Types of Massage Offered

Deep Tissue massage is designed to relieve tension in the muscle and the connective tissue or fascia. This type of massage focuses on the muscles located below the surface of the top muscles. Deep tissue massage is often recommended for individuals who experience consistent pain, are involved in heavy physical activity, such as athletes, and patients who have sustained physical injury. It is also not uncommon for receivers of Deep Tissue Massage to have their pain replaced with a new muscle ache for a day or two. Increasing water intake will greatly reduce any soreness after a massage. Deep tissue work varies greatly. What one calls deep tissue another will call light. When receiving deep tissue work it is important to communicate what you are feeling.

Myofascial release is a form of soft tissue therapy used to treat body dysfunction and accompanying pain and restriction of motion. This is accomplished by relaxing contracted muscles, increasing circulation, increasing venous and lymphatic drainage, and stimulating the stretch reflex of muscles and overlying fascia. Fascia is made up of connective tissue that surrounds every muscle, bone, nerve, artery and vein. Pain and restriction occur when the fascia gets tight and immovable and it begins to pull other structures out of normal alignment. Each Myofascial Release treatment session is performed directly on skin without oils or creams. This enables the therapist to accurately detect fascial restrictions and apply the appropriate amount of sustained pressure to facilitate release of the fascia. Myofascial work can be done before applying the oil or cream before performing a typical massage. I often start my deep tissue massages with a few minutes of myofascial work. It is very beneficial for increasing scar tissue healing. For example, it can reduce scar tissue formation and help realigne the tissue after a cesarean section (c-section).

Swedish massage uses five styles of long, flowing strokes to massage. The five basic strokes are effleurage (sliding or gliding), petrissage (kneading), tapotement (rhythmic tapping), friction (cross fiber) and vibration/shaking. Swedish massage has shown to be helpful in reducing pain, joint stiffness, and improving function in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee over a period of eight weeks. It has also been shown to be helpful in individuals with poor circulation. The pressure of a swedish massage is light to medium with long slow movements and less focused work than a deep tissue massage. It is typically known as the relaxation massage.

Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. It is administered by "laying on hands" and is based on the idea that an unseen "life force energy" flows through us and is what causes us to be alive. If one's "life force energy" is low, then we are more likely to get sick or feel stress, and if it is high, we are more capable of being happy and healthy. A treatment feels like a wonderful glowing radiance that flows through and around you. Reiki treats the whole person including body, emotions, mind and spirit creating many beneficial effects that include relaxation and feelings of peace, security and wellbeing. Many have reported miraculous results.

Massage is very beneficial to both mother and baby! Massage helps guard against anemia, leg cramps, backaches, edema, fatigue, shortens labor, and enhances sleep.Pregnancy massage has some limitations and considerations that differ from the typical massage but is very similar. Post-partum massage is also recommended to speed healing and tone muscles.

Hot Stone Massage
Hot stone massage is a variation of a typical massage. Heated smooth, flat stones are placed on key points on the body. The massage therapist may also hold the stones and use them to massage certain areas of the body. It is very beneficial for circulation and can be very relaxing and warming when it is cold out.

Lomi Lomi
The massage is given in fluid, rhythmic motion using the forearms as well as the hands. Some people have described this as feeling like gentle waves moving over the body. Another feature is that different parts of the body may be massaged at the same time, for example one arm or hand may be working on a shoulder and the other hand may be working on the opposite hip. This assists the recipient in totally relaxing as it is impossible or at least extremely difficult for the brain to focus on the two different areas at once. By not working on areas in isolation a deep sense of balance and harmony is achieved. 

Energy and Chakra balancing with sound therapy and red light 

This session of 30 min can be added onto any massage session or booked on its own. Session is a mix of sound therapy with reiki energy work, chakra balancing and red light mask on face combined with use of rocks and crystal placement on the body. The session helps heal and build a connection with mind and body,a stepping away from the busyness of the world we live in to just be silent and check in with yourself.