Surreal Holistic Therapy

Massage therapy can support mental health by reducing stress, anxiety, and depression, while promoting relaxation, emotional well-being, and improved mood. Stress Reduction: Massage therapy has been shown to lower cortisol levels, the hormone associated with stress, while increasing serotonin and dopamine, neurotransmitters that enhance mood and emotional balance according to research says Marsolek, A, (2022) This combination helps the body and mind manage stress more effecti

The Purpose and Benefits of Somatic Massage The term somatic means looking at the body from the inside out rather than from the outside in. Somatic psychology focuses on the body’s ability to heal itself. There are a variety of somatic practices that people use in an attempt to relieve stress and tension in their bodies and to heal from the trauma their bodies are holding onto. What Is Somatic Touch Therapy? Somatic touch therapy is a style of somatic massage that focuses

Enhancing relaxation: Incorporating stretches after massage therapy can amplify its benefits by soothing muscles and improving flexibility. Stretching after a massage helps maintain muscle looseness, improve flexibility, enhance circulation, and prolong the benefits of the massage. For example, Muscle Looseness and Flexibility During a massage, muscles and connective tissues are manipulated, which increases blood flow, warms the tissues, and temporarily lengthens muscles and

Manual Lymphatic Drainage was pioneered by two Danish Doctors, Emil and , Estrid Vodder in the 1930s for the treatment of chronic sinusitis and other immune disorders. While working on the French Riviera treating patients with chronic colds, the Vodders noticed patients had swollen lymph nodes. In the 1930s, the lymphatic system was poorly understood. But the Vodders were not deterred by this and in 1932, began to study the lymph system by developing light, rhythmic hand mov

History of Aromatherapy Aromatherapy uses concentrated oils that are made from parts of plants which include flowers, fruit, seeds, leaves and roots. Aromatherapy is a practice based on the use of aromatic materials, including essential oils and other aroma compounds, for improving psychological well-being. It is used as a complementary therapy or as a form of alternative medicine, typically is used via inhalation and not by ingestion. Exploring the history of aromatherapy

I studied diet and nutrition many years ago, but once I recieved my qualification, I decided to put it on the back burner to focus on my role as a Complementary Therapist! So what inspired me to write an article about underactive thyroid( hypothyroidism) and the foods to avoid and eat. It's personal beacuse I have hypothyroidism too and even though I take (Levothyroxine) thyroid medication daily, I still suffered from achy joints, excessive weight gain, dry itchy skin

We know certain scents can significantly enhance creativity and provide a sense of vitality by evoking specific emotions and memories, but could wearing a scent every day actually reshape the brain itself? A recent study by Kokubun,K,Nemoto, K et al (2024) showed how a continuous exposure to rose essential oil over one month affects gray matter volume (GMV) in the human brain. For example, researchers recruited 50 healthy women between the ages of 41–69 and randomly a

The science of massage therapy and how it changes your body Massage works by manipulating soft tissues, which include muscles, fascia, tendons, and ligaments. The techniques used in therapeutic massage help to: Break up adhesions (areas of scar tissue or knots) Improve blood and lymphatic circulation The Importance of Aftercare Advice For Maximal BenefitReduce muscle tension and spasms Promote the release of endorphins and decrease stress hormones like cortisol Neural and mu

For those living with fibromyalgia, the pain is more than just physical, it’s deep, widespread, and often invisible to the outside world. Symptoms such as muscles ache, fatigue is relentless, sleep feels unrefreshing, and even gentle touch can feel like pressure. But what if part of the answer lies within a system that no one has even thought of- such as the lymphatic system! Let;s take a closer look at fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia isn’t “just in your head.” research has de

I work with people on a consistent basis who endure both acute and chronic pain. Most of these people are desperate for relief. As a body work therapist, I can honestly say that I love being a part of their healing progress and seeing their pain decrease naturally though massage therapy. Massage the earliest forms of medicine, according to the Greek Doctor of Medicine Hippocrates, ( 460 BCE - 37 ) he also included, the practice of massage as a therapeutic modality. Hippocra