mulberry holistic therapies

Swedish Massage

Body massage originated in Sweden. Swedish body massage is the original massage technique involving a sequence of movements working both superficially and deeper into the tissue layers.

Effleurage, with the palm of the hand, encourages relaxation while Petrissage movements, such as wringing and kneading, will help relieve tension in the tissues and muscles. As no two people are alike, the body massage sequence will be adapted to the client’s needs.

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Deep Tissue Massage

A therapeutic massage that works at a deeper level into the layers of fibrous muscle tissue and also relieves strain from athletic activity and strengthens muscle tissues. A ‘no pain, no gain’ treatment!

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Hot-stone Therapy Massage

Water-treated volcanic basalt heated stones are placed at specific sites on the body to promote relaxation, open energy pathways and release toxins. Muscles are pre-treated with the heated stones to more easily enable deep tissue manipulations. Cool stones are sometimes used alternately with hot stones. Massage oils are usually incorporated into the massage treatment.

Benefits of Hot Stone Massage:

• Promotes deep muscle and tissue relaxation
• Alleviates stress
• Releases toxins
• Relieves pain
• Improves circulation
• Calms the psyche

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Indian Head Massage

Indian Head Massage is a specific treatment for the head, neck, shoulders, upper arms, upper back and the face. Clients can remain seated and fully clothed or combine this treatment with other types of massage.

Working on the face, it can ease away eyestrain and release toxins to create a more youthful appearance. Massaging the face increases skin elasticity and muscle tone, thus preventing premature aging.

Indian head massage seeks to restore the balance of your whole self, physically, emotionally and mentally.

Other benefits are:

• a nourishing effect on hair roots
• releases tension in all treated areas
• relieves medical conditions e.g. sinusitis and migraines

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Manual Lymphatic Drainage Massage

Manual lymphatic drainage drains toxins from the body using light rhythmical movements. This massage also works on the nervous system, lowering blood pressure, reducing stress and restoring normal sleep patterns.

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Pre and Post-natal Massage

From conception to after birth, massage helps the body adjust to the ever-rapid changes you and your baby go through. During pregnancy you may experience many aches and pains as your body changes and grows – a massage can help alleviate these.

Using safe and effective techniques, massage can:

• Help your body become aligned
• Reduce pain and discomfort
• Reduce stress and anxiety
• Reduce pain and anxiety during labour
• Help your moods become more balanced
• Help you feel positive and at ease with your new life changes
• Prepare your body for labour by increasing blood flow and oxygen intake. Massage allows you and your baby to experience a healthier pregnancy and a chance to connect in a deep and peaceful way

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Thai Massage

A combination of energetic and physical aspects is what makes this treatment unique and so effective. Thai Massage is a fusion of eastern bodywork techniques ranging from Acupressure to Yoga for a truly zen-like experience.

Using a blend of yoga, acupressure and reflexology, a Thai Massage treatment is designed to relax and open the body's natural energy flow. Unlike the scooping and continuous strokes of Swedish massage, Thai Massage uses a sequence of gentle, flowing exercise movements, muscle stretching and compression starting at the feet and progressing up to the head, thus restoring the flow of energy.

Sessions last 90 minutes, so please allow yourself extra time to experience this treatment and the after effects.

What Can I Expect From The Treatment?

Thai massage has been called 'Lazy Man's Yoga' or 'Yoga For Two' - because of the passive range of motion on the part of the receiver.

The therapist helps stretch your body into a variety of yoga-like positions at the same time while applying manual compression strokes to the muscles to further enhance the stretch and release tension.

For your session, please wear loose and comfortable clothing. No oils are used in this treatment and it is performed on a floor mat.

Physical Benefits of Thai Massage:

• Detoxifies the body and boosts immune system
• Increases blood circulation and lowers blood pressure
• Relaxes muscles and increases flexibility
• Improves breathing
• Improves posture, balance, corrects body alignments and dissolves energy blockages
• Improves athletic performance
• Helps arthritis and back pain
• Tones the body and strengthens joints
• Helps alleviate the pain of degenerative diseases

Mental Benefits of Thai Massage:

• Improves outlook towards life; builds an emotional balance
• Increases concentration and creativity
• Clears and calms the mind
• Contributes to mental clarity Psychological effects of Thai Massage
• Reduces and relieves stress and anxiety
• Helps boost inner energy levels
• Develops discipline and self-control
• Increases health and vitality
• Raises energy levels and stamina
• Builds internal power and creates natural confidence

Thai massage is suitable for everyone, including the very young and the very elderly. However, it should be avoided if you suffer from

• osteoporosis or very brittle bones;
• spinal fusions
• artificial hip, knee or elbow joints;
• phlebitis
• haemophilia
• lymphatic cancer

If you have high blood pressure or heart problems, talk to your doctor before booking a treatment.

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Baby Massage

Baby massage is a wonderful way to augment the important early bonding of parents and their infants and is very helpful in relieving colic and other symptoms of infant stress. The techniques that Zina teaches are based on the work of Vimala McClure, author of "Infant Massage, a Handbook for Loving Parents" and the founder of the organisation IAIM (International Association of Infant Massage).

The IAIM was founded by Vimala McClure in America in 1976 and had her first book published in 1978. During a work placement in India she worked in an orphanage and saw on a daily basis how the local people massaged their children and the enormous benefits this seemed to have. On having her own children she began practicing on them and in doing so created the course taught today by hundreds of Certified Infant Massage Instructors. Vimala put together different strokes and methods noting the results and researching the effects of increased bonding on the infants in her classes. The IAIM has grown into a world-wide organisation since its inception in 1976.

The treatment incorporates strokes taken from Indian and Swedish massage, reflexology and yoga.

Potential benefits of massage:

• increase bonding with your baby
• increase confidence in handling your baby
• promote earlier interaction for fathers with their baby
• aid the digestive system
• help with weight gain
• relax both the parent and baby
• have a positive effect on the immune system
• stimulate circulation
• decrease stress in the baby and parent
• promote a healthy attitude to touch
• help the baby take control of its own body
• help the child be less aggressive
• assist mothers with post-natal depression
• release hormones which boosts milk supply
• aid relaxation in mother
• aid sleep - which helps everyone!

Course Details

The course is for babies aged between 0 - 12 months / before baby is actively crawling. It consists of 5 sessions where parents and care-givers are shown a series of techniques for massaging their babies, (the instructor uses a life-size doll during practical class demonstrations), the theory behind the best times to massage and the benefits to both parent and baby. A separate routine is taught also during the course, which has been found to be extremely beneficial at alleviating wind/colic.

Each session lasts approximately 60 minutes and incorporates a group discussion, e.g. crying, massaging the older child, behavioural states to massage and ad-hoc topics to suit the group.

Classes are held in the comfort of a home setting with other new mothers, on a one to one basis or at a local venue near you and always in a comfortable, safe and welcoming environment. The classes are ALWAYS VERY MUCH BABY-LED, so crying, nappy changing, feeding or comforting your infant is always acceptable and no one is ever made to feel uncomfortable during any session. You will meet other parents and make new friends not only for yourself but for your baby too.

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