"Within you, there is a stillness and a sanctuary to which you can retreat at any time and be yourself." Hermann Hesse
Holistic massage helps you to find this stillness by treating the whole person, in mind, body and spirit. I don't offer a 'painting by numbers' treatment, I'm interested in who you are as a person and how your life impacts on your body and your well-being. Your treatment will aim to address any issues you may have and give you an opportunity to be fully present with yourself.
The massage can be fast or slow, deep or surface, working on specific trigger points or working more generally with emotions and energy. We may use stretches, mobilisation techniques and holds. A session will comprise most of these things. There is no set routine, and no two treatments will ever be quite the same.
IHM has been in existance in some form or other for thousands of years.
An indian head massage is a seated massage treatment carried out through light clothing that consists of a flowing range of massage movements to the upper back, shoulders, arms, hands and working up through the neck, scalp and face, concluding with chakra balancing. By stretching and moblising the tissues of the upper back, neck and shoulders, massage helps eliminate muscle tension and restore joint movement.
Circulation is improved to the skin and underlying tissues, helping to increase oxygen and nutrients to tense areas.
Additional benefit can be gained from the (optional) use of virgin oils which is thought to nourish the hair roots, promote improvements in the texture and condition of the hair and harmonise the Dosha (constitution).
IHM can be soothing and comforting as it rebalances the enegy flow, often resulting in an experience of peace and tranquility. It is also energising, allowing the client to feel alert and fully functional yet coming from a grounded place.
One advantage of this holistic treatment, is that it is given fully clothed. It is easy to use anywhere, any place and any time.
Benefits of Indian Head Massage:
- Improved circulation and lymphatic flow to the upper body
- Helps to relieve muscle tension, improves/normalises muscle tone
- can help relieve and prevent tension headaches
- Helps to restore joint mobility to the upper body
- Helps to improve posture of the upper back neck and shoulders
- Helps to improve concentration, clears the mind, enables the person to focus his/her attention
- Aids relaxation and helps to reduce symptoms of stress, anxiety and mental tension, by encouraging and stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system.
- Helps to rest the eyes and relieves eye strain
- Helps to clear nasal and sinus congestion
- Increases circulation and therefore nourishment and oxygen to the hair folicles, which may help improve the texture, strength and condition of the hair and promote healthy hair growth.
- induces feelings of peace and tranquiliuty
- Works on the subtle energiges of the body to bring balance, harmony and improve the flow of Prana (life-force energy)
Facial Acupressure
"For news of the heart, ask the face." (Cambodian proverb)
We interact with the world with language and expression, and can hold a great deal of stress in our facial structure.
After preparing the skin, this treatment works on the face, neck and shoulders to support emotional and stress relief. It also incorporates working with the Chinese Acupressure facial map to benefit the whole body. As well as working with the skin, muscle and fascia of the face to promote production of collagen, rejuvenating the skin and underlying structures, it deeply relaxes the nervous system and feels like a wonderfully indulgent treat.
It is a beautiful stand-alone treatment, and can also be combined with a holistic massage appointment or with Eastern Foot Massage to provide a 'top to toe' treatment.
As a gentle treatment, it can be especially nurturing for clients with chronic conditions which may cause low energy.
The giving and receiving of nurturing touch is a fundamental human need. Holistic massage draws techniques from many traditions combining them with natural sensitivity to meet the needs of each invidual as a whole.
Physically, this can relax tight muscles and improve circulation, nervous system function and joint mobility. This increases the body's fluidity and can ease many short and long term ailments, such as back pain, arthritis and insomnia.
At an emotional level, massage can provide the caring, safe, non-intrusive touch we have longed for. This soothes the busy mind, reduces stress and makes us feel loved again.
At a deeper level, massage can release the personal history we have stored in our body tissues. This can lead to powerful changes in our energy and provide a vital ingredient in each person's process of growth.
Massage therapy can be an important part of your health maintenance plan by
- Managing stress and anxiety
- Reducing or eliminating pain
- Reducing muscle tension
- Improving joint moblity
- Improving circulation
- Improving lymphatic drainage
Massage therapy can be used for the treatment of both acute and chronic conditions. As a registered therapist I work with a wide variety of clients, of all ages, in the treatment of stress and anxiety, illness, injury rehabilitation and disability.
