WE ALL NEED A LITTLE BIT OF PAMPERING NOW AND THEN. BUT WHAT IF WE TOLD YOU THAT THERE WERE TREATMENTS THAT COULD HELP YOU UNWIND AND INCREASE YOUR BODY FUNCTIONS AT THE SAME TIME? DEIA ABITANTE FROM WHITE STONE MASSAGE RUNS US THROUGH HER SALON’S MOST POPULAR TREATMENTS.
REMEDIAL MASSAGE
When muscles become tense or damaged, a remedial massage can provide a healing treatment that can be gentle or strong, deep or shallow. But what separates a remedial massage from an average rub down are the techniques used. “The therapist’s aim is to identify the original dysfunction, in turn healing the cause of the disorder and the symptoms,” Deia says. “Massage therapy of any sort supports and speeds up the body’s own repair mechanisms.”
How it helps: The best remedy for treating ailments like frozen shoulder, tennis elbow, whiplash, neck and back pain, scoliosis, headaches and most sports injuries.
PREGNANCY MASSAGE
Prenatal massage is therapeutic bodywork that focuses on the special needs of the mother-to- be as her body goes through the dramatic changes of pregnancy. Using a special table, the gentle, non-invasive approach of prenatal massage can ease discomfort associated with pregnancy, help the mother-to- be prepare for labour and give her nurturing emotional support by reducing stress.
How it helps: Decreases swelling/fluid retention, relieves aching muscles due to postural changes, enhances the function of muscles and joints, improves circulation and general body tone, and relieves mental and physical fatigue.
AROMATOUCH
AromaTouch is the clinical approach of applying essential oils along energy meridians and reflexology points of the back, feet and hands to help balance, protect and energise the entire body. Although a gentle technique, it is super relaxing and energising at the same time.
How it helps: Promotes relaxation and stress relief, offers immune support, decreases pain and inflammation and elevates mood.
DEEP TISSUE / SPORTS MASSAGE
The perfect massage for any athlete, weekend warrior or anyone else who has muscular pain, this massage reduces the amount of waste product within the muscle, which can be generated by strenuous or repetitive physical activity. A sports treatment is a firm, usually deep massage which aims to affect all muscle layers, ligaments, tendons as well as connective tissue. The intent is to break
up old structural patterns and to allow the free flow of nutrients and oxygen to the soft tissues.
How it helps: aims to treat conditions such as localized soreness, tightness, pain as well as new or old muscular injuries.
CHINESE CUPPING
This ancient form of Chinese medicine uses specially designed glass cups that are placed on the skin to form a suction. This suction affect draws the muscle fibres apart allowing for an increase of blood flow and the release of built-up toxins. Blended with different massage techniques, this treatment is very effective for breaking up any waste product within the muscle. Noticed a celeb or sports-star with dark purple circles on their skin? Cupping can leave these bruise-type marks, but the benefits are felt almost straight away.
How it helps: treats various conditions such as arthritic pain, muscle soreness, stress, headaches as well as common coughs and colds.