Licensed Massage Therapist MA # 1606 Member of Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals #626881

 
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Massage Techniques
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Massage Techniques
Massage Tech

Massage Therapy is technically defined as the manipulation of the soft tissues of the body muscles, skin and connective tissues for therapeutic purposes.

Massage Therapy, as the term is used today, is non-specific and encompasses many different techniques used for a variety of purposes. Below are some of the modalities of massage offered.

 

Sacred Stone Therapy
Sacred Stone

was created by Karyn Chabot, Ayurvedic D.Ay., LMT founder of Sacred Stone, a school for Ayurveda Studies. This therapy will bring you into a much deeper relaxation than convention massage and integrates the art of stone bodywork with the ancient science of Ayurveda. In this session smooth heated stones are eased along and laid upon oiled muscles. Cool, white quartzite stones are smoothed along the face. Velvety textured stones gently grip the muscle sheaths, giving way for deep tissue release. Finger-shaped stones press lightly into marma points to clear blockages.

According to Ayurveda, it is our internal motion (vata: Sanskrit word meaning what blows) that amplifies anxiety. Sacred Stone Therapy was designed by Chabot to calm the internal motion within us by using specific, ancient vata-reducing bodywork techniques. Melissa's intent will focus on anchoring the first and second chakra and enhancing the downward flow (apana vayu) within the body. Apana vayu connects us to the Earth. The session will leave you feeling grounded, relaxed, and restored. The stones are not used to replace healing hands but as a powerful compliment to the massage.

Sacred Stone Therapy includes a marma point facial to nurture, sooth, warm, nourish and calm the nervous system and to heighten the consciousness. Also, a foot therapy which promotes the Ayurvedic concept of Terminal Clearance---a steam lemon salt scrub to the feet following a delightful massage with warm medicinal oils and toe stones. This therapy will help to draw out toxins, activate the chakras, and ground. Melissa also uses Sound therapy in this session---Tibetan bells, OM Chants, crystal bowls all serve to raise the vibrations of the healing session and stimulates the energy of the stone and moves out unwanted ethereal debris that may have accumulated in the auric field. The benefits from this therapy are endless, but one thing is certain you will leave feeling a sense of calmness, joy, and serenity.

Pinda Sweda
Pinda Sweda

This is a wonderful type of combined massage that is highly rejuvenating therapy. During the process of Pinda Sweda therapy the whole body is made to perspire by the external application of hot herbal boluses tied up in muslin bags that are dipped into warm medicated oils. This therapy is complimented with Abhyanga Full Body Massage where more detoxification and nourishment can be experienced by the massage manipulation and warm stones.

Benefits: helps rheumatism, Arthritis, Varicose Veins, Improves circulation, pain in the joints, emaciation of limbs, high blood pressure, high cholesterol. Anti-aging & rejuvenating Sciatica, Sprains and cramps. Tones skin and reduces

Garshana Therapy
Garshana Therapy

Garsgana---invigorating dry massage with raw silk gloves stimulates the body's healing energies and prepares the skin to absorb herbalized oils. The lymphatic skin brushing with a silk glove increases circulation, alkalizes the blood and cleanses entire body so the herbal oil can penetrate deeply. Warm, herbal-oil massage (abhyanga) nourishes the skin, aids in removing impurities, stimulates both arterial and lymphatic circulation, and calms the central nervous system, promoting a blissful sensation. Garshana enhances the potential of nutrients to reach starved cells and also eliminates stagnant waste.

Benefits: exfoliates and rejuvenates skin, increases circulation of blood and lymphatic flow, aids in detoxification, energizes, uplifts, and balances all doshas.

Hot Stone Massage

Hot stone massage is a specialty massage that uses smooth, heated stones. They are often basalt, a black volcanic rock that absorbs and retains heat well.  It is a deeply soothing, relaxing form of massage. The heat helps tight muscles release. These Natural Healing Massage Stones have come to you from the beginning of time. From the depths of the earth. Therapeutic stones have an amazing healing energy. They have been used for massage therapy around the world for many years. It's wonderful and therapeutic powers are a gift from heaven. Heated smooth, flat stones are placed on key points on the body.  Melissa may also hold the stones and use them to massage certain areas of the body.

The stones are immersed in water and heated in an electric heating device until they are within a certain temperature range. The stones may be placed at specific points on the back, in the palms of the hand, or between the toes.

Some stones may be placed on energy centers of the body to restore & revitalize. 

What are some of the benefits of heated stone massage?

