Massage

Tired, sore and stressed out?

Most people would agree a massage makes them feel good. But many probably don't realize exactly how good a regular massage is for their overall health. How about if they knew massage could improve performance, aid recovery, prevent and eliminate injuries, reduce stress and even enhance metabolism and circulation! With so many alternative health treatments available it's little wonder people get confused about where to go when they're not feeling the best. But, while new health therapies continue to emerge, think about this�the Chinese began using massage to heal the human body as long ago as 5,000BC and it's still being used today. Now there has to be something to be said for that.

Full body massage can benefit your health in many different ways. An increasing amount of evidence indicates that stress and tension are the root causes of many diseases. Thus, if you can find ways to alleviate or relieve your stress, you are preventing health problems from emerging or becoming worse.

When you receive full body massage, you're massaged from head to toes, front and back. A variety of strokes that includes gliding, kneading, pulling, wringing, tapping, and compressions are used on various parts of the body.

If you have medical conditions or suffering from constant fatigue or pain, then full body massage can facilitate your recovery and assist other therapies. A full body massage helps to improve blood circulation so that blood becomes more easily transportable to the vital organs in your body. This is vital for smooth functioning of your internal body organs. In addition, when blood is supplied to areas that have been injured before, repair and renewal of cells and tissues take place more easily. Here are a few disorders that benefit from regular full body massage:

Depression

Arthritis

Tennis elbow

Infertility

Eating disorders

Post-operative recovery

Autism

Immune-suppressed systems

Diabetes

High blood pressure

Sleep disorders

Cancer related fatigue

Low back pain

Spinal cord injuries

Neck pain

Shoulder pain

Plus Massage has so many other benefits:

Increase the blood's oxygen capacity by 10-15%

Help loosen contracted, shortened muscles and stimulate weak, flaccid muscles. This muscle "balancing" can even help posture and promote more efficient movement

Speed recovery from exercise-induced fatigue

Increase production of gastric juices, saliva and urine

Increase excretion of nitrogen, inorganic phosphorus, and sodium chloride (salt). This suggests that the metabolic rate increases

Balance the nervous system by soothing or stimulating it, depending on which effect is needed

Improves function of the oil and sweat glands that lubricate, clean and cool the skin. Though, inflexible skin can become softer

Indirectly or directly stimulating nerves the supply internal organs can dilate the organs' blood vessels, improving blood supply

Reduce stress, tension, anxiety, depression, headaches, back aches, stiff necks

Balance Chi (vital energy)

Increase recovery from Whiplash injury

Enhance energy, vitality, quality of life

Create balance in body systems

Reduce or eliminate muscular knots

Release pinched nerves

Increase Circulation - nutrients, oxygen, blood

Eliminate toxins

Enhance Body, Mind, Spirit Relationship

Release physical, emotional, spiritual trauma

Interrupt headache and migraine patterns

Alleviate aches and pains

Improve sleep patterns

May lower blood pressure

Increase job performance and productivity

Decrease employee sick days

Accelerate post-surgery healing time

Decrease fibromyalgia symptoms

Decrease PMS symptoms

Decrease menopause symptoms

Increase quality of life

RELAX, REFRESH, REJUVENATE

When you choose full body massage, you choose a non-invasive procedure. In addition, full massage therapy, which is relatively safe, can be a complementary treatment to other medical treatments.

Types of Massage and Their Benefits

Swedish Massage

Swedish Massage is a gentle relaxing massage incorporating effleurage techniques (long, slow manipulations) to soothe the body and mind. This massage is designed to induce a sense of peace and relaxation, however, it does increase blood flow to the body ridding the body of toxins and aiding the immune system. It reduces stress, both emotional and physical, and is suggested in a regular program of stress management.

Deep Tissue Massage

Bodywork helps to strengthen, relax, and release the natural restrictions of the different connective tissues of the body. The focus is not on immediate pleasure, but on the long-term goal of altering the muscles' structures and limitations. This doesn't mean, however, that the treatment is not relaxing, because many patients find great pleasure in the therapy. Furthermore, they gain relief from pain and other long lasting benefits, such as the ability to move tension-free.

