FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What you need to know

Lomilomi is a massage technique from Hawaii which has traditionally been passed down orally through generations within families and has unfolded over centuries. It is known for its long and flowing strokes and its aim is to achieve balance and harmony within the individual's body and mind in a sustainable way.
The Hawaiian word ‘lomilomi’ means to rub, massage or knead.
Today, Lomilomi continues to play an important role among the people of Hawai'i and its popularity has increased across the world for its meanwhile known and proven benefits including reducing tension, stress, headaches and neck pain, increased joint mobility and improved circulation. The massage also stretches and relaxes tight muscles, stimulates the nervous system and activates the digestive system. Oil is typically used for the massage although it is also possible to work over the clothes (Community work). The massage is done with the forearms, but also with hands, elbows, feet (Kua Lua) or stones (hot stone massage).

WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT FROM MY FIRST LOMILOMI MASSAGE?

The client is covered with a cloth at any given time and only those body parts are exposed upon which the practitioner is working. While keeping alert during the massage, your practitioner will invite you to response by asking for example how strong the pressure of the massage is. Oil, typically coconut oil, is applied for the massage but it is also possible to work over the clothes. Typical for the lomilomi massage is kneading, stroking, shaking, joint rotations and stretching. Also typical is the practitioner's conscious body mechanics and breathing.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF LOMILOMI MASSAGE?

Some of the many benefits of Lomilomi massage​

• increased range of motion, joint mobility and flexibility

• relaxes and stretches tense muscles

• activates circulation and lymphatic systems

• supports the digestive system

• stimulates the nervous system

• improved posture 

• enables an individual to consciously take responsibility for their own actions

WHEN SHOULD I NOT HAVE A LOMILOMI MASSAGE?

Please do not hesitate to contact the practitioner if you are suffering from or in case of any doubts or queries concerning the conditions below. Please do so prior to the massage treatment.

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• Contagious skin conditions

• Other skin conditions such as burns, rashes or sores

• Circulatory system issues i.e. high blood pressure, varicose veins

• Digestive system issues i.e. ulcers

• Fresh fractures or injuries

• Fever

• Pregnancy (first trimester)