A preventive therapy; defeating modern-day stress and aid physical and emotional problems
Bamboo massage is at the forefront of the massage industry. It is quickly becoming the new treatment at top spas and resorts around the country. And here at Hodson Bay Hotel, we promote this massage for its unusual properties and numerous health benefits. Bamboo massage is a preventive therapy; defeating modern-day stress and aiding physical and emotional problems. It works at all levels to balance, calm and energise you physically, mentally and spiritually.
Technique used in Bamboo Massage
Bamboo massage is similar to hot stone therapy. It brings the same warming, soothing effect of hot stone into the massage. The bamboo sticks hold the heat longer than hot stones. The sticks are organically and the therapists use various lengths and diameters. Longer thicker sticks are used for gliding and rolling movements on larger muscles such as the back and thighs. And therapists use shorter, thinner canes to release tension, knots and trigger points. Smaller muscles in the hands and feet are massaged with thinner stalks. Massage oils are added in our bamboo massages for aromatherapy benefits.
Origins
Bamboo massage is not a new exotic treatment, its origins are ancient. Chinese, Indonesian, and Japanese cultures believe bamboo has benefits for life energy, prosperity, longevity, sexuality, and fertility. In China, stalks of bamboo symbolise eternal youth, strength, prosperity, and peace.
Nathalie Cecilia, a pioneer and leader in the massage industry introduced bamboo therapy in 2004. She started using warm bamboo sticks for massaging as her hands and wrists started hurting with deep tissue work.
Natural Health Benefits
Advantages to Bamboo Massage
Recently the benefits of bamboo massage have been clearly appreciated and scientifically understood. It is often used alongside conventional western medicine to treat illness and relieve muscle pain. It plays a powerful preventative role.
For Mental Health
Bamboo massage improves the quality of sleep and helps insomnia. It also increases mental clarity and cures depression, and encourages the body’s natural healing abilities releasing endorphins, your body’s natural painkiller.
A Natural Detox & Weight Loss
The rolling and kneading of the bamboo sticks stimulate and heat the body resulting in enhanced circulation throughout the body, heart and lungs helping to remove stagnant toxins. Similarly, it improves lymphatic drainage and the removal of excess fluids. Bamboo massage is thus a perfect treatment as part of a detox and/or weight loss program.
Benefits for Sports People
Similar to deep tissue massage, bamboo releases tension in larger muscles through intensive kneading. This deep tissue massage is effective for runners and cyclists experiencing tightness in their legs, feet and IT bands. More and more sports massage specialists are using bamboo massage as it enhances sports performance and endurance with only a few sessions.
Relief for Office Workers
Bamboo massage benefits women and men working sedentary jobs to soothe and alleviate the discomfort of heavy and tired legs. During the massage stretching and elongating of muscles benefits those suffering from shortened muscles due to postural imbalances.
Increased Flexibility
For those suffering from neck, shoulder or lower / upper back pain or stiffness, the effect of the bamboo’s rolling; gliding and intensive kneading gives increased flexibility and pain relief.
Rehabilitation for Injuries
Bamboo massage can accelerate recovery for injuries. It releases endorphins which provide the body with a boost of its natural pain killing. Over time the massage is purely for rejuvenation, relaxation and stress reduction purposes.
Enhancing A Spiritual Connection
Bamboo is a renewable and sustainable resource with ancient roots. For those who want to feel the connections between long-held traditions and the natural world, it has a powerful effect on the mind and general well-being. Our senior spa therapist, Mevin, nurtures the connections to create an even more profound experience. Even those who do not connect deeply with these elements say it is a fulfilling experience with a warm feeling of optimism lasting for several days.
Interesting Fact
An interesting fact about bamboo is it is giant grass. This makes bamboo a highly renewable resource. In a favourable habitat, it can grow as fast as one foot in 24 hours and will grow back to full-size in a few years.
Conclusion
The bamboo plant is pretty impressive with its numerous natural healing properties and applications. It is definitely worth experiencing and feeling the benefits for yourself.