Are you stressed, in pain or just need some time to yourself to unwind and be refreshed?
Massage and Bodywork can help.
It is my belief that massage has much more to offer than just relaxation. The stress of daily life, pain, injury and bad posture all serve to pull us out of balance, physically, energetically and emotionally. I believe that when we are in balance, the body’s natural healing abilities can do amazing things. For more info click here:
Bodywork focuses on the soft tissues of the body (muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia and connective tissue). Soft tissues are vulnerable to injury from trauma, repetitive use, and bad posture. After soft tissue has been injured the body has a tendency to shut that part down to avoid further injury. This 'shutting' down involves creating pain and contracture in the injured area, which forces other tissues to compensate for the loss of function and support of the injured area.
Bodywork can help by Releasing the tension in the injured area Increasing blood flow to the area Relieving pain Releasing the compensations
Increasing range of motion
I offer the following modalities:
Tui-na: ( Pronounced :Twee- Na) Also known as Chinese medical massage, Tui-na is many thousands of years old and was most likely created by the monks who developed Chinese martial arts. Tui-na was likely developed to treat injuries sustained during practice and combat. Tui-na is a vigorous type of bodywork which uses shaking, rocking, and a variety of hand and arm techniques to stimulate the flow of the life force known as Qi to the Chinese. Tui-na includes a number of different therapeutic techniques including;
Acupressure: The application of pressure to special points on the body using the fingers and hands to stimulate the body's natural healing powers. Acupressure has been used as an adjunct to Tui-na for many
years. Cupping: Cupping has recently been in the news because of some curious marks spotted on actress Gwyneth Paltrow's back. Cupping is an ancient Chinese method of pain relief in which a flame is quickly put into a glass, or plastic cup and removed creating a vacuum in the cup. The cup is then put on the skin; the vacuum draws the underlying tissue up into the cup. This increases blood flow to the area while also stretching the skin and muscles, helping to relax the muscles and break adhesions in the tissue.
Deep tissue massage - Works on the deeper muscles and tissues of the body. Helps improve muscle tone, relive pain and increases range of motion.
Sports Massage: Although not a specific modality, sports massage may be one of the oldest healing techniques in the world. Dating back to the Olympiads of ancient Greece, and the schools and temples of the warrior monks of ancient China. Massage has been used for centuries to help athletes recover quicker and preform better. There are two primary aspects of sports massage.
1. Pre-event massage- Pre-event massage is stimulating. The focus is on warming up the muscles about to be used in the event, to increase blood flow and increase fluid exchange. This helps the muscles perform better and lessens the chance of injury.
2. Post Event massage- By far the most important aspect of sports massage is the post event massage. The focus is on recovery and/or injury rehabilitation. By using a variety of techniques the therapies helps the athlete recover from the strain of competition or rigorous training. The techniques used include but are not limited to:
A. General massage techniques
C. The application of heat or cold
What can I expect at my session?
When you first arrive there will be some paperwork to fill out, so it is better to arrive a few minutes early if you can. After the paperwork is completed a health history will be taken. I will then perform a five-minute assessment to help develop a treatment plan.. The exact techniques used will depend on the results of your assessment. After a session of bodywork you should feel more relaxed and maybe sleepy, so take your time in getting off of the table and make sure you are completely awake before driving. Be sure to drink plenty of water after a session to help flush out any toxins that may have been released from the bodywork.
Note: Bodywork therapists do not prescribe medical treatment or diagnose any conditions. Massage / Bodywork is not a replacement for medical treatment. If you have a serious injury or condition please seek medical attention