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Types of massage

Deep Tissue

Deep Tissue is an extremely effective means of releasing chronic pain or tension in the body. The connective tissue of the body whether through direct injury or chronic holding patterns can become damaged. With that damage, the tissue becomes shortened and thickened, causing pain in all directions and pulling underlying structures out of alignment thereby laying the foundation for chronic pain and tension and for feelings of pain in an area that is distant from the original site of tension.

A Deep Tissue Massage uses slow, firm pressure directed at the deep layers of the muscle where tissue has been damaged. Deep Tissue massage helps to lengthen shortened muscle fibers, breaking up thickened areas and helping the tissue regain proper elasticity. Deep Tissue is also effective for breaking down scar tissue and muscle adhesions even on injuries that have occurred many years ago. Proper blood and oxygen flow is brought back to the tight muscles. The toxins that have been stored in those muscles are helped release.

It is normal for some soreness to occur after a Deep Tissue massage. Your therapists will show you stretching techniques that will aid in your healing process and will remind you to drink plenty of water. When done properly, soreness from a Deep Tissue session should not last longer than 2 days.


Myofascial Release

Myofascial Release focuses on the fascia, or connective tissue of the muscle. When connective tissue is tight, underlying structures of the body are pulled, thereby adversely affecting posture and causing pain and tension. Myofascial Release uses techniques that work with the grain of the fiber to lengthen the connective tissue and help release superficial fascia from the underlying tissue. Techniques are also applied against the grain of the muscle fibers so that scar tissue and adhesions are broken and fibers are realigned.

Myofascial Release focuses on the muscle belly as well as working specifically on the musculotendinous junction. Myofascial Release is extremely effective for helping with postural issues, speeding healing, increasing blood circulation, restoring elasticity to muscles, and decreasing pain and tension. Myofascial Release can also be effective for those clients who might experience great relief after their massage sessions, but find that their tension returns a few days later. Oftentimes the return of tension indicates a fascial restriction in the outer layers of the muscle that needs to be released through a technique that is more subtle than deep tissue strokes.


Trigger Point Therapy

Trigger Points are hyperirritable spots located in skeletal muscle that manifest as nodules or "knots" in the taut muscle fibers. These small contraction knots form when muscles are chronically tight, due to stress, injury, postural misalignment, holding patterns, or trauma. When active, trigger points can be extremely painful and can refer pain to other areas of the body outside of where the trigger point is located.

Trigger Point Therapy is an effective means of helping the taut muscle band let go and release the contraction knot it is holing. When compressed, trigger points can elicit pain and/or spasming in the area being compressed as well as in other seemingly non-related parts of the body. Direct pressure to the trigger point allows the nodule to release and the muscle fibers to lengthen and realign properly, restoring elasticity and mobility to the muscle fibers and drastically decreasing feelings of pain and tension.


Swedish

Swedish Massage is applied to the more superficial layers of the muscle. Swedish strokes knead and use friction as well as firmly or lightly glide over muscle tissue. Your therapist may also incorporate the use of active or passive joint movement.

Swedish Massage stimulates both the circulatory system by returning blood flow to the heart as well as the lymphatic system by flushing out wastes and toxic debris. Swedish Massage strokes may be incorporated into sessions in order to help flush out tight muscles after deep strokes have been applied.