FAQ’s
This ancient knowledge follow the experience of the wise old masters based on the life energy flow, called Prana or Sen Sib. When one or more of the channel of energy is blocked, the person becomes ill or in pain. To correct the illness is to clear the life energy lines by applying pressure on particular pressure points. The result of these ancient techniques has been proven to be effective in modern times.
Thai body work is used as a form of maintenance to prevent pain, rather curing it. The spine is its focal point because a healthy, flexible spine helps to prevent a wide range of chronic pains throughout life.
I feel grateful I have been taught by TMC School in Chiang Mai in Thailand. TMC honours and abides to the original knowledge of genuine Thai Massage principle derive from years of research work under the Thai Massage Revival Project in 1985.
The project composed of 12 great Thai massage Teachers from organisation and Foundations related to health field throughout Thailand. TMC curriculum is the combination of Folk Thai Massage with stretching and Royal Thai Massage with graceful Therapeutic approach for safety techniques and bio-body mechanism suitable for both giver and receiver. TMC believes in 3 principles of Thai Massage: Safe – Polite – Effective. TMC is accredited and recognised by Thai and International medical organisations.
Thai body work can give a sublimely rhythmical workout that perfectly balances the body need for movement and stretching, whilst it also provides a relaxed state in which excessive worry and desire seem to evaporate away.
Massage is now starting to be seen as a valuable element in health care, because it has been shown not only to help with physical pain, preventing injuries and promoting health. It has also been shown to decrease anxiety and depression.
Because mind and body cannot be apart, by working with one we work on the other which is exactly how massage works. A holistic approach offering several potential health benefits.
By stimulating the blood circulation it improves the efficiency of all systems and clearing mind and toxins it relieves stress and fatigue, boosting both emotional and physical well-being. Massage Therapy assists alignment and postural integrity of the body, alleviating pain and tension which create a level of body awareness promoting good posture therefore achieving lasting results as well as speeding up recoveries of injuries and its prevention.
Psychologically
Hormones of feel good are released. Massage is proven to release oxytocin (love hormone), serotonin and dopamine (feel good hormone) and lower cortisol level (stress hormone) this helps regulate anxiety and stress levels that become imbalanced due to pressures. Lifting up the mood, we are happier! If we feel good in your own skin, pain and stress free, it will impact our mental health.
Inducing a deep relaxation, it helps to settle our mind, decreasing anxiety and its effects. Clear minded, our self-esteem boosted, we know where the priorities are. We become more present socially and we become more alert to achieve our goals. Increasing the efficiency in our work and involvement with our hobbies; we are more alert and available to develop new skills and knowledge. Due to the good feeling hormones, negativity is less present in our minds.
Physically
Massage can help in treating restlessness and insomnia, our quality of sleep is improved, everyone has experienced that after a quality night sleep: life is brighter and more enjoyable.
Massage Therapy generally causes a calming, relaxing feeling, balancing the autonomic nervous system: Anxiety and depression eased due to the calming effect of the nervous system.
Massage stimulates the touch, pressure, and receptor of the skin, which relaxes the muscles and helps to re-establish proper tonus through its effect on the neuromuscular reflex pathways.
With a better communication between our brain and our muscles we react faster to stimulation.
Detoxing
The action of massage helps and speed up the removal of lactic acid and other toxins build up in the body’s muscles which are often over worked, feeling stiff and fatigued.
Our lymphatic system produces antibodies, white blood cells are responsible for removing excess fluid from our body. Increasing the production of white cells massages can be very effective for helping to reduce oedema, cellulite and giving our immune system a boost.
Improve Flexibility and Posture
Relieving fatigued muscles, soreness and stiffness, regular massage will improve flexibility by helping decrease muscle tensions and increasing our range of motion, which assists in recovering from or preventing injuries as well as improving our posture : first responsible for many aches and pain.
The healthy stress: the key for survival.
Stress is a burst of energy that advises us on what to do.
In small doses, stress has many advantages. For instance, stress can help us meet daily challenges and motivates to reach our goals. In fact, stress can help accomplish tasks more efficiently.
Stress is also a vital warning system, producing the fight-or-flight response. When the brain perceives some kind of danger, it starts flooding the body with chemicals like epinephrine, norepinephrine and cortisol. This creates a variety of reactions which can keep you safe from danger.
This is essential for quick reactions in emergencies but present on long-term, even in lower quantities, too much stress is harmful for the overall health of the body and mind.
The unhealthy stress
This nagging headache, frequent insomnia or our decreased productivity at work etc.
Physical and Emotional stress staying around for weeks or months can weaken the immune system and cause fatigue, obesity, diabetes, depression, anxiety and even heart disease.
Being able to recognise symptoms of an unhealthy stress can help us managing them because this affects our body, thoughts, feelings and behaviour.
It impacts our ability to think, sleep and act socially.
