PICKING THE RIGHT RUBDOWN

Massage Therapy may seem a little self-indulgent; after all you are serenading yourself into the warm healing touch of your therapist and drifting far away from daily stresses into pure relaxation and harmony. But Massage Therapy is not only a blissful experience; it is just an added bonus. Massage has been proven to have many health benefits and should be an absolute priority in achieving optimal health and well being for the body, mind and spirit.

Linet Tshukudu, a masseuse at Renewed Day Spa says that clients need different massages depending on several factors including pain tolerance levels and underlying health conditions.

Tales have been told of people who have fallen off massage beds jumping from the sudden pain of the masseuse’s kneading. For such people whose pain tolerance levels are low, Tshukudu recommends Swedish massage as the go-to option for relaxation as it involves a gentle touch.

The Swedish massage technique is also the recommended approach for expectant mothers whose bodies might be a bit sensitive from the raging hormones.

However, not everyone should get a massage as the vigour with which it is done might be painful for people with conditions like arthritis. People with haemophilia (an inherited bleeding disorder in which the blood does not clot properly) should also not get massages as internal bleeding can be caused even by minor trauma to muscles and joints. A responsible masseuse, according to Tshukudu, will ask for a medical history before the first session.

Then there is the hot stone massage,Tshukudu says that if one is a hiker, this option would serve them well.

The stones, made of basalt, are heated and placed on different parts of your body, releasing tension and easing muscle pain. Here, the Swedish massage techniques are applied together with the hot stones.

For the daring, a deep tissue massage may cause some little pain and discomfort, but it is most effective in releasing tension from the deepest layers of muscles. People with structural abnormalities of the spine may also benefit from this massage.

Experimentation with different types of massages guides one in finding what works for them. For anyone sentimental about scents or who wants a massage that will improve their mood, an aromatherapy massage would be their best bet.

The pleasant aroma of the essential oils aids in triggering pleasant emotions.

Unlike other massages, reflexology typically does not use oil. Tshukudu says this massage, which involves applying pressure to the feet and hands, helps induce a deep feeling of relaxation.

Though an ancient Chinese practice, reflexology has in recent years been adapted as a holistic therapy to relieve pain and stress. Reflexologists believe different areas of the feet correspond to specific body organs the application of the pressure enhances healing mechanisms in the body.