Brighton Acupuncture & Massage

Mothers Day Gift Vouchers

2011-04-02T03:59:00.000-07:00

If you are anything like me, you probably leave it to the very last minute to buy presents and sadly Mothers Day is no exception! To make things easier, why not buy your mum a Brighton Acupuncture & Massage Gift Voucher?

You can buy direct through the website and pay using PayPal. I can either email you a voucher which you can print off in colour or, if time is still on your side, I can post a voucher to you or direct to your mum with a covering letter wishing them a Happy Mothers Day.

Vouchers can be used for any treatment I offer ranging from Massage to Acupuncture to Aromatherapy. Buy on line now and treat your mum this mother’s day!

Acupuncture for Hayfever

2011-04-02T03:40:00.000-07:00

Yes it's that time of year again, when those of us who suffer start to sniff, get watery eyes and sore throats!

I have been lucky enough to have treated my own hay fever over the years with acupuncture and no longer experience any symptoms at all. I don't take any pills and barely even sneeze any more so I know first hand how well acupuncture works.

I am asked every summer if acupuncture really does help treat hay fever and of course the answer is YES! But you need to start early for best results. I recommend that you start in April or May at the latest and have a course of treatment. Depending on how badly you are normally affected, I suggest either 6 or 10-sessions, you can start with 6 and see how you go.

Treatments really need to be as close together as possible, either once or twice a week. This is made easier at my Low Cost Acupuncture Clinic in Hove where you can have treatment for just £20 every Tuesday afternoon and Thursday morning but you can of course come to my regular clinic at any other time.

Needles are usually inserted in to the back, arms, hands or face and to make it as comfortable as possible, I use the best quality silicone coated needles which are not only very fine but also extremely smooth, making the sensation of the needle gentle yet still effective.

For more information visit my website or drop me an email to find out just how Acupuncture can help you through the summer.

Sports & Remedial Massage

2011-02-28T07:29:00.000-08:00

Sports & Remedial Massage, often also referred to as Deep Tissue Massage is by far the most popular form of massage with my clients.

I am lucky that I trained with The London School of Sports Massage (LSSM) under Mel Cash, one of the most respected schools and teachers in the country before going on to study many other forms of bodywork such as Myofascial Release and advanced deep tissue techniques with internationally recognised teachers such as Art Riggs.

Since I completed my training at LSSM I have completed almost 500 extra hours of training in massage and therapeutic related skills including acupuncture that is way beyond the required amount of professional development annually stipulated but the organisations I am a member of. But my work is a passion of mine and I am always looking to learn new techniques to help my patients.

One of the benefits of training at such an advanced level is that not only did it give me an excellent grounding in clinical therapeutic massage techniques such as soft tissue release, muscle energy technique and neuromuscular technique to name but a few but it also taught me how to deal with sports related and every day injuries.

Since then I have been able to treat a wide range of sports enthusiasts including runners, rugby players, golfers, yoga practitioners and footballers but also people who practice little or no sports at all and ultimately, the basic techniques we use are the same. The only real difference is the context in which we are treating them. For example an ankle injury obtained during competition needs to be approached differently if the athlete is still participating and not able (or in most cases willing!) to rest suitably.

Leading up to and following last years Brighton Marathon, I saw a large number of runners. Some of them had been running for years, others had just started out and were running to raise money for charity and so their injuries or problems were a little different. Both groups however benefited from regular sports and deep tissue massage before and after the run. Initially I helped prepare them and their bodies and afterwards to reduce scar tissue and injuries sustained during such a long run.

Luckily as a graduate if LSSM, I was able to register with The Institute for Sports and Remedial Massage (ISRM) and since with the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC) which means that not only can my patients (and their GP’s) recognise my level of skill and training but in many cases it means that their private medical insurance may cover my treatments. Of course this is dependant on the wording of their policy but I have certainly seen an increase over the last 12-months of patients coming to me exclusively as I am one of only of few therapist in my area who are recognised by both the ISRM and CNHC and as such by insurance companies who offer cover for massage.

If you have never had a sports and remedial or deep tissue massage before, there are a few things to consider.

