Natural therapies that work: live a better life.
Here at the Balmain Massage & Wellness Centre we pride ourselves on the quality of our therapeutic massages - powerful tools to improve one's quality of life.Our wide range caters for different needs, including the all-important relaxation (and pampering, and spoiling yourself). All of them aim at helping you feel happier in your body.
Natural therapies that work: live a better life.
Here at the Balmain Massage & Wellness Centre we pride ourselves on the quality of our
therapeutic massages – powerful tools to improve one’s quality of life.Our wide range caters for
different needs, including the all-important relaxation (and pampering, and spoiling yourself). All
of them aim at helping you feel happier in your body.
Massages
remedial
Remedial massage is used to treat any injury where the skin is intact. The massage increase the flow of blood and lymph in the injured areas, removing blockages, shifting damaged cells, loosening up scar tissue and adhesions left after an injury. Often the injury is not a sudden lesion, caused by a fall or a sharp movement, but the result of a misuse of the body over the long term: typical are conditions created by lifestyle - for example, repetitive strain injury and back pain often are the result of a sedentary lifestyle, nailed to the computer. Massage is often successful where other forms of treatment have failed. But remedial massage is also very effective in speeding up recovery after exercise, as any athlete knows. Sportspeople also get regular massages to make sure small injuries such as strains and small tears are treated before they reduce performance and become debilitating.
sport
Sport massage is a blend of techniques that aims to enhance performance and help overworked muscles to recover quickly. Sports massage is designed to help you train better, whether you are a world champion or a weekend warrior.
The techniques are similar to those in remedial and deep tissue massage, but sports massage has been adapted to meet the athlete’s special needs.
Pre-event massage can help warm up muscles and improve circulation before competition, but it can also energize or relax an athlete and help him/her focus on the competition. Post-event massage can help push waste products out of the body and improve recovery.
relaxation
Relaxation massage is wonderful way to relieve the body of tension and stress, headaches and small pains and increase general wellbeing.
The border between remedial and relaxation massages is often blurred and indeed the two forms are often spoken of in the same breath. Sometime the term Swedish massage is used to mean relaxation massage.
When the aim is to relax rather than fixing problems, though, the therapist often uses a lighter touch, and the more therapeutic techniques such as trigger point release are absent. But please always tell your therapist whether the pressure and stile of massage is what you want!
MYOFASCIAL RELEASE WITH CUPPING
Myofascial release aims at treating the fascia, the “cling wrap” that envelopes all our muscles and organs, which more and more is targeted as the key to sorting some persistent muscular problems.
There are several techniques to release the fascia, including Bowen Therapy. One of them is cupping - that is, the use of suction cups on various body areas.
Cupping is an ancient Eastern technique where suction cups are used to release soft tissue that is contracted. Myofascial cupping (‘MFC’) takes traditional cupping one step further by releasing the fascia underneath and the deeper musculo-skeletal structures as well the soft tissue, and is an excellent treatment for chronic pain. MFC is particularly effective in treating congested muscles in the upper back, gluteal, ilio-tibial bands, calves and forearms to name but a few.
Cupping is painless. Occasionally, though, it may leave red to purple areas where the cups were applied. The more toxins in the tissue where the cup is applied, the darker these areas will be; with subsequent treatments, the redness decreases. Not everyone experiences bruising, though.
aromatherapy
Aromatherapy literally means "healing through the senses". As an ancient therapeutic treatment, it has a reputation for excellent health benefits. Specific natural oils (essential oils) from plants, leaves, bark, roots, seeds, resins and flowers are used to help improve physical and mental wellbeing.
This relaxing body treatment can include a soothing cleansing facial. The therapist consults the client about what outcomes they expect, and accordingly selects the appropriate essential oils which are massaged into the skin to relax the nervous system, relieve muscle tension and the aches caused by stressful living. It reduces the strain on the body and helps stimulate circulation and the lymphatic system.
