Body Work
The best reward for a workout well done, a long day at work, or a week of driving the kids around is a relaxing, invigorating massage. We offer a variety of bodywork techniques including Swedish, Deep Tissue and Sports Massage, Pre-and Post-Natal, Trigger Point Therapy and Neuromuscular Therapy.
The purpose of bodywork therapy is the correction of problems in the client's overall posture, connective tissue, and/or musculature in order to bring about greater ease of movement, less discomfort, and a higher level of energy in daily activity. Some forms of bodywork have as a secondary purpose: the healing or prevention of repetitive stress injuries, particularly for people whose occupations require intensive use of specific parts of the body. Bodywork may also heal or prevent specific musculoskeletal problems, such as lower back or neck pain.
Swedish Massage
The therapist uses a variety of techniques specifically designed to relax muscles by applying pressure to them against deeper muscles and bones, and rubbing in the same direction as the flow of blood returning to the heart. It involves the use of kneading, stroking, friction, tapping, and vibration and may provide relief from stiffness and pain. The main purpose of Swedish massage is to increase the oxygen flow in the blood and release toxins from the muscles. Most people consider this type of massage to be extremely relaxing.
Sports Massage
Sports massage is a type of therapy geared toward athletes and the particular stresses they place on their bodies. A sports-massage therapist is trained in applying techniques to help athletes avoid injuries, cool down after exertion and enhance their overall performance. Proper sports massages should concentrate on increasing motion and flexibility, relieving muscle soreness, and promoting a quick recovery from muscle overuse.
Deep Tissue Massage
Deep tissue massage is a type of massage aimed at the deeper tissue structures of the muscle and fascia, also called connective tissue. Deep tissue massage uses many of the same movements and techniques as Swedish massage, but the pressure will generally be more intense. It is also a more focused type of massage, as the therapist works to release chronic muscle tension or knots (also known as "adhesions.")
Neuromuscular Therapy
Trigger point therapy is also known as Myotherapy or Neuromuscular Therapy and applies concentrated finger pressure to "trigger points" (painful irritated areas in muscles) to break cycles of spasm and pain. It appears that most muscular pains have a trigger point that causes the muscle to go into spasms. Trigger Point Therapy involves placing pressure on that trigger point so that the muscle can relax and the pain can be lessened. Pressure is generally applied with fingers, knuckles, and elbows. This form of therapy is often followed by stretching the muscles. The basic idea is that the trigger point which is the source of the pain is not always where the patient feels the pain. The trigger point could be several inches away from the place where they feel the discomfort or pain.
Prenatal Massage
Prenatal massage helps pregnant women to relax tense muscles and reduce stress and anxiety associated with pregnancy and labor. It also works to relieve pain.
The expanding womb puts a lot stress on the shoulders, abdominal area and back muscles of the expecting mother, and lower back pain is very common during pregnancy. A prenatal massage therapist can apply pressure to specific sore spots to relieve tension and pain.