Those twinges in your back, your throbbing temples, your whirring wedding head—all symptoms of stress and strain. Take a time out and turn it down a notch with a little human touch.
Swedish Massage: The most common massage therapy, that involving basic manipulation of the body’s soft tissues—skin, muscles, ligaments, tendons and fascia (the network of connective tissue encasing and connecting all muscles and bones.) Usually performed with oil, this treatment increases circulation, relieves tension and relaxes the body through stroking, kneading and percussive techniques. Chill Factor: Major—you'll feel dreamy and knot-free.
Deep Tissue Massage: It includes direct, slow pressure on trigger points (knots in the muscles or areas of blocked energy.) This client-directed area-specific massage accesses deeper muscular and fascial structures. Addressing chronically tense muscles, it's ideal for people who are strenuous exercisers or highly stressed. Chill factor: Moderate—a little pain makes for a very big relaxation gain.
Sports Massage: It combines more brisk and vigorous Swedish movements with pressure point methods to help cleanse metabolic waste from muscle tissue, aid recovery, improve performance and prevent injury of sore and overworked muscles. The masseuse often evaluates range-of-motion abilities and offers stretching tips. Chill factor: Low—instead of dreamy, you'll feel energized and synchronized.
Hot Stone Therapy: Many variations of this therapy abound, which originated as LaStone Therapy in Tucson, Arizona. The hot and cold therapy enervates the circulatory system to aid the body in self-healing. River-smoothed basalt (igneous rock from volcanic activity) is used for the heated stones, while hand-polished marble is used for the cold application. This therapy brings relief to stiff and sore muscles. Chill factor: Serious—don't operate any heavy machinery in the next few hours!
Aromatherapy: Puts a delightful sensory twist on the basic massage. Pure essences of aromatic plants (essential oils of lavender or eucalyptus, for example) are combined with 'carrier' oils (cold-pressed from fruit, nut or seed sources, such as almond or olive), then applied to the skin using gentle massage. The scents act upon the emotional centre of the brain (limbic system) which governs the way we feel, and when combined with the healing value of touch, soothes both body and mind. Chill factor: Major—jellyfish anyone?
Reiki: A mind-body-spirit treatment ideal if you're averse to being touched. The practitioner's hands remain an inch or two above your body during treatment. Reiki practitioners work with the body's "energy" or "aura" to reduce stress, promote relaxation, improve the immune system and promote healing. Reiki helps charge the affected parts of the body with positive energy, thus healing the pathways and allowing the energy to flow freely, leaving you feeling warm and stress-free. Chill factor: Major—emerge a brand new relaxed and calmer you.
Acupressure & Shiatsu: Two Eastern therapies that promote energy re-balance. They work with the same healing points as acupuncture, but stimulate these vital sites with finger pressure, rather than through inserting fine needles. Using the power and sensitivity of the hand, both Acupressure and Shiatsu allow the energy to flow freely through these pathways, relieving tension and many common stress-related ailments. Treatments result in deep relaxation, relief from tight muscles and a feeling of general well being throughout. Chill factor: Major—your muscles and your mind say thank you!
Reflexology: Uses thumb pressure, but focuses on the feet. A reflexologist puts pressure on different energy lines on the feet to release tension and promote healing. Practitioners use a system of zones and charts mapping areas on the feet and hands that correspond to the various organs and other body parts. Pressure stimulates nerve endings and releases toxic residues from the corresponding organ; this means treating the foot can have a healing effect on the entire body. Chill factor: Moderate—more than just a great treat for your feet.
Cranioscral: An incredibly gentle and often intuitive technique. Using touch similar to the weight of a nickel, therapists monitor the rhythm, then through this gentle touch manipulate the cranial sacral bones and membranes to create a release of accumulated stress and tension, and relief from pain. Chill factor: Major—very soothing for your soul.
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