Too many of us don’t set aside time to rest.  We tend to forget the importance of resting and how it can help heal our minds, body and spirit.

Recently I undertook a stress management course and it really got me thinking about what I am doing to myself and those that surround me.  Now I know what you are thinking, how can a massage therapist who is trained in relaxing others be suffering from stress?  From a young age I have always worked two jobs or more at a time.  It’s been drummed into me that if you work hard it will pay off at the end.  My average working week is close to 60 hours and I am not alone.  With England in a recession for the second time within 4 years, gas and electricity bills going up, people are working longer and harder to make rent. 

There is a fear that if you are seen resting that you are lazy; not achieving your best and it seems like there is always something important to do.  Every Saturday my husband complains that I am cleaning the house, I respond with “it’s the only day I have free to do it!”  Sad really that my only day off I fill with chores. There is also the notion that if I have a free moment I should fill it with catching up with people.  There I go again thinking of spending time with others during my ‘rest’ time…WHERE HAS MY ‘ME’ TIME GONE?

I didn’t realise quite how stressed I was until I undertook a stress audit during the stress management course, and I tell you what my level of stress was nothing compared to some others.  What are we doing to ourselves?  As we sat and discussed our different stress levels, whether it was work, family or emotionally related, it was evident we were not setting enough time aside to just relax.  YOU TIME!  So from now on once a week in my diary I shall be setting aside time for myself.

Sickness rates at work have shot up; people are off due to stress, mental illness and back problems.  The lunch time break has become a thing of the past, we tend to sit at our desks and work through.  And when work is finished we don’t stop there.  We have to pick up the kids from school, do the dinner, walk the dog, and help with home work.  Thank goodness we can do on-line shopping now because where would we find the time to fit it in?!

Many of us have heard of the “fight or flight”, but have you heard of “rest and digest”?  Your parasympathetic nervous system maintains and restores your energy and it directs blood to your digestive tract making sure you actively digest food. It also maintains your blood pressure, heart rate and breathing rate at a low level. That’s why it is sometimes called your ‘rest and digest’ system. When we under go high levels of stress our adrenal glands go into overdrive which can cause physical problems such as lack of appetite, nausea and headaches and that is because when we enter the ‘fight or flight’ mode and we have increased adrenaline our blood supply stops going to important areas such as your stomachs as it believes it is needed elsewhere such as the legs.

Its time we take note and started making time for ourselves.  There are various ways to relax including reading a book, meditating, having a bath or massage.

Here at YOU Massage Therapy we have various treatments to suit everyone’s needs.  We have several new treatments including Reiki a popular treatment for ultimate relaxation.  Reiki has been around for centuries, originating fromJapan, a hands off healing treatment that can be incorporated with aromatherapy or meditation to give the client the relaxation that is needed.  Reiki uses the energies that surround us to balance the body, mind and spirit.  The practitioner uses ancient Japanese symbols to heal their client.  The three popular symbols used are the power symbol Cho Ku Rei, the mental and emotional healing symbol  Sei He Ki and Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen, a symbol that transmits Reiki energy through time and space (for distance healing).

Every client of mine is different so every Reiki experience is different.  Some clients will feel heat, others a tingling sensation or swirling motion.  I myself the practitioner also gets to feel certain emotions and feelings when working on clients.  Because I work with the chakras I tend to focus on colours where energy is being draw to and clients are amazed by what I describe to them after, being able to relate it to the current or past circumstances.  During the treatment I advise clients to visually imagine leaving the worries they have brought in with them outside the door, usually in the form of a written note folded and placed inside a box, placed outside the door and closing that door because the next hour is all about their time to relax.  When a clients mind is relaxed their body begins to relax and the healing process begins.  Some clients may need a little help so we enhance the treatment with meditation and I will guide them through peaceful imagery whilst they also focus on the sounds of the music within the treatment room and the warmth from the candles that are lit.  What every client takes away from the treatment is a sense of relaxation and rebalance.

If you are interested in trying out Reiki then give us a call today or book in for one of our luxury treatments that include mini holistic facials with our new organic products.

Remember book in some YOU time in those diaries.

Lynn

One of the main reasons people have a sports massage is due to an injury they have sustained through various activities such as whilst competing in their sport, at work or in a public place.

Other types of massage will aid the recovery process such as deep tissue and lymphatic drainage but not as well as a sports massage because of the techniques involved and the deep pressure involved in the treatment. Sports massage first came about to help athletes with their injuries as far back as when the Greeks first started holding the Olympic games. It was known that those involved would have regular treatment during the tournament to keep away injuries and prepare them for sporting activity.

In the 20^th century it became extremely popular with professional athletes so much so that it has become a regular part of their training regime. But sports massage has now made its way into the world of amateur sport and to those who are not involved in sport. This is because of the realisation that sports massage can help with medical issues and work related injuries, with doctors and other medical professionals referring patients to sports massage therapists. Those suffering with Repetitive Strain injuries will benefit from sports massage by relieving the pressure in the area and reducing tension in the muscles and tendons. It can also help those with chronic back issues, fibromyalgia, migraines, post surgery patients and more serious neurological disorders.

Why sports massage is great for those with injuries is because not only are the muscles palpated but the tendons and ligaments are massaged to reduce the build up of scar tissue and inflexible muscles fibres to have occurred through injury. Swelling an inflammation will massively decrease as a fresh flow of blood and lymph will flood the area treated, removing dead cells and toxins from the area. Where sports massage differentiates from other styles of massage is that stretching techniques are involved during the treatment to lengthen short, tense muscles. When an injury occurs to a muscle, in the majority of cases the muscles in that area will contract and become short which can lead to a loss of motion and pain to the area. Using skills such as Soft Tissue Release, Myofascial Release and Muscle Energy Technqiues, the muscles will lengthen reducing pain and discomfort in the area.

