The alphabet soup of massage techniques can be surprisingly large and daunting to a newbie to massage. As massage therapists gain experience and advanced training, their menu goes beyond much more than the typical "Swedish" or "Deep Tissue" massage.
All of our therapists integrate a variety of modalities and techniques to address each client’s individual needs and goals. Whether you have recurring pain from sitting at a desk, are stiff and sore from a sports event, are recovering from an injury, or just need to relax - we will create a massage session just for you!
Specific modalities and techniques that may be used during your massage:
Deep Tissue Massage releases the chronic patterns of tension in the body through slow strokes and deep finger pressure on the contracted areas, either following or going across the grain of muscles, tendons and fascia. It focuses on the deeper layers of muscle tissue.
Neuromuscular Trigger Point Therapy applies concentrated pressure to "trigger points" (painful irritated areas in muscles) to break cycles of spasm and pain. Learn more about trigger points.
Myofascial Therapy works with the muscles and the fascia in order to relieve pain in the body’s musculo-skeletal system. Myofascial therapy is manipulative in nature and seeks to rebalance the body by releasing tension in the fascia. Light and moderate pressure warms the muscles encouraging them to lengthen while stretching strokes are utilized to release muscular tension.
Swedish Massage is one of the most commonly taught and well-known massage techniques, Swedish massage is a system of treatment designed to energize the body by stimulating circulation. Five basic strokes, all flowing toward the heart, are used to manipulate the soft tissues of the body. The many benefits of Swedish massage may include generalized relaxation, dissolution of scar tissue adhesions, and improved circulation, which may speed healing and reduce swelling from injury.
Orthopedic Massage integrates modalities to treat soft tissue pain and injury. Emphasis is placed on understanding both the injury and its rehabilitation criteria. Three basic elements adhered to, despite the technical diversity in treatment, are assessment, matching the treatment to the injury, and adaptability of treatment.
Medical Massage is similar to Orthopedic Massage. It is intended to have a specific outcome such as a decrease in pain or increase in range of motion. A variety of massage techniques are combined to accomplish those outcomes. The massage session typically focuses on a problem area and does not usually include the entire body. While the overall massage is relaxing, certain aspects may feel "intense" or "edgy" in sensation.
Sports Massage is typically used before, during, and after athletic events to prepare the athlete for peak performance, to drain away fatigue, to relieve swelling, to reduce muscle tension, to promote flexibility and to prevent injuries. Depending on the needs of the athlete, a variety of techniques are used including classic Swedish strokes, cross-fiber friction, pressure-point work, and joint mobilization.
Specific modalities and techniques that may be used during your massage:
Deep Tissue Massage releases the chronic patterns of tension in the body through slow strokes and deep finger pressure on the contracted areas, either following or going across the grain of muscles, tendons and fascia. It focuses on the deeper layers of muscle tissue.
Neuromuscular Trigger Point Therapy applies concentrated pressure to "trigger points" (painful irritated areas in muscles) to break cycles of spasm and pain. Learn more about trigger points.
Myofascial Therapy works with the muscles and the fascia in order to relieve pain in the body’s musculo-skeletal system. Myofascial therapy is manipulative in nature and seeks to rebalance the body by releasing tension in the fascia. Light and moderate pressure warms the muscles encouraging them to lengthen while stretching strokes are utilized to release muscular tension.
Swedish Massage is one of the most commonly taught and well-known massage techniques, Swedish massage is a system of treatment designed to energize the body by stimulating circulation. Five basic strokes, all flowing toward the heart, are used to manipulate the soft tissues of the body. The many benefits of Swedish massage may include generalized relaxation, dissolution of scar tissue adhesions, and improved circulation, which may speed healing and reduce swelling from injury.
Orthopedic Massage integrates modalities to treat soft tissue pain and injury. Emphasis is placed on understanding both the injury and its rehabilitation criteria. Three basic elements adhered to, despite the technical diversity in treatment, are assessment, matching the treatment to the injury, and adaptability of treatment.
Medical Massage is similar to Orthopedic Massage. It is intended to have a specific outcome such as a decrease in pain or increase in range of motion. A variety of massage techniques are combined to accomplish those outcomes. The massage session typically focuses on a problem area and does not usually include the entire body. While the overall massage is relaxing, certain aspects may feel "intense" or "edgy" in sensation.
Sports Massage is typically used before, during, and after athletic events to prepare the athlete for peak performance, to drain away fatigue, to relieve swelling, to reduce muscle tension, to promote flexibility and to prevent injuries. Depending on the needs of the athlete, a variety of techniques are used including classic Swedish strokes, cross-fiber friction, pressure-point work, and joint mobilization.
Prenatal / Pregnancy Massage can be both effective and safe prenatally and during labor and postpartum periods 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.
Active Isolated Stretching (AIS) provides effective, dynamic, facilitated stretching of major muscle groups through muscle lengthening and fascial release. AIS also provides functional and physiological restoration of superficial and deep fascial planes.
Positional Release is a gentle massage technique. Positional relase uses movements and gentle manipulations to find the position of most comfort in response to a pain. The practitioner then works from there to release the core problem.
Cryotherapy, also known as ice therapy, uses the application of cold in the form of ice, cold water, and topical lotions to alleviate blood flow, swelling, and inflammation with the contraction of blood vessels. Used in conjunction with heat, cryotherapy can increase circulation, and, hence, remove wastes and toxins from an injured area.
Thermotherapy, also known as heat therapy, uses the application of either moist or dry heat to relax muscles, increase circulation, and relieve pain.
Active Isolated Stretching (AIS) provides effective, dynamic, facilitated stretching of major muscle groups through muscle lengthening and fascial release. AIS also provides functional and physiological restoration of superficial and deep fascial planes.
Positional Release is a gentle massage technique. Positional relase uses movements and gentle manipulations to find the position of most comfort in response to a pain. The practitioner then works from there to release the core problem.
Cryotherapy, also known as ice therapy, uses the application of cold in the form of ice, cold water, and topical lotions to alleviate blood flow, swelling, and inflammation with the contraction of blood vessels. Used in conjunction with heat, cryotherapy can increase circulation, and, hence, remove wastes and toxins from an injured area.
Thermotherapy, also known as heat therapy, uses the application of either moist or dry heat to relax muscles, increase circulation, and relieve pain.
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