MASSAGE THERAPY BENEFITS
Relieves stress •Provide stimulation that helps block pain signals to the brain • Alleviate discomfort, and muscle spasm • Produce a shift from the sympathetic nervous system, which responds to stress by helping to mobilize the body for action, to the parasympathetic nervous system, which responds by slowing the heart and breathing rates, dilating the blood vessels, and increasing activity in the digestive tract • Stimulate the release of chemicals such as serotonin and endorphins • Induce beneficial biomechanical changes such as preventing fibrosis and increasing the flow of lymph, a fluid that is part of the body's immune system • Decrease anxiety • Muscle tension, and stiffness • Increases body awareness • Decreases hypertonicity of muscles • Improve energy, alertness and circulation of blood • Reduce insomnia (promotes better sleep) and soreness • Enhances the body's immune system • Reduces toxins and blood pressure • Increases flexibility and mobility of joints • Creates an overall sense of well-being • Rebuilds a more positive self-image.
Your therapeutic massage or gift certificates are available online through Square marketplace! They are also available over the phone or at my studio for the regular cost of a massage.
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​Swedish Massage
Swedish massage is a very relaxing and therapeutic style of bodywork. It combines oils or lotions with an array of strokes such as rolling, kneading, and percussion to help the body improve its circulation. The benefits of this type of bodywork are wide-ranging and include relief from aches and pains, decreased stress levels in the body, enhanced mental clarity, improved appearance, and greater flexibility.
Chinese Cupping
Chinese Cupping. Oriental Cupping, originally from China, uses cups from a cupping set to create a suction on the skin. This activates the tissues and organs. When left in place (between three and 5 minutes) or are moved along the skin for a few minutes, energy blockages are released and localized healing can take place much easier. Occasionally the suction created by the cups will leave minor painless, non permanent red marks, swelling and bruising at the local area which should disappear within 10 to 12 days, but they are a small price for you to pay in return for an effective pain management treatment.
Cupping therapy has also been used to open the 'Meridians' of the body. Meridians are valves or conduits through which energy flows to every area of the body (and through each organ/tissue). Research has shown that cupping is probably the best way of opening those meridians.
Another benefit of Chinese cupping is that it can help positive energy to flow up into the tissues, causing circulation in the body and releasing of toxins within the tissues, activation of the lymphatic system, helping to activate and clear the veins, arteries and capillaries, activation of the skin, coughs and lots more. Cupping is one of the best deep tissue massages available, and it is wonderful as a stand-alone treatment or when combined with various massage techniques.
If you are suffering from chronic pain from a variety of sources, this form of cupping may be the alternative treatment that your body requires in order to regain balance.
Contraindications for cupping
Chinese medicine cupping is not ideal for everyone, or for every situation. It should not be done on: pregnancy, skin allergy, ulcerated sore/cramps, convulsions, high fever, weakness or frailty, chronic fatigue, lack of food/water, open wounds, broken skin, previous strong reaction to cupping, burn, open, bursitis, pitted edema, hematoma, infection, acute inflammation, skin disease, acute pain (joint), acute strain (muscle), synovitis, varicose veins, aneurysm, cancer, ulcerative colitis, advanced diabetes, diverticulitis, embolism, encephalitis, erysipelas (inflammation of skin), severe heart condition, untreated hypertension, hernias, hepatitis, acute (sub-acute/chronic) inflammation, kidney condition, phlebitis, acute poliomyelitis, new surgery, thrombus (blood clot obstructing the heart), tuberculosis, abdominal masses.
Rotator Cuff Treatment
Rotator cuff is a combination of four muscles (supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis) that work to stabilize the head of the humerus during all shoulder movements. A healthy rotator cuff stabilizes the shoulder joint so we can swim, dance, play tennis, throw a ball, play golf etc. An injured cuff compromises the function of all the muscles surrounding the joint.
