Therapeutic Massage Therapy
When treating a specific condition, Swedish Massage is combined with more advanced and focused techniques such as Manual Lymph Drainage, Trigger Point Release, Joint Mobilizations, Resisted Range of Motion, Frictions and Myofascial Release. When combined with these techniques, it is considered a Therapeutic Massage Treatment in order to address a certain condition or injury and alleviate pain, dysfunction, muscle spasm and stress while increasing relaxation and healing.
Sports Massage
Pre-event: Techniques used to stimulate and warm the muscles and increase circulation in order to prepare them for optimal performance and prevent injury.
Post-event: Designed to aid in the recovery of muscle tissues after activity. Techniques will relax, soothe and stretch muscles to increase recovery and decrease muscle soreness and fatigue.
Restorative: Treatments are typically taken regularly while training for an event, or just training in general, to help prevent injury and increase strength and performance.
Rehabilitative: Used to help heal an injury. It alleviates pain, decreases inflammation and breaks down adhesions to realign and return tissues to normal.
Swedish Massage (Relaxation Massage)
It is the most commonly used form of classical Western massage, otherwise known as a "relaxation" massage. The therapist generally uses gentle soothing techniques such as effleurage (light long strokes), petrissage (circular manipulation), tapotement (percussive techniques), muscle squeezing, active and passive movement of the joints as well as light rocking and vibrations. It is used especially for relaxation, relief of muscular tension and improvement of circulation and range of motion.
Prenatal (Pregnancy) Massage
Pregnancy is a state of wellness associated with many interrelated changes that occur throughout the woman's body as the fetus develops. This specific massage is designed to address the discomforts that may arise while the body and organs shift and change during the first, second and third trimester, as well as postnatally (following delivery). Common discomforts that may be addressed are in the back, sacrum, hips, legs and ankles and swelling may be experienced in certain extremities. This treatment is guaranteed to help mommy-to-be release tension and increase relaxation for a more pleasant pregnancy experience.
Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD)
MLD is a gentle, pain-free and non-invasive technique used when edema (swelling) is present due to certain conditions such as injury, arthritis, congestion and lymphedema. This massage technique is highly effective in directing lymph flow from the site of swelling and encouraging it to flow properly through proximal vessels, encouraging the healing process and decreasing the formation of scar tissue. The slow and rhythmical nature of these techniques also decreases pain and the effects of the sympathetic nervous system.
Intra-oral TMJ treatment
Hypertonic muscles of the temporomandibular joint can result in an imbalanced range of motion of the jaw as well as pain radiating into the neck, shoulders and head. TMJ dysfunction is known to cause migraines, dizziness, tinnitus (ringing in the ears) and stress. Intra-oral treatment allows the massage therapist to treat more precisely the muscles of mastication from the inside of the mouth, in order to alleviate the associated symptoms and regain normal range of motion.
Abdominal Massage
Abdominal massage is a gentle treatment of the stomach and its internal organs. It is used to alleviate constipation, bloating, menstrual discomfort, poor digestion and increases overall relaxation and sleep by stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system. It is known to be very affective in clients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), anxiety, depression, low back pain and post-childbirth fascial syndromes.
Trigger Point Release Technique
Trigger Points are areas in a band of muscle that are taught, painful and irritated by overuse, poor body mechanics or injury. These spots can prevent the muscles from working well, increase muscle stiffness and tenderness and decrease range-of-motion. In addition, a trigger point can cause a great deal of discomfort as it commonly radiates from it's point of origin to other areas of the body. Trigger points are the most common culprit for pain in clients and releasing them is a very effective technique to alleviate much pain and discomfort in the body. The technique can include manual compressions, stretching and the application of heat.
Joint Mobilization
With overuse, injury, or the lack of joint and muscle use during injury, the body will lay down adhesions in tissues surrounding the joints, causing hypomobility and therefore a diminished range of motion. Joint mobilization is comprised of gentle, pain-free techniques that can range from light rocking and shaking to tractioning and joint play, in order to increase range of motion in a particular joint.
Myofascial Release Techniques
Every organ and muscle in the body is enveloped in a layer that holds it all together, this layer is called "fascia". When our bodies experience inflammation, trauma, surgery, pathology, or postural imbalances, the fascia will develop adhesions, shortening and restrictions causing pain and a lack of range of motion. These techniques are specifically intended to disrupt and breakdown adhesions in order to regain range of motion and decrease pain.
Conditions treatable with Massage Therapy
Conditions Affecting Head and Neck
Torticollis
Tension Headache
Migraine
Postural Dysfunction
Pes Planus (Flat Foot)
IT Band Contracture
Patellofemoral Syndrome
Hyperlordosis
Hyperkyphosis
Scoliosis
Joint Dysfuction
Hyper/Hypomobility
TMJ dysfunction
Degenerative Disc Disease
Arthritis
Gastrointestinal
Constipation
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
General
Pain
Inflammation
Stress
Anxiety
Depression
Musculoskeletal Injuries
Scar Tissue
Wounds and Burns
Contusions
Strains
Sprains
Cruciate and Meniscal Injuries
Dislocations
Fractures
Whiplash
Overuse injuries
Plantar Fasciitis
Periostitis and Compartment Syndromes
Tendinitis
Bursitis
Frozen Shoulder
Central Nervous System Conditions
Hemiplegia
Multiple Sclerosis
Parkinsons
Cerebral Palsy
Spinal Cord Injury
Peripheral Nervous System Conditions
Nerve lesions, entrapment & compression
Bell's Palsy
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Piriformis Syndrome
Respiratory Pathologies
Sinusitis
Chronic Bronchitis
Emphysema
Asthma
Systemic
Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue
Circulatory Conditions
Hypertension
Raynaud's Phenomenon/Disease