Sports Massage

Although massage is used to treat sport injuries, it is perhaps even more important as a preventative measure. It helps to achieve greater endurance and relaxation. Massage also helps to create balance and efficient movement that promotes speed, power and endurance. Pre- and post-event massage helps athletes to increase performance skills and prevent injuries.

Hot Stone Massage

Hot Stone Massage is an exciting massage treatment sweeping the country. Basalt stones are heated and applied to the body in relaxing, unique ways. Hot stone therapy goes beyond the physical experience of typical massage and enters deeper dimensions of relaxation, health and well-being.

Physically the circulation and metabolism are stimulated; mentally the client reaches a state of deep relaxation and the emotional state is balanced and healing takes place.

Hot stone therapy combines massage with the use of smooth, heated basalt stones, which are applied to the body as an extension of the therapist's hands. The warmth of these heated stones penetrates muscles and balances the nervous system like no other treatment. Crystals can be used to help balance the body's energy centers.

During this treatment you benefit from:

Deeper Relaxation

Continuous Heat Therapy

Increased Relief to Stressed Muscles

Improved Detoxification

Lymphatic Drainage Massage

Lymphatic Drainage Massage involves light strokes that facilitates the lymph flow and stimulates the body's lymphatic system, allowing it to naturally circulate fluids and increase the body's metabolism and immune system. The lymphatic system can become blocked, causing fluids and toxins to build up, making us more susceptible to colds and viruses. Lymphatic Drainage can also be a big help for detoxification since one of the functions of lymph is carrying toxins out of the cells and tissues and transporting them to the elimination channels.

Shiatsu

Shiatsu is a gentle but powerful form of bodywork from Japan which is designed to heal and promote health by influencing and improving the state of natural energy in the body. Developed at the beginning of the last century, Shiatsu is a fusion of two ancient techniques, Japanese Massage (Anma) and Traditional Chinese Medicine. Because of this, Shiatsu is not merely a set form massage but uses diagnostic techniques so that each treatment is tailored to the needs of the individual. During a treatment, the practitioner will use a series of gentle stretches, joint mobilization and, most importantly, non-invasive pressure applied to the energy lines (meridians) and points to balance the flow of vital energy through the body, thus stimulating the body's natural healing ability. A combination of palm pressure, thumb, elbow and sometimes even knees are used.

Shiatsu is an holistic treatment encompassing mind, body and spirit, It has the effect of calming the central nervous system and relaxing the muscles. This improves circulation of blood and lymph thus allowing nutrients to be delivered where they are needed and eliminating toxins and waste. This can lead to improved energy, vitality and sleep quality, greater concentration and alertness, promoting a sense of well being and leading to a more efficient lifestyle.

The Japanese changed and modified many things from Chinese culture. For example, anma and acupuncture became "shiatsu" - finger - pressure. In reality, various parts of the giver's body (fingers, thumbs, palms, forearms, even feet and knees) are used to apply pressure to the recipient's body. This can be targeted at general areas or specific points - often the tsubos or "acu-points" used in acupuncture. These techniques are used together with stretching, joint rotation and joint manipulation to give an "all-over" treatment which works holistically - working with body, mind and spirit together. This treatment channels the energy flowing in the meridians. This energy, called chi (Qi, Ki), is the origin and the power of life. When chi stagnates, the body becomes ill. There are twelve main meridians, which are the channels of chi. Each meridian corresponds with a major organ. Treatment is carried out fully clothed, usually with the receiver lying on a futon on the ground. A typical treatment lasts 60 minutes. The treatment stimulates the circulation and the flow of lymphatic fluid, releases toxins and deep seated tensions from the muscles, stimulates the hormonal system and the immune system, and acts on the autonomic nervous system, allowing the recipient to relax deeply and to get in touch with his or her own healing power.

Which problems can Shiatsu help?

