Carmen Zahra
DipMTI, CIMI
Holistic Massage Therapy and Bodywork
About Me
Trained to an exceptionally high standard by the Massage Training Institute (you can check my credentials at www.massagetraining.co.uk) at the Bristol College of Massage and Bodywork where I attained a level 4 Diploma in Holistic Massage with Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology. I then went on to study the WellMother pregnancy massage diploma with Suzanne Yates (www.wellmother.org) and pregnancy massage & post-natal massage & remedial therapy with Jenny Burrell (www.burrelleducation.com). After qualifying I set up a practice from my home therapy room in Bristol, then relocated to Capel St Andrew in January 2019 where I am self-building a new home.
I offer a range of treatments including holistic massage, deep tissue therapy, pregnancy massage and postnatal massage & remedial therapy.
Through receiving massage, you will get a much greater understanding of your body and improved postural awareness. I passionately believe that we need to stop thinking about massage as a treat for special occasions. Rather, it is a treatment that can be used as part of your everyday wellness, to restore you physically and mentally. This is traditional medicine and should be integrated within everyday modern medical care programmes.
I am a firm advocate in developing myself as both a therapist and as a person, so regularly attend Continuing Professional Development workshops and professional supervision sessions on a monthly basis.
Holistic Massage
By listening to you talk about your body – your pain or discomfort, what you do on a daily basis, how you work and how you play – I design your massage to suit your needs at the time of your appointment. This means your massage changes as your requirements change, with no two treatments exactly the same.
Deep Tissue Massage
By means of Hands Free Massage techniques developed by Darien Pritchard (www.handsfreemassage.com), I am able to work deeper and more firmly, while taking you to a level of calm you are unlikely to have experienced before.
Pregnancy and Postnatal Massage and Remedial Therapy
I am trained to work with you throughout your pregnancy, not just the second and third trimesters, supporting you while you adjust both mentally and physically and helping you to enjoy your changing shape. Your partner or birth partner is welcome to join us during the latter stages of your pregnancy when we can design a care package you can take home for relaxation and preparation for labour and then on into the birthing room to assist with pain relief.
Following the birth, when you are ready, we can begin to use massage to help heal your mind and body, correct postural misalignments and help reduce the appearance of your caesarean wound.
Infant Massage Classes
This baby-led programme for parents and babies progresses over a six-week period. Each week you will learn how to massage a new body part, leading up to a full body massage. So, as a Certified Infant Massage Instructor trained by the International Association of Infant Massage (www.iaim.org.uk), we can continue working together to provide you with some of the most powerful tools to there are to help you develop a deep and nurturing bond with your baby.
The Fascial Facial
This non-invasive and non-cosmetic treatment is an effective technique to enhance skin tone, texture, promote relaxation and wellness, as well as provide a feeling of softness to the face and neck.
Whilst myofascial release, in general, is a full body remedial therapy, the fascial facial can be used as part of a regular full body massage or as a stand alone treatment.
Without using oils, the technique is based on feeling resistance within the tissue and waiting until it yields to the sustained gentle pressure, resulting in a softer, brighter appearance.
Based at the Natural Health Centre on The Thoroughfare in Woodbridge, I also work mobile for those with greater accessibility needs. Infant Massage classes are held at various venues in and around Woodbridge.
To book please contact Carmen directly on 07708 094420 if you would like to talk through your requirements or by email at carmenzzahra@gmail.com.
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Roy Drake
BSc (hons) PGCE Adv.Dip.PSM Adv.Dip.Hyp. VTCT MQHP
Roy trained in holistic therapies at City College Norwich and attained qualifications in Swedish and Aromatherapy, Sports and Indian Head Massage as well as Reflexology. He went on to gain practitioner qualifications in Hot Stones Massage, Myo Fascial Release and Kansa Vatki Foot Massage. Roy is also a qualified counsellor and hypnotherapist and higher education tutor. He has over 20 years experience working in these disciplines and is co owner of the Prestige award winning Forest Haven Suffolk. He provides his services from the Natural Health Centre here in Woodbridge but is also available for mobile work in people’s homes or places of business.
