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.
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