There are dozens of different types of Holistic therapies and beauty treatments, all of which will improve your health, looks and general well being. Listed here are just a few, with a brief explanation of what they can do for you.
Body Massage
Massage Therapy in all its forms has a role to play in many chronic conditions such as arthritis and osteoporosis. By using various massage techniques the therapist can reduce muscle spasm and encourage the body back into balance.
All areas of the body can be manipulated to different degrees to bring about relaxation, which eases physical and mental tension. But by altering the combination of movements a more stimulating effect can be created that leaves the client feeling toned and invigorated, rather than relaxed and sleepy.
Benefits include the nourishment of the skin and all its structures, stimulation and strengthening of muscle fibres, improvement in the blood and lymph circulation, elimination of waste, increased glandular activity and of course, pain relief.
As if that were not enough massage provides a number of other benefits like improving motion, aiding sleep and increasing the production of endorphins that improve your mood. Is it any wonder you feel so good after a massage..!!
General Benefits of Massage
- General relaxation of muscles
- Fibrous adhesions (knots) can be released
- Toxins released from tense muscles
- Increasd oxygen to muscles
- Improve circulation
- Stimulates the lymphatic flow and circulation
- Aids joint mobility
- Stimulates the immune system and strengthens resistance to disease
- Helps to combat infections
- Aids digestion by easing constipation and abdominal spasms
- Eases coughs, colds and sinusitis
- Helps eliminate cellulite and toxins from the body
- Lowers blood pressure
- Reduces stress levels
- Combats insomnia and other stress-related disorders
- Alleviates tension headaches
- Eases anxiety, mild depression and other emotional issues
Indian Head Massage
Indian Head Massage has always played an important role in the everyday life of Indian people. From birth to adulthood, family members share the tradition of massaging each other which lends itself to bonding and caring.
The treatment involves massage and acupressure techniques on upper back, shoulders, arms, neck, scalp and face.
Sometimes oils are used on the hair, designed to stimulate the hair follicles and promote hair growth. Have you ever wondered why Indian women have such healthy looking hair?
The aim of Indian Head Massage is to release the stress that has accumulated in the tissues, fibres, muscles and joints of the head, face, neck and shoulders.
It is a very therapeutic massage that will help the following conditions:
- Dispersal of toxins from tense, knotted muscles
- Improvement of circulatory and lymphatic systems
- Improvement of joint mobility
- Tension Headaches
- Tinnitus and ear problems
- Insomnia
- Neck and Shoulder stiffness
- Sinusitis
- Scalp tension
- Anxiety and stress
Myotherapy (or Trigger Point Therapy)
This massage uses pressure to release tension in muscles that have become chronically tight from trauma, overuse, or poor posture. Many of these "trigger points" are the same as those used in acupressure.
Trigger points are clustered areas of pain in or around muscles that usually radiate pain in a predictable pattern. When a muscle or group of muscles incurs injury it automatically contracts around the area to support and protect it. If pain is resolved quickly the muscles will relax. If pain persists, the muscles can become habitually contracted. Sometimes this may cause tingling, numbness, and more pain.
A contracted muscle can’t hold much blood. Blood transports oxygen and nutrients to the muscles and carries away waste products. When a muscle is deprived of healthy circulation it doesn’t receive enough oxygen and nutrients and waste products accumulate. This can result in fatigue and soreness. It can also irritate nerves in the area causing the pain to spread beyond the immediate area.
For example, a therapist might work on your trapezius muscles (the ones between your shoulder blades and your neck) in order to relieve tension headaches.
During a massage session the therapist warms up and relaxes the contracted muscles with kneading strokes after which they will press directly on the tender points. This may feel slightly uncomfortable but not painful, since pain will just cause the muscle to contract further. Once they feel the trigger points release, the therapist will continue to work on the surrounding muscles so that they won't tighten up again.
Myofascial release Massage
Myofascial release is a mixture of massage and stretches aimed at easing tension in your "fascia", the soft connective tissue between muscles and bones.
