Treat of the Week - A Seated Acupuncture Massage!

Here at Treat of the Week, we often try out various types of massages, but fabulous as they sound to readers, one thing that many people say is that while they'd love to get a massage, they would not feel comfortable taking off their clothes! This is understandable, which is why this week's treat is perfect for those who feel a bit self-conscious about getting their kit off. The Seated Acupressure Massage offered by Nicola Ryan of Sangoma, provides the comfort zone some people need, and is perfect for those with back, neck or muscle ache or who just crave a bit of relaxation. The massage takes place with your clothes on and sitting forward on a special ergonomic massage chair. It's also, I think, a handy treatment to get on your lunch break, because it's that little bit quicker as you don't have to go through the hassle of getting undressed and having massage oils on your body. I really enjoy massages because I have awful tension in my shoulder blade/neck area, a build-up of years of abuse from large shoulder bags, slouching and of course, sitting for hours at a time at a computer. Nicola herself was very good at making me feel welcome and comfortable and we quickly went through the standard consultation beforehand and she asked me lots of questions about my shoulder pain. The massage lasts for between 30 and 50 minutes, depending on the person's need. The chair is padded and very comfortable. You rest your face and torso on a padded support, tilting forward, with your knees bent back and resting on cushioned supports (see picture). It's really effective and within minutes of getting into the massage I felt as if I was suspended in air! I felt it was just as effective as lying on a massage table and of course, because you were that bit more upright, you didn't feel robbed of a sleep when it was all over and a return to work was imminent! It's the perfect solution for people who would be uncomfortable with the notion of lying down on a massage table. The acupressure massage is not just about the pounding and rolling of flesh and muscle. It focuses on different pressure points along your spine, muscles, shoulders, arms, neck and head. The therapist uses her fingers to press key points on the surface of the skin to stimulate the body's natural self-curative abilities. When these points are pressed, they release muscular tension and promote the circulation of blood and the body's own ability to aid healing. Nicola took her time with me, searching out the areas that were sore, stiff, tense and tight. She started on my back and shoulders and even though I still had my top on, it didn't feel like the massage was being obstructed in any way or was any less effective. She also got me to breathe deeply at certain points and once I exhaled, she carried out certain moves on my back, or with my arms, which felt really therapeutic. As well as the pressure points, she also did things like gently pull back my arms into the "chicken wing" position, which really opened up the chest and I felt a great release from it. By the time she moved down to my arms and hands, I was thoroughly enjoying the experience and again was amazed by how soothing just a simple hand massage can be! I found the massage extremely relaxing and very effective. Although I was with Nicola for less than an hour, it felt like the massage went on for hours and afterwards, I was deeply relaxed but also feeling a lot more energetic than I had that morning. On a final note, walking into Sangoma was a wonderfully relaxing experience in itself. A real sense of calmness prevails as soon as you walk up the stairs, into the dimly-lit reception, with the exposed stone walls, decorated with African art and craft, and soothing aroma oils burning away. There really is no better way to escape from the busy town into a little haven of therapy!