Understanding Massage

Massage is a way of aiding the body and mind to relax and rejuvenate the body in it’s entirety. To achieve this, the massage practitioner works with the muscles and soft tissues and with other bodies systems.

The concept of the connection between the body, mind and emotion can be viewed in several ways. For example, think of a pleasant situation - warm emotions are evoked as the body relaxes into the image. Whereas, if driving the car an accident looks imminent, the body tenses, the mind races looking for an escape route.

Emotions such as fear and anxiety are foremost in the mind at this point. These are extreme examples, but on a daily basis our mind subtly alters our physical state.

Through massage our awareness of our body’s state is heightened and we can learn to recognize the developing signs of dis-ease and thereby take the opportunity to deal with this.

Under the daily stress of living the muscular system’s usual response is to “tighten up”, this in turn affects our skeleton by pulling it out of alignment. These muscles often remain contracted, reducing the work potential until finally we need to see a chiropractor,physiotherapist, or massage therapist for treatment.

The overriding result of tension is a vicious circle of pain and restricted blood flow, which in turn leads to more pain and eventually spasm.

You can break this cycle with massage and relaxation techniques.

The use of superficial stroking and effleurage help to deaden the pain and release tension. Circulation is stimulated through kneading, therefore aiding the removal of metabolic waste.

Massage is a way of helping to prevent this stress response, by inducing a state of relaxation, which eases tension out of the body assisting with the relaxation of contracted muscles on a regular basis. It is a tool of health promotion as well as assisting in regaining optimal health. This state of body alignment allows all the other body systems to function optimally.

THE ELEMENT OF TOUCH

Touching is more important than many people think. In recent times it was discovered that many refugee orphans in some war-torn countries were becoming extremely ill and even dying from the lack of touch due to the fact that they had lost their families.

Touch is nurturing.

Touch is vital throughout life. It is one of the first senses to develop. Touch communication is the way a baby learns to discover what things are – by feeling, holding or touching something. Touch is encouraged with children but as we move into the teenage or young adolescent years, under the guise of personal space and safety, touch has been discouraged somewhat as being unacceptable in many areas of our society. It was once believed if a baby or a young child was given too much touching they would become spoiled. Another fear, relevant to young boys, was that over pampering with touch might turn them into “sissies” – we now this not to be true!


Touch is a form of nourishment throughout life. A lack of caring touch can be substituted for in many ways. A example of this is the physical action of hitting someone or fighting, or even throwing a tantrum to gain physical contact and attention. Not always the best solutions! These forms of touch actions may develop into long-term patterns of dealing with stress in a dysfunctional way if the circumstances of life assist them.

As people grow old, it is evident that touch becomes one of the first contact qualities lost to them. If there is a baby or a young child and an elderly person in the same room it is the young one who receives all the touching contact and fuss. The elderly are often overlooked except for the initial hello hug and peck on the cheek if lucky! The elderly are denied touch for various reasons.

Massage is a way to nurture and give therapy to older people, allowing them to become comfortable with touch in a non-threatening way and reaffirm that they are worthy of touching care. Once this experience has been transmitted, the feeling of being worthwhile, being needed and useful usually returns. In some cases massage can give an older adult more meaning and purpose in life as their self-esteem increases. The therapy of massage assists with the treatment of disease in many ways.

It is important to re-establish the value of touching as a legitimate means of treating clients. Touch is a vital evaluation tool for the practitioner. It is a form of communicating with the body; to not only build trust with people, but also to show we care. Massage is one of the best forms of therapy as it needs no chemicals to work and the results can be enormously positive.

The importance of health is to maintain order between the mind, body and emotions in one’s life. Massage can be used to assist in maintaining this order and helps to keep the body in a state of ease or relocation, which will reduce the likelihood of dis-ease. This is not to say massage can do everything by itself. Massage, combined with other factors such as good eating habits, gentle, regular exercise and learning to take time out from work and stress are ways that good health can be achieved. With massage we can help teach people to gain an understanding of their bodies.

The relaxation of the body assists in recovery from disease, clearing the mind of stressful thoughts and allowing healing. This process often helps to lift the spirit. The body can also be invigorated to give it more energy through proper massage technique and help it with the daily demands placed on it.

With touch we assist clients to become aware of the state or condition of their body, and teach them how to enjoy responsibility for their health, showing them ways to recognise and release tension held within their bodies.

Learn to massage with Shaz ...a wonderful chance to help people with the skill of touch!!

Saturday afternoons
(4 sessions) August 6th, 13th, 20th & 27th

on Sunday 7th & Sunday 14th August