Therapeutic Massage & Spa Treatments
Deep Tissue/Therapeutic Massage
Techniques which utilize deep tissue/deep muscle massage are administered to affect the sub-layer of musculature and fascia. These techniques require more advanced training and a more thorough understanding of anatomy and physiology. The muscles must be relaxed in order to effectively perform deep tissue massage, otherwise tight surface muscles prevent the practitioner from reaching deeper muscles. Helps with chronic muscular pain, injury rehabilitation, and reduces inflammation-related pain caused by arthritis and tendinitis. Generally integrated with other massage techniques.
Swedish Massage
While the healing power of touch is a very ancient concept this common technique is named for Swedish massage pioneer Peter Ling (1776-1839). Emphasizing that all strokes go toward the heart, Swedish massage uses five main strokes to stimulate the circulation of blood through the soft tissues of the body. Through stroking and kneading, the body’s metabolic processes and blood circulation are stimulated, enhancing one’s sense of vitality.
Shiatsu Massage
Utilizing traditional Chinese acupuncture points, this Japanese bodywork technique uses thumb, finger, and palm pressure rather than needles. Also known as acupressure, massage is applied at the acupuncture points, reinforcing joints and muscles. Focuses on the efficient flow of energy throughout the meridians and autonomic nervous system. Acupoints are fixed points on each meridian at the surface of the skin which act as entrances and exits for the vital internal healing force. It also incorporates stretching and movement. Meridians and organs lacking in energy are balanced and strengthened. Treatments vary with individual.
Reflexology
Reflexology focuses on the reflex points of the feet as well as the hands and ears. Developed by William Fitzgerald in the 1900’s in the United States, reflexology has been known in China as a healing therapy for many thousand of years. By applying firm pressure with the thumb to specific nerve endings in the foot, an impulse is conveyed causing a reflex response. This simulates body organs such as the pituitary glands, lungs, bladder, kidneys, stomach, and spleen to return to optimal functioning. Treatments vary with the individual. After identifying the existence and location of the client’s problem, reflexologists treat the problem area by triggering the body’s own healing powers. The therapist deeply massages the appropriate site on the foot to stimulate and restore the free flow of energy in ten zonal pathways
Reiki
Founded by Japanese Christian educator, Dr. Mikao Usui and introduced in the United States by his pupil, Saichi Takata, on the island of Hawaii in 1937. Based on the principle of Chi, universal life energy, Reiki promotes healing through methods that are rooted in spiritual tradition. In Reiki, a practitioner’s hands are very gently placed on the fully clothed body of a person in a variety of established places on the head, chest, abdomen, and back. Treatments vary with each individual.
Reiki is an oral tradition, which is passed down from Master/Teacher to student through education, experience and initiation. There are three degrees of Reiki. Initiation through a series of attunements opens and/or clears the channel for universal life energy—healing energy—to flow through the practitioner’s body.
REI means “spirit”. Ki means “life force energy”. Together they translate as “universal life energy”. Reiki embodies the concept of using that energy for healing of the body, mind, emotion and /or spirit. It works on the level of “cause”, not merely on the level of “symptom”.
Craniosacral Therapy
Craniosacral Therapy is a gentle, non-invasive form of bodywork that directly influences the brain and spinal cord. It is used to find and release areas of restriction, re-educate old holding patterns, calm over-stressed systems and over-stimulated nerves, support emotional clearing, and is an excellent tool for personal growth.
Myofascial Release
Restores balance by releasing tension in the soft connective tissue known as fascia. Trauma, illness or other physical and psychological stress can cause the fascia to become constricted. The use of long, sustained pressure to stretch the fascia removes tightness and associated pain or discomfort.
Tuina
Tuina has been a medical therapeutic procedure almost since its conception in ancient China dating back to 2700 BC. Many refer to Tuina as “Chinese Massage”, and although massage techniques are used, Tuina includes such modalities as acupressure, energy balancing, orthopedic massage, and structural manipulation. These techniques are applicable to injuries and disorders incurred by both the general public and world class athletes.
Neuromuscular Therapy(NMT)
This comprehensive technique of soft-tissue manipulation balances the body’s central nervous system with the musculoskeletal system. Based on neurological laws that explain how the central nervous system initiates and maintains pain, the goal is to help relieve the pain and dysfunction by understanding and alleviating the underlying cause. Neuromuscular therapy can help individuals who experience distortion and biomechanical dysfunction, which are often symptoms of a deeper problem. It is also used to locate and release spasms and hyper-contraction in the tissue, eliminate trigger points that cause referred pain, restore postural alignment, proper biomechancs and flexibility to the tissues, rebuild the strength of injured tissues, and assist venous and lymphatic flow.
