What’s in a massage?

Love yourself, get a massage.

Wikipedia defines “massage” as follows; “Massage is to work and act on the body with pressure. Massage techniques are commonly applied with hands, fingers, elbows, knees, forearm, feet, or a device. The purpose of massage is generally for the treatment of body stress or pain”

There are many massage techniques and practitioners are always looking at ways to improve the basics and make it more effective.

When most people think of massages, they will think of “Swedish Massage”. Swedish Massage takes its name from a 19th-century Swedish physiologist, Per Henrik Ling, whose system of medical gymnastics included massage.  Johan Georg Mezger (1838-1909) later re-organised it into the modern system that we know today as the “Swedish massage” system. Swedish massage is defined by five techniques, which have French names: effleurage (stroking), petrissage (kneading), tapotement (rhythmic choppings), and friction (rubbing).

Aromatic oils and creams enhance the massage treatment

Deep Tissue Massage differs from Swedish Massage in the sense that Deep Tissue Massage is used to break down scar tissue and muscle knots that affect the normal function of the tissue and muscles. It usually focuses on a specific problem and are not a general relaxing massage as Swedish.

Lomi lomi is the word used today to mean "massage therapist" or "Hawaiian massage." In the Hawaiian language, the word used traditionally, called lomi, means "to knead, to rub, or soothe; to work in and out, as the paws of a contented cat.” (Wikipedia)

This definition only touch on the true meaning of what a Hawaiian lomi lomi massage is. Traditionally it is much more than just a massage technique and although the western massage therapists are trained in this unique form of massage, we will probably never reach the heights in our treatments that the traditional Polynesians have in theirs.

"A Lomi Lomi usually commences with a stillness between the practitioner and client, often with the practitioners hands gently resting on the clients back," says Tracey Lakainapali. "In this stillness the practitioner will quietly say a blessing or prayer asking for whatever healing is needed to take place during the massage. Alternatively or as well, the client may be asked to set their intention for any healing they would like to receive. The masseuse then works very intuitively with the client. In this respect there is no set format or sequence for the massage and no two massages will ever be identical"

Thai Massage moves away from the stroking, relaxing and kneading techniques of the other massages and uses stretching, pulling, and rocking techniques to relieve tension and enhance flexibility and range of motion. It is sometimes painful and uncomfortable, but the massage therapist should then adjust her technique and movements to ease up on the pressure.

No matter which massage technique you prefer, massage has a wide range of benefits and can help with the following:
• Relieve tension headaches
• Reduce types of back pain
• Relieve joint stiffness and pain
• Increase flexibility and range of motion
• Stimulate circulation and lymphatic drainage
• Boost energy
• Calm the nervous system
• Relax and calm down muscle tension and spasms
• Release blocked energy


Come and experience our massage therapy. We do not cut corners.

Contact Gerda at gerda@agbeautysalon.co.za or Cell 0823989817