The Massage

Deep Tissue Massage

Deep tissue massage is a type of massage therapy that focuses on realigning deeper layers of muscles and connective tissue.

It is especially helpful for chronically tense and contracted areas such as stiff necks, low back tightness, and sore shoulders.

Some of the same strokes are used as classic massage therapy, but the movement is slower and the pressure is deeper and concentrated on areas of tension and pain.

What conditions is deep tissue massage used for?

Unlike classic massage therapy, which is used for relaxation, deep tissue massage usually focuses on a specific problem, such as:

Chronic pain
Limited mobility
Recovery from injuries (e.g. whiplash, falls, sports injury)
Repetitive strain injury, such as carpal tunnel syndrome
Postural problems
Ostearthritis pain
Fibromyalgia
Muscle tension or spasm

My Specialties

Swedish Massage

In the classical treatment this gentle technique of long strokes, friction, tapping, percussion, vibration and kneading movements are used to release muscle tensions, remove the pain and improve blood circulation. Rubbing between bones and strokes generally are performed in the same direction as the flow of blood returning to the heart.

Swedish massage reduces stress, both emotional and physical, and is suggested as part of a regular program for stress management. The main purpose of Swedish massage is to increase the oxygen flow in the blood and release toxins from the muscles. It also just simply feels good.

Swedish massage shortens recovery time from muscular strain by flushing the tissue of lactic acid, uric acid and other metabolic wastes. It also has specific clinical uses in a medical or remedial therapy. The strokes and manipulations of Swedish massage are each conceived as having a specific therapeutic benefit: Swedish massage techniques include:

Petrissage: Kneading movements with the hands, thumbs and/or fingertips.
Effleurage: Gliding strokes with the palms, thumbs and/or fingertips.
Friction: Circular pressures with the palms of hands, thumbs and/or fingertips.
Vibration: Oscillatory movements that shake or vibrate the body.
Percussion: Brisk hacking or tapping.

Sports Massage

What is Sports massage?

Typically, sports massage is utilized to alleviate and promote healing of specific complaints. Trained in Sports Massage, the Massage Therapist performs massage techniques based upon knowledge of anatomy, physiology and related massage therapy knowledgebase’s relevant to human sports performance. It would be hard to imagine a professional team or program anywhere that does not employ the services of a qualified sports massage therapist.

However, one does not need to have a serious physical complaint to greatly benefit from sports massage. To the contrary, it is now more common for athletes of all ages and level of play to seek the services of a trained sports massage therapist. There are typically five time periods when sports massage is appropriate:

Pre-event
Inter-event
Post event
Rehabilitation
Maintenance

Specific sports are known to habitually affect particular muscles or groups of muscles, tendons and ligaments that are used excessively. By concentrating on the specific muscle groups most used in a given sport, a massage therapist can help an athlete increase mobility, range of motion, oxygen supply, blood flow and help maintain higher performance.

How is Sports Massage Different?

A trained Sports Massage differs from Relaxation Massage such as Swedish Massage because the client’s relaxation is not the primary objective. Accordingly, the sports massage therapist may employ a number of massage modalities including Swedish Massage strokes, Trigger Point Therapy, Acupressure, Deep-Tissue Massage, Lymphatic Massage, Hydrotherapy and others.

What Does the Process Involve?

As in most massage therapy you will fill out a medical history form complete with disclosure of any conditions or complications that have arisen as a result of sporting activities or other causes. Together, you and your therapist will discuss your sports activity agenda and what you wish to get out of your massage therapy. An effective treatment plan will be devised that deals effectively with your condition. The frequency of your visits will vary according to your needs. Your therapist may also recommend specific exercises to be performed at home.

Sports Massage – Injury Prevention… Healing… Improving… Energizing…

Pregnancy massage

Why You Receive Prenatal Massage

The expanding popularity of prenatal massage is a result of the modern tendency to increase levels of well-being, education and opportunity. Your growing and changing shape is one of nature’s most incredible occurrences. Knowledgeable pregnancy massage therapists can help you gain the most from this specialized treatment.

Importantly, the prenatal period can be a very stressful physical and emotional time for a mother-to-be. Proper management of stress itself is of great consequence. Clearly documented evidence exists to suggest that very high levels of stress may increase the probability of pre-term labor and lower birth weight of the newborn.

