Massage Techniques
The field of massage therapy is very diverse.  There are a number of techniques that fall under the heading of massage therapy.
These are the techniques I use as a Massage Therapist to relax you, relieve you of stress, and reduce or eliminate pain.
Swedish Massage:  This is the relaxing, stress-reducing type of massage most people think about when they want a massage.  Swedish
massage includes gliding, kneading, and striking strokes as well as friction strokes, stretching, joint movements, gentle shaking, and rocking.  
Generally, Swedish massage is full-body and is very relaxing and has therapeutic benefits.  Swedish Massage technique can also focus on one
area of the body such as the back if that is the client's desire.  Swedish Massage sessions are typically 1 hour to 90 minutes, but can be
shorter or longer as desired.

Neuromuscular Therapy:  Also called NMT or sometimes Trigger Point Therapy.   Neuromuscular Therapy is a system of soft tissue
manipulation techniques that seek to balance the nervous system with the musculoskeletal system.  This is one of the methods I use to help
clients experiencing pain and it's very gentle and effective.   Stated in simplest terms, I release trigger points in muscles,  and help correct
muscular imbalances that can cause pain and discomfort.  Additionally, Neuromuscular Therapy uses soft tissue manipulations on tendons and
other connective tissue to assist in muscle balance.  Neuromuscular Therapy also addresses nerve pain caused by pressure from soft tissues
including muscles, fascia, and tendons.  Neuromuscular Therapy is effective in helping with conditions such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
(CTS), Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMJD), Back pain, Neck pain, Scoliosis, Sciatica, Fibromyalgia (FMS), and Migraines.  

Trigger Point Therapy:   This type of therapy targets the sore, irritable, tight spots in muscles called trigger points.  These trigger points
can cause the whole muscle to be tight and painful, or even restrict movement in a joint.  They can also "refer" pain to areas elsewhere in the
body.  In Trigger Point Therapy the Massage Therapist carefully seeks out the trigger points in muscles and uses specific compression
techniques which allow the trigger points to release.  The Trigger Point Therapy technique is often employed as part of NMT or Deep Tissue
procedures and is a great method for relieving muscular pain and tension.  
Myofascial Release:  This technique, while it doesn't feel like other types of massage therapy, is another gentle and highly effective form of soft
tissue manipulation (massage) used by the therapist to help release of restrictions in your fascia (a widespread connective tissue) that can
cause tightness and pain.  If you feel that you could relieve your discomfort or pain if you could "just stretch that area" then Myofascial Release
could be just what you're looking for.  The gentleness of Myofascial Release makes it the treatment of choice for many who suffer from
Fibromyalgia, some forms of Scoliosis and Torticollis, Lupus, Myofascial Pain Syndrome, and other painful conditions.

Deep Tissue Massage:   Deep Tissue Massage is a term that gets thrown around quite a bit.  Deep Tissue Massage is a massage of the
deeper layers of muscle and connective tissues of the body.  Deep Tissue Massage is used to provide a more therapeutic effect by massaging
all layers from superficial (closer to the skin) to deep (closer to the bone).  It relaxes the muscles, rids them of built up metabolic waste, and
helps release adhesions between muscles and connective tissues.  It can also be useful in preventing scar tissue build up from injuries to
muscles and connective tissues.

Hot Stone Massage:  This massage is among the most luxurious of them all.  The therapist combines a Swedish or Deep Tissue massage
with the healing properties of Hot Stones.  The energy and penetrating heat of the stones help tension just melt away as though it had never
been there.   The stones are used both to perform massage strokes and to bring relaxing warmth to the body.  It's been said that one massage
stroke with a hot stone is equivalent to ten strokes without the hot stone.  Try it, it's wonderful.  Hot Stone Massage is available ONLY during in-
office massage sessions

Muscle Energy Technique: Muscle Energy Techniques (MET) are those manipulative treatments in which a client, on request, actively
uses his or her muscles from a controlled position in a very specific direction against a distinct counterforce provided by the therapist which will
vary according to results desired and condition of the client.  In other words it's an advanced form of stretching.  MET can be used for a variety
of reasons including releasing tight muscles, mobilizing joints in which movement is restricted, improving local circulation, "breaking down"
tough fibrotic (scar) tissue so that it can be replaced by healthier tissue, assist in releasing painful trigger points, and decreasing Delayed
Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS).

Reflexology:  Usually applied to the feet and/or hands, Reflexology stimulates points on the body/feet/hands called "reflexes" that correlate
to other parts of the body.  Practitioners believe that the entire body is reflected in the hands and feet and can be affected through massage of
"reflex" points.  Try it, you will be pleasantly surprised!


Chair Massage:  Chair massage, or Seated massage, is performed while the client remains fully clothed and seated in a specially designed
massage chair.  The massage chair allow the Massage Therapist to massage the client's head, neck, back, and arms in a typical 10-15 minute
session.   The high portability of the massage chair and the fact that client's are fully clothed means that massage sessions can be completed
nearly anywhere.  Chair massage makes a great gift for employees or special clients.   Receiving chair massage in the office has been shown
to reduce stress and increase employee productivity.  Chair massage is also a popular attraction at trade shows and conventions.

Medical Massage: In Medical Massage the Medical Massage Therapist treats specific muscular and connective tissue problems with
techniques directed at achieving favorable client outcomes under the supervision and written orders of the client's physician.  More simply
stated, the Medical Massage Therapist is a massage therapist with advanced training in the assessment of soft tissue dysfunction and
treatment that works with your doctor to relieve your pain, improve function and Range of Motion, and improve posture as needed.

Positional Release Therapy:   Positional Release Therapy (PRT) is a gentle and exceptionally effective form of therapeutic bodywork
based on the work of Dr. Laurence Jones and Dr. Arthur Pauls. Positional Release Therapy is used to relieve pain, reduce the effects of
trauma, and release held tension patterns in the body. During a typical Positional Release Therapy session the therapist treats the client while
he/she remains fully clothed and lies on a comfortably padded therapy table. The therapist moves the client to pain-free positions and holds
them while applying gentle compressions to joints and tissues, allowing the body to release tension and pain. Sessions are gentle and relaxing,
but have very therapeutic effect. Positional Release Therapy may be done as the full treatment, but may also be included with other types of
massage and bodywork.

Sports: Although sports massage is typically used before, during and after athletic events, this special form of massage helps alleviate stress
and tension that build up in the body’s soft tissues during any type of physical activity. Sports massage drains away fatigue, reduces muscle
tension, relieves swelling and promotes flexibility. Sports massage also helps prevent minor injuries caused by overexertion and/or overuse.
When injuries do occur, sports massage promotes healing by breaking down muscle lesions.

Polarity / Magnetic Therapy
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