Signs of an injured rotator cuff: Most pain in the shoulder has something to do with the rotator cuff, either directly or indirectly. Here’s a partial list of the most common signs and symptoms:
Limited range of motion in the arm/shoulder * Pain in the upper arm especially when the arm is lifted away from the side. It may feel like the pain is deep in the shoulder joint * Pain at rest or during movement * Pain during movements like those involved in getting dressed, brushing hair, reaching back to a night-stand, fastening a seat belt, putting on a coat and many more * Weakness in the shoulder * A clicking or popping sound when moving the arm * A painful arc through part of the range of motion involved in abducting the humerus above the shoulder. This means you can move your arm without pain up to a certain point, then it hurts for a bit, then the pain goes away. This is called a painful arc.
Rotator cuff injuries can include all or some of the following:
Tears in muscles and/or tendons * Tendonitis or tendonosis * Trigger points in muscles * Adaptive shortening of internal rotators * Impingement of any of the structures * Formation of scar tissue (adhesions) that decrease the muscle’s ability to contract and stretch * Injury such as a fall onto the shoulder * Bicipital tendonitis * Frozen shoulder
People at risk: Carpenters – athletes – people with internally rotated shoulders, collapsed chest and forward neck posture – golfers – massage therapist – weight lifters – swimmers – occupations requiring heavy lifting – people who carry heavy bags (laptops, backpacks, etc) – improper shoulder mechanics - and anyone who does repetitive motions at the joint, especially over-head motions, especially those over the age of 45 when the wear and tear starts showing up.
* The number of treatments depends on the severity of the condition and how long the condition has been present. I suggest starting with one or two times per week for four weeks and reassessing after that. Regularity of treatment is essential for improvement.
Note: Some conditions require more aggressive interventions than massage therapist can provide. You may have torn ligaments, damage to the joint capsule, subacromial bursitis, arthritis, etc. If you have extreme pain, muscle wasting, or other obvious signs of nerve or disc damage, see immediately to a doctor.
Prenatal Massage
Massage during pregnancy offers undeniable physical benefits throughout every prenatal stage. Research has shown that women who receive massage while pregnant may have easier deliveries, a reduced chance of post-partum depression, and regain their bodies more quickly. In most cases, massage is perfectly safe and can help the mother-to-be relieve general body aches, pains, and tension that her body is going through while also feeling pampered at the same time.
Benefits:
Each trimester bring its own issues, which can be helped with massage, but throughout the whole pregnancy, benefits include:
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Stimulating blood flow (may prevent anemia)
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Increase muscle tone and flexibility (alleviating muscle cramps and spasms)
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Stimulates lymphatic system (may help prevent/reduce edema)
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Relieve headaches
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Help alleviate morning sickness
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Reduce fatigue
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Alleviate backaches and leg cramps
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Enhance sleep
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Alleviate ligament pain
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Relieving aches and pains
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Alleviate stress on weight-bearing joints
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Learn relaxation skills
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Release physical and emotional tension
Positioning During the Massage
While receiving a pregnancy massage, you are positioned on your side using specially designed bolsters and pillows to allow the therapist access to your back. Likewise, more specially designed pillows are used to position you in a semi-reclined position so you can receive work on your belly and anything else that you would normally have massaged if lying flat. No matter the position, you will always remain properly draped except for the area being massaged.
When Massage Should Be Avoided During Pregnancy
Most normal low-risk pregnancies can receive massage with no problem. However if the pregnancy is high-risk or conditions such as pre-term labor, pre-eclampsia, eclampsia, DVT, or severe edema are present, massage may not be advised. Women with any of these conditions need a doctor's authorization before proceeding with a massage, and even if none of the conditions exist, it is still a good idea to double-check with your doctor first.
Massage After Delivery
Massage during the weeks after delivery helps to restore muscle tone in the abdomen and reposition the pelvis. Plus, it can give a new mom some time to relax and possibly a chance for some much-needed quiet time and sleep. Depending on the conditions during the delivery, some women feel "up to" a massage a week or so after delivery, while others it may be beneficial to wait 6 weeks or more. Check with your doctor to determine the best time to receive a massage following your delivery. In addition to helping the mother, massage is also very beneficial to the baby as well. Infant Massage can promote bonding; help alleviate colic and fussiness, while contributing to the baby's overall health. Ask us about our Infant Massage instruction available to parents.
