Ann Hobbs Therapy

Complementary Therapies

Reflexology
Ancient history indicates that Reflexology was originally practised in Egypt, India and China round 2330 B.C.

Reflexology is a therapy which involves using the thumb and fingers to apply pressure to the feet and/or hands. There are points on the hands and feet that relate to organs, glands and systems of the body and by applying pressure to these reflexes, congestion can be cleared allowing energy to flow freely. When the body is not working in harmony a reflexologist can feel congestion in these reflexes and by eliminating toxins and improving circulation allows the free flow of energy.

Reflexology treats the mind, body and spirit which restores balance and harmony to the whole body.

It is a non-evasive treatment with the client only taking their shoes and socks off. Reflexology can be enjoyed by almost anyone from children to the elderly.

Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is by no means a new concept; its roots can be traced back to the early Egyptian people 5,000 years ago.

Aromatherapy treatment involves the use of essential oils from plants to improve physical and emotional well-being. Essential oils are aromatic, mostly liquid substances extracted from various parts of a plant, such as from petals, barks, twigs, roots, leaves, seeds and resin. There are many ways in which to use essential oils including inhalation, in the bath compresses and massage. Massage is an excellent way of applying the oils to the body and increases the healing potential of Aromatherapy.

Essential oils are uniquely blended specifically for each client’s requirements. Home blends such as bath oils, skin cream etc can be made up in the same way so that you can continue the aromatherapy experience at home. Essential oils in a cream can be very beneficial for skin aliments such as psoriasis, acne, eczema, oily skin, dry and dehydrated skin etc.

Indian Head Massage
Indian Head therapy is based on Ayurveda, the oldest Indian healing system. Ayurveda works on the physical, emotional and spiritual well-being of the person.

The skull is covered by a thin layer of muscles which tightens when we are tense, often causing a headache. Tension in the neck and shoulders and eyestrain from staring at a computer screen for too long can also cause pain. The therapist works to relieve tension in the scalp, face, neck and shoulders by squeezing the muscles and ironing out tension in the shoulders and neck.

The massage can be either performed directly onto skin using oils or through clothes on a chair beginning from the shoulder and upper back areas, working up through the neck, ears and scalp, finishing on the face.

Indian head massage offers an instant de-stressing programme for the entire body. Many clients describe the treatments as being almost sleep inducing and afterwards report a wonderful feeling of well being, lighter and full of energy.

“Regular head massage is wonderfully relaxing, enhances the health of the scalp and promotes the growth of lustrous hair” The Observer

Therapeutic Massage/Deep Tissue Massage
For thousands of years the laying on or hands or massage has been used to heal or comfort, and forms of massage are found in almost every culture. Massage is the manipulation of soft body tissue such as muscle and hands, thumbs, fingers, forearms or elbows can be used to apply pressure on to areas of the body.

Regular massage strengthens and tones the entire body system. It can stimulate or alternately calm the nervous system, help to ease tension, stiffness and pain leaving the recipient with an enhanced sense of well being.

Deep Tissue Massage is a massage technique that focuses on the deeper layers of muscle tissue. It aims to release the chronic patterns of tension in the body through slow strokes and deep finger pressure on the contracted areas, either following or going across the fibre's of the muscles, tendons and fascia.

Deep tissue massage is used to release chronic muscle tension through slower strokes and more direct deep pressure or friction applied across the grain of the muscles not with the grain. Deep tissue massage helps to break up and eliminate scar tissue. Deep tissue massage usually focuses on more specific areas and may cause some soreness during or right after the massage. However, if the massage is done correctly you should feel better than ever within a day or two.

Neuro-Muscular technique (NMT) can be built in and applied as part of a normal massage routine. When muscles are held in a tight position for prolonged periods of time the nervous system begins to accept this position as the new normal state for the muscle and consequently the muscle remains contracted. NMT is applied by applying focused pressure on a particular area of tightness for up to 90 seconds. What happens next is that the nervous system suppresses its normal reaction to contract and, after a short period, tension in the area is released and the pain diminishes as relaxation occurs. Muscle Energy Technique (MET) is a name for a variety of techniques that stretch, strengthen or break down fibrous adhesions. It uses the patient’s own effort and movement, rather than that of the therapist to treat the problem.