Massage Therapy

THE BENEFITS OF MASSAGE THERAPY
There are tremendous benefits to be achieved through regular massage therapy treatments.  Whether your need is to have a moment of relaxation, reduce muscle tension or attain relief from chronic pain, a therapeutic massage can enhance your overall sense of emotional and physical well-being.
Massage therapy can be an important part of your health maintenance plan by: 

• Reducing or eliminating pain.
• Improving joint mobility. 
• Improving circulation. 
• Improving lymphatic drainage. 
• Reducing muscular tension. 

Massage therapy can be used for the treatment of both acute and chronic conditions. Massage can work for a wide variety of patients, of all ages, in the treatment of illness, injury rehabilitation and disability.
Massage Therapists today use their knowledge of physiology and anatomy to combine traditional Swedish and modern massage therapy techniques with other therapies to treat their clients. There has been a wide variety of research, published in peer reviewed journals, proving the benefits of massage therapy for various conditions. 
​
Massage Therapy can also be used as part of a preventative care program. This includes sports training, injury prevention, ongoing stress management, and more! Together, you and your therapist will develop a treatment plan based on your needs. The treatment plan can be changed at any time and you have no obligation to undergo any part of treatment. Your treatment begins after you've given your informed consent.  
What is Swedish Massage Therapy?
Swedish massage therapy is the modality that comes to mind when most people think about massage. As the best-known type of bodywork performed today, one of the primary goals of the Swedish massage technique is to relax the entire body. This is accomplished by rubbing the muscles with long gliding strokes in the direction of blood returning to the heart. But Swedish massage therapy goes beyond relaxation. Swedish massage is exceptionally beneficial for increasing the level of oxygen in the blood, decreasing muscle toxins, improving circulation and flexibility while easing tension.
 
A study conducted by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, found that volunteers who received a 45-minute Swedish massage experienced significant decreases in levels of the stress hormone cortisol, as well as arginine vasopressin-a hormone that can lead to increases in cortisol. Volunteers also had increases in the number of lymphocytes, white blood cells that are part of the immune system, and a boost in the immune cells that may help fight colds and the flu.
 
Swedish Massage TechniquesSwedish massage techniques include circular pressure applied by the hands and palms, firm kneading, percussion-like tapping, bending and stretching. Before and during your Swedish massage session, communication is encouraged with your professional massage therapist, so that your massage is customized to your specific needs.
 
Couples Massage
 
Couples massage is a popular service where two people are massaged in the same room, at the same time, by two different therapists.  The couple can be romantic partners, moms and daughters, or best friends.  It is a great way to introduce a partner or friend who has never gotten a massage before in a way that makes them feel more comfortable the first time.
 
In terms of building a connection through a massage session, people are almost instinctually driven to let go of the past and the future and turn their attention to the present moment. This practice of being fully engaged in an activity together that can help couples reconnect, and with a little effort, they can bring that same level of mindful awareness to their time outside of their shared couples massage.
 
Pregnancy 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. Prenatal massage, also known as pregnancy massage, promotes relaxation, soothes nerves, and relieves strained back and leg muscles in expectant mothers. Prenatal massage is especially benefical in the second and third trimesters, when the extra weight in your belly puts a strain on your back.
 
Prenatal massage provides relaxation by relieving stress on joints. It eases neck and back pain, helps you to keep good posture and relaxes and provides flexibility to birthing muscles. Prenatal massage aids the circulatory and lymphatic systems, which keeps blood flowing to both the mother and the baby.
It stimulates different glands in the body, which help to stabilize hormone levels, and relieves nervous tension throughout the body. And the nurturing touch during pregnancy massage promotes relaxation and provides emotional support. 
Don't stop getting massage once the baby comes along.  Post-partum massage (also called post-natal massage)  can help restore your body to its pre-pregnancy condition. It helps to realign your body weight, and tones the over-stretched skin over the belly. It also relieves muscle tension and stress from mothering duties.