Swedish Massage is a very relaxing and therapeutic style of bodywork. This is the type of massage most people have in mind when they think of what a massage might be. 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 sleep patterns, and most of all improved circulation upon regular treatments.
Deep Tissue Massage is a form of bodywork that aims to relieve tension in the deeper 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 past lingering injuries. Due to the nature of the deep tissue work, open communication during the session is crucial to make sure you don't get too uncomfortable. Keep in mind that soreness is pretty common after the treatment, and that plenty of water should be ingested to aid with the flushing and removal of toxins that will have been released from the deep tissue during the session. Treatments are specific to the area of the body that needs attention. Technniques for Deep Tissue include Myofacial Release, Trigger Point Therapy, and Neuromuscular Therapy. (see below descriptions).
Myofascial Release is a form of soft tissue therapy intended to eliminate pain, increase range of motion, and rebalance the entire body. It does this by using massage techniques to stretch the fascia and release the bonds that exist between the fascia, muscles and bones. Fascia is the connective tissue that connects and covers all muscles, organs, and skeletal structures of the body. Direct myofascial release is sometimes known as deep tissue work. Indirect release applies light pressure and gently stretches the fascia; this allows for increased blood circulation and relief from pain. Myofacial Release can be offered as its own service depending on your desired goals and treatment plan. This technique is often applied and intigrated into Deep Tissue and Swedish Massage. Myofascial Pain Syndrome is a painful condition caused by referral from an active trigger point.
Trigger Point Therapy is a style of bodywork similar to acupressure points, except they occur in the belly of the muscle rather than along the energy pathways of the body. These "knots" are built up throughout a person's life due to physical, mental, and/or emotional stress. During a session, focused pressure is applied through a variety of techniques order to release your trigger points. This process can be quite painful at times, yet the effects are lasting and profoundly transformative. This technique is always used in Clinical Deep Tissue bodywork, but not in Swedish Massage. (see Deep Tissue)
A "Trigger Point" is a hyper-irritable spot within a muscle that, when compressed, is locally tender and causes a referred pain pattern. It occurs as a result of changes in normal soft tissue starting with excess muscle tension (hypertonicity), reatined metabolic waste and relative ischemia(insuffucuant blood flow) which, if they persist, disturb the functioning muscle fibers. This interferes with the resetting of the muscle spindle so the muscle is unable to relax and an active trigger point results.
Characteristics of an Active Trigger Point:
- Presence of a referred pain pattern
- Stretching the muscle increases pain
- Strong contraction of affected muscle increases pain
- Pressure on a trigger point causes intensification of the referred pain
NMT is a method of treatment that includes assessment of tissues in order to locate neuromuscular dysfunction and to "normalize" them by the application of appropriate treatment. Stanley Lief, D.C. & N.D., and Boris Chaitow, O.D., developed soft tissue techniques in the early 1900's. This set the foundation for what we now call neuromuscular therapy. Janet Travell, M.D. & David Simons, M.D. further developed the theoretical and practical aspects of NMT in the early 1950's. They codified the technique under the name of Trigger Point Therapy.
- 60 min. / $65
- 90 min. / $95
Corporate Massage and Yoga
Benefit your employees with Coporate Wellness:
Companies big and small have discovered the benefits of wellness in the workplace, and they’re using massage as a way to attract and keep employees, while also keeping them productive.
- I provide fully customised Chair Massage in 15-20 min. increments based on the individuals needs.
Turn your office space into a wellness retreat. Bring Yoga into the hearts and bodies of your employees.
- The practice of yoga is well-demonstrated to reduce the physical effects of stress on the body.
- Yoga can ease pain. Studies have shown that practicing yoga asanas (postures), meditation or a combination of the two, reduced pain for people with various medical conditions.
- Yoga includes breathing practices known as pranayama, which can be effective for reducing our stress response, improving lung function and encouraging relaxation.
- Yoga connects us with the present moment. The more we practice, the more aware we become of our surroundings and the world around us. It opens the way to improved concentration, coordination, reaction time and memory.
- Yoga encourages development of a positive self-image, as more attention is paid to nutrition and the body as a whole.