Massage Modalities
Please contact me with any questions or concerns you may have.
Massage Therapy has been shown to reduce pain experienced in the days or weeks after treatment.
There are a wide variety of massage techniques. Based on your needs and the goals you have for your Massage Therapy session, I may use any one or a combination of massage techniques. The massage modality definitions below provide a brief explanation.
Swedish Massage
This type of massage is based on the five strokes of Western massage: effleurage, petrissage, friction, percussion and vibration. It completely relaxes the body and increases the circulation of blood and lymph throughout your body. Increasing the oxygen flow to the muscles, joints and all cells. Toxins are flushed from your body. Swedish Massage affects your nervous system and releases serotonin. This hormone controls pain, anxiety and stress. Oil or gel is used to allow fluid strokes to your body and manipulating your soft tissue. Most consider this type of massage to be the most relaxing and refreshing all while relieving stress and reaping the body benefits of massage.
Chair Massage
The client is fully clothed. Swedish Massage is performed while sitting in the massage chair. The client receives all the benefits of a Swedish Massage. Sessions can last as little as 5 minutes and up to one hour. Other modalities can be used in combination depending on the needs of the client.
Orthopedic Massage
Orthopedic massage focuses on painful conditions that affect the soft tissue of the body. Several different techniques may be used to treat a condition. Since every body is different, the massage therapist will adapt their style to meet their client’s needs. When orthopedic massage is needed, the focus is on the client’s musculosketal system. Tight muscles need to be released and brought back to their normal state. Muscles may need to be stretched as well as tendons and joints. A physician may recommend orthopedic massage when they feel a patient could benefit from multiple treatment modalities. Orthopedic massage is powerful, but a gentle bodywork technique. It provides lasting improvement to those suffering low back pain, neck stiffness, neck pain, rotator cuff injuries, frozen shoulder, knee injuries, TJ, sciatica, arthritis, tennis elbow, carpel tunnel syndrome and others.
Deep Tissue
The goal of deep tissue massage is to get to the deeper layers of muscle and tissue. It works to restore function and balance to muscles, joint and fascia (the tissue that connects skin and muscles, organs, bones and vessels). Body Benefits you can expect are breaking up muscles knots and range of motion.
Sports Massage
You don’t have to be an athlete to benefit from Sports Massage. Anyone who does strenuous activity… parents taking care of and running after small children, gardening, running, cycling, hiking, swimming, dancing, tennis and other racquet sports, strength training and aerobics can benefit from massage. If you have an injury, chronic pain or lack range of motion, Sports Massage can help you. It concentrates on a specific problem, stimulates circulation of blood and lymph fluids. Sports Massage can incorporate Swedish massage, deep tissue, trigger point, stretching and deep transverse friction. Using trigger point therapy can break down knots in muscles and help you gain range of motion.
For athletes, there are different types of sport massage. Pre-event, post event, during training and massage maintenance programs to alleviate pain due to injury and return the body to balance. If you do not want a full body massage, a sports massage may be an alternative as to focus on just your problem area(s) |
Hot Stone Massage
Hot Stone Therapy is a technique that adds warmth to the benefits of massage. Smooth Basalt stones are heated in water and applied to the body using the techniques of the Swedish massage. It provides deep relaxation, softens the fascia, relaxes muscles, tendons, calms your nervous system and increases your circulation. Hot stone massage also improves back pain and aches and can help with osteoarthritis and arthritis pain.
REIKI
A treatment feels like a wonderful glowing radiance that flows through and around you. Reiki treats the whole person including body, emotions, mind and spirit creating many beneficial effects that include relaxation and feelings of peace, security and wellbeing.
Reiki is a simple, natural and safe method of spiritual healing and self-improvement that everyone can use. It has been effective in helping virtually every known illness and malady and always creates a beneficial effect. It also works in conjunction with all other medical or therapeutic techniques to relieve side effects and promote recovery. Reflexology
Reflexology is based on ancient Oriental theory that stimulating points on your feet (and hands) correspond to other areas of your body. Internal organs and/or areas of pain are connected to your nervous system and energy with points on your feet and hands. Reflexology restores function and balances energy throughout your body (Homeostasis). Reflexology is also very relaxing and rejuvenating.
