Hot Stone Massage / Stone Therapy
Hot Stone Massage is a style of massage in which water-treated stones are placed at specific sites on the client's body to promote relaxation and to help open up the meridians (energy pathways). Muscles are pretreated with the heated stones to allow the therapist to more easily perform deep tissue manipulations. Cool stones are sometimes used alternately with hot stones. Massage oils are usually incorporated into the massage treatment.

Benefits of Hot Stone Massage:

• Promotes deep muscle and tissue relaxation
• Alleviates stress
• Releases toxins
• Relieves pain
• Improves circulation
• Calms the psyche
  
  Health Conditions Treated With Hot Stone Massage
  
  
• Muscular aches and pains
• Back Pain
• MS
• Arthritis
• Fibromyalgia
• Stress, Anxiety
• Circulatory problems
• Insomnia
• Depression

Deep Tissue

Deep tissue massage is used to release chronic muscle tension through slower strokes and more direct deep pressure or friction applied across the grain of the muscles not with the grain. Deep tissue massage helps to break up and eliminate scar tissue. Deep tissue massage usually focuses on more specific areas and may cause some soreness during or right after the massage. However, if the massage is done correctly you should feel better than ever within a day or two.

Deep Tissue Massage is the type of massage that “hurts” so good. People often experience tenderness and slight pain when muscles that are tight are touched, but when the muscle releases it feels much better. When muscles are stressed, they block oxygen and nutrients, leading to inflammation that builds up toxins in the muscle tissue. A deep-tissue massage helps loosen muscle tissues, release toxins from muscles and get blood and oxygen circulating properly. Because many toxins are released, it's important to drink plenty of water after a deep-tissue session to help eliminate these toxins from the body.

The purpose is to "unstick" the fibers of a muscle while releasing deeply-held patterns of tension, removing toxins, while relaxing and soothing the muscle. It is both corrective and therapeutic.

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Sports Massage
Each sport and athletic event uses muscle groups in a different way. Sports massage therapists must be familiar with each muscle, the muscle groups and how they are affected by the specific movements and stresses of each sport. Sports massage therapy frequently includes the use of one or more of the following techniques:

Compression Massage
Rhythmic compression into muscles used to create a deep hyperemia and softening effect in the tissues. It is generally used as a warm-up for deeper, more specific massage work.

Cross-Fiber Massage
Friction techniques applied in a general manner to create a stretching and broadening effect in large muscle groups; or on site-specific muscle and connective tissue, deep transverse friction applied to reduce adhesions and to help create strong, flexible repair during the healing process.

Regular sports massage can:

• Reduce the chance of injury, through proper stretching and event preparation, and through deep tissue massage
• Improve range of motion and muscle flexibility, resulting in improved power and performance
• Shorten recovery time between workouts
• Maximize the supply of nutrients and oxygen through increased blood flow
• Enhance elimination of metabolic by-products of exercise

Sports massage may involve prevention and maintenance programs, on-site treatment before and after an athletic event, and rehabilitation programs for those who are injured during the program.

An effective maintenance program is based on the massage therapists understanding of anatomy and kinesiology, combined with an expert knowledge of which muscles are used in a given sport and which are likely candidates for trouble. By zeroing in on particular muscle groups and working specific tissues, the sports massage therapist can help the athlete maintain or improve range of motion and muscle flexibility. The overall objective of a maintenance program is to help the athlete reach optimal performance through injury-free training.

Event Massage

Pre-event sports massage is given within the four hours preceding an event to improve performance and help decrease injuries. It is used as a supplement to an athlete's warm-up to enhance circulation and reduce excess muscle and mental tension prior to competition. It is normally shorter (10-15 minutes) than a regular conditioning massage, and focuses on warming-up the major muscles to be used, and getting the athlete in a good mental state for competition. It also improves tissue pliability, readying the athlete for top performance. Certain massage techniques can help calm a nervous athlete, and others can be stimulating.

Inter/Intra-event.  
Inter- and intra-event massage is given between events or in time-outs to help athletes recover from the preceding activity, and prepare for the activity coming up. It is also short, and focuses on the major muscles stressed in the activity. Inter- and intra-event massage is given between events or in time-outs to help athletes recover from the preceding activity, and prepare for the activity coming up. It is also short, and focuses on the major muscles stressed in the activity. 

Post-event.  
Post-event sports massage is given after a competition and is mainly concerned with recovery. It is geared toward reducing the muscle spasms and metabolic build-up that occur with vigorous exercise. Recovery after competition involves not only tissue normalization and repair, but also general relaxation and mental calming. A recovery session might be 15 minutes to 11/2 hours in length. Even with preventive maintenance, muscles cramp, tear, bruise, and ache. Sports massage can speed healing and reduce discomfort during the rehabilitation process and help to form flexible scarring.

