How A Therapeutic Massage In London Can Help

The word therapeutic is in many ways synonymous with massage. In fact, the primary aim of real massage is to deliver physical and mental relaxation in a calm and welcoming manner. 

But not all massages are equal. If you are searching for genuine remedy therapy in London, then it is important to understand how to ensure you actually get what you are expecting.
 

Which kinds of massage are therapeutical?

Therapeutic techniques designed to protect and restore health form the backbone of professional massage therapy. 

The Massage Rooms offers many different types of mobile massage throughout London but one thing that they all have in common is an ambition to help cure stress - whether that is physical or psychological. 

Depending on the style of treatment you choose, the techniques used by the therapist can vary significantly - so it's crucial that you select the most appropriate!

Swedish massage is usually applied with a softer pressure and utilises effleurage, petrissage and rhythmic tapping. It can certainly be beneficial in a therapeutic sense, but we would say its main benefits are more emotional than physical. 

On the other hand, Deep tissue and Thai Massage use more advanced movements and often include assisted stretching. These allow the massage therapist to penetrate deeper into soft tissue, to help release stress, encourage improved blood circulation and improve overall muscle and joint flexibility. These types of massage, together with Sports massage, definitely lean towards remedial physical therapy moreso than mental. 

Two other popular therapeutic treatment types are Reflexology and Shiatsu. Both of these styles use different techniques to those used in Swedish or Deep Tissue. You would usually remain fully clothed and no oil would be used. Instead of manipulating muscle tissue the emphasis is on compressing specific pressure points on the body which are believed to lie along certain zones, known as meridians. The belief is that by easing stress at those exact points, other parts of the body are relaxed too as a result of underlying physical and other connections. 

Finally, let's consider one of the most popular remedial massage style in London that aims to offer an alternative to chemical based medicine - Thai massage. Traditional Thai treatments are usually performed with the client lying on the floor, wearing loose fitting clothing. A range of remedial massage techniques are employed, including quite extensive stretches designed to improve posture and flexibility together with aided twists and turns which are believed to release built up tension and correct misaligned in joints. If you've ever had your back 'cracked' by an osteopath then these will feel quite similar. Some people even opt for this kind of treatment as a gradually executed alternative to extreme corrective surgery. Whilst this may sound unusual to some, it is not particularly different to the approach taken by physiotherapy in the west. 

Ps. the cracking techniques used by Thai therapists can make some people feel a little apprehensive but if conducted by an experienced professional then they are completely safe. 

In the Western hemisphere of the world and especially in large multi-cultural places cities like London, a newer style called of treatment called Thai Oil Combination Massage has emerged. This combines oil-based Swedish and Deep Tissue massage with traditional Thai techniques to offer a very effective all-in-one remedial relaxation therapy. This style is one of the most popular remedial therapies selected by customers in East London over the past few years!
 

Is massage therapy effective?

Even though the four popular massage styles described above utilise very different techniques, they like any other therapeutic massage in London, have the same underlying aims and philosophy: to restore your health, relax your muscles and generally make you feel happier. 

Some people believe that 'massage' and 'manual therapy' are two distinct areas. The view being that the former is focused on relaxation and the latter being focused on fixing muscle and joint issues. We don't agree. We believe the terms overlap and both form part of the same sphere: health, wellness and happiness through touch. 
 

What kind of massage is not therapeutic?

Whether you receive your treatment in London through a mobile massage provider or at a fixed location beauty salon or spa, it is important that you establish in advance that the service to be provided is remedial. As long as the service you choose is delivered by a professional massage therapist then you can rest assured that the massage therapy will be therapeutic in nature. 

As covered in our FAQs there are certain other types of 'massage' available in London, as everywhere else in the world. Some argue that those 'extra services' massages also deliver happiness and relaxation in a healthy way. Without entering a philosophical discussion about whether all safe massage in therapeutic regardless of whether any extra services are offered, it is suffice to say that the treatments available here are completely asexual.
 

How many therapy sessions are needed to be effective?

Like exercise, healthy eating and various other health improvement techniques, massage is most effective when incorporated into your general lifestyle as a regular occurrence over an extended period of time. Think of it as a way to not only restore a state of good health but also something which can help maintain and protect the level of wellness.

One of the best analogies is the benefits of sauna treatments - another great therapeutic treatment available all over London! Going to the sauna just once may make you feel like you have done something very healthy for your body but actually other than the superficial benefits that you may be feeling from simply having attended the session, it is very unlikely that your body will have experienced any of the many wonderful underlying and long lasting health benefits that regular sauna visits can offer. 

Various studies have shown that regular weekly visits to the sauna over many years can contribute to a greatly increased overall health condition of your body. When you think about it, this should come as no surprise.  Few health or mood improvement techniques have an instant effect but performed regularly and consistently, you should enjoy positive and lasting effects on both your mood and physical wellbeing.