What is Massage Therapy?

 Massage is a healing therapy which has been used for thousands of years around the world as the power of touch has been recognised for its therapeutic properties.

There are many types of massage practised but all involve the therapist using their hands, forearms, elbows and sometimes feet – e.g. in Thai massage - together with their body weight to bring some pressure to the muscles of the client’s body to help relieve stress and tension held there. This in turn improves blood flow to the areas worked on which brings oxygen and nutrients to the area and helps move on accumulated waste products to be excreted. The lymphatic system – part of the immune and waste-disposal systems of the body – is stimulated in this process and so toxins are moved on and away from the areas of tightness/pain, creating a cleansing effect and boosting the immune system. Additionally, the part of the nervous system responsible for relaxation is stimulated so imparting a feeling of well-being and relaxation.

Appointment Details

• Tuesday 9am-6pm
• Friday 9am-6pm
• Saturday 9am-1pm

• Full body Wellness massage - Sessions are: £40 for 60 minutes | Using pre-blended massage oil, heated couch, soothing music, towels for privacy and candles for deep relaxation. Also includes face and aspects of Indian head massage to close
• Back and shoulders massage - Sessions are £30 for 30 minutes.
• Holistic Facial - Sessions are £40 for 60 minutes | this wonderfully relaxing facial, using organic products, includes elements of facial reflexology to bring calm to your soul, facial massage, cleanse, exfoliate, mask and moisturise together with shoulder and neck massage. 

All age groups can benefit from massage therapy – from babies to the elderly and even pregnant women (in the second & third trimesters); pressure is adapted according the person and the body parts being worked on.

It can be helpful to have massage therapy in conjunction with other bodywork – e.g. Osteopathy - as the two complement and help each other.

Benefits & Treatments

The whole body benefits from massage, no matter where the massage is carried out on the body, the relaxation induced and the engagement of the calming part of the nervous system all contribute to a feeling of well-being and calm. Energy levels should improve afterwards.

Massage can greatly improve the effects of stress and tension, which most people experience at some level.

Massage can be carried out for specific purposes or simply as a means to relax, heal and have time for oneself.

Your privacy and modesty are protected at all times and only the area being worked on is exposed – towels cover the remaining areas of the body.

A short medical and lifestyle history is taken at the start of the first appointment in order to gauge how best to help you and what problems need to be addressed.

Massage pressure is checked with you on different areas of the body so you the client are in charge of what feels right for you.

Side Effects

Depending on the degree of stiffness and compression in the muscles, there may occasionally be some residual feeling of tiredness/fatigue as the body adapts to the treatment and the relaxation of tension. This is a short-lived effect, if it occurs at all. Otherwise the effects should be positive.

UNDERLYING HEALTH RISKS

It is virtually impossible to cause harm by professional massage – so making it suitable for all ages.

However, massage should not be performed if there is an underlying skeletal/joint issue which has not been addressed first.

Nor should it be undertaken within 6 weeks of an operation.

If you suspect you may have any symptoms of a deep-vein thrombosis then please see your GP immediately in order to rule out the possibility before massage.

 Also if you are experiencing a raised temperature/fever/infectious illness i.e. any symptoms of feeling unwell or if you have a severe or widespread skin disease then massage will not be possible.

If you have had any form of cancer and are deemed to be in remission then massage is still possible – please provide a letter of permission from your GP.

If you suffer from Epilepsy or if you are in your second or third trimesters of pregnancy please also provide a letter of permission from your GP.

There are some local contra-indications to massage in certain areas of the body but these would be advised to you during completion of the medical/lifestyle history. 

Who will Treat Me

Karen Leggett

I am a fully qualified ITEC level III Massage Therapist, who is passionate about holistic therapies and their great benefits I also am qualified in holistic facials. Fully insured and DBS Checked. Additional training in deep tissue massage allows me to work on tighter muscles at a deeper level. I offer a full body Wellness massage, using pre-blended massage oil, a heated couch, soothing music, towels for privacy and candles for deep relaxation. My wellness massage also includes face and aspects of Indian head massage to close.

Currently studying Aromatherapy (qualify end June 2022) allowing me to offer an aromatherapy massage using the healing benefits of essential oils.