This style of massage is therapeutic and clinical and not really a soft relaxing treatment though some people do seem to prefer the deeper style and find it relaxing. Generally though expect it to be a cooperative process, as I will be asking questions about pressure etc during the treatment. Also, you may be asked to move around the couch during the treatment and may not exclusively be laying on your back or front. For this reason, it’s often worth wearing shorts (and a sports bra for ladies) or simply if you are comfortable remain in your underwear so that you feel comfortable when moved around the couch. These styles of massage often include stretches, which are always done with your cooperation, thus wearing suitable clothing will make you feel more comfortable especially when working your hips or hamstrings. Deeper pressure, which is always applied sensitively, may still leave you feeling a little tender the next day and this is normal. I always encourage my patients to feed back during their session if they are feeling uncomfortable and I give them aftercare advice which if followed helps them recover quickly and comfortably. Do remember though that if you are looking for a more soothing traditional style of massage that techniques such as Swedish may be more to your liking and will still be generally therapeutic and beneficial.

The date for the 2011 Brighton Marathon is 10^th April and I am already taking bookings for the weeks before and afterwards. So if you were planning to have some sports massage I would highly encourage you to book early to avoid disappointment!

New Myofascial Release Video

2010-12-21T14:17:00.000-08:00

Hi there, I've just uploaded a new video for MFR where I talk about and demonstrate this amazing technique. For more information, check out my posting about MFR from October of this year or read the MFR page on my website!

Acupuncture in Brighton and Hove Video

2010-12-17T02:12:00.000-08:00

We've just uploaded a new video to YouTube where I talk about acupuncture and demonstrate some of the many techniques used... More on acupuncture to follow later this month!

Hot Stone Massage

2010-12-03T04:55:00.000-08:00

I will admit that the first time I was introduced to Hot Stone Massage I was very sceptical. In my mind it was just something done at spas and by beauticians and it had no therapeutic benefits whatsoever! Coming from a background of sports and remedial massage it was challenging for me to take hot stone massage seriously.

Well, I am happy to admit that a couple of years later and having had the treatment with a colleague, I realised how wrong I was. It is fair to say that stones can be used simply for a gentle pampering massage and that the effects are generally relaxing and softening but when used therapeutically with specialist deep tissue techniques, I came to realise what a powerful tool they proved to be.

We all know how a hot water bottle or a good long soak in the bath can help us relax and unwind at the end of a long day or to help ease stiff sore muscles. Therapeutically, we are used to the application of heat to soften and loosen muscle fibres allowing them greater stretch so why not apply this principle to hot stone massage?

I have been using hot stones in my practice now for well over a year and in that time I have really come to understand the benefits of using them therapeutically. Not only do they help to gently melt away knots and tension but they also warm up (quite literally) muscles very quickly allowing me to work deeply and against less resistance than without.

My patients have given me great feedback, saying they feel a greater reduction in pain and tension and less residual soreness after their treatment than they may otherwise feel.

Of course, there are times when heat is not a good idea in cases such as acute inflammation for example. In this case, stones can be applied cold to help reduce swelling and pain. Granted it isn’t as pleasant a treatment as the heat but the ice cold stone really does help to reduce discomfort very quickly.

I was lucky in that I completed a 6-day post graduate training in hot and cold stones which was spread over 2-months and included remedial massage application of stones. Most courses in the UK are just 1-day in duration and are very basic indeed. As an experienced therapist myself, I can see why people may argue that they have been massaging for years and do not need to do longer than a 7-hour course but in this case I would disagree. There is a lot to learn about the use of stones including safety when working with heat and cold and proper handling and massage techniques. I would therefore recommend anybody thinking of having a stone treatment to check with their therapist first to gauge the duration of their training and experience.

If you have never tried a stone massage before, give it a go. You may be pleasantly surprised at how well you can feel and how much of a difference the heat can make!

For more information visit my website Gift Vouchers are available with PayPal

Thai Massage in Brighton

2010-12-02T02:01:00.000-08:00

The first time I tried a Traditional Thai Massage, I was really surprised at how powerful it was. I know that may sound a bit odd but it really was an amazing massage! Having tried lots of different treatments in my travels and loving the effects of Shiatsu which is the closest thing by comparison, I was really surprised at how much more flexible I was after a 90-minute Thai massage. This fuelled me with the passion to go off and learn it for myself.

Thai massage isn’t new. It’s been around for hundreds of years and is a real fusion of styles. In the west we often call it Yoga massage or passive yoga due to the strong yogic and ayurvedic influence on the treatment. Yet at the same time, there is a hint of oriental influence with the “Sen Lines” running through the body which are massaged in Thai. These lines are not dissimilar to the Acupuncture Meridians of Chinese Medicine which in itself is a much older system.

The combination of this technique of stretching combined with what I will refer to as acupressure, results in a treatment which I feel offers a lot of the benefits of Shiatsu (i.e. the manipulation of Qi through the acupuncture meridians) combined with the benefits of stretching given by yoga.

