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We aim to bring you interesting and helpful information about osteopathy and complementary medicine within Bristol and beyond.......

Monday 15 December 2014

The Summer Solstice just got better!

The United Nations on Thursday declared that June 21 will be International Day of Yoga, adopting a measure proposed by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi who said yoga lets people "discover the sense of oneness with yourself, the world and the nature." 
The 193-member U.N. General Assembly approved by consensus a resolution establishing a day to commemorate the ancient practice, which Modi called for in September during his inaugural address to the world body.
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the International Day of Yoga would bring attention to yoga's holistic benefits.
"Yoga can contribute to resilience against non-communicable diseases. Yoga can bring communities together in an inclusive manner that generates respect," Ban said in a statement.
"Yoga is a sport that can contribute to development and peace. Yoga can even help people in emergency situations to find relief from stress," he said.
Source: Reuters.
If you'd like to bring yoga in to your life, then do consider practising with Mala at The Chandos Clinic on a Saturday morning. Full details on our website.

Monday 8 December 2014

Many of you may already have met Nikki at The Chandos Clinic, but in case she's slipped your notice, here's an article by her which appeared in our latest newsletter. Nikki offers Thai massage one Saturday a month and she currently has availability on Dec 20th. So if you are interested in a bit of pre-Christmas pampering for yourself, or as a Christmas present for someone else, then please ring the normal reception number to book in. (0117 9745084)

Introducing Traditional Thai Massage – By Nikki Berridge

As well as all the other Massage Therapies I offer at Chandos Clinic I am now delighted to be offering Traditional Thai Massage which has been my passion for over 12 years. I also teach these simple techniques for couples be it friend or family at Bristol Folk Hse for the last 6 years. So for those of you, who may not have come across this form of Massage before, below is a bit of information.

Traditional Thai medicine has remained pretty much unchanged in the last 1000 years. Its recent world-wide spread has been quite phenomenal. This ancient system of massage and manipulation has its roots in Yoga, Ayurvedic medicine and Buddhist spiritual practice. This unique and complete system of Yoga therapy combines rhythmic massage, acupressure, gentle twisting, deep stretching and meditation. Performed on a floor mat fully clothed I use thumbs, palms, forearms, elbows, feet knees and even shins to press and stretch your body.

“Thai’s believe that good health and freedom from pain result from the unhindered flow of vital energies (Sen) through the body's tissues.”

‘Pressing’ is the mechanical process used to prepare the muscles for stretching and stimulate energy flow in the Sen, which release blockages or stagnation, which can result in pain. A full session is very thorough with every muscle and joint treated, and when I am satisfied that all soft tissues have been adequately ‘pressed’, stretching begins, gradually progressing into the elegant large scale stretches that Thai massage is renowned for. The manipulations are designed to stretch the muscles a little more than would be possible unaided through Yoga and although the Muscles are the masseur's ultimate target, fibrotic connective tissue and weak circulation are also treated during the massage.
Thai’s have long recognised that most musculo-skeletal pain and lack of mobility of the joints is the result of muscles shortening under the influence of repetitive strain. Tension and spasm in a muscle are the result of a vicious circle of events involving the muscle and its sense organs; those muscles that are antagonistic to it and the brain. The more tense the muscle the shorter it gets, and the brain interprets this as contraction, so inhibiting the function of the antagonistic muscles, which weaken as a result.

Regular* Thai massage stretches the muscles back to their normal resting length,
 which deceives the brain into 'thinking' that all is well and it stops inhibiting the
antagonists. Before long, tension disappears and joint mobility is restored.
Benefits of regular* Thai massage are all positive and can include relief from
constipation, IBS, headaches, sciatica, back and neck pain. Almost all feel relaxed,
refreshed and much more flexible afterwards, and those again who choose regular
Thai massage come to enjoy the deep pressure techniques and spectacular
manipulations.

 Who can have it?

 There are some contra-indications to this kind of massage - very much those that
 apply to massage in general. For those in reasonably good health - regardless of
 age, lack of flexibility and obesity - Thai massage is highly beneficial. So much of
 feeling 'old' can come from what is often regarded as the inevitable stiffening of
 joints with advancing years. Regular* Thai massage can restore long lost mobility
 to the joints quickly and proves that this is not so. Perhaps you may be shocked
at the degree of stretching your body can achieve!

* Regular massage, can range from 2 weeks, monthly, bi-monthly, even 6
monthly sessions, but the body will familiarise & recognise the style and respond
positively in an accumulative manor.
I hope this article has informed you a little but do feel free to contact me.