Massage in Brunswick, Brighton
If you live in Brunswick, Brighton, come visit us at Natural Balance Therapies for a great massage experience. Brighton, a relatively small city on the south coast, is fast becoming the UK’s number one centre for therapeutic massage. Well known for its progressive open-minded population, the city now has a high density of massage centres and massage schools offering a wide range of services from clinical massage to pampering spas. Whilst not completely scientific if you compare the number of listings on Yelp for say Manchester vs Brighton, Manchester lists 1 massage business per 5000 population compared to Brighton’s 1 per 2000 population – a significant difference. Several of the UK’s top massage schools are based here including the Jing Institute and The College of Classical Massage. The University of Brighton also runs a Foundation Degree in Complementary Healthcare, a 2-year full time course which includes advanced clinical massage in its syllabus. So, what makes massage so popular in Brighton? Well in part it is the open-minded population (remember this was the first city to elect a Green MP to Westminster) who are pro ‘natural’ solutions that focus on preventative wellbeing rather than reactive ‘traditional’ medicine.
What is massage therapy?
Relaxation, manipulation and the power of touch are used during massage therapy to heal the body and mind. Until fairly recently, most people thought that healing was a result of forcing physical changes to soft tissues and muscles in the body.
New research, suggests that it is the effects on the nervous system that caused the physical changes, including muscle relaxation. Health and well-being are enhanced during massage through the release of hormones such as endorphins, that make you feel good. The different massage styles, including shiatsu, Swedish and deep tissue massage, each have their own unique benefits.
Why is massage therapy important for your well-being?
Massage therapy can help the whole body by reducing stress and anxiety. This can have the effect of improving your sleep, enhancing your immune system, and make you more resistant to illness and disease. There can also be direct benefits in reducing pain from aches and muscle injuries, improving mobility, improving posture, and reducing the likelihood of future injuries.
What are the benefits of massage therapy?
Massage therapy can have a positive effect on a person’s physical state, emotional welfare and psychological well-being. Massage can influence our body, including our nervous system, fascial system, digestive, endocrine, cardiovascular, lymphatic and muscular systems. The benefits are therefore extremely diverse, from making us less stressed and anxious to reducing physical pain and the risk of future injury. This, in turn, can lead to better quality sleep patterns, the general feeling of more happiness and control in life, and even getting sick less often. While massage may help with a range of issues, most benefit comes from having regular monthly preventative treatments as maintenance.
Inflammatory conditions such as arthritis and tendinitis
Inflammatory conditions don’t receive direct massage, but gentle strokes like those associated with lymphatic drainage may offer benefits such as reduced pain and swelling.
Stress Relief and Associated Conditions
Stress harms the body. It causes the muscles to contract and results in the release of stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. While it is true that these responses can be a good thing for the body, it is only short-lived, and with time can result in poor health. Massage has been shown to alleviate some of these problems.
Headaches and Migraines
Massage therapy effectively treats both tension headaches and migraines, as these are frequently caused by neck and shoulder muscle pain.
Muscle and Related Conditions such as Spasms, Strains and Sprains
Dehydration, mineral deficiency, exhaustion, and injury may cause a muscle to contract and go into spasm. A gentle massage can encourage blood flow and correct this condition. Muscle sprain or ligament tear happens when there is a tear in the fibre of the muscle caused by too much use or overloading either one. Massage is not suitable when the injury is swollen or painful. But once the pain reduces, massage can help with sensitivity and movement.
Back Pain
One of the many reasons people visit their doctor is back pain. While there can be numerous causes for back pain in the majority of cases, it is not serious and is caused by overworking the muscles. Massage can be used to desensitise and help relax the muscles.
Repetitive Strain Injury
Pain caused by repetitive movement or overuse of the muscles, tendons, and nerves is known as repetitive strain injury or RSI. This condition is prevalent in activities such as work and sports that involve repetitive actions. The disorder can affect multiple upper-body regions, such as forearms, elbows, or wrists. As with any overuse injury, massage can help manage the pain, although without removing the cause, any relief may be temporary.
