My full body table massages last at least an hour, as scheduled, because the body is so interconnected that all areas need to be addressed for total relaxation. Swedish Massage is a very relaxing and therapeutic style of bodywork and is the basis that my other modalities are integrated into. It combines oils or lotion with an array of strokes such as gliding, rolling, kneading, and percussion to help the body improve its circulation. The benefits of this type of bodywork are wide-ranging and include relief from aches and pains, decreased stress levels in the body, enhanced mental clarity, improved appearance, and greater flexibility.
Deep Tissue Massage is a form of bodywork that aims to relieve tension in the deeper layers of tissue in the body. Deep tissue massage is a highly effective method for releasing chronic stress areas due to misalignment, repetitive motions, and past lingering injuries. Due to the nature of the deep tissue work, open communication during the session is crucial to make sure you don't get too uncomfortable; pressure to the point that you are tensing up is counterproductive to therapy. Keep in mind that soreness can be pretty common after the treatment and that plenty of water should be ingested to aid your body with the effects of the session.
NMT or Neuromuscular Therapy is a very specific, highly effective deep tissue work for each muscle. Judith DeLany, LMT, founded the International Academy of NeuroMuscular Therapies, which teaches the American version of NMT in massage curriculums. Especially when integrated in a full body massage, these techniques help clients achieve quicker, more complete results for trigger points and pain.
Reiki is a Japanese form of energy work that cleanses and balances the energy system in the body. As a result, the body's natural self-healing mechanisms strengthen, helping to establish optimum health. During a session, I work directly with your energy field to remove blockages and to restore your vital life force energy. Reiki utilizes a gentle laying on of hands to conduct the necessary energy force between us. The benefits of Reiki range from the release of habitual mental/emotional stress to alleviating chronic pain.
Bamboo Fusion is a new, exotic modality devolped by Nathalie Cecilia, a French therapist in Florida. It utilizes various warmed bamboo and ratan tools to evenly and deeply work the tension from the tissues. It is similar to hot stone massage, while using more of a rolling, kneading action than the gliding and heat placement of stones. Clients love this deeply relaxing treatment.
Lomi Lomi is the Hawaiian word for "massage," and it is part of a larger native Hawaiian tradition of healing and natural body care. According to Hawaiian tradition, all living beings are seeking a state of balance and love in the world. The therapist utilizes dancing footwork, deep rhythmic breathing, and flowing long runs on the body, with forearms more than hands as tools. Lomi weaves the spirit of Aloha into the treatment for a more connected feeling of mind, body, spirit and heart.
Sports Massage is a type of massage designed for highly active people who engage in athletics. Engaging in sports is harsh on the body and can often lead to injuries in both the short and long term. Sports Massage enhances performance and prolongs a sports career by helping to prevent injury, reduce pains and swelling in the body, relax the mind, increase flexibility, and dramatically improve recovery rates. Sports massage is highly effective in aiding the rapid recovery of an athlete from an injury by encouraging greater kinesthetic awareness and in turn promoting the body's natural immune function.
Pregnancy Massage is a style of bodywork designed specifically for pregnant women. Pregnancy is a time when a woman's body endures tremendous stress due to dramatic physical and emotional changes. Using various techniques specially developed for the expecting mother, pregnancy massage helps release the pain and discomfort experienced throughout pregnancy. The benefits are profound, including emotional support, the relief of joint pain due to extra weight and postural imbalance, and improved breathing and relaxation.
Stone Therapy delivers a profound expansion and contraction inside your circulatory system, improving the function of your lymphatic and immune systems and enhancing your body’s self-healing mechanisms. This style of bodywork takes you into deep states of relaxation, releasing stress and anxiety, detoxifying the body, and balancing your nervous system.
Please specifically request this modality when scheduling, as extra preparation is necessary with the stones.
Cupping is a technique that is often associated with the welts seen along the spine of swimmers and other athletes. While this modality of leaving cups vacuumed to specific spots can be helpful for pain and trigger points, I find that the benefits do not last as long as the skin damage. Using a set of silicon suction cups and my knowledge of myofascial techniques and anatomy, I have developed my own method. I use oil and glide over the skin with the cups to loosen the fascia, to increase circulation to the surface, and to prepare the tissue for deeper work. Some areas can be more tender than others, so client feedback is crucial to ensure a pleasant experience. I also have had a couple of repeat clients who are convinced that cupping combined with Bamboo Fusion and certain essential oils has helped the appearance of cellulite.
I have been learning about and using essential oils both personally and on clients for longer than I have been doing massage. They are a very powerful tool, but there are a plethora of options and caution is sometimes warranted. A few years ago, I seized the opportunity to obtain a professional certification in essential oils (beyond that of aromatherapy or MLM training), which was offered by Dr. Josh Axe's The Essential Oil Institute. I became a Certified Essential Oil Coach in June 2018. I have performed my own version of the Raindrop technique on repeat clients at Healthy Skin Spa for over four years.