Self-care, we all know it makes sense (Instagram tell us a hundred times a day after all) but it can be hard to take time for your mind when there’s a million other things to do. That’s why it’s worth looking into massage treatments and techniques that get to work on physical needs whilst also addressing what’s going on in your head. All massage will have calming, mind-relaxing benefits and human touch has been proven to help with stress and anxiety, but book one of these and you’ll get even greater benefits.
By Jo Hoare
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1 Reiki
Best for: unblocking emotions
When is a massage not a massage? When it’s reiki. This 3,000 year old treatment involves your therapist gently laying their hands on or a few centimetres above your body. Originated in Buddhism, this practice is said to strengthen and normalise energy fields. Expect to feel both relaxed and energised during the session, with some people reporting a flood of emotions making their way safely to the surface.
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2 Acupressure
Best for: emotional balance
Always been intrigued by acupuncture but a bit of a needle-phobe? For similar benefits with none of the oh-god-you're-going-to-put-that-sharp-needle-where angst, try acupressure. This ancient Asian technique involves your practitioner using their hands to apply pressure to certain acupoints of your body to open up energy flow, help with emotional balance and relieve tension.
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3 Cranio-sacral therapy
Best for: frazzled nerves
A form of osteopathy, cranio-sacral therapy focuses on the skull, lower spine and pelvis, working on the belief that your craniosacral system (the membranes and fluid that surround your brain and spinal cord) controls a rhythm throughout your body. This in turn influences your nervous system, if it’s out of kilter you’ll feel emotional and physical problems that light manipulation can help to rectify.
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4 Reflexology
Best for: burn out
Ticklish of feet look away now (and actually as your practitioner grasps your feet firmly even the hysterical should be fine). Probably one of the most well known forms of hybrid mind/body treatments, reflexology targets reflex points on your feet that correspond to organs or systems in the rest of your body. By working on stimulating your feet’s nerve endings your treatment can unblock energy, unleash endorphins and help with stress, exhaustion and pain.
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5 Crystal sound bath
Best for: mood stabilising
Set to be a huge trend in wellness for 2018, sound baths are popping up everywhere. Doing almost exactly what they say on the tin (apart from the bath bit, you don’t have to get wet) – this healing therapy uses immersive sound to induce a meditative state. It’s all about the vibrations created by tools like gongs and crystal bowls and how the water in our bodies conducts them (so, sorry, an hour in your tub blasting out Taylor Swift won’t cut it). Medical research indicates they could be helpful to lower blood pressure, reduce stress hormones and stabilise your mood.
FAQs
What is reiki and how can it help you?
Reiki is an ancient treatment where a therapist gently lays their hands on or just above your body. This method is said to strengthen energy fields, helping you feel both relaxed and energised. Many people experience a release of emotions during a reiki session.
How does acupressure differ from acupuncture if you dislike needles?
Acupressure provides similar benefits to acupuncture without using needles. Your practitioner uses their hands to apply pressure to specific acupoints, helping to open energy flow, relieve tension and support emotional balance. This makes it a great option if you are needle-phobic.
What issues can cranio-sacral therapy help with?
Cranio-sacral therapy works on the skull, lower spine and pelvis to influence your craniosacral system. By supporting the system that controls rhythm in your body, this therapy can help with emotional and physical problems caused by frazzled nerves.
How can reflexology benefit you if you’re feeling burnt out?
Reflexology targets reflex points on your feet, which correspond to organs and systems in your body. By stimulating nerve endings, this treatment can help unblock energy, unleash endorphins and ease stress, exhaustion and pain. Even those who are ticklish usually find it relaxing.
What should you expect from a crystal sound bath session?
In a crystal sound bath, you experience immersive sound designed to induce a meditative state. Vibrations from gongs and crystal bowls are conducted by the water in your body, which can help lower blood pressure, reduce stress hormones and stabilise your mood. No actual bathing is involved during the therapy.