Why massage, and what is it good for?
Within recent years, the publics increasing demand
for non-traditional therapies has allowed massage
therapy and its many modalities, to be the one of the
first choices in the preventative health care.
Most people are accustomed to hearing that massage is
great for relaxation and to help de-[stress. This is
true and much, much more. Did you know massage can be
applied to other areas such as before a major surgery
to help calm nerves and after surgery to not only
relax but to also help the body redistribute vital
fluids and speed recovery. As an example Manual Lymph
Drainage (MLD) is used to reintroduce lymph fluid that
was formerly displaced from a surgery such as breast
augmentation facial surgery and leg and arm edema.
Use of this therapy on a regular basis along with
extremity bandaging relieves the pressure and swelling
associated with post-surgery or chronic edema.
Message is great for many other conditions or as
an adjunct to your present treatment, conditions such
as, muscular tension, low back pain, muscle spasm,
constipation, tension headache, migraine, TMJ
dysfunction, scar tissue reduction, muscle strains,
cruciate and meniscal injuries, edema hypertonicity
and pain associated with joint dislocation, whiplash,
stiff neck, psiatic pain, stiff muscles, plantar
fasciitis, tendonitis, bursitis, frozen shoulder,
torticollis, hyperloudosis, scoliosis, Both progressive
and non-progressive central nervous system conditions,
hemiplegia, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson, cerebral
palsy, Erbs palsy, bell's palsy, spinal cord injuries,
poliomyelitis, thoracic outlet syndrome, carpal
tunnel syndrome, sinusitis, Chronic bronchitis,
emphysema, asthma, inflammatory arthritis,
fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, cancer, aids
and HIV.
This is just a sample of the many issues massage
can address, and although it may not be able to cure
all of them, it can elevate the mood and allow the
person a ray of hope where other therapies fail.
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Swedish massage
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Swedish massage is very relaxing and the most common type of massage used. It's characterized my smooth flowing strokes that calm and ease frayed nerves. Medium to firm pressure is used, or the pressure of your choice. I recommend that a person completely disrobe for the maximum benefits. Of course you're completely covered by a sheet, relaxed with dim lights, soft music and an aromatic oil of your choice for complete bliss.
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Sports massage
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Is for the outdoors and sports enthusiasts. Persons who work their bodies hard need this type of bodywork. Filled with stretches for stiff muscles, techniques for breaking cramps, invigorating massage to flush out impurities that irritate muscles. An absolute must modality for pre and post activities like marathons, triathlons, Olympic activities, tennis matches, martial art enthusiast and anything that wears and tears on your body. I would recommend some natural analgesics to ease muscle pain.
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Medical massage
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Used mostly by people that have site specific issues such as stiff neck or shoulder issues or are recommended my a MD or Sports MD's to have work done that necessitates either one muscle or a compartment of muscles. This form of massage is rehabilitative to muscles and can be uncomfortable to receive but the benefits are almost always well worth it. Very firm to deep pressure is often needed. Ice packs may be temporarily recommended after this massage.
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Deep tissue massage
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For those who like mild pressure, deep tissue is to the 20th power. Similar to Swedish massage but very, very firm. It's great for people who enjoy the truly full contact massage that engages the muscle at a firmer and deeper level. I use my elbows with all my might and work the entire muscle from beginning to end. The big boys like this massage especially on the back. Generally people like it on larger longer muscle groups.
I only do deep tissue if requested.
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Trigger Point Therapy
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Have you ever had an exquisite pain in a muscle that made you jump when you touched it? Or kept you up at night? If it was in a very specific spot then it just might have been a trigger point. Characterized by stinging, stabbing, pins and needles sensation that may travel or refer to another part of your body. Trigger points are a typical muscle response to overwork or stress of a muscle. A special type of pressure is used to inactivate the spot or spots involved.
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Reflexology
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Imagine your feet having a map of major parts of your body. By stimulating these points on the feet, corresponding organs are stimulated and strengthened. Mild to firm pressure is used to stimulate reflex points. It's awesome! When I get my feet worked on it literally feels like I had a full body massage.
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Geriatric Massage
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Our senior citizens deserve the best. A massage specifically designed for their needs like achy joints, sore muscles and the general aches and pains are addressed. Mild pressure is used to sooth mature bodies. It stimulates blood flow and is great for circulation.
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Pregnancy Massage
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Expecting mothers bodies change dramatically when a baby is on the way. Lower back pain from the weight of the baby can make the coming months difficult to bear. Massage can ease the strain as well as lower the stress level of the mama to be. A special massage table with a large hole in it for mama's growing belly, allows her to lie down on her stomach, belly in the hole of course, allowing full access to her back.
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Baby Massage
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After the baby is born, infant massage can be an incredibly bonding experience for both mama and baby. I teach mama how to massage her new bundle of joy, which is easy, and fun. Baby massage is common place in other countries and promoted in hospitals after birth.
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Myo-Fascial Release
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When your cutting up the chicken for dinner (if you each chicken), there is a translucent seranwraplike material, that is fascia. Fascia often gets bundled up and binds tissue and causes pain and discomfort, with slow firm pressure, I flatten out the fascia and unbind it. Its can go hand in hand with deep tissue.
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Tai Chi Massage
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This ancient philosophy is applied to massage using strokes that sedate and calm. The upward swing of Tai Chi is used to massage large areas of the muscle. Very effective at loosening very tight muscles and is easily combined with other modalities.
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Manual Lymph Drainage
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Originally designed for the reversal of lymph edema, which is a side effect of surgery. This modern massage gently moves the delicate fluid called lymph out of the superficial and deeper tissues to be re-circulated, and in turn, over time, reverses lymph edema. Unlike other types of massage which use firm pressure, this is feather light touch.