Circulatory and Respiratory Problems
Massage can be beneficial for circulation and respiration in the body, as well as improve symptoms of cold hands, feet, and swelling. Approval must be obtained from a doctor before massage is used to handle circulatory and respiratory issues as there are some cases where massage is not appropriate.
Pregnancy and Labour Discomfort
Pregnancy massage is available from 16 weeks up to the full term and can really help with a variety of issues including lower back pain, headaches, swelling and stress.
Post-injury and Post-surgical Rehabilitation
The body goes into a protective state when it is injured. Muscles close to the injured site typically become sensitive and movement is restricted. Massage therapy can be used to manage these conditions and help the body to return back to normal. If you are still under the care of a doctor, get approval before trying any complementary therapies.
How can Massage Therapy help you with your Back Pain?
Back pain can be both treated and prevented with massage therapy. Many methods, including deep tissue massage and stretching, can help reduce hypersensitivity and increase range of motion. Improved movement and blood flow can both minimise recovery time after an injury and promote healing by delivering nutrients to the muscles and connective tissue. Relaxing the muscle will increase strength, reduce pain associated with muscle spasm, and even improve sleep. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality analysed 20 studies comparing massage with regular care or other therapies in a 2016 study of non-drug treatments for low back pain, and found evidence that massage was successful for chronic low back pain. Nevertheless, the data’s strength was inadequate, stressing the need for more analysis. It has nevertheless been shown that there is a lot of subjective evidence that Massage Therapy works for back pain.
Massage Therapies we Offer near Brunswick
We offer over twenty different types of massage therapy. With such a wide range, knowing which would help you the most can be hard. Your selection will depend on your personal preference and treatment, but if you need help making a decision, do not hesitate to contact us.
Full Body Massage
Apart from the back, neck and shoulder massage, the full body is another of our popular choice. Full body massage can include the back, neck, shoulders, face, head, buttocks, arms, hands, legs, feet, abdomen and chest (for men). While full body massage does not cover the female breasts, it can include the neckline, from the collarbone down to where the breasts begin.
Not all of these areas need to be treated and some clients may have areas that are too sensitive to be massaged, such as feet or abdomen. It is a personal process and feeling absolutely comfortable is extremely important, therefore, the treatments are always tailored accordingly. Except on few occasions, each of our massages can be performed as a full body massage
Back, Neck & Shoulders Massage
The back, neck and shoulders are, without a doubt, the most popular areas to be chosen for massage as we all hold physical and emotional tension here.
These muscles tend to shorten after hours of work at the computer or phone, or when we feel tired or stressed, or after physical activities such as tennis or swimming. If left untreated, this shortening may cause neck stiffness or tension headache. The Back, Neck, and Shoulder Massage form an integral part of our massage services.
Deep Tissue Massage
The therapist will apply deep pressure using the thumbs, forearms, and elbows to help stretch out tense and shortened muscles. It may feel uncomfortable but is not always bad, and a professional therapist will work with a therapeutic but still relaxing pressure. Whether you’ve overdone it at the gym or work long hours at a computer, this treatment will help free up your body and improve flexibility. If you suffer from knotted shoulders, tight hamstrings or pain in the lower back, a deep tissue massage will help free you up.
Our Professional, Experienced and Caring Therapists offer Massage Therapy, Osteopathy, Acupuncture, and Beauty Treatments. Book your appointment Today!
Californian Massage
Californian massage unites multiple senses of the recipient. The massage motions are gradual and systematic, with gentle touches, kneading, and stretching. It was developed in the 1970s during a personal growth workshop at the Esalen Institute® in Big Sur, California. It is more than a way to relax; it is also intended to help the recipient reconnect with his/her body.
Chavutti Thirumal Massage
Chavutti Thirumal is a full body massage using warm oils and the feet to apply pressure. Its history dates back over 2,000 years, originating from the time of the martial arts of Kalari in Kerala, which is on the south coast of India. It literally translates as “foot pressure massage” in Malayalam, a local dialect. It was designed primarily to provide flexibility in the body and aid with pain and swelling. However, it is also appropriate for treating people who do not exercise regularly and want to improve their physical fitness and wellness.
