Therapeutic Massage...For You!

Generally speaking, all types of Massage Therapy can be broken down into two major groups - therapy of a physical nature (rubbing, kneading, applying pressure, etc) and therapy of an energetic nature (working with energy and the body's energy field). Some types of therapy have both physical and energetic components.

Popular forms of physical massage include Chair Massage, Deep-Tissue Massage, Lymphatic Massage (Lymphatic Drainage), Kinesiology, Myofascial Release, Myotherapy, Neuromuscular Therapy, Pregnancy Massage, Rolfing, Reflexology, Soft Tissue Release, Swedish Massage, Thai Massage, and Trigger-Point Massage.

Popular forms of energetic massage include Acupressure, Craniosacral Therapy, Healing Touch, LaStone Therapy, Polarity Therapy, Reiki, Therapeutic Touch, and Zero Balancing.

Swedish Massage is the most common type of massage, and it’s what most people think of when they think of Massage Therapy. Swedish Massage is the kind of massage often administered at a spa or resort. It consists of long, slow, soothing strokes, generally applied with light to moderate pressure. Swedish Massage is designed for relaxation, stress relief, and improved blood circulation.

Trigger-Point Massage is designed to address specific muscle aches and pains. In this type of massage, the therapist locates trigger points (small bundles of contracted muscle fibers) and then applies direct pressure on the trigger points for anywhere from 10 to 30 seconds (sometimes longer). This technique helps release (relax) the contracted muscle fibers resulting in decreased pain.

Deep-Tissue Massage, like Trigger-Point Massage, is also designed to address specific muscle aches and pains. Deep-Tissue Massage uses techniques to work deep into muscle tissue in order to lengthen tight/short muscles, resulting in the alleviation of pain and tightness, and restoration of balance.

Sometimes I’ll spend an entire session doing just one type of massage. If a client tells me they just want to “chill out” and relax, I’ll do just Swedish Massage. If a client complains of muscle aches and pains, headaches, or some other chronic conditions, I might spend most of the session doing Trigger-Point and Deep-Tissue Massage, with some Swedish Massage added at various times to help relax and give my client a short break from the deep work.

In addition to my three specialties, I’ve also had considerable training in Acupressure and Oriental Theory, Craniosacral Therapy, Lymphatic Massage, Pregnancy Massage, and Reflexology. I incorporate elements of these types of massage as needed.

With this type of massage, sometimes the client can remain fully clothed for the session. Energetic massage works with energy in the body and the body's energy field, and with energy from other sources (depending on the training, intent, and belief systems of the therapist).

Oriental Theory, for example, views the human body as having a number of energy channels running vertically from head to foot, with many points on each channel. These points correspond to specific areas of the body, specific organs, and specific physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual conditions and ailments. Based on input from the client, the therapist attempts to change (increase or decrease) the energy on a channel (or channels). Sometimes, light pressure is applied to specific points to address specific conditions. Acupuncture works on the same theory using needles.

Craniosacral Therapy is another type of energy-based massage. In this type of massage, the client remains fully clothed, and the therapist attempts to sense what is known as a “Craniosacral Rhythm”, as well as other imbalances in the body. Then, using energy and intent, the therapist attempts to cause a physical and/or energetic shift in the client’s body. The focus of Craniosacral Therapy is generally on the cranium (the skull and all the bones comprising it), and the spine (including the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar vertebrae, and the sacrum). It also works with the connective tissue (fascia) in the brain and surrounding the spinal cord.