Benefits of massage

Physical benefits
  • Deep relaxation and stress reduction
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  • Relief of muscle tension and stiffness
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  • Reduced muscle spasm and tension
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  • Greater joint flexibility and range of motion
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  • Increased ease and efficiency of movement
  • Promotes deeper and easier breathing
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  • Better circulation of both blood and lymph fluids
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  • Reduced blood pressure
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  • Relief of tension-related headaches and backaches
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  • Healthier, better nourished skin
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  • Faster healing time from pulled muscles and sprained ligaments; reduced spasm, pain and swelling; reduced formation of scar tissue
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  • Strengthened immune system
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  • Stimulates endorphins - the body's natural painkillers
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  • Promotes health maintenance

Psychological Benefits
  • Reduces mental stress
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  • A calmer mind and felling of well-being
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  • Relaxed and rejuvenated state of alertness
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  • Increased capacity for clearer thinking
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  • Increased ability for improving concentration
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  • Enhanced self-image and improved morale
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  • Reduction of anxiety levels and hypertension
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TYPES OF MASSAGE

Swedish massage/Stress reduction massage:
The most common form of therapy practiced in the United States. It incorporates manual manipulation of soft tissue (mostly muscles and fascia) utilizing twisting, kneading, percussion, friction and gliding strokes to facilitate circulation and promote a profound state of relaxation and aide in injury recovery.

Clinical Massage:
Massage therapy techniques used to address the symptoms of specific medical problems. Clients should inform their therapist of conditions when scheduling appointment and may be required to provide a doctor's release before beginning the session. Note: massage may not be appropriate for all medical conditions.

Deep Tissue:
More specific form of bodywork administered to affect the sub-layer of musculature and fascia. It helps with chronic muscular pain caused by arthritis and tendinitis. Generally integrated with other massage techniques.

Myofascial Release:
Sometimes called myotherapy or neuromuscular therapy. Slow, broad, gentle, engaging strokes used to release adhered tissue from one another. Effective approach in the relief of cervical pain, back pain, fibromyalgia, scoliosis, neurological dysfunction, and restricted range of motion, chronic pain and headaches.

Mobilizations:
Passive movements and stretches used to enhance range of motion and flexibility of the joints.

Accupressure:
An ancient healing art that uses the fingers to press key points on the surface of the skin to stimulate the body's natural healing abilities. When these points are pressed they release muscles tensions and promote circulation of blood.

Trigger Point work:
A specific massage technique used to relax a muscle that is tight and contracted. The therapist uses trigger point compression on areas of congestion in a muscle. They will also use stretches and massage to the area. Client feedback is often needed during the session and some clients may experience some initial discomfort with this technique. However most report significant and immediate improvement following the therapy session.

Sports Massage:
Consists of massage and stretching of certain muscle groups associated with athletic activity. Used before, during and after an athletic event. It is great for warming up the body and/or muscle fatigue and soreness.

Pregnancy, Pre and post natal massage:
Massage techniques that are both effective and safe to use while pregnant, during delivery and after delivery. Pre-natal it is used to help reduce discomforts and enhance the physiological and emotional well being of both mother and fetus. During labor it can help shorten labor and ease pain and anxiety. Post-natal it can help rebalance the body and help the new mother with the emotional and physiological changes she has/is going through.

Neuromuscular massage:
This is a comprehensive therapy of soft-tissue manipulation used to balance the body's central nervous system with the musculoskeletal system. It is used to locate and release spasms and hypercontractions in the tissue. It also helps eliminate trigger points, restore postural alignment, proper biomechanics and flexibility to the tissues, and assist venous and lymphatic flow.

Ben Benjamin ligament work:
Remarkably effective in treating most muscle, tension and ligament injuries. General deep massage alone is not usually an effective treatment for tendinitis. There is often very stubborn scar tissue that needs to be freed up. The treatment consists of deep friction or transverse friction massage in a very precise form of medical massage. It is done with no creams or oils. One or several fingers are placed on the skin at the exact point of injury. Pressure is applied in one or two directions while a constant back and forth action across the structure is maintained. This technique worked by breaking down scar tissue that prevents proper healing within the muscles, ligaments and tendons.

Cranial Sacral:
This technique relates to the skull and the sacrum (base of the spine). Dr. William Sutherland and Dr. John Upledger (both osteopathic physicians) are credited with discovering, researching and perfecting a procedure of cranial-sacral work. The cranio-sacral rhythm (another human body rhythm like breath and heart rhythms) moves our cerebral/spinal fluid, which brings nutrition to the spinal cord and brain cells. Persons with a history of head and neck injuries and/or headaches can benefit from this gentle, subtle procedure. The work can be performed on a fully clothes client or it can be incorporated into a traditional massage. It does not manipulate tissue in the same way as a Swedish or deep tissue massage. A light touch by the therapist monitors the rhythm of the craniosacral system to detect potential restriction and imbalances. Delicate manual techniques can help release problem areas and relieve undue pressure on the brain and spinal cord. The result is a central nervous system free of restrictions and a body able to return to an improved level of performance.

Positional Release:
The use of comfortable positions and gentle movements to ease the body into releasing tension and pain. To help re-establish structure.

Acustim or Acumed Treatments:
A tool that locates accupoints and can stimulate without needles. For thousands of year mankind has turned to acupuncture for pain relief. Today, with a new technique utilizing an Electro Therapeutic Point Stimulator (ETPS), modern pain relieving techniques are combined with the ancient philosophy of acupuncture to produce a form of pain management not previously available. Together, they work synergistically to produce a safe, effective treatment for chronic pain. Accessing acupuncture/acupressure points or trigger points, without a needle is now possible with the ETPS. It is a hand-held tool that by sound and light guides the therapist accurately to the various accupoints or trigger points located throughout the human body. Once the trigger point is located the tool applies non-invasive concentrated microcurrent stimulation. Protocol guidelines are recommended for several symptoms including neck, shoulder and back pains as well as headaches. It is recommended that the patient receive a medical doctor's diagnosis prior to starting on any accutherapy program.
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