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Trigger Point
Trigger point therapy is a bodywork technique that involves the applying of pressure to tender areas in muscle tissue in order to relieve pain and dysfunction in other parts of the body. This technique was developed by Dr. Janet Travell in the United States in the 1940s.

Trigger points are areas of tenderness in a muscle. There are two basic types of trigger points: active and latent.

Active trigger points cause muscular pain and will refer pain and tenderness to another area of the body when pressure is applied. Latent trigger points only exhibit pain when compressed, they do not refer pain to other areas of the body. Latent trigger points are believed to be one of the causes of stiff joints and restricted range of motion of old age.

Trigger points may be associated with myofascial pain syndromes or fibromyalgia. Trigger points are very common. They are also referred to as muscle knots.

The pain caused by trigger points may be the biggest cause of disability and loss of time in the workplace. Some common causes of trigger points are: birth trauma, an injury sustained in a fall or accident, poor posture, or overexertion.

The purpose of trigger point therapy is to eliminate pain and to re-educate the muscles into pain-free habits. After several treatments, the swelling and stiffness of neuromuscular pain is reduced, range of motion is increased, tension is relieved, and circulation, flexibility and coordination are improved.

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Lymphatic Drainage
Lymphatic massage or lymph drainage massage is a technique used to help increase lymph flow. Increased lymph flow removes harmful substances from the tissues and increases immune function.

Lymphatic massage can be useful in cases of edema, sports injury or for people experiencing a sluggish immune system or those suffering from a lack of energy.

The lymphatic system plays a crucial role in your body’s ability heal from injury and ward off disease. It is essential to the body's drainage system for cleansing and filtering out toxins and bacteria. Aches, pains, soreness and flu like symptoms could all be caused by congested lymph pathways.

Lymphatic massage can help to unblock the lymph system by manually cleansing the lymph system in a clockwise fashion.

Performing lymphatic massage correctly can stimulate the opening of the initial lymphatic and increase the volume of lymph flow by as much as 20 times.

Because lymph cleanses nearly every cell in your body the negative effects of chronic lymph blockages include but are not limited to:

• Frequent cold and flu infections
• Joint pain
• Headache and migraine
• Menstrual cramps
• Arthritis
• Loss of appetite
• Fatigue
• Mood irregularities
• Depression
• Acne
• Cellulite

The use of massage as a healing therapy dates back centuries. Lymphatic massage was developed in the 1930s and is a delicate form of massage that stimulates the body’s lymphatic system. The lymphatic system has no central pump and depends on muscle contraction through deep breathing, exercise and manual manipulation to move fluid.

Lymphatic massage utilizes a very light pressure combined with soft pumping movements in the direction of the lymph nodes. Immune system function can be significantly increased, improving metabolism and helping the body to eliminate waste and toxins.

A strong immune system makes you feel balanced, happy and whole.

As with most massage, it is vital to drink lots of water after a lymphatic massage to flush away toxins that have been released.

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Swedish Massage
The main purpose of Swedish massage is to increase the oxygen flow in the blood and release toxins from the muscles.

Swedish massage shortens recovery time from muscular strain by flushing the tissues of lactic acid, uric acid, and other metabolic wastes. It increases circulation without increasing heart load. It stretches the ligaments and tendons keeping them supple and pliable. Swedish massage also stimulates the skin and nervous system and soothes the nerves themselves at the same time. It reduces stress, both emotional and physical, and is suggested in a regular program for stress management. It also has many specific medical uses.

Swedish massage techniques include: long strokes, kneading, friction, tapping, percussion, vibration, effleurage, and shaking motions.

Swedish massage feels good, is relaxing and invigorating. It affects the nerves, muscles, glands, and circulation, while promoting health and well being. Swedish Massage is often used as a base for other techniques.

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Myofascial
Myofascial Release is a highly specialized stretching technique used by massage therapists and physical therapists to treat patients with a variety of soft tissue problems.

To understand what Myofascial Release is and why it works, you have to understand a little about fascia. Fascia is a thin tissue that covers all the organs of the body. This tissue covers every muscle and every fiber within each muscle. All muscle stretching, then, is actually stretching of the fascia and the muscle, the myofascial unit. When muscle fibers are injured, the fibers and the fascia which surrounds it become short and tight. This uneven stress can be transmitted through the fascia to other parts of the body, causing pain and a variety of other symptoms in areas you often wouldn't expect. Myofascial Release treats these symptoms by releasing the uneven tightness in injured fascia.

