Massage Therapy

Massage therapy is the assessment and treatment of the soft tissues and joints of the body by hands-on manipulation. Massage can be defined as the manipulation of the soft tissues of the body for therapeutic purposes. It uses a system of strokes that include gliding, kneading, friction, pressure, tapping and vibrating. In addition, massage therapists may engage in active and passive movements of the joints, use auxiliary mechanical devices, apply heat and cold in various forms, and instruct clients on exercises to achieve improved muscle tone circulation, and range of motion.

The benefits of massage:

• Stretches superficial tissue.
• Assists lymphatic and venous flow.
• Helps to break up and loosen subcutaneous tissue adhesions.
• Can help reduce certain types of edema.
• Stimulates the sensory receptors (nerves) of the skin and deeper tissue.

Massage Therapy is recommended for:

• Relief of chronic stress /tension.
• Relaxation.
• Relief of pain/spasm.
• Headaches.
• Repetitive strain injuries.
• Sprains/strains/athletic injuries.
• Tendonitis/bursitis.
• Pregnancy discomforts/post partum.
• Postural disorders/muscle rehabilitation.
• Lymphatic drainage.
• Improved circulation.

What are the different types of massage?

• Deep Tissue: releases the chronic patterns of tension in the body through slow strokes and deep finger pressure on the contacted areas, either following or going across the grain of muscles, tendons and fascia. It is called deep tissue, because it also focuses on the deeper layers of muscle tissue.
• Myofasical Release: is a form of bodywork that is manipulative in nature and seeks to rebalance the body by releasing tension in the fascia. Long, stretching strokes are utilized to release muscular tension.
• Reflexology: massage based around a system of points in the hands and feet thought to correspond to all areas of the body.
• Shiatsu / Acupupressure / AMMA: Oriental based systems of finger-pressure which treat special points along acupuncture "meridians" (the invisible channels of energy that flow through the body).
• Sports Massage: massage therapy focusing on muscle systems relevant to a particular sport.
• Swedish Massage: a system of long strokes, kneading and friction techniques on the more superficial layers of the muscles, combined with active and passive movement to the joints.
• Trigger Point Therapy (also known as Myotherapy or Neuromuscular Therapy): applies concentrated finger pressure to "trigger points" (painful irritated areas of spasm and pain in muscles).