2011 has been a great year for massage. At least it has been for Energya Ltd.

The year started well during winter with highly motivated people wanting to stay healthy.

Back, neck and shoulders massage was extremely popular as clients were shrugging their shoulders in an attempt to keep warm.
Some lymphatic drainage was also requested to boost the immune system and clear sinus and throat infections.

Spring brought some hayfever symptoms in a few clients and again lymphatic drainage was useful in reduce the discomfort provoked by itchy, watery eyes and runny noses.

Come summer, it was time for some cellulite-busting deep tissue massage really targeting the hips and upper legs.

Mid-summer saw my promotion for manual lymphatic drainage through Living Social. The offer attracted a large number of highly motivated clients who wanted to improve their health. Seeing people who had recovered from cancer was humbling and inspiring at the same time.
Lymphoedema was also a concern with some clients. Measuring their limbs before and after showed some level of effectiveness in the manual reduction of water and lymph retention.

Pregnancy massage was also beneficial to some clients who were expecting in the summer. Not many venues offer pre-natal massage so it was nice to be of help to expecting mothers.

Autumn was mild and not many Energya clients suffered from colds and flu which was a good sign.

More manual lymphatic drainage was useful to prevent seasonal illnesses.

Deep tissue massage was extremely popular and new clients were delighted to become acquainted with yours truly’s elbows. Nothing beats deep tissue to release tension and improve muscle flexibility.

Winter 2011 was characterised by more deep tissue. Any type of remedial work is wonderful for the stiffness encountered in cold weather. Deep tissue massage can warm up the muscles and improve posture by raising the awareness of one’s body.

Personally I had a slice of summer heat in December during my recent visit to the Shadi Danin Spa in Hove where I enjoyed a Japanese hot stone bath treatment. It was basically like lying on a massive heat pack!

Whatever you choose to do in 2012, make sure you plan some time for relaxation. A good massage can take years off your body and erase worries from your mind.

As someone who enjoys plenty of massages myself, I was proud and glad to hear from a former schoolmate that I haven’t aged since high school. I credit that to the regular treatments I receive.

I always walk away feeling as though something has been put right. (Vicki Stathopoulos)

In autumn, it is essential to boost your immune system to prevent falling ill as the weather gets colder.

The tendency is to go into an hybernation phase and we all want to become couch potatoes gorging on comfort food. Although this is all very tempting, our priority should be to keep exercising and only indulging in rich foods occasionally.

Bikram yoga can help with getting your “summer fix” as you exercise in a heated room (or should I say sauna?). Other forms of hot yoga, particularly Asthanga in a heated room can be particularly beneficial.

Our bodies need to feel alive and vibrant but a sedentary lifestyle can really work against us. Manual lymphatic drainage can help with boosting the immune system and the circulation. Any type of movement can facilitate the flow of blood and lymph in our bodies: better circulation means better elimination and improved oxygenation so we can detox easily and get rid of waste products that our bodies don’t need.

Having manual lymphatic drainage once a week for 4-6 weeks in the cold seasons may be the secret to a healthy and vibrant winter. This massage technique stimulates the lymph nodes where we fight any infection, inflammation and virus attack. Keeping the lymph nodes functioning at full capacity means that we become more resistant to illness. Also, as most of our immune defences are in the gut, working on the abdomen  can make a difference with regards to bloating and constipation. If we keep our digestive system in order not only we can absorb more nutrients from food but we can also prevent catching other people’s cold and flu viruses.

Manual lymphatic drainage is worth a try. Book a course of treatments and you’ll see the benefits.

Data is being collected and analysed to evaluate trends and courses of action to ease symptoms which can range to discomfort to pain (in the case of lipoedema).

Some interesting interim results being found, more research and more case studies will need to be analysed.

In the meantime, we can report good feedback from those clients who have completed a course of three manual lymphatic drainage treatments with an average reduction of 1cm in affected swollen areas after a session.

In the last few weeks I have been focusing on manual lymphatic drainage and thanks to a special offer through Living Social I am spreading the word about the benefits of this powerful yet gentle technique to new clients.

Many haven’t heard of manual lymphatic drainage before and some were confused about the pressure applied during a treatment: the pressure is soft, feathery and rather hypnotic. A number of clients has been falling asleep during a session.

The most remarkable results from manual lymphatic drainage so far are the reduction in swelling particularly in ankles, feet and fingers. Working on the abdomen and measuring the waistline before and after a session of manual lymphatic drainage, most clients reported a reduction of 1cm.

Sinus congestion can also be eased with a series of manual lymphatic drainage sessions. Clearing the sinuses with the mechanical action of massage can not only reduce the discomfort during a sinus infection but can ultimately help prevent further problems in the future.

As the lymphatic system is responsible for our overall wellbeing and immune system, it is worth a try at least for a few sessions to see how it can work for you, especially as a preventative measure before the arrival of autumn.

A massage for all seasons

Human bodies are built to adapt to external environments and seasons. Over time, we have forgotten to listen to our bodies and to respect their needs especially when we go from extreme cold weather to milder temperatures.

Changes in seasons or foreign travel to hotter or colder climates can have a significant effect on our physiology.

For health, wellbeing and relaxation, Energya’s top tips are to look after our bodies by having a tailor-made massage programme adapted to each season.

Winter: at the beginning of the year, while we are still covered in layers and layers of clothes to keep ourselves warm, the cold weather makes our muscles feel stiff and achy. That’s when a deep tissue massage can be useful. If performed quite briskly, a deep tissue massage using a bit of friction can warm up the muscles, making them less tense by releasing knots and adhesions. And if we’ve been indulging in rich foods that have left a nice, comfy layer of fat all around our waistline, a vigorous treatment can help to break down fat deposits for re-absorption into the bloodstream.

Spring: spring-cleaning our system is always a good idea after long winter nights with less sunlight and less exercise. Our digestion may have suffered in the winter with fatty foods and now it’s time to support our digestion with a healthier diet. Abdominal massage is perfect to give our digestion a kick-start and facilitate elimination and detoxification. Abdominal massage works rather deeply into the small and large intestine to help shift what’s inside for easier transit and evacuation. Or, in other words, to make it easier to go to the loo. This technique can also help to lose a few pounds over time and get a flatter stomach. Of course we still need to combine massage with healthy eating and exercise, but it is good to know that we can give nature a helping hand while we get ready for the summer.

Summer: manual lymphatic drainage is the ideal solution for swollen ankles when the weather is sticky. In the summer we also tend to travel more: sitting in crammed airplane seats can be detrimental for the circulation in our legs and we may end up with swollen feet. Lymphatic drainage is performed with light, rhythmic movements to pump the lymph and any toxins contained in it towards the main filtration points: ankles, knees, hips, wrists, elbows, armpits, collarbone, neck. Lymphatic drainage is like a chimney sweeper brushing away toxins and excess fluid trapped in our muscle tissues.

Autumn: time to wind down after an action-packed summer. Weather getting cooler again, days getting shorter. To avoid feeling blue and run-down, you can get your sparkle back with a natural facelift massage. The facelift technique works on the muscles of the face to give them a workout. It has also more profound benefits than just giving you a better appearance because it also works on the central nervous system. You will find yourself more able to relax and have a good night’s sleep. Better sleep means better concentration at work, less wrinkles and a slimmer frame. In fact, those who lack sleep even tend to put on more weight.

Energya can help you during the transition from one season to the next by creating personalised massage and healthy eating plans. Now it’s up to you to look after Number One.

For more information on massage treatments offered by Paola Bassanese of Energya see the website www.energya.co.uk