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Thursday, October 09, 2008, 14:19
WHERE it started and when: Massage, in one form or another, has been around since ancient times in places such as Egypt, Ancient Greece, Rome and much of Asia. The holistic approach has been applied to massage relatively recently and comes from the Greek word 'holos' meaning 'whole'. Pulsing finds its roots in Tibet and Hawaii, but it was Tovi Browning who developed holistic pulsing as we know it today.
What it promises:
The holistic approach to massage treats the person as a whole, in body, mind and spirit. As well as being concerned with the symptom or ailment a client suffers, the therapist will aim to establish the cause and rebalance the body.
Holistic massage utilises a wide range of techniques tailored to the individual and their lives, one of which includes pulsing. Through the skilful manipulation of soft tissue, stretching and the rocking of various body parts, this technique can lead to long-term relief from stress, chronic pain, muscle tension, lethargy and many other conditions.
What happened:
Before the massage took place, therapist Estelle Kensdale carried out a short consultation to establish my medical history, lifestyle and what I was hoping to gain from the massage. Next I was asked to remove the majority of my clothing and lie face down on the massage bed, where Estelle proceeded to carry out some pulsing, focusing on my shoulders and upper body where most of my tension is felt, as well as my head, legs and feet.
I was then given a holistic massage, again focusing mainly on my shoulders and back, which incorporated elements of Swedish massage, trigger point massage, deep tissue work and holistic pulsing. This was followed by a head, leg and foot massage, complete with some more pulsing to create a feeling of being complete.
Its unique selling point:
One of the things which sets holistic massage apart from other disciplines of massage is what the practitioner brings to it. According to Estelle it is very much a case of "being with" the client rather than "doing something to them".
She said: "By being fully present in myself and creating a safe space for the client, the beneficial effects of any treatment is greatly increased.
"By creating and maintaining a connection with the client throughout the treatment, relaxation and release of the mind, body and spirit occur much more readily."
What training do you need to be a holistic therapist?
The training for the therapist is extensive, covering areas such as massage, anatomy, physiology, pathology, listening skills and general health. Estelle trained with the Academy of Health in London, and has gained qualifications from both the Massage Training Institute (MTI) and the International Therapy Examinations Council (ITEC).
Our verdict:
Although the pulsing felt strange at first, once you let go and lose your inhibitions, you find yourself feeling a sense of inner calm when the session is finished. This feeling lasted a couple of days and I found myself dealing with stressful issues with a much clearer head.
The massage was particularly enjoyable and left the problem area around my shoulders and neck feeling far less tense. I found my posture was immediately approved and any aches and pains had virtually disappeared.
Just one more thing:
Sessions start at £20 and are carried out at Plymouth's holistic community centre, Star Mountain, based in Moon Street. For further details visit www.starmountain.co.uk or search 'holistic massage therapy' on Facebook.
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