    • Wonderful, deep relaxation
    • Significant stress reduction
    • Detoxification of the body & Increases metabolism and elimination
    • Improved circulation and a pleasant, warm feeling
    • Stimulation of the lymphatic system
    • Improved metabolic rate
    • May ease bloating caused by water retention of PMS
    • May provide relief of chronic or temporary back and neck pain
    • Instant relaxation of tight and sore muscles & Relaxes connective tissue

    Abhyanga/Shirodhara Massage

    Originally published in Body Sense magazine, Spring/Summer 2005. Copyright 2005. Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals. By Karyn Chabot

    Karyn Chabot from Sacredstonehealing.com says, "Shirodhara is a profound, mind-melting treatment using ayurvedic oils poured in a steady stream over the forehead and scalp.

    "From a small copper pot, warm oil flows on the brow and in the region between the eyes. It cleans both the mind and the senses, which allows the body's natural healing mechanisms to release stress from the nervous system. This, in turn, improves mental clarity and comprehension.

    Chabot says those who practice shirodhara believe it heightens the senses, stimulates the chakras which regulate breathing, contributes to facial rejuvenation, smoothes fine lines, and relaxes the mind and nervous system. The treatment may also be called The Himalayan Experience or the Pancha Karma Treatment.

    You will begin your Bliss Therapy with Abhyanga (Sanskrit word for an oil massage given to the entire body) This warm herbal oil is applied in a rhythmic and flowing sequence of long strokes along the muscles and small circular strokes at the joints, rubbing warm oil onto the skin.  Feel the physical and psychological tensions ease away and re-establish calm and harmony of the spirit. In great ayurvedic classic Ashtanga Hridaya, Vagbhata records the benefits of Abhyanga:

    • Aging symptoms appear very late in life.  
    • Balances Vata and reduces vata related problems
    • Skin becomes fresh, soft, glowing and healthy.
    • Skin becomes resistant to diseases.
    • Sharp eyesight and attractive eyes.
    • Body becomes stronger and well nourished.
    • The body and mind gets relaxed.
    • Undisturbed sleep.
    • Rejuvenates the body.

     

    Following the massage we begin Shirodhara (In Sanskrit, ‘shiro’ means head and ‘dhara’ means flow) a stream of warm, herbal oil over the third eye center and forehead. It is this steady, rhythmic pouring of oil that induces a deeply relaxing and blissful state of consciousness called ‘Turiya’ ~ the state of awareness that is neither fully conscious nor deep sleep. While in this Turiya state, we are able to witness and/or release impressions in our conscious and subconscious mind.

    The brow and third eye center are associated with the fundamental endocrine glands (pituitary, pineal & hypothalamus), which regulate all hormonal secretions. These hormonal secretions are responsible not only for the autonomic responses which control digestion, breath, elimination, etc., but are also responsible for our moods and emotional states. Shirodhara is meant to establish a state of parasympathetic repose, an ego-less state, during which the innate intelligence of our body is revealed. During the session, we lovingly weave in sounds, aromas and colors to delight your senses. You will emerge from your Shirodhara Bliss Therapy feeling so refreshed, as if you have just completed a long, deep and blissful meditation.

    Some of the Benefits of Shirodhara

    • Eliminates imbalances of the head, neck, eyes, ears and nose
    • Dissolves stress and its ill effects on nervous system
    • Relieves insomnia, fatigue, tension, anxiety, anger, headaches, hypertension, asthma, depression, hair loss and stress
    • Rejuvenates the endocrine system, supporting hormonal balancing Invigorates the body and mind and heightens the senses
    • Disperses negative electrical impulses that accumulate along the scalp and hairline due to stress
    • Rejuvenates the entire face and softens worry lines
    • Opens the third eye and increases intuition and activates spiritual awareness
    • Activates the pituitary, pineal and hypothalamus glands Regulates mood and stimulates cognitive memories
    • Stimulates the 6th & 7th chakras which regulate our breathing patterns
    • Gives deep mental relaxation Renews the sweetness of life

    To Read more about Ayurveda

     

    Swedish Massage Therapy

    Swedish Massage is the most common type of massage. Specific strokes and pressure are used to release a dysfunctional holding pattern. It includes long strokes, kneading and friction techniques on the more superficial layers of the muscles, combined with active and passive movements of the joints. This therapy promotes general relaxation, improves blood circulation and range of motion, and relieves muscle tension.

     

     

    Therapeutic Massage

    Therapeutic Massage uses a light touch to sense energy imbalances this method will channel healing forces and begin to induce a state of relaxation within minutes. Therapeutic Touch is considered safe because of its gentle, noninvasive approach. Stress, tension, and pain often lodge deep in the body. Using a series of strokes, pressure, and kneading this method serves to relax muscle tension, relieve pain, tones the body, and stimulates the release of toxins.

