Massage Therapy

Swedish massage is designed to induce a state of deep relaxation.  The work is focused mainly on muscle groups and incorporates long gliding strokes, kneading, compression, vibration, percussion and joint mobilizations.  The work may be deep or gentle depending on your needs and preferences.

Deep tissue is often used to target specific pain points or areas of tension rather than giving a full-body experience. It is especially beneficial for chronic aches, pains and stiffness in areas such as the back, neck, shoulders and hips. Muscles are warmed up with lighter pressure before beginning deeper work. During a deep tissue massage it is not uncommon to experience a “hurts so good” feeling or feeling of “delicious discomfort.” However, deeper is not always better. If the work is too deep, your body will tense up in response to the pressure which is the exact opposite of the goal of releasing areas of chronic tension. It is important to let me know if you are experiencing sensations of actual hurt or pain so that pressure may be adjusted.

"Myo" refers to muscle, and "fascia" to the elastic web of connective tissue that supports and covers everything in the body including muscles, organs, bones and nerves.  Muscles and fascia work together to support the body and facilitate movement.  Poor posture, chronic inflammation, overuse and trauma such as accidents or surgery can cause fascia to become inflexible, restricting natural movement.  Prolonged tension from stress or emotional upset can also contribute to fascial restrictions.  Myofascial massage uses slow, specific strokes to release fascial restrictions that may be causing pain and limited mobility. 

Foot reflexology has been practiced for thousands of years. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) teaches that acupressure points on the feet are linked to specific body areas and organs via meridians or energy channels. Pressure applied to those points on the feet can stimulate the flow of energy to promote healing and relieve stress in the corresponding organs or body parts.

Using heat to help with pain relief and healing is an ancient practice. I often use hot stones to massage and soften chronically tight muscles in preparation for deeper work. I do not place and leave hot stones directly on bare skin (stones are only left in place on top of a towel) and I do not place stones underneath clients (clients will not lay on top of hot stones).

A trigger point is not just a knot or tight spot in a muscle. What makes a knot a trigger point is that, when pressure is applied to it, pain or sensation is referred to other areas of the body. With trigger point therapy direct sustained pressure is applied to the point for 30-90 seconds until the tissue begins to soften and referred sensations begin to lessen.

Scar tissue is the body’s natural mechanism for healing injured tissues. Under normal, healthy conditions collagen fibers align to strengthen our tissues. However, collagen fibers formed in response to injury do not align in an organized manner; instead, they arrange randomly. This haphazard layering results in the accumulation of scar tissue which is less flexible than healthy tissue and can limit mobility and range of motion. Massage techniques such as cross fiber friction can help to release scar tissue from surrounding tissues and slow, gentle myofascial movements can help realign the collagen fibers for pain relief and restoration of normal function.