MASSAGE IS MY THERAPY

DIFFERENT MODALITIES AND

TECHNIQUES OF MASSAGE

Acupressure

Is a form of bodywork based in traditional Chinese meridian theory in which acuputure points are pressed to stimulate the flow of energy or chi.

Craniosacral Therapy

Cranio refers to the cranium which is the bony part of the head. Sacral refers to the bony bottom of the spine called the sacrum, an osteopathic physician, discovered cranio movement. Craniosacral therapy is a light touch manipulation of the head and bottom of the spine to restore optimal cerebrospinal fluid movement. It can be specially useful in treating headaches, eye and ear problems jaw problems, whiplash, and back pain.

Deep Tissue Massage

Is also called deep muscle therapy or deep tissue therapy. It is a term used to describe various massage styles that focus on the deeper muscles and connective tissues of the body. The therapist uses movement and pressure to reshape and realign the muscles and connective tissue, breaking old, habitual holding patterns. Rolfing, Trager, Hellerwork and Feldendrants are all forms of deep tissue massage.

Lomi Lomi

Is a gentle, soothing, stretching type of massage claimed to be one of the most relaxing, body work styles, using the long continuous, flowing strokes, combined wth the very loving touch, relaxes the entire being, assisting in a letting go ofold belief, patterns and behaviors that cause limitations and which are stored in the cells of the body. Healing, stress reducing, rejuvenating, Lomi Lomi massage therapy has been practiced throughout the Pacific for thousands of years. Polole Lome, the gentle hand of the mother, Oluea Lomi, to harmonize body, mind, and spirit and Oluh Lomi to ignite the life force.

Lymphatic Drainage

Is a gentle rhythmic, pumping movements following the direction of lymph flow in the skin that produces rapis results in reducing welling and removing wastes from the connective tissue back to the blood stream. Other benefits include reduction of pain, a relaxation response and an apparent enhancement of immune function.

Myofascial Release

Myo means muscle and fascia is the elastic connective tissue wrapped around muscles and other parts of the body. During myofascial release, restrictions (stuck areas) are located and gentle sliding pressure is applied in the direction of the restriction to stretch the tissues. The stretching of tissues and the heat imparted by the practitioners hands are thought to help produce a softer consistency of fascial tissues.

Neuromuscular Therapy

This comprehensive program of soft-tissue manipulation balances the bodys central nervous system with the musculoskeletal system. Based on neurological laws which explain how the central nervous system initiates and maintains pain, the goal is to help relieve the pain and the dysfunction by understanding and alleviating the underlying cause. Neuromuscular therapy can help individuals who experience distortion and biomechanical dysfunction, which is often a symptom of a deeper problem. It is also used to locate and release spasms and hypercontraction in the tissue, eliminate trigger points that cause referred pain, restore postural alignment, proper biomechanics and flexibility to the tissues, rebuild the strength injured tissues, and assist venous and lymphatic flow.

Orthopedic Massage

Addresses chronic pain and sports injury conditions with emphasis on knowing the underlying causes and pathology of each condition. Focus is on the entire body, with emphasis on restoring pain free joint range of motion throughout the body and integrating complete structure balance. Pain is released by combining sequences of functional assessment, myofascial release, neuromuscular therapy, fractioning, muscle energy technique, stretching, neuromuscular re-education, structural balancing, patient home care, and much more. The combination of these techniques obtains immediate and permanent results in eve the most challenging and complicated clients.

Petrissage

The movements which involve various ways of kneading, rolling and picking up the skin and muscles, is called Petrissage. These movements help in strengthening the structure by stimulating the deep layers of tissue, and also help in increasing the supply of blood to the area. At the same time, it assists improvement of the lymph flow, and relieves congestion by reducing the edema. Petrissage techniques also make muscles more pliable, and are used to relieve soreness and hypertonicity (cramping). Light kneading eases the top muscle layers while firmer kneading works on the deeper muscles.

Pregnancy Massage

Is the massage of pregnant women (prenatal) and woman after giving birth (postpartum). It addresses the special needs of pregnant women such as swollen/painful hands and feet, stress on weight bearing joints, preparation of muscles and cardio system for labor & delivery, scar tissue, exhaustion, and emotional changes. Discomforts in the low back, feet, and legs. This form of massage usually consists mainly of Swedish Massage techniques that are modified slightly to take into account the common aches and pains of pregnancy. Positional of the client is also modified as the pregnancy progresses and the abdomen enlarges.

Raindrop Therapy

Is a unique massage technique used by the Lakotas Indians. During a session essential oils are dropped along the spine and lightly massaged into the skin where the oils nourish all of the organs, this influencing each major system of the body. Raindrop therapy brings the body into balance, help align the energy centers of the body and release blockages.

