Liz Seal Holistic Massage
I enjoyed a day of training this week, learning about these techniques to allow me to more effectively help my clients to relax, repair and renew. These techniques are performed on dry skin, before applying massage oil and rely on client feedback to assist in the release of deeply held tension and discomfort. While not in themselves relaxing, the resultant melting away of deep muscle pain can be felt as relief.
Myofascial release
The myofascia is a type of connective tissue which surrounds muscle fibres. If this connective tissue is tight or damaged, the muscles may be restricted, resulting in inhibited movement or discomfort. By releasing the fascia we can allow the muscles to contract and relax, which in turn allows us to move.
Trigger Points
Trigger points can be defined as a localised point of tenderness in a muscle, often felt as knots or tight spots which are tender when pressed. By activating a trigger point, the underlying muscle tension can be released, allowing a smoother contraction and relaxation of the muscle.
When our muscles are held in an ‘unnatural’ posture, by inactivity or remaining in one posture for prolonged periods of time (eg driving long distances or working at a pc) our bodies will try to compensate. Our bodies are a functional unit, designed for movement. In this modern age, we are spending more time in a static state rather than moving around constantly. This in turn can produce postural compromises. For example, rounded shoulders, as a result of slouching at our desk, restricts the movement of the shoulder blades. The muscles of the upper back, upper arms and shoulders can become over stretched and constricted. By releasing the tension in these muscles, we can allow our shoulder blades to realign, which in turn allows our lungs to fill fully, bringing more oxygen into our bodies. Simply taking a moment to rotate the shoulders and gently rotate the neck can relieve this tension, but this needs to be done regularly, preferably before the tension has had chance to take hold.
Regular massage can be effective in relieving and relaxing the muscles, allowing for improvements in posture and increasing the blood supply to the muscles. This will assist in the repair of damaged tissues. By using a range of techniques, I am able to encourage my clients to ‘Relax, Repair and Renew’. For more information or to book a treatment, please contact me.