Massage Therapy is the manual manipulation of soft tissues including muscles, ligaments and tendons. It helps to reduce muscle spasm, eliminate trigger points, break up scar tissue, decrease fatigue, relieve stress, increase blood circulation and lymphatic flow as well as improve joint flexibility and increase overall range of motion. Massage Therapy has been essential in helping many of our patients reach their health goals.
Swedish Massage
Considered the perfect balance of therapy and relaxation, Swedish Massage is universally popular for its gentle yet effective results and benefits. Swedish Massage is the perfect “beginner’s massage,” providing gentle pressure and friction that soothe sore muscles and loosen tight joints. Among its many benefits, Swedish Massage effectively eases tension, wipes out stress and promotes relaxation.
Swedish Massage consists of massage strokes that vary from smooth gliding to kneading, stretching and tapping.
The pressure and amount of friction used during a Swedish Massage can range from light to firm, depending on the preference of the patient and the goals of the therapist. As with any massage procedure, the client’s comfort level is of the highest importance and clearly expressing touch and pressure preferences to the therapist can only enhance the overall experience and increase the effectiveness of the massage.
Swedish Massage goes beyond relaxation. This type of massage is exceptionally beneficial for increasing the level of oxygen in the blood, decreasing muscle toxins, and improving circulation and flexibility while easing tension.
Deep Tissue Massage
While many massage techniques induce relaxation with soothing and gentle kneading, Deep Tissue Massage involves more intense muscle manipulation. Deep Tissue Massage is similar to Swedish Massage, but the deeper pressure is beneficial in releasing chronic muscle tension.
Unlike most traditional massage that promotes whole- body relaxation, Deep Tissue Massage is often used to target specific trouble spots after an accident or injury that has left you stiff and sore.
Deep Tissue Massage works by breaking down muscle adhesions that can build up after an accident or chronic illness. By applying intense, controlled pressure and friction to an afflicted area across the grain of the muscle, deep tissue massage relaxes rigid tissue and relieves the pain associated with stiff muscles, ligaments and tendons.
Before a Deep Tissue Massage, our massage therapist will discuss your injury or complaints in an effort to gain an understanding of how the pain or injury is impacting your daily life and what you are hoping to gain from the massage therapy. The massage itself will be customized to your specific needs. Deep Tissue Massage may cause some discomfort, and our therapist encourages our patients to keep them informed about their comfort level and pain tolerance during deep tissue therapy.
Our therapist may encourage you to apply ice to tender spots following a deep tissue massage. Some soreness the day after a deep tissue massage can be expected, though the discomfort should pass in a day.
Sports Massage
Though originally designed to help athletes perform at optimum levels. Sports Massage is growing in popularity as an effective treatment for all sports -related injuries. Sports Massage focuses on a patient’s trouble spots to help minimize pain, speed recovery and help patients perform at their best with full range of motion.
There are four types of Sports Massage and choosing the right one is based on the patients current level of discomfort and upcoming activity:
- Pre-event Sports Massage involves a vigorous and stimulating Swedish massage that targets the muscles that will be used during the upcoming event, boosting circulation and revving up energy levels with brisk massage techniques that invigorate.
- Post-event Sports Massage is designed to help the athlete wind down after intense physical exertion, targets muscle soreness and helps to normalize body tissues and prevent muscle stiffness the next day.
- Restorative Sports Massage is provided during training to keep an athlete at peak performance level. Muscles are kept warm and supple, enabling more intense exertion during training time and minimizing the risk of injury.
- Rehabilitative Sports Massage is aimed at treating sports injuries and speeding recovery time. Targeted at a specific trouble spots, rehabilitative sports massage helps increase circulation and restore range of motion.
For anyone participating in regular physical activity, Sports Massage may be a great addition to your normal routine.
Prenatal Massage
Attending to the unique needs of expecting mothers is the goal of every Prenatal Massage. Our massage therapist is specially trained to tailor their massage techniques to help alleviate common pregnancy complaints and to protect both mother and child during the massage.
Prenatal Massage is unique in its application. During the massage, the expecting mother is carefully supported by cushions and pillows to provide comfort and protect her and the baby from strain or injury. This also helps alleviate extra strain on the lower back and pelvic areas when the pressure of massage techniques is being applied.
Prenatal Massage is especially gentle, and deep tissue techniques are never used as a safety precaution during pregnancy. In fact, many areas of the body are avoided during this massage to protect both mother and child, while extra attention is given to areas of the body that are particularly affected by pregnancy.
The benefits of Prenatal Massage are numerous. The gentle kneading massage can be comforting both physically and emotionally to an expecting mother, and the psychological benefit itself can be therapeutic as well. In addition to stress and anxiety reduction, prenatal massage can help reduce expecting mothers’ common aches and annoyances, like swollen ankles lower back pain, leg cramps and headaches.
Women with normal, low- risk pregnancies can benefit greatly from Prenatal Massage. However, women in high -risk pregnancies should consult their doctor or midwife before beginning a Prenatal Massage therapy program.
Relaxation Massage
Relaxation Massage may not provide therapeutic treatment, but the psychological benefits of the deep relaxation it provides are equally beneficial to body, mind and spirit. Intended to relax tense muscles and ease stress, relaxation massage is the perfect antidote to workweek stress and a wonderful way to unwind.
Our massage therapist will tailor the Relaxation Massage to your needs and preferences and increase or decrease pressure accordingly. Gentle and soothing, Relaxation Massage involves rubbing and kneading of the upper tissue layers, inducing profound tranquility that often lull patients to sleep.
Relaxation Massage focuses on the neck muscles and shoulders, where much tension is held, as well as the muscles of the back, legs and feet for head -to -toe soothing. Following a Relaxation Massage, you should feel relaxed and recharged.