Not only does sports massage reduce pain from injuries and help people get back to how they were or able to continue in their sport but it will also prevent the injury from occurring again. In a sports massage treatment not only will the massage help the injury but also help correct imbalances in the body which help stop that injury from returning. For example someone may be having pain in their foot and ankle because they are flat footed, the massage will reduce the pain but the problem won’t clear. By getting the individual to correct the issue by slowing realigning the ankle using strengthening exercises and regular massage treatment it is less likely the problem will return.

I would advise people not to receive a massage till at least 48 hours after an injury has taken place as massage treatment may have the reverse effect and increase the pain by increasing swelling in the area and will take longer for the injury to heal overall. Its always best to rest it, put some ice on it, compress it and elevate it to reduce bloodflow to the area, reduce swelling, pain and start the healing process as soon as possible.

Pete

Peter is our newest recruit and has already achieved 100% of his clients rebooking appointments, even those who were at first unsure about seeing a male therapist; which demonstrates the quality of the treatments he provides. Well presented, calming and with an in-depth knowledge of Sports and Remedial Massage, he can adjust the pressure to be most effective and comfortable, providing good firm pressure and advanced massage techniques where it’s needed.

During my time studying Sports and Remedial Massage and treating clients I have gained a lot of experience from those that were teaching me, my fellow students and co workers as well as the clients that I have been treating.

Throughout my studies I gained so much insight into the world of Sports Massage, I learnt the basic massage techniques, more advanced Sports Massage techniques, how to keep my posture whilst massaging, masses of anatomy and physiology which I continue to learn everyday and plenty more. I learned in various ways such as watching others through treatments, listening to my teachers and classmates describe what they were doing but most importantly to an up and coming Massage Therapist was the amount of practical work I was able to carry out during my studies at lessons and in my own time. The only way to get better at something is to carry it out over and over, so that what we did and it was very effective. Remember PRACTICE DOESN’T MAKE PERFECT, PRACTICE MAKES PERMANENT!

Whilst on my course I was fortunate enough to work at the London Marathon treating runners who gave their time and efforts to charity. This was a great experience for my colleagues and I as it gave us a lot of practice time, taught us how to carry out a treatment in a short space of time whilst still being effective and keeping that all important posture and taught us about certain injuries that can arise from running continuously for26 miles! It was great to be in that environment where there are thousands of runners positively buzzing after running probably the furthest they will ever run knowing that at the end of it all they can relax and have a massage on their tired, aching bodies.

Since I have been working as a Sports and Remedial massage therapist at YOU Massage Therapy, I have learnt even more from my co workers as well as my clients. I have treated past Olympic athletes, Powerlifters, Boxers, Fitness enthusiasts, Office workers, Builders, Soldiers, Marines, hundreds of people of all ages from all walks of life with various musculo-skeletal issues. I’ve treated post surgery patients, clients with postural problems, sporting injuries, pre and post event massages and those with medical conditions such as Fibromyalgia, Migraines, Whiplash victims, Chronic back pain and various other issues.

All of these clients with their unique issues have proved invaluable to me as they have taught me more about the body than I could learn from any book. I’ve learnt how particular muscles in the body can affect other areas of the body; using the techniques I know I have found ways to differentiate those techniques slightly to help a particular client and I have learnt with an effective treatment, with plenty of communication and sound advice you will gain a clients trust a will start to see them more regularly as part of a treatment plan.

As a working Massage Therapist, you can never stop learning, you can never say, “I now know it all” because of the glorious diversity that presents itself when treating injury throughout the body, but I can confidently say “I know what techniques have worked in the past and I know how to apply the most effective treatment plan to any situation”, if you’re not sure whether a Sports Massage or Deep Tissue Massage is for you, call us on 02380 639 747 or book yourself in for a consultation and 1 hour treatment time with me and I will be able to get to know you and tailor your time uniquely so that you get the best treatment possible. My colleagues have shown me a variety of Holistic Massage techniques to incorporate in as required, this just furthers my knowledge of how the body responses in different situations and the importance of correct pressure and technique so that you are comfortable throughout your treatment. A lot of people are under the preconception that a good Sport Massage should be painful, it shouldn’t be painful, we like to refer to the feeling of being worked on effectively as a ‘good discomfort’, you should not want the therapist to stop what they’re doing as this means you are tense and we value the importance of keeping you comfortable and relaxed throughout.

Thanks for reading; I’ll be writing in soon about the various techniques applied during a Sports Massage. See you soon, Pete.

Pete

Peter is our newest recruit and has already achieved 100% of his clients rebooking appointments, even those who were at first unsure about seeing a male therapist; which demonstrates the quality of the treatments he provides. Well presented, calming and with an in-depth knowledge of Sports and Remedial Massage, he can adjust the pressure to be most effective and comfortable, providing good firm pressure and advanced massage techniques where it’s needed.

Hi, Naomi here, this blog post will be talking about sciatica, its causes and how massage can help.

For many, Sciatic pain is often experienced as sharp burning pain which travels form the lower back to different places within the legs, but those affected will often describe other sensations such as tingling, numbness and weakness.

This type of pain is often referred to as sciatica, for some it is something they experience every so often due to a nerve popping into the vertebrae and then popping back out. But for some it can be permanent experience that requires treatment.

Causes:

Often Muscular tension in the glute min area can cause pain and discomfort in the area, often this leads to trouble walking and is referred to by patients as sciatica, in this case Deep Tissue Massage to releive the tension should be sufficient….