Reflexoology

Is a form of bodywork based on the theory of zone therapy, in which specific spots of the body are pressed to stimulate corresponding areas in other parts of the body. Foot reflexology is the most common form of reflexology.

Reiki

Is also called structural integration and was developed by Ida Rolf.Rolfing seeks to reestablish proper vertical alignment in the body by manipulating the myofascial tissue so that the fascia elongates and glides rather than shortens and adheres. The 10-seesion series can cause deep changes in the body that are physical as well as emotional.

Seated Massage

Refers to massage given with the recipient seated in an ordinary or special massage chair. Techniques which provide fully-clothed seated massage, bodywork and somatic therapies to clients, generally in a corporate or business setting. Practitioners utilize Shiatsu, Amma and Swedigh techniques.

Shiatsu

(Japanese for finger pressure) is a system for healing and health maintenance that has evolved over thousands of years. Shiatsu derives both from the ancient healing art of acupuncture and from the traditional from of Japanese massage, amma.

Sheatsu is a Japanese word: she meaning finger, and atsu meaning pressure. But shiatsu is more than acupressure, or reflexology. It is a combination of many different techniques and modalities, including pressing, hooking, sweeping, shaking, rotating, grasping, vibrating, patting, plucking, lifting, pinching, rolling, brushing, practiced informally since at least 200 B.C. Barefoot shiatsu used mostly in Shiatsu and Thai massage modalities, which includes walking on the persons back, legs, and feet is also commonly practiced. The belief behind Shiatsu and Acupressure is that the body becomes out of balance due to blocked energy along special points called meridians, which are located along invisible channels of energy flow throughout the body. This blocked energy can cause discomfort or disease in the body and can be released with the help of a Shiatsu Acupressure therapist. There is a lot more about this modality.

Sports Massage

Is the application of various massage techniques to enhance athletic performance. Sports massage is applied to athletes to help them train and perform free of pain in injuries. Massage therapists blend classic Swedish strokes with such methods as compression, pressure-point therapy, cross-fiber friction, joint mobilization, hydrotherapy, and cryotherapy (ice massage) to meet the special needs of high-level performers and fitness enthusiastic. Sports Massage can reduce the risk of injury for an athlete, as well as accelerate the bodys natural restorative processes should injury occur.

Stone Massage

A very relaxing massage using hot basalt lava rocks that are used to massage the body. Short right muscles respond very well to this massage and many achieve a deeper state of relaxation from the stones massage as the heat melts the muscles, and increased circulation to area applied, also is very grounding. Also often incorporated with techniques from Swedish massage to help get the maximum benefits from the session.

Structural Integration

The goals fo Structural Integration is to release the rigidity and tightness of the bodys soft tissue through the processes of deep tissue massage and bodywork so that the body can become more flexible and achieve a healthier alignment. Structural Integration goes beyond the modalities that help relieve chronic tension and pain because of its focus on renewing and revitalizing the structure of the body as a whole.

Swedish Massage (Try our specialty, The Cloud 9 is our most popular therapeutic massage)

Is also known as the Western or classic style of massage. It is credited to the Swedish fencing master and gymnastics instructor, Per Henrik Ling. It is a scientific system of manipulations on the muscles and connective tissues of the body for the purpose of relaxation, rehabilitation and health maintenance. Swedish massage therapy is comprised of five basic strokes and their variations: effleurage, petrissage, friction, tapotement.(or percussion) and vibration,. The many benefits of Swedish massage may include generalized relaxation, dissolution of scar tissue adhesions, and improved circulation, which may speed healing and reduce swelling from injury.

Tapotement

The fast and stimulating movements of massage are termed as Tapotement, or percussion movements. They include cupping, hacking, pounding (also called pummeling). Tapotement should not be used on a particularly bony area or on broken or varicose veins. These movements stimulate the blood circulation, tone and help strengthen sagging skin and muscles, especially the soft tissue areas, such as thighs and buttocks, which are prone to cellulite. The movement is brisk, working rhythmically and rapidly over the tissue. Also helps in toning up the muscles and dispersing the lymphatic fluids.

Trager

Milton Trager M.D. created Trager. It is also known as Tragerwork and Trager Psychophysical Integration. It operates on the principle that one learns to be lighter, easier, and freer by experiencing light, easy, and free sensations in the body. Practitioner introduce pleasurable sensory information to the soft tissues by steadily, gently, and rhythmically rocking and stretching the body.

Trigger Point.

Utilizes ischemic compression of individual areas of hypersensitivity in muscles, ligaments, tendons, and fascia. These trigger points are defined by their referral of pain to distant locations in muscles, connective tissues, and organs. Janet Travell, M.D., pioneered trigger point therapy in the United States.