Massage in Montpelier, Brighton

If you live in Montpelier, 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?

The main focus of massage therapy is to heal the mind and body through the healing power of touch, manipulation and relaxation. Up until recently, it was believed that this was achieved by directly forcing physical changes in the muscles and other soft tissues of the body.

Recent research suggests that the positive benefits, such as muscle relaxation, are due to effects that massage has on the nervous system. Endorphins and other feelgood hormones are released during massage and can result in improved health and well-being. There are lots of different types of massage including Swedish, shiatsu and deep tissue massage, and each comes with its own style and benefits.

Why is massage therapy important for your well-being?

Stress and anxiety can be reduced through massage therapy, thus helping the whole body. As a result, the immune system can improve, you can have better sleep, and you can even find that you get well more easily. Massage also has a very direct effect of improving posture, reducing muscle aches and pains and improving mobility.

What are the benefits of massage therapy?

Massage therapy can positively influence your physical and emotional state and psychological well-being. At the physical level, massage therapy can change our body, including influencing our fascial, muscular, lymphatic, cardiovascular, digestive, nervous and endocrine systems. The benefits are therefore diverse, from reducing anxiety and pain to making us less prone to injury and more physically flexible. 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. When you maintain your physical, psychological and emotional health with regular monthly massage sessions you gain the most benefit.

Inflammatory conditions such as arthritis and tendinitis

Direct massage isn’t used for inflammatory conditions when acute, but gentle strokes such as those in lymphatic drainage may help reduce swelling and associated pain.

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. Even though these responses are valuable in the short term, they can lead to poor health in the future. Massage has been proven to counter some of these effects.

Headaches and Migraines

Massage therapy has been known to effectively treat tension headaches and migraines, both conditions typically caused by pain from the muscles of the neck and shoulders.

Muscle and Related Conditions such as Spasms, Strains and Sprains

A muscle can contract and go into spasm for many reasons, including dehydration, mineral deficiency, fatigue, and injury. Gentle massage can be used to handle this type of situation. 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 ideal for the injured site while it is swollen or painful. Once the area is no longer swollen, massage can help to ease pain and improving normal movement.

Back Pain

Back pain is a very common reason people visit their doctor. While there are many causes for back pain, in most cases, the pain is not severe and is typically caused by overworking the muscles. Massage can help relax the muscles and reduce the pain.

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. This condition can be found in the upper body areas, such as the forearm, elbows, and 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 boost circulation in the body and can help with symptoms such as cold hands, cold feet, and swelling at the extremities. Before using massage for circulatory and respiratory conditions, get approval from a doctor as there are circumstances when massage is not suitable for these conditions.

Pregnancy and Labour Discomfort

Massage is available for expecting mothers from the 16th week up to full term and can really help manage a lot of health conditions ranging from lower back pain to headaches, swelling, and stress.

Post-injury and Post-surgical Rehabilitation

The body goes into a protective state when it is traumatised. The injured muscles typically become hypersensitive and movement is restricted. Massage therapy can be beneficial in reversing the situation and helping the body to heal. If under medical care, check with your GP before commencing complementary therapy.

How can Massage Therapy help you with your Back Pain?

Massage therapy is helpful in managing back pain. A range of techniques, including deep tissue massage and stretching, may help to reduce hypersensitivity and increase range of motion. Increased movement and blood flow can help minimise recovery time after injuries and surgery, and accelerate healing by providing essential nutrients to muscles and connective tissue. Relaxing the muscle increases strength, decreases muscle spasm-related pain and even improves sleep. A non-drug treatment study in 2016 by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality compared 20 cases of massage and regular treatment and found out that massage can be very effective for treating chronic lower back pain. Still, the strength of the data was insufficient, highlighting the need for more research. That said, there is plenty of anecdotal evidence to support using Massage Therapy to treat back pain.

Massage Therapies we Offer near Montpelier

We have more than 20 different massage therapies for you to choose from. With so many options to choose from, it can be difficult to know which one would benefit you the most. However, your choice will depend a lot on your treatment and personal preference but don’t hesitate to get in touch if you want help in choosing.

