About Massage
There are many styles and types of massage therapy. Most people that are checking into using massage are either hurting physically or emotionally, or are "stressed out" -- overloaded from too much stimulation.
Different styles and techniques are more effective with certain conditions (see list below for further detail) than others but they all start at the same foundation -- restoring the body's natural balance physically, emotionally, and spiritually. It's impossible to support one aspect of the body without impacting the others. An example might be:
Janet, age 49 comes in complaining of headaches, neck pain and jaw pain. After doing appropriate muscle treatment work that releases the physical cause of the problem, Janet is able to connect that her current work project is a "pain in the neck" and she's unable to speak out about it.
Following is a short list of general health conditions that massage therapy can help people obtain relief.
- Stress Management
- Headaches
- Post Injury Rehabilitation
- Respiratory Problems
- Arthritis
- Circulatory Problems
- Frozen Shoulder
- Tendonitis/Bursitis
- Plantar Fascitis
- Neck and Shoulder Tension
- Low Back Pain
- Pregnancy, prenatal and postnatal
Massage and Holistic therapy can benefit people of all ages and conditions - babies, children, pregnant women, the elderly, those in chronic care and those who need palliative consideration.
Acupressure
Acupressure is a method of stimulating or sedating acupuncture points with finger pressure instead of needles.
Back to TopAcupuncture
Acupuncture is the insertion of very fine needles (sometimes in conjunction with electrical stimulus) on the body's surface in order to influence physiological functioning of the body.
The acupuncture points are specific locations where the Meridians come to the surface of the skin and are easily accessible by "needling". The connections between them ensure that there is an even circulation of Qi, a balance between Yin and Yang.
Energy constantly flows up and down these pathways. When pathways become obstructed, deficient, excessive, or just unbalanced, Yin and Yang are said to be thrown out of balance, this causes illness. Acupuncture is said to restore the balance.
Back to TopBiokinetics
Biokinetics is a system of movement designed to interrupt old contraction patterns in the body and reprogram new possibilities of movement and awareness.
Back to TopCranioSacral Therapy
CranioSacral Therapy is a method for finding and correcting cerebral and spinal imbalances or blockages that may cause sensory, motor or intellectual dysfunction. This is very gentle work
Back to TopDeep Tissue Massage
Deep Tissue Massage releases the chronic patterns of tension in the body through slow strokes and deep finger pressure on the contracted areas, either following or going across the grain of muscles, tendons and fascia. It is called deep tissue, because it also focuses on the deeper layers of muscle tissue. (also commonly called myofascial release)
Back to TopJin Shin
Jin Shin was developed in Japan by Jiro Murai, who rediscovered the ancient qi flow in his own body and mapped a powerful system of healing points. Combinations of points are held with the fingertips for a minute or so, usually with the client lying on his or her back, to achieve healing.
Back to TopMyofascial Release
Myofascial Release is a form of bodywork that is manipulative in nature and seeks to rebalance the body by releasing tension in the fascia. Long, stretching strokes are utilized to release muscular tension.
Back to TopNeuromuscular Therapy
Neuromuscular Therapy is a method of bodywork that influences the reflexive responses of the nervous system and its connection to muscular function. (also known as Trigger Point work)
Back to TopOrtho-Bionomy
Ortho Bionomy is a gentle, noninvasive, osteopathically based form of body therapy which is highly effective in working with chronic stress, injuries and pains or problems associated with postural and structural imbalances.
Back to TopPolarity Therapy
Polarity Therapy is an energy-based system that includes bodywork, diet, exercise, and lifestyle counseling for the purpose of restoring and maintaining proper energy flows throughout the body.
Back to TopReflexology
Reflexology is a type of massage based around a system of points in the hands and feet thought to correspond, or "reflex," to all areas of the body.
Back to TopReiki
Reiki is healing energy work that promotes well being. It can be offered on its own or in conjunction with other modalities.
Back to TopRolfing
Rolfing is a myofascial approach to realigning the body in response to gravity over 10 sessions. Called Rolfing after its founder Ida Rolf. (also known as Structural Integration in some circles)
Back to TopShiatsu
Shiatsu is an Oriental-based systems of finger-pressure which treat special points along acupuncture "meridians" (the invisible channels of energy flow in the body).
Back to TopSports Massage
Sports Massage combines classic and specific techniques designed to provide therapeutic impact for the unique physical and biomechanical needs of athletes, artists, musicians, actors and anyone who uses their body in a particular way to conduct their activities or livelihoods. Grounded in classical Swedish approaches, sports massage incorporates techniques of: compression, trigger point therapy, cross fiber friction, hydrotherapy and cryotherapy. It deals with special needs for athletes, and others, during pre-event, post-event and training. A great advantage for using this type of work is its ability to help prevent chronic injury from developing.
Back to TopSwedish Massage Therapy
Swedish massage is a system of long strokes, kneading and friction techniques on the more superficial layers of the muscles, combined with active and passive movements of the joints.
Back to TopTherapeutic Touch
Therapeutic Touch is a modality that claims to assist the natural healing process by redirecting and rebalancing the energy fields within the body.
Back to TopTrigger Point Myotherapy
Trigger Point Myotherapy is a method which applies concentrated finger pressure to "trigger points" (painful irritated areas in muscles) to break cycles of spasm and pain. (also known as neuromuscular therapy)
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