MASSAGE THERAPY

         Massage Therapy is an ancient art that has evolved into an important healthy lifestyle choice.  It incorporates techniques resulting in stress reduction, pain relief, injury rehabilitation, athletic preparedness or recovery, health improvements, increased awareness and relaxation. Supports healthy skin functions. 

SWEDISH MASSAGE

It is the best known massage modality.  The Swedish is a system of long strokes, combined with kneading and friction techniques on the more superficial layers of muscles accompanied by active and passive movements of joints.  There are 5 classic strokes; gliding, kneading, friction, percussion and gentle shaking. Stretching and strengthening techniques are often incorporated in the session.

Swedish massage is designed to produce a feeling of well being on both a physical and emotional level, reduce stress, reduce muscle tension/soreness, improve body system function, enhance flexibility, decrease pain and increase range of motion in joints.

Techniques such as TRIGGER POINT RELEASE and MYOFASCIAL RELEASE are integrated into the treatment to enhance and address the specific and acute problems.

SPORTS MASSAGE

Also known as “Performance Massage or Athletic Massage”.  During a session, massage and stretching techniques are applied to promote health and well being of the individual engaging in strenuous physical activity. It uses specific techniques and strokes, Trigger Point, Deep Friction, Compression and Myofascial Release.  Its intent is to help an individual’s performance, warm up and cool down the muscles, increase flexibility, reduce regular stresses and strains of training and improve injury healing time.

AMMA THERAPY

Is a form of Asian Massage coming from traditional Japanese Massage based on the Chinese concept of the body’s life force energy flowing through channels and points.  The word “am-ma” means to “push-pull” and dates back over 5000 years.  It uses a variety of pressing, stroking, stretching and percussive movements.  These techniques are combined into a sequence of movements that stimulates points along the 14 major energy channels.  AMMA addresses physical and energy imbalances. It boosts energy, reduces pain, improves overall wellness and facilitates calm.

MEDICAL MASSAGE

This is usually treatment for a specific medical problem. A medical Physician would specifically prescribe massage treatments for the client’s injury or illness. The treatment is to the injured site and surrounding areas only. Its function is to assist in the recovery from the specific problem.  The therapist would use techniques best for the injury or illness.

REFLEXOLOGY

The roots of Reflexology are found in many different ancient Eastern cultures.  It is based on the energy concept of Asian Massage. The energy pathways in the body are divided into 10 zones longitudinally. Pressure applied anywhere in the zone will affect the entire zone.  Reflexology focuses on the endpoints of the zones in the feet and hands.  Each of the body organs and structures corresponds to a reflex area on the feet and hands. The feet and hands are massaged using pressure points, rubbing, kneading, stretching and loosening. This stimulates and acts to clear the nervous and tissue congestion, removing accumulated toxins, encouraging the body to heal. It relieves stress, reduces pain and promotes relaxation

REIKI THERAPY

REIKI comes from the Japanese words, “Rei” and “Ki”. Rei means “universal life force”, the energy inherent to all creation and Ki means the “individual’s life force”, the energy vital for existence.  Reiki integrates the two energies to balance and realign energy and activate the body’s natural healing powers. It uses the concepts of Asian Massage meridians/channels through which “life force energy” flows.  Healing Energy is channeled through the hands of the therapist and it is directed by the “universal energy” to the area most in need.  It is used to reduce stress, increase energy, improve focus, enhance creativity, maintain health, reduce side effects of medication, increase healing and decrease recovery time. There is no energy depletion or transference between therapist and client

HOT STONE MASSAGE

If you are experiencing mental or physical stress, stone massage Can be extremely effective in relaxing both body and mind. The penetrating heat of the stones begins to elicit deep relaxation almost immediately, soothing the nervous system and melting the effects of stress. Muscle tension eases under the smooth pressure of the stones, allowing circulation to increase. As a result, irritating toxins are flushed away and the flow of healing nutrients is restored to muscles and other tissues, further aiding the release of tension and pain

Stone massage can be especially helpful for people with fibromyalgia, arthritis and those recovering from injuries. It may also help relieve sinus pain and the discomforts of premenstrual syndrome. Athletes find it helps muscles and other tissues recuperate after a strenuous workout.

PRE-NATAL

Prenatal Massage is a form of therapeutic bodywork that is geared to meet the unique needs of the pregnant woman. Promoting better function of muscles and joints, prenatal massage also improves circulation and overall body tone. Additionally, prenatal massage decreases mental and physical fatigue as well.