Fascia is a very dense, woven cover for every muscle, bone, nerve, artery, vein and organ in our bodies. It is not a system of separate coverings but one complete structure that exists from head to foot without interruption so each part of the entire body is connected to every other part by the fascia.
In a normal healthy state the fascia is relaxed and has the ability to stretch and move. However when we experience physical trauma, scarring, or inflammation the fascia loses its flexibility. It becomes tight, shortened and restricted resulting in pain or restriction of movement.
The therapist will use gentle, kneading movements that stretches, lengthens and realigns the fascia and coax muscles in spasm to relax and break the adhesions in the fascia. Our bodies respond to these therapies by releasing tension that has been stored in the fascia thus allowing more flexibility and mobility of the muscles, fascia and associated structures.
Lymphatic Drainage Massage
Lymphatic drainage massage is a very delicate gentle form of massage that stimulates the body’s lymphatic system, improves the metabolism, helps the body to eliminate waste and toxins and provides a boost to the immune system.
This massage technique is usually the one applied when you have an Aromatherapy Massage.
You have probably heard that massage improves circulation? But exactly what does that mean?
Well, the lymphatic system is responsible for helping fluid and waste leave the body and for regulating the immune system.
When the lymphatic system slows down fluid builds up causing the system to become toxic, making us feel sluggish and more susceptible to disease.
By stimulating this system through massage, it will work more efficiently which in turn boosts the immune system, clears blockages, eliminates toxins, transports nutrients to cells and increases the metabolism.
Lymphatic drainage massage is especially useful for individuals who suffer regularly from common ailments like colds and flu. It is also recommended for people who are not particularly active, feel listless or who want to reduce puffiness or swelling due to water retention or poor circulation. It can also have a very beneficial effect on problem skin or cellulite.
Facial Massage
Holistic Facial massage is a valuable tool in resisting age-related changes and after a few sessions you will feel tension ebbing away and notice a big difference in the condition of your skin.
Depending on your skin condition the therapist will select from a wide range of essential oils to use on your face and neck. These oils have incredible penetrative properties that allow them to go deep into the five layers of the skin to the dermis where they will help restore balance to the skin.
Holistic Facials have the same principles as aromatherapy and are slightly different to a normal facial treatment in that they will include the use of pressure techniques on the face and neck to stimulate these areas, raising the temperature of the skin that improves blood circulation.
Facial massage restores the suppleness of the skin by helping to untangle collagen and elastin fibres that improve skin elasticity and help to lift up the face and improve the condition of the skin.
Holistic facials that include the use of pressure techniques are extremely relaxing and beneficial to the skin.
- Improvements of facial skin and muscle tone
- Relaxation of facial and eye muscles
- Relief from tension headaches and facial pain
- Help with liver and gall bladder imbalances
- Relief of neck tension
- Alleviation of stress and nervous disorders
Reflexology
Reflexology is a popular alternative therapy that uses the application of pressure to the feet. It is based on the underlying theory that there are "reflex" areas on the feet that correspond to specific organs, glands, and other parts of the body.
The body is divided into 10 longitudinal zones—five on each side of the body. Each organ or part of the body is represented on the feet and the therapist can diagnose abnormalities by using pressure techniques on the feet.
Working over each area can stimulate the flow of energy, blood, nutrients, and nerve impulses to the corresponding body zone and thereby relieve ailments in that zone.
Reflexology is not painful and if you do feel any discomfort, soreness or tenderness you should always tell the therapist who may spend more time on these areas to relieve any specific problems.
Reflexology promotes relaxation, improves circulation, reduces pain, soothes tired feet, and encourages overall healing and doesn't tickle..!! It is particularly effective for the following conditions.
- Stress and stress-related conditions
- Tension headaches
- Digestive disorders and constipation
- Arthritis
- Insomnia
- Hormonal imbalances
- Menstrual disorders, such as premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
- Back pain
Metamorphic Technique
What can the Metamorphic Technique do for me?
The Metamorphic Technique is a simple approach to self-healing and personal development that enables you to transform your life patterns and begin to move from who you are to what you can be.
