A massage to ease off anxiety

By Bob Otieno

When someone says she is anxious, many thoughts arise: "I can't breathe", "I have pressure on my chest", or "my heart is beating abnormally". Another could be, "my stomach is all twisted and I have indigestion" and "my brain feels foggy and I'm having a hard time staying focused."

This means there are some parts of the body that need to be worked on. They may include the stomach, head or even the body’s breathing system.

Anxiety is a psychological disorder that affects your mind making you not think clearly. These psychological disturbances can affect your stomach.

Breathing:

At the very beginning of the massage therapy, you are supposed to be conscious of your breathing and to take deeper and fuller breaths. After a few respirations, the therapist will be able to assess if you are able to take bigger breaths with a lot less effort and your heart rate is slower. Taking the time to do this allows them to start the massage with a calmer and more receptive you.

The Head:

To relax the head, Indian head massage techniques can be very effective. It offers a variety of manoeuvres that focus on the head, scalp, face, neck and shoulders. With a little touch of lavender, it works wonders.

The body:

Beside the head, the therapist can also apply gentle to medium pressure of kneading and rubbing of the hands to the rest of the body tissue, manipulating the tissue to promote relaxation. It covers a wide area especially the back, neck arms and legs.

Aroma treatment can also be added. It involves use of aromatherapy oils or unscented oils, which heighten the massage experience and allow for greater relaxation and restoration of your energy balance, leaving you flowing with a sense of wellbeing.

These types of oils produce a more slippery surface for the therapist to work on, so there is no pulling of the skin.

During the massage, you can either remain quiet and simply explore your own thoughts, or chat with the therapist if you so desire. The session can be personalised to be exactly how you want it.

A well-deserved moment of relaxation is what if not all you need and a massage is just the right technique for that. It will relax your mind and body, giving you a break from the stresses of life. Just remember that the duration of the massage will depend on you. You have an option of between half an hour and two hours.

The type of massage also matters. Seek advice from your therapist if you want your needs met.

Precaution

Inform your therapist in case you have complications like injuries, skin allergies, recovering from an operation or pregnant, which can otherwise be affected by some kind of oils used.

Benefits

• Helps you sleep better.

• Helps in getting off toxins, especially if you drink a lot of water before the massage session.

• Your skin and organs get more oxygenated.

• It improves circulation.

• It leaves you relaxed and at ease.