LIST OF MASSAGE THERAPIES
Swedish Massage
Integrated Massage
Deep Tissue Massage
Pfrimmer Massage
Hot Stone Massage
Cranial Sacral Massage
Indian Head Massage
Couples Massage
Zwei Massage
Integrated Massage
Deep Tissue Massage
Pfrimmer Massage
Hot Stone Massage
Cranial Sacral Massage
Indian Head Massage
Couples Massage
Zwei Massage
MASSAGE BY DEFINITION
Swedish Massage
is the most popular type of massage in the United States. Often referred to as the "light relaxation massage." It involves the use of hands, forearms or elbows to manipulate the superficial layers of the muscles to improve mental and physical health. Active or passive movement of the joints may also be part of the massage. The benefits of Swedish massage include increased blood circulation, mental and physical relaxation, decreased stress and muscle tension, and improved range of motion.
Integrated Massage
Integrated Massage is a a mixture of Swedish and deep tissue massage. When you don't want deep work all over. It is more relaxing than the Deep Tissue and works deeper to get the tension out than the Swedish. The perfect mix.
Deep Tissue Massage
Deep tissue massage is a type of massage aimed at the deeper tissue structures of the muscle and fascia, also called connective tissue. Deep tissue massage uses many of the same movements and techniques as Swedish Massage, but the pressure will generally be more intense. It is also a more focused type of massage, as the therapist works to release chronic muscle tension or knots (also known as "adhesion's.")
Pfrimmer Massage
Developed by Therese Pfrimmer, this technique works across the muscles, manipulating deep tissues, and is aimed at stimulating circulation and regenerating lymphatic flow in order to promote detoxification and oxygenation of stagnant tissues.
Cranial Sacral Massage
Cranial sacral release therapy is a very gentle and non-invasive form of massage that works with the cranial bones, the spinal column and the sacrum to balance energy as well as the flow of cranial sacral fluid. Often used to treat headaches, restlessness, insomnia, sinus pressure and ear aches, cranial sacral therapy is so gentle it can even be used on infants and the elderly.
Indian Head Massage
Champissage, also known as an Indian head massage is a trademarked term for an alternative medicine massage therapy. In champissage, the head, neck and face are massaged with the purpose of manipulating energy channels. The goal is to clear blocks in these energy channels that cause a build-up of negative energy that are purported to cause ailments. The belief is when the energy does not flow properly, negative energy builds up, causing common ailments, including stress, pain and nociception pains and aches, and baldness or hair loss. Champissage is practiced all over Europe. Indian head massage was brought to the west by Narendra Mehta in the 1970s.
is the most popular type of massage in the United States. Often referred to as the "light relaxation massage." It involves the use of hands, forearms or elbows to manipulate the superficial layers of the muscles to improve mental and physical health. Active or passive movement of the joints may also be part of the massage. The benefits of Swedish massage include increased blood circulation, mental and physical relaxation, decreased stress and muscle tension, and improved range of motion.
Integrated Massage
Integrated Massage is a a mixture of Swedish and deep tissue massage. When you don't want deep work all over. It is more relaxing than the Deep Tissue and works deeper to get the tension out than the Swedish. The perfect mix.
Deep Tissue Massage
Deep tissue massage is a type of massage aimed at the deeper tissue structures of the muscle and fascia, also called connective tissue. Deep tissue massage uses many of the same movements and techniques as Swedish Massage, but the pressure will generally be more intense. It is also a more focused type of massage, as the therapist works to release chronic muscle tension or knots (also known as "adhesion's.")
Pfrimmer Massage
Developed by Therese Pfrimmer, this technique works across the muscles, manipulating deep tissues, and is aimed at stimulating circulation and regenerating lymphatic flow in order to promote detoxification and oxygenation of stagnant tissues.
Cranial Sacral Massage
Cranial sacral release therapy is a very gentle and non-invasive form of massage that works with the cranial bones, the spinal column and the sacrum to balance energy as well as the flow of cranial sacral fluid. Often used to treat headaches, restlessness, insomnia, sinus pressure and ear aches, cranial sacral therapy is so gentle it can even be used on infants and the elderly.
Indian Head Massage
Champissage, also known as an Indian head massage is a trademarked term for an alternative medicine massage therapy. In champissage, the head, neck and face are massaged with the purpose of manipulating energy channels. The goal is to clear blocks in these energy channels that cause a build-up of negative energy that are purported to cause ailments. The belief is when the energy does not flow properly, negative energy builds up, causing common ailments, including stress, pain and nociception pains and aches, and baldness or hair loss. Champissage is practiced all over Europe. Indian head massage was brought to the west by Narendra Mehta in the 1970s.
Hot Stone Massage
Hot stone massage is an Ayurvedic massage treatment designed to anchor the root chakra (muladhara chakra) and the second chakra (svadhisthana chakra) and to relieve bodily tension.
The stones are typically a fine grained basalt (Ponamu may also work well), with a smooth finish of varying sizes heated and used in conjunction with hot oil. Before a treatment the stones are sterilised and heated to between 50˚c and 80˚c water.
The stones may be placed on key points or problem areas on the body so the warmth may penetrate to relax and soften muscles and tissues, or the stones may be gently used to rub over the body. For inflammation or muscle injury, cold stones may be used.
Hot stone massage is an Ayurvedic massage treatment designed to anchor the root chakra (muladhara chakra) and the second chakra (svadhisthana chakra) and to relieve bodily tension.
The stones are typically a fine grained basalt (Ponamu may also work well), with a smooth finish of varying sizes heated and used in conjunction with hot oil. Before a treatment the stones are sterilised and heated to between 50˚c and 80˚c water.
