National Massage Day occurs on the 1st October each year.
When was the last time you got a massage?
Imagine booking a massage right now and picture the experience that awaits you… tranquil treatment room, relaxing music playing gently in the background, the soothing aromas that calm your senses, imagine yourself sinking into the heated couch and feeling your stresses and strains melt away…
There are many massage modalities and numerous ways massage can benefit you.
Whether you are:
An aromatherapy lover
A traditionalist who enjoys a Swedish massage
Enjoy the geothermal aspect of a LaStone or Bamboo Massage treatment
Are suffering with a sluggish lymphatic system so would like lymphatic drainage
Want to give your stubborn areas a good jigging with G5 massage
Like a deep tissue or power massage
Are a keen sports person who would like some sports / remedial massage
Someone who prefers a head massage
A lover of a foot massage
A facial massage aficionado
Would like two or three hours on the couch being massaged from top to toe
I HAVE A MASSAGE FOR YOU!
Additionally, I am able to combine your favourite aspects from any of the massages to create a truly bespoke treatment just for you.
You can find all the massages available at Lorraine’s Treatment Room by clicking here.
The American Massage Therapy Association lists 25 reasons why you should get a massage, they reference the studies carried out, highlighting the positive results for each condition and the study size. Top benefits include:
Relieve stress
Relieve postoperative pain
Reduce anxiety
Manage low-back pain
Help fibromyalgia pain
Reduce muscle tension
Enhance exercise performance
Relieve tension headaches
Sleep better
Ease symptoms of depression
Improve cardiovascular health
Reduce pain of osteoarthritis
Decrease stress in cancer patients
Improve balance in older adults
Decrease rheumatoid arthritis pain
Temper effects of dementia
Promote relaxation
Lower blood pressure
Decrease symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Help chronic neck pain
Lower joint replacement pain
Increase range of motion
Decrease migraine frequency
Improve quality of life in hospice care
Reduce chemotherapy-related nausea
Looking at the number one & three benefits of relieving stress and anxiety, Psychology Today tell us that
The anxiety-reducing and mood-enhancing benefits of massage are probably related to changes in EEG activity, decreased levels of cortisol, and increased activity of the parasympathetic nervous system, which acts automatically to calm the body and brain during stress.
Additionally, numerous studies have been carried out on massage pressure and show that moderate massage is the most effective for reducing pain associated with medical issues and carries the additional benefits of improving attention and enhancing your body’s immune response.
Brain imaging studies support this evidence by showing the changes that take place in areas of the brain that are involved in regulating stress responses and emotions such as the amygdala and hypothalamus.
I have some phenomenal treats and offers for National Massage Day that will be sent out to all members on my mailing list….I’ve even devised a couple of new treatments just for the occasion!If you are not a member of the mailing list and would like to be, you can join by clicking here.
1st October also marks the start of Pro-Touch Awareness month – a month that promotes the importance of consensual and positive human touch and connection to everyone. Just think about how comforting a hand can be when you are in need. Now, imagine someone who is deprived of human contact, what joy could a simple touch, or hug, bring to them?
Pro-Touch Awareness realises that, following the pandemic, we are presently in a touch-starved world so as well as raising awareness of the benefits of touch, they are encouraging touching the lives of others with acts of kindness.
What kindness could you bring to someone’s life today?
Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) massage is a gentle, rhythmic massage with a soft touch that lightly stimulates your skin in the direction of your lymphatic flow.
This massage assists your lymphatic system in maintaining your body’s fluid balance, immune system and circulatory system; it also assists in reducing toxins in your body.
Developed by Dr Emil Vodder and his wife Estrid in the 1930s as a treatment for lymphedema, this treatment stimulates lymphatic fluid, encouraging the lymph to move more freely around your body assisting in the reduction of swollen lymph nodes; it also has a powerfully relaxing and calming effect on your nervous system.
WOAH! Let’s start with my lymphatic system……what’s that?
Your lymphatic system is part of your body’s immune system helping to defend you against infection and cancer. It transports lymph – a fluid containing infection-fighting white blood cells – throughout your body via a network of vessels, nodes, ducts and some of your glands (tonsils, adenoids, spleen, and thymus).
Amongst other functions, your lymphatic system is key for immunity, blood pressure regulation and digestion.
Blood plasma leaks out of small capillaries into your body’s tissues. This extracellular fluid, lymph, is made up of excess fluid, fats, proteins, bacteria and other substances and collected from the tissues by lymph capillaries. These lymph capillaries link with your larger lymph vessels and the lymph is carried through these until it reaches your lymph nodes.
The job of the lymph nodes is to filter out and excrete any unwanted particles, such as bacterial and viral pathogens and cancerous cells, before returning the cleaned lymph to your circulatory system at the subclavian vein.
As well as filtering, excretion and recycling, your lymphatic system also helps create and circulate vital disease fighting cells such as lymphocytes, monocytes and antibodies.
The lymphatic system has no pump and it is the pressure from your circulatory system and movement from your muscles that create lymphatic flow.
Your lymphatic system
So, if my lymphatic system functions without me doing anything, why do I need lymphatic drainage massage?
