Forget the typical massage! Today, Mystic Mag dives into the world of holistic massage, where therapists like Giada go beyond sore muscles to address your entire well-being. In this post, she unveils the power of holistic massage and how it can transform your life.
Can you explain what holistic massage is and how it differs from traditional massage techniques? How does it contribute to overall well-being?
To preface my answer to this question, I’d like to state that I can only answer from my limited and subjective perspective. Please don’t take what I say as fact, so much as opinion.
Traditional massage therapy would predominantly look to relieve general tension, reduce stress, and at most treat the localized physical pain of a person. A typical massage treatment might look something like this: the client comes in, they say they have lower back pain, and so the massage therapist works on the back, focusing on the lower back and maybe the hips. There might not be too much discussion about how it happened, how long it’s been happening, and what the quality of the discomfort is.
In contrast, a holistic massage therapist would immediately be asking a series of relevant questions, meanwhile thinking about the other areas of the body and potential problems that would (or could) be referring to pain in the lower back. Whatsmore, a holistic therapist will be asking about the client’s sleep, the quality of it and the habitual sleeping postures. They would be inquiring about past injuries, typical daily strains, as well as common postures for a client. They would also be gently asking about the client’s emotional wellbeing, are they stressed? Depressed? Feeling a lack of support? Or maybe financial insecurity?
When someone comes in to me with lower back pain, I know immediately that if I do not treat the full body, I am potentially neglecting an area of the body that, if tight / strained, could be feeding tension to the lower back. There are several key areas I check outside of the back, which include: the glutes, the hamstrings / muscle attachments at the back of the knees, the bottom of the feet, the hip flexors, the subscapularis, the iliacus and psoas, as well as the pecs. I might also do a pelvic realignment just to rule it out. I’d also be looking for compression in the joints, specifically the ankles.
On top of that, I’d be using oils that are particularly beneficial to the person’s complaint or concern. In the case of lower back pain, I might make a blend that features peppermint, lavender and clove, or I might mix something resembling tiger balm.
Post treatment, I’d be recommending targeted stretching and strengthening that the client would benefit from. Does the client present with an anterior pelvic tilt / lower cross syndrome? Then we are looking at a whole protocol of both stretching and strengthening, not to mention pillowing techniques to sleep with better spinal alignment, and more neutral positioning.
Lastly, we’d be discussing cost effective solutions to the emotional turmoils in their life. Outlets for stress, relevant natural remedies, beneficial supplements, sustainable pain relief solutions, dietary changes and potential therapies that could be complementary to our therapy or even more beneficial than what I might be able to offer them. In the case of sciatica via disc herniation, for instance, I’d sooner be sending them to an acupuncturist than requiring them back or referring them to another body worker.
From my own experience, I feel clients are extremely relieved and satisfied when they leave this type of treatment. They feel heard, they feel seen, and most of all, they leave enlightened.
There are so many contributing factors to pain, and 99.9% of the population are completely unaware of the complex mental, emotional and physical web their lives truly are, and how it ultimately manifests as pain and discomfort.
With a holistic therapeutic approach and remedial advice, the person can walk away feeling confident in a way forward, resolved in their frustration, empowered with answers, and optimistically curious about what comes next.
Holistic massage is often associated with promoting relaxation and reducing stress. How does it achieve this, and what specific techniques or approaches do you use to help clients relax and destress?
If you’d like, I can give you one of the most literal and accurate answers to this question. It’s something I like to teach my clients about regularly, especially the ones who like to recite the notion of “no pain, no gain”.
Have you ever heard of the Golgi Tendon Organ? If not, don’t feel bad, most people haven’t. Every muscle in your body has one, it lives at the “musculotendinous junction”, which as the name implies, is where the muscle fibers meet the tendon.
The job of the Golgi Tendon Organ (GTO for short), is to monitor the amount of tension in a muscle. When there is too much tension or “force” in a muscle, the GTO’s job is to send a message to the central nervous system (brain) to report the excess tension. It does this to ultimately save the muscle from damage, as sustained amounts of excess tension / force can be devastating to the muscle’s health, even resulting in tears. The brain receives this message, then sends an impulse via the central nervous system telling the muscle to relax.
