The word ‘holistic’ comes from the Greek word ‘holos’ meaning whole and complete. A holistic massage supports you as a whole person – mind, body, and spirit.

This means that when you come for your first appointment we spend time discussing your health, lifestyle, home, hobbies, and what brought you to make the appointment. This is such a valuable exercise and many clients are often relieved to talk feely knowing that they are being listened to in a confidential space.

I describe the initial consultation time as us painting a picture of your life. It is my hope that it might allow us to make connections about where your discomfort may have its’ roots as it’s not always where we expect it! This in itself is transformational.

In fact some first appointments can end up being a long conversation, which then set the foundations for our future work together.

‘Holistic’ means I work with you as a ‘whole’ person

Therapeutic touch aka massage has the potential to:

• Release dis-ease, tension and pain
• Calm an over-active nervous system
• Balance emotions and energy levels
• Re-connect us to our true selves and inner voice 

This can happen when we’re in a supported environment, receiving safe touch in the way that we know our ‘holistic’ body will respond to.

It is important that you feel you are in safe hands. This is a subject close to my heart. 

Massage is nurturing touch, very different to the type of touch you might experience elsewhere in your life. It is a form of communication: a way of listening and responding to the needs of your body. And, very often, a way of releasing some of the emotional strain you have been under too. 

My holistic massage training

In my seventeen years as a holistic massage therapist, I’ve trained in a variety of specialist techniques so I can blend therapeutic massage techniques from Swedish, Indian head, forearm (No Hands Massage), deep tissue, compression, trigger points and fascial release work. You don’t need to know which technique you want: just talk to me about how you want to be touched and feel afterwards and I will interpret this into your massage treatment.

Again, while you don’t need to know all about the different types of massage I offer it’s helpful to know how massage techniques vary from light to deep and slow to fast. They can include stretches, traction, and range of movements, to a still, more restful and passive massage. Having this knowledge gives you the options to choose what you need.

A massage for the present moment

Holistic massage is about tapping into what you need on the day of your appointment. Just like my other treatments, every session starts with a consultation so you can connect with how you’re feeling, what you need from your massage treatment and how you’d like to feel afterwards.

You may want a massage to balance energy, reduce tension, or connect your mind and body. All of these options are possible as massage can do all of these things!

What options are there in a holistic massage?

The list below covers some of the ways and areas that can be included in a holistic massage treatment. Please don’t think of it as a strict menu though as you are able to mix and match to create a truly bespoke treatment which will give you exactly what you are looking for. 

You don’t need to know your responses in advance of your appointment it’s simply to give you an idea of the range and power of holistic massage. There really is something for everyone!

• Full Body Massage: a powerful flowing treatment and an unbelievable experience! From beginning to end you feel enveloped in the healing power of therapeutic touch.  Your body and mind can take whatever it needs from this treatment, whether it is nurture, connection, release or rejuvenation. As the name implies it includes both the back and front of the body (omitting the chest area) and the head, face, abdomen, hands and feet can also be included.
  
• Back Massage: ideal to release the tension and undo all the knots in your spine, hips and neck. When you free up your back you free up your whole energy! 
  
• Structural Release Massage: I use deep and safe bodywork techniques to release your spine, neck and hips so they can function how they were always designed to. When your spine, neck and hips are supple and flexible, it improves the lymph and blood flow to all your organs.
  
• Deep Tissue Massage: this is the perfect complement to your existing exercise regime or for anyone experiencing discomfort, releasing tension and tightness from deep in the muscles.
  
• Foot Massage: a deeply relaxing and pleasurable treatment that can soothe away the stresses of the day. Leave the session literally ‘walking on air’. As many reflexologists testify, the foot reflects your whole body and after this amazingly deep foot massage, you can leave feeling your whole body transformed.
  
• Colon Massage: working gently and deeply, this naturopathic treatment focuses on the muscles of this major elimination organ. Gently strengthening the muscles in the walls of your large intestine is the simplest and most natural way to bring your tissues back to health. Your whole body’s health depends on the proper functioning of your bowels. With the use of clear hand signals, you remain in charge of the session so we can work to the depth you are happy with.
  
• Detox Massage: this is a powerful treatment which combines working specific reflex points in your feet with the colon treatment. This massage stimulates your body’s own natural instinct to detoxify and cleanse itself. It is particularly good for those times in your life when you just know you need a good ‘clear out’. These work best when taken as part of a course to ensure the benefit is cumulative ideally taken weekly.
  
• Clothed Massage: a great way to experience the power of massage without the need of undressing or the use of oils. I work  through a towel that protects your clothing, and you still receive the range and depth of techniques to get whatever you need from massage at the time.
  
• Seated Massage: you remain fully clothed for a chair massage and this works well for Indian Head Massage style treatments focusing on the upper body, shoulders, neck and head. 
  
• Transformational Massage: a fantastic way to support the changes you want to make in your life. Whatever you want to change; you can use the power of touch to help. I will help you to use the power of your mind during this treatment and if privacy is an issue, I need never even know what it is you actually wish to change. This is not ‘psychotherapy’. It is just about aligning your mind with the simple power of touch to support the changes you wish to make. This works best as part of a course of treatments, ask me for more details.

This is just a flavour of what holistic massage can offer. Each one of these could have a blog in its own right! 

If you have any questions about holistic massage, or if you’d like to arrange an appointment just drop me a line at he***@***********co.uk

Serious about your well-being? Then the Loyalty Membership scheme will be a good starting point for you to receive support for a period of time so you can reap the holistic benefits.

Wishing you calmness,

Joe

P.S. If you enjoyed this, you might also like Mindfulness & Meditation – How Can They Help?