I retired from massage therapy in 2016, but there's been an overwhelming demand for me to add it to my practice again. So I have for women only. Below are some of the benefits of massage and which ones are being offered with a detailed description of each.
Some of the many benefits of massage:
Alleviates back pain and improves range of motion.
Pumps oxygen and nutrients into tissue and vital organs, improving circulation.
Reduces spasms and cramping.
Relaxes and softens injured, tired and overused muscles.
Lessens depression and anxiety.
Relieves migraine pain.
Enhances immunity by stimulating lymph flow - the body's natural defense system.
Releases endorphins - amino acids that work as the body's natural painkiller.
Relaxes the mind and body.
Helps athletes of any age level prepare for, and recover from strenuous workouts.
Reduces post-surgery adhesions and swelling.
Promotes tissue regeneration, reducing scar tissue.
Helps with insomnia.
Massage therapies currently being offered:
[Please note: If you're on blood thinners or have hyper - tension, you can only get a Swedish massage. If there is acne, on the back for example, that area cannot be massaged. And lastly, in severe cases, before getting a massage, I would recommend that you get an adjustment by a really good chiropractor. If what's causing you pain is actually a structural problem and not a muscular problem, an adjustment will be a must before getting a massage. The massage will help soothe the muscles and your body better once the structural problem is resolved. In many cases, it's just muscular, but in others cases, the body is out of alignment and that needs to be addressed first.]
Sports -
This isn't just for athletes, but anyone putting a lot of physical stress on their body. It helps with recovery, removal of toxins, performance enhancement and sleep. It increases blood flow, stimulates neurological pathways, aids in recovery from exertion, increases flexibility, improves strength and even posture.
Depending on the person various techniques are used, such as, effleurage, petrissage, vibration, shaking, compression, broadening strokes, direct pressure, cross-fiber friction, range of motion and stretching, kneading and manipulation of muscles and joint mobilization.
It's rehabilitative: it helps to alleviate pain from an injury and return the affected tissue to normal. It's restorative: which basically means that working on the body before strenuous activity helps to prevent it from being injured more easily.
Swedish/Pre-natal -
This helps to energize and relax the body and mind. It involves techniques such as effleurage, kneading, vibration and rolling. This type of massage is effective, but uses less pressure than the others since it's not treating injured muscle and tissue. For women who are further along in their pregnancy, you will be in a side - lying position on each side with a pillow underneath your head and in between your knees to support your back.
Amma (Chinese/Japanese massage) -
Amma is a specialized form of bodywork therapy that combines deep, therapeutic, circular digital pressure and acupressure point stimulation with Chinese medicine principles for accessing and treating imbalances in the energy system
"Amma Massage is based on the principles of Traditional Chinese and Japanese Medicine. Its origins date back over 5,000 years. The earliest mention of Amma Massage was in an ancient Chinese medical text called the "Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon," which dates to approximately 475 BC." Like acupuncture, Amma focuses on the balance and movement of your energy, aka qi (chee) throughout your body, but using a variety of massage therapy techniques instead of needles. This is normally performed with your clothing on; so wearing loose comfortable clothing is best. Depending on the person, I've also used some of the Amma techniques during a sports and medical massage. Clients have said the mixing of the two is invigorating!
Deep tissue -
I have always educated clients on what a deep tissue massage is actually for, because many people who just want a really firm massage, should actually just get a sports massage, but they ask for a deep tissue massage not knowing what it entails. Deep tissue massage is used to break down scar tissue/adhesions, treat musculoskeletal issues, such as strains and sports injuries. It involves applying sustained pressure using slow, deep strokes and friction to target the inner layers of your muscles and connective tissues. Performing it on muscle that isn't scarred or injured usually leads to severe pain. I highly recommend getting an adjustment from a really good chiropractor if you're in a lot of pain, because it can help the muscles relax and possibly eliminate the pain altogether. Then get a massage.
Before I went to back to school in New York and learned this, I asked for a deep tissue massage somewhere and ended up in tears and severe pain for days. That therapist should've never performed a deep tissue massage on me. A good massage therapist will never perform or suggest a deep tissue massage on muscle and tissue that isn't injured.
[I kindly ask for you to please shower before coming to your session, if possible]