As a practitioner who has been working in the Massage industry for over 18 years, I have seen many clients come to my treatment room suffering stress and anxiety related issues. And let’s be real, life at times can be very busy and very stressful.
Some of us juggle multiple roles a day such as parenting, manager, employee, coach, or carer. A responsibility is placed on us where we feel we always need to have it together, but deep down inside, you feel like you’re falling apart.
If this sounds like you, then I can sympathise with you.
One of the greatest joys I have as a practitioner is seeing the transition in my clients from the beginning of the consultation where my client arrives stressed, and toward the end of the consultation where they leave feeling lighter.
However, I have also had clients who mentally, and emotionally cannot let go of their stress. And this is where mindfulness comes in.
Usually I would say to my clients, ‘I can sense right now that there is a lot on your mind, and I really feel for you right now. But I would like to do an exercise with you, and that is, I want you to close your eyes and imagine you’re putting the cause of your stress in a box…. Now I want you to leave that box outside this room. As soon as the session is over, you are welcome to pick up that box again, if you feel you need to.
But this is your hour, and I need you to focus on you.”
Usually I will play some relaxing music and allow my client to just lie on the table for a few minutes before commencing the massage.
I generally observe my clients breathing and time my strokes to match the persons breathing. Using slow rhythmical techniques tends to allow the person to just let go.
The soothing touch of massage around the lumbar area or in the centre of the back creates the sensation of the maternal touch of a mother. And has a very calming effect.
After using this technique, I find my clients are able to see things more clearly and with less intensity.
Sometimes, we just need to be still and allow ourselves to be taken care of. This has a very calming effect on the nervous system, and respiratory system, thus allowing the person to think clearer.
After a few sessions, clients are better equipped at managing their stress, and they are mindful of when parts of their body tense up. This causes them to stop, breathe, and focus on the moment.
Lilley is a caring and compassionate massage therapist who has had over 15 years experience in this field. Lilley specialises in relaxation and therapeutic massage as well as sports and remedial massage in the treatment of various musculoskeletal pathologies.
Lilley’s treatments aim to target the source of the bodies pain via eliminating tension from muscles, increasing flexibility and providing relaxation to the affected areas as well as the body as a whole. It also promotes circulation which increases nutrients and oxygen to the damaged tissues.
