Massage takes on a new meaning at Serenity
Blas? about massage I’m not; reserved is more the word, due to ‘massage experiences’ in several countries, which have left me bored, bewildered or sore. So when directed to Serenity Spa, I cleared my timetable and opened my mind.
The Neuromuscular Technique (NMT) that’s used is a true therapeutic manipulation of the body’s soft tissues – muscles, ligaments, tendons and the fascia surrounding the muscles – as well as a superb sensory indulgence.
Serenity is an elegant spa, high in the eaves of a newly-restored stone building. Already popular with Pissouri holiday home-owners, it promises to be a haven for everyone viewing the onset of winter aches and pains with trepidation.
Spa owner, British-born Nicky Banfield, trained in NMT in Maui, Hawaii. She maintains it’s the deepest, most effective type of massage Serenity offers.
I’d signed up for a Hot Stone Therapy massage and was soon encouraged to shed my clothes and de-stress my feet in warm water with aromatherapy oils.
What is it supposed to do?
My therapist, Gemma Ryan, explained that hot basalt stones aid in breaking down the solid tissue of the shoulders and neck. The stones are also used as tools to manually break down the tissue while the heat from them helps melt rigid muscles and the surrounding fascia.
NMT’s effectiveness is based on the practitioner’s thorough assessment of the soft tissues and the isolation and treatment of each affected area. The central nervous system plays a key role in producing and perpetuating chronic pain and it’s the practitioner’s understanding of the relativity of nerve reflexes and physiology, which makes the technique particularly effective in dealing with long-term injuries.
What benefits does it claim?
NMT can be used to treat both acute and chronic pain sources. An essential component is the practitioner working directly and therapeutically with the neuromuscular system to alleviate pain. The goals are to first isolate the area, then reduce inflammation and restore circulation; alleviate muscle spasms and normalise the reflex activity of the system.
Trigger points (TPs) were first identified in the 1950s by Dr Janet Travell resulting in a mapping of these points, often responsible for headaches, muscular weakness and pain, restricted range of motion, dizziness and blurred vision. NMT helps reduce trigger points by using pressure. Specific conditions Nicky has had success with include lower/upper back-pain, stiff necks, headaches and tendonitis.
Is there any science behind it?
“NMT is a proven science,” Nicky assured me. Dr Janet Travell, the first woman to serve as White House Physician, attending both JFK and LBJ carried out a study of pain relief techniques over decades, observing thousands of patients resulted in TP mapping which allows practitioners to treat the deep cause of pain. “Appropriate pressure on such points releases the TP and restores the nervous system back to normal,” explained Nicky. Massage also heats the muscle and allows therapists to break down scar tissue to restore original form to soft tissue.
Hot Stone Therapy has ancient roots: stones have been used for divination, warmth, healing and protection since the beginning of time. The Japanese use stones to warm their abdomens to aid digestion and the Chinese have been using hot stones to relieve muscular pain for some 4,000 years.
It’s estimated that one stroke with a stone is worth ten strokes with the hand. Thus Hot Stone Therapy is calculated to be ten times deeper, take ten times less effort and last ten times longer.
What’s it like?
Luxurious; alternately restful and probing. I loved it! The grape-seed oil used was light and aromatic, Gemma’s touch was penetrating but soothing and her movements almost balletic as she tended my prone body. My shoulder girdle felt released and free afterwards and my associated upper arm pain was distinctly improved. The final head massage was divine!
Where and how much?
A Hot Stone Massage session costs £30 and lasts an hour. Other treatments offered by Serenity Day Spa include facials, natural manicures and pedicures; waxing, body wraps/scrubs.
Serenity Day Spa, Pissouri Bay, above Kastros Restaurant. Tel: 99 869770, www.serenitycyprus.com
