Benefits of Massage Therapy

Massage therapy involves the manipulation of soft tissue structures of the body to prevent and alleviate pain, discomfort, muscle tension, and stress; and to promote health and wellness.

    Massage Can:

    Relieve symptoms of stress and anxiety

    Increase the nourishing blood supply to your tissues—blood & lymphatic circulation

    Improve energy and alertness

    Reduce pain

    Aid your recovery from pulled muscles or sprained ligaments

    Ease many of the uncomfortable stresses of child bearing

    Relieve certain repetitive motion injuries

    Improve flexibility and range of motion

    Reduce heart rate & lower blood pressure

    Increase endorphins and reduce cortisol levels

Types of Massage Therapy

  NeuroMuscular Therapy:

     This technique applies concentrated finger pressure to "trigger points" (painful irritated areas in muscles) in order to break the cycle of pain– spasm -pain.  Often used to deal with chronic or acute pain.

      Read more on our Links to Resources page.

  Structural Energetic Therapy® (SET):

     This form of therapeutic bodywork addresses the body’s core distortion.  By releasing the core distortion the body can unwind and many muscular and structural ailments can be alleviated.  SET combines cranial work and deep tissue work to accomplish this structural rebalancing.

     The goal of Structural Energetic Therapists is to have clients resume their normal life activities pain free.

          To read more about SET please visit our page.

John F. Barnes’ Myofascial Release Approach® (MFR):

    The John F. Barnes’ Myofascial Release Approach® is considered to the ultimate therapy that is safe, gentle and consistently effective in producing results that last. John F. Barnes, PT has trained over 50,000 therapists and physicians, is an international lecturer, author and authority on Myofascial Release. He is a physical therapist and is considered to be a visionary and teacher of the highest caliber.

    Trauma, inflammatory responses, and/or surgical procedures create Myofascial restrictions that can produce tensile pressures of approximately 2,000 pounds per square inch on pain sensitive structures that do not show up in many of the standard tests (x-rays, myelograms, CAT scans, electromyography, etc.)

    The medical approach is to drug patients so they temporarily are free from pain, but does nothing about the “straight-jacket” of pressure that is causing the pain. Traditional physical, occupational and massage therapy treats the symptoms caused by the pressure of the "straightjacket” of the Myofascial system, but does nothing about the “straightjacket” of pressure that causes and perpetuates the symptoms. This is why so many patients only have temporary results never seeming to get better with traditional therapy. Only Myofascial Release treats the entire Myofascial mind/body complex eliminating the pressure of the restricted Myofascial system (the straightjacket) that causes the symptoms.

                    copied with permission from www.myofascialrelease.com

Swedish Massage (Relaxation):

     Swedish massage was originally developed in the late eighteenth century as the first systematic application of therapeutic massage in the West. It was based on European folk massage, oriental techniques from the Middle East and the then emerging knowledge of modern anatomy and physiology. The strokes and manipulation of Swedish Massage are each conceived as having a specific therapeutic benefit. One of the primary goals of Swedish Massage is to speed the venous return of un-oxygenated and toxic blood from the extremities. Swedish massage shortens the recovery time from muscular strain by flushing the tissues of lactic acid, uric acid, and other metabolic waste. It increases circulation without increasing heart load. It stretches the ligaments and tendons keeping them supple and young. Swedish Massage also stimulates the skin and nervous system and soothes the nerves themselves at the same time. It reduces stress, both emotional and physical, and is suggested in a regular program for stress management. It also has many specific clinical uses in medical or remedial therapy.

Deep Tissue/Connective Tissue Massage:

     Deep Muscle/Connective Tissue Massage releases the chronic patterns of tension in the body through slow strokes and deep finger pressure on contracted areas, either following or going across the grain of muscles, tendons and fascia. Can be used for specific or full body.



Sports Massage:

     Sports massage therapy focuses on the muscles relevant to the particular activity, is shorter in time length and usually more vigorous. There is also a concentration on reducing or eliminating factors that interfere with human performance potential such as muscle spasms, tendonitis, and muscle fatigue.   

     Massage prior to an athletic event loosens, warms and readies the muscle for intensive use, especially when combined with stretching. Besides helping prevent injury, it can improve performance and endurance. Post-event massage relieves pain, prevents stiffness and returns the muscles to their normal state more rapidly, allowing the athlete to return to full action sooner.

Pregnancy(Pre & Peri Natal) Massage:

   Pregnancy Massage

Gentle and nurturing this massage focuses on the needs of the mother. Massage can relieve the discomforts asssociated with pregnancy. It increases the mother’s awareness to her areas of tension. Massage enhances the relaxation experience. This is an important practice before the birth experience.

     •     Helps relieve nausea

     •     Increases circulation

     •     Increases flow of nutrients to placenta

     •     Aids in postural realignment

     •     Gives relief to joint discomfort

     •     Relieves minor edema by aiding venous return

     •     Opens chest for deeper breath and supports learning deep breathing

     •     Fetus receives gentle massage and relaxation benefits

     •     Teaches awareness of body tension patterns

     •     Strengthens the immune system

     •     Decreases blood pressure

     •     Decreases stress hormones

     Postpartum Massage

Massage in the postpartum period helps bring the body into its pre-pregnancy alignment. A massage within the first week of postpartum feels wonderful. It flushes lactic acid out of the tissues relieving sore and achy muscles.

     •     It supports and enhances the realigning process, with focus on the pelvis and ribs

     •     Assists breastfeeding, alleviating tightness, helps with some breastfeeding difficulties

     •     Aids in the process of the uterus returning to its normal size

     •     Release shoulder, neck and arm tension from the care and feeding of an infant

     •     Helps relieve tension from the birth process

     •     Helps the mother regain vital energy(chi) to help reduce fatigue

     •     Supports fluid balancing

     •     Encourages pelvic and abdominal organs to return to pre-pregnant positions

       Infant & Newborn Massage

     •     Aids in bonding process between parent and child

     •     Increases communication skills through touch

     •     Alleviates digestive discomfort(colic)

     •     Supports the growth of nerve pathways

     •     Enhances sleep