OUR SKILLS
Premier Health Massage team is made of several professional massage therapists with a wide range of skills specialized in one or more types of massages. The experience and listening qualities of our therapists ensure authentic and quality services to our clients. We are all committed to the ethical of massage. As you know, massage therapy is recognized as one of the oldest methods of healing, with references in medical texts nearly 4,000 years old. In fact, Hippocrates, known as the “father of medicine”.
Massage is defined as the application of various techniques to the muscular structure and soft tissues of the human body. It is the application of soft-tissue manipulation techniques to the body, generally intended to reduce stress and fatigue while improving circulation.
Massage therapy techniques include applying fixed or movable pressure, holding, vibration, rocking, friction, kneading and compression using primarily the hands, fingers, forearms, elbows or even the feet. All of the techniques are used for the benefit of the muscle-skeletal system, circulatory-lymphatic, nervous, and other systems of the body. In fact, massage therapy positively influences the overall health and well-being of the client.
The many variations of massage account for several different techniques.
Massage excludes diagnosis, prescription, manipulation or adjustments of the human skeletal structure, or any other service, procedure or therapy which requires a license to practice orthopedics, physical therapy, podiatry, chiropractic, osteopathy, psychotherapy, acupuncture, or any other profession or branch of medicine.
Massage therapy is recognized as one of the oldest methods of healing, with references in medical texts nearly 4,000 years old. In fact, Hippocrates, known as the “father of medicine”, wrote papers recommending the use of rubbing and friction for joint and circulatory problems.
Chinese records dating back 3,000 years also document its use; the ancient Hindus, Persians and Egyptians applied forms of massage for many ailments. A Chinese book from 2,700 B.C., The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine, recommends ‘breathing exercises, massage of skin and flesh, and exercises of hands and feet” as the appropriate treatment for complete paralysis, chills, and fever.”
Doctors such as Ambroise Pare, a 16th-century physician to the French court, praised massage as a treatment for various ailments. During World War I patients suffering from nerve injury or shell shock were treated with massage. St. Thomas’s Hospital, London, had a department of massage until 1934. However, later breakthroughs in medical technology and pharmacology eclipsed massage as physiotherapists began increasingly to favor electrical instruments over manual methods of stimulating the tissues.
Massage is now used in intensive care units, for children, elderly people, babies in incubators etc. Most American hospices have some kind of bodywork therapy available, and it is frequently offered in health centers, drug treatment clinics, and pain clinics. A variety of massage techniques have also been incorporated into several other complementary therapies, such as aromatherapy, reflexology, Rolfing, Hellerwork, and osteopathy.
Nowadays massage therapies can be found in any respectable SPA around the world (Day Spas, Medical Spas and of course Hotel Resort Spas).
Here, we will try to describe some of the basic procedures for your best preparation (physical and mental) before the session, during the session and after the treatment is over. We will try to explain what you should expect and what to do in different situations; this is in order to avoid possible embarrassment and awkward situations.
When you visit us you will be escorted to our reception area. There, you will be greeted by your therapist and spend a few minutes discussing about your treatment in detail. You will also be asked to help your therapist in order to fill out a questionnaire concerning your physical condition and general health. By this time you would have developed a sense of mutual trust with your therapist; this will facilitate the whole procedure. This trust will grow minute after minute, once you get completely familiar with your therapist and his professional attitude.
Later on, we will show you around the facilities and mention among others, where to hang your clothes, place your valuables and where to take a shower. If you wear contact lenses and any sort of jewelry you are requested to remove them. A special case will be provided for this purpose.
While you’re lying comfortably on the massage couch, your therapist will describe the entire session sequence so you will know roughly what to expect. He will take care of the proper room temperature and lighting, while soft and relaxing music will play during the entire session. At this stage it would be advisable to mention any specific requests you may have. For example you must inform your therapist if you would like to avoid a specific part of your body, or give extra attention to another (i.e. upper back, lumbar area etc.).
In order to enjoy all the benefits of a therapeutic massage treatment, it is necessary to remain calm during the entire session. In order to achieve this, many people just close their eyes and try to think positive. Others prefer to talk with their therapist, while most people simply prefer to let go and often fall asleep; this is completely normal and very frequent indeed. Which way is the fittest for you, does not make any difference to your therapist, therefore just try to be yourself and everything will come naturally.
During the session, some times you will be asked to change position or even turn around; when this moment comes, your therapist will let you know and guide you through the process.
If there will be a need for you to use the restroom during the massage treatment, don’t hesitate to mention it. Not only it is absolutely normal, it is also highly desirable; this means that the detoxification process is working well.
Finally we will give you some aftercare advice along with a bottle of water or even a warm cup of tea.
Nowadays we are aware of the benefits of massage, which are varied and far-reaching.
As an accepted part of many physical rehabilitation programs massage therapy has also proven beneficial for many chronic conditions, including low back pain, arthritis, bursitis, fatigue, high blood pressure, diabetes, immunity suppression, infertility, smoking cessation, depression, and more. Last but not least, massage helps relieve the stress and tension of everyday living that can lead to disease and illness.
Physical and Mental Benefits of massage:
relaxes the whole body
loosens tight muscles
relieves tired and aching muscles
increases flexibility and range of motion
diminishes chronic pain
calms the nervous system
lowers blood pressure
lowers heart rate
enhances skin tone
assists in recovery from injuries and illness
strengthens the immune system
reduces tension headaches
reduces mental stress
improves concentration
promotes restful sleep
aids in mental relaxation
In many types of diseases and chronic illnesses, massage therapy not only cannot help but in fact can even spread the disease, therefore it is absolutely prohibited. For each and every type of massage therapy there are specific rules, precautions, relative and absolute contraindications which we must always have in mind.
Therefore we request that you always try to be honest with your therapist about your medical history, and consult with your physician before visiting us. Just consider the fact that even a simple cold or flue can worsen if massage is performed.
Some fundamental precautions and contraindications you should always consider are:
High fever (from cold, the flue or other reason)
Acute inflammations (i.e. sprained ankles)
Serious skeletal injuries (recent bone fractures)
Recent operations
Hepatitis, AIDS
Severe muscle and skeletal injuries
Contagious (or not) skin diseases (herpes, warts, impetigo, boils, fungi, scabies, lice etc.)
Pregnancy at early (first trimester) or late stages (we are not qualified)
Alcohol consumption
Menstruation
Very low blood pressure
Heart diseases and disorders (pacemaker, open heart surgery, strokes)
Open skin wounds and recent skin injuries (i.e. sunburns)
Phlebitis and varicose veins (should avoid these areas)
All forms of cancer