REDUCTION MASSAGE
Reduction massage is a specialized therapy designed to target areas of the body prone to fat accumulation, such as the thighs, waist, abdomen, and buttocks. While it doesn't magically "dissolve fat," this technique boosts blood flow in the targeted region and can enhance metabolism, aiding in calorie burning and promoting a more contoured silhouette. Additionally, the massage aids digestion and can alleviate constipation. Like all massages, it rejuvenates connective tissues and muscles, increases oxygen supply, decreases cortisol levels, and provides a sense of well-being. It's not a cure-all for cellulite, but it's a beneficial tool for overall health and improved body shape. It's important to note that while reduction massage can be beneficial, its results may vary from person to person. Consistency, combined with a balanced diet and regular exercise, will yield the best outcomes.
pregnancy
Pregnancy puts a lot of demands on a woman's body. It has to cope with the extra weight and it is normal for some muscle systems to react with pains and aches, especially in the legs and lower back, while the whole body can experience unusual tensions. Not to mention annoying body fluid retention.
Then there are the emotions brought about by the physical change... often resulting in a need for extra care or even just a bit of pampering. Pregnancy massage differs in several key areas from standard remedial massage and that is why not every therapist is qualified to work on a pregnant woman. The paramount consideration is the safety of both the mother and the yet unborn baby: so there are areas which are not massaged. Luckily, all our therapists are specifically trained in pregnancy massage. The pregnant woman may be positioned semi-inclined on her side to work safely on her back, while women who prefer to lie on their tummy can use our pregnancy cushion, which has a large cut-out for the belly.
deep tissue
Deep tissue massage is designed to relieve severe tension in the muscle and the connective tissue or fascia.
This type of massage focuses on the muscles located below the surface of the top muscles.
Deep tissue massage is therapeutic and very specifically targets a particular muscle or muscle group. Sometimes it’s used to mean “sustained pressure”, when clients want to indicate their preference for a stronger massage.
Deep tissue massage is often recommended for individuals who experience consistent pain, are involved in heavy physical activity (such as athletes), and patients who have sustained physical injury.
LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE
Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) is quite different from remedial or similar forms of massage - it does not attempt to reach into the muscle tissue: it just brushes on the skin over the main lymph ducts in the face, neck, armpits etc. No oils or creams are used.
Its main applications are in the aftermath of a surgical procedure and in the treatment of lymphoedema. But it's also effective in boosting the immune system, which helps fight viral infections such as Covid-19.
MLD is recommended by plastic surgeons during the recovery phase following cosmetic liposuction. This specialised form of massage is believed to decrease recovery time and improve results, by reducing post-surgical swelling and fibrosis (scar tissue formation).
Manual lymphatic drainage also plays a key role in the treatment of lymphoedema - again, often an unwanted consequence of a surgical procedure. MLD moves excess fluids away from the swollen area so that it can drain away normally.
MLD also stimulates and improves drainage in the healthy lymphatic system. Lymphatic drainage is also a cleansing and re-energising treatment that uses gentle, repetitive massage techniques to specifically stimulate the function of the body's lymphatic and circulatory system. As such it has a therapeutic effect on the immune and nervous systems and is deeply relaxing, making it an effective treatment for stress. Lymphatic drainage can also improve congestion and pain associated with colds, flu, and blocked sinuses. It can help in the treatment of headaches, acne skin conditions and immune deficiencies. It should be mandatory in any detoxification process.
hot stone
Hot stone is a deeply soothing, relaxing form of massage which uses smooth stones, moderately heated. The stones we use are basalt, a black volcanic rock that absorbs and retains heat well. Ours come from Hawaii.
The heat warms and relaxes the muscles, and this allows the therapist to apply deeper pressure when required. The heat also improves circulation and calms the nervous system. In this sense the hot stones are not different from a heat pack, made of cotton and filled with grain... except that the skilled therapist actually uses the stones to work on your muscles.
