Massage and the healing response

The majority of clients I see, leave the treatment room feeling much better than when they entered it, with the remainder probably feeling a little washed out and shell shocked.  What I always tell clients in this state, especially first timers, is that due to the amount of toxins, energy and so forth, that has been moved around the body, they may feel a bit groggy, dizzy or down right crap for a few hours, up to a day or so but not to worry, it will right itself, and can be a normal response to treatment.  Once termed a "healing crisis" (which sounds more shocking than it actually is) the term response tends to receive a less worried reaction.

Responses to treatments vary, and I always make clients aware.  Sometimes, they can be a wave of release, tears of joy, relief as pent up emotions burst free.  Sometimes clients can feel anxious or down hearted.  I sometimes feel, that first time clients, no matter how much you prep them before hand or after a treatment, take a bad healing response as the fault of the therapist (me) and maybe that's why they do not return.

Other responses are physical; going to the loo more often, headache, tiredness, dizziness, again not what you'd expect from a "feel good" treatment, and again can be off putting to first time clients no matter what you tell them about what may happen after treatment when they get home.

Bad responses are not the fault of the therapist, it's the client's body dealing with the effects of the treatment.  Usually they are short lived, a few hours up to 48 hours, and I will always stress this along with after care advice.  The good news is, clients who have a negative response, if they do return, find that each repeat treatment results in a lesser negative healing response, so that after 4-5 visits, this response has vanished.

The exact cause to a healing response is not exactly known, other than the body is cleansing itself, releasing blocked energies & emotions, removing toxins from the physical body.

Although initially perceived by the client to be a negative experience, the healing response is in effect, over the longer term, a hugely positive thing, in terms of physical, emotional and mental release, in cleansing & healing the body, making it stronger and more healthy.

The calming power of touch, massage & stress relief

In today's massively busy world, where we tend to find ourselves running from one place to another, feeling under pressure to meet deadlines, the demands of others, and to keep up to date with our social media, very few people make the conscious decision to just let go, switch off and say "enough is enough".

The effects of stress on the body are well documented, playing a part in an array of physiological, & psychological conditions.  Taking time out to rest and relax permits the body to reset itself, deal with the effects of adrenaline/fight or flight hormones within the body.  Long term stress, with a body constantly under bombardment from these hormones have hugely negative effects on the body.

The power of therapeutic touch is greatly underestimated.  First time clients who visit me are always amazed how fabulous a massage makes them feel and on so many different levels.  Regular clients are very clued up on this fact, and can't wait to get on the couch because they know how wonderful they are going to feel by the end of the treatment;Relaxed, refreshed, at peace.

Before, after, and sometimes even during a treatment, clients often open up about problems they are experiencing and start to release negative feelings, begin to feel motivated to change parts of their life eg lose some weight, go for that change in career etc, the focus shifts on looking at things as a stressful problem, but more positively as something that can be achieved, that they can look after their well being and cope better moving into the future.

Deep breathing before, during & after a treatment, has wonderful benefits for clients too, from improving blood flow, providing feelings of relief and release and breathing out negativity and bottled up emotions.

Massage treatments are available with me at Riverside Natural Health Centre, Trent Bridge, Nottingham with customer parking available.

30, 45, and 60 minute options are available.  Choose a back massage, leg massage, full body or even a seated Indian Head Massage, the decision is yours

For more details, feel free to email me at synergy_therapies@icloud.com or text/call 07794084666 or contact the Riverside direct on 0115 986 4990

I hope to see you soon

MB

Treatments & Prices for 2015

Apologies for the lateness, but here is the latest list of treatments available, prices and venues.

MASSAGE;  Michael will tailor the treatment to meet your needs and requirements, using his experience and various massage disciplines to create a treatment that will maximize results; whether you require time to switch off and relax, or need overly tight, muscles released from over exertion.  This type of Therapeutic/Remedial Massage is Michael's speciality.  The treatment will be explained to you prior to consent, and you will be encouraged to ask questions relating to the treatment.  All you have to do, is decide how long you'd like to be treated for;

30 minute massage £20
45 minute massage £30
60 minute massage £40

Indian Head Massage is available as 30 minute or 45 minute treatment

FACIAL THERAPY;  Everyone wants a great looking complexion, so why not you?  Suitable for all ages & genders, treating many common skin conditions.