Services provided by Roy at the Natural Health Centre include: Swedish, Aromatherapy, Sports, Hot Stones and Indian Head Massage together with Myo Fascial Release and Kansa Vatki foot massage. If you have any queries please feel free to contact Roy direct on 07762193593 or to make an appointment contact the Natural Health Centre.
Swedish massage
Swedish massage is a type of massage therapy that’s known mainly for its relaxation effects. It represents a core technique underpinning other types of massage therapy. Benefits are varied and tend to focus on easing various painful conditions such as neck, back and shoulder pain as well as helping with fibromyalgia as well has having a general relaxing effect thus aiding sleep and reducing stress and anxiety.
Aromatherapy Massage
Essential oils thought to have therapeutic qualities are blended and incorporated within various massage styles supporting a variety of different benefits including relaxation, pain management, and improved mood. While these are also some of the basic benefits of massage therapy, adding essential oils is thought to enhance such benefits.
Sports Massage
A sports massage is a type of massage that helps reduce pain and discomfort caused by injuries and excessive physical activities. While originally developed to help athletes recover from sports injuries, it can be beneficial to anyone wanting to enjoy the benefits of a slightly deeper, targeted massage. Some benefits associated with Sports Massage include:
- Reduces pain and inflammation
- Boosts recovery from injury and reduces Delayed Onset Muscle Sorness (DOMS)
- Promotes circulation
- Increases mobility & flexibility
- Reduces psychological tension
- Improves sleep
- Aids relaxation
Hot Stones Massage
Combining Swedish Massage with hot stones produces a deeply warming and relaxing massage experience helping enhance the benefits of traditional massage and/or to target specific areas of concern eg fibromyalgia.
Indian Head Massage
Part of the Ayurvedic Indian healing system. Ayurveda means “science of longevity” and looks to promote health and long life.
Indian head massage is applied predominantly to the upper back, neck, face and scalp yet has therapeutic benefits to the whole body, but is particularly useful for localized benefits to the head, neck and shoulders, stimulating blood & lymphatic flow to these areas. As well as all the usual benefits one would expect from massage, Indian Head Massage is excellent for promoting healthy hair growth, relieving mental fatigue, promoting clarity of mind, easing eye strain and increasing blood flow to the brain.
As a relatively short but highly effective where the client remains seated and fully clothed it is particularly useful for the office or work environment and those with busy lives.
MyoFascial Release
A specialised treatment releasing restrictions within the fascia (“Myo” Muscle/ “Fascia” band). While a structured routine is still followed, MFR does not use traditional smooth flowing massage techniques. Instead, muscles and the fascia band are “stretched” through gently applied pressure held and applied for several minutes at a time in one area to gradually ease and release tension and tightness.
Benefits of Myofascial Release:
- Help balance the body
- Promote self-healing and relaxation
- Increase energy
- Increase breathing capacity
- Restore muscle function
- Relieve physical and emotional strain
Myofascial release can be useful if you suffer from:
- Back pain
- Headaches/Migraines
- Whiplash
- Pelvic pain
- Neck pain
- Sports injuries
- Disc problems
- Physical stress
- Psychological stress
- Postural irregularities
- Fibromyalgia/chronic fatigue syndrome
- Sciatica
- Scars
- Arthritis
Ayurvedic Kansa Vatki Foot Massage
Ayurvedic medicine — also known as Ayurveda — is one of the world’s oldest holistic (whole-body) healing systems. It was developed thousands of years ago in India. It is based on the belief that health and wellness depend on a delicate balance between the mind, body, and spirit. Kansa Vatki translates to “metal bowl”and a small bowl of copper, zinc and tin is incorporated into the massage treatment to utilise the metals’ therapeutic qualities and support various health benefits:
- Relaxes tired feet
- Improves blood and lymphatic circulation
- Enhances joint mobility in the lower limbs
- Helps to relieve eyestrain and tired eyes
- Improves the co diction of the ligaments and muscles of the lower limbs
- Detoxify the internal organs
- Increases strength and stamina in the lower limbs
- Reduction of stress, anxiety and depression
- Enhance mental activities
- Induces sound sleep
- Calms the body
For more information, contact Roy direct on 07762193593 or to make an appointment contact the Natural Health Centre on 01394 380580 or email info@nhcwoodbridge.co.uk.
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