Aromatherapy

This is an ancient holistic treatment involving the use and application of aromatic oils to the person. The use of essential oils dates back as far as 2600BC.

The necessary essential oils required for the client’s needs, whether aiming at physical, physiological or psychological needs would be chosen from the information gained in the consultation.

• Inhalation – Breathing in the oils directly into the olfactory system.
• Vaporisation – dissolving the essential oils into the atmosphere to be breathed in and absorbed directly into the olfactory system.
• Massage – Specific movements that usually involve effleurage, lymph drainage and pressure point movements.
• By compress – Apply the oils via a gauze pad directly to area.
• In the bath – Bathing in oils leads to absorption through the skin and inhalation with direct access to the olfactory system.

Aromatherapy treatments are preceded by a thorough consultation to establish appropriate blend of oils and then usually a massage lasting between 60 and 90 minutes.

Some of the leading forces in the field of Aromatherapy include:

Gattefosse, a French chemist discovered the healing powers of lavender after burning his hand and submerging it in a vat of lavender. The healing was remarkable so he continued to investigate.

Dr Jean Valnet continued the work of Gattefosse confirming many of the findings on essential oils.

Mme. Marguerite Maury, an Austrian Biochemist was responsible for bringing Aromatherapy to England. Mme Maury developed and perfected the massage techniques used in many Aromatherapy techniques today.

Alexander Technique

The Alexander technique was invented by Frederick Matthias Alexander who lived from 1869 to 1955.

The Alexander Technique involves a practitioner studying their client to observe their posture and movement. The client would wear loose unrestrictive clothing. In addition to the visual observations made, the practitioner will place their hands on the client and ask them to perform simple tasks like sitting, standing and walking. The practitioner will carefully study the clients movements and breathing with the aim of improving the clients own awareness of how they move to improve the ease and freedom with which they move, balance and co-ordinate activities.

The Alexander Technique controls the amount of effort particular activities use, so the activity is carried out with minimum strain, sparing otherwise wasted energy giving more energy for remaining activities. The whole Alexander Technique allows the client to find a new balance, which in turn enables their body to work at its best.

Alexander Technique treatments can be given to individuals or small groups in the form of lessons lasting between 30 and 45 minutes. At the beginning of a person’s treatment they may need to attend two or three times a week for lessons. After a few sessions the practitioner will assess approximately how many more treatments are likely, this will usually be between 20 and 40, and then is followed by maintenance or refresher lessons at spaced intervals.

Accupressure

Acupressure is an ancient Asian treatment considered to be collectively from India, China, Japan and Korea, although the techniques do differ somewhat between the different countries.

Acupressure treatments are non-invasive, total body treatments where the client remains clothed. The treatment concentrates on freeing the flow of the body’s natural energy flow or Qi.

The therapist applies pressure usually with a digit to different ‘pressure points’ on the client’s body, stimulating corresponding organs in the body and clearing obstructions on meridians restoring homeostasis. The blockage of energy along meridians results in malfunction or dysfunction in the organ associated with the meridian and acupressure helps the body heal itself and the energy flows freely once more.

Watsu

Watsu is a recent therapy devised by Harold Dull after studying Zen Shiatsu in Japan. Harold Dull adapted his learning’s and began Watsu by floating people in water and applying stretches to their body, a type of water shiatsu.

Watsu is a holistic therapy leading to healing on many levels for both the giver as well as the receiver.

Watsu treatments, which last for about one hour, involve the client being floated, stretched, cradled and massaged in warm water. The therapist uses the rhythm of the clients breathing and their natural buoyancy to perform their routine.

Some of the main benefits of Watsu include:

• Decreased muscle tension.
• 2. Increased range of movement in the body.
• 3. A reduction in chronic pain.
• 4. Improved breathing patterns.
• 5. Improved posture.

Wat Po Thai Massage

True name: Wat Phra Chetupon, Wat Po is Thailand’s largest monastery and dates back to the 16th Century.

King Rama III who was a keen advocate of public instruction, allowed inscriptions to be put on the walls of the tombs which has lead to Wat Po being a centre for the study and teaching of Thai massage amongst other traditional methods of medicine.

Wat Po Thai Foot Massage

(True name: Wat Phra Chetupon) Wat Po is Thailand’s largest monastery and dates back to the 16th Century.

King Rama III who was a keen advocate of public instruction, allowed inscriptions to be put on the walls of the tombs which has lead to Wat Po being a centre for the study and teaching of Thai massage amongst other traditional methods of medicine.

Tuina

Tuina dates back 2000 years to the Shang Dynasty of China and is based on the traditional Chinese Medical Theory of the flow of Qi through the meridians.

Tuina treatments use massage, acupressure and manipulation techniques along with external herbal poultices, compresses, liniments and salves with the aim of restoring balance thus allowing the body to naturally heal itself. The massage and manipulation movements roll the soft tissue or push the tissue with first one finger similar to acupressure.

Tuina treatments usually last from 30 minutes to 1 hour and involve the client wearing loose clothes, no shoes and laying either on a treatment couch or on a mat on the floor. The therapist would begin by assessing their client focusing on pain sites, acupressure points, energy meridians and muscles and joints.

Tuina differs from many forms of Chinese medicine that have a more holistic approach. Tuina tends to focus on the problem more specifically. In the western world Tuina can often form a good adjunct to Swedish massage enabling the therapist to concentrate more on the clients problem areas, whereas in China, Tuina doctors following the same detailed training as acupuncturists and herbalists command the same professional respect.

Thai Yoga Massage

Thai massage is an ancient holistic therapy that aims to restore balance, harmony, flexibility and health.

Thai massage, known as Nuad Phaen Boran in Thailand translates as Ancient Massage or Traditional Massage, but it can also be known as Yoga Massage or Thai Yoga Massage. Thai massage is like a combination of yoga and acupressure; it is interactive between the practitioner and recipient and manipulates the body with stretches and pressure point work to bring about the following reactions: –

• Adjust the skeleton.
• Reduce muscular and joint tension and release toxic material.
• Increase flexibility.
• Stimulate internal organs.
• Balance the body’s energy system.
• Relax and yet energise the client.

A typical Thai massage lasts approximately two hours. The client wears loose comfortable clothes and lies on a mat on the floor. The treatments are suitable regardless of age, a person’s state of health or level of activity.

Thai Massage

Thai massage is an ancient holistic therapy that aims to restore balance, harmony, flexibility and health. Thai massage, known as Nuad Phaen Boran in Thailand translates as Ancient Massage or Traditional Massage, but it can also be known as Yoga Massage or Thai Yoga Massage.

Thai massage is like a combination of yoga and acupressure; it is interactive between the practitioner and recipient and manipulates the body with stretches and pressure point work to bring about the following reactions: –

• Adjust the skeleton.
• Reduce muscular and joint tension and release toxic material.
• Increase flexibility.
• Stimulate internal organs.
• Balance the body’s energy system.
• Relax and yet energise the client.

A typical Thai massage lasts approximately two hours. The client wears loose comfortable clothes and lies on a mat on the floor. The treatments are suitable regardless of age, a person’s state of health or level of activity.

Tai Chi Massage

Tai Chi Massage aims to bring together the ancient Chinese exercise system used for health and self defence with the ancient therapy or massage.

Tai Chi can be used to help the massage therapist work better, for longer, without putting themselves at physical or emotional risk as is so often the case.

With Tai Chi massage the therapist integrates balance and focus into their work, with specific standing positions, posture checks and breathing techniques.