How can you tell which style will is best to help you?

Before you choose a massage style, you need to decide if you want a massage for relaxation and stress control, or for symptom relief?

When booking a massage, let us know what you’re looking for and we will help customize a perfect treatment for you. Recommended scheduling multiple massages in a series for best results.

We offer these popular massage styles :

Swedish Massage

Developed in Stockholm a couple of centuries ago, Swedish massage is the most common and best-known type of bodywork performed today.
The goal is to relax the entire body. This is accomplished by rubbing the muscles with long gliding strokes in the direction of blood returning to the heart. Additional techniques include circular pressure applied by the hands and palms, firm kneading, percussion-like tapping, bending and stretching. Lotion is often used to reduce friction and stimulate the skin.

Swedish massage is exceptional for increasing the level of oxygen in the blood, decreasing muscle toxins, improving circulation and flexibility while easing tension.

Deep Tissue

Deep tissue massage is similar to Swedish massage but is used to target knots and release chronic muscle tension using techniques such as trigger point therapy and Active Release Techniques. Other benefits include reducing inflammation and helping to eliminate scar tissue. The focus is on the deepest layers of muscle tissue, tendons and fascia (the protective layer surrounding muscles, bones and joints).

Deep tissue massage uses strokes across the grain of the muscles, not with the grain as in Swedish massage. The more intense movements and techniques such as deep finger pressure may be slightly uncomfortable and cause soreness that lasts a couple of days before resulting in the desired relaxation and pain relief.

Hot Stone Massage

Hot stone massage is a specialty massage that uses smooth, heated stones. They are often basalt, a black volcanic rock that absorbs and retains heat well, but they can be other types. The heat is both deeply relaxing and helps tight muscles release.
During the massage, the therapist warms up the body with traditional Swedish massage, then massages you while holding a heated stone. As the stone cools, the therapist replaces it with another.

Cranial Sacral

Cranial sacral therapy is a gentle, non-invasive form of alternative medicine that deals with the movement of the fluid surrounding the skull and spine. Cranial sacral therapists ease the restriction of nerve passages by focusing on the membranes that encase the central nervous system.
Cranial sacral therapy seeks to restore misaligned bones to their proper position and is thought to eliminate the negative effects of stress as well as provide relief from migraine headaches, neck and back pain, temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ- the inflammation of the joint that connects the lower jaw to the skull) and more.

Trigger Point

Trigger point massage (also known as myotherapy) is specifically designed to alleviate the source of the pain through cycles of isolated pressure and release. In this type of massage the recipient actively participates through deep breathing as well as identifying the exact location and intensity of the discomfort.

The result of trigger point massage is the elimination of toxins in the muscles and the release of energizing endorphins. A significant decrease in pain is often found after just one treatment.

Reflexology

Reflexology is a branch of massage the focuses solely on the hands and feet. Reflexology uses specifically targeted points on the extremities to send signals to the brain and balance the nervous system.

A MT stretches and moves the hands and feet, applying pressure on reflex areas that correspond to specific organs and other parts of the body. Endorphins are released throughout the entire body, reducing stress and returning the body to equilibrium. Reflexology has been known to provide relief from ailments such as tension headaches, arthritis, digestive issues and back pain.

Prenatal

Studies indicate that massage therapy performed during pregnancy can reduce anxiety, decrease symptoms of depression, relieve muscle aches and joint pains, and improve labor outcomes and newborn health. Benefits of prenatal massage include:

  • Tranquil relaxation and reduce stress
  • Relief from muscle cramps, spasms and myofacial pain, especially in the lower back, neck, hips and legs
  • Increase in blood and lymph circulation which can reduce swelling
  • Reduces stress on weight-bearing joints
  • Improves outcome of labor and eases labor pain
  • Enhances the pliability of skin and underlying tissues
  • Provides support for the new mother with physical and emotional strains of mothering

Sports

Sports massage is a special form of massage typically used before, during, or after athletic events. The main purpose is to help alleviate the stress and tension which builds up in the body’s soft tissues during physical activity.

When minor injuries occur, due to overexertion and overuse, massage can break them down quickly and effectively. The massage will help to prepare the athlete for peak performance, draining away fatigue, relieving swelling, reducing muscle tension, promoting flexibility, and preventing injuries.

Sports massage is designed to address specific concerns and may differ according to the athlete’s specific sport. Sports massage can help prevent those nagging injuries that so often get in the way of performance and achievement, whether a person is an athlete or once-a-week jogger.

Beauty

Massage is proven to help reduce and prevent the formation of cellulite, minimize the appearance of wrinkles and increase production of endorphins.

  • Special beauty treatments include back exfoliation treatment and salt & sugar scrub – perfect for stresses.
  • Cosmetic massage: This facial massage is based on research by Dr. Li Ying at Sichuan Institute in China. It rejuvenates the face by invigorating blood and lymph flow to the skin, making the face feel smooth, vibrant and luminous.

Thai

Thai massage is a type of massage in Thai style that involves stretching and deep massage. This form of bodywork is usually performed on the floor, and the client wears comfortable clothes that allow for movement. No oils are used in Thai massage.

Shiatsu

Shiatsu massage uses acupressure techniques which are applied with hands, thumbs, elbows and knees. The acupressure technique has its roots from the acupuncture therapy and Traditional Chinese Medicine. The difference between acupuncture and acupressure is that in the first case the practitioner uses very thin needles but in the case of acupressure the therapist uses deep tissue pressure on the twelve body meridians.

Active Release

In an ART treatment, the provider uses his or her hands to evaluate the texture, tightness and mobility of the soft tissue. Using hand pressure, the practitioner works to remove or break up the fibrous adhesion’s, with the stretching motions generally in the direction of venous and lymphatic flow, although the opposite direction may occasionally be used.

Medical Massage

It is the application of specific treatment protocols targeted to the specific problem(s) the patient presents with physician’s diagnosis and administered after a thorough assessment/evaluation by the Medical MT with specific outcomes being the basis for treatment.

Chair Massage

Chair massage is a short massage performed in a specially designed ergonomic massage chair, anywhere from five to 30 minutes, done through the clothing.  It typically focuses on key tension areas in the back, neck, shoulders and arms.

They are performed in all kinds of environments. Work, Schools, events, Bachelorette parties, Bridal Showers, Mother’s / Father’s Day, Baby Showers, ‘Thank You’s’, Birthdays, The Holiday Season, Anniversaries, and more.

Cancer Patient Massage

Many individuals who have experienced injuries or certain illnesses turn to massage as an additional method of easing pain, including malignant mesothelioma cancer patients. Massage promotes a sense of overall well being and works to relax the body and restore a sense of calm and balance to the mind.

Via: Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance