At Chiropractic Balance we are excited to be able to offer Massage as a service to our wonderful client base. Massage has numerous benefits which we will touch on in this article. Many of you may have met Bruno Reis already who joined the team at the beginning of 2020 as a Massage Therapist, as well as Receptionist at Wellington and Mana. Bruno is originally Brazil and is skilled in a variety of massage techniques that he learnt by spending 6 months studying in India, then continuing in Australia with Massage Therapy, Diploma in Remedial Massage and Advanced Diploma in Remedial Massage.
What is Massage?
Massage is a general term for pressing and kneading your skin, muscles, tendons and ligaments. Massage may range from light stroking to deep pressure. There are many different types of massage, common techniques include swedish, deep tissue and sports massage.
No matter the type, the benefits of massage really come down to one thing: pressure. “The skin is moved during a moderate pressure massage, which results in a calming and slowing of the nervous system,” says Tiffany Field, PhD, director of the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami School of Medicine. And that slowing of the nervous system leads to other physiological effects, too, like a decrease in heart rate, lowered blood pressure, and changes in EEG patterns (electrical activity in your brain), says Field.
Your body actually has two different nervous systems: the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system. “Your sympathetic nervous system is fight or flight,” however, during a massage, your parasympathetic (or calming) response is increased. This effect alone has a substantial cascading influence over hormones, blood pressure and heart rate, thus attributing relief to chronic stress, anxiety and even depression.
Massage is used by a wide variety of health practitioners. 53% of Medical Doctors and 43% of Chiropractors refer to massage therapists for co-managed care. Additionally, 25% of chiropractors refer their patients multiple times a month.
Frequently asked questions answered by Bruno:
Tell us a bit about yourself?
My name is Bruno, I`m 42 years old. I was born in Brazil. I`m married and I have a daughter that was born here in NZ in September 2019.
I like to think that I'm a complex soul with simple habits. My favourite activities are reading, listening to music (old ones) and watching good movies.
My main interest is understanding human nature, especially the relation between body, mind and spirit.
How did you find Lockdown?
In one way it was very difficult because my wife and daughter were in Brazil when the borders closed and they can't come back until the borders open again. But in another perspective it was an opportunity to learn more about myself and reinforce my trust in God.
I believe that God is behind everything and nothing happens without a reason, even when we can`t understand. What I can`t control, I surrender into God's hand, trust in His command, accept His will with thanks for the results.
Why did you become a massage therapist?
Previously to becoming a massage therapist I was a lawyer. I graduated in law in 2005 and I practiced for over 10 years. Around 2014 I was very unhappy with my profession and feeling frustrated in life. I was going through that phase that some people call dark night of the soul (or middle age crisis).
Looking for more satisfying answers to life I started to study and practice yoga and Vedanta (the philosophical studies of the vedas). In 2016 I travelled to India to do a yoga teacher training. During my time in India (I stayed there for 6 months), I did a massage course where I realised I could transition out of my old life and profession. I found great joy in helping people achieve wellbeing and in feeling better. Massage is the form of therapy that integrates the body and mind. I felt this was a good starting point in my goal in understanding the human being as a whole.
After leaving India, I travelled to Australia where I lived for 3 years and graduated in Advanced Remedial Massage Therapy.
How does Massage and Chiropractic work together?
Chiropractic focuses on the hard tissue of the body (vertebrae and joints of the spine) while massage focuses on the soft tissues (muscles) of the body.
Massage helps the patient to get a more relaxed muscular system in order to facilitate the work of the chiropractor. Also reducing the stress and anxiety levels helps the patient's healing process.
What type of massage do you do?
I can perform a wide range of massage therapies and related treatments including Ayurveda (Indian) massage, Thai massage, yoga massage, lomi-lomi (kahuna) and Swedish. I also work with bamboo, hot stones, cupping and other techniques.
My studies in Australia focused on Remedial Massage Techniques. Remedial means prevent or cure. So, in short terms, Remedial Massage is the use of massage techniques in order to prevent or cure an illness. Remedial Massage Therapists cannot diagnose diseases, prescribe medicines or even promises to cure a specific illness, but we can sure help the patient to achieve the healing state that they are looking for.
How regularly should you have a massage?
That depends on your goal. If there is a specific illness it can be recommended to come weekly. If it's for stress and relaxation, or for prevention, I would say fortnightly or monthly. The Ayurveda (Indian medicine) indicates that the use of daily self-massage with vegetable oil is a paramount factor of a healthy body and mind.
Benefits of massage
One of the immediate benefits of massage is a feeling of deep relaxation and calm. This occurs because massage prompts the release of endorphins – the brain chemicals (neurotransmitters) that produce feelings of wellbeing.
Levels of stress hormones, such as adrenalin, cortisol and norepinephrine, are also reduced. Studies indicate that high levels of stress hormones impair the immune system.
Bruno’s hours:
Monday (Wtgn) 1pm - 7pm
Wednesday (Wtgn) 1pm - 5.30pm
Friday (Mana) 1pm - 5pm
Saturday (Mana) 1.30pm - 4.30pm
Chat with your Chiropractor Today:
"Regular massage keeps the body working at optimal levels," says C.G. Funk, VP of industry relations and product development for Massage Envy. "It keeps people well-physically and emotionally." People are becoming increasingly aware of the power and reaping the medicinal benefits that massages have to offer. We are so excited to be able to offer an additional service to our client base. Not only does massage feel good, but it can also improve your health and quality of life. Chat to your Chiropractor today about how massage can help you!