Treatments

Sports Massage

Includes different techniques that focus on manipulating the soft tissues of your body to correct imbalance caused by athletic performance or other physical activity. 

The treatment focuses on a particular muscle group e.g. shoulders or hips, and is very effective to improve range of motion, increase flexibility, relieve muscle aches caused from recurrent activity, and manage any pain associated with a specific activity, which can be in a sports context, or other working environment. 

Recommended treatment times vary and depend upon injury and/or condition. We advise an initial 90 minute appointment.

Scar Therapy

Scar massage or Scar Therapy, is a common method used to help remodel scar tissue that has developed after an injury. It is a treatment used after cosmetic surgery, emergency or other planned surgery or burn. Scar tissue massage is also known as scar mobilisation or scar tissue mobilisation. Following your consultation and assessment your treatment will be tailored to focus on areas of tightness and tension around your scar and the underlying fascia, muscles and any fibrotic tissue.

Scar massage is considered an effective way to decrease scar tissue build up and help make scars less noticeable. Pain and discomfort are not always felt at the source of the problem. scar massage is a holistic approach combining understanding of any discomfort or pain, with assessing movement and mobility across the body as well as directly around the scar. Scar Massage is often considered to be most effective on immature scar tissue (less than two years old) but may still help with older scars.

Recommended times for innitial treatment is 90 minutes, after initial consultation a plan and a package of sessions will be discuss according to your needs.

Manual Lymphatic Drainage

Manual Lymphatic Drainage is a therapeutic technique with diverse applications, particularly in treating conditions related to the lymphatic system. By gently stimulating lymphatic flow, MLD promotes healing, reduces swelling, and supports overall health, making it a valuable treatment option for various conditions.

Recommended treatment times vary and depends upon your condition. We advise an initial 90 Minutes appointment.

Oncology Massage

Oncology massage is the modification of massage therapy to safely work with the effects of cancer and cancer treatment. Everyone affected by cancer — people in active treatment, those in recovery or survivorship, those at the end of life, and even caregivers — can benefit from oncology massage. These benefits can include respite from pain, nausea, fatigue, anxiety and depression.  For someone in active cancer treatment or recovery, we will adapt your massage to ensure maximum support.

Deep and vigorous massage may add to fatigue, compromise skin or bone integrity, aggravate the side effects of compromised blood cell counts or vital organ impairment, cause nausea, create unnecessary risk for someone with or at risk for blood clots, or trigger or exacerbate lymphedema. Positioning and bolstering the body to accommodate medical devices and post-surgical changes will provide comfort and relief.

Clinical assessments and adaptations to the massage session for someone affected by cancer are critical to providing a safe massage.

Please contact us by email if you need more information or book an initial 90 minutes appointment

Relaxing Full Body Massage

This does what it says on the tin, full body relaxing massage, pressure according to your preference, ideal when combined with hot stones and/or scalp massage.

Recommended times 60 or 90 minutes and add your choice of upgrades.

Kinesiology Taping

Kinesiology taping is a therapeutic technique used to support and stabilise muscles and joints while allowing for a full range of motion. The taping method uses elastic therapeutic tape, which is designed to mimic the elasticity of human skin. This makes it effective in various applications, from injury prevention to rehabilitation.

When applied correctly, kinesiology tape can help reduce pain and inflammation, improve circulation, and promote muscle function. It works by lifting the skin, which can alleviate pressure on pain receptors and facilitate lymphatic drainage. This, in turn, may help reduce swelling and expedite recovery.

Kinesiology taping is commonly used by athletes and active individuals to support injuries such as sprains, strains, and overuse issues. However, it is also beneficial for non-athletic populations, including those recovering from surgeries or managing chronic pain conditions.

The tape is typically applied in specific patterns that correspond to the desired outcome, and it can be worn for several days, even during physical activities. It is important to ensure proper application techniques for effective results, which can often be learned through guidance from qualified practitioners such as physical therapists or certified fitness professionals.

Overall, kinesiology taping is a versatile tool that can complement other therapeutic modalities, including massage therapy and clinical yoga, to enhance overall wellness and recovery.

Please book a 90 minutes appointment for an initial consultation or as an add on to your treatment

Deep Tissue Massage

Combines different techniques and is mainly used to treat musculoskeletal issues, such as strains and muscle or joint injuries. It involves applying sustained pressure using slow, deep strokes to target the inner layers of your muscles and connective tissues.

This technique helps to breakdown scar tissue that forms following an injury and reduces tension in muscles and tissues. It also promotes faster healing by increasing blood flow and reducing inflammation, helping to improve alignment, reduce levels of resting tension, and create more efficient postural and movement patterns. This treatment can cover wider areas of the body e.g., back & neck.

Recommended times for this treatment are 60 or 90 minutes. You can add your choice of upgrades.

Hot Stones

During a hot stone massage, the techniques of a regular massage are applied. However, the therapist also works with hot stones that are placed on specific parts of the body. 

In addition to deep relaxation, there are many benefits to having a hot stone massage, it has specifically been associated with symptom relief in people with a variety of conditions, such as fibromyalgia and other autoimmune disorders. It is also an effective method for stress relief, and improves cardiovascular health.

Recommended times are 60 or 90 minutes.

Indian Head Massage

Focuses on the parts of the body that are most prone to tension and stress; scalp, face, neck, arms, shoulders and upper back, it combines techniques to include various massage strokes and acupressure points. Treatment includes kneading and probing of the neck and shoulder areas. The scalp is then massaged, using squeezing, tapping, rubbing and prodding motions. The therapist will also manipulate facial pressure points to relieve sinus pressure, increase alertness and stimulate circulation. Although treatments include massage of the back, arms, shoulders and neck, head massage and face massage make up the main parts of the treatment.

Recommended time 30 or 60 minutes.

  • Therapeutic and relaxing, Indian head massage is effective in the treatment of stress-related ailments like migraines and headaches. It can be performed almost anywhere and requires less time than a body massage treatment, typically lasting about 30 minutes.

    The benefits of Indian head massage include the release of toxins from tense and knotted muscles and improved oxygen flow to the brain. It also reduces jaw ache, stimulates lymphatic drainage, and aids sleep. By stimulating the release of endorphins, it also aids in reducing stress and anxiety, and alleviating mental tiredness.

Scalp Massage

This is an add-on to a normal massage and includes some of the techniques and benefits of the Indian head massage as described above.

Dry Cupping - Myofascial decompression

Cupping is an alternative therapy that involves placing cups on the skin to create suction (negative pressure). This suction is thought to improve the flow of energy in the body and facilitate healing.

Cupping increases blood circulation to the area where the cups are placed. This relieves muscle tension, which can improve overall blood flow and promote cell repair. It also helps form new connective tissues and create new blood vessels in the tissue. We use cupping to complement the care for a host of symptoms and conditions. 

Recommended for treatments of 60 or 90 minutes only or as an add on

  • Cupping is thought to alleviate symptoms by promoting peripheral (close to the skin) blood circulation and improving immunity.

    The benefits of cupping therapy include: promoting the skin’s blood flow, changing the skin’s biomechanical properties, increasing pain thresholds, improving local anaerobic (without oxygen) metabolism, reducing inflammation, boosting cellular immunity.

Postural assessment/realignment

At SANAR we will assess your postural pattern and show you accessible exercises to improve your anatomical alignment. This can be in conjunction with a massage treatment.

Recommended time 60 or 90 minutes.

Private Yoga

Original photos by Matt Robinson, copyright of the author and Sanar