Swedish Massage

(light to medium pressure)

This treatment is for ‘pure relaxation’ purposes, I class it also as a “well-being” massage. If you are suffering with any type of chronic pain or injury, please choose the ‘sports and remedial’ massage treatment as you will require an initial assessment and treatment program will be advised.

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Swedish massage treatment is a full body treatment, the pressure is usually light to medium, to allow you to completely unwind and re-charge.

“Swedish massage” is simply known as “classic massage”. And that is exactly what it is, a classic treatment which represents the western standard for massage.  The five main techniques used in Swedish massage – stroking and gliding; kneading; rubbing; tapping or pounding; vibration — are probably what spring to mind when you think about a “typical” massage.

What is Swedish massage good for?

The various Swedish massage techniques are designed to improve your circulation, soothe your muscles and make you feel more relaxed.

Swedish massage uses softer strokes on the bonier and more delicate parts of the body, and stronger strokes where there is thicker muscle coverage. This adjustment of pressure makes it an ideal massage for relaxation.

Besides the calming benefits, Swedish massage is thought to be good for:

• easing muscular strain by flushing out toxins
• improving circulation by increasing oxygen flow in the blood
• helping to keep ligaments and tendons supple
• reducing emotional and physical stress.

Please note: all treatments include hot stone therapy to the whole of the back, to help pre-warm the muscle tissues. You can also select your choice of massage medium, from aromatherapy oils, to luxury scented oils or sports massage lotions/wax’s.

****RESEARCH****

The effects and benefits of Massage have been well researched and documented with controlled studies.  Research performed by the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami School of Medicine and International Journal of Neuroscience shows that 45-minute massage increases serotonin, dopamine and oxytocin that help to balance and elevate the mood.  Serotonin and dopamine are both neurotransmitters.  Lowered levels of either serotonin and dopamine have been linked with depression, anxiety and overall lethargy.  Increased levels, as with massage, will bring about a feeling of emotional well-being and balance. Oxytocin, commonly referred to as the “cuddle hormone,” has been shown to release while cuddling, as well as while in massage.  While it is technically a hormone, it tends to act like a neurotransmitter making a sweet little neuropeptide that makes you feel warm and soft on the inside.

A more recent study looked more at the physical benefits of massage.  This study was done with 400 adults who complained of moderate to severe low back pain, lasting 3 or more months. These adults were divided into 3 groups. The first group received a weekly full body massage. The second group received a more targeted massage that focused on specific muscles of the low back and hips. The final group did not receive massage, but instead were prescribed pain medication and muscle relaxants.  After 10 weeks, participants in both massage groups reported a greater average improvement in pain and functioning than those who received medication. The type of massage, either full-body or focused, yielded equally beneficial results.  At the end of the study, 36-39% of the massage recipients reported that the pain was nearly or completely gone, while in the medicated group only 4% reported that significant decrease in pain level.

Some benefits of massage:-

• Relaxation. Massage both calms the nervous system and relaxes muscular tension.
• Reduces Stress.  Many of us live demanding lives, both over scheduled and over-worked.  Stress can manifest in the body with increased muscle tension and sometimes pain.  Stress can manifest in the mind with increased worry or anxiety. Massage helps to clear the body and mind of unwanted responses to stress.
• Increase Flexibility.  Massage will elongate the muscles, open the joints and decrease swelling, all of which will ease movement and increase flexibility.
• Improve Posture. While postural imbalances have many sources, including overworked muscles due to repetitive strain, overcompensating muscles to ease stress on overworked muscles, prolonged sitting, or injury, Massage helps to ease the muscular holding that underlies postural imbalance.
• Improve Blood Circulation. Massage dilates the blood vessels and widens the membrane pores in the body, improving your body’s ability to deliver fresh blood to muscles and organs.
• Endorphin Release to Improve Mood.  Research shows increased serotonin and dopamine in massage recipients, improving their mood and feeling of emotional well-being.
• Flush out Metabolic Byproducts.  As massage stimulates circulation, it flushes out lactic acid and uric acid that build up in muscles due to overuse.
• Increase Range of Motion. Incorporating stretching and range of motion techniques, will open and lubricate the joints for increased range and more fluid motion.
• Support Healthy Immunity. Because Massage also encourages the flow of lymphatic fluid, it increases lymphocytes, immune cells that are produced in the lymph nodes.
• Increase Nutrient Supply to Muscles.  By increasing circulation, Massage increases the blood supply and nutrients to the muscles.
• Increases Energy.  Increased circulation also means more oxygen delivered through the body, resulting in a boost in energy.
• Improve Sleep.  Studies show that getting a massage increases serotonin levels in the body, so you can fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.
• Relieve Headaches.Many headaches or migraines are a result of stress and/or poor circulation. Massage relieves the stress associated with tension headaches and improves circulation.

The significant benefits of Massage make it clear that a regular massage regimen is more than a luxury, but indeed an important ingredient in the cultivation of physical and emotional well-being.  Maybe you just want a “relaxation” massage.  But know, that in your relaxation, you are also taking care of both your body and mind in fundamental yet important ways.

• £3045 min - full body
• £4075 min - full body