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Email: Michael@healing-massage.com |
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Swedish - Deep Tissue - Fascial Release - NMT Hot Stone - Reiki - Prenatal
You may request a particular type of massage but I will recommend and incorporate any and all techniques that I believe will be beneficial to my clients.
Swedish Massage While the healing power of touch is an ancient concept, this common technique is named for Swedish massage pioneer Peter Ling (1776-1839). The term Swedish massage refers to a collection of techniques designed primarily to relax muscles by applying pressure to them against deeper muscles and bones, and generally rubbing in the same direction as the flow of blood returning to the heart. Swedish massage uses five main strokes to stimulate the circulation of blood through the body; petrissage (kneading), effleurage (stroking), friction, tapotement (tapping), and vibration. Swedish massage is essentially the root skill learned by all massage therapists and upon which nearly all massage techniques are built. Generally this technique is considered a gentle, relaxing type of massage.
Deep Tissue Massage Deep Tissue refers to a number of techniques that generally use greater pressure than Swedish Massage. Deeper techniques generally are focused on specific muscles and muscle tissue at different layers under the skin. While Deep Tissue is generally more aggressive in nature than Swedish, it is not necessary to use more pressure than my clients can comfortably tolerate. In addition, deep pressure applied gradually and smoothly is much less disconcerting than when applied abruptly. I always use technique designed to provide the maximum benefit with the maximum comfort.
Fascial (connective tissue) Therapy Fascial work is often referred to as Structural Integration. The philosophy, goals and methods of this technique were developed by Dr. Ida Rolf. Today there are a number of similar schools of practice that are based on Dr. Rolf's work. The last third of my massage training included instruction in Fascial Therapy.
Neuromuscular (trigger point) Therapy Trigger points are areas which when moderate pressure is applied produce a sensation referred to an area around the point or remote from the point. Because trigger points can be activated through normal muscle function, they can cause pain and disfunction in day-to-day activities. Neuromuscular Therapy involves treating these trigger points with localized pressure (ischemic compression) using either the therapists fingers, thumbs or sometimes specialized tools.
Hot Stone Therapy Heated stones have been used for massage and healing practices in many cultures since ancient times. Hot Stone treatments have become quite popular recently. The specifics of how the treatment proceeds varies a great deal from one practitioner to another. I use smooth, oiled stones that are heated in a water bath, and use them for massage (in the palm of my hand) and placed on the body for overall relaxation. Many people love the deep feeling of relaxation they get from Hot Stone Therapy and the thermal properties of the stones provides deep relaxation of chronically tight muscles (with less massage pressure) and increased circulation.
Reiki (energy healing) Reiki (pronounced Ray-Key) is a method of natural healing based on the application of Universal Life Force Energy (the name literally means Universal Life Force Energy). Dr. Mikao Usui, in his quest for an explanation of how Jesus was able to heal, received the secrets of Reiki in a fasting meditation after spending years searching for the answer. His discovery was a re-discovery of knowledge lost in the ages. The details of his life, his quest and therefore the history and lineage of Reiki are somewhat unclear and undocumented. Reiki is often practiced as a stand-alone healing technique. I use Reiki energy in my healing sessions as one of the various tools at my disposal. I may ask permission to practice Reiki healing on you but you are certainly welcome to request it yourself. The effects can be of subtle or profound healing on physical, emotional and spiritual levels.
Prenatal Massage I was trained in the special techniques of providing massage to pregnant women at the Cherry Creek School of massage. In addition my office table is specially designed to accommodate pregnant women lying face down comfortably through the use of a belly recess with support sling. Often my clients have reported that the experience of lying comfortably face down in the third trimester of pregnancy was wonderful in and of itself. Massage during pregnancy can provide relief from many of the common discomforts that go along with pregnancy including pain in the low back, neck and shoulders and pain or numbness in the arms and hands. I do ask that you provide a note from your doctor giving her OK for receiving massage.
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