Shiatsu can be used to treat a variety of minor problems such as insomnia, headaches, anxiety, back pain, constipation, and skin irritations. Shiatsu improves health generally by relieving stress, calming the nervous system and stimulating the circulatory and immune systems. It is particularly effective for stress-related tension and illnesses, insomnia, back pain, headaches and digestive upsets. However, through its stimulation of the hormone system Shiatsu can also affect the digestive and reproductive systems. Apart from bringing relief to symptoms, Shiatsu gradually corrects long-term postural and behavioral imbalances leading to improved body / mind awareness and a general sense of well-being and peace of mind, increasing blood circulation and improving the lymphatic system.

Shiatsu invokes a general feeling of good health in the whole person, on a physical and spiritual level. Reduced stress and fatigue (tsubo) accumulated in the body, which increases vitality, stamina and energy.

Neuromuscular Therapy -Serious Pain Relief

Factors That Cause Pain

A procession of underlying causes - physical trauma, gravity, poor diet, psychological stress and repetitive strain - contributes to primary factors that are fundamental in the pain cycle:

1. Ischemia- a lack of blood supply -and thus nutrition and oxygen-to the soft tissues

2. Circulatory stasis-build-up of toxins and biochemical irritants in the tissues

3. Nervous system irritation-disturbed nerves fire impulses into the soft tissues, causing a pain-spasm-pain cycle

4. Trigger points-ropey, fibrous knots caused by toxic buildup in muscles and tissues that often refer pain to other locations in the body

5. Nerve compression or entrapment-soft tissue spasm that compresses and entraps nerve fibers near the spine or along the extremities

6. Postural distortion-due to contracted muscles and soft tissues, the spine and other structures sideband and rotate in an effort to compensate and regain symmetry

7. Biomechanical dysfunction-deficiencies in range of motion, poor physical movement, habit patterns, and shortened muscles reduce quality of life

How Neuromuscular Therapy Works

On a patient's first visit, a thorough postural exam and evaluation is performed to determine structural lifestyle, traumatic and stress factors that are the root cause of the pain. Palpation of ischemic tissues and strained muscles can also reveal local causes in the "chain of pain."

This is followed by hands-on, soft tissue, manipulation and massage. Direct pressure, similar to acupressure, is applied to defuse trigger points and increase circulation. Shortened ,contracted tissue is then treated by manipulation to lengthen and free the tissue so that it can function normally. Range of motion, traction and joint mobilization are often used to increase blood flow and circulation to muscles surrounding a joint. By releasing specific postural muscles, the body becomes more structurally balanced, less contracted and less rotated. The RESULT is PAIN RELIEF.

The number of visits varies with each person.

FAQ

How many visits does Neuromuscular Therapy require? No two individuals are alike, so treatment time will vary. Most people see significant results in about 6-10 treatments, although others may experience almost immediate relief.

Does Neuromuscular Therapy hurt? Sometimes there is discomfort and intensity that goes along with NMT. Once ischemia and spasm has been eliminated the tissues are healthy again and are not painful to massage.

A Key To Pain Relief

The most common reason people visit doctors, and health professionals are pain. It's estimated that 80% of all people who suffer with pain have pain that is musculoskeletal in origin. This means that the relationship between the soft tissues of the body. This means that the relationship between the soft tissues of the body and the skeletal frame is imbalance and undergoing a chronic condition of stress and trauma. A key player in this drama is the nervous system which causes the muscles to spasm and strain.

Modern medicine and therapy has the hardest time diagnosing and treating this condition. This leaves many people feeling there is no solution to their pain and they must "live with that."

Fortunately, in the last few decades a superior solution to pain has emerged from the massage and bodywork community. This remarkable approach is Neuromuscular Therapy. This is the system of soft tissue manipulation that defuses pain and postural imbalance at the root level of its causes.

The fundamental principle of NMT is that body seeks balance. Because of physical trauma, gravity psychological stress and repetitive strain, a pattern of compensation develops in which the muscles harden, contract and pull the skeletal frame into a distorted position. This postural distortion develops over time because of repetitive strain or happens immediately after trauma. This structural imbalance is really the only way the body can adopt to unfavorable conditions .THE END RESULT IS PAIN!

Neuromuscular Therapy intervenes in this cycle by releasing spastic, contracted soft tissues; freeing up and discharging nervous system irritation , helping right the posture as the skeleton finds a more normalized position.