In other words, Myofascial Release is stretching of the fascia. The stretch is guided by feedback the therapist feels from the patient's body. This feedback tells the therapist how much force to use, the direction of the stretch and how long to stretch. Small areas of muscle are stretched at a time. Sometimes the therapist uses only two fingers to stretch a small part of a muscle. The feedback the therapist feels determines which muscles are stretched and in what order.

The therapist will be able to find sore spots just by feel. Often, patients are unable to pinpoint some sore spots or have grown used to them until the therapist finds them. The size and sensitivity of these sore spots, called Myofascial Trigger Points, will decrease with treatment.

Most patients are surprised by how gentle Myofascial Release is. Some patients fall asleep during treatment. Others later go home and take a nap. Most patients find Myofascial Release to be a very relaxing form of treatment.

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Reflexology
Reflexology is a form of bodywork that focuses primarily on the feet. The underlying theory behind reflexology is that there are "reflex" areas on the feet and hands that correspond to specific organs, glands, and other parts of the body. For example:

• the tips of the toes reflect the head
• the heart and chest are around the ball of the foot
• the liver, pancreas and kidney are in the arch of the foot
• low back and intestines are towards the heel

We believe that certain areas on the feet and hands are linked to other areas and organs of the body and that by applying pressure to these reflex areas it can promote health in the corresponding organs through energetic pathways.A scientific explanation is that the pressure may send signals that balance the nervous system or release chemicals such as endorphins that reduce pain and stress.Most people find reflexology for the most part to be very relaxing. Reflexology shouldn't be painful.

Some areas may be tender or sore, and the reflexologist may spend extra time on these points. The soreness should decrease with pressure. If you're ticklish, not to worry. The reflexologist applies firm pressure to the feet.

Some of the problems that reflexology can help are:

• Stress and stress-related conditions
• Tension headaches
• Digestive disorders
• Arthritis
• Insomnia
• Hormonal imbalances
• Sports injuries
• Menstrual disorders, such as premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
• Digestive problems, such as constipation
• Back pain

A typical treatment is 45 minutes to 60 minutes long and begins with a consultation about your health and lifestyle.

You are then asked to remove your shoes and socks and sit comfortably in a reclining chair or on a massage table. Otherwise you remain fully clothed. The reflexologist then uses brisk movements to warm the feet up. Then pressure is applied from the toes to the heel according to your comfort. Lotion or oil may be used. Most people feel calm and relaxed after a treatment. They may even feel sleepy.

Occasionally, people feel nauseous, anxious, or tearful, but this is only temporary and is considered to be part of the healing process.

Precautions
If you're pregnant, talk with your doctor first and let the reflexologist know. Be sure to give the reflexologist a complete and accurate health history. If you have foot ulcers, injury, or blood vessel disease such as blood clots, consult your doctor before having reflexology.

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Circulartory Massage
Circulatory Massage is massaging lightly while concurrently flowing with the circulation towards the heart. Circulatory massage purposefully enhances oxygen flow in blood and helps to rid toxins in the muscles.

Curtailing recovery time from injuries like muscle sprains, circulatory massage helps to flush body tissues of lactic and uric acid, and other metabolic wastes.

Aside from increasing circulation to the heart, circulatory massage stretches ligaments and tendons making them more flexible. Through particular techniques, circulatory massage is also known to stimulate the skin and nervous system to reduce emotional and physical stress.

An effective therapy which helps in improve wellbeing, circulatory massage is not only relaxing but invigorating as well. Each treatment lasts about 40-60 minutes and helps to increase blood flow to different areas of the body.

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Injury Rehabilitation
Injury Rehabilitation medicine is the treatment of disorders that have caused either temporary or permanent disability. Rehabilitation usually involves the neurological, muscuoskelatal, cardiovascular and pulmonary systems with the goal being restoring function of the affected physical systems.

Massage has become a necessary ingredient for a complete workout. More and more people are realizing that a complete workout routine includes not only the exercise itself, but also caring for the wear-and-tear and minor injuries that naturally occur with strenuous movement. The physiological and psychological benefits of massage make it an ideal complement to a total conditioning program. Rehabilitation massage helps the body recover from the stresses of strenuous exercise, and facilitates the rebuilding phase of conditioning. The physiological benefits of massage include improved blood and lymph circulation, muscle relaxation, and general relaxation. These, in turn, lead to removal of waste products and better cell nutrition, normalization and greater elasticity of tissues, deactivation of trigger points, and faster healing of injuries. It all adds up to relief from soreness and stiffness, better flexibility, and less potential for future injury.

Strengthening Exercises are very important in rehab. We show you proper form and put together a whole health program that will enhance recovery and get your life back to normal and on track.

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