Full Body Massage

After the back, neck and shoulder massage, another of our popular choice is the full body massage. Full body massage typically includes the back, neck, shoulders, face, head, buttocks, arms, hands, legs, feet, abdomen and chest (for men). While it does not include the breasts for women, it may incorporate the décolletage, the area from the collar bone down to where the breasts start.

However, not all of these areas need to be considered, and some clients may have areas such as feet or abdomen that are too sensitive to massage. It is totally up to the individual and being completely relaxed is vital, that is why each therapy is adapted accordingly. With a few exceptions, any of our massages can be given as a full body.

Back, Neck & Shoulders Massage

The back, neck and shoulders are undoubtedly some of the most popular places for massage, as physical and emotional tensions manifest there.

Muscles in these areas tend to shorten after spending hours from hours on the computer or phone, due to tiredness and stress, or after physical exercises, such as tennis or swimming. This shortening can result in a stiff neck or tension headaches if left untreated. Back, neck and shoulder massage is an integral part of most of the different massage types we offer.

Deep Tissue Massage

Deep pressure is applied with the therapist’s fingers, forearms and elbows to help stretch compressed, tense muscles. This may seem uncomfortable, and deeper is not always better, but an experienced therapist will work with 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. The deep tissue massage will help you find relief if you suffer from knotted arms, sore thighs or lower back pain.

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Californian Massage

Californian massage unites many of the recipient’s senses. The massage motions are gradual and systematic, with gentle touches, kneading, and stretching. It was developed during a personal development workshop at the Esalen Institute in Big Sur, California in the seventies. 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 which involves applying pressure with the feet and using warm oils on the body. This method of massage dates back more than 2,000 years. originating from the Kalari martial arts’ period in the southern coast of India’s Kerala. In Malayalam, a local dialect, it literally translates as “foot pressure massage”. It was designed to maintain body flexibility, to treat pain, and manage swelling. However, it is also suitable for the treatment of people who do not exercise regularly or strenuously and want to maintain their physical fitness and well-being.

Remedial Massage

Remedial massage is a therapeutic or clinical massage that aims to resolve a particular issue, usually muscular pain. However, this massage can also help with poor posture, limited mobility, and 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. Though this term is not helpful, it suggests that the procedure only applies to athletes and sports injuries which is not true.

Ayurvedic Abhyanga Massage

Abhyanga, which means oil massage, is a form of Ayurvedic medicine that uses Dosha-specific, warm herbal oil to massage the body. Sesame, the base oil, is commonly pre-mixed with herbs. The body is bathed with oil, and the deep, fluid strokes are used from head to toe during this full body massage.

Acupressure Chair Massage

David Palmer, a traditional Chinese masseur, originally developed acupressure seated massage or on-site massage (OSM) 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 designed to counterbalance the increase in computer usage and the sedentary type of work.

Myofascial Release

Myofascial release refers to a number of techniques developed to release areas with facial restrictions. Fascia is the connective tissue that surrounds every part of our body. This process works by removing restrictions across the whole body, which relieves several pains and aches in one procedure. Myofascial release results in a permanent change to the tissues so that the end result lasts longer than regular massage treatments. Postural changes may also occur so that symptoms are not able to come back. One important difference between this procedure and other types of massage is that it is performed without oils or lotions on dry skin.

Aromatherapy Massage

Aromatherapy massage uses a mixture of essential oils in a carrier oil that is mixed specifically for the desired result. The chemical content of the essential oil can be complex, which is why one type of oil may have different effects when absorbed by the body. Many essential oils are soothing, whereas others are stimulating. 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 is a common misconception that sports massage is intended only for athletes. In fact, it is suitable for all ages and levels of activity. Deep tissue massage is a significant part of sports massage. The main difference is the more scientific approach of sports massage, where the therapist uses a variety of techniques to achieve the desired effect, with less emphasis on relaxation. The desired result is typically a reduction in aches and pains. However, it may also be having a client ready for a sporting event, speeding up recovery or helping to reduce muscle tension from long working hours.