Deep Tissue Massage
Deep tissue massage is a form of bodywork that aims to relieve tension in the deepest layers of tissue in the body. Deep Tissue Massage is a highly effective method for releasing chronic stress areas due to misalignment, repetitive motions, and lingering injuries. Due to the nature of deep tissue work, open communication during the session is crucial to make sure you are not too uncomfortable. Keep in mind that soreness is common after treatment, and that plenty of water should be ingested to aid in flushing and removing toxins that will be released during the deep tissue massage session.
Acupressure/
Trigger Point Therapy
Acupressure is a form of bodywork similar to acupuncture, with the aim of stimulating specific points along the energy lines of the body to establish overall health and vitality by balancing your Qi (energy) flow. Unlike acupuncture, however, in this technique I use my hands to apply pressure to the specific points rather than needles, producing similar therapeutic results.
A trigger point is a tight area within muscle tissue that causes pain in other parts of the body. A trigger point in the back, for example, may reduce referral pain in the neck. The neck, now acting as a satellite trigger point, may then cause pain in the head. The pain may be sharp and intense or a dull ache.
Trigger point massage therapy is specifically designed to alleviate the source of the pain through cycles of isolated pressure and release. In this type of massage for trigger point therapy, the recipient actively participates through deep breathing as well as identifying the exact location and intensity of the discomfort.
The results and benefits of trigger point massage are releasing constricted areas in the muscles thus alleviating pain. You can experience a significant decrease in pain after just one treatment. Receiving massage with trigger point therapy on a regular basis can help naturally manage pain and stress from chronic injuries.
Sport Massage
Sport Massage is a type of massage designed for highly active people who engage in athletics. Engaging in sports is harsh on the body and can often lead to injuries in both the short and long term. Sports Massage enhances performance and prolongs a sports career by helping to prevent injury, reduce pains and swelling in the body, relax the mind, increase flexibility, and dramatically improve recovery rates. Sports Massage is also highly effective in aiding the rapid recovery of an athlete from an injury by encouraging greater kinesthetic awareness and in turn promoting the body’s natural immune function.
Aromatherapy
Lavender, pepermint, Tea Tree, Eucalyptus, Orange, Lemon.
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Aromatherapy is the practice of using the natural oils extracted from flowers, bark, stems, leaves, roots or other parts of a plant to enhance psychological and physical well-being.
The inhaled aroma from these "essential" oils is widely believed to stimulate brain function. Essential oils can also be absorbed through the skin, where they travel through the bloodstream and can promote whole-body healing.
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A form of alternative medicine, aromatherapy is gaining momentum. It is used for a variety of applications, including pain relief, mood enhancement and increased cognitive function.
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Aromatherapy massage is massage therapy with the addition of one or more scented plant oils called essential oils to address specific needs. The massage therapist can select oils that are relaxing, energizing, stress-reducing, balancing, etc.
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Medical Massage
What is Medical Massage?
Only a few massage therapists claim to perform Medical Massage. By definition, medical massage is a therapeutic massage prescribed by a physician and performed following the directives of that physician. Medical massage does not refer to any specific treatment method and can include various massage protocols and modalities. Medical massage is outcome-oriented instead of time-oriented. That means that instead of booking a client for a 60 or 90 minute session and working on their entire body with a little more emphasis on the affected area and charging standard rate for a relaxation massage, the medical massage therapist will treat only the part of the body that the physician prescribes treatment for.
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Patients can undergo medical massage as a part of a larger physical therapy regimen for numerous chronic problems. From an employee who suffers from back or neck pain while sitting down, to an athlete who pulled a muscle while playing a sport, the practice uses general massage methods to cure localized problems.
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Why is a prescription necessary to perform Medical Massage?
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In order for Massage Therapists to state that they are treating someone, they must first be able to legally determine what it is that they are actually treating.
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Since it is beyond Massage Therapists' scope of practice to diagnose, they must work from a doctor's prescription if they are claiming to treat a specific condition.
