Description of Massage Therapy Offerings
Massage therapy is as old as humanity. When you feel tightness or pain somewhere, it is natural to rub that area or ask someone to do so. Over the centuries, healers have refined these natural instincts into specific methods that efficiently and effectively address the area of concern and the body’s overall health. Massage therapy is effective in treating pain, reducing muscle tension, aiding digestion, lowering stress levels, improving blood and lymph circulation, increasing ability to focus on tasks, and decreasing anxiety and depression.
I am trained in a number of styles of massage/bodywork. Unless you specifically request a particular style of massage/bodywork, I work intuitively and combine my knowledge of various systems. I also offer combined acupuncture and massage sessions. The following are styles in which I have received extensive training:
Shiatsu/Acupressure: Shiatsu literally means ‘finger pressure’. Developed in Japan, it has its roots in Chinese Medicine theory. The form of shiatsu in which I have been trained is Zen Shiatsu. Its focus is on stretching the body, which helps open up tight areas in joints, such as in the neck, shoulders, and hips, and stimulating acupressure points and meridians known to relax muscles and encourage blood and lymph flow. I incorporate some Thai massage methods into a session; its style is similar to shiatsu. Shiatsu/acupressure sessions are done fully clothed, without the use of oils or lotions. Clients should wear a comfortable shirt and pants to allow for stretching. Shiatsu is highly effective for muscle pains, digestive issues, insomnia, stress, lack of energy, and dull mental function.
Deep Tissue & Myofascial Release: These Western forms of bodywork use firmer pressure than Swedish massage to access and loosen up the deeper tissue layers in muscles and fascia, breaking up adhesions, including loosening hardened scar tissue (about Deep Tissue Massage)
Myofascial Release: I use these methods when treating injuries, incorporating various additional methods designed to serve the same purpose. I often include cupping (see below) in deep tissue/myofascial release sessions. (about Myofascial Release) Swedish and Deep Tissue Massage have been found to be very useful for reducing pain and improving mobility for individuals with osteoarthritis. (about Massage Therapy for Osteoarthritis of the Knee).
Cupping: This method, which has ancient roots in China, Egypt, and later on in Greece, is a method involving the upside down placement of cups onto the body with the air removed, creating a vacuum. Sometimes the cups remain in one place and sometimes they are moved up and down the surface of the body. The most common place for cupping is on the back, though it can be done anywhere on the body. Cupping is highly effective in breaking up adhesions between muscles and increasing local circulation of blood and lymph, as well as relaxing tight muscles (Massage Cupping Therapy for Health Care Professionals).
Swedish: Swedish massage is a Western form of bodywork. The practitioner applies lotion or oil to the body and provides light to moderate pressure, which serves to increase circulation of blood and lymph throughout the body, and reduce muscle tension. The focus is on relaxation and stress reduction. In addition to providing this service to clients, I also offer public classes to learn how to provide a Swedish relaxation massage to a partner or family member (about Swedish Massage). See Classes and Blog tabs for more information.
Reiki: Developed in Japan in the early 20th century, but based on ancient Sanskrit teachings, Reiki is a very gentle form of bodywork whereby the practitioner lightly places their hands on or above various parts of the body, allowing for the universal life force energy to flow through the body. The giver acts as a conduit for this energy. The body utilizes Reiki in whatever way is needed to rebalance and heal. Distant healing treatments are also available, to aid a person in need who is anywhere in the world.
Reiki is offered at a number of hospitals in the US. It is commonly suggested to cancer patients, to mitigate side effects from chemotherapy and radiation, lower anxiety, lessen pain, and help improve the strength of the immune system. I have provided Reiki to cancer patients and noted these effects. It is very effective for pain management (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14585550) and for chronic illnesses, and is frequently offered to hospice patients.
I also teach Reiki classes to individuals who want to offer this healing work to friends, family, or clients. See Classes and Blog tabs for more information.
Sound Healing: Sound has been used as a powerful healing modality for centuries. It is mentioned in the Old Testament, where David played a harp to lift King Saul’s depression, and referred to in Egyptian papyri over 2,600 years old as a healing method for infertility and rheumatic pain. Ancient Greece used the flute and lyre to treat conditions, such as gout and sciatica. Pythagoras used special songs and incantations with particular melodies and rhythms to cure diseases of the body and mind. The modern term used to describe the use of sound for healing purposes is Vibroacoustic therapy, and refers to the use of audible sound vibrations to reduce symptoms, invoke relaxation, and alleviate stress. This can include the use of voice, musical instruments, recordings, and tuning forks.
In the sound healing sessions I do, I apply Acutonics® tuning forks to acupressure points or over the body, as an alternative to using acupuncture needles, to address physical and emotional complaints, such as low energy, digestive issues, depression and anxiety, insomnia, and musculoskeletal issues.
Modern research on sound therapy benefits is still in its infancy, but it has been found helpful in various ways. Certain music, such as works of Mozart, have been found to enhance cognitive function, including memory and concentration. Specific frequencies are used medically to break up kidney stones and gallstones, and have been found to break apart cancer cells. Soothing music is commonly used in surgical and dental procedures, due to its calming effects (http://tama-do.com/roothtmls/cell-research.html). It reduces self-injurious behavior and aggression in clients with learning disabilities (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12353618). Music in nursing settings promotes patient wellbeing (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15222599). It shows potential for improving quality of life and wellbeing in long-term care homes for elderly and mentally infirm as well as with children with profound, multiple learning disabilities (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15747903?log$=activity).
Craniosacral: Craniosacral work is a gentle, very relaxing bodywork method that involves holding certain locations on the body, primarily on the head and sacrum, for extended periods of time. The practitioner focuses on the cerebrospinal fluid that lines the brain and spinal cord, encouraging it to flow more naturally by gently encouraging movement of the bones of the skull and spinal cord. It is helpful for many conditions, including neck and low back pain, jaw tension, headaches, anxiety, hyperactivity, and learning issues. This form of bodywork is done fully clothed. (read this article on Craniosacral Therapy – Description and Benefits).
Qi Gong-Tui’na Chinese massage: Originating in China, this style of massage incorporates acupressure, rubbing, compression, and energy work done on and over the body. It is done fully clothed. Clients should wear a comfortable shirt and pants to allow for stretching. This method treats many different conditions, including muscle tightness, digestive issues, headaches and migraines, hormonal imbalances, sleep issues, and other concerns. After a qi gong-tui’na session, I will generally show you a qi gong exercise that you can practice between sessions to support the treatment. The particular style of treatment I offer was developed out of the Ling Gui International Healing Qi Gong School.
Seated Massage: Performed in a specialized massage chair, this form of shiatsu/acupressure-style of bodywork generally focuses on loosening tight shoulders, necks, backs, arms and hands. It is frequently offered at business sites, fairs, shopping malls, and airports, to help employees and others with common muscle tension concerns that come from extended time at a desk, in front of a computer, driving a car, or carrying luggage. Done fully clothed, sessions are short, 15-30 minutes, easily offered during a coffee or lunch break.