Mutually beneficial, by having regular prenatal massage therapy, mothers are more relaxed; thus allowing the new life inside to be nourished. Prenatal massage is usually begun during the 2nd and/or third trimesters of pregnancy. While lying on her side, a pregnant woman can be massaged on her side, in a semi-reclining position, and even on her belly, with the use of a specially-designed pillow. With low lighting and soft music, prenatal massage is performed via gentle massage strokes over the back and entire body.

Helping to relieve sciatic nerve pain and multiple other conditions experienced during pregnancy, prenatal massage is an effective therapy for helping to calm, and promote overall wellbeing.

CUPPING THERAPY

A wonderful ancient technique has found it's place in the modern world of healing. Massage cupping bodywork is based on the common practice of Chinese cupping therapy. The incredible results that this simple treatment produces have truly impressed those who experience it's subtle power.  By creating suction and negative pressure, massage cupping therapy is used to soften tight muscles and tone attachments, loosen adhesions and lift connective tissue, bring hydration and blood flow to body tissues, and drain excess fluids and toxins by opening lymphatic pathways. Massage cupping bodywork is versatile and can easily be modified to accomplish a range of techniques, from lymphatic drainage to deep tissue release. This complements many health modalities ranging from spa treatments to medical massage and physical therapy. It wakes the body up and makes it feel invigorated while at the same time producing a profound level of healing through nervous system sedation. It stimulates the skin by increasing circulation while separating fused tissue layers and draining lymph to promote a smooth appearance and healthy glow. It works deeper by loosening adhesions, facilitating the muscles to operate more independently and stimulating healthy elimination of accumulated debris in the tissues, organs and systems.

With this rich history of medical application, how does massage cupping bodywork fit into today's health and spa industries? Massage cupping techniques are an incredible addition to massage therapy, physical therapy, facials and body treatments.  The action on the nervous system is sedating, and people often descend into a profound state of relaxation. On a deeper therapeutic level,  massage cupping therapy is very beneficial for many conditions such as high blood pressure, anxiety, fatigue, chronic headache, fibromyalgia and neuralgia. Body contouring with cupping can eliminate cellulite. Contracted and congested muscle tissue will soften quickly with only a few minutes of massage cupping bodywork. Larger cups are used for the broad areas of the back, and a strong vacuum will mimic the rolling action of deep tissue massage without the discomfort. The movement may be long and draining or circular and stimulating for stubborn knots and areas of rigid tissue. The skin may change colors with strong suction, indicating that the circulation has been brought to the surface. Application of liniments, analgesics, plant hydrosols and essential oil blends immediately after the cupping will enable the absorption of the product deep into the tissue. The increased local blood supply to the muscles and skin will bring nourishment and allow for toxins to be carried away via the veins. The sensation is truly indescribable! People often describe a deep warmth, and a tingling sensation long after the treatment has ended. Massage cupping therapy is not an irritant to the skin or body. It draws the inflammation out, yet does not add to it. This technique is excellent when used as a contrast therapy with warm or cool compresses or liniments. Cupping techniques are used to mimic other massage techniques without the normal stress on the hands of the therapist.

Benefits of Massage Cupping Therapy

How is Cupping accomplished?

The cup is positioned over the treatment area and,  depending on the type of cups being used; a vacuum is created by reducing the pressure inside the cup, therefore stretching the underlying tissues up into the cup. One traditional method heat to create the vacuum, whereas manual vacuum cups employ a hand pump or rubber bulb attached to a bell. The suction level can range from light to heavy, and the variety of movements performed can be stimulating or sedating.

What are the discoloration  that occur during treatment?

The most common and unfortunate misconception concerning cupping is the misinterpretation of the marks sometimes resulting  from the treatment. These discolorations are not bruises. Once people understand what these marks are, and feel the results, the concerns disappear. The color and pattern of the marks depend on the level of stagnation in the area, and range from a bright red to dark purple, usually lasting 3 days to a week - sometimes longer if the person is very sick or sedentary. If there is no stagnation present, there will be only a light pink mark which disappears in a few minutes to a couple of hours. Sites where there is old trauma or injury may require multiple cupping treatments to remove all stagnation. You will find in follow up treatments the marks will be visibly lighter and lighter as the pathogens are systemically removed from the body.