- Anxiety and depression
- Insomnia related to stress
- Digestive disorders
- Fibromyalgia
- Chronic fatigue
- Headaches
- High blood pressure
- Soft tissue strains or injuries
- Muscle tension and spasm
- Effects of cancer and side-effects of treatment
- Paliative care
Facial Acupressure
"For news of the heart, ask the face." (Cambodian proverb)
We interact with the world with language and expression, and can hold a great deal of stress in our facial structure.
After preparing the skin, this treatment works on the face, neck and shoulders to support emotional and stress relief. It also incorporates working with the Chinese Acupressure facial map to benefit the whole body. As well as working with the skin, muscle and fascia of the face to promote production of collagen, rejuvenating the skin and underlying structures, it deeply relaxes the nervous system and feels like a wonderfully indulgent treat.
It is a beautiful stand-alone treatment, and can also be combined with a holistic massage appointment or with Eastern Foot Massage to provide a 'top to toe' treatment.
As a gentle treatment, it can be especially nurturing for clients with chronic conditions which may cause low energy.
Nursing
I left home to train a s nurse when I was 18. Qualified in both adult and paediatric nursing, my passion was working with children who had cancer. I undertook a course in paediatric oncology and bone marrow transplant at Great Ormond Street Hospital, and worked in a central London Specialist Centre for several years.
I moved to Bristol in 2001 to work at Bristol Children’s Hospital on the Bone Marrow Transplant unit, nursing both adults and children. This was an extremely emotionally intense environment. One of my collegues was studying at BCMB, and I observed first hand how powerful massage could be. As a result I became interested in studying massage as it embraces the key elements which made me passionate about nursing – compassion and sensitivity, excellent clinical knowledge, and a great sense of humour!
Holistic Massage Therapist
I trained at the highly regarded Bristol College of Massage and Bodywork (BCMB), and the course was transformative for me on a personal level. Although I didn’t take up massage professionally when I qualified in 2004, it remains one of the best things I have ever done. I worked instead at St. Peter’s Hospice before taking a break to have children. Since discovering the power of massage on the course, I have continued to receive regular massage myself. On many occasions, through lifes trials and tribulations it has literally kept me upright and functioning. Following a series of serenedipitous events, the universe led me to finally set up my practice in 2016.
I am attuned to Reiki level 2, and find that this enables me to work at an energetic level that deepens the relaxation of my clients. Although I am not currently offering Reiki as a stand alone treatment, it is a part of who I am and is implicit in my treatments.
While one-off appointments are a wonderful way to treat ourselves and take a brief time-out, I become fired up by the deeper and more lasting effect that can happen as the therapeutic relationship develops over time, creating a short-hand and more intuitive connection. It is a privilege to work so closely with clients, to hold space, to build a therapeutic relationship based on trust and rapport which is essential to facilitate relaxation and change.
Professional Development
I’m passionate about professional development, undertaking advanced workshops and doing massage swaps with colleagues to share knowledge and expand my repertoire.
I have taken further training courses in
- Massage for cancer patients with Andy Fagg
- Deep Tissue Massage with Andy Fagg
- Releasing the Neck with Andy Fagg
- Effortless Massage with Sarah Hoare
- Dancing the Massage with Darien Pritchard
- Emotional Processing with Andy Fagg
- Hands Free massage with Leora Sharp
- Deep Massage, The Lauterstein Method with David Lauterstein
- Myofascial Release with Sally Morris and Craig Foden
- Facial Acupressure with Heidi Armstrong
- Eastern Foot Massage with Heidi Armstrong
First appointment
When you arrive for your first massage we start with a fairly detailed conversation so you can tell me what I need to know in order to tailor the best massage treatment for you.
I will need to know about medical conditions, medical history and any medication, as this information will suggest the areas of the body or techniques which should be focused on or avoided.
It's not just a fact-finding exercise, it's an opportunity to build a connection and trust which is essential for a therapeutic relationship.
All appointments
We plan the treatment together, including any specific areas you may wish me to focus on, or avoid altogether. I will then leave the room to wash my hands while you undress (leaving underwear on) and lie on the massage couch underneath a sheet. Drapes will always be used to keep any areas not being worked on covered.
Please note undraped massage is not available.
IHM has been in existance in some form or other for thousands of years.
An indian head massage is a seated massage treatment carried out through light clothing that consists of a flowing range of massage movements to the upper back, shoulders, arms, hands and working up through the neck, scalp and face, concluding with chakra balancing. By stretching and moblising the tissues of the upper back, neck and shoulders, massage helps eliminate muscle tension and restore joint movement.
