Massage

There are more than 150 variations of massage, bodywork and somatic therapy techniques. Many practitioners utilize an integration of techniques. We have seven massage therapists, and half of them are also nurses. They each have their own specialty, in addition to doing relaxational and therapeutic massage. So if one therapist can't completely get a problem area to resolve on her client then she can refer her client to another therapist within the Massotherapy Arts Center. Here is a list of the ones that we use at the Massotherapy Arts Center.

Swedish/Relaxational Massage

Therapeutic massage Sports Massage-T Neuromuscular Massage-T Ortho-Bionomy-T Craniosacral-T Pregnancy Massage-T/R Newborn/Infant Massage-T/R European Hot Stone Massage-T/R Geriatric Massage-R Chair Massage-T/R Reflexology-R

Aromatherapy may be requested with any of these except newborn/infant and pregnancy

Specialize in treatment of the following:

• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Sciatic Problems
• Feet
• Ankles
• Knees
• Hips
• Shoulders
• Elbows
• Neck

Pregnancy Massage

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Reflexology

Stimulating the appropriate region is intended to eliminate energy blockages thought to produce pain or disease in the related areas.

Reflexology is used to prevent, rather than cure, and is used to relieve a wide variety of ailments.

Dr. William Fitzgerald, in his book Zone Therapy, states that "a form of treatment by means of pressure points was known in India and China 5,000 years ago. This knowledge, however, appears to be lost or forgotten. Perhaps it was set aside in favor of acupuncture, which emerged as the stronger growth from the same root." There also appears to be evidence of reflexology being used in Egyptian art around 2330 BC.

Reflexology can relieve stress and tension within the body. It improves circulation and lymphatic flow, and works to unblock nerve impulse pathways. These benefits all work toward helping the body to heal itself by restoring balance to the vital energies. "Reflexology works to discover how the soft tissue organs and the entire skeletal system are functioning. Through trained fingers, the reflexologist can detect early warning signs that the body is struggling and can then help restore the internal system to better balance.

In reflexology, there are three areas both in the evaluation and the treatment that your reflexologist will concentrate on: ears, feet and hands.

You should allow 30-60 minutes for the reflexologist to work. The client is treated on a massage table. Once a week is normal treatment. The body needs time to normalize between treatments. Regflexology works wonderfully in conjunction with other body therapies.

Some specific conditions where reflexology might be helpful are:

headache including migraines arthritis high blood pressure backache sciatica stress allergies and sinus problems carpal tunnel syndrome constipation insomnia pre-menstrual syndrome and menstrual cramps to list a few.

People of all ages can benefit from reflexology treatments. We all suffer from stress at one time or another, and aches and pains are a part of daily life. Reflexology has a long history of promoting relaxation and healing.

If you have ticklish feet, sometimes a little more pressure alleviates this feeling.

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Chair Massage

Slouching at a desk for prolonged periods often results in lower back pain. Repetitive motion injuries, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, are common among office workers. A 10 to 20 minute "stress buster" massage relieves tension in neck, back and shoulder muscles, reducing irritability and increasing productivity.

For your convenience, seated massage is performed in the workplace. Your employees will be seated upright on a special massage chair and will remain fully clothed. No oils are used, so there is no need for them to be concerned about stains on clothing. The chair is lightweight and portable, enabling it to be set up in virtually any office or break room.

Studies by the Touch Research Institute in Florida show that the benefits of seated massage have quick results. Immediately after massage sessions, the subjects experienced a change in brain waves in the direction of heightened alertness and better performance on math problems (completed in less time with fewer errors). At the end of the five-week study period, subjects reported reduced job stress and elevated moods. This was in addition to the usual benefits of massage, relief of muscular tension, revitalized energy and a stronger immune system.

The study's findings are significant in that the International Labor Reports that job stress costs the U.S. economy $200 billion annually through diminished productivity, compensation claims, absenteeism, health insurance, and direct medical expenses.

Seated massage utilizes acupressure and Swedish massage to relieve tension. Though beginning at a slower pace, the work moves a little faster as the practitioner proceeds. The session ends with quick, revitalizing strokes in order to bring the client back to a state of full consciousness.

The practitioner will demonstrate the procedure for getting on and off the massage chair for those not familiar with its use. The chair can be repositioned for each client.

Reward the winning department of a team competition to a 15 minute massage for each member of the department. After a stressful and demanding project, contract for a day of chair massage to show your appreciation for a job well done. Or for employee appreciation day, Christmas gifts, birthdays, etc. the list can go on and on.

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Sports Massage

It is particularly beneficial when an athlete is in training for an event. It's also helpful for anyone who routinely stretches their physical limits through movement.

swimmers weight lifters runners golfers ball players skaters dancers tennis players musicians football & basketball players etc.