Physically the consequences are impressive. The increased and sustained levels of cortisol impact all our body’s systems causing the muscles surrounding the blood vessels to contract which restrict the flow of the blood: this can lead to high blood pressure, long term this can contribute to many health problems.
Common effects on our body, mood and behaviour.
Headache, muscles tensions, chest pain, fatigue, change in sex drive, upset stomach, sleep issues, panic attacks, spots, puffiness on the face, dark circles under eyes, hair falling out, teeth grinding, indigestion or heartburn.
Anxiety, restlessness, lack of motivation or focus, feeling overwhelmed, irritability, anger, sadness, depression.
Over/under eating, drug or alcohol abuse, social withdrawal, exercising less often.
Managing our stress can have a numerous health benefits; different strategies are individual to everyone. Try to find out which way suit you and your life style. Regular physical activities, balanced diet, keeping sense of humour, socialising, times for hobbies, relaxing, Yoga, Tai Chi, getting a massage, find out what works for you!
It depends of your life style and the moment in your life, listen your body, your mind: if you feel tired, if your body is crying out : Stretch me, hold me, Squeeze me : you need a massage now!
In pregnancy, I will recommend between 1/month to 1 /week.
Massage therapy has been demonstrated to be effective during pregnancy. Women who received regular massage therapy reported decreased post-natal depression, anxiety, leg and back pain. Cortisol levels decreased and, in turn, excessive foetal activity decreased, the rate of prematurity was lower in the massage group. In a study of labor pain, women who received massage therapy experienced significantly less pain, and their labours were on average shorter and less need for medication.
Children need the occasional massage. They juggle school, sports, chores, social lives, acne, exams pressure, PMS, growing pain, digital / screen time influencing poor physical activities and so much more!
To give the skill to your little one to manage stress with body awareness from young age which will prevent poor habit linked to chronic pain. Younger kids only need a 20-30 minute session because an entire hour would be too overwhelming. Studies have shown that Children are more alert following a session.
I would recommend 1/3 month and more often if they go through a stressful time, like preparation for exams, changes in family situations, intense physical activities etc.
If you want to work on one particular ailment I recommend 1/week for 3-6 sessions and gradually spread it out in time depending on your evolution and life style.
For stress, every week to every 1 to 6 weeks depending on your level of stress and life style.
You have no pain or illness?
Massage Therapy can helps maintaining this balance you establish in your life. A massage, 1/ month or 3 month all depending on your budget, time and life style.
Massage helps recovering/ preventing injuries yes! But not only that: it cleans our body and mind, every systems, organs, cells are rejuvenated. And it’s really pleasant!
To be healthy is not just the absence of illness or pain. It is the balance between the feel of vitality, flexibility, freedom of pain, contentment, self-accomplishment and sense of wholeness. The quest of health should be regarded as the search for balance in every facet of our lives,
In Asia culture medicine means: promoting health. Taking into consideration all aspects of our lives to be healthy and not developing illness due to blockage from imbalance. Oriental medicine (traditional): is an ancient medical system that takes a deep understanding of the laws and patterns of nature and applies them to the human body.
In western culture the definition of medicine is: treatment of the symptoms for illness or injury, or the study of it.
I believe that both approaches are complementary, it’s better to prevent than heal, but if we do become ill, western medical treatment is a necessity.
My treatments are not aimed to fix injuries also it speeds up its recovery: my approach is to act in prevention, helping you to improve your posture and body awareness.
NHS statements and numbers:
NHS numbers : the cost
Smoking £ 2.872 billion
Obesity and overweight £ 6.048 billion
Alcohol misuse £3.614 billion
Mental health £ 105 billion
Heart disease, stroke, respiratory disease, cancer, liver disease, mental health.
These diseases could be avoided by changing our life style, been shown to be closely linked to behavioural factors: Early death and poor health has been linked to Tobacco, high blood pressure, harmful use of alcohol/ drugs, being overweight, being physically inactive.
Poor physical health can lead to an increased risk of developing mental health issues; similarly, poor mental health can negatively impact on physical health. Physical activity in any form is a great way to keep physically well as improving mental wellbeing.
Periods of exercise even in short bursts, influences the release and uptake of endorphins in the brain increasing mental alertness, energy and positive mood.
Good nutrition, a crucial factor in influencing the way we feel physically and mentally including the development, management and prevention of numerous mental illnesses.
Smoking has a negative effect on both mental and physical health.
NHS offer services in order to support willing people wanting changing they life style.
Onesmallstep.org.uk (08002982654)
Did you know massage has been proven to help your children development? This experience can begin as early as infancy and continue throughout life. If massage therapy is beneficial for us adults, researchers studying massage all conclude how powerful it is for children.
Just like food, exercise and good care, touch is an essential element in the sound development of a child. Growing with the awareness of taking care of themselves, teaching them to manage stress and body wellness from early age can prevent a lifetime of poor posture. Our young ones are brought into an extreme path of life rhythm.
All of these can force the child to live reactively, in the mode of defence, flight and combat.
