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Techniques

Think of this list as a view of our toolbox rather than a menu. When you come to see us we will assess your individual needs and combine all of our different techniques to best address them. With that in mind 'Therapeutic Massage' will usually be flexible enough to accommodate everyone. 'Thai' and 'Shiatsu' are both performed in clothes on a mat rather than a table and so require a special setting in advance, and indicating 'Pre-natal' allows us to prepare extra cushioning for and address the specific needs that come with the miracle of pregnancy.

Trigger Point

Trigger points are highly irritated bands of tissue located in or along a muscle. The small point of irritation can cause tightness throughout the entire muscle and referred pain throughout the entire body. The symptoms of trigger points can vary from local discomfort in the muscle, to headaches, numbness, tingling, and restricted mobility. Sometimes trigger points can even mimic or be one of the causes of repetitive stress injuries. Trigger point massage can be extremely effective at relieving these symptoms.
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Myofascial Release

Myofascial Release is a very effective hands-on technique that provides sustained pressure into myofascial restrictions to eliminate pain and restore motion. The theory of Myofascial Release requires an understanding of the fascial system (or connective tissue). The fascia is a specialized system of the body that has an appearance similar to a spider's web or a sweater.

Fascia is very densely woven, covering and interpenetrating every muscle, bone, nerve, artery and vein as well as all of our internal organs including the heart, lungs, brain and spinal cord. The most interesting aspect of the fascial system is that it is not just a system of separate coverings. It is actually one structure that exists from head to foot without interruption. In this way you can begin to see that each part of the entire body is connected to every other part by the fascia, like the yarn in a sweater.
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Deep Tissue

Deep tissue is extremely effective in relieving the stress of working at a computer to the neck and shoulder region. It is also used by athletes and dancers on a regular basis to help maintain their bodies as they put them under daily stress. It decreases the chances of injury and reduces recovery time between workouts. It is normal to feel a bit sore the day after a deep tissue massage. Deep tissue massage draws on western clinical techniques to address specific muscular and connective tissue structures in the body. It requires extensive knowledge of anatomy and pathology. It is specific to each client's needs, and is an effective way to:

Balance muscular structures,
Remove metabolic waste buildup from tissue,
Restore normal range of motion to joints
Increase the clients relaxation by stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system (the body's system to create a relaxed metabolic state).

Sports Massage

Sports Massage is used by athletes to optimize their training and event performance. It involves techniques to stretch, mobilize, revive and maintain the structures of the body placed under the intense demands of athletics. Most professional athletes receive sports massage as an essential component of their training as it has been shown to:

Decrease recovery time from workouts by assisting the elimination of metabolic waste.
Decrease the chances of injuries by stretching muscles and mobilizing joints.
Decrease post workout soreness.
Increase flexibility and mobility of joints.
Help athletes with specific areas of difficulty in their bodies.

Prenatal Massage

Prenatal massage shares many of the goals of regular massage--to relax tense muscles, ease sore spots, improve circulation and mobility, and just make you feel good. But it's also tailored specifically to the needs of pregnant women and their changing bodies. And can help relieve the swelling, soreness, stress and fatigue that occur during pregnancy.
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Shiatsu

Japanese bodywork based on the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine (acupuncture). Shiatsu is a deeply relaxing experience and regular sessions help prevent the build-up of stress in our daily lives. Shiatsu can help in a wide range of conditions from specific injuries to more general symptoms of poor health. Shiatsu is a graceful Japanese style of bodywork using gentle passive stretching and application of pressure to stimulate the meridians of chi (or life force) in the body in order to bring balance to the recipient. The recipient wears loose clothing to allow movement, and the massage is performed on a mat on the floor (in cases where floor work is not preferable shiatsu may also be performed on a table).
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Thai Massage

"Nuat phaen boran" which accurately translates as ancient massage and traditional massage is also known now as Thai massage, Thai ancient massage, ancient massage, traditional Thai massage, Thai yoga massage, yoga massage, Thai classical massage, Thai bodywork, passive yoga, or assisted yoga.

In Thai Massage the recipient is put into many yoga-like positions during the course of the massage. In the northern style there are a lot of stretching movements unlike the southern style where pressure is emphasized. It was believed that the massage art was brought over to Thailand by Dr Shivago K., a contemporary of Buddha almost about 2500 years ago.

The massage recipient changes into pajamas and lies on a mat or firm mattress on the floor. The therapist leans on the recipient's body using hands and forearms to apply firm rhythmic pressure to almost every part of the taker's body. The massage generally follows the SEN lines on the body-somewhat analogous to Chinese Acupuncture Meridians. In some gestures, legs and feet of the giver are used to fixate the body or limbs of the recipient. In other gestures, hands fixate the body, while the feet do the massaging action. Usually no oil is applied. A full course of Thai massage typically lasts two hours or more, and includes pulling fingers, toes, ears etc., cracking the knuckles, walking on the recipient's back, arching the recipient's back in a rolling action and more poses.
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Reiki

Reiki activates the body's innate healing abilities through a laying-on of hands. Like acupuncture, this Japanese modality works with the subtle flowing and weaving (and sometimes stagnant) Chi of the body. As the client lays fully-clothed on the table, the therapist places her/his hands on or slightly above the client's body in a series of positions that treat the entire body. The Reiki energy addresses all systems in the body, and all aspects of the person. Working at this core level of the living system to balance and restore has a multitude of positive effects. Reiki detoxifies, unwinds tight tissue, elicits and supports healing and clarity inbody, mind and emotional state, and that is just to name a few of the benefits. Being wrapped in this nourishing energy induces a deeply relaxed state, and stress—the source of so much dis-ease—is replaced with feelings of well-being and peace.
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Swedish Massage

Swedish Massage promotes deep relaxation of mind and body, full body health maintenance and detoxification through the movement of blood and lymphatic fluid. This modality directly affects the muscular, nervous and circulatory systems, and is primarily used for decreasing tension, overall stress relief, improving circulation and enhancing the functionality of the immune system. Swedish Massage focuses on rhythmically kneading, wringing, and gliding across the body to gently warm, stretch and open muscles and tendons, and calm the sympathetic nervous system. Swedish massage leaves you feeling both energized and deeply relaxed.
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CranioSacral

CranioSacral therapy was developed by osteopathic physician, John Upledger, with the understanding of the rhythmic pulse of cerebral spinal fluid and the revolutionary idea that the plates of the skull can move independently to accommodate the flow as it circulates through the cranium. Restrictions in the structures surrounding the central nervous system can disrupt the flow, as a disrupted flow can reversely cause restrictions. This modality utilizes light touch (about the weight of a nickel) to work with this pulse as it moves through the cranium, through the spinal column and back to the cranium, ultimately affecting the entire body. The therapist skillfully moves through a series of seemingly static holds to work with the body's natural healing system to release restrictions, improve nervous system functionality and bolster the immune system. The benefits of craniosacral therapy range from relieving migraine headaches to alleviating stress and tension to working with scoliosis and other orthopedic conditions.
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~Be Well~

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