What is a Holistic Massage? A Holistic Massage in its simplest terms means to treat all of you.
Holistic is a word meaning whole. Sometimes you may even see it spelt with the letter w (wholistic). In natural therapies terms, it simply means to treat the body as a ‘whole’. At Solace Massage and Natural Therapies in Coolum Beach, we believe that there is no separation between the mind, the physical body and the mental state of mind. When we massage a client holistically, we are treating the whole being – all of you.
Signs you need a holistic massage
At Solace Massage Coolum, our clients often come to us with complaints of pain and discomfort in certain areas of the physical body. Activities like repetitive movements or strenuous workouts can contribute to discomfort, can lead to undue mental stress causing fatigue, depression or even insomnia. On the other hand, your lifestyle or environments that include strenuous workloads, family stress, daily pressures and expectations can cause the mind to overload. Mental stress can result in side effects such as lack of sleep, depression, overthinking. These resulting behaviours cause the body stress and prevent your body from healing and repairing itself on a physical level. Can you see here how a cycle begins to appear? As the circle goes round and around, in the end, something has to give way to the other. Your mental wellness or your physical wellness – sometimes even both.
Learn to listen to your body
Sit back and take a deep breath for a moment. Inhale, and exhale. Close your eyes.
Have you any areas of discomfort in your body? Have you any discomfort in your mental body? Your state of mind? Keep relaxing, keep gently breathing, do you feel that there may be an attachment to the two? Calm your mind and your body will follow.
We don’t often see these attachments, the link between the mental and physical body, but there have been many studies done on the links between the two. In Ayurveda, the Vedics teach that the body cannot eliminate illness when stress is present. Stress and worry stop the body from healing, from allowing the cells to replenish and rejuvenate where they need to when it is already trying to eliminate the stress. Stress will override any healing.
How does holistic massage relieve the mind and body?
When you have a treatment with a holistic massage therapist, intentions are set to treat all of you. Mentally, Spiritually and Physically. When you receive a holistic massage, one of the main hormones released is Oxytocin. This hormone helps you to feel relaxed, calm, rested and most importantly, happy. This is why massage is so very important for new mums postpartum. It has positive effects on both your mental and physical wellbeing.
Extract from Healthline.com on how to increase Oxytocin and the benefits:
“A 2012 study Trusted Source looking at 95 adults found evidence to suggest 15 minutes of massage could not only help people relax, but it could also boost oxytocin levels. Research from 2015 supports this finding and expands on it, noting that oxytocin levels also increase in the person giving the massage.
What does oxytocin do for you? Well, people often report less pain, stress, and anxiety post-massage. Many also notice an improved mood and greater feelings of well-being.”
Massage treatments allow the body to rest
Massage allows the body to rejuvenate. When receiving a massage from a holistic therapist, you will notice how the massage will flow. This flow state allows the body’s circulation to flow as well. Blood circulation in the body helps to carry the nutrients and oxygen to the areas of the body that need it most for healing. This oxygen is of course carried right up to the brain and we all know how a fresh flow of oxygen to the brain can help with clarity, an increase in energy levels and help with a deeper and better sleep. And with deeper sleep brings deeper self-awareness, mental and emotional wellbeing.
Ready to book your next Holistic Massage?
At Solace Massage and Natural Therapies in Coolum Beach, we have a range of holistic and Ayurveda massage treatments available to you. Book your next appointment today and let your body rest, heal, take solace.