Remedial Massage
Remedial massage is a therapeutic or clinical massage that aims to resolve a particular issue, usually muscular pain. However, it may also be associated with poor posture, limited mobility, or sports performance. Sometimes, it is called medical massage, although the term suggests that the therapist has medical qualifications and is generally NOT used in the UK. In the UK, it is more often referred to as sports massage. However, this term is unhelpful because it suggests the treatment is only for sports injuries or sports people, which it isn’t.
Ayurvedic Abhyanga Massage
Abhyanga, also known as oil massage, is a form of Ayurvedic treatment that involves the use of Dosha warm herbal oil to massage the body. Base oil, sesame, is usually pre-mixed with herbs. During abhyanga, the body is anointed with oil through a series of long, fluid strokes from head to toe.
Acupressure Chair Massage
Acupressure seated massage or on-site massage (OSM) was originally founded by David Palmer, a traditional Chinese masseur, in California in the early 1980s. Influenced by the Chinese traditional healing method referred to as Amma, this ancient technique was adapted to a special ergonomic chair. It was developed to counterbalance the rise in use of computers and sedentary type work.
Myofascial Release
Myofascial release refers to a set of methods aimed at releasing areas of facial restriction. Fascia is the connective tissue that covers and permeates all parts of our bodies. It works by removing restrictions throughout the body and relieving pain in one treatment. Myofascial release brings about permanent change in the tissues so that the results will last longer than conventional massage treatments. Changes in posture may also occur so that symptoms do not come back. One way this treatment differs from other massage options is that it is done on dry skin, with no oils or lotions.
Aromatherapy Massage
An aromatherapy massage uses a mix of essential oils in a carrier oil that is blended for the desired outcome. The chemical composition of the essential oil can be complex, which is why a single oil can have many different effects when it is absorbed by the body. Many essential oils are soothing, and others are energising. Grapefruit can improve your mood; eucalyptus will clear your head, and sandalwood is very calming. Aromatherapy massage can be beneficial for many conditions, including insomnia, nausea, muscular pain, joint pain, anxiety, stress, skin disorders, lymphatic drainage, and hormonal imbalance.
Sports Massage
It’s a common misconception that sports massage is for sportspeople only. It is in fact suitable for everybody and at all activity levels. Deep tissue massage is a significant part of sports massage. The clinical approach to sports massage where the therapist uses a number of techniques to obtain the desired result, but with reduced emphasis on relaxation is a major difference. The desired result is often relief from aches and pains. However, it could also mean get getting the client prepared for a sporting event, accelerating recovery after an endurance event or helping to reduce tension in the muscles after long hours of work.
Couples / Duo Massage
This massage involves massaging two people simultaneously in the same room, and each person has his/her own therapist. It can be a husband and wife, same-sex partners, girlfriend and boyfriend, or just good friends. You may choose this option to celebrate a special day or just because you want to maximise your time spent together. Couples/duo massage is also a great way to introduce a partner or friend to massage therapy, especially if he/she has never had a massage and is anxious about it. You can talk to your partner during the couples’ massage or remain silent all the way through. It’s up to you.
Hawaiian Lomi Lomi Massage
Lomi Lomi is a form of Hawaiian massage; it is one of the most profound techniques in healing massage because it can induce a state of meditation and sensation of blissful floating. It is derived from an ancient technique of healing and working with the body while focusing on treating the person as a whole. This unusual, oil-based massage includes carrying out long, smooth rhythmic motions on the body. The therapist uses his/her palms, feet, forearms, and elbows while applying gentle pressure to stretch and lengthen the muscles. The rhythm is very soothing and blissful.
Hot Stone Massage
Hot stone massage is a relaxing therapy for tense muscles and damaged soft tissues. The volcanic basalt stones are meant to be heated up to 60 degrees Celsius. As soon as the smooth flat stones are placed on your body, you will understand why a heated massage is so sublime. You will feel a level of enjoyment that can be addictive once the smooth flat stones start moving over your body, taking away all the pain and stress.
