Styles of Massage available here at HANDS from HEAVENAll therapists contracted here at HANDS from HEAVEN have a Diploma of Remedial Massage as minimum qualification. This ensures that they are all formally and professionally qualified to perform multiple styles of massage. We like to tailor every massage to the individual to meet their specific needs today, and sometimes that means utilizing more than 1 style or technique during your massage. Whatever works best for you is what we will deliver, ensuring best value for you! The choice is yours to mix-and-match between these styles ...
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Deep Tissue - For postural balancing & realignment.
Deep Tissue Massage uses slow strokes that can be considered very similar to Swedish strokes. As the name implies, the strokes are applied with greater pressure to deeper layers of musculature than Swedish massage. This technique could be viewed as the connecting link between Swedish and Sports massage.
For people who recognize that they have developed poor postural habits, and that their poor posture may be causing aches & pains or headaches, Deep Tissue Massage might be the answer for them. Treating the deeper layers of musculature, coupled with regular stretching, can re-sculpt your posture and help you feel the best you’ve felt in a long time.
Deep Tissue Massage uses slow strokes that can be considered very similar to Swedish strokes. As the name implies, the strokes are applied with greater pressure to deeper layers of musculature than Swedish massage. This technique could be viewed as the connecting link between Swedish and Sports massage.
For people who recognize that they have developed poor postural habits, and that their poor posture may be causing aches & pains or headaches, Deep Tissue Massage might be the answer for them. Treating the deeper layers of musculature, coupled with regular stretching, can re-sculpt your posture and help you feel the best you’ve felt in a long time.
Sports Massage - For pre or post event and injury management for optimum performance and recovery.
Sports Massage is the application of purposefully timed massage techniques on or for specific muscles or muscle groups. This style of massage can reduce muscular soreness and improve recovery time; provide prevention of and/or treatment for athletic injuries; and enhance athletic performance. Treatment is usually muscle specific and always individually tailored to your sport and/or personal needs.
Whether you identify as a serious athlete, someone who enjoys social games of sport, or someone who enjoys an active approach to health and fitness, this style of massage can help you stay on top of your game. Everyone services their car regularly to maintain peak performance, so why not adopt the same attitude with your most vital asset … your body!
Sports Massage is the application of purposefully timed massage techniques on or for specific muscles or muscle groups. This style of massage can reduce muscular soreness and improve recovery time; provide prevention of and/or treatment for athletic injuries; and enhance athletic performance. Treatment is usually muscle specific and always individually tailored to your sport and/or personal needs.
Whether you identify as a serious athlete, someone who enjoys social games of sport, or someone who enjoys an active approach to health and fitness, this style of massage can help you stay on top of your game. Everyone services their car regularly to maintain peak performance, so why not adopt the same attitude with your most vital asset … your body!
Swedish Massage - For pure relaxation and stress management.
Swedish Massage is the basic relaxation technique named after the Swedish physiologist and gymnastics instructor who devised the strokes. It incorporates long, smooth, flowing strokes to promote general relaxation. Due to the style of this massage, the strokes target the superficial musculature mainly.
This style of massage could be seen as the corner stone upon which the industry of Remedial Massage was built, because this is the basic style of massage from which most (if not all) other techniques were based. Essentially the difference between Swedish and any other technique in massage is the depth of pressure and the intent of the massage (relaxation, increasing flexibility, correcting postural habits, etc).
Swedish Massage is the basic relaxation technique named after the Swedish physiologist and gymnastics instructor who devised the strokes. It incorporates long, smooth, flowing strokes to promote general relaxation. Due to the style of this massage, the strokes target the superficial musculature mainly.
This style of massage could be seen as the corner stone upon which the industry of Remedial Massage was built, because this is the basic style of massage from which most (if not all) other techniques were based. Essentially the difference between Swedish and any other technique in massage is the depth of pressure and the intent of the massage (relaxation, increasing flexibility, correcting postural habits, etc).
Trigger Point Release - to release those stubborn muscular knots.
Trigger points are specific spots in muscle tissue that can feel like a knot in the muscle fibres. They are usually very tender and sensitive to touch, and are usually accompanied by recognised pain referral patterns. If left untreated they can multiply or spread to surrounding muscle tissue and/or give rise to reasonable movement restriction.
Usually the release of trigger points would be performed during either a Deep Tissue or Sports Technique massage as they are found or identified, but it can also be the main focus of your treatment. Depending on the severity and/or number of trigger points identified during your massage, they may not all be able to be released or resolved at 1 appointment.
Trigger points are specific spots in muscle tissue that can feel like a knot in the muscle fibres. They are usually very tender and sensitive to touch, and are usually accompanied by recognised pain referral patterns. If left untreated they can multiply or spread to surrounding muscle tissue and/or give rise to reasonable movement restriction.