The sciatic nerve pain is caused by an irritated or compressed nerve roots in the lumber spine. These nerves run all the way through the glutes and into the legs.

The irritation or compression can be caused by a few different spinal problems:

* Most commonly sciatic pain or sciatica is due to a misalignment of the vertebrae, which pinches the spinal nerve.

* Sometimes it can be caused by a herniated disc which is when the disc fluid seeps out and places harmful pressure on the nerve root.

* It could be due to degenerative disc disease which could lead to a disc moving and tilting causing the nerve root to be pinched.

* Another cause is Spinal Stenosis. Spinal Stenosis is another form of spinal degeneration but in this instance bony spurs begin to grow between the discs and the spinal canal causing pressure, trapping and impingement of the nerve roots.

* Nerve root injury can occur within the 5 vertebrae in the lumbar spine or the S1 also known as the sacrum. The pain will vary within the legs depending on where the damage and impingement has occurred within the lumbar.

* Muscle spasm can also be to blame in some instances, people who experience this type of sciatica often find that it is worse during the morning and gets better during the day. In this circumstance the muscles tighten in around the lower back and glutes impinging the sciatic nerve. Again, a Massage at YOU Massage Therapy will definitely be able to help this.

Another muscular trigger is the tightening of the piriformis which can end up tight stretched and pinching the sciatic nerve deep within the pelvis.

How massage can help:

Immediate action is required with regards to sciatica to prevent it causing any other problems and prevent it from worsening. Massage can help reduce tightness and muscles spasms which may be affecting the position of the vertabra. It can also aid the diagnosis by distinguishing between muscular and spinal related sciatica.

Massage can help sciatica in numerous different ways, for many it can be used to manage pain and reduce inflammation. Massage stimulates circulation which will help bring fresh blood into tight muscles which helps improve the quality of the muscle, therefore helping the muscles to do their job properly. Massage also stimulates the lymphatic system this helps the body flush out toxins and removed excess fluid and white blood cells from inflamed areas. Massage will relax tight muscles and can increase muscle quality and tone muscles that are being underused.

Often with muscular related sciatica bad posture is one of the main causes, overusing and under using certain muscles to stabilise, lift and generally moving will cause certain muscles to tighten and therefore can lead to the sciatica nerve roots being pinched either by the muscles themselves or by pulling a vertebrae slightly out of place. By loosening these muscles and improving the quality and tone of others can help improve posture therefore sciatic pain. Deep tissue  massage and neuro muscular techniques are most commonly used to treat tense and potentially inflamed muscles but for some this can be very painful. In these circumstances a combination of lymph drainage massage  and hot stones massage may be more suitable as hot stones can be used to treat tight and knotty muscles using heat instead.

Naomi

Naomi is a shining star who works as a Holistic Therapist as well as on Reception. Her and Amy met whilst studying Holistic Therapies at college in 2004 and Naomi works closely with Amy to help realise the vision of our Massage Southampton Studio! Naomi is excellent at following the pattern of tension throughout the body and advising on the most appropriate treatments to combine, her treatments are incredibly relaxing and you can always expect to feel a reduction in postural tension, even when she works a light, rhythmic massage.

Massage during pregnancy is definitely a lovely thing to do – a Pregnancy Massage combines effective and safe techniques to give you time out, help you to relax, and is always organised so that you are sitting or lying in positions that are comfortable for you and your body with comfy cushions and fluffy towels.  It is also a really nice treat from friends and family, and we certainly have spouses who buy pregnancy massage gift vouchers in order to gain brownie points during times of hormones and stress!  But what are the benefits of massage during pregnancy?  Why do doctors, prenatal groups, and health advisory services recommend massage during pregnancy?  Well, here’re the answers…

There is a lot of research into Pregnancy Massage.  A number of studies have been done in the last ten years, and these studies have slowly progressed into more quantitative research methodologies, complete with control groups and comparison relaxation techniques.  And you know what?  As the research gets more intense, massage still holds its own as a beneficial treatment during pregnancy, providing worthwhile benefits to women when they need them most.

So, read on for the Research and the Facts…

A study done in 2006 found that women who had massage  in the last three months of pregnancy found labour easier, and complained less of pain – meaning less medical pain relief was required for women who had received massage than for women who had not.  A 2008 study found that massage from 20weeks onward reduced leg and back pain, reduced anger and anxiety, and actually improved relationships with spouses.  This was measured using a relationship questionnaire, so still qualitative data, but not opinions alone.

My favourite research study on pregnancy massage was published in the journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynecology (it’s American, thus the spelling!).  This study looked at massage and women who were both pregnant and depressed, and how massage affected both the pregnancy and the depression, and the baby at birth!  There were four groups of participants – women who received massage, women who received progressive muscle relaxation sessions, a control group of pregnant women with depression, and a comparison group of pregnant women without depression.  This study found that the pregnant women who received massage performed significantly better than the other depressed groups, and sometimes even as well as the non-depressed comparison group.  Pregnant women with depression who received massage were more comfortable, had higher serotonin and dopamine levels, and lower levels of cortisol (stress hormone).  The babies of these women were less likely to have complications at birth, be born prematurely or underweight, and performed better in initial tests on motor function, habituation, motor maturity, and emotional state.

And all of this without even touching on general massage techniques, like Lymph Drainage Massage to reduce swelling and fluid retention and Reflexology to balance the body throughout and prepare for childbirth!

Massage during pregnancy is recommended by BabyCentre (theUK’s top pregnancy advice website), the American Pregnancy Association, and those are just ones you can easily google.  Please feel free to check with your G.P. or Obstetrician if you are at all worried – we’re confident that they will recommend you spend time with someone with our qualifications!