Couples / Duo Massage

In this massage, two people receive a massage in the same room, but each one is assigned a therapist. It can be a married couple, partners of the same sex, lovers, or simply good friends. This type of massage is a good option for celebrating a special occasion or finding an activity that allows you to spend time together. Couples/duo massage is also a good way for a partner or friend to try massage therapy if he/she has never been massaged before and is concerned about it. During couples’ massages, you can talk to your partner or stay silent the entire time. It really is all up to you.

Hawaiian Lomi Lomi Massage

Hawaiian massage, otherwise known as Lomi Lomi, is one of the most intense styles of healing massage therapy as it can cause a person to fall into a state of meditation and bliss. It is derived from an ancient technique of healing and working with the body while focusing on treating the person as a whole. This unique, oil-based massage involves performing long and smooth rhythmic movements all over the body. The therapist makes use of the hands, fingers, forearms, and elbows to apply soft or deep pressure so that the muscles stretch and lengthen. The rhythm is very relaxing and blissful.

Hot Stone Massage

Hot stone massage is a form of massage therapy used to help treat tense muscles and damaged soft tissues. The stones from volcanic basalt are heated to 60 degrees Celsius. As soon as you put the smooth flat stones on your body, you can understand why this heated massage is so transformative. Once the smooth flat stones start moving over your body, taking away all the pain and stress, you will experience a level of enjoyment that can be addictive.

Indian Head Massage

Indian head massage is a holistic massage technique that is applied to the head, ears, neck, and shoulders. Massage and acupressure help restore energy back to the balance in your body. This vigorous, relaxing massage provides relief for tension in the neck and scalp. The massage takes place with you sitting in a chair and wrapped in a towel. According to Indian tradition, coconut oil is generously applied during this massage, which nourishes the skin and hair.

Manual Lymphatic Drainage

Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) is a vital part of lymphoedema treatment, which is a severe condition that causes tissue swelling in the body. It is a type of gentle massage that helps to reduce swelling in the lymphatic system. It is useful for cosmetic and orthopaedic surgeries, both in preoperative and postoperative procedures. It can help repair fractures, torn ligaments, and sprains; it can even decrease pain. It helps with fluid congestion and can accelerate the healing of wounds and burns because it improves the immune system and helps remove waste products.

Pregnancy Massage

Pregnancy massage, sometimes referred to as prenatal massage, is a non-invasive treatment that works deeply to relieve specific pregnancy pains. This therapy is performed with the recipient lying on her side. Pregnancy massage soothes the neck, shoulders, lower back, and legs. It is a harmless and supportive technique for women, appropriate from 16 weeks to full term. Pregnancy massage helps mums-to-be relax and reduces the impact of stress on their bodies.

Reflexology Foot Massage

Through deep relaxation, reflexology is a beneficial therapy that promotes well-being. This theory is based on the idea that different points on the feet and lower legs can influence certain areas of the body. Reflexologists focus on these points and regions, applying different pressures to unblock and bring balance to the body. It is a powerful technique for calming and reducing stress while promoting healthy immune and digestive systems.

Swedish Massage

Swedish massage is an effective massage that involves a number of techniques, such as stroking, gliding, kneading, rubbing, tapping, pounding, and vibrating. 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 of many other styles of massage.

Thai Massage

Thai massage is an early massage type that is thought to have been created by 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 takes place on a big mat on the floor, and the customer is fully clothed.

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Thai Oil Massage

Thai oil massage is a variant of traditional Thai massage, using firm pressure and deep rhythmic movements along meridian/energy lines of the body. This treatment aims to unblock, balance, and restore the body’s natural flow of Prana/Qi/Chi/energy.

It is believed that maintaining stability in all organs and systems of the body can discourage ill health and disease so that the body can recover and function effectively. Thai oil massage utilises the properties of specific oils to allow the therapist to 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. It was created in Asia and becoming more popular in the UK. This therapy is ideal if you enjoy deep work. It will leave you feeling relaxed and energised, with a sense that your muscles have been stretched, warmed, and elongated.

Why Chose Natural Balance Therapies for your Massage near Montpelier?

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

Information about Montpelier, Brighton

Our Professional, Experienced and Caring Therapists offer Massage Therapy, Osteopathy, Acupuncture, and Beauty Treatments. Book your appointment Today!

Contact us Book Online