The stones may be placed on key points or problem areas on the body so the warmth may penetrate to relax and soften muscles and tissues, or the stones may be gently used to rub over the body. For inflammation or muscle injury, cold stones may be used.
Prenatal Massage
Prenatal Massage focuses on the mother-to-be as she goes through the changes due to pregnancy. This is not a replacement for medical care, but rather as an adjunct to aid in the health and rapid recovery of the mother. Certified therapists will focus treatment on the concerns of each trimester. After the mother has given birth, treatment will assist in restoring the body back to its normal condition. Prenatal massage may also help reduce and/or eliminate excess water retention. Prenatal massage is fast growing in the United States and around the entire globes as it has attracted the interest of labor and delivery nurses, nurse-midwives, childbirth educators and obstetricians. Massage therapy enhances the function of muscles and joints, improves circulation and general body tone, and relieves mental and physical fatigue.
Prenatal Massage focuses on the mother-to-be as she goes through the changes due to pregnancy. This is not a replacement for medical care, but rather as an adjunct to aid in the health and rapid recovery of the mother. Certified therapists will focus treatment on the concerns of each trimester. After the mother has given birth, treatment will assist in restoring the body back to its normal condition. Prenatal massage may also help reduce and/or eliminate excess water retention. Prenatal massage is fast growing in the United States and around the entire globes as it has attracted the interest of labor and delivery nurses, nurse-midwives, childbirth educators and obstetricians. Massage therapy enhances the function of muscles and joints, improves circulation and general body tone, and relieves mental and physical fatigue.
.Couples Massage
This massage has two massage therapist each working on a person in the same room at the same time. The title implies couples, but two friends can have a massage at the same time as well. Each person chooses which type of massage they would like. Chat about your day and get a massage at the same time.
This massage has two massage therapist each working on a person in the same room at the same time. The title implies couples, but two friends can have a massage at the same time as well. Each person chooses which type of massage they would like. Chat about your day and get a massage at the same time.
Zwei Massage (four handed massage)
Zwei means 2 in the German language. In this massage you have 2 massage therapist working on you at the same time. You actually get two massages in one. It is quite the experience leaving the client a bowl of jelly by the end.
Zwei means 2 in the German language. In this massage you have 2 massage therapist working on you at the same time. You actually get two massages in one. It is quite the experience leaving the client a bowl of jelly by the end.
BASIC MOVEMENTS OF MASSAGE
Effleurage
Effleurage is the most common stroke in Swedish massage. It is a free-flowing and gliding movement towards the heart, tracing the contours of the body using the palm of one or both hands. Oil is applied with this stroke to begin the first stage of massage. The therapist applies a light or medium constant pressure. This stroke is used to warm up the muscles, relax the body, calm the nerves, improve blood circulation and heart function, and improve lymphatic drainage.
Pétrissage
This technique resembles kneading dough. It involves lifting, rolling, and squeezing the flesh under or between the hands. Pétrissage is designed to release muscle tension, improve blood flow, and increase lymphatic drainage.
Friction
Friction strokes work on deeper muscles than the techniques previously described. The friction technique is a pressure stroke and is the deepest that is used in Swedish massage. The massage therapist applies pressure by placing the weight of his or her body on the flat of the hand and the pads of the thumbs, knuckles, fingers, or the back of the forearms, and then releases the pressure slowly and gently. This movement should be a continuous sliding motion or a group of alternating circular motions.
Vibration
To effect vibration, the massage therapist gently shakes or trembles the flesh with the hand or fingertips, then moves on to another spot and repeats this stroke. Vibration is designed to release muscle tension in small muscle areas, such as those on the face or along the spine.
Tapotement
Tapotement, or tapping and percussion, is a quick choppy rhythmic movement that has a stimulating or toning effect. The following are variations of tapotement:
see on-site massage page for pricing
Effleurage is the most common stroke in Swedish massage. It is a free-flowing and gliding movement towards the heart, tracing the contours of the body using the palm of one or both hands. Oil is applied with this stroke to begin the first stage of massage. The therapist applies a light or medium constant pressure. This stroke is used to warm up the muscles, relax the body, calm the nerves, improve blood circulation and heart function, and improve lymphatic drainage.
Pétrissage
This technique resembles kneading dough. It involves lifting, rolling, and squeezing the flesh under or between the hands. Pétrissage is designed to release muscle tension, improve blood flow, and increase lymphatic drainage.
Friction
Friction strokes work on deeper muscles than the techniques previously described. The friction technique is a pressure stroke and is the deepest that is used in Swedish massage. The massage therapist applies pressure by placing the weight of his or her body on the flat of the hand and the pads of the thumbs, knuckles, fingers, or the back of the forearms, and then releases the pressure slowly and gently. This movement should be a continuous sliding motion or a group of alternating circular motions.
Vibration
To effect vibration, the massage therapist gently shakes or trembles the flesh with the hand or fingertips, then moves on to another spot and repeats this stroke. Vibration is designed to release muscle tension in small muscle areas, such as those on the face or along the spine.
Tapotement
Tapotement, or tapping and percussion, is a quick choppy rhythmic movement that has a stimulating or toning effect. The following are variations of tapotement:
- Cupping: The therapist forms the hands into a cup shape with fingers straight but bending only at the lower knuckles; the thumbs are kept close to the palms. The therapist strikes the flesh with the flat of the hands one after another in quick succession.
- Hacking: This technique is similar to cupping. The therapist uses the sides of the hands with palms facing one another to make a chopping movement.
- Pummeling: For this stroke, the therapist makes loose fists in both hands and applies them rapidly in succession over the thighs and buttocks.
see on-site massage page for pricing