Why
Massage?
Stress Reduction
A
person who is frequently under stressful influences will
tend to remain locked into a pattern of stress response,
unable to relax or let go. This type of pattern is damaging
to the body; as it escalates, it ultimately leads to
discomfort or pain. Maintaining these patterns of chronic
tension is like leaving the lights on all night - it takes
energy; but once it's a habit, we no longer recognize it as
such. What we do notice are the aches, pains, fatigue,
headaches, digestive problems, PMS, or a host of other
stress-related symptoms. Massage promotes the relaxation
response of the parasympathetic branch of the nervous
system, sending messages to the body to relax, slow down,
and take a deep breath. Muscle tension is released,
circulation is increased and sensory receptors are
activated. Areas that have been"cut off" by accumulated
stress can begin to feel once again. All of this results in
greater body awareness which can help you to more carefully
monitor your own body's responses and needs. Living in a
more relaxed and balanced body will enable you to better
handle the stresses in your life, and nothing can take you
back to that state of well-being more quickly than massage.
Sports
Massage
Clearly,
many massage benefits are of special interest to athletes.
Different from general full-body massage, sports massage
focuses on the muscles relevant to the particular athletic
activity, is shorter in time length, and usually more
vigorus.
Massage
prior to the athletic event loosens, warms and readies the
muscles for intensive use, especially when combined with
stretching. Besides helping prevent injury, it can improve
athletes' performance and endurance. Post-event massage
relieves pain, prevents stiffness, and returns the muscles
to normal faster.
Health
Maintenance
Feel
better than you think you could! By keeping mind and body
more relaxed and stress-free, hands-on therapies can help
prevent illness and raise your health and vitality to a
state of wellness. Massage helps integrate body and mind,
bringing a sense of emotional
well-being.
As
an adjunct to medical treatment, massage is addressed to
specific areas and recommended by doctors and chiropractors
for such conditions as backaches, headaches, muscle spasm
and pain, hypertension, reduction of swelling, and to
maintain circulation and muscle tone for bedridden
patients.
On-site
massage is becoming ever more popular as a way of
increasing productivity and morale and decreasing
absenteeism in the workplace.
Methods/Modalities
Swedish Massage
Uses
a system of long strokes, kneading and friction techniques
on the more superficial layers of the muscles, combined
with active and passive movements of the joints. Used
primarily for a full-body session: promotes general
relaxation, improves circulation and range of motion,
relieves muscle tension.
Deep
Muscle/Connective Tissue Massage
As
the name implies, this treatment releases the chronic
patterns of tension in the body through slow strokes and
deep finger pressure on contracted areas, either following
or going across the grain of muscles, tendons and fascia.
Can be used for specific work or full-body.
Acupressure
Oriental-based
systems of finger-pressure massage which treat special
points along acupuncture "meridians" - the invisible
channels of energy flow in the body. Blocked energy along
these meridians can cause physical discomforts, so the aim
is to release the blocks and re-balance the energy flow.
Full body or specific work.
Reflexology
Uses
similar principles to acupressure, although it is organized
around a system of points on the hands and feet that are
thought to correspond, or "reflex" to all areas of the
body. Specific, but with full-body
effects.
Benefits
Physical
Level
Deep
relaxation and stress reduction•
Relief
of muscle tension and stiffness•
Reduced
muscle spasm and tension•
Greater
joint flexibility and range of motion•
Increased
ease and efficiency of movement•
Promotes
deeper and easier breathing•
Better
circulation of both blood and lymph
fluids•
Reduced
blood pressure•
Relief
of tension-related headaches, eyestrain•
Healthier,
better nourished skin•
Improved
posture•
Faster
healing time from pulled muscles and sprained ligaments:
reduced spasm, pain and swelling; reduced formation of scar
tissue•
Strengthened
immune system and disease prevention•
Mental
Level
Relaxed
state of alertness•
Reduced
mental stress; a calmer mind•
Greater
ability to monitor stress signals and respond
appropriately•
Increased
capacity for clearer thinking•
Emotional
Level•
Satisfying
the need for caring and nurturing touch•
Feeling
of well-being•
Greater
ease of emotional expression•
Enhanced
self-image•
Reduced
levels of anxiety•
Increased
awareness of the mind-body connection•
A
sense of being unified and in harmony•