Definitions of Massage

Medical Massage
Swedish
Amma
Deep Tissue
Hot Stone
Sports Massage
Trigger Point Therapy
Pre/Post Natal
Reflexology
Chair Massage

Remember, the type of massage is far less important than the skill and intention of the massage therapist. It is essential that you trust the person who will be touching you.  You should feel confident and comfortable with your massage therapist.  Ask about their credentials, education and experience

Medical Massage There is no set definition of medical massage. It is not a specific technique, it is the education of the therapist. If you have a medical condition or a specific problem this should be discussed in detail with your therapist.

Swedish or European massage focuses on the manipulation of the body's soft tissue to promote a balanced state of health. Using techniques such as stroking, kneading, tapotement, vibration and friction, the therapist can enhance health and body awareness as well as assist in recovery from injuries.

Amma Massage -Amma is an extremely specialized form of massage therapy that
combines deep tissue manipulation with the application of pressure, friction and touch to specific points and the channels on which they are found. These channels are the pathways through which energy passes throughout the body. Amma is rooted in the same fundamental medical principles as acupuncture and herbalism, focusing on the balance and movement of energy within the body. The techniques of Amma aim to remove blockages and free the flow of energy in the body, thereby restoring, promoting and maintaining optimum health.

Deep Tissue is a term that gets thrown around quite a bit by people that want you to believe that it's just more pressure used in a massage.  Deep Tissue Massage is more than just a lot of pressure.  It's a massage of the deeper layers of muscle and connective tissues of the body.  Deep Tissue Massage is used to provide a more therapeutic effect by massaging all layers from superficial (closer to the skin) to deep (closer to the bone).   Deep Tissue Massage relaxes the muscles, rids them of built up metabolic waste, relieves chronic tension and holding patterns, and helps release adhesions between muscles and connective tissues.  It can also be useful in preventing scar tissue build up from injuries to muscles and connective tissues.

Hot Stone Massage is a form of bodywork that involves the application of heated stones to the body during a massage. This system of massage stimulates the circulatory system, softens and relaxes muscles, helps to release toxins, induces a state of deep relaxation, relieves pain and muscle spasms, and creates a feeling of peacefulness.

Sports Massage Each type of sport has different demands on the players. Each sport uses muscle groups in a different way. Sports massage is designed to address those specific concerns and may differ according to the sport the athlete plays. Sports massage can be aimed to help heal strained muscles and allow healthy ones to reach peak performance and maintain it while minimizing the risk of injury.

Trigger Point Therapy is a technique designed to relax tight muscles, increase blood circulation to the affected area, and deactivate trigger points.  This is done by applying a series of pressure points and stroking massage directly on an around tight musculature. The amount of pressure used is determined by the patience's tolerance.  The downside of trigger point massage is that it is not necessarily a relaxing technique.  It requires the participation of the client to communicate the presence and intensity of pain and discomfort. The therapist and client work together as a team to maximize the effectiveness of the treatment. However, it is common to find great improvement after one treatment. Repeated treatment may be necessary for those with chronic trigger points.

A trigger point is a hyper irritable spot that is painful when compressed.  There are two basic types of trigger points, active and latent.  Active trigger points cause general muscular pain and will refer pain (ache, tingling, numbness, hot, cold, twitching) to another area of the body when pressure is applied.  Latent trigger points only exhibit pain when compressed and may or may not radiate pain around the point.  There is growing evidence that a lot of our most common aches and pains are actually caused by trigger points. Trigger points are known to cause headaches, neck and jaw pain, low back pain and some other kinds of joint pain which may be mistakenly ascribed to arthritis, tendonitis, etc.

Pre/Post Natal Pregnancy is a phase of great physical and emotional change and is a perfect time for a woman to practice nurturing herself in preparation for her new role as a caregiver. Pre and Post Natal massage helps both mothers and mothers-to-be breathe more freely and calms the mind and body. This massage treats sore and achy muscles, improves circulation, directs blood flow and nutrients, speeds healing, increases metabolism, encourages production of vital hormones, promotes relaxation and also aids in stress and anxiety reduction.  Because of the tremendous physical and hormonal changes that occur in the expectant mother massage during the first trimester is not recommended.

Reflexology is a natural healing art based on the principle that there are reflexes in the hands and feet that correspond to every part, gland and organ of the body. Through application of pressure on these reflexes reflexology can relieves tension, improves circulation and promotes the natural function of the related areas of the body.

Chair Massage Is given in a specially designed portable chair which allows the therapist to work the head, neck, shoulders, back, arms, and hands. No oils are used and no removal of clothing is required. Excellent for the person on the run who only has 10 to 25 minutes to spare. A great coffee or lunch break!

Aromatherapy Relax and take a tranquil journey into the essence of aromatherapy and the healing powers of essential oils.  When we 'take time to smell the roses', there may be more to it than we think. Each plant oil has its own set of properties that are useful for a multitude of things. Aromatherapy uses pure essential oils skillfully and in a controlled manner to influence mind, body and soul for physical and emotional health and wellbeing. (can be added to any massage)
For more information check out our Aromatherapy page.