TECHNIQUES
Often, a combination of techniques is used to reach your goals.
Swedish Massage
The most common type of massage, and is the foundation of many other techniques. It mainly promotes a state of relaxation, and plays a key role in decreasing pain and stress while increasing the body's overall wellness. Swedish Massage involves long, gliding strokes, kneading strokes, rhythmic tapping strokes and range of motion of the joints. This work mostly addresses the superficial layers of muscles. It can be both relaxing and energizing depending on the clients needs.
Trigger Point Therapy
Also know as Neuromuscular Therapy (NMT), is a specialized form of deep tissue massage in which digital pressure and friction are used to release areas of strain in the muscle. These areas of strain are called tender or trigger points, which are the cause of muscular pain and also refer pain throughout other parts of the body. NMT is highly effective for clients who present with chronic pain, and is often successful in reducing even longstanding painful conditions.
Shiatsu Massage
A form of therapeutic bodywork from Japan, based on traditional Chinese Medicine, "Shiatsu" translates as "Finger Pressure". It involves applying pressure to specific points on the body, moving from one point to another in a rhythmic sequence along pathways called "Meridians". The therapist may also apply kneading and stretching movements. Shiatsu is typically done on a low massage table or on a mat on the floor, and the client remains fully clothed in loose, comfortable clothing. (No massage oil is used). Shiatsu is often used to lessen stress and protect against stress-related health issues. It is said to promote healing in conditions like anxiety, back pain, constipation, headache, insomnia, PMS, Sciatica, sinus problems and joint pain, to name a few. While being relaxing, it can also increase energy, promote recovery from injuries and stimulate the digestive system.
Sports Massage
Designed to help active people prevent and address injuries while engaging in their favorite sports or activities. A sports massage is similar to Swedish, but the techniques used and the manner in which they are applied vary between pre-event, post-event, and maintenance phases. Pre-event massage prepares the body more fully for upcoming activity. Post-event massage is highly beneficial for recovery by helping the body remove blood lactate and reducing issues related to delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS).
Myofascial Therapy
Fascia is a densely woven system of connective tissue that surrounds and attaches to every structure in the body. In a healthy state, it is relaxed and has the ability to stretch and move with our restriction. Trauma, inflammatory responses and /or surgical procedures create myofascial restrictions that can produce tensile pressures of approximately 2000 pounds per square inch. These forces act on pain sensitive structures, and do not show up on standard tests such as X-rays, CAT scans, electromyography etc. Myofascial Therapy is an effective technique that involves applying gentle, sustained pressure into the connective tissue restrictions to reduce pain and restore motion. Myofacial Therapy is performed directly on skin without oils, creams or massage instruments. This enables the therapist to more accurately detect fascial restrictions and apply the appropriate amount of sustained pressure to facilitate the release of the fascia.