A deeper de-stress of body and mind

My first De-stress Deep Muscle Release Massage at The Spa in Hodson Bay defined to me what holistic therapy is all about, as it improved both my physical and mental well-being. Not only did the hour-long massage turn the 'argh' into 'ahhh...', relieving all those aches and pains especially along the shoulder and back areas, the whole relaxing spa experience at the Hodson Bay results is a pleasure on the senses. A warm welcome awaits you at The Spa, where hurried, busy lives seem to exist in a parallel world. The low-lighting and plush surroundings definitely help to achieve this calming, alternative reality. I slipped on a cosy white robe and shrugged off my list of things to do, and then sat in the tranquil waiting area to meet my therapist Reshma. The deep muscle massage does serious work on problems such as back pain, stiff muscles and joints or a build-up of tension which accumulates into knots. I had problems with my shoulder for the last week or two, which was starting to lead to uncomfortable nights of half-sleep. So Reshma, who said that the massage was one of the most popular treatments in The Spa, took note of where it hurt and knew what to focus on. The massage took place only two days after I had started back at yoga after the Christmas break, so my leg and arms were also feeling a little achy and tired. This deep muscle release massage also catered for that, as it is a full-body massage, front and back. And if you're under the impression that your legs or arms don't need some muscular attention, think again! Reshma used a blend of aromatic oils which help to warm the muscles and ease the tension. Again I was struck by how much the senses can play a part in helping you relax. There was a bowl filled with warm water and laced with oils placed on the floor beneath my head rest on the massage table, and as soon as I settled into position, I inhaled a few deep breaths of this subtly-scented aroma and immediately my brain went into stand-by mode. Reshma started on the left side of my body first. She checked that I was happy with the amount of pressure she was using and with her hands, fingers, thumbs and elbows, used a mix of sweeping, pushing and pressing motions, focusing mainly along the spine and the shoulder blades. She then moved along to the right side of my back and repeated. Then she spent a long time working out the knots along my neck and right shoulder area. There was a few moments where the actions teetered on the pain threshold, but in a good way (and of course people can ask for a lighter touch), as it provided instant relief and I could feel my shoulder loosening up. The massage was already extremely thorough and when she worked on my neck, brought the techniques right up to my head which can also carry tension. Next Reshma worked on my legs and I suppose we don't really think much about our legs and all the work they do, carrying us around, supporting the rest of our bodies. It's also rare that they get sore unless you're doing a lot of physical exercise, so massage in my case is rare. However, I found the leg massage was a fantastic element to the overall experience and definitely upped the relaxation factor. Then it was time to turn around and before Reshma worked on the legs again, she got me to inhale some more aromatherapy essence, again pleasing the happiness sensors. The front leg massage was also excellent, particularly on the quads. As anyone who spends a lot of time typing knows, your hands and forearms become sore from the repetitive actions, which can cause injury to tendons and muscles. The hand and arm massage really stretched out my muscles, it felt like my right hand was being straightened out and as soon as I realised there was some tension in my forearms, Reshma was making it disappear. Then Reshma came back to my shoulders and neck, finishing off the whole treatment with a head massage. I was thoroughly relaxed and even though I hadn't fallen asleep, I felt as renewed as if I had enjoyed an effective power-nap. I then spent some time in The Spa's cocoon-like relaxation suite which looks out over Lough Ree, with magazines and mp3 players to keep you occupied, which helps to take that next step back into real life! Luckily, once I was dressed and ready to leave, it was home-time and I could chill out for the rest of the evening. The relief I got from my shoulder pain was immense, and that night I had a fantastic, deep sleep and woke up feeling great the next day. It's not long until Valentine's Day, and for anyone out there wondering what to get for their loved one, a De-stress Muscle Release Massage could earn the giver serious brownie points!