I practice a number of modalities and offer them in massage sessions either alone or in a blend with other modalities. Whatever your treatment goals, one or more of these modalities should help you achieve them.
The most common form of massage, Swedish massage consists primarily of gliding and kneading strokes applied directly to the skin. If you’re looking for all-around relaxation, to relieve stress, or to help you bounce back from overdoing it on the weekend, this may be the massage therapy choice for you.
If you’ve overexerted yourself exercising and are now sore or you’ve been still too long and have become stiff, Swedish massage can help you get back to your life. When people think of massage therapy, this is the type of massage they usually visualize. It is the most common form of massage you’ll find practiced in the US.
Swedish massage involves gliding, kneading, friction and other types of strokes applied directly to the skin. Massage oil, cream, or lotion is used. The main benefits of Swedish massage include promoting relaxation, improving circulation, and easing muscle tension.
You will be asked to undress to your level of comfort and lie on the massage table under a sheet. I will leave the room while you do this.
When I return I will make sure you’re comfortable and then will uncover the body part to be worked on and apply massage cream to your skin with light gliding strokes. Then I will work with the muscles in that area of the body in more detail. When work on that area is complete, I will cover the area once again and move to the next body area. For about half of your massage, you may be positioned face down on the table with your face in a face cradle. The face cradle allows you to breathe easily and keep your head and neck aligned with your back in a neutral position.
After a Swedish massage, you should feel relaxed and refreshed. It is very important to drink plenty of water after your session to assist your body in removing any toxins the massage flushed from your muscles. You may feel some soreness as the body works to eliminate those toxins completely.
Developed by John F. Barnes. P.T., Myofascial Release is a gentle hands-on technique involving sustained pressure on the fascia of the body to free restrictions to relieve pain. Fascia is a spider’s web of connective tissue in the body that surrounds and connects every structure of the body to the cellular level. Restrictions in the fascia can be eliminated by this mild stretching technique.
Practiced with the client fully clothed, this bodywork modality has no contraindications, or reasons why it’s not appropriate. Since this technique works superficially with the energy system of your body, it cannot do harm regardless of the health conditions you may have. It’s particularly effective for insomnia and restoring depleted energy, and has been found to decrease feelings of anxiety and depression.
A light and subtle form of bodywork, acupressure involves finger pressure on specific acupoints along energy channels of the body. This modality is practiced with the client fully clothed and is great for general relaxation, to relieve pain, and to bring the body gently back into balance when you’re feeling ‘out of whack.’
The most subtle form of bodywork I practice, this modality is practiced with the client fully clothed and is terrific for relieving chronic back pain, migraines, and other imbalances involving the head and spine.
Although the name of this massage technique may scare you or give you visions of some painful medical procedure, this is a gentle therapy that works to assist your immune system, detoxify your body, reduce swelling and inflammation, and deeply relax you. The specific modality I practice was created by Dr. Bruno Chilky. This modality is performed directly on the skin but no massage creams, oils or lotions are used because no friction is created with the massage strokes.