We love to give Southampton Pregnancy Massage in our comfortable studio onBedford Placeand hope to be welcoming you (or your partner or friend) to our Southampton Massage Studio soon. What’s more…we offer a New Mum’s discount of 20% off of selected treatments! So you can get yourself another treat during your post-natal months!

Elise

Elise has joined our team as Receptionist and is being gradually integrated as Therapist over the next few months. Hailing from Australia she has a recent qualification in therapeutic massage and experience in massage as care, a keen apprentice at YOU Massage Therapy she is passionate about providing a quality service and care to our clients.

It’s Endometriosis Awareness Week 5th – 12th March 2012! We want to help in spreading awareness to help create a support network for women who suffer with this unpleasant and un-talked about condition. Around 2 million women in the UK have to endure pain, as well as lethargy and depression with their period each month because of Endometriosis; if you or somebody you know suffers with Endometriosis, or painful, heavy periods, you’ll know all too well how uncomfortable and disruptive the symptoms can be and how it can be difficult to find treatment solutions that work. We are offering a free consultation and discounted treatment plan to anyone suffering with or thinks they may be suffering with Endometriosis, there’s no cure but our Holistic Treatments can help…

So what is Endometriosis and why is it painful?

Endometriosis occurs when the cells of the uterus lining, the endometrium, grow elsewhere outside the uterus. Commonly this will be in the fallopian tubes or around the ovaries, sometimes in other areas of the pelvis such as around the digestive system and bladder or into the vagina; in very rare cases endometriotic tissues have been found in the lungs, eyes and even the brain! These cells react in the same way as they do in the uterus; during monthly hormonal changes the cells grow, as they would in the womb, to support the release of an ovum and, like in your period, if the ovum isn’t fertilised, the cells break down and bleed, although unlike the cells in your uterus, in cases of endometriosis where the cells are situated outside the womb, the blood can not simply leave the body.

This internal bleeding, as I’m sure you can imagine, can be incredibly painful! The angry site becomes inflamed and forms scar tissue which can cause even more pain and discomfort as it tugs on other organs and tissues. When these cells are present in the ovaries cysts form which fill with blood and can make ovulation excruciating. As well as the intense pain and heavy periods, sufferers often experience chronic fatigue and feelings of isolation and depression; it’s sometimes hard to enjoy a normal love life and to find a supportive network of professionals or friends who fully understand how you are feeling. Endometriosis UK are there to be informative and supportive, with local support networks, including one in Southampton; click the link or call 0808 808 2227 for loads more info on Endometriosis UK.

What are the Treatment Options?

There’s been a lot more research and awareness of this unusual condition recently; as of yet no one has found a cure but there are different forms of treatments which really help a lot of ladies. The best form of medical treatment for you depends on the severity of endometriosis you have, also your age and whether or not you’d like children needs to be considered. Contraceptives that reduce or cease menstruation can be effective, but these aren’t for everyone, you’d need to talk with your doctor about the risks of blood clots and maybe have your blood coagulation checked to see if this would be appropriate. Coils which are fitted in your uterus can make periods lighter as not as many cells will form, but this doesn’t always have an effect on endomtrium elsewhere in the body.

You can have surgery to remove the endometriotic tissues; your doctor will offer this to you if this is an option, it is worth making sure you find a doctor who understands the condition and you have appropriate scans and such prior to determine exactly what is going on prior to surgery. You would hope that removing the problem would be the answer, but nothing’s simple with this condition! There is the risk of increased scar tissue and the endometirotic cells will eventually grow back in most cases, it’s important to try other options before considering surgery but a lot of women find this does provide relief for up to several years. Depending on your age, severity and life plans, in severe cases a full hysterectomy may be offered, yet I would recommend you speak to a counsellor before making any decisions and try holistic remedies to help you manage the condition without surgery. So, what can we do to help….?

Holistic Treatment Options

At YOU Massage Therapy, we help to relieve the symptoms of Endometriosis by combining and tailoring Holistic Treatments for your individual needs. We get to know you during consultation and build a relationship during your monthly visits to find out how certain approaches are helping. You can expect to feel better after your first treatment and hopefully improve if you continue with the treatments. Holistic and Massage Treatments that we have found to make a real difference to women’s lives are:

Aromatherapy

By blending selected essential oils for you and applying during Holistic Massage, Aromatherapy offers pain relief in the first instance, warm oils soothe and have analgesic properties. Aromatherapy aids circulation of blood and lymphatic fluid to reduce swelling and, in turn, the pain brought on by inflammation. We are cautious not to certain oils with emmenagogue properties, these oils are known to encourage menstruation so we tend to avoid them; although if you are suffering very long and heavy periods we may introduce emmenagogues at the beginning of ovulation in order to encourage blood flow; this can be effective, yet it depends on you, your body and your symptoms, we will always treat you as an individual.

You can soothe with Aromatherapy at home, in the bath or by gently massaging your tummy with a blend of 10ml of base oil (almond, bio oil, baby oil or even olive oil would work nicely) with 1 drop of Ginger (pain relieving and warming; boosting blood flow), 2 drops of Grapefruit (a mild diuretic, easing swelling and also very uplifting, easing fatigue, and antispasmodic: relieves cramps) and 1 drop of Bergamot (lifts mood, calms the mind and aids digestion). If you are in the week of your period, you can add 1 drop of Clary Sage (also antispasmodic as well as emmenagogue), to encourage a normal menstrual flow; it may ease the heaviness of the bleed as well as soothing cramps and emotional stress. We wouldn’t recommend using at other time just because it can encourage your menstruation, though using emmenagogue oils to complement your cycle on a monthly basis may bring about a lighter and regular flow. Other emmenagogues that can be used in this way are Juniper, Jasmine and Cypress oils.