Many in the field may think this is giving away their power to the physician, but nothing could be further from the truth. A physician can become our most powerful ally when we learn to work in a cooperative manner. I have worked well with Neurologists, Orthopedists, General Practitioners, Podiatrists, and Chiropractors.
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As powerful as Medical Massage Therapy can be, in certain cases it may be contraindicated. Please consult with your physician or health care provider to determine the appropriate treatment protocol.
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Lymphatic Drainage Massage with
Cupping Therapy
The lymphatic system is made up of lymphatic vessels (similar to blood vessels) and lymph nodes (glands) that extend throughout the body. It helps maintain the balance of fluid in the body by draining excess fluid from the tissues of the body and returning it to the blood system.
Closely related to the cardiovascular system, the lymphatic system has several major functions. It is important in the body’s defense mechanism, filtering out bacteria and also (along with the spleen) producing disease-fighting lymphocytes (white blood cells), generating antibodies that are so essential to the body’s immune system. The fluid that circulates in the system is called lymph. In addition to lymph, the system includes lymphatic capillaries and large vessels, lymph nodes (glands), the spleen, the tonsils and the thymus. Besides forming lymphocytes and antibodies, the lymphatic system is also responsible for the collection of fatty globules from the intestine and their transmission through the mesenteric glands and the thoracic duct into the bloodstream.
The lymphatic system also prevents infection entering the bloodstream. It also preserves the fluid balance throughout the body. After an injury, the affected tissue generally swells. It is the lymphatic system that removes most of the excess fluid, and then returns it for circulation. All forms of massage or tactile therapy that involve stimulation of the skin surface will result in improvement of blood and lymph circulation. One advantage that blood circulation has over lymph is that blood is pumped around the body by means of the heart. In contrast, the circulation of lymph relies on breathing, movement (walking or exercising) or external pressure, which is usually administered by various types of compression garments or bandages, and gravity. Since the origin of the lymph is the blood plasma, the two fluids are very much interconnected and inseparable physiologically.
As the lymph circulates between the cells, it collects waste matter including dead blood cells, toxic material and, if present, some cancer cells. While blood is responsible for collecting and distributing oxygen, nutrients and hormones nourishing the entire body, the lymphatic system is responsible for collecting and removing waste products in tissues, acting as a systematic garbage collection service! When this waste is not collected adequately or effectively, it congregates as a localized congestion. Waste-laden lymph is filtered by lymph nodes that are located throughout the body, some superficially under the skin and others situated deeper in tissue in the abdomen and neck, under the arms and the intercostal spaces both to the front and back of the rib cage. The function of these lymph nodes is to remove some fluid and toxic matter as well as killing may pathogens. They are also sometimes responsible for trapping cancerous cells, slowing down the spread of the disease.
During cupping therapy, in particular when ‘Moving cupping’is employed, both blood andlymph circulatory systems are simultaneously stimulated to work more efficiently. This results in a more efficient collection and transportation mechanism for toxic substances, depositing them into the lymphatic system to be destroyed, and allowing the circulation of fresh lymph in order to nourish the tissues and generate a booster to the immune system.
Cupping therapy and lymphatic drainage
As mentioned above, during a normal course of cupping therapy blood and lymph are activated simultaneously. In a healthy person this improved circulation of the cardiovascular system is a beneficial outcome and one that the practitioner and the patient both desire. However, this might not be the case with patients suffering from lymphoedema (swelling caused by obstruction of the lymph vessels or abnormalities in the development of lymph vessels) or lymphomas (cancers that occur from within the lymphatic system).
Effects of cupping therapy: The general: Improve the metabolism, purification of blood, improvement of circulatory functions of blood and lymph (activate the lymphatic system and the toxin elimination process), effects on the nervous system, wind element and QI (energy); The local: Break fibrotic tissues, tone up the skin, muscles, joints and digestive organs., treat pain, relaxation of stiff muscles, etc. ‘Nothing moves Qi and blood faster than cupping!’
Couples Massage
A couple's massage is generally offered in a private room on side-by-side massage tables with two therapists who work on each individual at the same time. Do we each have to get the same treatment? Nope! As with a solo session, couples massages should still include personalized consultations with the massage therapists.