Massage Therapies

Pregnancy Massage

Pregnancy massage or ‘Prenatal massage’ shares many of the benefits of traditional massage ­– to relax tense muscles, ease sore spots, improve circulation and mobility, and just make you feel good. But it’s also tailored specifically to the needs of pregnant women and their changing bodies. Our Belfast therapists, who are trained in prenatal massage, adjust their techniques accordingly.

Carrying a baby inside you changes your center of gravity and puts a lot of stress on your back, neck, abdominal muscles, and shoulders. Pregnancy also relaxes your ligaments, so that your pelvic joints are less stable, and changes your posture, pulling your pelvis forward. Add to that the extra weight you’re carrying and you may find you’ve got an aching lower back.

A trained prenatal massage therapist knows where a pregnant woman’s sore spots are likely to be and may be able to provide some relief. (She’ll also know which areas and techniques to avoid.) Still, it’s important to communicate with her and tell her where you need attention. Let her know right away if anything during the massage – including your positioning – is causing you any discomfort.

Swedish Massage

The term “Swedish Massage” refers to a variety of techniques specifically designed to relax muscles by applying pressure to them against deeper muscles and bones, and rubbing in the same direction as the flow of blood returning to the heart.

Swedish massage shortens recovery time from muscular strain by flushing the tissues of lactic acid, uric acid, and other metabolic wastes.

It increases circulation without increasing heart load. It stretches the ligaments and tendons keeping them supple and pliable.

Swedish Massage also stimulates the skin and nervous system and soothes the nerves themselves at the same time. It reduces stress, both emotional and physical, and is suggested in a regular program for stress management.

Remedial Massage

Remedial massage has the same affects as Swedish massage but is a specific massage for muscle spasms, injuries, scar tissue and joint restriction.

Remedial Massage Therapy uses a variety of classic massage strokes together with specific deep tissue techniques, working on the body’s soft tissues, muscles, tendons and fascia.

Sports Massage

Sports Massage is one of the most effective therapies for releasing muscle tension and restoring balance to the musculo-skeletal system. Received regularly this may help athletes prevent injuries, which might otherwise be caused by overuse. A constant build-up of tension in the muscles from regular activity may lead to stresses on joints, ligaments, tendons, as well as the muscles themselves.

These muscle imbalances often go undiagnosed until they are serious enough to cause the athlete discomfort or impede performance. By detecting variations in the soft tissues and by using the correct techniques, the sports person can maintain a much healthier physical state. It may therefore be reasonably claimed that one of the greatest benefits of sports massage is in helping prevent injury.

Massage Therapy is used to treat

• Sore neck & shoulders
• Back ache
• Hip problems
• Headaches
• Knee & ankle problems
• All chronic muscular aches & pains
• Sports injuries, sprains and strains

Benefits of Massage Therapy

• Promotes relaxation
• Calms the peripheral nerves
• Relieves stress and tension, factors which are known to hinder healing
• Increases flexibility
• Prevents injury
• Accelerates recovery from injury/training
• Restores muscle balance
• Increases blood flow
• Reduces muscle tension thereby improving the blood supply to an area
• Increases lymphatic flow reducing pain, swelling and inflammation and therefore speeding up the body’s own healing process.

Long-term Benefits

• Improved general circulation
• Balance of the muscles and joints, leading to a better state of health
• Breaking down of scar or fibrous tissue, restoring elasticity to the joints
• Greater mobility within the joints of the body
• Overall relief of stress
• Greater immunity to further injuries of the same area
• Reduced stress related disorders such as migraines, frozen shoulders, nervous exhaustion, headaches, aches and pains related to stress.

Make a massage appointment at our Magherafelt clinic

Book Appointment Online   Read Testimonials