"No matter who you are or what you do, your body is your dearest and most prominent tool"
–Thomas Myers
Although all massage treatments are tailored to each individual client’s needs and may include several different modalities, the following are some of our offerings:
Swedish Massage is what most people think of as a general relaxation massage. The pressure is firm but gentle. It uses long, gliding strokes, kneading, vibration, tapping, and friction to help improve circulation, ease muscle aches and create a sense of well-being.
Muscular Therapy is therapeutic massage designed to address chronic tension patterns—that nagging low back pain, that shoulder or neck tension that never seems to go away. Born of the Swedish tradition, it uses more specific techniques and a variety of pressures, speeds and rhythms to address individual muscles. It is the foundational training of all of our massage therapists.
Deep Tissue Massage reaches beyond the superficial layers of muscle tissue to affect change in the deeper layers of tissue. Although this work often uses increased pressure, it is important to note that a technique need not be hard or painful in order to be deeply effective. Melting through, not pushing through, the tissue is the goal.
Fascial Work uses long, slow, stretching strokes to release tension in the body’s soft connective tissue, or fascial net, which surrounds and separates all body tissue and creates the body’s structural integrity.
Neuromuscular Therapy targets the hyper-irritated trigger points in muscle tissue which often refer pain to other parts of the body. The therapist applies direct pressure to these trigger points in order to interrupt the nervous system out of its pain-spasm-pain cycle. This work can be intense, and dialog between therapist and client is essential.
Pre- and Perinatal Massage helps support pregnant or postpartum women by addressing the musculo-skeletal concerns specific to pregnancy, such as low back and hip pain, ligament laxity in the joints, or neck and shoulder tension, for example. Pregnancy massage not only helps make the mother feel more comfortable, but research has shown that massage has positive effects on the baby as well.
Sports Massage tailors general massage principles to the needs of athletes in order to help enhance athletic performance and decrease recovery time. The therapist uses techniques such as stroking, kneading, percussion, assisted stretching and hot/cold therapy to address fatigue, soreness and overuse issues.
Reiki is a Japanese form of energy work which requires only light touch to be powerfully effective. The therapist channels healing energy (or “ki/chi”) by gently holding or simply resting his or her hands on or above areas in need of healing energy. Ask for Linda, Laura or Rose.
Oncology Massage is a specialized form of bodywork for people living with cancer, either in an active disease state or in recovery from treatment. It can help decrease symptoms of nausea, pain, fatigue and anxiety, as well as provide comforting and supportive touch. Ask for Laura or Rose.
If you are interested in Massage therapy and have not provided information on your health history, please fill our health history form.