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Massage Styles
Massage styles can be blended and integrated to meet your individual physical and emotional needs.
Swedish/Relaxation Massage The primary techniques used in Swedish massage include long, gliding strokes (effleurage), gentle kneading (petrissage), friction or cross-fiber, tapping (tapotement), and vibration. This popular style of massage is used primarily to help people relax. It is the most common and well-known type of massage in the West. Swedish massage helps to relax the muscles, reduce stress and anxiety, eliminate toxins from the body, improve sleep, and promote emotional well-being. This full body treatment often uses aromatherapy oils, lotions, and creams to help calm the mind, uplift the mood, energize the body, and decongest the lungs and sinuses. Deep Tissue Massage This style of massage focuses on the deeper layers of the muscles, fascia, and connective tissue. It is used to break up adhesions, lengthen and broaden the muscles, improve flexibility, and reduce pain. It can be very effective in treating chronic conditions such as tendonitis, plantar fasciitis, sciatica, tension headaches, neck pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, TMJ dysfunction, frozen shoulder, and more. Deep tissue massage generally requires a deeper pressure and is more intense than a Swedish-style massage. Many patients describe the sensation as a “good hurt”. Myofascial Release/Trigger Point Massage Myofascial release therapy addresses the myofascial tissue of the body. These tissues surround and support the muscles throughout your body. Pain often originates from specific points within your myofascial tissues called “trigger points”. Trigger point therapy is a safe and very effective hands-on technique that involves applying sustained pressure (20-30 seconds) into the myofascial tissue. This style of massage is used primarily to treat chronic pain and restore mobility. Sports Massage Therapeutic sports massage is ideal for people who are active in high performance sports and activities such as running, cycling, hiking, swimming, dancing, aerobics, power yoga, strength training, and racquet sports. Treatments are designed to alleviate muscle pain, fatigue, and stiffness; clear lactic acid build up; boost energy level and enhance overall performance; and assist in the rehabilitation and prevention of injuries. It is a necessary ingredient for a complete workout. Massage ‘n’ Stretch This type of treatment combines deeper massage to specific areas of the body with stretching techniques. It can be combined with warm compresses and pain-relieving topicals for greater results. This type of treatment helps to loosen up the joints and create better range of motion. It is very effective in treating osteoarthritis, stiff and painful joints, post-surgical pain, sports-related injuries, and other painful conditions. Pregnancy/Post-Partum Massage A pregnancy massage is designed to meet the changing needs of a woman’s body and fluctuating emotions during and after pregnancy. A light pressure is generally used on the arms and legs, while slightly deeper work can be done along the spine. The body is positioned in side-lying and semi-reclined positions for greater comfort. This style of massage helps to ease morning sickness, improve sleep, alleviate back/neck pain, and encourage a sense of well-being. It also helps to address post-partum depression, increase milk production, and recover from childbirth. Japanese Shiatsu Traditionally, shiatsu is done on the floor on top of a futon wearing loose, comfortable clothes. At Bodyscapes, we have adapted a table-top version for more comfort and ease. This style of bodywork is based on meridian theory and in the concept of Qi (energy). The goal is to restore energetic balance, increase the flow of blood, and remove Qi stagnation. This deeply relaxing treatment incorporates acupressure techniques along with gentle stretching to create balance and induce a meditative state of mind. Aromatherapy Massage During an aromatherapy massage, oils and/or lotions infused with essential oils (highly concentrated plant oils) are massaged into the skin. These oils are inhaled and absorbed into the body affecting the limbic system which is responsible for controlling our behavior and emotions. During your massage, several complementary blends of essential oils are used on different parts of the body to encourage relaxation, balance the hormones, elevate the mood, deepen the breath, and reduce pain. |
Enhancements
Enhancements can be added to your massage for greater effectiveness and enjoyment.
Exfoliating Foot or Hand Massage This exfoliating foot or hand massage begins with an invigorating sugar scrub followed by a warm, moist towel cleanse. A deeply moisturizing lotion/cream infused with essential oils is then massaged into the hands or feet. This delicious treatment helps to remove dead skin cells, soften the skin, invigorate blood flow, and soothe tired, achy hands or feet. It is often combined with a full-body Swedish massage for enhanced pleasure and relaxation. Facial Massage This add-on begins with a warm towel cleanse of the face to remove any excess oil from the skin. It is followed by a gentle massage of the neck, face, and scalp using lightly scented, facial oils/creams. This treatment helps to soften the skin, clear the sinuses, remove under-eye puffiness, ease tension headaches, and deeply relax the mind. Fire Cupping Cupping is performed by placing glass cups over various points on the body. Seconds before the cups are placed on the skin, a cotton ball doused in rubbing alcohol is ignited and quickly waved inside the cup. This removes all the oxygen from the cup which creates a vacuum when placed on the skin. This vacuum stimulates the flow of blood, breaks up adhesions, reduces pain, and draws toxins out of the body. The cups are generally left on the skin for 15 minutes and/or can be slid up and down and around. This is known as slide cupping. Hot/Cold Therapy The use of hot compresses and cold packs are a form of hydrotherapy known to be very effective in alleviating pain, stiffness, and inflammation in the body. Heat is often used for easing muscle tension and soreness, while cold is used for swelling and inflammation. Hot and cold therapy is generally used in conjunction with massage for greater results. |