 Myofacial
This is a type of deep tissue massage. A Massage Therapist can use their hands, elbows, fists and hands to release the fascia to restore the clients balance.
Fascia allows the nutrients into the cells and support the organs. When the fascia is blocked, your blood flow is decreased as well as your range of motion. Prenatal
If pregnant women can do one thing for themselves, this massage is it. Your body goes through so many changes. Not only internally, but also within the musculosketal system in order to make room for your growing fetus. Massage can bring you relief from a variety of symptoms: fluid retention, low back pain, headaches, swelling, sleeplessness, stretch marks etc… Massage can also help after the baby is born, by realigning your pelvis and lower back.
Massage is not recommended within the first 3 months. Seek the approval from your physician. Isolated Stretching
Developed by Aaron L. Mattes, isolated stretching utilizes precise movements to a specific area that needs to be stretched. The position is held for 2 seconds and then released. Repetitions of approx 8-10 times. Some benefits you gain: Improves flexibility, relieves muscle soreness, reduces muscle spasm, helps chronic pain, reduces the risk of muscle strain and tearing, recovery from injury, relieves stress, cells receive oxygen and nutrients, stimulates lymph circulation and elimination of cellular waste, good posture, range of motion of a joint, restores balance in the body.
Isolated stretching uses your nervous system and allows for your muscles to elongate. |
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is a form of alternative medicine that uses plant materials, known as essential oils for the purpose of altering a person's mind, mood, cognitive function or health. Aromatherapy will not cure a serious illness. It can help with pain and anxiety reduction; enhance energy and short-term memory, relaxation, hair loss prevention, and reduction of eczema.
It can help the body find a natural way to cure itself and improve immune response. The key words here is CAN HELP…can help with a physical condition, can help with symptoms, can affect your mood, or help alleviate or temporarily eliminate stress or other psychological factors.
Clinical studies of aromatherapy in combination with other techniques show positive effects and may have therapeutic potential. To get the maximum benefit from essential oils, it should be made from natural, pure raw materials.
See more about Aromatherapy: Cautions & Contraindications
Learn how I use Aromatherapy with Soy Lotion Candles...click HERE
It can help the body find a natural way to cure itself and improve immune response. The key words here is CAN HELP…can help with a physical condition, can help with symptoms, can affect your mood, or help alleviate or temporarily eliminate stress or other psychological factors.
Clinical studies of aromatherapy in combination with other techniques show positive effects and may have therapeutic potential. To get the maximum benefit from essential oils, it should be made from natural, pure raw materials.
See more about Aromatherapy: Cautions & Contraindications
Learn how I use Aromatherapy with Soy Lotion Candles...click HERE
Prossage Healing Ointment -Deep Heat
Now available for Specific problem areas: Prossage - Pain Relief Heat Healing Ointment. Prossage Heat is an area specific warming ointment for pain management, sports injuries, and orthopedic and deep tissue massage. Developed by professionals for professionals, it is a 100% natural, therapeutic, warming ointment for Myofascial Release, Deep Tissue Work, and Trigger Point Therapy. It has been developed specifically to produce gentle, penetrating heat to the skin, fascia, muscles, and other soft tissue structures. As tissues soften, more blood and oxygen penetrate congested areas reducing the ischemia responsible for many chronic pain syndromes, orthopedic conditions, and common sports injuries. For use as an area-specific warming ointment for treating specific muscle groups - not an all over massage.
Anti-Cellulite Massage
The cup massage procedure is a simple treatment that gives impressive results. Massage Cupping is the combination of massage movements and negative pressure with the use of a suction device on the skin. A cup is positioned at the area to be treated and, depending on the type of cups being used; a vacuum is created within the cup to draw the skin and underlying tissue into the cup. A cup massage helps release the rigid soft tissue through negative pressure and suction, it also helps drain off excess toxins and fluids your body may be retaining. It can help to loosen adhesions and lift the connective tissues. This helps increase the blood flow to the skin and muscles that may have problems with partial atrophy.
The produced vacuum creates a suction effect that increases blood and lymphatic circulation systemically and to the local area, relaxes muscle tissue and support, draws stagnation, pathogenic factors and toxins out of the body.
The produced vacuum creates a suction effect that increases blood and lymphatic circulation systemically and to the local area, relaxes muscle tissue and support, draws stagnation, pathogenic factors and toxins out of the body.
