Relaxation and Swedish Massage

Basic Massage techniques such as stroking, kneading, and rubbing stimulate physical and emotional healing by releasing tensions and by increasing the blood flow on the part of the body that is being massaged.

Relaxed muscles get their toxins removed and good nutriments like oxygen can come to feed them.

Swedish massage was developed in the 1700's by a Swedish doctor named Per Henrik Ling. The term "Swedish Massage" refers to a variety of techniques specifically designed to relax muscles by applying pressure to them against deeper muscles and bones, and rubbing in the same direction as the flow of blood returning to the heart.

Swedish massage shortens recovery time from muscular strain by flushing the tissues of lactic acid, uric acid, and other metabolic wastes. It increases circulation without increasing heart load. It stretches the ligaments and tendons keeping them supple and pliable. Swedish Massage also stimulates the skin and soothes the nerves at the same time. It reduces emotional and physical stress when used regularly.

Deep Tissue Massage

DT Massage is a massage technique that focuses on the deeper layers of muscle tissue or tendons.

The deep pressure is applied on the contracted areas to force the muscle fibers to relax using a reflex reaction.

It is done through slow strokes and deep finger or elbow pressure either following or going across the fibers of the muscles, tendons and fascia.

DT massage helps to break up and eliminate scar tissue. DT massage usually focuses on more specific areas and may cause some soreness during or right after the massage. However, if the massage is done correctly you should feel better than ever within a day or two.

When muscles are continually contracted, they block oxygen and nutrients, leading to inflammation that builds up toxins in the muscle tissue. A deep-tissue massage helps loosen muscle tissues, release toxins from muscles and get blood and oxygen circulating properly. Because many toxins are released, it's important to drink plenty of water after a deep-tissue session to help eliminate these toxins from the body.



Sports Massage

Sports Massage is a series of techniques used to help enhance the athlete's performance, prevent overuse injuries and to help rehabilitate injuries.

Sports Massage may contribute to the athletes ability to train more often, at a higher intensity and with a lesser chance of injury and muscle soreness. The techniques used help to increase circulation, promote lymphatic circulation, increase flexibility and range of motion, relieve muscle soreness and pain.

Sports Massages can be used as Pre-event, Post-event or for maintenance as part of a regular training program

helping the athlete to keep muscles loose, increasing blood flow to the tissue, decreasing scar tissue and helping increased flexibility.

The goal of Sports Massage is to maximize athletic performance.

The massage is focused on the type of activity performed by the athlete.

Hot Stone Massage

Hot stone massage is a specialty massage that uses smooth, heated stones.

They are often basalt, a black volcanic rock that absorbs and retains heat well.

It is a deeply soothing, the ultimate relaxing form of massage. The heat helps tight muscles to relax.

The stones are heated in 120-150 degree water.

Traditional strokes of Swedish massage while holding a heated stone are used.

As the stone cools, the therapist replaces it with another. The therapist might also leave heated stones

in specific points along your spine, or on your chakra points, or in the palms of your hand,

 or on the sole of your feet, or even between your toes to improve the flow of energy in your body.

This is an old therapy dating back 5000 years from India and most certainly also used in the Mayan culture.

The hot stones have a tendency to relax the muscles and “draw out” muscle pain and discomfort.

Shiatsu Massage

Shiatsu is a Japanese word. It means ‘finger pressure’. Pressure is applied to the areas of energy lines (meridians) on back, legs and arms, to promote good health by 'stimulating the body’s energy flow (Ki)'.

• A Shiatsu session usually lasts 1 hour.
• At Magic Fingers, the session takes place on a massage table, the patient fully clothed.

The purpose of the Shiatsu session offered at Magic Fingers Clinic is not therapeutic. It is a way of balancing the energy and is very recommended to get your energy back when anyone fills run down or exhausted.

A minimum of 2 session 5 to 7 days apart is ideal.

Shiatsu is a deeply relaxing experience and regular Shiatsu sessions help to prevent the build-up of stress in our daily lives.

Manual Lymphatic Drainage

MLD involves light, rhythmical massage that aids the body in collecting and moving lymphatic fluid, carrying away toxins and bacteria bringing in white blood cells (lymph fluid) that act as our immune system. Consisting of lymph nodes and channels, the lymphatic system acts as a sanitation system filtering and transporting the dirty cells to the kidneys and liver for elimination. It takes approximately 24 hours for the body to process about three quarts of lymphatic fluid. When you add an injury, infection or surgery where lymph nodes are removed, the flow of fluid is hindered; hence you get edema (swelling).

