoulders, jaws, scalp, back, buttocks and thighs. Relaxation Massage softens this tension, improves circulation to and from the area and ameliorates the associated pain.

With our present stressful lifestyles, Relaxation Massage makes the ideal gift

You can give the gift of massage to some one you care for by purchasing a Relaxation Massage Gift Voucher. A pampering relaxation massage with warm fragrant oils and soothing music makes the ideal gift to celebrate a Birthday, Anniversary or Your Special Occasion. You can choose to give the one you care for either 30 minutes of Blissful Relaxation, or for a little more you can provide them with a full hour of enjoyment.

Massage for your health

Massage has profound effects on the health of the person being massaged. It improves circulation, relaxes muscles, aids digestion and, by stimulating the lymphatic system, it speeds up the elimination of waste products. These direct physical benefits combine with the psychological benefits of feeling cared for to quickly produce a marvellous sense of well-being.