     

     

    Sports Massage

    Designed to reduce injuries, alleviate inflammation, and stretch tightened muscles for the athletes pre-training and post game.  Rhythmic compression into muscles used to create a deep hypremia and softening effect in the tissues. Friction techniques applied in a general manner to create a stretching and broadening effect in large muscle groups.

    Pre-event sports massage improves performance and helps decrease injuries. It is used as a supplement to an athlete's warm-up to enhance circulation and reduce excess muscle and mental tension prior to competition. Post-event sports massage is mainly concerned with recovery. It is geared toward reducing the muscle spasms and metabolic build-up that occur with vigorous exercise. Recovery after competition involves not only tissue normalization and repair, but also general relaxation and mental calming.

    Deep Tissue Massage

    Deep Tissue massage releases the chronic patterns of tension in the body through slow strokes and deep finger pressure on the contracted areas, either following or going across the grain of muscles, tendons and fascia. It focuses on the deeper layers of muscle tissue.

    When muscles are stressed, they block oxygen and nutrients, leading to inflammation that builds up toxins in the muscle tissue. A deep-tissue massage helps loosen muscle tissues, release toxins allowing the blood and oxygen to circulate properly.

    The ultimate goal is to loosen and separate the fibers of a muscle to release deeply-held patterns of tension, toxins, and energy blocks.

     

    Pregnancy Massage

    Pregnancy massage or pre-natal massage therapy is specifically tailored for the expectant mother's needs. It is important to discuss this therapy with your physician or midwife before recieving a session. During the session your body will be properly positioned and supported, using pillows and padding. Proper positioning ensures comfort and safety for the mother and baby.

    Pregnancy massage has been found to reduce stress, decrease swelling in the arms and legs, and relieve aches and pains in muscles and joints. It's a popular complementary therapy during pregnancy for back pain, when choices for pain relief, such as medication, are often limited. Pregnancy massage is very helpful for relieving inflammation and symptoms associated with sciatica. Not only can massage be physically beneficial, but the human touch can be comforting and provide emotional support during pregnancy. Massage techniques can include specific light and deep pressure massage, myofascial techniques, circulatory work, acupressure, reflexology, and other techniques.

     

    Aromatherapy Massage

    Aromatherapy has been used as a healing technique for thousands of years by the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans. Pure essential oils aid in relaxation, improve circulation, and help the healing of wounds. Specific essential oils are blended and added to a carrier oil, such as almond oil, to be used during the massage. Each oil has its own unique characteristics and benefits. A relaxing aromatherapy massage, for instance, might have lavender or bergamot, while a massage for sore muscles might include peppermint and eucalyptus. If you suffer from sinus problems, headaches, insomnia, hormonal imbalance, digestive disorders Aromatherapy stimulates our natural immune body mechanisms and particular oils have an affinity with certain systems of the body. Aromatherapy should not be confused with fragrances or perfume oils. Fragrances are often made from chemicals, and lack the therapuetic properties of essential oils.

     

     

    Chakra Clearing Massage

    Chakra Clearing Massage is a Meditation designed to promote a clearer connection with one's higher consciousness while at the same time bringing a deep healing to your entire energy system. You will be able to utilize this tool and work on your own for continous clearing and manifesting. This is a one hour massage treatment using warm massage oil and the final 10 mins will include a chakra stone layout on the body.

    To read more about Chakras and Energy Healing click here

    Benefits of Chakra Meditation

    • Release stress and tension
    • Experience more recuperative sleep
    • Feel grounded, centered and awake
    • Release energy that no-longer serves you
    • Feel present and aware of living moment by moment
    • Gain greater Physical, Mental and Emotional Wellbeing
    • Gain greater clarity of thought
    • Receive stronger insight into your true life purpose
    • Clear and heal your energy channels Clear,
    • Cleanse and balance your Chakras and Aura
    • Clearly define and own your personal space
    • Reclaim and re-integrate lost life experience

     

    Muscle Release Technique (MRT)

    2-second release stretch for chronic and acute soft tissue problems. Results have been very successful. Breaks up scar tissue and lengthens muscle, resulting in more flexibility. Recommended for people who suffer from Carpal tunnel Syndrome, golf or tennis elbow, or any other injury associated with repetitive overuse of muscle areas.   More information on MRT.

    Somatic Sound TherapySomatic Sound Therapy

    • Provides instantaneous, deep state of relaxation
    • Improves mental clarity and brain functioning
    • Increases your level of physical energy and mental concentration
    • Relieves stress by drawing your body into a centered space
    • Develops and refines your sonic abilities
    • Enhances massage, acupressure, dreamwork and meditation
    • Brings your nervous system into balance
    • Integrates left and right brain thought patterns