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Knead a massage?
Rub away your worries and stresses!
Rub a dub dub dub.... welcome to the world of massage. It may be something you think of as a luxury for special occasions, but massage has many health benefits and is worth pursuing on a regular basis.
Whether you are a massage regular or have never been touched, check out our guide.
Health benefits of massage:
- It helps reduce anxiety and stress.
- It helps with muscle spasms and cramps.
- It can help ease certain conditions such as sciatica and rheumatoid arthritis.
- It lifts the mood.
- It improves circulation, which is good if you are the cold type. Improving circulation also increases the delivery of nutrients to your cells.
- It simulates the lymph system which carries waste out of the body.
- Relax the max - massage really does give people that blissful relaxed feeling.
Types of massage:
- Deep tissue massage – This is quite a strong massage which really gets down to the nitty gritty of muscular aches and pains. It is not particularly gentle and is more therapeutic than relaxing. Many physiotherapists perform deep tissue massages.
- Shiatsu - This is an ancient Japanese art that utilises the tools of acupuncture. The shiatsu therapist uses her fingers to stimulate acupuncture points/meridians on the skin.
- Sports massage - Similar to deep tissue massage, this is a form of massage that is focused on preventing and treating sports related injuries. You don’t have to be an elite athlete to get sports massage though; anyone who works out regularly will benefit from it.
- Reflexology – This is a form of massage for the feet, whereby the massage therapist stimulates certain points on the feet. These various points on the feet correspond to various areas of the human body.
- Swedish massage – This is one of the most common forms of massage. It is quite gentle and very relaxing.
- Aromatherapy massage – The massage therapist uses aromatherapy oils in this massage. Different oils are used for different conditions and for different purposes, such as increasing energy, aiding relaxation, lifting mood etc.
- Hot Stone massage – This luxurious form of massage involve the use of hot stones, which are placed over the client to help relax stiff muscles and warm the body.
- Pre –natal massage – This popular type of massage is a pleasant and relaxing way for a mother to be to take some time out. It helps ease the common aches and pains pregnant women experience, as well as elevating mood and aiding relaxation.
Budgeting for massage:
You may consider massage a luxury, but it is more than a beauty treatment. It has real health benefits. So it’s worth using some of your hard earned cash to get a massage now and then. Plus, there are ways to avoid paying the full whack for a massage.
- Groupon – If you haven’t been to this site, check it out. It is basically a way of getting massive discounts on a variety of things, from restaurant meals to beauty treatments. Massage is often offered as a groupon.
- Ask at your local college. Most massage therapists need clients to practice on and they definitely need students for exams. Massages bought this way are usually much cheaper than usual. In some cases they are even free.
- Sign up to your local masseur’s/physio’s/beauty therapist’s newsletter. This way you get first dibs on any cheap offers going.
How to give yourself/ a friend a massage:
If you want to try it yourself, here are some tips:
- Use an oil or lotion. If using aromatherapy oil, make sure you mix it with a base oil such as almond oil, as it is not supposed to be applied bare to the skin. Be careful not to use too much oil.
- Use long soft strokes and start at the lower back.
- Move upwards towards the shoulders.
- Once the person is feeling relaxed, then work on specific knots or tension. Don’t directly massage the spine.
- Ask the person you are massaging for feedback. He/she might want lighter or heavier pressure.
