Massage for the Mind, Body, and Spirit
Massage therapy has become an important part of general healthcare for many people living in today’s stressful world. Traditional healthcare systems throughout the world recognize that therapeutic massage can play an important role in treating illness or chronic ailments, and contribute to a higher sense of well-being.
With ever-expanding research on the beneficial effects of massage, more professionals are advising patients to include therapeutic massage in their healthcare treatment plans. Physicians, Chiropractors, and physiotherapists are recommending more patients receive massages for certain health conditions, while many employers and health insurance plans support the use of registered massage therapists.
Massage is the fastest growing segment of natural healthcare; Americans make approximately 600 million trips to massage therapists per year. There are several types of massage, some of the most common types include: |
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Swedish Massage
Swedish massage is a vigorous system of treatment designed to energize the body by stimulating circulation. Five basic strokes, all flowing toward the heart, are used to manipulate the soft tissues of the body. Therapists use a combination of kneading, rolling, vibrational, percussive and tapping movements, with the application of oil, to reduce friction on the skin. The many benefits of Swedish massage may include generalized relaxation, dissolution of scar tissue adhesions and improved circulation, which may speed healing and reduce swelling from injury.
Deep Connective Tissue Massage
This deep form of bodywork helps to release myofascial restrictions in the body. It relieves chronic tension, increases range of motion, improves posture and enhances self-awareness. Connective tissue massage restores length and flexibility to the fascia, normalizing the tissue and bringing greater health through the fascial system.
Hot Stone Therapy
Hot Stone massage involves the application of water-heated basalt stones of varying sizes to key points on the body, giving a deep massage and creating sensations of comfort and warmth. The direct heat relaxes muscles, allowing manipulation of a greater intensity than with regular massage.
Pre-natal Massage
Many methods of massage are effective and safe during pregnancy, during labor and postpartum. During pregnancy, specific techniques can reduce pregnancy discomforts and concerns and enhance the physiological and emotional well-being of both mother and fetus. During labor, skilled, appropriate touch facilitates and shortens the process while easing pain and anxiety. In the postpartum period, specialized techniques rebalance structure, physiology and emotions of the new mother, and may help her to bond with and care for her infant.
Massage Therapy for Babies
This specialized form of touch is effective not only in the critical weight-gain of premature infants, but also in creating a strong bond between parent and infant and exposing a young child to the benefits and pleasures of touch. Infant massage incorporates nurturing touch, massage and reflexology to promote the baby's health. Infant massage enhances child development, including brain, physical, emotional, mental and social development.
Sports Massage
Consists of specific components designed to reduce injuries, such as alleviating inflammation and providing a warm-up for athletes before, during, and after their training regimens. Massage can help prepare for a competitive event. A pre-event massage is brief and invigorating, usually lasting, 15-20 minutes. It is given within an hour before the sporting event, through the clothes. Post-event massage will be calming and relaxing with the goal of easing pain and soreness and reducing inflammation, also lasting 15-20 minutes and through the clothes. Post-event massage can bring blood and oxygen to tense areas and flush out metabolic waste products built up during heavy muscle use.
Reflexology
A system of applying pressure to certainpoints on the feet. Based on the same theories of Chinese medicine as acupressure, specific points on the feet are regarded as corresponding to organs and tissues in the body. Stimulating these points has a beneficial effect on the area of the body connected with the specific reflex.
Benefits of Massage Therapy
Many of today's health problems can benefit from massage therapy because the manipulation of soft tissues affects so many of our bodily systems. The benefits of massage are extensive. Massage therapy treatments will have a therapeutic affect and improve health by acting directly on the muscular, nervous, circulatory and lymphatic systems.
Massage treatments aim to:
- Develop, maintain, rehabilitate or augment physical function.
- Relieve or prevent physical dysfunction and pain.
- Relax tight and tense muscles.
- Improve circulation, recovery time and immune system function.
- Reduce overall stress.
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Massage therapy is also effective in the control of chronic or acute pain, in stress reduction, and in creating a sense of relaxation and well-being.
Massage Therapy and Stress Reduction
Prolonged periods of stress can subconsciously affect many systems of the body.
Stress has been shown to aggravate, or even cause, such problems as heart disease, gastrointestinal disorders, memory loss and decreased immune function.
Massage therapy is one of the best antidotes for stress. Massage boosts the body's immune system, which can become compromised from extended periods of stress. Tension can build up in the muscles, causing a decrease in circulation and nutrient delivery to tissues. Manipulation of the soft tissue decreases muscular tension, increases removal of metabolic waste and promotes nutrient delivery to healing tissue. With a therapeutic massage, stress can be significantly reduced. This, in turn, will increase energy, improve your outlook on life, and in the process boost your immune system function.
Massage prices: |
Swedish Massage
30 min. $40 60 min. $65 |
Deep Connective Tissue Massage
30 min. $50
60 min. $75 |
Hot Stone Therapy
60 min. $90 |
Pre-natal Massage
30 min. $40
60min. $70 |
Massage Therapy for Babies
60 min. $50 |
Sports Massage
60 min. $75 |
Reflexology
30 min. $35 |
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