With manual lymphatic massage (MLD), versus “mechanically” induced, the effectiveness of the lymphatic system can be enhanced by manually assisting the flow, pushing the toxins and waste products through.

The beauty of this technique is that it is slow, rhythmic and gentle, so relaxation is assured. As with any other massage technique, MLD can reduce the effects of depression and anxiety brought on by stress, thereby improving sleep.

The technique, therefore, is gentle and specific to the flow pattern for a particular area, thus, in the field of massage therapy, you need to have advanced training.



Cranio-sacral Therapy

Dr William Sutherland, ostheopath, dicovered over 100 years ago, that at a deep level of our physiological functioning all healthy, living tissues subtly "breathe" with the motion of life - a phenomenon that produces rhythmic impulses which can be palpated by sensitive hands. Contrary to popular belief Dr Sutherland realized that cranial sutures were, in fact, designed to express small degrees of motion. After many years of research he demonstrated the existence of this motion, which he referred to as the "Breath of Life." Furthermore, Dr Sutherland discovered that the motion of cranial bones is closely connected to subtle movements that involve a network of interrelated tissues and fluids at the core of the body; including cerebrospinal fluid (the 'sap in the tree'), the central nervous system, the membranes that surround the central nervous system and the sacrum.

Dr Sutherland realized the important role played by the fluids in the body (particularly cerebrospinal fluid) in helping to disseminate the subtle rhythms produced by the Breath of Life throughout the body. Thus, the ability of cells and tissues to express their primary respiratory motion is a critical factor in determining our state of health.

During the course of our lives our bodies become conditioned according to how we’re able to deal with any stresses or traumas. If stresses or traumas are overwhelming, they become locked in the body as sites of inertia. These sites of inertia affect the natural rhythmical movements of the Breath of Life and so hinder the ability for health to manifest at a cellular level.

The practitioner by "listening through the hands" to the body's subtle rhythms will find patterns of inertia or congestion, places where issues are held and then follow the natural priorities for healing. This is done in a non-invasive way as the practitioner subtly and gently encourages the conditions that allow for the reemergence of primary respiratory motion.

The craniosacral therapy offers at Magic Fingers Clinic is usually combined with massage therapy to help with any neck condition, insomnia, stress, headaches and migraines.

Raindrop Massage Using Young Living Essential Oils

Inspired by The Raindrop Technique developed by D. Gary Young in the 1980s.

It involves applying therapeutic grade essential oils to the spine, neck and feet. The oils are actually dropped from about 6 inches above your spine, simulating rain drops! It is very relaxing and comforting.

The technique is using several modalities like Aromatherapy (2 blends and 7 single oils), Vita Flex Technique (an ancient Tibetan methodology meaning "vitality through the reflexes "). Feather Stroking termed by the Native American Lakota Indians - This is similar to a massage called effleurage.

The oils used are Valor, Oregano, Thyme, Cypress, Wintergreen, Basil, Peppermint, Marjoram and AromaSiez.

What are the Benefits of Raindrop Technique?

• Balance and Re-align the Energy Centers of the Body
• Reduce Stress and Minor Anxiety
• Aid the Body's Natural Response to Irritation and Injury
• Eases Muscle Discomfort after Exercise
• Support Healthy Immune System
• Emotional Well Being and Release
• Help Detox the Body Systems

 Variant of the treatment could be tailored to specific issues, using different oils.

Ionic Detox Foot Bath

The primary benefit of an ionic detox footbath is that it enhances the body’s own natural detoxification abilities. This allows the body to remove heavy metals and other toxic elements from the body more efficiently.

Assisting the body’s natural detoxification process results in:

• A stronger immune system
• A reduction in chronic pain and inflammation
• Prevention of chronic disease
• Relief from the symptoms of chronic illness
• Potential weight loss
• Increased energy and focus
• Enhanced lymphatic drainage
• Better skin health
• Fewer headaches and migraines
• Improved circulation and heart health
• An overall feeling of relaxation and improved mood
• Stress relief
• A reduction of swelling in the feet and ankles
• Improved digestion and nutrient absorption

Often, when we are working with a patient to boost their immune system, their progress can become stalled due to

the body’s inability to remove toxins efficiently. If toxins are allowed to build up, the patient’s immune system suffers, inflammation increases, and the body reabsorbs the toxins it can’t get rid of.

By supporting detoxification and boosting circulation, we can ensure that the patient’s lymphatic system does not become blocked. This allows the body to push out any residual toxins, resulting in improved overall health for the patient.