Treatments

Not sure what the right type of massage you might need? Check out the descriptions below to see if they answer any questions or possibly raise new ones. During the first session we will determine together the best methodology to treat your problem areas.

Upper Body

Back, neck and shoulder massages can offer a number of health benefits. They can encourage relaxation, relieve stress, improve circulation and relax muscles. This treatment, in particular,1 is good for relieving tension headaches, improving flexibility and can help to strengthen the immune system.

The treatment can also be good for:

easing stress and muscular tension in the back area resulting from a deskbound or sedentary job
when you require some much-needed relaxation but are short on time
clarifying the skin on your back before a special occasion (see add-on options to include a back scrub as part of this treatment)
hydrating and nourishing dry skin with the application of carrier and/or aromatherapy oils
improved circulation, muscle tone, boosting lymph and blood circulation to aid detoxification

Lower Body

Benefits of Massage for lower back pain may help:

relieve short-term pain
relax your muscles
increase your blood and lymph flow
ease stress related to the pain

Types of back pain

There are two types of back pain, and they’re measured by the length of time you experience pain.

Acute back pain resolves within a three-month time period, and 90 percent of those with acute back pain have it for only a week or two. The other form of back pain is chronic back pain, which lasts longer than three months. Massage may be able to help with both types of back pain, but it may offer more relief for those with acute back pain.

The short-term benefits of massage for chronic back pain included reducing time spent sedentary in bed, improving ability to do daily activities, and using less medication to treat back pain.

Causes of back pain include:

falling
lifting heavy objects
straining a muscle or spraining a ligament
having poor posture
living a sedentary lifestyle
not exercising
sitting for too long
bending your back forward when engaged in prolonged activities

Sciatica is the term used to refer to pain along the sciatic nerve, which extends from your lower back, through your hips and buttocks, and down each leg.

Sciatica typically affects only one side of your body and can range in severity from mild to severe. It’s often accompanied by other symptoms, including numbness, tingling, or weakness in the affected leg and foot.

Sciatica can interfere with your daily activities and make standing, walking, and even sitting difficult. If you’d like to try an alternative to traditional painkillers, massage may be able to help. It won’t treat the underlying cause of your sciatica, but it may provide some temporary relief from pain.

What are the benefits of massage for sciatica?

Massage therapy is an effective way to relieve pain. A 2014 study even found that deep tissue massage may be as effective as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for relieving low back pain, which can be a symptom of sciatica.

When it comes to sciatica, massage can help in two ways. Massage’s main benefit is soothing tense muscles. When your muscles are tense, they can put more pressure on your nerves, including your sciatic nerve. Massaging these tense muscles may help to reduce pressure on your sciatic nerve.

Soft tissue massage may also help to increase your pain threshold by stimulating the release of endorphins. Endorphins boost pleasure and relieve pain, causing an increased feeling of well-being. They are also released during sex, exercise, and eating.

Trigger Point

What should I expect from a trigger point massage session?

Trigger point massages involve applying direct pressure to trigger points, which can be uncomfortable or painful at first (of course, your therapist will talk to you throught the session to make sure they don’t use too much pressure). Each pain point may be pressed, massage, and stretched, sometimes requiring you to actively participate in stretching or other movements.

The sessions are meant to treat pain and tight muscles, and won’t be relaxing the same way as a full body massage would be, for example. But, you will likely leave feeling loose and refreshed.

It’s common to remain fully clothed for the session, and you’ll want to drink plenty of water following your massage. Your therapist may additionally recommend followup exercises and stretches for you to do on your own, which can help relieve recurring trigger points.

What are the benefits of trigger point massage?

Trigger point massages release the tightest areas of your body (often the neck and low back), helping improve range of motion, posture, and alignment. Regular sessions can help with chronic pain, which is sometimes the result of referral pain from trigger points. Sessions can also help with athletic performance and acute pain from injuries or accidents.

Prenatal

Pregnancy is a powerful and exciting time. It can also be exhausting. A prenatal massage is a great way for expecting mothers to find relief and relaxation. Your therapist is specially trained in how to position and support your body throughout the massage.

Prenatal massages are adapted for the anatomical changes you go through during pregnancy. ... But as your shape and posture changes, a trained therapist will make accommodations with special cushioning systems or holes that allow you to lie face down safely, while providing room for your growing belly and breasts.

The benefits of prenatal massage

Prenatal massage can help to relieve aches in your back and neck, and address leg cramps. Fewer aches and pains can lead to a better night’s sleep. Prenatal massage can also improve circulation, help reduce nervous tension, and help relieve depression or anxiety.

Remember to speak with your OBGYN first to decide if prenatal massage is right for you.

Lymphatic

What are the Benefits?

While the heart continuously pumps blood through the blood vessels, the lymphatic system relies on the movement of smooth muscles to transport fluid through the lymph vessels.

Health conditions can interrupt the normal flow of lymph, causing lymph fluid to build up in a particular area of the body, often in the arms or legs, where it can causing swelling. This condition is called lymphedema.

People can develop lymphedema as a result of infections, cancer treatments that involve the removal of lymph nodes, and any condition that damages the lymphatic system.

Lymphatic massage can reduce swelling and improve circulation throughout the lymphatic system.

Lymphatic drainage massage can benefit people who are experiencing the following:

lymphedema
fibromyalgia
swelling or edema
skin disorders
fatigue
insomnia
stress
digestive problems
arthritis
migraine episodes

Full Body

Full Body Massage

Traditionally, a firm full-body massage covers the:

Head – normally including the temples, crown, occipital muscles (the back of the head) and scalp.
Neck – including the nape and trapezius (long muscles on the side that connect to the back).
Shoulders – along the collar bones, shoulder blades and into the upper back.
Arms
Hands
Upper and lower back – the lower back is where most people harbor stubborn tension and experience tightness, stiffness or pain.
Legs – including the buttocks, glutes, thighs and calves
Feet

A full-body massage is good for your heart as well. The vasodilation produced by massage increases your venous return which, in turn, increases blood flow and delivery of oxygen to all your organs. Your entire cardiovascular system relaxes and circulation throughout your body improves