Unfortunately, there can be many factors that might contribute towards a clogged lymphatic system and it is believed that a lymphatic system that is not functioning optimally can cause many health problems. Lymphatic drainage massage assists in moving fluid out of damaged areas to where the body is functioning normally.
Lymphatic drainage massage is also considered beneficial to skincare and well-being and it is remarkably detoxifying and relaxing.
In fact, many people have MLD after illness or injury, after a stressful period, or with the changing seasons as they find it very purifying, revitalising their energy so they are ready to face the world and new challenges.
How does manual lymphatic drainage work?
MLD is a unique massage that uses a variety of specialised skin-stretching movements to gently stimulate the lymphatic fluid under your skin. This promotes the movement of the lymphatic fluid, encouraging it to flow freely around your lymphatic system.
Where there are blockages (areas of lymph build up) the advanced techniques of this massage help stimulate the lymph nodes and increase the rhythmic contractions of the lymphatic vessels encouraging them to find new pathways that enable the lymph to drain away from the swollen area.
Free-flowing lymph and an optimally working lymphatic system helps renew, nourish, strengthen and regenerate the cells of your body whilst also assisting with the removal of excess fluid from the system and waste products.
What causes swelling/blockages in my body?
A sluggish, compromised or blocked lymphatic system is most commonly a side-effect of surgery, infection, trauma or certain diseases (such as autoimmune disorders or cancer).
When the lymph builds up in a particular area of the body, such as the arms or the legs, this is known as lymphedema.
Lymphedema symptoms can include swelling, skin discoloration, pain, weakness and feelings of heaviness in the affected arm or leg.
Peripheral oedema does not occur as a result of a poorly functioning lymphatic system, however, this kind of swelling of the tissues of the arm or legs does respond well to lymphatic drainage treatment.
How would a lymphatic drainage massage help me?
MLD is extremely relaxing, is a great boost to your body’s immune system and can enhance your well-being.
MLD is preventative, remedial, relaxing and can enhance your well being. Furthermore, MLD:
Is deeply relaxing.
Promotes the healing of fractures, torn ligaments, sprains and lessens pain.
Can improve many chronic conditions: sinusitis, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, acne and other skin conditions.
May strengthen the immune system as part of “detox” treatment.
Relieves fluid congestion: swollen ankles, tired puffy eyes and swollen legs due to pregnancy.
Is an effective component of the treatment and control of lymphoedema and assists in conditions arising from venous insufficiency.
Promotes healing of wounds and burns and improves the appearance of old scars.
Minimises or reduces stretch marks.
Recommended as a pre-surgery treatment to prepare your body and tissue for the upcoming procedure and after surgery (especially cosmetic procedures) to speed recovery. Please see my blog on MLD for surgical procedures.
What Conditions can Manual Lymphatic Drainage Help With?
Manual lymphatic drainage may help with:
Lymphedema
Fibromyalgia – in fact authors of a 2015 systematic review concluded that MLD might be more effective that regular massage in relieving symptoms of stiffness and depressing in FM sufferers
Oedema (swelling)
Skin disorders
Fatigue
Insomnia
Stress
Digestive issues
Arthritis
Migraines & headaches
Sinus issues
Excess weight
Post trauma oedema
Post surgery – please see my MLD during surgery blog
Palliative care – please also see my article on Oncology massage
Lymphedema – primary and secondary
Lipedema
Chronic venous insufficiency
Reducing intracranial pressure in severe cerebral diseases.
I’m healthy and feel fine, should I have MLD?
This gentle, soothing massage is suitable for everyone. Considered an MOT for your body, it is a great treatment to have when you are feeling a little ‘meh’, or with the changing of the seasons.
A 2014 study showed that MLD had a soothing effect on the sympathetic nervous system reducing anxiety and pain.
So, is MLD suitable for everyone?
As with most therapeutic treatments and complementary therapies, there are a few conditions that prevent lymphatic massage.
If you have any of the following conditions, you will not be able to receive a lymphatic drainage massage unless you have your medical professional’s written permission. However, if you are suffering from any of the following and would like to receive a treatment, please do contact me so we can discuss suitable alternatives.
The conditions that prevent MLD include:
Congestive heart failure
Blood clots / DVT
Kidney problems / renal failure
Infections
Circulatory problems
I’d love a massage, how can I book?
Please book your lymphatic massage by clicking here.
Any lymphatic self-care top-tips?
Indeed!
Water – drinking the recommended 2L of water a day will help flush out your system
Activity – even gentle activity will help encourage a healthy flow of lymph – the movement of your muscles applies pressure on the lymphatic vessels to help keep them moving
Body brushing – using circular movements over your skin with a bristle brush
Hot and cold showers – alternate dilating and constricting of your blood vessels helps the body eliminate toxic fluids
Avoiding tight clothes that may restrict your lymphatic flow
Deep breathing – this will help the lymphatic system transport lymph to your liver for filtration
Eating foods that support and promote a healthy lymphatic system
Avoiding foods that are believed to block the lymphatic system
Herbal teas – some herbal teas promote lymph health
