So you've decided you would like a massage and after a wizz round Google you're not sure which is for you. Does this sound familiar? What's the difference? What can I expect? How long will I need? What should I wear? Shall I wax? Does it hurt/tickle? These are all valid questions that I get asked a lot, so hopefully I can shed some light on this for you! 

The dictonary says that massage is the scientific manipulation of soft tissues of the body including muscles, connective tissue, tendons, ligaments and joints to prevent and alleviate pain, discomfort, muscle spasm, stress and to promote health and wellness. There are many different types of massage available but for the moment we will just take a look at: 

Swedish Massage is a treatment that represents a classic western massage. Various techniques are used to encourage relaxation, improve circulation and ease tense muslces, they include soothing movements like stroking and gliding in collaboration with kneading and virbration movements and is probably the kind of thing that springs to mind with a "typical" massage.  

This is one of the most popular massage treatments here at Novy Health & Beauty. It combines the more soothing techniques like stroking, gliding and kneading, however 100% pure essential oils are added to a carrier oil which enhances the massage treatment with the properties of the selected oils. Typicially 3 different essential oils are selected which when combined together can enhance well-being, restore balance and help with a variety of conditions both on a physical and mental level.  

If you've not tried hot stone massage you are really missing out. A fantasticly deep treatment using smooth stones (not like one on your driveway or rockery, these are basalt stones) which are heated in a device that looks like a slow cooker. These hot, or rather, quite warm stones are then used to carry out the movements of the massage usually using aromatherapy oils. It is said that one stroke with a hot stone is equivalent to 6 with the hand! You must have seen pictures advertising hot stone treatments where a client is laid on her front with a row of black stones along her back. This is only a tiny part of the treatment and happens at the end when rebalancing the energy. 

I usually carry out this treatment with client seated. It is an excelllent massage for relief of stress, stiff neck and shoulders and headaches. The treatment concentrates on the upperback and arms, shoulders, neck, face and scalp. This treatment generally uses no oils and undressing is not required. 

 

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