It’s about change and transformation which can occur on a number of levels - physical, mental, emotional and behavioral.
People are often drawn to the Metamorphic Technique at difficult times such as illness, bereavement, divorce etc, or simply because they feel 'stuck' in their lives.
Sessions are non-diagnostic: the therapist does not address specific symptoms or problems and clients don’t have to discuss their problems or delve into their past and no personal and only limited medical history is required.
People often report significant changes in the way they see life and how they feel about themselves; often they experience a growing sense of purpose and inner strength and may find themselves changing their job, moving house, leaving a relationship or finding a new one, as their life 'gets on track'.
How many sessions are needed and how often?
It is entirely up to each person to determine the number and frequency of sessions received. As everyone is different therapists cannot predict how long it will take for changes to happen.
What does Metamorphic Technique involve?
A session usually lasts for just under an hour. The therapist massages the spinal reflex points of the feet, the hands and the head. After the session some people may wish to talk about their experience and that’s fine, but it's necessary.
Is Metamorphic Technique for everyone?
Yes. It's gentle, non-invasive and completely safe. It can be used on anyone including children, pregnant mothers and people who are seriously ill.
How was the technique developed?
The Metamorphic Technique has its origins in the work of Robert St. John, a British naturopath and reflexologist. For further information check out the Metamorphic Association.
Hopi Ear Candling
Thermal Auricular Therapy (also known as Hopi Ear Candling) is an ancient and natural therapy handed down by many civilisations. It is believed that the Ancient Greeks used ear candles, initially for cleansing, purifying and healing on a spiritual basis, but much later on a purely physical basis.
The practice reached the modern world via the native American Hopi (meaning peaceful) Indians of North Arizona. Ear candles were used traditionally by Shamen healers and ancient wall paintings show their importance in initiation rituals and healing ceremonies of the tribe. The candles are still made today on the basis of the old traditional formula originating from the Hopi Indians.
The candles used by MMC Holistic Therapies are a very safe and natural product made according to the traditional Hopi Indian recipe. The ingredients include pure beeswax, precious honey extracts and organic linen. These are combined with powdered Indian medicinal herbs, such as Sage, St. John's Wort and Chamomile - all well known for their healing properties.
Hopi Ear Candling is a pleasant and non-invasive treatment of the ears, used to treat a variety of conditions. The ear candles induce a revitalising heat upon the head and ears, which soothes, relieves and relaxes. Results may vary in each individual but generally it is used to help with:
It will help to stop a build up of excessive or compacted wax in the ears (it will NOT remove hard wax).
Irritation in ears and sinuses
Sinusitis
Stress related conditions including headaches and migraine
Noises or ringing in the ears
Aromatherapy
The name is derived from two words – AROMA, meaning fragrance and THERAPY, meaning treatment.
Aromatherapy was used in ancient civilisations and is reputed to be in excess of 6,000 years old. It is quite widely thought that Aromatherapy may have begun in Egypt and a document dating back to about 1555BC has been found containing remedies for many types of illness with the methods of application being similar to those used today in both Aromatherapy and Herbal medicine.
Aromatherapy utilises Essential Oils - some of which you may use at home. They are used in food flavourings, fragrances, pharmaceuticals as well as aromatherapy. The oils are obtained from petals, seeds, leaves, fruit, bark and roots of plants - all 100% natural.
Essential oils are drawn into the body by the skin and nose and offer both psychological and physiological benefits. They can penetrate to a deep layer of our skin called the dermis. Some are strongly antiseptic, others promote healthy cell growth and some stimulate or soothe the nervous system of the body.
Together with a well-balanced diet, exercise and a daily intake of plenty of water, aromatherapy can help to keep our bodies in peak condition.
Essential oils can act directly on the limbic system (part of the brain that deals with emotions) and is also absorbed through the skin so can be beneficial for a broad range of physical, emotional, psychological, and even spiritual ailments.
If you are not sure what treatment would improve your general health or well being just ask your therapist. A good therapist will be happy to discuss this with you before the start of any treatment.
