Georgina Fisher, Practice Manager of The Complementary Health Care Clinic, Clinical Aromatherapist & Deep Tissue Massage Therapist in Norwich, has kindly given me the following:

"Well, with the recent weather improvements (!!), the gardens are blossoming, and there is certainly an increase in the numbers of cyclists and joggers on the streets in the evenings.
With these improvements many of us feel happier, and with more energy and "get up and go" we are doing more with our time. Rather than slobbing out of a weekend in front of the TV watching old films, we are more likely to be taking a stroll in Thetford Forest, or along a pretty beach somewhere with the dogs, or of course, tackling the never ending weeds! Warm weather of course brings with it a spate of DIY and spring cleaning.

Why, you might be wondering, am I drivelling on about all this stuff? Well….with the increasing exercise regimes, gardening and more general physical effort comes a corresponding increase in the number of bad backs and injuries. Surprisingly, although the natural instinct is to rub or touch an injury, many people simply don't consider massage as a method of help and just knock back anti-inflammatory tablets and painkillers for weeks on end.

Why does massage help so much? When there is an injury, there are usually (painful) adhesions - bands of sore and rigid (spasming) tissue - in muscles, tendons or ligaments. These adhesions block or limit circulation, causing the build up of toxins in the area together with exacerbating inflammation, pain and swelling. Massage physically breaks down these toxins, helping to disperse them into the bloodstream. At the same time it increases blood, oxygen and nutrient supply to the area . If muscles are spasming then the act of massage can stop, or at least help this. In addition it helps to prevent cramp (as does a good magnesium supplement). Tight bands of adhesion are soothed by gentle or deep pressure, releasing the painful sensations that can occur. Literally, massage therapists can have a patient in who can't walk (only hobble) at the beginning of the treatment who will get dressed without much discomfort and walk out almost normally. It's truly amazing to witness.

What is deep tissue massage? Actually, deep tissue massage is precisely what it says on the tin! It's a massage which works on deeper layers of muscle than normal therapeutic, Swedish or holistic massage. It combines a variety of techniques, and although it features to a certain degree in most massage techniques, it uses slower and firmer pressures which concentrate on areas of tension and discomfort. The strokes generally go across the muscle fibres (rather than along them) with the intention of realigning the muscles and connective tissues. The purpose of the treatment is to "unstick" the muscle fibres whilst releasing deeply held patterns of tension, plus relaxing and soothing. It is both corrective and therapeutic, and is particularly helpful for areas which get very contracted such as stiff necks with a low range of movement, low back tightness (across the belt area) and tight and sore shoulders.
We should probably note here that when you come for a deep tissue massage, you come both to be relaxed as well as to tackle particular physical muscular problems. You're unlikely to go to sleep (although it has been known!), but you also won't be flinching in pain. The treatments are intended to be a relaxing yet therapeutic blend. As such, those who suffer with anxiety and stress related issues will find a multitude of benefits, not least a better quality of sleep."

If you would like to experience a massage in Norwich, then give Georgina Fisher a ring on Norwich (01603) 665173, quoting thebestofnorwich.

One of her clients has said: "Georgina provides the most theraputic and effective treatment that I have experienced anywhere in the World". You can't get higher praise than that.