As an acupuncturist and a keen practitioner of yoga, my Thai massage has really developed and changed over the years and I now work with the acupuncture points during my treatment to give a more powerful response.

A typical treatment can take anywhere between 1-3 hours in Thai though I think a 2-hour treatment is best. Generally, the practitioner starts by working the front of the body from the feet before working slowly upwards. Treatment may be given laying front, back or side lying and seated postures are also commonly used.

No oils are used in Thai and the treatment is given fully clothed whilst laying on a thick futon for comfort. Whilst Thai is fairly dynamic in its application, it is also deeply relaxing and can be adapted for the super yoga-bunny flexible or the stiff as planks inflexible body. Both body types can receive the benefits and feel free and loose following treatment with a marked reduction in muscle tension and discomfort.

To find out more about Traditional Thai Massage offered at my Brighton clinic, watch the video or visit my website at: http://brightonacupunctureandmassage.co.uk/brighton-therapeutic-massage/traditional-thai-yoga-massage

Christmas Gift Vouchers

2010-10-26T09:31:00.000-07:00

Well, Christmas is almost upon us again! The clocks go back this weekend and Monday will be 1st November. The shops have had festive goodies and cards for sale for weeks already and in the post office today, I heard the clerk tell a woman she would have to send an item by airmail to guarantee it would get to Australia in time for Christmas!

If like me you are hopeless at knowing what to get people for Christmas, why not think about a gift voucher for massage or even acupuncture? Let's face it, it's a lot better than socks and there are only so many bottles of aftershave or Top Gear books your dad or husband can get in one year so a massage can make a refreshing and welcome change!

Gift vouchers are available to buy through my website and are posted out 1st class. They are valid for 6-months so there is plenty of time to use them. I also offer packages where you can choose to buy a set of treatments at a reduced rate; this can also make a nice Christmas gift.

So if you are wondering what to get somebody, why not try a gift voucher... if all else fails you can always keep it and use it yourself! ;-)

For more information about Gift Vouchers for massage or acupuncture in Brighton and Hove please visit my website:

http://www.brightonacupunctureandmassage.co.uk/

Myofascial Release

2010-10-23T16:11:00.000-07:00

Many of my patients want to know more about Myofascial Release, MFR for short. It seems quite new to many people though it's growing in popularity in the UK. At the time of writing this, I am the only IMFT (Integrated Myofascial Therapy Certification Mark) registered therapist working in the Brighton and Hove area.

Basic History:

MFR is not really that new. The term was coined in the 1970's by Dr Janet Travell who is also known for her work on Trigger points, though she first used myofascia as a term in the 1940's. John Barnes (an American Physiotherapist) who is well known as one of the leaders in MFR today, runs courses and seminars all over the US.

But what IS it?

If you imagine your body being wrapped in a giant cobweb like structure. Though in this case it's not on the outside, its under your skin surrounding your muscles and organs. That is basically what (myo)fascia looks like. If you then go on to imagine being able to pull on one area of the web and think how it would affect the web as a whole... If you are not sure, put on a jumper and pull the hem on one side away from your body. You'll soon feel that the threads tighten across your chest and pull on your opposite shoulder. When there is a problem with your fascia, this is pretty much what happens. An area becomes restricted and tightness or discomfort is felt further along the web. For this reason, we do not always go direct to the site of pain when we treat with MFR, rather we look at the body as a whole and treat from the origin of the restriction.

What causes it to go wrong in the first place?

Fascia can become thickened due to problems such as poor posture or injury and over time this will cause a restriction in the surrounding tissues, which can lead to pain and loss of movement.

How does the treatment work?

The normal techniques of traditional massage and other methods of bodywork do not free up fascial restrictions simply because fascial work has to be applied in a different way. It's a fairly slow treatment and a whole hour can easily be spent just working on one area such as the back. No oils or lotions are used, we work on dry skin, and this gives us a better grip and ensures we are not merely working on the muscle. MFR can be applied quite gently using a combination of light pressure and stretch, this method is generally known as indirect MFR, or it can be deeper and firmer, a bit more like the sensation of deep tissue massage. This method is known as direct MFR.

In practice, I use a combination of both of these methods having trained to an advanced level and find that when combined, you can have powerful results in reducing pain and discomfort.

For more information about MFR and IMFT visit: http://brightonacupunctureandmassage.co.uk/brighton-therapeutic-massage