Relaxation & Therapeutic Massage

Each session is designed specifically to address your current and long term goals. Respectful, professional service in conjunction with a variety of applied skilled techniques are designed to offer a most beneficial and positive experience. Initial session begins with a full health history consultation to ensure the most beneficial approach to you session. Swedish massage, Therapeutic/Orthopedic Massage, Myofascial and Deep Tissue massage, Trigger Point Therapy, Hot Stone Therapy, and Reiki are employed as appropriate to your needs.

Swedish Massage is the basis for most massage that is generally thought of when a general massage is given. Swedish massage consist of long gliding strokes, compression and kneading of the tissue, tapotement ( light tapping, hacking, or chopping techniques ), stretching movements and friction. The massage is generally done with oils or lotions and is very relaxing and soothing. Swedish massage promotes relaxation, better circulation, better flexibility and many other benefits.

Relaxation / Wellness Massage:
Wellness massage is a holistic approach to health maintenance. Relaxation, stress reduction, addressing areas of the soft tissue structure that may be out of balance. These are all addressed seeing the body/mind/spirit as the whole and not compartmentalized. While focusing on a specific issue, say a strained back muscle, can be beneficial in the initial term, addressing the pre-conditions that allow for the situation to become an acute problem is the best approach to prevention or re-occurrence.

Therapeutic/Clinical Massage:
Although all massage can be considered therapeutic in a broad sense, a typical therapeutic massage is oriented towards a particular goal or condition. For example a strained muscle, tight neck muscles, relief of headaches etc.

The therapeutic massage would typically include some Swedish Massage to help relax the client and prepare the areas to be worked deeper. A combination of techniques and modalities would be incorporated into the session for the desired goal. Depending on the condition or injury and how long the problem has been present, several sessions may be required to obtain the best results.

Therapeutic massage may also be used as a preventative measure before and after sports or heavy activity, preventing recurring headaches, lowering or maintaining ideal blood pressure, etc. (for the purposes of insurance, therapeutic / clinical massage must be prescribed by your physician. Clinical/ Therapeutic massage may be billed as Wellness Massage for self-pay clients).

The Orthopedic Massage techniques employed by me have been taught by James Waslaski, LMT. Mr. Waslaski has effectively integrated techniques from the world’s leading structural bodyworkers, osteopathic physicians, chiropractors, physical therapist, exercise physiologists, nutritionists, and athletic trainers to eliminate the most complicated pain conditions. The techniques are designed to release pain immediately by combining sequences of functional assessment, myofascial release, N.M.T, frictioning, muscle energy, P.N.F. stretching, neuromuscular re-education, structural balancing, and patient home care.

Myofascial and Deep Tissue Massage:
All types of massage may ultimately benefit fascia, however specific myofascial work involves the connective tissue both superficial and deep. Fascia surrounds and separates almost every structure and cell in the body. It forms the interstitial space ( space between individual cells). Fascia is involved in structural and visceral support, as well as separation and protection and therefore influences respiration, elimination, metabolism, fluid flow, and the immune systems. Dysfunction in the fascial network compromises the efficiency of the body. Fascial shortening and thickening restrict movement and can be responsible for chronic poor posture, stiffness and reduced range of motion. Myofascial and Deep Tissue Massage addresses these issues to help correct the imbalances they cause.

Polarity Therapy:
The purpose of Polarity Therapy is to locate and release blocked energy. When blocked energy is released, body systems and organs can function normally and healing can take place naturally. Polarity therapy does not treat illness or disease, it affects the body (life) energy, which flows in invisible electromagnetic currents through the body’s organs and tissues. Instead, it stimulates the energy that is inactive in a diseased body part. Polarity therapy works with the five major body currents which are… ether, air, fire, water, and earth and works on the reflex points within the energy patterns of the body. Polarity is a gentle art. The techniques involved include rocking, holding and gentle touch that serve to stimulate and balance the entire body and generally provide a relaxing session.

Foot Reflexology:
In the bodywork community, reflexology means the stimulation of areas beneath the skin to improve the function of the whole body or of specific body areas away from the site of stimulation. Historically, the approach appears to have originated in China. Foot reflexology is the most popular type of reflexology. Reflexology works on the principle of the 10 major zones running through the body. Reflex points for stimulation can be located within these zones. Reflexology applies the stimulus/reflex principle to healing the body. The whole body body, including the hands, head, ears, and torso, has reflex points. Two basic treatment approaches exist. If a reflexive point is tender and therefore likely to be overactive, relaxation and sedating methods are used. If the point is under active, stimulation methods are used. The goal is to unblock energy blocks, stimulate circulation to a given area and create balance within the system.

Trigger Point Therapy/NeuroMuscular Therapy
Trigger points are small hyperirritable spots in muscle or related connective tissue that my cause local pain or pain in a distant referral zone. As an example, your migraine type of headache may in fact be coming from a trigger point/s in your neck or shoulder area. This pain referral may be stopped by locating and releasing these points. The therapist will work these areas when found by using ischemic compression techniques, deep friction, deep muscle stripping, stretching and sometimes cold packs. The work may be discomforting temporarily but is always done within your range of tolerance. Communication between yourself and your therapist during this type of work is necessary for optimal benefit. Many people are amazed to experience long term discomfort disappear or be reduced simply by using these techniques. This has proven well with carpal tunnel type of symptoms, tennis elbow symptoms, headaches, lower back pain, and much more. This work was originally pioneered by Dr. Janet Travell, president JFK’s personal physician.