Therapeutic Massage Techniques
Swedish Massage: Swedish Massage is widely known for its soothing influence on the body and mind. A variety of strokes such as gliding, kneading, stretching, compression, vibration, joint movement, rocking and friction are performed with the aid of lotion for a deeply relaxing and restorative experience. Swedish Massage is particularly stimulating to the circulatory and lymphatic systems, increasing the flow of oxygen and nutrients to all parts of the body, and aiding in the elimination of excess fluid and waste products. Receiving Swedish Massage can serve as a respite from our hectic lives and is a wonderful way to reconnect with your inner healing energy.
Neuromuscular Therapy: Neuromuscular Therapy is an effective system that focuses on relief of pain and pain syndromes. Through soft tissue manipulation and a specific rehabilitation protocol, the function of joints, muscles, and the biomechanics of the body are improved, healing time is shortened, and pain is reduced. The therapist assesses various structures of the body for postural distortions and biomechanical dysfunction. Trigger points and muscle spasms are systematically located and deactivated through the use of inhibitory pressure, followed by stretching or strengthening of the involved muscles. In addition to soft tissue manipulation, the therapist will address and reduce causal factors contributing to the chronic pain pattern through an individualized self care routine.
Myofascial Release: Fascia is a continuous, thin sheath of connective tissue that envelops all the organs, every muscle and every muscle fiber throughout the body. When adhesions occur due to injury, illness, or unequal muscular tension, the muscle fibers and the fascia which surrounds them become short and tight. This uneven stress can be transmitted through the fascial sheath to other parts of the body, causing pain and a variety of symptoms in often unexpected areas. Myofascial Release is a technique used to equalize muscle and fascial tension throughout the body by employing sustained pressure into restricted areas, thus eliminating pain and restoring motion. Often, with chronic patterns, simply releasing muscular holding and imbalances is insufficient. Freeing the fascial fabric, along with re-integration of movement patterns, allows the body to maintain proper positioning over time. This new posture becomes part of who you are, not something you have to work at or see a practitioner to maintain.
Shiatsu: Shiatsu, meaning "finger pressure", is a Japanese healing art deeply rooted in the philosophy and practices of Traditional Chinese Medicine. This form of acupressure is aimed at balancing qi, the essential life force of the body. Qi flows throughout the body within a system of defined channels, known as meridians. In Shiatsu, the therapist uses his or her body weight to apply pressure to specific points along the meridians, known as tsubos. These gateways to the meridians are the same points used in an acupuncture treatment. Through manual pressure, joint mobilization and stretching techniques the energy flowing in the meridians is affected, and balance is restored to the body. By ensuring healthy flow of qi through the meridians, Shiatsu addresses the health of your entire system.
Sports Massage: Sports Massage employs a variety of techniques which are designed to address the special requirements of the athlete. The focus of a Sports Massage session can be preventive or rehabilitative, with the ultimate goal being to improve the body mechanics and thus the performance of the athlete. If an injury is present, massage can shorten healing time and help prevent complications from the involvement of surrounding structures. Benefits of receiving regular Sports Massage include enhanced circulation, improved range of motion, increased muscle balance, and development of efficient movement patterns. Additionally, Sports Massage techniques reduce pain, ischemia (lack of blood), adhesions, and excess tension, as well as help to eliminate lactic acid build up in the muscles through increased circulation and elimination.
Somatic Therapies: Positional Release, Muscle Mechanics, and Muscle Energy Techniques are various methods of structural integration used to reestablish healthy proprioception in chronically tightened muscles. These techniques draw from various traditions of somatic therapy and employ the use of passive movements, active resisted movements and sustained pressure. The goal of these methods is to interrupt unchecked neurological transmissions from the brain which result in a constant state of hypertension in muscle fibers. Somatic Therapies are highly effective particularly when the affected muscles do not respond to other techniques.
Energy Balancing: We are all bioenergetic bodies with universal energy, or qi, flowing throughout our bodies. A blockage in the flow of qi creates an energetic imbalance in our system and makes us susceptible to illness. A variety of energetic healing and holding techniques can be employed to gently restore harmony and relieve distress in the body.