THE MASSAGE NOOK
TREATMENTS
Together, a massage therapy treatment plan is created that best fits your personal goals and expectations, and is tailored to your individual body needs. Every massage is customized and may be modified, refused, or terminated at any point during the session by the client or therapist.
Relaxation Massage
Generally, a relaxation massage refers to a collection of techniques, also known as Swedish Massage, using five main styles of long, flowing strokes: effleurage (sliding or gliding), petrissage (kneading), tapotement (rhythmic tapping), friction (cross-fiber), and vibrations (oscillatory movements that shake or vibrate the body). During a relaxation massage there is less emphasis on working out serious tension and adhesions in the muscle tissue and your pain is never pushed to your limits in order to get the muscle to release. There is still substantial health benefits to a relaxation massage, including calming the nervous system, promoting a sense of well-being, improving blood circulation and stimulating the lymphatic system, which carries away waste products.
Therapeutic / Deep Tissue Massage
Therapeutic and deep tissue massage is a type of massage therapy that focuses on the realigning both the superficial and deeper layers of muscles, fascia, and other structures. It is used to treat particular muscular-skeletal disorders and complaints and employs a dedicated set of techniques and strokes to achieve a measure of relief. 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. When there is chronic muscle tension or injury, adhesions (bands of painful rigid tissue) are usually present in the muscles and connective tissue (fascia). Adhesions can block circulation and cause pain, limit the range of motion of a joint, and cause inflammation. Deep tissue massage works by physically breaking down adhesions releasing deeply-held patterns of tension, relieving pain, and restoring normal movement. It is both corrective and therapeutic.
Sports Massage
Sports massage is the application of a variety of massage techniques and modalities (such as hydrotherapy and remedial exercises) to the specific needs of physically active individuals with the intent to treat and help prevent injury, reduce the recovery time from training and competition, and help maintain peak performance. There are 3 types of sports massage: pre-event massage, post-event massage, and training massage. Pre-event massage is a short, stimulating massage given 15-45 minutes prior to performing in an event. It is meant to stimulate circulation, calm nervous tension, and prepare the athlete for optimal performance while reducing the chance of injury. A post-event massage aids the athlete in recovery from training or competition. Training massage focuses on the prevention of developing chronic injuries and aids in the healing process of current ones.
Cupping Massage
Cupping is a therapy in which glass jars or cups are suctioned onto the skin’s surface through negative pressure. The suction and negative pressure drain excess fluids and toxins, which stimulates the peripheral nervous system, brings blood flow to stagnant muscles and skin, loosen adhesions and stubborn knots in the connective tissue and muscles. Ancient Chinese medicine believes cupping opens up meridian pathways to allow Qi to flow thru. When Qi flows freely throughout the body one enjoys good physical, mental, and emotional well-being. There are different types of cupping. Stagnant cupping is when the cup is placed over specific acupuncture points and left for a few seconds to a few minutes. This stimulates the Qi at the point and can help clear a blockage of energy in the meridian. This is often used to clear colds and flu’s as well as stimulate specific organs and releases a specific area in the muscle or connective tissue. Sliding cupping or cupping massage is when oil or lotion is first applied to the area being treated and the cup is moved around. This form of cupping releases the connective tissue and muscles on the area being treated, increases overall circulation and releases toxins.
Active Isolated Stretching (AIS)
AIS is a scientifically designed flexibility system that works with the body to create and maintain balance. The method was pioneered and developed by Aaron Mattes, MS, RKT, LMT more than 30 years ago. AIS helps the body to function more efficiently by increasing the range of motion of the joint and aiding in neuromuscular re-education. With AIS you isolate each muscle and perform a series of stretches that target the fibers at every angle. Due to the isolation of the muscles, the body is unable to engage any compensatory muscles to perform the stretches. It quickly becomes clear how different muscles have been compensating for pain and injury to direct you right to the problem area(s).
