Complementary Therapies

‘Massage boosts your serotonin by as much as 30 per cent. Massage also decreases stress hormones and raises dopamine levels, which helps you create new habits.., Massage reduces pain because the oxytocin system activates painkilling endorphins. Massage also improves sleep and reduces fatigue by increasing serotonin and dopamine and decreasing the stress hormone cortisol.’ (The Upward spiral, Alex Korb)

Marisa offers Reiki, Indian head massage & body massage, as a source of relaxation, rejuvenation, stress release, reconnection and grounding. She enjoys giving loving and nurturing therapies from the heart and creates a safe space where you can completely unwind and relax. Marisa will help restore the body’s natural energy, allowing you to feel more energised and balanced.

She also offers sound baths alongside her massage treatments which is a lovely combination.

Marisa is a whole-hearted practitioner with a background in mental health. She has developed her body and energy work and tailors to individual needs.  Qualified in Swedish body massage in the early 90s, she has enhanced her practice with further training and ongoing development. she is based centrally at the Goddess house Glastonbury a holistic health and education centre.

Reiki healing

Reiki can be received either seated or whilst lying down.

Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. The treatment uses universal energy and is based on the idea that an unseen “life force energy” flows through everyone. If this ‘life force energy’ is low, then a person is more likely to suffer from stress and illnesses, and if it is high, they will lead a more healthy and balanced life. It is a deeply relaxing treatment.

Marisa’s hands can be held just above the body or she can lay her hands on the body to concentrate that energy.  Reiki is beneficial to the body, mind and spirit.

This treatment can be combined with any of the other treatments or may be used alone.

People have reported feeling the warmth, tingling and a sensation of being cared for.

Reiki is suitable for anyone of any age and can also be used on animals.

A Reiki treatment will involve Marisa placing her hands lightly on parts of an individual’s body.  The client is fully clothed. Within minutes the healing energy starts to flow through the healer’s hands onto the person’s body. During this process, the client may feel extreme heat/cold coming from the practitioner’s hands. Marisa will balance the energy in the 7 major chakras and focus on wherever else it is needed.

Benefits of Reiki

• Dissolves energy blocks and promotes natural balance between mind, body and spirit
• Increases energy levels
• Creates deep relaxation and helps the body release stress and tension
• Clears the mind and improves focus
• Accelerates the body’s self-healing ability
• Aids better sleep
• Reduces blood pressure
• Releases tension and negative stress
• Helps relieve pain
• Assists the body in cleansing itself from toxins
• Creates an uplifting and positive feeling
• Supports the immune system
• Balances mind, body and soul

Reiki is particularly good for pain relief, migraines, insomnia, stress, anxiety, depression, colds and illnesses.

It is suitable for all ages, and can be carried out in the workplace or during a lunch-hour as a means of easing tension and improving concentration for the rest of the day or simply as a beautiful relaxing treatment.

Swedish Massage

Swedish Massage involves soft, long, kneading strokes, as well as light, rhythmic, tapping strokes, on topmost layers of muscles. This is also combined with the movement of the joints. By relieving muscle tension, Swedish therapy can be both relaxing and energising.

It is used especially for relaxation, relief of muscular tension, and improvement of circulation.

The six common strokes of Swedish massage are:

• Effleurage: smooth, gliding flowing strokes
• Cupping: a vacuum-like effect that increases the blood flow
• Hacking: rhythmic alternate and brisk chopping motions
• Kneading: stimulates the body and eliminates toxins
• Petrissage: deep, circular movements that cause layers of tissue to rub against each other, helping to increase blood flow and break down scar tissue.  This is done using the ball or pad of fingers of thumbs.
• Tapotement: quick movements that cause localised vibrations.

Indian Head Massage

Indian Head massage is carried out through clothing whilst the client is seated in a chair. It is a gentle form of massage, working on the shoulders, back, arms, neck, head and face, finishing with a chakra balancing technique.

This is a lovely treatment for easing stress and tension, whether it be muscular or emotional, and for feeling deeply relaxed and nurtured.

It is particularly helpful for people who suffer from migraines, headaches, sinusitis and upper back or shoulder pains, jaw or facial tension, insomnia or stress of any kind.

Indian head massage leaves people with a sense of deep relaxation, a sense of peace, calmness and wellbeing.

Gentle Touch/ The ‘M’ Technique

Marisa is practised in The ‘M’ Technique method, which is a method of structured gentle touch.  The ‘M’ Technique works on skin receptors that send signals to the brain. The technique has been described as physical hypnotherapy, ‘a kind of meditation’ and a ‘spiritual dance’. The ‘M’ technique is suitable for the very fragile, critically ill or actively dying patient, or when someone is just very stressed. It is effective on the skin or through thin clothing. This gentle touch is different from a massage – it is more like a choreographed dance. Each simple movement and sequence is done a set number of times at a set pressure and a set speed. This can be a full body gentle touch/massage or simply just the hands and feet. The gentle touch is comforting for individuals with insomnia, low back pain, migraine, end of life agitation and general stress.

Traditional Thai Foot Massage

This traditional technique dates back over 2000 years, working on ‘Sen’ lines from the Ayurvedic tradition, these reflex points are stimulated using a Thai foot stick and includes foot wrapping.

Benefits of a Thai Foot Massage:

• It improves circulation in legs and feet
• It stimulates lymphatic drainage
• It helps to remove toxins
• It helps boost the immune system
• It increases oxygen to the feet and legs
• Reduces stiffness and improves flexibility

Hawaiian Lomi Lomi Massage

While the benefits of Lomi lomi are the same as massage, the most obvious benefits are the circulatory and detoxification effects. The strokes are long and flowing, using forearms and elbows, and giving the feeling of many hands on the body at once. This massage is especially good for reducing stress, increasing circulation helps speed up recovery from illness, it is incredibly relaxing and powerfully detoxifying

Abdominal Sacral Massage

“Abdominal Sacral Massage brings together many healing therapies to address common complaints such as bloating, constipation, painful/irregular periods, PMS, ovulation/fertility, menopause and lower back pain. The massage works by bringing the organs within the abdominal area back into alignment, releasing pressure and strengthening the surrounding muscles and ligaments. This, in turn, will improve blood, nerve and lymph flow. Our gut holds more nerve neurons than our brain and spinal cord, which means unwanted memories will sit and fester, waiting for us to have the courage to release them. The deep colon massage helps to loosen harden debris (that has been living in your gut for years) and encourages a natural movement and emotional release.”

• For digestion– addressing constipation and bloating

• For menstrual health – regulating painful periods, PMT
• For emotional health – gentle, powerful healing
• For fertility – supporting your fertility journey
• Womb Massage for Trauma infertility and gynaecological problems

Cost

Back, neck and shoulder massage (30 mins) – £30.00

Full body massage (1hr) – £50.00

Full body massage, including face and scalp (1.5hrs) – £75.00

Abdominal/ Womb Massage – First treatment (2 hrs) £120 follow up (1 hr)  £60

Marisa is a registered and insured member of Balens Specialist Insurance Brokers

If you would like to book an appointment, please contact Marisa for more details