When we hit any part of our body, we instinctively massage the painful area. Massage is an ancient healing therapy, using the hands which are very sensitive both for feeling and communication. We all have the ability to heal with our hands and when a therapist gives a massage, they are feeling for the physical tension within the body, muscle spasm, any old injuries, sensitive areas and nervousness of their client. In the art of massage there is a double therapy, the hands of the therapist will discover the areas of any discomfort, the client will also become aware of them, and healing will also be transmitted through the therapists hands.

Massage comes from the Arabic word mass/mas's meaning 'to press softly'. Massage as an holistic treatment means treating the whole person, body, mind, spirit. Research suggests that massage was in use several centuries before the birth of Christ. It was mentioned in ancient Greet, Egyptian, Indian and Chinese medical texts. It was mentioned in the 18th Century B.C. by Homer is his book Odysey, about the 4th Century B.C. by Hippocrates and the physician Galen (AD150) was known to use massage for the treatment and prevention of disease. Massage was taught in Egyptian temples alongside herbal medicine.

Massage has also been used throughout history for relaxation and a beauty treatment. The Romans indulged in massage with aromatic ointments, but after the fall of the Roman empire the Western world became more puritanical and viewed pampering of the body as sinful. This resulted in massage as a form of relaxation and as a form of medicine being ostracized and it has remained so for several centuries. It was not until the end of the 18th century that massage was revised. Per Henrik Ling of Sweden 1776 - 1839 is acclaimed in the West as the father of modern massage and he realized the importance of the person giving the massage to have a knowledge of anatomy and physiology. He introduced such terms as effleurage and petrissage. His method is based on various ancient traditional practices, combining theraputic massage with exercises for muscles and joints. It was largely his preference for using a base oil when massaging that the use of various oils with their life-enhancing qualities became increasingly popular in Europe in the 19th Century.

Swedish massage is simply a massage of the soft tissue of the body. This is mostly a superficial massage which affect the vascular and muscular system, and talcum powder is the usual medium for this type of massage.

Massage is an holistic therapy and apart from the physical affect on the body, it has a psychological effect on the mind and spirit.

• Physical effects - relaxation of protective muscle spasm (pain relief)
• Circulation - effects venous flow reduces blood pressure dilation of capillaries
• Lymph - increase in lymph flow
• Muscle tissue - muscle fatigue, recovery much more rapidly
• Blood - increase in red cell count - increase in haemoglobin - increase in blood platelet count
• Psychological effects Can be soothing, relaxing, sleep-inducing, calming, invigorating, stimulating, revitalising.

Anyone at any age can benefit from massage. From the new born baby to the elderly and infirm. However, as with a great number of therapies there are exceptions, and sometimes doctors permission should be sought before treatment. Some general contra-indications for massage are: Diabetics, any one diagnosed with a heart condition or who has recently had an operation, haemophilliacs any one suffering from an infection or contagious disease, thrombosis, unstable high or low blood pressure; varicose veins, skin conditions; osteoporsis, cancer, swelling or inflammation on an undiagnosed condition.

A Medical form completed. The purpose of visit discussed and what treatment is required. the client is then asked to lie down on massage couch and is covered in towels. One part of body is worked at a time i.e. front of right leg, front of left leg, right arm, left arm, etc.

The Healing Space offers:
Holistic Massage - relaxing and tension relieving, a holistic massage tones muscles, stimulates circulation & helps in the recovery of muscle fatigue.

Deep tissue massage - this advanced massage works on deep tissues & flexibility by incorporating the techniques os shiatsu, joint manipulation and the use of acupuncture points.