We have qualified massage therapists that use many techniques and varying degrees of pressure to give you the best therapeutic massage possible. Massage therapy has many benefits but is most effective in breaking down adhesions in the muscle fibers, increasing blood flow, and of course, relaxing the tight muscles. Some of the techniques used include deep tissue, cupping, sports massage, lymphatic drainage, Swedish, trigger point therapy, scraping and more.

DOES MASSAGE REALLY HELP?

Massage therapy has been shown to have immense benefits, and is also a great complement to chiropractic care, as well as being helpful for many other conditions as well.

The range of treatments continues to potentially help with chronic diseases, injuries, alleviate tensions in muscles, and neurological disorders. Whether it is past trauma, repetitive daily postural stresses, or general stress and muscle toxicity, our bodies are constantly subjected to strain. Massage therapy is a great way to help offset the obstacles of our daily lifestyles.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD I GET A MASSAGE?

Getting one massage is great for your body, and getting massage therapy treatments on a regular basis is even better. Partake in a regularly scheduled self-care plan and you will begin to see how big of a difference it can make and how healthy you will become. Consider massage therapy a necessity to your health and wellness plan.

Therapeutic massage therapy is a great complement to chiropractic and medical care. In order to effectively aid adjustments, it is important for muscles to be relaxed and stretched. Massage therapy will not only help your body be more receptive to treatment but it can also help prevent future pain and injuries.

BENEFITS OF MASSAGE

• Potential decrease in lower-back pain and improve overall range of motion
• Has been known to contribute to a shorter and easier labor for expectant mothers
• Is often used to relieve and ease a medication dependency
• Can potentially enhance your immunity by stimulating the lymphatic system
• Helps to stretch and exercise weak or tight muscles
• Helps athletes recover from strenuous practices
• Has been known to help improve the condition of your skin
• Increases joint flexibility
• Promotes tissue regeneration
• Overall improve your circulation
• Potentially reduces the appearance of adhesions and swelling post-surgery
• Helps to decrease the number of spasms and cramps in muscles
• Potentially helps to alleviate migraine pain

A type of massage therapy, deep tissue massage uses firm pressure to reach deeper layers of muscle and fascia (the connective tissue surrounding muscles). It can be very effective for certain chronic aches and pains as well as general muscle tightness, spasms and tension.

How Does It Work?
It’s used to break up scar tissue and physically break down muscle “knots” or adhesions (bands of painful, rigid tissue) that can disrupt circulation and cause pain, joint strain, limited range of motion, and inflammation.

At the beginning of the massage, lighter pressure is generally applied to warm up and prep the muscles. Specific techniques are then applied. The most common techniques include:

Stripping – deep, gliding pressure along the length of the muscle fibers using the elbow, forearm, knuckles, and thumbs

Cross Friction – pressure applied across the grain of a muscle to release adhesions “knots” and realign tissue fibers.

TRIGGER POINT

A trigger point is a tight area within muscle tissue that causes pain in other parts of the body. A trigger point in the back, for example, may produce referral pain in the neck. The neck, now acting as a satellite trigger point, may then cause pain in the head. The pain may be sharp and intense or a dull ache.

Trigger point massage therapy is specifically designed to alleviate the source of the pain through cycles of isolated pressure and release. In this type of massage for trigger point therapy, the recipient actively participates through deep breathing as well as identifying the exact location and intensity of the discomfort.

The results and benefits of trigger point massage are releasing constricted areas in the muscles thus alleviating pain if the pain is coming from the trigger point. Many patients have experienced a significant decrease in pain after just one treatment but sometimes will need more than one session to see results.

CUPPING

Massage cupping is essentially the inverse of the typical massage therapy. Instead of exerting pressure on the different points of the body for healing, massage cupping uses suction to to pull the skin, fascia and muscles upwards. Massage cupping has been known to be used over the centuries by many cultures and the oldest records of traditional Chinese medicine talk about using the therapy to cure a range of ailments. Massage cupping can be used very effectively in combination with other forms of therapeutic approaches.

How it Works

When the therapist exerts suction from a pump mechanism on the different muscles and fascial restrictions of the body certain changes are brought about inside the body.
Massage cupping could result in:

Promoting the flow of blood to the muscles and tissues, and removing stagnation
Supplying oxygen and nutrients to the cells
Softening the tightened muscles
Loosening of adhesions and knots
Lifting the connecting tissues
Opening the blockages of the lymphatic nodes and easing the flow of lymph
Releasing and draining of excess fluids and toxins like lactic acid from the tissues and cells
Drawing inflammation from the deeper tissues to the surface of the skin so they can heal
Stimulating and later, calming the peripheral nervous system
Eliminating chronic congestion

Massage cupping has been used as a treatment for many symptoms such as stiff muscles, stress, migraines, fatigue, along with back, neck, shoulder, knee, hip, wrist, elbow and ankle pains that stem from muscle and fascia dysfunction. Muscles that have been injured, undergone trauma or exertion, accumulate lactic acid and other toxins. Massage cupping can be used to help drain these toxins so the muscles can heal.[/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”MATERNITY MASSAGE”]Massage therapy during pregnancy is a wonderful complementary choice for prenatal care. It is a healthy way to reduce stress and promote overall wellness. Massage may help relieve many of the normal discomforts experienced during pregnancy, such as backaches, stiff neck, leg cramps, headaches and edema (or swelling).

In addition, massage for pregnant women reduces stress on weight-bearing joints, encourages blood and lymph circulation, helps to relax nervous tension — which can aid in better sleep.

DURING THE PRENATAL MASSAGE
Our therapists take extra consideration to make sure you are comfortable during your massage. We use specific pre-natal massage pads or will work with you in the side lying position to allow you to be as comfortable as possible during your massage.

CRANIAL SACRAL

Cranial sacral therapy (also known as craniosacral therapy) is a gentle, noninvasive form of bodywork that addresses the bones of the head, and sacrum. The goal is to release compression in those areas which can alleviate tension, stress and certain pains.

Cranial sacral therapy seeks to restore the natural position of the cranial and sacral bones and is meant to decrease tissue stress from chronic injuries and also has been used as a form of treatment for headaches, neck and back pain, TMJ disorder (the inflammation of the joint that connects the lower jaw to the skull) and more.

RELAXATION / SWEDISH MASSAGE

This form of massage is sometimes referred to as swedish massage. This type of massage is with less pressure and meant to fully relax the person getting the massage. The techniques used are usually lighter in the amount of pressure and and at times will allow the patient to fall asleep. This can be a great source of therapy for a long stress filled day.

MASSAGE THERAPY FAQ’S

Massage therapy does more than make our patients feel good, it actually helps their body function better. Massage has been known to relieve muscle pain and tightness, increase range of motion, while also aiding in recovery. Therapeutic massage is also a great adjunct to a chiropractic adjustment because it can loosen the muscle tension on the joints of the spine and extremities. Therapeutic massage also helps with blood flow, lymph drainage, mental relaxation as well.

We employ multiple massage therapists that offer a wide types of massage. A brief list of the techniques we offer are: Deep tissue, sports massage, massage cupping, crainiosacral, trigger point, myofascial release, pregnancy/maternity massage and more. Ask your therapist what techniques they specialize in on your next appointment!