Massage

Swedish Massage is a style of massage that uses oil and glides over the body using several hand techniques (effleurage, petrissage, tapotement, compression). The major of focus of Swedish massage is to relax muscle tension, calm the nervous system, and improve lymph circulation.

Sometimes the painful area needs to be massaged and sometimes the painful area is a symptom of a problem somewhere else in the body. A well trained massage therapist can usually tell what is happening and work appropriately.

Trigger Point Therapy is a therapeutic technique that focuses on reducing pain/tension and restoring function to muscles that have developed trigger points. Trigger points are points of restricted fascia and energy which develop in muscles. Trigger points reduce muscle strength and have a referred pain when pressed on. Painful spots that hurt only locally are usually spasm or knots. Trigger Point Therapy is the practice of identifying and treating trigger points to reduce pain and restore muscle function. (This technique requires specific training.)

craniosacral therapy (CST) is a gentle but powerful therapeutic technique. In CST the therapist works from your head, feet, and sacrum to help your body deeply relax so that your craniosacral rhythm can open up and stabilize. The craniosacral rhythm is generated by the movement of cerebrospinal fluid around the spinal cord and brain. When this movement is unrestricted the nervous system is calm and the body relaxes very deeply. This technique is good for releasing deep fascial tensions in the spine helping alignment, posture, and addressing many conditions that other techniques cannot. (This technique requires specific training.)

Visceral Manipulation is a technique that works to gently restore proper function, position, and mobility to the internal organs of the body. This is helpful for digestive problems, emotional regulation, and many musculoskeletal conditions that originate in the organs. (This technique requires specific training.)

Energy Work is how a Massage Therapist will help regulate and strengthen a persons energy systems. The primary energy systems in the body are the Chakras, Meridians, Energy Field, and Cellular Vibration. While this aspect of therapy is considered an “Eastern” or “new age” approach its effectiveness has led to its growing acceptance and practice in the bodywork field. Energy Work is often effective in chronic pain conditions that haven’t responded to standard therapies. This is because many pains originate in the energy systems and therapies that do not address this do not address the cause of the problem. Energy work is good for relaxing the body and centering the mind as well as addressing physical and emotional pain. The most common types of energy work are Reiki, Chi Healing, Angel Work, and Shamanism. Energy work is talked about in scientific terms as Bioenergetics, The Human Energy Field, and Quantum Healing. People with a spiritual approach will talk about Opening to Divine Source, Balancing Chi, Angels, Guiding Spirits, or Universal Consciousness. (These techniques require specific training).

Orthopedic Massage is an approach that uses manual techniques(MFR, Trigger Point, Scar Tissue Work, Muscle Energy Technique) to restore proper alignment and function to the joints in the body. This happens by balancing muscle activity and fascial tension across the joints. This is useful for postural deviations, joint dysfunction, injuries, and repetitive stress syndromes.

Let him/her/them know if you have a specific therapeutic goal, if you want to relax and relieve stress, or both. For example, if you want to be sure they get that one spot underneath your right shoulder blade, please be sure to let them know. Sometimes therapeutic massage can be uncomfortable, but please be sure to speak up if the pressure is too light or too deep.

Sometimes the painful area needs to be massaged and sometimes the painful area is a symptom of a problem somewhere else in the body. Our experienced massage therapists can usually tell what is happening and work appropriately.

During your massage, if you would like pressure to be adjusted to be greater or less, please speak up. Your massage therapist will adjust accordingly.