But of course, if we are already in that state of stress and with pain , massage or any alternative therapies is a very important way for the recovery of our balance. Just have a look to this list of benefits and decide if you deserve to give a time for yourself.

The Benefits 

General benefits of massage therapy:

• Feels good and it is a pleasurable experience.

• Increases your body self awareness and sensitivity.

• Reduces your stress, tension and anxiety levels.

• Calms the nervous system and has a centring/balancing effect.

• Relaxes, focuses and clears your mind.

• Helps to improve and maintain your posture.

• Helps to fulfil your need for a caring and nurturing touch.

• Encourages self-esteem and a general feeling of well-being.

• Increased your awareness of the whole being connection and improves your emotional awareness.

• Alleviates discomfort during pregnancy

• Fosters peace of mind

• Enhances athletic performance; Treats injuries caused during sport or work

• Strengthens the immune system

Emotional Benefits

• Satisfies needs for caring nurturing touch

• Increases awareness of mind-body connection

Benefits to your muscular system:

• Increases the blood supply and nutrition to your muscles.

• Helps your muscles recover more quickly from exertion and fatigue.

• Relaxes your muscles, effectively reducing spasms, tension and cramping.

• Reduces and breaks down adhesions (knots) and fibrosis.

• Stretches your connective tissue.

• Helps to re-establish your proper muscular tone.

• Reduces your muscle and soft tissue pain.

• Supports increased work capacity and encourages your metabolism.

• Helps to prevent muscular atrophy (wasting from injury and paralysis).

Benefits to your skeletal system:

• Improves the circulation and nutrition of the joints and helps increase your range of joint movement.

• Reduces joint strain and compression through releasing tight muscles and tendons.

• Increases the ease and efficiency of your movements.

• Helps to increase the retention of nitrogen, phosphorous, and sulphur in the bones and this aids in fracture healing.

Benefits to your circulatory system:

• Increases the nutrition of the tissues via an increased exchange of fluids and materials.

• Via the mechanical actions on the soft tissues, produces a dilation of the blood vessels which helps to improve your circulation.

• Helps to reduce the lack of blood and by direct pressure and stimulation reduces pain due to the irritation of nerves that control your circulatory system.

• Enhances the elimination of the waste products of your metabolism.

• Helps to reduce any swelling and contusions.

• Increases the number of red blood cells in your circulation.

• Has the overall effect of lowering your blood pressure and reduces your pulse rate.

• Facilitates tissue healing through the enhancement of circulation.

• Increases tissue fluid and assists lymphatic circulation thus reducing swelling and enhancing the immune and filtering activities of this system.

• Increases both your venous and lymphatic flow.

Benefits to your nervous system:

• Can have a sedative, stimulating or even exhausting effect on the nervous system depending on the type and length of treatment given.

• Stimulates the touch, pressure and proprioceptive receptors of the skin and underlying tissue.

• Helps to balance the autonomic nervous system.

• Relaxes the muscles and helps to re-establish proper tones through its effect on the neuromuscular reflex pathways.

• Is known to affect the neurotransmitters of the brain and increase endorphin secretion in particular (natural painkillers).

• Can help reduce nerve entrapment through the release of soft tissue or muscular binding.

• Can reduce nerve root compression caused by muscular tension.

Benefits to your digestive and excretory systems:

• Aides the normal movement throughout your alimentary canal assisting with many dysfunction's through its stress releasing effects.

• Increases the excretion (via the kidneys) of fluids and waste products of protein metabolism, inorganic phosphorous and salt in normal individuals.

• Can facilitate elimination through the large intestines by mechanically stimulating peristalsis and improving tone.

• Stimulates peristalsis and can reduce cramping or spasm in the digestive tract.

Benefits to your Skin:

• Helps to reduce tension in the skin and adjoining tissues as well as increasing its circulation and improve its nutrition.

• Depending on the medium used to apply it can help to re-moisturise, and soften dry skin.

• Can help with some skin conditions like eczema, but please check with your Doctor to make sure that what you have is not contagious.

Benefits to your respiratory system:

• Deepens and normalises the breathing pattern through relaxation, and release of tension in the breathing structures, both the rib cage and the muscles of respiration.

• Can help to relieve congestion in the lungs through percussive and compressive movements.

• Increases the action of the heart, stimulating the blood flow to and from the lungs, helping with the elimination of waste and the absorption of oxygen.
  

Safety - Precautions/ Contra-Indications

    Certain medical conditions require the exercise of caution concerning the advisability of receiving massage. If you are in any doubt, or if you are under medical supervision, check with your doctor or other qualified medical practitioner before embarking on massage therapy. This advice applies particularly in the case of cardiovascular conditions and heart disease, especially in cases of thrombosis, phlebitis, and oedema. Massage will be avoided during the first three months of pregnancy when the risk of miscarriage is highest.

   The causes of acute back pain should first be diagnosed by a physician before receiving massage treatment. Consult a qualified medical practitioner in cases of raised temperature, infections, or contagious disease.

Seek medical advice before having a massage if you have any of the following conditions:

nt. Consult a qualified medical practitioner in cases of raised temperature, infections, or contagious disease.

Seek medical advice before having a massage if you have any of the following conditions:

• Circulatory problems: Phlebitis, thrombosis, varicose veins, heart conditions, internal bleeding or hemorrhage.

• If you are under medication.

• Diabetes: Reflexology may affect insulin levels.

• Clients with undiagnosed conditions/pain, lumps or bumps, who may or may not be receiving treatment.

• Medical Oedema.

• Osteoporosis.

• Skin infections and contagious diseases.

• Acute rheumatism or arthritis.

• Asthma/ Bronchitis.

• Bells Palsy.

• Locally: On recently fractured, sprained or strained feet/ankles, over undiagnosed lumps or bumps, cuts, bruising or abrasions, over inflammation/swelling.

• Scar tissue: 2 years after a major operation.

• Any condition being treated by another medical practitioner.

It is totally contraindicated for these conditions:

• Cancers: Not contraindicated for terminal stages.

• Pregnancy: During the first trimester.

• Epilepsy: Treatment may stimulate an attack.

• Under the influence of alcohol or other non-medical drugs.

Reflexology, Hopi Ear Candles and Indian Head massage:

 1/2 hour           Price: 30 €

Hot Stones: 1 hour                Price: 65 €

Any other massage: 1 hour             Price: 50€

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