Research conducted in the United States, Europe and Asia concluded that massage therapy has an impressive range of physical, mental and emotional benefits.

Up to 90% of all visits to primary care physicians are for stress related complaints (headaches, backaches, anxiety, depression, irritability, high blood pressure, heart disease, ulcers, exhaustion...the list goes on. Many insurance companies are now covering massage therapy as a part of alternative care coverage.

Massage is an excellent means of promoting relaxation and providing relief from the everyday stresses of life. You'll be amazed at the difference regular massage therapy can make in your life!

Swedish Massage

Swedish massage was originally developed in the late eighteenth century by a Swedish fencing master as the first systematic application of therapeutic massage in the West. It was based on European folk massage, oriental techniques from the Middle East and the then emerging knowledge of modern anatomy and physiology.

The strokes and manipulations of Swedish Massage are each conceived as having a specific therapeutic benefit. One of the primary goals of Swedish Massage is to speed the venous return of unoxygenated and toxic blood from the extremities. Swedish massage shortens recovery time from muscular strain by flushing the tissues of lactic acid, uric acid, and other metabolic wastes. It increases circulation without increasing heart load. It stretches the ligaments and tendons keeping them supple and young. Swedish Massage also stimulates the skin and nervous system and soothes the nerves themselves at the same time. It reduces stress, both emotional and physical, and is suggested in a regular program for stress management. It also has many specific clinical uses in medical or remedial therapy.

Sports Massage

Sports massage is a sensible blend of traditional Swedish Massage and Shiatsu. It was developed by Jack Meager, who is the official masseur for the U. S. Olympic Equestrian Team. Basic to the system is the fact that there are twelve principle body postures that form the axis of all athletic movement. Each sport demands that the player attains specific postures; hence, each sport tends to strain the muscles at certain predictable points. Sports massage can help heal strained muscles and allow healthy ones to reach peak action and to maintain it, with less risk of injury.

Medical Massage

Although massage is not thought of in conjunction with Western medicine, Europeans have employed this time tested practice for centuries. In the US we entrust our health to doctors and our bones to chiropractors and orthopedists, but what of our nerves and muscles?

The answer is massage therapy. Medical massage can be used to prevent muscular atrophy in cases of broken bones, to reduce inflammation in strains and sprains, to reduce inflammation of sciatica and lumbago, to increase circulation of varicose ulcers, to stimulate normal bowel movements and much more. Although massage may create positive changes in many ailments there are indications for not giving massage.

The trained therapist is well informed as to contraindications. Active and passive exercise is the key to good health. The informed therapist may evaluate your range of motion and make recommendations for simple exercises to maintain or improve your health.

Chair Massage

Techniques which provide fully-clothed seated massage, bodywork and somatic therapies to clients, generally in a corporate or business setting. Practitioners utilize Shiatsu, Amma, and/or Swedish techniques.

Neuromuscular Therapy

This comprehensive program of soft-tissue manipulation balances the body's central nervous system with the musculoskeletal system. Based on neurological laws which explain how the central nervous system initiates and maintains pain, the goal is to help relieve the pain and dysfunction by understanding and alleviating the underlying cause.

Neuromuscular therapy can help individuals who experience distortion and biomechanical dysfunction, which is often a symptom of a deeper problem. It is also used to locate and release spasms and hypercontraction in the tissue, eliminate trigger points that cause referred pain, restore postural alignment, proper biomechanics and flexibility to the tissues, rebuild the strength of injured tissues, and assist venous and lymphiatic flow.

Hot Rock Massage

Many ancient cultures have used the healing power of hot stones for medicinal and spiritual purposes. In the islands, it is believed that stones are filled with the vitality and energy of the water that flows over them. The stones are heated in hot water and placed on key energy points of the body to balance the spirit. The deep penetrating heat of the volcanic basalt stone is combined with traditional massage and aromatherapy techniques to release muscular tension. Enveloped in warmth, you can achieve a deeper dimension of relaxation to harmonize your energy and invoke a meditative state.

Reflexology

An ancient Eastern therapy, based upon the philosophy that all essential organs are linked by a "meridian" (an energy line to a point on the soles of the feet). By using a pressure point massage techniques, the therapist can identify imbalance in the body and promote inner healing, thus giving a feeling of renewed harmony and balance to the body.

Muscle Release Technique

Many people overuse their muscles by the repetitive action of everyday occupation and use. It doesn't make a difference if your a mother lifting a child or a carpenter swinging a hammer, the same muscular motion of the shoulders and forearm are subject to overuse. The symptoms of muscular aches and tightness proceed into pain and inability to move those same muscles. Muscle Release Techniques could be the answer to restore pain free muscles.

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