Neuro Hebrides can now offer
Neurological Patients in the Western Isles massage therapy sessions.
With thanks to the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund delivered by Third Sector Interface Western Isles, we have received funding to enable us to offer these massage therapy sessions for free to Neurological Patients.
The sessions will be held at WICCI in Stornoway on a Thursday, and there will be 4 available slots on each of the Thursdays; 10:00 - 11:30, 11:30 - 13:00, 13:30 - 15:00 and 15:00 - 16:30.
The first sessions will be on the 30th March 2023.
The sessions will run for 6 months and you can book up to 4 sessions in this time.
Massage Therapy - What is it?
Massage Therapy is a complementary treatment that aims to relax, revive and support the body, to enhance a person’s overall well-being.
During a massage therapy session a trained, certified massage therapist uses hands-on movements and manipulation of the soft tissues of the body.
The massage session usually begins with a thorough consultation to provide an overview of the health of the person being massaged. This enables the therapist to tailor the massage to the individual including the length of the session, areas of the body focused upon and the degree of pressure and techniques used.
Massage Therapy - What does it do?
There are many benefits to massage therapy:
• Reduces stress and increases relaxation:
Massage has been shown to reduce stress hormones by 30% and increase serotonin and dopamine (endorphins) by 28 and 21%, just through using gentle therapeutic massage strokes.
• Reducing pain and muscle soreness:
Pain occurs when receptors within the skin detect something isn’t right. A massage aims to reduce pain by disturbing the pain signals sent to the brain.
• Improving circulation and energy
Massage facilitates circulation because the pressure created by the massage techniques causes blood to move through the congested areas.
• Lowering heart rate and blood pressure
Massage therapy releases contracted muscles and pushes venous blood towards the heart, easing the strain on the heart, blood can then circulate more efficiently.
• Improving immune function
Massage is known for promoting increased circulation, and it increases the circulation of lymphatic flow.
• Promoting Mental Health
Massage treatment can help produce clarity of mind. When receiving a massage, the individual has time to relax and think about current problems or issues without any distractions.
These are the main benefits of massage therapy. How do these benefits from massage therapy specifically help those living with neurological conditions.
Massage Therapy is a complementary therapy and cannot cure or treat neurological conditions. However what massage therapy can do is alleviate some of the symptoms that come with neurological conditions and disorders, therefore improving quality of life for those living with them.
There are many different Neurological conditions, but there are common themes in relation to the symptoms of all neurological conditions or disorders, which massage therapy can help to address. These are outlined below:
• Muscle Stiffness:
Muscle stiffness can be a common symptom of a number of neurological conditions and can significantly impact mobility and the capacity to carry out daily tasks independently. Massage therapy can reduce high muscle tone indirectly by warming up tissue and increasing blood circulation.
• Pain Relief:
All neurological conditions and disorders affect the brain and nervous system in some way. This can result in chronic daily pain for most, in specific areas of the body or throughout their whole body. Massage therapy can produce a relaxation response in the nervous system through interrupting the signals sent to the brain, and this creates a calm state.
• Stress and Headaches:
Whether it be through the worry of living with a neurological condition or as a result of a dysfunctional nervous system, stress is likely to be a key issue. Massage therapy has been proven to reduce stress hormones and activate the parasympathetic nervous system which counters the effects of stress hormones and rebalances the body. Headaches can occur as a result of stress and/or tension in the muscles. Massage therapy can alleviate headaches by combatting stress and relaxing the muscles.
• Fatigue and Sleep Disturbances:
For those living with neurological conditions, fatigue and sleep disturbances due to pain are highly likely. Massage therapy can help to lower blood pressure and heart rate, and this promotes better sleep.
• Depression and Anxiety:
Depression and anxiety are common amongst sufferers of neurological conditions, for both physiological and emotional reasons. Mood has a significant impact upon physical well being and vice versa and massage therapy can help to alleviate it.
If you would like to book your session, please contact n.heb@outlook.com or call 07385596842