Reflexology

A foot massage that involves mapping the body to the foot and working over points that stimulate nerve endings to send messages to your brain to check and heal where it’s needed. Body balancing and incredibly relaxing, we have found that Reflexology minimises swelling and pain as well as reducing ovarian cysts in some cases; believe it or not, Reflexology can be effective at breaking down scar tissue and draining excess fluid and build up.

The ovarian and uterine points are situated at the indents of your ankles at the top of your foot, the uterus in the inside on either foot, each ovary at the outer side of the ankle, the fallopian tube runs between the two. You can calm menstrual or ovarian pain by pushing your thumb onto the ovary indent and rotating the point anti-clockwise in a slow rythym to ‘wind down’ the angry area. If your endometriosis pain is related to other systems of your body, see the reflexology foot map and ‘thumb walk’ over the zone in firm steps and expect to feel a relief from the discomfort in that area. Or, a better idea is to book yourself in for a session and you get the luxury of taking the weight off your feet and when you relax, it’s so much more effective. So many people fall asleep during a Reflexology treatment, your feet are so important, they spend all day carrying you around it’s amazing how good it feels to give them a rest.

Holistic Massage

We’ve had success in relieving the symptoms of Endometriosis by giving a balancing Holistic Massage or Full Works treatment. With these treatments we are combining the effective properties of Aromatherapy and Reflexology with Massage techniques to soothe aches and pains. Massage helps by gently breaking down muscular adhesions and scar tissue with mobilisation and frictions; to balance the circulation throughout the body with Lymphatic Drainage methods to purify by collecting toxins and moving along stagnant fluid as well as distributing proteins and vitamins throughout the tissues. We also use Swedish techniques such as Petrissage to bring blood into the muscles and tissues to nourish, balance, warm and soothe. There are Acupressure points, as in Acupuncture, which relate directly to the reproductive system, by stimulating these points we can often remove blockages that may be restricting circulation, this in turn can help to break down scar tissue and adhesions. Abdomen massage can be helpful when applied correctly and depending on your condition.

So what Treatment would be right for me?

The type of treatment we recommend really will be unique to you, likely a combination of the techniques above but we will also put a lot of focus on making you feel comfortable, happy and special. It’s all about giving you the chance to give yourself permission to relax and be cared for by someone who knows what they’re doing. Many of our clients enhance their treatment with an Organic Facial, or Holistic Back Massage to break down tension and soothe aches and pains. You could book a 90 minute Top-to-Toe Deluxe where you could be treated to an Organic Facial, Full Body Holistic Massage with Aromatherapy and Reflexology Foot Massage Treatment. You’ll feel great afterwards; when we rest, our body heals quicker. To make these Holistic solutions more accessible for you, we’re offering a free consultation to anyone who thinks they may be suffering with Endometriosis or heavy, painful periods, plus 10% off of any treatment at YOU Massage Therapy.

We’re happy to answer any questions you may have about which of our massage therapies may be correct for you, click here to contact us online or call 02380 639 747. We may suggest you speak to a doctor before progressing depending on your medical history and severity of your condition, mainly to make sure you have all the help and support you need. You don’t have to suffer alone. Endometrioses UK and You Massage Therapy are here to support you all we can.

Amy Bennett

Amy is the Head Massage Therapist and business owner has been practicing Holistic Massage in Southampton for the benefit of relaxation and treating minor ailments since 2004. “After year’s of practising massage therapy from home, I realised that there was a distinct lack of places offering effective treatments that are both luxuriously relaxing and highly effective. There was a real call for a place that offered an effective solution to both stress and tension, most places around don’t even offer a consultation with their clients, let alone tailor it to their individual needs! Starting a new business in a recession was quite scary, but the positive response we’ve had has been overwhelming and we grow a little more each month.” Almost 90% of Amy’s clients rebook a follow up appointment on the same day.

The majority of deep tissue massage techniques are from the Greek and Egyptian civilisations but were massively improved in the 1940’s when Therese Pfrimmer, a Canadian physiotherapist starting using deep tissue techniques on herself after suffering paralysis in her legs. Eventually she amazingly reversed her paralysis with the help of months of massage and thereafter provided deep tissue massage to others suffering with paralysis, developing the first deep tissue massage clinic.

Deep tissue massage is a treatment than can be used in a variety of situations, but primarily deep pressure is sustained for longer periods than in other types of massage aimed at reaching those deeper muscles once you have worked on the superficial ones.

Initially a lighter pressure is sustained to reduce tension in the superficial muscles then throughout the treatment pressure will become deeper, working on the chronic tension that is apparent in the deeper muscles. For deeper pressure the fists, forearms, knuckles and elbows can be used as well as the palms and fingers to break down adhesions which stopping the range of motion in the muscles in the particular area.

I have found as a therapist that using the knuckles and elbows to break down adhesions is more effective as the pain deriving from the tense areas will decrease quicker than using the fingers and thumbs. In the same way using my fists or forearms for effleurage instead of my palms has reduced tension a lot quicker meaning more areas can be worked on in one treatment instead of spending too much time on one area.

Deep tissue massage is used on a variety of individuals, but is particularly useful for those suffering from chronic pain and those with a whole range of medical conditions such as chronic migraines, arthritis and depression. This type of treatment is also used by athletes as part of their training regime to stop injuries from occurring, reduce muscular tension and to relax them after training sessions. More importantly, athletes will also use deep tissue massage if they have an injury such as frozen shoulder, tennis elbow and ligament sprains. Those with work related injuries such as RSI (repetitive strain injury), postural problems and stress will also benefit from deep tissue massage as well as post operative patients to reduce scar tissue.

