What is massage therapy?

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Massage therapy is the manual treatment of muscles, fascia and other connective tissues within the body. It is a powerful tool to help you take charge of your own health and wellbeing, whether you are looking to relieve stress, ease your aches and pains, correct poor posture or manage an ongoing health condition. 

At JS Massage Therapy we offer deep tissue massage, sports massage, pregnancy massage and manual lymphatic drainage.

Our range of treatments help many conditions, including:

· Chronic pain

· Anxiety and depression

· Neurological conditions such as MS, Fibromyalgia and Parkinson’s Disease

· Osteoarthritis

· Heart disease

· Sciatica

· Sleep disorders

· Sports injuries such as tennis elbow

· Scoliosis and other spine conditions

· Repetitive stress injuries

· Post-operative care

· Pain during pregnancy

· Soft tissue strains.

Deep tissue massage is a broad-ranging treatment focussing on muscles and connective tissue that have become stiff and restricted from overuse. This can cause general feelings of tightness through to severe pain, disrupting your daily life. Whether you live an active lifestyle or not, you may experience problems due to lifestyle factors. These can include back and neck pain from sitting for long periods at work to muscular imbalances in your shoulders due to poor posture. 

During a deep tissue massage different pressures, movements and techniques are applied to your body to manipulate the affected muscles and other soft tissues, helping them to relax and function effectively. A combination of techniques may be used, including myofascial release, trigger point therapy and muscle energy techniques. These are combined into one treatment to give your musculoskeletal system the most effective results possible.

Sports massage is very similar to deep tissue massage but specifically focussed on muscles and joints that have been overused or injured during sport or exercise. This includes everything from worn out legs through to sport-induced conditions such as tennis elbow or peroneal tendonitis. I happily provide pre- and post- event massage to ensure you are at your best for your next big challenge!

Pregnancy is such an exciting time in a woman’s life, but it may also cause aches and pains as well as feelings of anxiety and exhaustion. Although not all the usual deep tissue massage techniques can be used, firm pressure to the back, neck and shoulders produces an overall sense of relaxation and tension release. Lighter and more localised techniques are employed on your lower back and legs to reduce tightness and decrease swelling (oedema). Lying face-down on a unique, specially designed pregnancy cushion, you can spend the hour in comfort and calm.

This is a light, skin-stretching massage that is designed to stimulate the lymphatic system and promote the movement of lymphatic fluid out of swollen limbs. This technique reduces inflammation, removes toxins from the tissues and stimulates the immune system. I adapt my hand movements and sequences for each person, depending on their condition.

Regular massage therapy provides the following benefits:

· Alleviates pain and muscle tension

· Increases flexibility in your joints

· Reduces inflammation

· Improves circulation

· Improves posture

· Helps with recovery after injury or surgery

· Improves sleep

· Slows down your nervous system, reducing stress and anxiety

· Improves your immune system

· Breaks down scar tissue

· Reduces headaches

· Enhances athletic performance.