This is ultimately why massage therapists and physiotherapists have a job. To put it plainly, we employ these bodily mechanisms to create awareness within the body, and encourage the body to basically heal itself.
This, in essence, is the main reason why massage promotes relaxation and reduces stress. Like a game of pong, a back and forth of activating a (controlled) pain response so that the brain can register the issues and send many messages encouraging the body to relax and heal the areas of concern. It’s a pretty brilliant function of the body, that, and homeostasis.
Honestly, if you want to believe in miracles and find proof of divine intelligence, study the human body. It is the single most incredible piece of engineering. So many systems all working together in harmony towards a common goal. We are walking miracles. But I digress…
Other techniques I would recruit include pressure points and traction of areas of high sensitivity, or large nerve distribution. These would be the feet, hands and face/scalp. Again, working with the CNS (central nervous system) to relay messages of relaxation. I would also be applying my massage techniques in the direction that is complementary to the flow of blood, lymph and digestion, something that a lot of therapists are unaware of, which can cause great discomfort.
Outside of the physical techniques, in a holistic treatment I would also be speaking to the other senses of the body. Using music and tonal instruments like tingsha bells and singing bowls have a great effect on the nervous system. They seem to cut right through the ether, and have distinct relaxing and cleansing effects.
I would also be employing aromatherapy via essential oils, creating blends that are pleasing to the individual while also being significant in their medicinal benefits. I have been known to also burn things like sage, incense and palo santo, all of which tend to have relaxing effects.
Lighting, temperature, noise, time and atmosphere all play significant roles in creating the right relaxing environment for a holistic treatment. There are no rushing people onto or off the table because of tight scheduling, the room is warm and dimly lit, and the music is at a low volume. Additionally, tools such as weighted blankets, heating pads, and well placed pillows all add tremendous value to creating a comfortable and relaxing experience.
Last but not least, I am asking the client questions to allow them to open up and release the tensions and stresses that they’ve had simmering in the background and holding onto for weeks, months, if not years, even decades. I ask about potential stored emotions that people tend to avoid discussing, such as resentments, guilt, shame, grief, fear, and anger (to name a few). I ask them to name these things and share them so that the energy of these emotions can come up and out, shining a light on the shadowy bits so that we can find compassion, forgiveness, understanding, acceptance and ultimately healing. And as we know, a problem shared is generally a problem halved.
Self-care is an essential aspect of holistic well-being. Could you share some self-care solutions or practices that clients can incorporate into their daily lives to enhance the benefits of holistic massage?
Yes, absolutely. This is one of my favorite subjects, I even wrote a book about it. It’s called “Self-Care Solutions at Work” which can be found on my website www.shekneads.ie or on Amazon when searched with my name.
I have remedial advice up my sleeve. The most common ones would be the following:
- For anxiety / stress / mood instability: Ashwaganda
- For immune support: Medicinal Mushrooms (such as Chaga, Reishi, Turkey Tail, Lions Mane, etc) all of which can be conveniently found in The Longevity Blend from West Coast Herbs (in Galway)
- For upper back tension: Stretch the front of your neck and your pecs
- For lower back tension: Stretch your hip flexors and get some puffy pillows to support your spinal alignment while you sleep
- For trouble getting to sleep / staying asleep: Rescue Remedy Night Time
- For chronic muscle pain / menstrual cramps: Tiger balm
- For sciatica / nerve pain: Acupuncture
- For acne or skin issues: Rose water and/or witch hazel
- For psoriasis or eczema: dandelion balm with lavender (could also add tea tree, peppermint and geranium)
- For digestive issues: quinoa, ILU tummy massage, colonic irrigation
- For congested skin: regular exfoliation with a natural fibre loofa (*Something interesting about people with congested skin is that they pretty much all report having anxiety. I feel there is a direct correlation between these things, because if our skin (our biggest organ) is having difficulty breathing, then would we not obviously have more anxiety?*)
- Fluid retention: Lymphatic drainage, pumping the lymph nodes regularly, cold hydro, legs up the wall.