Although deep tissue massage is suitable for helping treat a variety of medical conditions it is always wise to check with your GP beforehand in case there are any contraindications to having this type of treatment. Typical cases when not to have deep tissue massage are when you are heavily pregnant, directly after an injury, when you have a skin condition or contagious infection.

Plenty of water should be drank on the day of a massage to help remove the toxins from the body and to re-hydrate the muscles as they will have become dehydrated during treatment and it is sometimes advisable to warm the muscles before a treatment to help the healing process.

Pete

Peter is our newest recruit and has already achieved 100% of his clients rebooking appointments, even those who were at first unsure about seeing a male therapist; which demonstrates the quality of the treatments he provides. Well presented, calming and with an in-depth knowledge of Sports and Remedial Massage, he can adjust the pressure to be most effective and comfortable, providing good firm pressure and advanced massage techniques where it’s needed.

Lynn here, YOU Massage Therapy newest therapist!  I am trained in various therapies from Swedish Massage to Northern Thai Massage.  However my favourite treatment of all is that of Reiki.

Now, I know that some of you may think “what a lot of hocus-pocus whilst others can really feel the magical healing powers of the energies that surround us. This blog is about my experiences with Reiki and how I use it as an alternative or complementary therapy.

My first encounter with Reiki:

Like some of you out there I thought “hum… interesting, but really, how can this work?”  Only way to find out is giving it a go. Something sparked my interest, although I couldn’t put my finger on it…instead of booking in for a treatment I threw myself into the deep end and attended a share group of Reiki masters and Mediums (hocus-pocus, hey?) in 2006.

We begin with some meditation, good start, I begin to relax.  The leader of the group then asks who would like to have some Reiki; this quiet lady pipes up and climbs onto the couch.  A group of 4 of us gather around her and the Master turns to me and says “just go with what you feel”.  As the session progresses, I start to feel a tingling sensation in my hands and, for want of a better word, they are magically drawn to her right arm.  Every time I tried to pull away I am gently drawn back to her right arm; a very strange and yet very powerful feeling!  At the end of the Reiki session, the Master asks the lady if she had felt anything, and she responds “just very relaxed”.  The question goes out to the group and it’s me who only speaks out about my strange experience.  The lady turns to the master and says, “I broke my right arm early in the year when skiing and it is still healing!” I’m amazed at myself, I just felt a pull to the area to surround it with healing energy. Weird or what?!

From then on, I was hooked! I had to learn more.  Through my various travels and studies I was combining Japanese and Indian culture to work with the Chakras (which are considered to be the centres of human spirituality, seven of them, positioned around the body), whilst performing Reiki on a client, balancing the body, mind and spirit as I work from head to toe.

So how would I describe the feeling, the pull, the sensation that guides me during a Reiki Massage? During most treatments, I see specific colours; whether this be in the form of a flower or an item of clothing that pops into my head, the colour is what’s unique. After a Reiki Treatment with me, I will discuss with you the colours I have seen or the energies I have felt and most will be able to relate.  Most recently whilst performing Reiki on a regular client, the colour blue channelled strongly, blue relating to the throat chakra, the healing energies were directed to this area during the treatment and she informed me afterwards how she had taken up singing again after a few years and she was feeling the strain in her throat.

So how will you feel during a Reiki session? Many clients experience a warming sensation, or thought my hands where whooshing around their stomach when I am in fact at their feet grounding them.  Some feel nothing at all but, always, very relaxed.  Booking a Reiki session is giving yourself permission to relax and a good Reiki practitioner will be very capable in helping you do so, particularly, as is very popular, if you enhance your treatment with Aromatherapy, Guided Meditation or Massage.

Now I wouldn’t say I was clairvoyant but my most unusual experience was whilst working on a Reiki Master (someone who’s completed years of training and hours of Reiki practice). An image of a white cottage with a grey slated roof came to mind, and it was as though I was watching it from above.  I discussed this beautiful image with this gentleman and he apparently sees this cottage everyday outside his kitchen window! How strange, not sure what it means!  He then gave me a Reiki Massage and, I kid you not, he was able to describe the image I used to think back to during medical treatments when I was a child, of a red fox running across my grandparents’ gravelled drive in the snow. It’s these shared and unique experiences that make Reiki so magical to me, and, as I say at the beginning, you will never know unless you try…

The real magic of Reiki, for my clients and I, are the various benefits it brings to both healer and the one who is being healed.  Whether the client feels a strange sensation of heat or tingling or nothing at all they do leave feeling deep relaxation and clarity, it helps many people digest their thoughts, let go of trauma and allow calm for the body to heal.

I gave a Reiki Massage to our Head Therapist, Amy “I could feel whirling motions from my chest to my abdomen like someone was slowly moving a fan over my person, I had a sneak peak and Lynn just had her hands held over my chest, she said she was drawn to my pectoral area, I do get an incredible amount of tightness there! I also felt as relaxed afterwards as I have done with Massage, only without the worked on feeling in my muscles, just very relaxed, I was pleased, being a sceptic and a scientist, that a Reiki Massage is an effective and non invasive Holistic Treatment, I’m very pleased that we can now offer Reiki Southampton to our clients!” So why not give the power of Reiki ago and book an appointment today! Suitable for everyone, even if you are undergoing treatment, we can help you relax and your body and mind heal. Any questions? Drop us an email using the contact me form or give us a call any time. Reiki appointments are currently available on Monday and Wednesday evening and on Sundays.