Negative stress raises blood pressure, lessens the immune defence and can contribute to problems such as obesity, attention deficit disorder, hyperactivity and depression.
Scientifically proven the benefits of Massage Therapy are above prevention:
Infant Weight Gain
Premature babies often struggle with weight gain. Touch, obtained through gentle massage and cuddling, releases a growth hormone in a premature infant that helps gain necessary weight and aids development of vital organs and the brain. A study by the Department of Neonatology at the Children’s National Medical Centre in Washington, D.C. showed that premature infants who were massaged, particularly with kinesthetic stimulation (body stroking and passive movement of the limbs), gained more weight.
Stress and Anxiety Relief
It is proven to increase dopamine, serotonin, endorphins (the feel good hormones) and decrease cortisol (the stress hormone) and blood glucose levels.
This helps regulate anxiety and stress levels that can become imbalanced due to social, family and academic pressures.
Studies have shown that the brains of children who have received massages are more stimulated by 20 to 30%. Massage has an effect on stress hormones, causing the recipient to be more calm and attentive.
Massage Therapy can allow to get rid of major stresses, bringing balance back to the body, improving sleep and even helps avoiding taking some medications.
According to Maria Hernandez-Reif, a researcher at the Touch Research Institute, lower stress hormones not only reduce feelings of anxiety but contribute to a healthier immune system.
The immune system fights illnesses by defending the body against toxins, parasites, bacteria, microbes, pathogens and viruses.
Stimulates Motor Development
Children are developing their motor (movement) skills as they grow. Massage helps ease tension and pain in developing muscles that make motor skills possible. Massage helps decrease muscle tension and increase range of motions, which assists in recovering from or preventing injuries.
Active teens are sure to appreciate the sports-related benefits of massage. For example, massage therapy has been proven to aid sore muscles and specific pain (such as lower back spasms or hamstring troubles).
Stimulates Cognitive Development
Massage can improve quality sleep, provide more energy and increase concentration.
According to Early Child Development and Care, pre-schoolers performed better on an IQ test following a 15-minute massage than they did from reading books. The International Journal of Neuroscience reported that massage improved function in the brain, resulting in increased alertness as well as speed and accuracy during math problems.
Self-esteem
We are more confident and motivated to archive our goals. Children developing self-esteem is again more a necessity as it will impact they adult life.
Studies have repeatedly shown that massage children and adults of all ages with stress and stress hormone levels, mood and behavioural problems.
Studies finds that massage can increase self-esteem, focus concentration and lower anti-social aggression. The group of children receiving massage, in self reporting, were found to feel more happy, calm and safe in this study
Through the use of massage therapy, the basic need for safe, nurturing contact is met, with often wonderful results.
According to the Autism Research Institute, children with autism are perfectly common in appearance, but spend their time engaged in puzzling behaviours that are markedly different from those of neuro-typically developing children.
Usually diagnosed by the age of 3, this complex developmental condition affects a child’s ability to develop language skills, form relationships or respond in social acceptable manner, characterised by early onset of a lack of showing attachment, difficulties to cuddle as an infant and seems in disassociation with the environment, showing confusion to understand social codes and the expression of their own emotions and feelings.
Autism, as we know it, is incurable, and the behaviours associated with the disorder persist throughout the child’s lifetime.
Touch Helps
Autism is characterised with sensory malfunction and dysfunction of the tactile system, often making a child averse to certain sights, sounds, smells or touch.
Massage Therapy provides a positive experience of being touched, and the positive effects hold lifelong in all the aspect of they life.
Learn more about the Neals Yard Remedies products that Amy uses here.
“Just got back from a very relaxing hot stone massage. It was exactly what I needed to wind down from the stresses of work etc. Had lots of massages in the past but this was the first hot stone one and definitely one of the best. Will be booking to have them more often. Thank you x”
😌 had the most amazing Thai massage with Sara Leray today!! Highly recommend her. Thank you lovely! 💖🙏🏼 xxx
“I had a fantastic deep tissue hot stone massage with Sara. She relieved all my gym related back tension and knots and still managed to make it enjoyable and relaxing! Looking forward to going back to Sara”
“I can honestly say that was the best massage ever. The combination of the hot stones and the massage was fantastic and Sara did wonders on pinpointing the areas of tension. I left feeling completely relaxed yet revitalised.”
“My 8 year old daughter and I were having a ‘girls day’ together while on holiday – she asked for a massage! I booked a 45 minute massage for her and then for me (so we were both in the room together) with Sara Luckily enough Sara does children’s massage as part of her repertoire so we were both warmly welcomed. I could tell from watching that my daughter was getting an amazing experience for her first professional massage. Sara was very friendly and made my daughter feel really comfortable. Sara was gentle, present and purposeful throughout and my daughter thought it was ‘amazing’. My massage was just as good, utterly relaxing and firm but not painful with my enduring knots. I’ve had a lot of massages and this was up there with the best of them. Thank you very much – we’ll be back next time we’re in North Devon!”