Neal's Yard Organic Facial;  includes cleanse, exfoliation, masque, tone and moisturize.  Also included is a relaxing massage of the arms, neck, decollete/upper chest, and face using oils chosen prior to treatment.  50 minutes £40

Deep Tissue Facial Conditioning/Revitalising Facial Therapy;  targeting the lower levels of the skin, this treatment safely and painlessly treats an array of facial conditions;dry, oily, problem, mature, each treatment is tailored to YOUR needs, to revitalize, and rejuvenate your face from the inside out.  Comedone extraction optional. Depending on skin type, treatment time is up to 60 minutes - £40  

Hopi Ear Candles;  warm circulating air and a facial massage can help treat many sinus & ear conditions and is also a therapeutic way to relax. £25

Heel Peel;  Have excessive, cracked skin on your heels?  This treatment is a great way to condition the feet and get them looking tip top, painlessly and safely.  Wonderful if you like to wear sling back shoes/sandals/flip flops but are embarrassed due to how they look. Maybe you are a runner and constant hitting the ground has caused the skin on your heels to harden, crack & become painful.  This treatment will have you noticing an improvement from the first session.  2-3 monthly sessions are recommended to achieve optimum results. £20 per treatment. Upgrade and have a neck/shoulder massage whilst the treatment is working. £25

Michael is available Mon-Sat, midday onwards by appointment, at The Riverside Natural Health Centre, by Trent Bridge with free customer parking.


Contact Michael on 07794084666 or email synergy_therapies@icloud.com

Exercise Log 2014

Here we go again.  After last year's effort of making a note of every class & gym session i did, and read the results last week, I feel compelled to do it again for another 12 months.  

It shall be a challenge, I'm sure, especially as I'm not doing the Fitness Convention in Blackpool this March, so I will be spending the year making up for lost sessions. Obsessed? Me?  Maybe.......This year I am not adding dog walking but concentrating solely on gym work.

Here we go then.......

Jan 1 - Jan 10;  2 X HiLo Aerobics, 1 X Step, 6 X HIIT, 1 X TBC, 1 X Aqua

Jan 11 - 20; 1 X Step, 1 X HIIT, 1 X Aerobics, 1 X TBC, 1 X Aqua

Jan 21 - Feb 4;Step X 3, Aqua X 2, Aerobics X 2, TBC X 2, HIIT X 5

Feb 5 - Feb 25; Aqua X 4, Step X 3, Aerobics X 2, TBC X 3, HIIT X 6

Feb 26 - March 20; Aerobics X 4, TBC X 3, Step X 3, Aqua X 4, HIIT X 6

March 21 - April 7 (experiencing back problems has made me miss some classes) Step X 2, Aerobics X 1, TBC X 1, Aqua X 3

April 8 -22; 3 X Step, 2 X Aqua, 1 X Aerobic, 1 X TBC, 5 X HIIT

April 23 - May 1; 1 X Aerobic, 2 X HIIT, 1 X TBC, 1 X Aqua

May 2 - May 12; 3 X Aqua, 2 X TBC,2 X HIIT, 1 X Aerobics, 1 X Step

May 12 - June 3; 4 X Step, 4 X Aqua, 3 X Aerobics, 6 X HiiT, 3 X TBC

June 4 - July 1; 4 X Aerobics, 8 X HIIT, 4 X TBC, 5 X Step, 4 X Aqua

July 2 - July11; 3 X Aqua, 1 X Step, 2 X Aerobics, 4 X HIIT, 1 X TBC

July 12 - July 28; 2 X Step, 2 X Aqua, 2 X Aerobics, 2 X TBC/HIIT, 4 X HIIT

July 29 - Aug 16 3 X Step, 3 X Aqua, 2 X Aerobics, 3 X TBC, 6 X HIIT

Aug 17 - Aug 26; 2 X Step, 3 X HIIT, 1 X Aerobics, 2 X TBC, 1 X Aqua

Aug 26 - Sept 9;  2 X Aqua, 5 X Aerobics, 4 X HIIT, 1 X TBC, 2 X Step, 2 X Pilates

Sept 10 - Sept 28; 4 X Aqua, 3 X Aerobics, 2 X TBC, 3 X Step, 5 X HIIT

Sept 29 - Oct 14; 3 X Step, 2 X Aqua, 2 X Aerobics, 3 X Body Conditioning, 4 X HIIT

Oct 15 - Nov 21; 6 X Aqua, 2 X Pilates, 6 X Aerobics, 7 X TBC, 9 X HIIT, 5 X Step

Nov 22 - Dec 10; 3 X Step, 3 X Aqua, 2 X Aerobics, 2 X TBC, 1 X Pilates, 3 X HIIT

Dec 11 - 31st 2 X Aerobic, 3 X Pilates, 4 X Aqua, 4 X Step, 1 X HIIT, 1 X TBC

With Rachel Holmes at Nottingham Pride

Farewell to our fabulous Vik, 30/5/14

Andrew Scott covering for Rachel Holmes 20/3/14

New Website

I was having a few issues with my old website, so I have a new one, which, quite by chance had a template and pallette similar to this blog, so maybe it was for the best.