See you soon,

Lynn

Lynn

Our Welcoming New Look!

Hello! Amy here, founder and Head Therapist of YOU Massage Therapy. So here we go, my first blog post, it’s a bigg’un, sorry! I have been so incredibly busy with many little projects to get YOU Massage Therapy (Massage Southampton) running like a dream, we’ve been growing so quickly that we’ve all had to adapt and grow as therapists and co-workers. I’m ecstatic to say we are a busy, happy little family and I’m so proud of every one of my team for their hard work and patience over the past 6 months. We’ve added new treatments such as Indian Head Massage, Sports Massage, Thai Massage, Reiki, Hot Stones Massage, Thai Hot Compress (page coming soon) and Pregnancy Massage! I feel that now, finally, we have hit all our targets in terms of the building, the processes and the attitude, which is so important to our success, everyone is caring for clients and colleagues alike, expertly in their field and everyone’s mucked in to get the jobs done!

Last weekend we closed our Southampton Massage Studio for three days (well, two and a bit, I managed to fit a couple of clients in on Saturday afternoon as we are so so busy with bookings, hope you didn’t notice the saw dust out the back!). Our main focus was getting up-spec ventilation installed; with the closure in mind and we being tenacious multi-taskers, I decided to pull in a team of lovely friends, family, clients and colleagues to grab a brush or roller and get stuck in, let’s get the place looking gorgeous! And it certainly does, every inch of the place has been given a coat or two of fresh, beautiful paint….

In the Beginning! Remember the Hall?

We started early Friday morning with a good sand and sugar soap everywhere, once we’d moved all the furniture that was, good job we have toned biceps I can tell you! I nipped to various DIY shops around Southampton(well actually it took almost 2 hours!) to grab an army’s equivalent of brushes and rollers and six bold and bright pots of paint; you should have seen the store assistant’s face! I love that what we picked is not conventional! Once back and into overalls, we turned up Radio 1 whilst Eldon (legend!) got to work on installing a powerful extractor fan and putting great big holes in our walls (eek!). My big brother Tel (love you!) and I got to damp proofing, filling and priming. My good friends Chris and Sarah showed up to help, not sure if they knew what they were letting themselves in for! They did a great job and we all had a laugh and, a lot of caffeine later, everything got done! The highlight of our day was a couple of lads popping down in the evening and asking how much it cost to get into our club! Ha ha ha! They may have been disappointed had they come down, by now there were piles of chopped wood and sawdust everywhere, dust sheets over everything and a bunch of scruffy workers bouncing around the place, although we were having a blast I can assure you! I think we flopped home at about11pm for a wholesome Chinese takeaway and a good scrub in the shower!

Tel Getting Stuck In!

Saturday was another early start for Tel, Eldon and I, and wow, it all started to take shape pretty quickly! What with the sanding and priming, things were actually looking a little worse by the end of Friday, but that’s how these things go, you’ve got to go through the process in order! Whilst I disappeared to give a Deep Tissue Massage with Aromatherapy and a Detox Deluxe Experience Treatmentto two clients (I was grateful for the break, to do what I do best!) the back of the studio was literally transformed whist I was engaged, paint and mirrors were mounted and the place filled with colour and light! The Calvary arrived bang on time in shape of Megan,Alice, Mina, Rich, Alex, Jess and Alan; I was delighted with the turn out! What amazing

Eldon putting holes in the wall!

people I know! Feeling very lucky and happy, I set to assigning jobs, and in no time there were green, gold, blue, pecan brown, bright whites, chestnut, cream and purple bringing our new walls and woodwork to life! Ventilation now fully installed and the paint drying quickly; the YOU Massage Southampton Studio began to shine in a calming, colourful persona! We called it a night at about 11.30pm (having not attracted any club goers to recruit into helping this time!), four friends, my partner Alec (who looks after the Massage Southampton Website for us!), my brother Tel and I all relaxed with some good food and music before a well earned sleep, ready to do it all again tomorrow! Bring it on!

It's all coming together! Artwork by Emily Williams

Sunday, after a good breakfast, we started a bit later at around12pm; to be fair to us there wasn’t too much to do! Or so I thought…as soon as we arrived we realised that the filler we’d plastered around the new ventilation structure was not dry! The Reception clearly needed another coat of paint and we had run out! There was gloss work to be done in the same area the walls needed cutting in with the paint we had run out of….arrgghhh! I’m so lucky I had such great people around me to calm me down and help me plan for the day! I was so worried it wouldn’t be finished; we had 25 people booked in with us over the next two days! With the heating and ventilation on full and my amazing posse, who also now included Caz, our soon to be new therapist, all busy getting the finishing touches done; I dashed to B&Q (got lost along the way!) and grabbed the last few bits we needed and sped back to the studio…

Feedback Box!

It felt like 60minute makeover or changing rooms, it was chaos! People were painting over people painting, cutting wooden trim in the hall, power sanding, caulking and filling, there was a real buzz in the air to get the job done! Then there was the cleaning, oh the cleaning! But, gradually, soon we were putting our Massage studio back together, and, by1am (!)we were done!

Middle Room: Beautiful and Warm: Artwork by Nina Fraser

It was a tiring weekend for all involved but I can confidently say we had a lot of fun too! I am just so happy with the results! Each room now has its own character and clean fresh air flowing through them; our halls and communal areas are warm and welcoming, full of light and comforting colour. It really has to be seen to be beheld, but I’ve added a few pictures into this blog so you can have a sneak peek of our new image, you must have a good look at the gorgeous paintings that adorn our walls by Nina Fraser and Emily Williams next time you pop in, just beautiful and so inspiring!