Indian Head Massage
Indian head massage is a calming holistic therapy that includes head, ears, neck, and shoulders. Massage and acupressure are used to help rebalance the energies of your body. This strong, soothing massage relieves tension in the neck and scalp. The massage takes place as you sit in a chair, after being wrapped in a towel. During this massage, in accordance with Indian tradition, coconut oil is generously applied and nourishes the skin and hair.
Manual Lymphatic Drainage
Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) is a key part of lymphoedema treatment, a serious condition that causes tissue swelling in the body. It’s a form of gentle massage that stimulates the lymphatic system to reduce swelling. It is beneficial when used as preoperative or postoperative treatment for both cosmetic and orthopaedic surgeries. It can relieve pain and promote healing of fractures, torn ligaments, and sprains. It relieves fluid congestion and can help heal wounds and burns; it improves the immune system and encourages the removal of waste products.
Pregnancy Massage
Pregnancy massage, also called prenatal massage, is a procedure that has a deep and delicate effect on alleviating special pregnancy pains. This massage therapy is carried out on a recipient who is lying sideways. Pregnancy massage soothes the neck, shoulders, lower back, and legs. It is a safe and supportive treatment for women, suitable from 16 weeks to full term. Pregnancy massage helps calm down expecting mothers while reducing the effects of tension on their bodies.
Reflexology Foot Massage
Reflexology is a gentle therapy that encourages well-being through deep relaxation. It operates on the premise that different points on the feet and lower legs are related to particular areas of the body. Reflexologists use varying amounts of pressure on these points and regions to unblock and align the body. It is a powerful aid for relaxation and stress reduction; as such, it may support the healthy function of the immune and digestive systems.
Swedish Massage
Swedish massage is a classic massage that incorporates a range of techniques, including stroking, gliding, kneading, rubbing, tapping, pounding, and vibration. It is a milder massage than deep tissue massage and focuses on relaxation and general relief from stress. This is the most common type of massage and the basis for many other massage styles.
Thai Massage
Thai massage is an ancient form of massage thought to have originated from Buddhist monks. The therapist stretches the client and uses gentle pressure along the body’s energy lines to increase flexibility, relieve muscle tension, and balance the body’s energy systems. Thai massage can be useful for everyone regardless of your age and flexibility. It is done on the floor, on a large mat, and with the client fully clothed.
Our Professional, Experienced and Caring Therapists offer Massage Therapy, Osteopathy, Acupuncture, and Beauty Treatments. Book your appointment Today!
Thai Oil Massage
Thai oil massage is a form of traditional Thai massage that applies strong pressure and intense rhythmic motions along the energy lines/meridian of the body. This therapy is designed to unlock, balance, and restore the natural flow of the body’s Prana/Qi/Chi/energy.
It is believed that maintaining equilibrium in all bodily organs and systems can prevent ill health and disease so that the body can regenerate and work effectively. Thai oil massage uses the properties of certain oils so that the therapist can smoothly glide over the body.
Warm Bamboo Massage
Warm bamboo massage is a type of massage that employs solid bamboo sticks of different sizes to apply deep, long massage strokes to the body. Invented in Asia, it is growing in popularity in the United Kingdom. If you like deep work, you’ll like this therapy. It will leave you soothed, energised, and feeling that your muscles have been pleasantly stretched, warmed, and elongated.
Why Chose Natural Balance Therapies for your Massage near Brunswick?
With so much choice in Brighton & Hove, choosing the right Massage Centre can be difficult. Natural Balance Therapies was started in 2007, making it one of the most established practices. All our therapists are experienced and trained in advanced bodywork techniques, plus they are caring, friendly and passionate about their work.
What we offer at Natural Balance Therapies:
- Professional, relaxed and caring service
- Central Location just 1.5 miles from Brighton Station
- 10-minute walk from Hove Station
- Online Booking system available 24 hours a day
- Experienced Team of 12 Massage Therapists, 3 Osteopaths and an Acupuncturist
- All therapists are trained in advanced techniques
- Open 7 days a week and late most evenings, up to 8pm
- Corporate events/health promotion at your workplace
Our Professional, Experienced and Caring Therapists offer Massage Therapy, Osteopathy, Acupuncture, and Beauty Treatments. Book your appointment Today!
Other Areas We Cover
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