Prenatal massage by a professional offers numerous benefits including but not limited to:

Creates a positive environment of wonderful relaxation and soothing stress relief
Promotes proper postural maintenance to ease physical stress
Provides relief from musculoskeletal strain, aches and pains, muscle spasms and cramps
Increases circulation of the blood & lymph
Reduces edema and blood pressure through promoting better blood circulation.
Increases blood and lymph circulation for increased toxins elimination and immune system funtioning.
Affords welcome release from chronic tension in the neck, shoulders, lower back, abdomen and thighs
Eases childbirth by preparing the muscles used in childbirth
Actively aids in reducing fluid retention, swelling in hands and feet, headaches and sinus problems as well as digestive irregularities.
Helps you to sleep better while reducing fatigue and discomfort caused by physical and emotional stresses. Energy levels and mental alertness increase.

Why is Back Pain so Prevalent?

As your pregnancy advances, several common conditions usually occur.

You will gain weight. Weight gain is normal and good for your baby, however, it can sorely stress your back muscles.
The structures that support your pelvic organs will become more pliant due to hormonal changes, which are naturally intended to prepare your body to give birth. You may experience considerable discomfort in either side of your back as a result.
At the same time, your body’s centre of gravity is shifting forward. Your natural tendency is to adjust your posture and the way you move about in everyday activity. Back strain is often the result of this natural change in posture.
As your body adjusts to the tremendous physical and emotional changes taking place in your routine, everyday tasks can lead to incorrect lifting or awkward muscle stretches, which can themselves, become minor injuries and part of back, neck and shoulder pain.

The Prenatal Massage Process

As in most massage therapy, you will fill out a medical history form complete with disclosure of any conditions or complications, which have arisen in the past or as a result of the pregnancy. Together, you and the therapist will execute a treatment strategy that will effectively deal with the conditions you request relief from or help with. This could include exercises you can perform while at home. Your treatment plan will vary according to which trimester you are in.

In general, your pregnancy massage will involve sitting in a slightly reclined position or lying comfortably on your side; the use of pillows to increases your relaxation and comfort and sometimes, special equipment including a reclining chair that allows you to move comfortably from side to side. Our goal is always to customize your therapy to conditions you wish to alleviate or promote.

The type and amount of clothing you wear during massage is your personal choice. Your comfort is paramount. Your body will always be draped or covered other than only that part being gently massaged at the moment. Be comfortable-relax-and enjoy!

Visit our Appointment page to book a session with us.

Related Massage Therapy – Postpartum Massage

It is time for your body to heal itself, restore most organs and musculature to pre-pregnancy status and recover from the birth process in general. Almost universally practiced and accepted in most cultures in the world, is the practice of massage to aid in post pregnancy recovery and relaxation. Postpartum massage therapy benefits may include:

Wonderful relief from aches, pains and muscle soreness
Helps shrink the uterus and speed recovery through abdominal massage
Soothing comfort and clearing of unhealthy tensions, stress and symptoms of postpartum blues
Provides a ‘quiet time’ with healing hands specifically trained to relax and invigorate your recovery process
Instruction on appropriate exercises designed to return your body to pre-pregnancy condition.

Hot Stone Massage Therapy

Hot Stone Therapy is the skilful art of bodywork utilizing various size, form and weights of warmed, smooth, flattish stones. The pre-warmed stones are placed on key points of the body to stimulate the circulatory system. The stones are also used to warm, soften and relax tight, aching muscles; while promoting an extraordinary feeling of relaxation and contentment. Often, rocks made of smooth volcanic Basalt are used because of their high iron content and ability to retain heat.

While the hot stones soften the body muscles and help to release toxins, your trained therapist will usually apply Swedish Style relaxation massage to other areas of your body. Select warmed, smooth stones are often used with essential oils as a massage tool by your therapist as well.

Your therapist will choose the number, size, weight and quantity of warmed stones that will be used in your treatment. Sometimes the healing property of heat is also utilized with small heated stones between your toes other areas of your body that can benefit. In certain cases, your therapist may alternately use cold stones with the hot ones, to help in healing muscular injury and inflammation.

A number of specific therapeutic benefits are attributed to the skilful application and usage of hot stones. Health conditions such as deep muscular aches and pains, stress, circulatory problems, arthritis, fibromylagia, sleep problems and others, can benefit wondrously from skilfully applied Hot Stone Therapy.

The combination of Relaxation Massage and Hot Stone Therapy is definitely an experience that keeps clients coming back for more. We invite you to experience it for yourself by visiting our appointment book to book a session with us. We look forward to seeing you soon!

If you have never experienced this unique indulgence, you owe yourself this exquisite moment.

Questions?

Feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns you may have.