Polarity
Polarity was founded by Austrian-born naturopath, Dr. Randolph Stone, in the mid-1920’s. Emphasizing energy-flow in the body, emotional tension and/or pain is released when the flow of energy is restored. Polarity is based on the belief that positive and negative poles exist in every cell. The body is gently manipulated to balance the positive and negative energies. In addition to physical manipulation, blockages and toxins are eliminated by following a cleansing and building diet and simple exercises.
Aromatherapy & Raindrop Therapy
The use of essential oils, which are extracted from herbs, flowers, resin, woods, and roots, is used in body and skin care treatments. Used as a healing technique for thousands of years by the Egyptians, Greeks and Romans, all used essential oils to aid relaxation, improve circulation, and to help the healing of wounds. Aromatherapy sessions include a consultation to match the oils used with the specific client. Raindrop Therapy uses a set of essential oils along the spine to awaken the senses during massage. This treatment is not recommended for people who may have plant allergies.
Prenatal/Pregnancy Massage
Performed by a trained perinatal specialist, many methods of massage and somatic therapies are both effective and safe prenatally, during labor, and the postpartum period of women’s pregnancies. Prenatally, specific techniques can reduce pregnancy discomforts and concerns and enhance the physiological and emotional well-being of both mother and fetus. Skilled, appropriate, touch facilitates labor, shortening labor times and easing pain and anxiety. In the postpartum period, specialized techniques rebalance structure, physiology, and emotions of the new mother, and may help her to bond with and care for her infant. Specialized, advanced training in the anatomy, physiology, complications, precautions, and contraindications is a prerequisite for all perinatal therapists.
Thai Massage
Thai massage has been taught and practiced in Thailand for about 2,500 years. Although the origins are somewhat vague, credit for the origin of Thai Massage is given to a famous Indian doctor, Shivago Komarpaj, who was the personal physician of the Buddha and Magadha king. Historically, manipulation was one of four major branches composing traditional Thai ceremonies or magical practices. This is based on the theory that the body is made up of 72,000 Sen, or energy lines, of which ten hold top priority. Thai massage also involves peripheral stimulation, meaning it acts as an external stimulant to produce specific internal effects. This point serves as the main division between Thai and Western massage. Another difference is that Thai massage is practiced on a firm mat on the floor instead of on a table. This is instrumental in the effective use of the practitioner’s body weight. Except for the feet, the client remains fully clothed, so draping is not necessary.
Sports Massage
Consists of specific components designed to reduce injuries, alleviate inflammation, provide warm-up, etc. for amateur and professional athletes before, during, after, and within their training regimens.
Trager
Trager is an approach to bodywork developed by American medical practitioner Dr. Milton Trager in the 1920’s. It makes extensive use of touch-contact and encourages the patient to experience the ‘freeing up’ of different parts of the body. The approach consist of simple exercises call Mentastics and deep, non-intrusive hands-on work, consisting of fluid, gentle, rocking movements. The idea is to use motion in the muscles and joints to produce positive sensory feelings which are then fed back into the central nervous system. The result is a feeling of lightness, freedom and flexibility.
Esalen
Developed in the 1960’s this style originated at the Esalen Institute located in Big Sur, California, and is based on a combination of Oriental and Swedish massage techniques. Esalen is light and gentle in nature, emphasizing nurturing and empathy. The strokes are soft, easy, and slow, prompting deep relaxation. Used to reduce stress, relieve pain, improve sleep, aid digestion, and promote healing.
Deep Cleansing Facial
A gentle exfoliating facial that deep-cleanses, conditions and moisturizes the skin. It also includes a relaxing neck, shoulder, hand, and foot massage. An hour and a half facial/massage includes a full body massage and facial.
Hot Stone Therapy
Smooth, round lava or marble stones are heated to a deeply soothing temperature. Stones are placed strategically along meridian points or tense tissue to open the body to healing. Massage can go deeper without pain, using the stones to create strokes. The therapist uses regular massage techniques while integrating the stones into specific strokes to melt away adhesions in the tissue and to warm the whole body.
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