The address for the new site is www.michaelbondsynergytherapies.zohosites.com

I have tried to keep it very simple with a treatment selection that focuses on those that are the most popular.

Take a look and let me know what you think.

Healthy Heels & Fab Feet for Xmas

The party season is almost upon us and ladies everywhere will be planning what shoes to wear with their outfit.  Then they look at the state of their feet and are in quandry-dare I wear those strappy heels cos the world will see my cracked skin!!

Well look no further as my heel peel treatment will help you look your best.

Don't worry if you hate your feet or are embarrassed, I am pretty unshockable and have seen countless feet during my career as a therapist.  With your heel peel treatment you can choose from a mini facial or a head/neck/shoulder massage, the choice is yours.

A 45 minute treatment costs just £30 and you also receive a £5 voucher to put towards a visit to Top Knot Hairdressing, above the Riverside Natural Health Centre where this heel peel treatment is available.  Alternatively, have the heel peel on its own and pay just £20 and you'll still get the Top Knot voucher.

To book or for more information then please don't hesitate to contact me on 07794084666 or contact Riverside direct on the number shown in the picture.

Hoping to see you soon!! 

PS, a heel peel is also ideal too if you do alot of jogging and are prone to hard skin that cracks and becomes painful.  Guys can also benefit from this treatment especially if they are on their feet all day.  An all round great treatment to improve the health of your feet and make them more attractive to boot...boom boom!!

Beat the hangover.....naturally

We've all been there; gorgeous weather, fabulous company, the drink is flowing, having fun is the game, we convince ourselves another drink will be fine, we go to bed, we wake up a few hours later, inside the duvet....BOOOOOOOMMMMMMM!!!! hangover from hell.

Now there are countless over the counter remedies that are at hand to help us over this dodgy period of feeling/being sick, headache, furry mouth etc, but have you ever tried a more natural approach to this situation?  Not only could it work out cheaper but will work more in synch with your normal/natural body rhythms.

Most of the effects of a hangover are due to dehydration, so the simplest way to begin feeling better is to start taking on water, because who ever remembers to drink plenty before you go to bed when that last vodka seems far more tempting.  You also need to replenish salts within the body to enable the water to be absorbed more efficiently; to this end try drinking dandelion tea to replenish potassium or eat dandelion flowers in a salad.  Munching on a banana will have a similar effect.  If none of these are available, a packet of crisps will help instead.

Here is a list of other herbal remedies to aid your throbbing head and bubbling stomach;

Chamomile; works wonders for headaches & indigestion, especially if sweetened with a little honey.

Dandelion; great at stimulating the kidneys and liver to detoxify the body

Fennel; Eases nausea and indigestion when drunk as a tea.  Not to be used if you are pregnant or suffer with epilepsy

Juniper; As well as being a key ingredient in gin, it can help with the fall out too. A hair of the dog of gin and tonic with a dash of lemon and some honey has great restorative powers....just don't over do it again!

Lime; A glass of lime juice or slice in a glass of water is very restorative and energising.  It will also aid digestion too.  Lemon is similar also, in that it is refreshing, soothing, and helps clear post drinking fuzziness.

Milk Thistle; Aids in the protection of the liver from the effects of drinking, so can be taken daily as a preventative measure for any future drunken episodes.

Peppermint; Eases headaches, nausea & indigestion.  Drunk as a tea, or chew peppermint leaves to gain relief, and to freshen drinkers mouth.  not to be used if pregnant.

Rosemary;  Helps relieve tiredness and tummy upsets.  Use rosemary oil in the bath, or inhale if mixed into a burner.  Alternatively add Rosemary leaves as a food garnish.

And there you have it, a few natural alternatives to help you get off the hangover couch and back on the road to recovery.  Now where did I put the gin........