- For any bone, joint, or ligament issues: castor oil
The list really does go on and on, and the self-care advice I offer is generally tailored to the person’s concerns, personal beliefs, financial ability, and physical capabilities. It is very rare that I don’t have a self-care option for something brought up in session. In fact, I generally try to give the person at least 5 or 6 avenues for post treatment care, so that they feel there is a way forward and have the power to take care of themselves rather than being dependent on someone like me.
Some practitioners would have an opposite approach, convincing their clients that they are the only way, truth and light to healing. I resent that. I believe in empowering people and giving them the tools to take care of themselves, and if they decide to come back, great! But it should never be out of obligation or fear mongering. I believe in giving people the time, space, and opportunity to regain autonomy, explore possibilities and take control of their lives.
What are some common issues or conditions that holistic massage can effectively address? How does it support physical and mental health, and can you provide examples of clients who have benefited from your services?
I would bet that holistic massage is a beneficial therapy to 99.9% of the population. Especially considering the multitude of massage techniques that can be recruited as the means to the greater end of resolving the person’s particular problem.
By the time someone can refer to themself as a holistic practitioner, it is assumed that they have a number of therapies and skill sets under their therapeutic belt. Therefore, the practitioner should be able to tailor the treatment in a way that is appropriate for whatever concerns of the client are (within reason).. in some cases they may be able, but not willing or volunteering of these skills.
I think it is important for every practitioner to be extremely familiar with the contraindications to massage, and have the humility to know when they cannot or should not treat a particular client or a particular condition.
As mentioned earlier, I am extremely hesitant to treat someone with an inflamed sciatic nerve. I would similarly be avoidant of treating someone with major disc issues or other nerve pains, such as trigeminal nerve pain, for instance.
Aside from these extreme as well as rare cases, I truly believe that massage can be a benefit for most everyone for most anything. It is arguably one of the most well rounded alternative / natural therapies, and one of the most sought after experiences, earning a label of luxury in most cultures.
In my 10 years of massage therapy, I have worked with nearly every kind of client. From professional athletes to motor vehicle accident survivors, pregnant women, MS patients, post operative patients, cancer patients, plastic surgery patients, people with cerebral palsy and severe scoliosis, eating disorders and birth deformities. You name it, I’ve probably seen it and worked with it, and in all honesty, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a client leave in a worse state than when they arrived.
Holistic massage often involves a mind-body-spirit approach. How do you incorporate this philosophy into your practice, and how does it contribute to a more profound sense of well-being for your clients?
The mind-body-spirit approach is essentially the cornerstone of holistic therapy. I will typically tell someone that whatever the issue is: physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual, I can help.
I incorporate this primarily in my health history interview. I make a point to ask first about why the person has come in. There is usually an intention behind their appointment, and so I like to make a priority of that. Then from there I will investigate what could be causing these primary concerns. From there we do a deeper dive on stresses, repetitive postures, old injuries, sleep quality, emotional events, and so on.
When it comes to the actual treatment, I attempt to treat as much of the person’s “complaints” as I can. Whether it be through physical therapy techniques or energy work techniques.
At the end of the session, I ask them to tell me anything that stood out as painful or surprising, and we will discuss. Then I will tell them what stood out to me, and what I think could be going on without diagnosing anything. From there I make several recommendations for potential further solutions to what we have already done.
Once they’ve asked me any and all questions, I remind them to stay hydrated and take it easy the next couple of days.
I think overall, with this approach, people feel more than heard. They feel enlightened, empowered and truly cared for.
Can you describe the role of ongoing self-care guidance and support for clients who receive holistic massage? How do you empower them to continue their self-care journey beyond the massage session?
I believe remedial self-care advice is a crucial part of any treatment. It is important for a client to feel that they have a way forward, that there is hope and answers for how to resolve their issue(s).
I will typically suggest all manner of self-care solutions, including targeted stretches, practical strengthening exercises, key points for self-massage, natural remedies, alternative / complementary therapies, and more.
I try to give at least 3 solutions for any one problem, so that if one doesn’t work, hopefully something else will. Even if it might be slightly overwhelming at the time, I believe most clients are grateful to have so many options and choices for how to resolve their pains further. Especially when the advice is cost effective or at best, free.
To learn more about Giada and her work, please visit www.shekneads.ie and www.officekneads.ie.
