Massage therapy is an ancient therapeutic modality known for enhancing the flow of body fluid, reducing muscular tension and promoting relaxation. Through the physical manipulation of the muscles, ligaments, and connective tissue, massage creates a total sense of well-being. With it’s therapeutic effectiveness for combating and relieving stress, massage has come into the mainstream attracting health and conscious individuals.
Quite some time ago, massage and other types of bodywork were considered luxuries. Numerous studies have documented that massage therapy have an impressive range of physical, mental, and emotional benefits.
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Types of Massage Offered
Swedish massage is a flowing, soft, yet firm massage treatment which aims to improve circulation and relieve muscular fatigue and stress.
Deep tissue massage aims to relieve chronic muscular stress in the deep layers of the muscular system.
Energywork
Energy-work a term utilized mainly in the healing professions. It describes the electro-magnetic currents or circuitry of universal energy that naturally flows through all living and non-living things, such as a person, place or thing. Energy-work is offered as a means to balance disturbances in the chakra system and/or the meridian system by removing blockages and strengthening where energy is depleted, or where they individual is un-embodied. Energywork, thus encourages the subtle bodies to align with the physical body.
Process Oriented Bodywork Developed by Dr. Suzanne Nixon
In process oriented bodywork, the individual comes with the intent of working with the body as the main vehicle of understanding the self. The knowledge that emerges from the body is then integrated with the knowledge of the psyche (the care of a professional counselor in addition to the bodywork process is necessary). In the bodywork process, As the facilitator, I [the therapist] either work with the individual sitting in a chair or lying on a bodywork table. Techniques such as visualization, meditation, energy work and massage are used. These techniques facilitate the individual’s awareness of the body and allow for the wisdom from within to emerge. Often past traumas that have been held in the body surface and the individual is given the opportunity to work through the trauma. Insight and body sensation of the traumatic experience allows the individual to heal and transform the experience.
Intuitive Healing
Our bodies and our beings are storehouses of information, ever guiding us towards our true nature and wholeness. This information is stored in the nervous system and cellular makeup (the body-mind), similar to how data is stored on a computer hard drive. Our thoughts, feelings, and experiences (stored data) express in energetic vibrations. These vibrations or resonances are easily read and translated by one who has developed their intuitive facilities.
Intuitive healing is a means, in which, a trained or natural intuitive, follows their inner guidance and awareness to reveal where a person, place or thing needs restorative touch or energywork. Incorporated in bodywork, intuitive healing allows the practitioner to trust their inner knowing of where a person may be in pain, or where they may be holding a pattern that requires healing touch.
Healing is an active role that can be taken by the patient and the caregiver. When we participate in our own wellness, via self-inquiry of our inner state and we increase the likelihood of restoring balance, which is what most healing philosophies are based in.
Pregnancy Massage is a technique specifically tailored to ease the common discomforts of pregnancy as well as promoting maternal and fetal well-being. The body of the expectant mother adapts to the new life growing within her. Pregnancy massage offers a wonderful way to relax, increase energy, and relieve discomfort. Benefits:
* Stress management
* Reduction of fluid retention
* Slow down the progress of varicose veins
* Release of chronic tension in lower back and other areas
* Ease of constipation, gas, and heartburn
* Relief of headaches caused by tension, constipation, or buildup of metabolic waste products
Geriatric Massage is a form of massage designed to meet the specific needs of the older population. It uses the same basic techniques as general massage, but it is tailored to suit the specific health conditions and concerns of seniors. Geriatric massage involves the use of hands to manipulate the soft tissues of the body to improve circulation, relieve pain, and increase the range of motion. Geriatric massage is very helpful in improving health and well-being. In addition, it is beneficial in reducing anxiety and depression, and in providing comfort to a touch deprived part of our society.
• Shorter sessions - a geriatric massage session usually will last about 30 minutes.
• Gentle strokes - with an older person care must be taken to use motions that are gentle, comfortable and soothing. The strokes are designed to improve blood circulation and heart function, prevent diabetic complications, relieve muscle tension, and ease the body and mind.
• Gentle stretching of shoulders, legs and feet to improve mobility and flexibility.
• Careful massaging of hands and feet (if advisable) to prevent stiffness and relieve discomfort.
• Specific care is taken so that the older client is comfortable on the massage table by using extra pillows.
In addition to therapeutic massage, Wendy Groomes, MT, CPI, offers these modalities that also enhance core development: Pilates and Qi Gong. Pilates and Qi Gong sessions can be combined or offered separately with massage.
Pilates
The Pilates method is a form of Eastern mindfulness and Western Athleticism. The marriage of these practices initiates movement from within the core of the body, giving way for rehabilitation and core stabilization throughout the body. This process occurs by bringing the minds' attention into the body, and focusing on the 'powerhouse'. Accessing the inner thighs and pelvic floor, lengthening through the hamstrings, and hollowing the belly offers a recipe for building deep abdominal strength and spinal stabilization. Pilates lengthens muscle groups while also strengthening them. Enhancing the Pilates method with energywork furthers its fundamental application, inclusive of the subtle energy body as primary and integral in the process of building physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual muscle tone. When the energy body is acknowledged and invited into a state of balance and harmony, prior to the physical workout, true strength and power are initiated and developed in a whole and complimented way. This style of Pilates is gentle, loving, and deeply renewing, while also challenging, meeting each person where they are in their personal awareness and physical abilities.
Pilates is especially wonderful in strengthening the pelvic floor. Whether in private sessions or classes, Pilates combined with energywork awakens ones vibratory core.
Pilates and Qi Gong sessions can be combined or offered separately with massage. A private Pilates session includes initial body scanning, applied acupressure, body rolling (usually on a ball) to ground and align with entire energy system with the physical body to enable optimal integration for Pilates exercises to be built into the body's musculature.
Qi Gong is an ancient martial art practiced daily in China for the life enhancing nourishment and vitality it provides. It offers enhancement of Qi energy by opening joints, clearing blockages, stimulating and opening meridian pathways and strengthening the body's organs, simultaneously inviting rooted and centered energy into the body. Dance of the Phoenix, a type of Qi Gong, enhances a circular flow of heaven and earth energy through the body and is an energetic tool which is naturally woven into massage and healing sessions.
Based on artful healing forms of movement, this QiGong form enhances the circular flow of heaven and earth energy through the body. The large spiral movements promote a high level of qi (energy). The motions help persons with low back pain, as well as those who are interested in increased vitality. It also opens the joints, clears blockages, stimulates and opens meridian pathways, regulates the sequence of the energy field (aura), and strengthens the organs while simultaneously bringing more rooted centered energy into the body.
Physical Benefits of Massage Therapy:
- Physically relaxes the body
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Calms the nervous system
Lowers blood pressure - Reduces heart rate
- Slows respiration
- Relieves tired and achey muscles
Mental Benefits of Massage Therapy:
- Reduces mental stress
- Promotes better sleep
- Calms a temper
- Induces mental relaxation
- Improves concentration
Emotional Benefits of Massage Therapy:
- Reduces anxiety
- Enhances self image
- Provides feeling of well-being
- Promotes greater creative expression
