I felt rejuvenated after practitioner Alex Frazier gave me a myofascial massage at the smart therapy salon Vitruvian Wellness. With continuous long and gentle movements, Alex managed to loosen all the tension in my back, shoulders and neck.
Fascia is a biological term for the connective tissue which surrounds the body’s muscles (myology is the study of muscles). When there’s fascial restriction, a person will feel aches and stiffness.
Alex describes her role as like being a detective, as she investigates where her clients are carrying stress. The massage session began with her slowly rocking my spine, hips and pelvis to initiate release, and then with oily hands, Alex proceeded to iron me out!
Alex explained, “The body doesn’t function in isolation. You might have a pain in your shoulder, but there could be a tightness hiding in your pelvis or hamstrings. Myofascial massage is about listening to the whole story of your body.”
After studying Feldenkrais, Alex was drawn to myofascial massage, inspired by famous bodyworker Tom Myers whose groundbreaking book Anatomy Trains popularised the concept of fascia and how a person’s entire body is linked by myofascial meridians. Alex has found that myofascial massage works well for people with neurological issues or recovering from a stroke; or, as I found out, for unknotting an uptight body in need of deep relaxation.
Vitruvian Wellness is at 78 Haverstock Hill, Steele’s Village, NW3.
To book an appointment:
www.vitruvianwellness.co.uk or 020 7284 2898
