Massage Therapy

Massage therapy has a very long history and has evolved over the last 5,000 years. The practice of using touch as a healing method has its roots in ancient history. In China, texts documenting the medical benefits of massage therapy date back to approximately 2700 BCE.

Massage therapy has been known to promote relaxation, decrease stress, and relieve pain. Who doesn’t want to relieve stress in their life? A single session can reduce cortisol levels and lower heart rate promoting a deep sense of relaxation. A massage session is also a great way to distract yourself from the demands of work and family life. It promotes a sense of self-healing and well-being.

Massage therapy can also help with injuries, joint stiffness, or muscle tension. It can help improve posture and reinforce natural movement back into the body. The pressure administered during a session can help increase blood flow to the vital organs, tissues and muscles. It can aid in rehabilitation by promoting flexibility and increasing range of motion.

Massage is known to improve respiratory function by improving the way we breathe and by pumping more oxygen throughout the body. Studies have also shown that massage can strengthen the immune system by increasing the activity of our natural white blood cells known as killer cells.

The manual manipulation performed during a massage session allows our body’s to return back into a natural state of homeostasis by increasing parasympathetic activity. It is a great way to relax, restore, and reconnect with the mind, body, and spirit.

Relaxation Massage
Also known as Swedish massage, oil or lotion is applied to the the skin with a variety of techniques including broad strokes, kneading, rolling, vibrational, percussive, and tapping movements on the more superficial layers of your muscles. This creates a deep sense of overall well being. The Benefits of Relaxation Massage are improved circulation, relief from general aches and pains, decreased stress levels, enhanced mental clarity, and greater flexibility to name a few.

Hot Stone
Add on option to Swedish for $15
Hot Stone Massage is a wonderful way to upgrade your Swedish Massage.
The benefits are endless: heat therapy can help relieve tension to sore areas of the body, increase circulation, increase range of motion, aide in lymphatic drainage and promote relaxation and sleep. Hot stone also feels really good on stiff, arthritic joints.
Hot stone is only an add-on to Swedish Massage for two reasons:
1. Ample oil and lotion are needed for hot stone massage to create an effortless glide. It feels balanced for the client when the stones can move smoothly on the skin.
2. Hot stone massage is an alternative to deep tissue. the heat of the stones target those deeper layers of muscle without having to massage deeply. For clients who don’t like deep tissue but could benefit from deeper work, hot stone is a great option.

Craniosacral Therapy
CranioSacral Therapy is a gentle yet powerful technique that is effective in releasing neck pain, back pain, and mental stress (among other things). It does this by optimizing the movement of cerebrospinal fluid through the spine and around the skull. Developed by physician William Sutherland, this therapy provides a very soothing and relaxing healing experience.

Neuromuscular
Neuromuscular massage (NMT) is also commonly called Trigger Point Myotherapy. This method of massage is best suited for chronic pain that stems from more serious dysfunctions like, nerve damage, nerve impingement, neural entrapment, ischemia, myofascial trigger points, dysfunctional gait patterns, and more related to chronic health conditions. NMT is a form of medical massage therapy with highly specialized and extremely focused treatment methods. Focus areas of NMT are typically areas of muscle spasm to relieve chronic stiffness and pain.

Deep Tissue
Deep Tissue Massage is a form of bodywork that aims to relieve tension in the deeper layers of tissue in the body. Deep Tissue Massage is a highly effective method for releasing chronic stress areas due to misalignment, repetitive motions, and past lingering injuries (also known as “adhesions.”). Due to the nature of the deep tissue work, open communication during the session is crucial to make sure you don't get too uncomfortable. Keep in mind that soreness is pretty common after the treatment, and that plenty of water should be ingested to aid with the flushing and removal of toxins that will have been released from the deep tissue.

Orthopedic
Orthopedic massage is focused on treating painful conditions that affect the soft tissues of the body. It involves releasing your tense muscles, helping you stretch and lengthen tight muscle groups and tendons, and decompress rigid joints that have restricted movement. Technequies such as Trigger Point Therapy, Myofascial Release, and Passive/Active Stretching are used. The goal is to restore full health to the soft tissues of your body by treating both your specific conditions as well as improving your overall well-being. 

Sports Massage
Sports Massage is a type of massage designed for highly active people who engage in athletics. Engaging in sports is harsh on the body and can often lead to injuries in both the short and long term. Sports Massage enhances performance and prolongs a sports career by helping to prevent injury, reduce pains and swelling in the body, relax the mind, increase flexibility, and dramatically improve recovery rates. Sports Massage is also highly effective in aiding the rapid recovery of an athlete from an injury by encouraging greater kinesthetic awareness and in turn promoting the body's natural immune function.

Prenatal
Pregnancy is a time when a woman's body endures tremendous stress due to dramatic physical and emotional changes. Prenatal Massage is a style of bodywork designed specifically for pregnant women using various techniques specially developed to treat expecting mothers and keep her growing baby safe. This helps release the pain and discomfort experienced throughout each trimester of pregnancy, provids emotional support, as well as improves breathing and overall relaxation. It is always best to consult with your Doctor prior to receiving a Prenatal Massage. 
NOTE: It is strongly advised to wait until the second trimester before getting a Prenatal Massage.

Child/Youth Massage:
Youth Massage is a style of bodywork designed specifically to promote the healthy development of your child both mentally and physically. Careing and nurturing human touch is crucial for a healthy thriving kid. For example, many children show improved growth and development of the brain and nervous system. It has also been shown to improve the quality of sleep, as well as strengthening their immune system.
NOTE: A parent/guardian must be present during session and give written consent to treat children under 18 years of age.