Massage

Here at The Arches we offer a wide range of Massage techniques covered by therapists specialising in either Therapeutic/Holistic and Sports Massage.

Therapeutic Massage is a combination of Relaxation Massage and Remedial Massage to not only relax your whole body but at the same time, work through some of the muscle issues or “tight spots” you may be experiencing, whilst Sports Massage is a more intense and specialised massage focusing on supporting and maintaining muscle function and sporting endurance as well as aiding injury recovery and rehabilitation.

Massage therapy may also improve your circulation, which enhances the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to muscle cells and helps remove waste products or reduce swelling. These circulatory effects of massage may have value in the treatment of some inflammatory conditions, such as arthritis.

Massage therapy induces a relaxation response, which lowers your heart rate, breathing rate, and blood pressure; plus boosts your immune system; and generally decreases the physical effects of stress, thus also supporting mental wellbeing. These effects suggest that massage may be helpful for a wide range of conditions.

What Conditions Benefit from a Therapeutic Massage and Sports Massage?
Massage therapy helps your body in numerous ways. Massage can relax muscle tissue, which may lead to decreased joint and nerve compression, increased joint and muscle range of motion. This commonly results in less pain and improved function.

Therapeutic massage benefits the following conditions:

  • Stress
  • Anxiety
  • General Wellbeing
  • High Blood Pressure
  • Arthritis
  • low Immunity
  • Minor injuries
  • Muscle Function

When are the Best Times for Massage?
The best time for a therapeutic massage is when you feel yourself getting worked up or when you are just not feeling your best.  Others find a regular therapeutic massage every month or two to be a great dose of prevention therapy.  We even have some highly stressed patients who have weekly massages just to cope with daily life.

Sports Massage is recommended as part of a regular fitness regime to help combat shortening of the muscles and help maintain healthy muscle function and range.

What Duration is the Best Therapeutic Massage?
If you have never had a massage before or it has been quite some time since your last massage then your initial treatment should ideally be for 60 to 90 minutes so that the therapist can work through those tired or injured muscles at an even pace to minimise any possible soreness the following day.  If you are a more regular massage recipient, your massage therapist will guide you as to the direction that works best for you and your muscles.

What Massage Frequency Works Best?
Everyone needs differ depending on your lifestyle.  As a guide, regular massage works best when on a 4 to 6-week basis (more frequently initially in the case of injury or rehabilitation).  This is because your muscles need to keep relaxed and moving through their full available range. Otherwise, they become “creatures of habit”.  If tense is how they are most often, that’s what they will consider normal.  And… we all know what that leads to… tight muscles, stress, and pain!

For optimal results and less potential for muscle soreness the day post-massage, having a regular massage will keep your body from not only reacting to the positive change your therapist is trying to provide, but it can also retrain your body to help itself and provide you with a better healthier you.

For advice specific to your therapeutic needs, please ask your massage therapist how regularly they feel that you should have a massage to function optimally.


Therapists: