Aromatherapy is a holistic, healing treatment that uses natural plant extracts to promote health and well-being, sometimes it’s called essential oil therapy. A Clinical Aromatherapist will use aromatic essential oils medicinally to improve the health of the body, mind, and spirit, enhancing both physical and emotional health. Aromatherapy is thought of as both an art and a science and has recently gained more recognition in the fields of science and medicine. The most widely used form of Aromatherapy in the UK is the application of blended essential oils in a carrier oil, massaged into the body.
The benefits of body massage are wide ranging but here a a few key things to note.
The therapeutic application of massage has expanded rapidly over the past twenty years, generating new styles and reviving ancient ones. Massage therapy has gained such an important place in the preventative and restorative fields of natural healthcare that many of us now consider it an essential part of our health and wellbeing.
Body massage is one of the oldest techniques of healing and has been in use since early mankind.
The benefits of massage are deep and many, it can help relieve and prevent chronic pain, lowered vitality and recurring infections, it can help conditions such as migraines, digestive disorders, hypotension and high blood pressure, it can be used to improve sport performance and postural alignment also promoting a great sense of equilibrium.
In the modern world where we suffer increasingly from emotional, mental and physical stresses, massage is one of the best ways to retrieve a sense of balance and reduce our feelings of anxiety.
ABOUT ME
In 2013 I qualified at Weston College with a level 3 in Indian Head Massage with a grade distinction. I then went on to become a self employed mobile holistic therapist visiting the elderly and the sick in their place of care. Also in 2017 I achieved a level 3 and 4 in Complementary therapy at Ashley Down College in Bristol with a distinction. The courses that I covered were Swedish body massage, Aromatherapy, Reflexology (at an advanced level) and hot stone massage therapy. Most recently I have introduced pregnancy massage to my list of services after gaining my qualification through the Bristol college of massage and Body Work with Heidi Armstrong. Additionally I have also introduced Oncology Balance Body and Mind Treatments after studying the Postgraduate Diploma with Jenifer Young, this qualification is FHT Aproved.
JOANNA PORTER
Clinical Complementary Therapist
HOT STONE MASSAGE
Hot stone therapy uses various massage techniques working in harmony with Basalt stones. The stones are hardened and polished volcanic lava that heat up to around 50c. The treatment aims to relax the body at its deepest level. Stone therapy uses stones to work on the body, while the stones are also placed under and on the body during the treatment. The treatment is very effective in creating harmony and a positive energy flow throughout the body. Hot stone therapy has been used for thousands of years to help promote healing. Its strongest roots are based around Native American traditions and beliefs. The effectiveness of the stones stems not only from the warm stones thermal conduction, which brings about local and systematic changes in the body, but they can also influence the energy centres which control body and mind balancing. During a hot stone therapy treatment there is an increase in capillary blood pressure as the blood leaves congested areas. There is also an increase in red and white blood cells. The treatment has been proven to also increase the metabolism up to 15%. This occurs through the application of the warms stones to the body, which in turn assists in the treatment of weakened conditions by stimulating and detoxifying, as well as increasing micro-circulation by bringing in fresh oxygenated blood in to the body. This then intern increases cell metabolism, blood and lymph function and removal of wastes from the body. Not only being one of the most deeply relaxing treatments, the heat from the Basalt stone can penetrate the muscles up to five time deeper than when having a Swedish massage. Having a multitude of positive effect on the body and mind.
ONCOLOGY MASSAGE
Oncology massage is an approach to massage therapy that is specialised to help people manage their experience with cancer. Benefits include improved relaxation, sleep, and immune function, as well as relieving anxiety, pain, fatigue and nausea.
Oncology massage therapists are trained to meet the client where they are in their experience with cancer and apply a light, individualized massage treatment to comfort, nurture and support them in their process.
The treatments are adapted and modified according to the full spectrum of cancer related issues such as physical, psycho-social, and emotional consequences of cancer. Several studies have found that oncology massage can reduce anxiety and stress for people living with cancer. On a more objective level, massage also appears to lower cortisol levels, with this reduction in stress hormones possibly having other physical benefits as well. Decreased stress and anxiety has been noted in a number of different studies.
Reflexology can be used to aid a number of health issues from Arthritis, Hypertension, Anxiety and Stress. For cancer patients, reflexology can help along side cancer treatments by reducing anxiety, improving circulation and promoting relaxation.
For more information on Reflexology with Jo please click here to view the full page.
*Like with all other services at Cowan House, we must implement a 24 hour cancellation policy. Therefore if you do need to cancel please ring reception on 01934 643262. If cancellation does not take place within the 24 hours prior to the appointment time, we will be unable to give a refund.