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Massage Therapy |
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What is Massage therapy ?
Massage therapy is the scientific manipulation of the soft tissues of the body for the purpose of normalizing
those tissues and consists of manual techniques that include applying fixed or movable pressure, holding,
and/or causing movement of or to the body.
When should I have Massage Therapy?
Generally, massage is known to affect the circulation of blood and the flow of blood and lymph,
reduce muscular tension or flaccidity, affect the nervous system through stimulation or sedation, and
enhance tissue healing. These effects provide a number of benefits:
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reduction of muscle tension and stiffness |
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relief of muscle spasms |
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greater flexibility and range of motion |
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increase of the ease and efficiency of movement |
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relief of stress and aide of relaxation |
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promotion of deeper and easier breathing |
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improvement of the circulation of blood and movement of lymph |
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relief of tension-related conditions, such as headaches and eyestrain |
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promotion of faster healing of soft tissue injuries, such as pulled muscles and sprained ligaments, and reduction in pain and swelling related to such injuries |
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reduction in the formation of excessive scar tissue following soft tissue injuries |
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enhancement in the health and nourishment of skin |
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improvement in posture through changing tension patterns that affect posture |
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reduction in stress and an excellent stress management tool |
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creation of a feeling of well-being |
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reduction in levels of anxiety |
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increase in awareness of the mind-body connection |
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Massage therapy also has a number of documented clinical benefits. For example, massage therapy can help with
anxiety and stress, arthritis, asthma, repetitive motion injuries, chronic and temporary pain, circulatory problems,
tension headaches, insomnia, myofascial pain, sports injuries, and temporomandibular joint dysfunction.
We offer the following therapies:
Swedish massage uses a system of long gliding strokes, kneading, and friction techniques on the more
superficial layers of muscles, generally in the direction of blood flow toward the heart, and sometimes
combined with active and passive movements of the joints. It is used to promote general relaxation,
improve circulation and range of motion, and relieve muscle tension. Swedish massage is the most
commonly used form of massage.
Deep tissue massage is used to release chronic patterns of muscular tension using slow strokes, direct
pressure, or friction directed across the grain of the muscles. It is applied with greater pressure and
to deeper layers of muscle than Swedish, which is why it is called deep tissue and is effective for
chronic muscular tension.
Sports massage uses techniques that are similar to Swedish and deep tissue, but are specially adapted to
deal with the effects of athletic performance on the body and the needs of athletes regarding training,
performing, and recovery from injury. Our Massage Therapists blend classic Swedish strokes with such
methods as compression, pressure-point therapy, cross-fiber friction to meet the special needs of high-level
performers and fitness enthusiasts.
Neuromuscular massage is a form of deep massage that is applied to individual muscles. It is used primarily
to release trigger points (intense knots of muscle tension that refer pain to other parts of the body),
and also to increase blood flow. It is often used to reduce pain. Trigger point massage and myotherapy are
similar forms.
Trigger point massage utilizes ischemic compression of individual areas of hypersensitivity in muscles,
ligaments, tendons, and fascia. These trigger points are defined by their referral of pain to distant
locations in muscles, connective tissues, and organs. Janet Travell, M.D., pioneered trigger point therapy
in the United States.
Pregnancy massage is the massage of pregnant women (prenatal) and women after giving birth (postpartum).
It address the special needs of pregnant women such as discomforts in the low back, feet, and legs.
Myofascial Release means muscle and fascia is the elastic connective tissue wrapped around muscles and
other parts of the body. During myofascial release restrictions (stuck areas) are located and gentle sliding
pressure is applied in the direction of the restriction to stretch the tissues. The stretching of tissues
and the heat imparted by the practitioner's hands are thought to help produce a softer consistency of fascial
tissues.
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FITNESS
