How I became a massage therapist
Based on knowledge of over 30 years of Natural Health and Massage Therapies. Most of us agree that a massage is a great way to relax and work out some knots and muscle tensions, but it seems these days that there are countless varieties of treatment on offer. Massage therapy is very safe, but your therapist must be VERY focused and “tune in” to the unique you.
I know this as I became a massage therapist due to a sky-diving accident paralyzing the left gluteal fold and causing rather bad circulation down the left leg. It’s not something I took seriously at 19, I simply dragged my sorry self-up in embarrassment and limped back to the drop zone site in a baron place called Wentworth on the VIC/ NSW border not far from SA. Unbeknown to me it was even so severely injured, I went on to further fracture my back bob-sledding throughout my massage course. So the search deepened into the secret answer to heal myself and thy body, I tried and experienced MOST modalities. Hence I became an amazing massage therapist eventually combining my own thing, depending what the individual in front of you needs, but a “Paula Massage” works for most people.
I have studied and trained my whole life because I needed to know more about the underlying tissues and how they interact with each other. I also spot more significant problems and advise clients to see their doctor if necessary.
Paula will also take time to look for improvements or indeed, deterioration, in the affected part so that the client can really make progress. I combine remedial massage with cupping in opposite areas so there is ALWAYS the lower back and upper back engaged and working. If necessary always finishing in a Bowen Technique. Whatever it takes.
Most people who are looking for something firmer and harder than a Swedish massage will often look at deep tissue and remedial massage. Remedial massage is targeted at a particular area of the body, whereas deep tissue massage is an all-over pummelling. Remedial massage doesn’t necessarily involve hard pressure, especially if the person is recovering from an injury. Always on a professional massage table and a pregnancy massage table is available and highly recommended for pregnant women as soon as they are no longer comfortable laying on their stomach.
What types of massage therapies
Cupping therapy technique
Cupping therapy is an ancient form of alternative medicine in which a therapist puts special cups on your skin for a few minutes to create suction. People get it for many purposes, including to help with pain, inflammation, blood flow, relaxation and well-being, and as a type of deep-tissue massage. I have been “cupping” since the 80’s and upgraded from using flame to a modern version of cupping uses a rubber pump instead of fire to create the vacuum inside the cup. Sometimes I use silicone cups, which they can move from place to place on your skin for a massage-like effect. Feels like a drag motion with suction, amazing experience!!
Deep tissue massage therapy
Deep tissue massage uses broadly the same sort of strokes and techniques as Strong, deep tissue massage can cause the most trouble. It may aggravate problems, instead of helping. Some chronic pain patients may be disastrously traumatized by intense massage. But CUPPING MASSAGE is the best by far deep tissue massage due to working 3 inches into the tissue and the non-movement of the therapy. The massage has a much longer lasting effect, it’s something that really needs to be experienced. A much stronger exchange of energies.
Swedish massage therapy
Swedish massage style, but done firmer, with more pressure so that it hits deeper muscles. It can be uncomfortable, but deep tissue fans describe it as a “good pain”.
It’s just as, if not more, relaxing than a Swedish massage, but you can feel some aches the day after (although they’re good aches, obviously…) and this massage is great for athletes and anyone wanting to recover from a lot of exercise. Massage chair or sitting can be of help but using a professional massage table and laying prone is far superior.
Swedish massage is probably the one that most people are familiar with – a long, luxurious, soft-pressure rubdown with some oils which makes for a really relaxing treat. It’ll improve your sense of wellbeing and maybe get your circulation going a bit, but it doesn’t have the same physically therapeutic impact as a deep tissue massage or a remedial massage.
Bowen Technique is a holistic remedial body technique that works on the soft connective tissue (fascia) of the body. Bowen Therapy can be used to treat musculoskeletal or related neurological problems including acute sports injuries and chronic or organic conditions. Bowen Therapy is an effective but gentle and non-invasive technique that works on the fascia, or soft connective tissues of the body while I use light moves over of the muscle, tendon or ligament without any forceful manipulation, Bowen Therapy is often described as “holistic bodywork” or multidimensional healing therapy” is an amazing combination that don’t fully convey the healing power and health benefits of this gentle body work technique. Bowen Therapy is a whole body healing technique that incorporates gentle and soft tissue manipulation stimulating your body’s natural ability to self-heal.
As a remedial approach, Bowen Therapy is able to treat the cause of your medical conditions, aches and pains rather than mask the symptoms. Treatments always take place on a massage table except a few moves that may be done standing. I always encourage 3 times in a month to visit if never experienced the Bowen modality before.
To end the massage treatment. I also encourage hydration to help flush waste and prevent next-day soreness. And at least for those first few hours after a massage, avoid caffeine and alcohol, which are dehydrating.