Angela Cuzzupe

SPECIALITY MASSAGES

Sports

• Sports massage was developed to treat not only muscle but also joint, ligaments and tendons.
  It utilities using such techniques as muscle energy technique (M.E.T.) and lengthening of the muscle belly.

• M.E.T. is a technique used by remedial and sports therapist to assist the muscle to stretch and thereby lengthen and mobilise the affect area without being too aggressive.

• Sports massage although developed for the active person can be used by you and me alike.

• That is to say, any person who as suffered trauma or injury in their everyday life or through exercise or a simple accident can use it.

• Slow long stokes help induce relaxation in muscles and nerves, similar to a Swedish massage while short fast strokes stimulate lymph and blood circulation.

IT IS RECOMMENDED FOR ANY PERSON WHO IS ACTIVE TO HAVE A MASSAGE PRE & POST ACTIVITY

• Pre exercise massage helps to warm up the body and therefore assist in recovery of injuries that might occur if your muscles are too cold before strenuous exercise.

• While exercising, your body produces lactic acid.

• Lactic acid is a compound that in the cells as an end- product of glucose metabolism.

• During strenuous exercise lactic acid may accumulate in the muscles causing cramps.

• Post exercise massages helps to reduce and loosen the lactic acid build up caused by exercise

Lymphatic Drainage

• Manual Lymphatic Drainage has a totally different purpose to deep tissue massage or relaxation & is quite surprisingly pain free.

• It acts like a deep cleansing treatment – detoxifying tissue, improves circulation, nourishes and regenerates cells as well as increases the body`s resistance to disease.

• The lymphatic system is the first line of defence & sits just below the surface of the skin.

• Commonly referred to as “the garbage disposal” of the body. Without the lymphatic system, the cardiovascular system would stop working and the immune system would be impaired.

• Unlike the cardiovascular system, that uses the heart as a pump, the lymphatic system has no pump.

• The system relies on activity like the squeezing action of surrounding muscles when they contract, pressure changes in the chest cavity during breathing, the presence of a way-one value to prevent back flow, the forces of gravity and even the pump like action of the balls of ones feet when walking.

• For the lymph system to work effectively and carry out the fluid transfer and filtering functions the lymph fluid must run freely

• Manual lymphatic drainage helps to stimulate the flow of the of the lymphatic system which provides so many health benefits –
  
  
  • PROMOTES HEALING
  
  
  • LESSENS PAIN
  
  
  • IMPROVES CHRONIC CONDITIONS
  
  
  • STRENGTHEN THE IMMUNE SYSTEM
  
  
  • RELIEVES FLUID CONGESTION
  
  
  • IS AN EFFECTIVE COMPONENT IN LYMPHEDEMA
  
  
  • IMPROVES THE APPEARANCE OF OLD SCAR TISSUE
  
  
  • AS WELL AS HELP IN THE REDUCTION OF STRETCH MARKS
  
  
  

and on the list GOES ON…

• Manual lymphatic drainage is a very gentle massage and one that massages fluid not muscles.

• It consists of a series of light slow rhythmical pumping movements followed by long gentles strokes.

• The result is a wave like movement along the lymph vessels, encouraging the flow of lymph fluid and the removal of any congestion.

• Drinking plenty of fluids and keeping your intake of fluids slightly higher than normal will reduce any short - term unpleasant side effects that may or may not be

Pregnancy

Massage therapy during pregnancy is a wonderful complementary choice for prenatal care. It is a healthy way to reduce stress and promote overall wellness. Massage relieves many of the normal discomforts experienced during pregnancy, such as backaches, stiff neck, leg cramps, headaches and oedema (or swelling).

DURING THE PRENATAL MASSAGE

Sideline positioning with supportive, soft cushions is used to alleviate the extra strain on the lower back and pelvic areas when the pressure of massage techniques are applied. Extra strain in these areas can cause unnecessary back or abdominal pain.

RELIEF OF EVERYDAY SYMPTOMS

Massage for pregnant women offers a number of benefits, and it's always a good idea to discuss with your therapist any everyday symptoms you'd like to see relieved. Those might include:

• Headaches can be relieved by massage focusing on the head, neck and shoulders. Of course, this is optimal due to the fact that medications such as panadol are not recommended.

• Encouraging blood flow to the afflicted areas can relieve muscle tension created by carrying the extra weight of a baby. This provides more nutrient-rich oxygen and also increases the flow of lymphatic fluid, which sweeps away toxins and metabolic waste.

• Fatigue, backaches, leg cramps and swelling/oedema can all be relieved through various types of massage for pregnant women.

• The ordinary aches and pains of pregnancy are countered by the release of serotonin, your body's natural anti-pain chemical, which is stimulated by massage.

While a massage can't promise that your newborn will sleep through the night, it can provide you with a better night's sleep both during pregnancy and afterwards. Regular massage therapy not only helps diminish anxiety and discomfort but boosts relaxation as well. This ultimately can lead to improved sleep patterns.

Cupping

Cupping is an ancient form of alternative medicine in which a therapist applies specialised cups to skin, creating a suction motion. It is used for many purposes including to help with pain, inflammation, blood flow, relaxation and general well being.