Peter offers Swedish massage with additional techniques as required. The general effects of a massage are improved circulation and better cell metabolism. It decreases stress and tiredness and improves muscle tone and regeneration. Depending on the use of the technique it may either relax or reenergize the muscles.
- The pressure and manipulation of the soft tissues, the blood flow is improved in the affected areas. This also helps rejunevate the tissues as the better circulation carries more nutrients to them, and carries more waste product and toxins away from them. The skin gets healthier shine and greater elasticity, muscles gain greater endurance and less chance of injury, ligaments become more flexible and connecting tissues more elastic. The better circulation leads to lower blood pressure, which benefits both the heart and the veins, lowering the chances of heart attacks and ruptured veins.
- The massage can also affect the hormone system, particularly the concentration of the stress hormone, cortisol. This can lead to easier, better sleep, better ability to focus and a general feeling of lightness. It can reduce feelings of anxiety and depression.
- The greatest effect of a massage is, of course, upon the muscles it is used on. Massage therapy greatly reduces strain and tension in the muscles, making movement easier and smoother, as well as reducing or eliminating pain.
The body is usually broken up into a number of areas that a masseur works on. At the beginning of each massage the client points out what parts of his / her body hurts or has problems, so that the masseur can focus more on that specific area.
THE NECK
This area includes the muscles going down to the clavicles, all the way up to the base of the skull. Tension here can cause headaches, dizzyness, loss of focus and difficulty sleeping. In our modern day, heavy computer and smartphone use leads to posture that puts a lot of strain upon this area. Stiffness from bad sleep, use of the wrong pillow, overwork or constant strain are all a pain in the neck that a massage can easily deal with.
THE SHOULDERS
Often placed together with the neck, this area covers the shoulders themselves, the shoulderblades and the first three thoracic vertebrae. One of the most common problem areas, tension here limits the movement of the arms. Bad posture due to office work or constant strain upon the arms is the foremost cause of pain, along with heavy lifting and incorrect arm positioning. A single massage can greatly improve ease of motion and lift the mood.
THE ARMS
While most people no longer do heavy lifting, incorrect arm placement due to desk work, sudden strain or just bad luck can still put a lot of tension in the muscles of the arms, the biceps especially. If your arms feel like a wet noodle or like you have to stretch them and cannot, a massage can do wonders to help you relax and regain your strength.
THE UPPER BACK
This area goes from the third thoracic vertebra down to the twelfth, and encompasses everything to the sides except for the shoulderblades. Most sports and intensive exercises leave tension in this area, making movement difficult. Bad posture, caused by desk work especially, leaves the area stiff and painful. While the massage cannot help bad posture built up by habits, it can ease the tension around the spine to make it more flexible and making correcting it easier.
LOWER BACK
This area covers everything around the lumbar section of the spine, down to the sacrum. This is THE most common problem area in the first world, due mostly to long hours spent sitting at a desk and adopting bad posture. Carrying heavy things can also put a lot of stress on this area, compressing the disks. Tension here greatly limits flexibility, bending or leaning from the hip. Many long-term health problems can be alleviated by a massage here. If you have problems leaning forward, or when you get up you have to spend a minute just to work a kink out of your back, this is what you need worked on.
HIPS
This area includes everything around the pelvis, including the sacrum, and usually gets treated together with the lower back. Tension here greatly limits movement and flexibility as everything above it rests on the hips. Incorrect seating position, leg injuries, ‘leaning’ posture can cause stiffness and strain. Several high impact sports put a lot of stress on the hips, making taking care of the area essential. Massaging this area can allow greater range of movement, help correct posture and eliminate most sources of pain.
THIGHS
This area covers the legs from the hip joint down to and including the knees. Running, long walks, and most sports that require a lot of leg movement strain and often damage this area. Standing still in one place can also put a lot of tension in the muscles, reducing blood flow and causing irritation. A massage here can release most tension and help recover to a healthier state.
CALVES
This area covers the lower legs from the knee down, including the ankle and the muscles in the feet. Movement intensive sports and long, static strain from standing in place put a lot of tension on this area, often causing cramps. The improved circulation due to a massage can greatly lower the chances of that, as well as helping in making you move more easily. Anyone who has to do a lot of legwork should get their legs worked on.