Circulation is improved to the skin and underlying tissues, helping to increase oxygen and nutrients to tense areas.
Additional benefit can be gained from the (optional) use of virgin oils which is thought to nourish the hair roots, promote improvements in the texture and condition of the hair and harmonise the Dosha (constitution).
IHM can be soothing and comforting as it rebalances the enegy flow, often resulting in an experience of peace and tranquility. It is also energising, allowing the client to feel alert and fully functional yet coming from a grounded place.
One advantage of this holistic treatment, is that it is given fully clothed. It is easy to use anywhere, any place and any time.
Benefits of IHM:
- Improved circulation and lymphatic flow to the upper body
- Helps to relieve muscle tension, improves/normalises muscle tone
- can help relieve and prevent tension headaches
- Helps to restore joint mobility to the upper body
- Helps to improve posture of the upper back neck and shoulders
- Helps to improve concentration, clears the mind, enables the person to focus his/her attention
- Aids relaxation and helps to reduce symptoms of stress, anxiety and mental tension, by encouraging and stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system.
- Helps to rest the eyes and relieves eye strain
- Helps to clear nasal and sinus congestion
- Increases circulation and therefore nourishment and oxygen to the hair folicles, which may help improve the texture, strength and condition of the hair and promote healthy hair growth.
- induces feelings of peace and tranquiliuty
- Works on the subtle energiges of the body to bring balance, harmony and improve the flow of Prana (life-force energy)
Deep Massage (The Lauterstein Method)
N.B. This is NOT a deep tissue massage.
This is a wonderfully relaxing treatment, which works by focusing on high quality touch and conection, not deep pressure. Tension experienced in the body is a result of stress to our nervous system and it is by connecting with the nervous system that we help to facilitate the 'letting go' which is essential for muscles to release and reset. It is a treatment that works with both energy and structure, and if you already value the mind/body connection over deep tissue treatment, this may be for you.
Please feel free to get in touch for more information.
Eastern Foot Massage
Our legs and feet carry us around all day, let's look after them!
Drawing on a variety of disciplines, eastern foot massage is a complete foot and lower leg treatment. Massage is combined with acupressure points and reflex zones to rebalance and relax the whole body.
It is a beautiful stand-alone treatment, and can also be combined with a holistic massage appointment or with Facial Acupressure to provide a 'top to toe' treatment.
As a gentle treatment, it can be especially nurturing for clients with chronic conditions which may cause low energy.
Holistic Massage Therapist
I trained at the highly regarded Bristol College of Massage and Bodywork (BCMB), and the course was transformative for me on a personal level. Although I didn’t take up massage professionally when I qualified in 2004, it remains one of the best things I have ever done. I worked instead at St. Peter’s Hospice before taking a break to have children. Since discovering the power of massage on the course, I have continued to receive regular massage myself. On many occasions, through lifes trials and tribulations it has literally kept me upright and functioning. Following a series of serenedipitous events, the universe led me to finally set up my practice in 2016.
I am attuned to Reiki level 2, and find that this enables me to work at an energetic level that deepens the relaxation of my clients. Although I am not currently offering Reiki as a stand alone treatment, it is a part of who I am and is implicit in my treatments.
While one-off appointments are a wonderful way to treat ourselves and take a brief time-out, I become fired up by the deeper and more lasting effect that can happen as the therapeutic relationship develops over time, creating a short-hand and more intuitive connection. It is a privilege to work so closely with clients, to hold space, to build a therapeutic relationship based on trust and rapport which is essential to facilitate relaxation and change.
Professional Development
I’m passionate about professional development, undertaking advanced workshops and doing massage swaps with colleagues to share knowledge and expand my repertoire.
I have taken further training courses in
- Massage for cancer patients with Andy Fagg
- Deep Tissue Massage with Andy Fagg
- Releasing the Neck with Andy Fagg
- Effortless Massage with Sarah Hoare
- Dancing the Massage with Darien Pritchard
- Emotional Processing with Andy Fagg
- Hands Free massage with Leora Sharp
- Deep Massage, The Lauterstein Method with David Lauterstein
- Myofascial Release with Sally Morris and Craig Foden
- Facial Acupressure with Heidi Armstrong
- Eastern Foot Massage with Heidi Armstrong