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Structural Alignment
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Imagine some children's blocks haphazardly stacked about 4 high. The blocks represent how our bodies, overtime, have shifted and adjusted to the stresses of gravity and life. This form of bodywork analyzes where the muscles have lengthened or tightened excessively and then I creates a custom program to help aligned a misaligned structure for improved movement and energy flow. The goal is to bring the blocks back into alignment.
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Cranial-Sacral
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Surrounding the brain and spinal cord is cerebrospinal fluid and fascia. Due to severe traumas like auto accidents or preconogenital conditions, these tissues suffer and can cause a myriad of disorders. With light pressure, about the weight of a nickel, fascia is released to allow the cerebrospinal fluid to flow unimpeded, very relaxing and mentally clarifying. I will often time use Quantum Touch at the end to balance an area.
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5 Element Shiatsu
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A Japanese form of bodywork, which focuses on balancing the 12 meridians. Using key stretches that activate energy, My personal style of Shiatsu is modified using power points that move energy. Repeated clients love my modified version since they feel the results immediately after a session. The effects can last for weeks. This is a bio-energetic therapy, similar to acupuncture, but without the needles.
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Thai Massage
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A blend of stretching and holding to induce calm, it uses mild acupressure to move stagnant energy. Fully clothed, your whole body can be relaxed and reenergized by this centering bodywork.
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Quantum Touch
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Various breathing techniques are used to amplify "Prana" or "Chi", which hold a high vibrational life force around a given area. Healing can occur with results like spontaneous adjustment of bones not correctly aligned, rapid decrease of inflammation, rapid relief of pain, emotional and psychological conditions, can reshape deformed bones, rapid structural alignment, reduces and eliminates back pain. This is 10,000 times more powerful than Reiki.
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Chakra Balancing
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For people who are in touch with their energy centers, the seven wheels of energy can be balanced using flower essences and Quantum Touch. An absolutely euphoric feeling of balance can be felt and retained with these therapies. People report for months or even permanently.
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Distance Healing
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Since time and space are relative, then distance healing is a reality. This form of healing is done when a person is not in the immediate area of the practitioner, say, several hundred or even thousands of miles away. Healing work is felt immediately and the results are the same as if done in person.
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Corporate Massage
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As companies continue the trend of asking employees to do more with less, stress increases. Massage in your office or workplace is a great incentive to get people in on Monday morning or to increase productivity. Most popular is a massage chair. While fully clothed, it allows you to sit comfortably while the therapist has access to your whole body.
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Esalen Massage
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Of all the modalities I do, I love Esalen. A very delicate yet soul embracing massage, that uses medium to light pressure and long flowing strokes to soothe irritated nerves and to bring about a very deep sense of relaxation. Because this massage integrates your whole being you must feel comfortable with yourself and your body to in order to receive it.
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Cupping
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A Traditional Chinese Medical practice, through suction and negative pressure, cupping releases rigid soft tissue; drains excess fluids and toxins; loosens adhesions and lifts connective tissue; and brings blood flow to stagnant skin and muscle. The action on the nervous system is sedating, with a deep state of relaxation.
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Aromatherapy
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With just a couple of drops of chosen oils your massage can be enhanced to another level of bliss. To relax you I use, Lavender, Marjoram and Geranium. To rejuvenate you I use Eucalyptus, Ginger, Juniper, Lemongrass, Peppermint, and Grapefruit.
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Pulse and Tongue Diagnosis
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Your body is a storybook. Different parts of you give an accurate history. Used extensively in Traditional Chinese Medicine, the pulse in 12 different positions on your wrists can tell me valuable information about your present or past energetic health. Used with tongue diagnosis, (looking at the tongue for predictable patterns that match with the pulses) I'm able to give you a treatment custom designed for you.
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Moxibustion or Moxa
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This localized heat technique is an invaluable tool of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Acupuncture points are chosen and a mild heat is applied to stimulate the chi to move through the area. This is a must for anyone wanting more energy or just wanting to strengthen their body energetically. It can be used in conjunction with any of the modalities aforementioned, or by itself. Relaxing and mentally clarifying.
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Kids massage
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This type if massage is great for parents who want to teach their children about positive touch. Kids gets stressed too, and with the weight of their backpacks heavy on their backs from school, massaging early in life can easily prevent muscular problems from happening down the road. In addition to teaching them to respect their body's physical limits, touch through professional massage can actually help in self esteem issues related to a young person's body image. It is recommended that a parent or guardian remain in the massage room during the session.
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Tuina
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It involves the use of special hand techniques or tools to stimulate the acupoints or the meridians, the energy pathways along which the acupoints are located and through which chi, or energy flows. Tuina is a medical treatment and is different than massage because it works on the energy level of the body and not solely on the muscles and tissues. Though different than acupuncture, tuina can be just as effective. Actually for some conditions, like injuries and simple sprains, it is more useful and easier on the patient. Sometimes when it is appropriate, Traditional Chinese Medical doctors use acupuncture and tuina in combination, and this can accelerate the healing benefits.
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Floral Acupuncture
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This modality is a combination of flower essences and select acupuncture points that are chosen based upon your emotional makeup. Drops of flower essences are place directly on acupuncture points to stimulate the energetic release of toxic vibrations found with. The result is a lessening or a complete release of the chosen emotions.
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Ear Acupuncture
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5 select points on each ear that correspond to major energetic pathways are stimulated to allow inner tension to release, further expanding ones ability to heal and lessening the emotions that leads one to addictions such as smoking, alcohol abuse, over eating, marijuana abuse. The side effects are calming and relaxing on a deep level.
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