different Types of Massage Therapy
Each massage is tailored to the person receiving it. My clients are more than welcome to request a type of massage prior to their appointment. I have found that it is very beneficial to talk with your therapist about your body any pain or challenges you may be having or your goals for the visit. This information will guide me to helping you choose the best type of massage for you during that visit.
Acupressure Massage
Acupressure is a form of touch therapy that utilizes the principles of acupuncture and Chinese medicine. In acupressure, the same points on the body are used as in acupuncture, but are stimulated with finger pressure instead of with the insertion of needles. Acupressure is used to relieve a variety of symptoms and pain.
Acupressure massage performed by a therapist can be very effective both as prevention and as a treatment for many health conditions, including headaches, general aches and pains, colds and flu, arthritis, allergies, asthma, nervous tension, menstrual cramps, sinus problems, sprains, tennis elbow, and toothaches, among others. Unlike acupuncture which requires a visit to a professional, acupressure can be performed by a layperson. Acupressure techniques are fairly easy to learn, and have been used to provide quick, cost-free, and effective relief from many symptoms. Acupressure points can also be stimulated to increase energy and feelings of well-being, reduce stress, stimulate the immune system, and alleviate sexual dysfunction.
Deep Tissue Massage
Deep Tissue massage is designed to relieve severe 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. 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.
Raindrop TechniqueMassage
This approximately 50 minute session, "Raindrop Technique" is a powerful, non-invasive tool for assisting the body in correcting defects in the curvature of the spine. During the years that it has been practiced, it has resolved numerous cases of scoliosis and kyphosis and eliminated the need for back surgery for thousands of people. Raindrop Technique originated in the 1980's from the research of Dr. Gary Young working with a Lakota medicine man named Wallace Black Elk. It integrates Vitaflex and massage, utilizing the power of essential oils in bringing the body into structural and electrical alignment." (from the Essential Oils Desk Reference)
Raindrop Technique uses a sequence of essential oils that are immune enhancing, support the body's natural defenses, as well as the circulatory, respiratory, endocrine, digestive, nervous, and other body systems. These oils, which are high in antioxidants, are also mood elevating and antiseptic, creating an unfavorable environment for harmful viruses and bacteria that can hibernate in the body. Essential oils are known to boost stamina and energy, help you relax, help manage stress and frustration and promote overall health, vitality, and longevity. The principal single oils used include:
Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)
Oregano (Origanum compactum)
Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens)
Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens)
Peppermint (Mentha piperita)
Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
Marjoram (Origanum majorana)
The oils are dispensed in little drops from a height of about six inches above the back, which is where Raindrop Technique gets its name. They are then massaged along the spine and back muscles. They are also applied to the feet.
The whole process takes about an hour and may continue to work in the body for up to one week following a Raindrop Session, with possible realignment and bodily adjustment taking place during this time.
"Raindrop Technique is not a cure-all or a magic bullet. A healthy balanced body is the result of a well-rounded program of exercise and proper diet. Health is everything we do, say, hear, see, and eat. The Raindrop Technique is only one tool to help restore balance in the body that will result in good health." (from the Essential Oils Desk Reference")
Reflexology Massage
Reflexology is based on the principle that there are reflexes in the hands and feet that relate to every organ, gland, and system of the body. A system of massage used to relieve tension and treat illness, based on the theory that there are reflex points on the feet, hands, and head linked to every part of the body.
Swedish Massage
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 development of Swedish massage is credited to Per Henrik Ling, though the Dutch practitioner Johan Georg Mezger adopted the French names to denote the basic strokes. The term "Swedish" massage is not really known in the country of Sweden, where it is called "classic massage".
Therapeutic Massage
This type of session is focused on pain relief and is usually interactive with client. Goals are usually to increase range of motion and relieve discomfort of a specific set of muscles or issue in on specific muscle. Also known as rehabilitative, deep tissue, medical, therapeutic or clinical massage.
Prenatal Massage
Prenatal massage is massage therapy that is especially tailored to an expectant mother’s demands. Prenatal massage is different from a regular massage because it demands that a new mother’s body has to be positioned as well as supported in the right way; this is achieved by utilizing pillows and some padding. Padding and the right pillows ensure that both the mother as well as the baby are comfortable. Further, certain massage techniques like deep tissue massage are forbidden for use on expectant mothers, and specific areas of the mother’s body ought to be avoided as well.
Women who are expecting and who have received prenatal massage have found several benefits after they received the prenatal massage. They have found that it relieves stress, takes away aches that are in the joints and the muscles, and lessens swellings in one’s arms and the legs. When options for relief during pregnancy are limited, prenatal massage fills the void effectively, and it also is a widely used, complementary therapy to treat back pain. Therapy of this sort has also been found to reduce anxiety and stress in pregnant women.
Postnatal Massage
Congratulations, your baby has arrived! Massage can continue to be an important part of good health for you and your new infant. Postpartum massage can relieve the stress and tension in your body related to childbirth and the new responsibilities of breastfeeding and caring for your newborn. By increasing circulation, massage enhances the post-birth healing process and has a significant effect on realigning the body when the center of gravity shifts back to normal.
Postpartum massage can begin within 4-5 days, whenever you feel most comfortable. Or for those who have undergone a C-Section (Caesarean) it is best to wait for a couple of weeks and after you have gotten your doctor's approval.
You can also share this pleasurable experience with your newborn. Infant massage is one of the best ways to bond with your baby and provide a secure, comforting welcome into the world. Ask your therapist about infant massage instruction.
To book any of my specialty message sessions with a licensed massage therapist, please use my contact form or call/text me at (816) 682-0164.