Usually the release of trigger points would be performed during either a Deep Tissue or Sports Technique massage as they are found or identified, but it can also be the main focus of your treatment. Depending on the severity and/or number of trigger points identified during your massage, they may not all be able to be released or resolved at 1 appointment.
Cupping - To stimulate circulation and stretch superficial fascia.
Cupping has its origins in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Acupuncture, but is a very useful tool in Remedial Massage as well. I like to express 2 philosophies with regard to Cupping, and let you decide which aligns with your own belief system.
According to TCM cupping stimulates the flow of Chi (your body’s life force energy) through your body along the recognised meridians that most people can relate to acupuncture. The philosophy broadly translates to – release the energy block, release the pain and dysfunction. The bruise-like markings that can result are said to be the ‘bad chi’ being drawn from your tissue.
Following a more Western philosophy, the suction of your skin and tissue into the cup provides stretching of local and superficial fascia and muscle fibres. It also has the effect of drawing blood into the immediate tissue, stimulating the removal of cellular metabolic waste from the local muscle tissue. Bruise-like markings may result from cupping, but because they are from suction pressure as opposed to impact injury, they should dissipate in a few days.
Cupping can be a part of your massage or the main focus of your massage. Essentially Cupping uses the direct opposite technique from usual massage strokes (suction V’s compression) for a very similar end result, and many people find using both techniques during a massage can bring better results for them than either technique used singularly.
Cupping has its origins in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Acupuncture, but is a very useful tool in Remedial Massage as well. I like to express 2 philosophies with regard to Cupping, and let you decide which aligns with your own belief system.
According to TCM cupping stimulates the flow of Chi (your body’s life force energy) through your body along the recognised meridians that most people can relate to acupuncture. The philosophy broadly translates to – release the energy block, release the pain and dysfunction. The bruise-like markings that can result are said to be the ‘bad chi’ being drawn from your tissue.
Following a more Western philosophy, the suction of your skin and tissue into the cup provides stretching of local and superficial fascia and muscle fibres. It also has the effect of drawing blood into the immediate tissue, stimulating the removal of cellular metabolic waste from the local muscle tissue. Bruise-like markings may result from cupping, but because they are from suction pressure as opposed to impact injury, they should dissipate in a few days.
Cupping can be a part of your massage or the main focus of your massage. Essentially Cupping uses the direct opposite technique from usual massage strokes (suction V’s compression) for a very similar end result, and many people find using both techniques during a massage can bring better results for them than either technique used singularly.
Manual Lymphatic Drain Massage (MLD) -
to assist effective detoxification programs/diets, or reduce fluid retention.
Lymphatic Drainage Massage can be surprising. Because the Lymphatic System is very superficial in the body (lying immediately under the skin) the strokes are applied with a very light touch and always in the direction of lymph flow. A combination of essential oils can be blended especially for your personal treatment, but if you prefer unblended carrier oil only that is fine.
Unlike the Cardiovascular System that is pumped by the heart, the Lymphatic System is stimulated by muscular contraction and respiration. In most individuals the activity of general day-to-day living is sufficient for a healthy lymphatic system, but occasionally manual lymph drain massage is appropriate. This would most commonly be after surgeries to reduce possible swelling, but could also be if you are following a detoxification diet.
to assist effective detoxification programs/diets, or reduce fluid retention.
Lymphatic Drainage Massage can be surprising. Because the Lymphatic System is very superficial in the body (lying immediately under the skin) the strokes are applied with a very light touch and always in the direction of lymph flow. A combination of essential oils can be blended especially for your personal treatment, but if you prefer unblended carrier oil only that is fine.
Unlike the Cardiovascular System that is pumped by the heart, the Lymphatic System is stimulated by muscular contraction and respiration. In most individuals the activity of general day-to-day living is sufficient for a healthy lymphatic system, but occasionally manual lymph drain massage is appropriate. This would most commonly be after surgeries to reduce possible swelling, but could also be if you are following a detoxification diet.
Reflexology - For those who prefer a gentler, more subtle approach to an improved and healtier lifestyle.
Reflexology is a science that deals with the principle that there are areas in the hands and feet, which correspond to specific glands, organs and areas of the rest of the body. Using deep finger or thumb pressure to reflex specific areas of your hands or feet, reflexology can normalize functions in your body generally.
While there are many styles of Reflexology practiced, we currently only offer the original Ingham Method in this clinic. Reflexology is a very subtle therapy that most people find very relaxing, and the therapeutic benefits may be a little difficult to recognize at first.
Reflexology is a science that deals with the principle that there are areas in the hands and feet, which correspond to specific glands, organs and areas of the rest of the body. Using deep finger or thumb pressure to reflex specific areas of your hands or feet, reflexology can normalize functions in your body generally.
While there are many styles of Reflexology practiced, we currently only offer the original Ingham Method in this clinic. Reflexology is a very subtle therapy that most people find very relaxing, and the therapeutic benefits may be a little difficult to recognize at first.