To my friends, thank you so very much, every one of you for your superb

Front Room: Cosy and Calming: Artwork by Nina Williams

contribution, without Megan our purple halls would still be drab and tatty, without Alice the reception would have no character, without Mina our newest room would still be bland, instead it’s so cosy, without Chris, Sarah and Alex our skirting, doors and pillars would not shine with gorgeous gloss white, without Alan we would have had no coffee and good music and a warm and welcoming porch area, without Rich our new ventilation and floors would still be looking shabby, and there would have been no cake! Without Jess’s artistic touch our new feedback box and shelving would still look tired, instead they gleam with earthy tones, without Alec our bathroom would be boring and plain and we would not have the professional finish of the skirting trim framing our space, or an amazing website (I love you so much), without Caz there would be a million glaring gaps in the paintwork, without Eldon I would’ve lost my faith in the building trade, without my big brother Tel I would have lost my mind!

Our Beautiful Bright Halls: Artwork by Nina Fraser

I must also send massive thanks to Chris and Sam, without whom our walls would not have been put up in the first place and to Andy for the fiddly lighting and smoke detectors! Big thank yous to Chris and Naomi for soundproofing the office most recently. To my Mum and John, who were with my every step of the way during phase one of the refurbishment (ground zero!) and for their constant support, thank you for being there with me. Thank you to my colleagues for supporting me constantly, to Nikki for calming me down, to Elise for her enthusiasm and efforts, to Pete for his flexibility, Lynn for her drive and level head, Melissa for her professionalism and hard work and to Naomi for her constant support and for giving the place a good clean on Monday morning, we could not have done it without you guys and I will be forever grateful.

So now onwards and upwards! Next installation will be Signs out the front of

Come and Visit Us Soon!

our Southampton Massage Studio and a new front door, we are ready to shout from the roof tops, WE ARE HERE! Our Reception is now manned from 10am until 8pm during weekdays and 10am until 7pm on Saturday, we have appointments available 8.30am until 9.30pm every day, except Sundays when appointments are available 11am until 5pm (currently Reception is not open on Sundays but this will soon change!). We will be holding an official launch in the spring and monthly events from then on, we are about to launch our new fresh, organic Holistic Facial range, Feedback cards for every client with various monthly competitions to Win Free Massage Treatments! We love to hear your feedback on all aspects of our business, like us on Facebook for regular updates and special offers!

I am so excited about welcoming you to our new, fresh, bright Southampton Massage Studio! Thanks for reading, see you soon!

Warm wishes,

Amy x

Amy Bennett

Amy is the Head Massage Therapist and business owner has been practicing Holistic Massage in Southampton for the benefit of relaxation and treating minor ailments since 2004. “After year’s of practising massage therapy from home, I realised that there was a distinct lack of places offering effective treatments that are both luxuriously relaxing and highly effective. There was a real call for a place that offered an effective solution to both stress and tension, most places around don’t even offer a consultation with their clients, let alone tailor it to their individual needs! Starting a new business in a recession was quite scary, but the positive response we’ve had has been overwhelming and we grow a little more each month.” Almost 90% of Amy’s clients rebook a follow up appointment on the same day.

Hello, Lynn here. Melissa, Nikki and I all practice the wonderful art of Indian Head Massage at YOU Massage, Southampton. Indian Head Massage is not only good for the hair but can relieve tension, eye strain and stress; helping relieve migraines and tension headaches by working the many pressure points around the neck, scalp and face.  Today the treatment has evolved to include the back and arms, areas that also carry the weight of today’s stresses that affect us all. In this post I’ll talk a little about it’s application past and present…

Indian Head Massage, also known as Champissage, stems from ancient Indian Medicine and has been around for centuries.  In college we were taught that mothers passed this tradition down to their sons, however, popular belief is that mothers’ massaged their daughters’ scalps to encourage the their hair growth using a mixture or oils and spices! Indian practice of medicine, called Ayurveda, is based on balancing the body, mind and spirit to promote a long life using massage of all types, with herbs, spices and oils; promoting strong muscles and skin, good health and encouraging the body’s natural healing powers.

In my travels aroundAsiaI have been lucky enough to experience this adapted treatment inChinaandThailandbefore having my hair cut, and I know we all love that experience of having our scalp massaged before its cut.  I’ve also enjoyed the treatment in its home country too in thevillageofPushkarand, I tell you, the strength these women have in their hands is an experience in itself!  The use of oils and spices create an aroma that sends you into a deep relaxation.

Popular traditional oils to use are coconut oil for dry skin, mustard oil to generate heat to stimulate the circulation, almond oil for muscle aches, sesame oil to prevent greying and olive oil to reduce swelling. At YOU, we tend not to use oils because most people prefer us not to, although, if you are going straight home afterwards indulge in and Indian Head Massage enhanced with Aromatherapy and we’ll tailor make a fresh blend for you!

As a practitioner of Indian Head massage I incorporate Reiki and working with the chakras into my treatments for an enhanced experience.  Chakras are said to be force wheels of energies and I work through the chakras to balance the mind, body and soul and use Reiki to promote healing and remove negative energies.

The treatment can be performed over clothing without oils or enhanced with oils and incorporated into an Indian Head and Full Body Massage or an Indian Head and Back Massage for a more Holistic experience, tracing the pattern of tension through the body.

Why not book one of these treatments today for yourself or a loved one and have the relaxation you deserve.  Expect an instant relief from headaches and extreme relaxation, the face and head have so many nerve endings and intricate web of muscles which is why it feel so amazing to be massaged!

Lynn