Types of Massage
Swedish Massage
Swedish massage involves rubbing, kneading, stroking, and tapping your muscles. It is one of the most common types of massage therapy often used to relax and relieve stress and pain. Swedish massage promotes relaxation, eases muscle tension, and creates other health benefits. It can be slow and gentle or vigorous and bracing strokes.
Deep Tissue Massage
Deep tissue massages are aimed at the deeper tissue structures of the muscle and fascia, also called connective tissue. Used to break up scar tissue and break down muscle adhesions, deep tissue massage uses a combination of slow strokes and deep pressure. The muscle adhesions or knots that we feel in our muscles are bands of rigid and painful muscle tissue. These knots can inhibit our circulation and cause pain and inflammation.
​Hot Stone Massage
A hot stone massage is a type of massage therapy used to help you relax and ease tense muscles and damaged soft tissues throughout your body. During a hot stone massage, smooth, flat, heated stones are placed on specific parts of your body. The heat warms and relaxes the muscles, which allows the therapist to apply deeper pressure, if desired. The warmth of the hot stones improves circulation and calms the nervous system.
Cupping Massage
During a cupping session, a practitioner places round cups directly on your skin. The cup is either first heated with fire or manually pumped to create suction. The cups are then left on your skin for several minutes. Cupping is type of therapy that pre-dates just about every form of bodywork ever used. Ancient Egyptian, Chinese, and Middle Eastern cultures used this form of therapy to promote healing and well-being. The suction created by the cup encourages blood flow. This increased circulation may promote healing and reduce pain and inflammation.
Trigger Point Massage
Each of your muscles consists of bundles of muscle fibers, which are encased in a web of collagen called “fascia.” Fascia runs through and around every muscle in your body and acts as the “glue” that holds your muscle tissue together. A trigger point is a small, tight area in the taut band of muscle fibers and fascia, which restricts blood flow to the area and causes pain. Also known as contraction knots trigger points become so tight, in fact, that they can be felt underneath the skin. They are typically very sensitive, causing a severe amount of pain that seems out of proportion to the pressure being applied. Weakness, small tears, tense muscles, dehydration, and even poor diet can cause trigger points to form.
Massage therapists use a number of different techniques to loosen these knots, including myofascial release and deep tissue massage. Releasing trigger points in the body aids in relief from chronic pain.
​Aromatherapy Massage
Aromatherapy is the practice of using the natural oils to enhance psychological and physical well-being. The inhaled aroma from these "essential" oils is widely believed to stimulate brain function. Essential oils can also be absorbed through the skin, where they travel through the bloodstream where they can promote whole-body healing.
Lymphatic drainage massage
Lymphatic drainage massage is a form of gentle massage that encourages the drainage of lymph nodes and the movement of lymph fluids around the body. It can help relieve symptoms of lymphedema. The lymphatic system cleans toxins, proteins, cancer cells, viruses, and dead cells about 20 times faster than the body is able to do on its own. Once a large amount of toxins are eliminated, the body is able to relax more deeply and use its energy more directly to regenerate the cells. People have been known to lose weight and have an increased energy level.
​Reflexology Massage
Reflexology Massage is a practice that involves applying different amounts of pressure to specific points on the feet or hands. These points are believed to link with certain organs or other parts of the body. Typically, the feet are used in reflexology, but in some circumstances, the hands or ears may be used. While not proven, there is some evidence that reflexology may help with Pain reduction, Relaxation, Mood elevation, Stress and Anxiety Relief.