It's a unique sensation. Many who try this technique don't want anything else. Worth a try!
reflexology
Reflexology is a powerful therapy that involves techniques using fingers and thumbs to stimulate areas on feet, hands, and ears using massage, stretching and kneading. At the Balmain Massage & Wellness Centre, Blanca can work on feet.
Reflexology is used as pro-active health care tool to maintain physical, mental and emotional health. Promoting a state of total relaxation, it stimulates energy flow throughout the body, strengthens the immune system by improving blood flow and encourages hormonal balancing.
There is no consensus among reflexologists on how reflexology is supposed to work; some believe the pressure received in the feet may send signals that 'balance' the nervous system or release chemicals such as endorphins that reduce stress and pain. A unifying theme is the idea that areas on the foot correspond to areas of the body, and that by manipulating these one can improve health.
SCALP MASSAGE
Scalp massage is a therapeutic technique focusing on the head, promoting relaxation and various health benefits. By applying gentle pressure and circular motions on the scalp, it can stimulate blood circulation, which may encourage hair growth and strengthen hair follicles. Scalp massages can also alleviate tension headaches, reduce stress, and help in the exfoliation of dead skin cells, leading to a healthier scalp environment. Additionally, the act itself is deeply relaxing and can provide a sense of well-being, making it a favoured choice for holistic self-care. Additionally, Blanca can include jaw releasing. This is a therapeutic technique aimed at alleviating tension in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and surrounding muscles. The jaw, often a repository for stress, can become tight and cause discomfort, headaches, and other related issues. A jaw release technique involves gentle manual manipulations and stretches to the muscles and ligaments of the jaw, which can help in reducing tightness, improving range of motion, and alleviating pain.
Wellness
DRY NEEDLING
Dry needling is a therapeutic technique that involves the insertion of thin filiform needles into specific areas of muscle, known as trigger points, without injecting any substance. This technique is often used to treat musculoskeletal pain and movement impairments. The insertion of the needle into a trigger point can elicit a local twitch response, which released the knot or tightness in the muscle and improves blood flow to the area. Additionally, enhances joint motion through relieving muscle tightness and allows muscles to relax to their natural length. The technique boosts blood circulation to treated areas, promoting healing and decreasing inflammation, while also reducing the occurrence and severity of muscle spasms. It's important to note that while dry needling has similarities to acupuncture, they have different philosophical backgrounds and treatment objectives. Dry needling is rooted in Western medicine principles, focusing primarily on the treatment of musculoskeletal pain, while acupuncture has its foundations in Traditional Chinese Medicine, addressing the flow of chi or life energy in the body
HYPNOTHERAPY
Hypnotherapy is a therapeutic technique that employs guided relaxation, intense concentration, and focused attention to achieve a heightened state of consciousness or trance. In this state, patients are more receptive to suggestions and can explore deep-seated thoughts, feelings, and memories that might be hidden from their conscious minds.
Individual results can vary, and its efficacy often depends on the individual's willingness and susceptibility to being hypnotized.
BOWEN THERAPY
MASSAGE & FACIAL
A facial is a gift from the gods = even a quick one will start with a thorough cleansing, using cotton pads, warm towels and wipes. The next step is warming up your skin to open up pores and soften up any blackheads marked for extraction. The skin is then exfoliated and an appropriate mask applied. Treatment masks include clay masks to prioritise deep cleansing and purification, and fruit enzyme masks to exfoliate and improve skin texture - let us know in advance what is your preference. For best results, couple it with a relaxation massage.
Finally the mask is removed with warm towels and a finishing product is applied - that is, a toner/moisturiser and/or a serum.
BODY SCRUBS
FUNCTIONAL MOBILITY
reiki
Reiki is described as "a form of alternative medicine, developed in 1922 by Japanese Buddhist Mikao Usui, [which] has been adapted across varying cultural traditions. It uses a technique commonly called palm healing or hands-on-healing. Through the use of this technique, practitioners believe that they are transferring "universal energy" through the palms of the practitioner, which they believe encourages healing".