Sports Massage, Aromatherapy and Indian Head Massage
Kat Steed
MIFPA, SMA Affiliate
Sports Massage
Sport massage is the discipline of using massage for the specific benefit of all sports and exercise participants. It covers the management, manipulation and rehabilitation of the soft tissues of the body, e.g. muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Other benefits of sports massage include improving circulation and lymphatic flow, sedating and stimulating of nerve endings, increasing/decreasing muscle length, assisting in the removal of metabolic waste, and improving muscle tone.
Sports massage can be beneficial during conditioning and training, during injury recovery and also for injury prevention. Regardless of whether you exercise or play sport to keep fit, compete from club to international level, or have a non-sport related injury, sports massage may be beneficial to you.
For more information, see the website of the
Sports Massage Association
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is the art of combining essential oils to be applied therapeutically through massage. Naturally produced in plants, each oil has its own distinct properties. Through research they have been shown to posses various properties such as being a stimulant or relaxant, analgesic, anti-infectious and anti-inflammatory, whilst the aroma can calm the mind and relax the nervous system.
Aromatherapy can be of enormous benefit to almost anybody aiding a wide range of problems including stress, tension, headaches, insomnia, digestive problems and muscular aches and pains. It can be used alongside orthodox medicine and can be helpful for conditions such as arthritis, heart disease and cancer.
For more information, see the website of the
International Federation of Professional Aromatherapists
Indian Head Massage
Indian Head Massage has been a part of family life in India for thousands years. Traditionally a massage of the head, since its recent incorporation into Western culture the massage has evolved to include other areas of the body that carry stress such as the shoulders, neck and arms. It is one of the few massage treatment that can be carried out whilst the recipient remains dressed. Whilst oils are not necessary for the massage, they can be applied to the head to improve the condition of the hair and scalp.
Indian Head Massage can be enjoyed by almost anybody. The massage will encourage blood flow so oxygen levels to the brain are increased as well as improving the circulation and nutrition levels in the scalp for the skin and hair. Tension and stress can be released from muscles in the neck and shoulders and around the eyes.