Sports Massage: The goal of all sports massage is to maximize athletic performance. Athletes in different sports will concentrate the massage on different parts of the body. Maintenance sports massage is done at least once a week as a regular part of athletic training programs. Maintenance massage increases the flow of blood and nutrients to the muscles. It also keeps the tissues loose so that different layers of muscle slide easily over each other. Maintenance sports massage also helps reduce the development of scar tissue while increasing flexibility and range of motion. Pre-event sports massage is done to help prevent serious athletic injury. It helps to warm up the muscles, stretching them and making them flexible for optimal athletic performance. A pre-event massage stimulates the flow of blood and nutrients to the muscles, reduces muscle tension, loosens the muscles, and produces a feeling of psychological readiness.
Post-event massage is usually given 1–2 hours after the competition is over in order to give dilated blood vessels a chance to return to their normal condition. Post-event massage is light and gentle in order not to damage already stressed muscles. The goal is to speed up removal of toxic waste products and reduce swelling.
Deep Tissue: First let me say that “Deep Tissue” is not a modality of massage therapy. Basically this means you apply more pressure into the muscle to affect the deeper muscles in the body, focusing on a specific problems such as chronic muscle pain, injury rehabilitation. Deep tissue is beneficial for the following conditions: Back pain, limited range of motion, muscle tension as well as Piriformis syndrome.
At certain points during the massage, you may feel some discomfort or even some pain on areas where there are adhesions or scar tissue. I can adjust the technique or further prep the tissues if the superficial muscles are tense. Pain isn't necessarily good, and it's not necessarily a sign that the massage is working. In fact, your body may tense up in response to pain, making it harder for to reach deeper muscles.
Thai Massage: Traditional Thai massage uses no oils or lotions. The recipient remains clothed during a treatment. There is constant body contact between the giver and receiver, but rather than rubbing on muscles, the body is compressed, pulled, stretched and rocked.[6]The recipient wears loose, comfortable clothing and lies on a mat or firm mattress on the floor. In Thailand, a dozen or so subjects may be receiving massage simultaneously in one large room. The true ancient style of the massage requires that the massage be performed solo with just the giver and receiver. The receiver will be positioned in a variety of yoga-like positions during the course of the massage, that is also combined with deep static and rhythmic pressures.
Structural Integration/ Myofascial Release: Achieving and maintaining the structural integrity of the body allows for greater freedom and ease of movement, in addition to better overall health, it simply benefits us all. We depend on our posture and structural alignment in order to make everyday activities more effective - and less painful. My goal to is to help you achieve that goal, teach you how to maintain it, and be there to remind and assist you on not losing focus.
Structural integration therapy focuses on a technique called Rolfing. This technique, named after its creator, Dr. Ida P. Rolf, is meant to manipulate the soft tissues (or myofascial tissues) within the body in order to create freer, safer movement through better posture and overall balance of all bodily systems. It is usually a 10-session cycle of work, using different angles and degrees of physical pressure to stretch and guide fascia to a place of easier movement. This technique is directed toward the myofascial system - which include the ligaments, muscles, tendons and surrounding connective tissues.
Stretching: The benefits of stretching can be felt throughout the body. It increases range of motion, sleep, meditation. It stimulates the digestive system, reduces inflammation in joints, relieves tension, improves posture, and energizes the body.
Trigger Point: Trigger points are described as hyper-irritable spots in the fascia surroundings skeletal muscles. They are associated with palpable nodules in taut bands of muscle fibers. Compression of a trigger point may elicit local tenderness, referred pain, or local twitch response. The local twitch response is not the same as a muscle spasm. This is because a muscle spasm refers to the entire muscle contracting whereas the local twitch response also refers to the entire muscle but only involves a small twitch, no contraction. A successful treatment protocol relies on identifying trigger points, resolving them and, if all trigger points have been deactivated, elongating the structures affected along their natural range of motion and length. In the case of muscles, which is where most treatment occurs, this involves stretching the muscle
Craniosacral Therapy: By using gentle touch to manipulate the joints of the cranium, spine and pelvis, this manipulation regulates the flow of cerebralspinal fluid and aids in primary respiration. May relieve the symptoms of stress or tension, and release pressure on the occipital lobe.
Reiki: A form of alternative medicine developed in 1922 by Japanese Buddhist Mikao Usui Since originating in Japan, Reiki has been adapted into varying cultural traditions across the world. Reiki is applied using a technique they call palm healing or hands-on healing by which a "universal energy" is transferred through the palms of the practitioner to a patient in order to encourage healing. Reiki is also used to calm the body and mind to achieve a state of rest and calm.
Swedish Massage: Swedish massage's main benefit is overall relaxation. A standard Swedish session lasts 90 minutes, and addresses most major muscle groups of the body. The session is usually performed on a soft massage table, in an environment that is meant to relax the recipient. Swedish Massage also assists the circulatory system, it increases blood flow, and quickens the removal of metabolic waste in the body.