Deep Tissue

Deep Tissue MassageDeep tissue massage is designed to relieve severe tension in the muscle and the connective tissue. This type of massage focuses on the muscles located below the surface of the top muscles. Deep tissue massage is often recommended for individuals who experience consistent pain, are involved in heavy physical activity and patients who have sustained physical injury. It is not uncommon for receivers of deep tissue massage to have their pain replaced with a new muscle ache for a day or two. Deep tissue massage is applied to both the superficial and deep layers of muscles, fascia, and other structures. The sessions are often quite intense as a result of the deliberate, focused work.

Hot Stone Massage

Hot Stone MassageA stone massage is a massage that uses smooth, flat, and heated rocks placed at key points on the body. Stones are placed into a purpose-built Stone Heater which is filled with water. The water is typically heated to 50-53 degrees Celsius (122-127 degrees Fahrenheit). Once the stones have heated sufficiently, some are placed onto specific points on the body (such as the back, hands, etc.) and others are held by the massage therapist and used to work the muscles.

Lymphatic Drainage

This is a type of gentle massage which is intended to encourage the natural drainage of the lymph from the tissues space body. Manual lymph drainage uses a specific amount of pressure (less than 9 ounces per square inch) and rhythmic circular movements to stimulate lymph flow. It is particularly good for detoxification, edema, pre- and post-plastic surgery and post-liposuction. It can also help with cellulite treatments, scar tissue, spider veins, redness and acne. Drink plenty of water after a lymph drainage massage to help flush out toxins. Stay away from salt and alcohol after a massage, as they inhibit the body’s ability to flush out toxins.

Pilates

A physical fitness system developed in the early 20th century. Pilates is a body conditioning routine that may help build flexibility, muscle strength, and endurance in the legs, abdominals, arms, hips, and back. Pilates puts emphasis on spinal and pelvic alignment, breathing, and developing a strong core or center, and improving coordination and balance. Pilates’ system allows for different exercises to be modified in range of difficulty from beginning to advanced. Intensity can be increased over time as the body conditions and adapts to the exercises. Pilates improves muscle tone, balances musculature, supports correct posture, and teaches to move with ease and grace. It is useful for improving balance, lumbar stabilization and flexibility, lower back pain, and pelvic floor dysfunction.

Reflexology

ReflexologyReflexology is an alternative medicine involving the physical act of applying pressure to the feet, hands, or ears with specific thumb, finger, and hand techniques without the use of oil or lotion. Reflexology engages and activates reflexes that correspond to all parts of the body. Stimulation of these reflex zones can help restore the body’s normal physiological functioning, reduce tension, alleviate the effects of stress, and assist in bringing greater balance to the body & mind.

Somatics

A field which employs holistic body-centered approaches to assist people in integrating and transforming self through movement and awareness practices intended to promote psycho-physical well-being. A fundamental principle is that growth, change, and transformation are always possible at any age. Touch and movement exercises are often designed to mirror and influence the natural processes of the body and mind, providing a fluid interconnection between movement, sensation and thought. Many approaches utilize neuro-muscular repatterning and tissue re-organization to facilitate changes at the deepest levels of experience.

Sports Massage

Sports MassageThis technique focuses on areas of the body that are overused and stressed from repetetive and aggressive movements. It is not meant to be a relaxing massage and can become quite vigorous at times. Contrary to its name, sports massage is not only utilized by professional sports people or people that exercise heavily. It is of benefit to anyone that exercises, even if it is only mild exercise such as regular walking. Sports massage therapy can be used as a means to enhance pre-event preparation and reduce recovery time for maximum performance during training or after an event. Athletes have discovered that specially designed sports massage promotes flexibility, reduces fatigue, improves endurance, helps prevent injuries and prepares their body and mind for optimal performance.

Stretching

A form of physical exercise in which a specific muscle or tendon (or muscle group) is deliberately flexed or stretched in order to improve the muscle’s felt elasticity and achieve comfortable muscle tone. The result is a feeling of increased muscle control, flexibility, and range of motion. Increasing flexibility through stretching is one of the basic tenets of physical fitness. If done properly, stretching can prevent injury, relax the muscles, increase range of motion and flexibility, and better one’s performance, especially athletes. Although stretching does not prevent injury, it can reduce the risk greatly; especially if one stretches properly and on a regular basis. Stretching increases blood flow which prevents hardening of the arteries and it also produces synovial fluid. Stretching stabilizes the body’s natural balance and posture, and aligns the joints leading to better coordination.

Trigger Point

Trigger Point MassageThe technique uses pressure applied to the muscles to relieve pain and correct dysfunction in other areas of the body. Trigger point therapy is often used to treat chronic pain conditions, with many patients reporting substantial improvement in their conditions. Those who might be able to benefit the most include anyone coping with a chronic pain disorder like fibromyalgia. Patients with back pain, arthritis, and anyone recovering from an injury or accident may benefit immensely from this technique. Trigger point massage can effectively treat tendonitis and bursitis and can also be of benefit to those suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome. Migraine sufferers have benefited from trigger point therapy, and it’s also used successfully in the treatment of athletic injuries and athletic-related muscle stiffness and tension.

Yoga

YogaA commonly known generic term for the physical, mental, and spiritual practices or disciplines which originated in ancient India with a view to attain a state of permanent peace. Regular yoga practice increases brain GABA levels and has been shown to improve mood and anxiety more than some other metabolically matched exercises, such as walking. Studies of the effects of yoga on heart disease suggest that yoga may reduce high blood pressure, improve symptoms of heart failure, enhance cardiac rehabilitation, and lower cardiovascular risk factors. Yoga is used for treatment of cancer patients to decrease depression, insomnia, pain, and fatigue and increase anxiety control.