Sports massage should be a regular part of every athlete's training program. Athletes have different massage needs at different times. There are three basic categories:

• Pre-Event

A quick treatment (rhythmic pumping) is a supplement to warm-up. It boosts circulation and increases flexibility and range of motion, thereby reducing muscle pain and soreness, leaving muscles relaxed and ready for action. Pre-event massage can help prevent muscle and tendon injuries and reduce the strain and discomfort of training. It also can be a great psychological advantage competition.

• Post-Event

Recovery after a competition involves not only the normalization and repair of tissue, but also general relaxation and mental calming. Post-event sports massage increases circulation to quicken the removal of fatigue, toxins, relieve muscle spasms, and prevent soreness. It is used to assist athletes in recovery and in regaining their pre-event condition by relaxing tight, fatigued muscles, tendons and ligaments.

• Training

Throughout training and rigorous regular athletic activity, massages help prevent injuries. Areas of muscular stress can result from repetitive or stressful motion and preventing injuries, enabling harder and more consistent training. Adequate recovery is also a major factor in avoiding nagging minor injuries that inhibit maximum performance.

Sports massage can accelerate the healing process, increase range of motion, reduce adhesions, and reduce swelling, bruising and pain. Areas of stress in other muscles, created through compensating for an injury, can be eased with a regular sports massage regimen. Sports massage can partially compensate for lack of exercise during inactivity while recovering from injury. Sports massage is also used to relieve muscular spasms and fatigue related injuries.

Sports massage is more than just a reward at the end of a workout. It is a vital tool for keeping athletes primed for top performance and even lengthening their careers. Recognized as an important part of a regular maintenance program, sports massage is widely used by individuals, teams and Olympic and professional athletes.

Sports massage may focus on specific muscles used in your sport or fitness activity. For example, areas of greater stress for runners and cyclists are in the legs and low back: for swimmers, the upper body.

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NEUROMUSCULAR SOMATIC RELEASE

Types of releases that somatic release includes are as follows:

1. Myofascial release-the intent is to relax and lengthen the one specific muscle being worked on.

2. Fascial release-the intent is to release the large sheets of fascia covering groups of muscles and major body parts.

3. Energy release-the intent is to open areas of constriction by applied touch with intent.

4. Positional release-the intent is to release a neuromuscular lock in a muscle remote to the tender point.

5. Post-Isometric muscle release-the intent is to release the neuromuscular guarding the specific muscle being released.

6. Auto release-the ability of the client to relax contracted soft tissue on their own.

We have skilled therapists that can carry out the above procedures.

ORTHO-BIONOMY

We induce spontaneous relaxation in musculature and ligamenture of the spine, pelvis, and immediately related structures. This is effected by a series of very slow, pleasurable, simple movements of the spine accompanied by simple breath relaxation techniques that create such an overwhelming, safe experience for you that you tend to relax not just for your conscious control, but your subconscious control over your structure. The innately self-corrective musculoskeletal reflexes are thus gently awakened and your own structure is restored back to as close to normal as possible.

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CRANIO-SACRAL THERAPY

Cranio-sacral system of evaluation and treatment views the individual as an integrated totality and utilizing gentle non-invasive mobilization techniques. Application of this therapy helps to enhance the body's innate healing abilities. Cranio-sacral Therapy is a hands-on method of improving health and function. The goal of the cranio-sacral therapist is to be as unobtrusive and gentle as possible in evaluating and treating the cranio-sacral system.

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NEWBORN/INFANT MASSAGE

Would you like your baby to know that he/she is safe and loved? You can learn the correct way to massage your baby on a daily basis by taking a one hour class at the Massotherapy Arts Center. Mom and Dad, Mom and Grandma, or any combination of family can bring the baby to our therapist, who has been specially trained in newborn/infant massage. She will TRAIN YOU how to properly massage your baby. If you have any questions, you can always give us a call back after the session. Your baby grows up so quickly and this is an excellent way to nurture and develop a close relationship with your newborn/infant and then continue the massage as the child grows up. This closeness can last a lifetime. We like to refer to touch, at the Massotherapy Arts Center, as Vitamin T. The sooner you start massage on your newborn the better it is for the baby and you. The skin is the first organ to develop and touch is the first sense to develop. We can touch, we are touched- we learn to love.

You will learn the benefits of massage, such as:

    1. Calming effect which leads to restful sleep

    2. Mom, Dad, Sisters, and Brothers develop a closeness with the baby

    3. Immune system is stimulated through the skin by at least five minutes of massaging daily

    4. Circulation is improved

    5. Stimulating the nervous system through the skin may help build muscle tone, coordination and brain functioning

    6. Feedings are digested better which means less colic

    7. Plus many other benefits

The contraindications are few, such as:

    1. Don't massage if baby has a rash, sores or wounds

    2. Fever

    3. Plus a few other contraindications

The therapist will train you on ALL of the benefits of massage as well as the contraindications. You will learn what the different cries mean, what type of oil to use, which strokes are better for relaxation, digestion, etc. Also a gift certificate makes a great shower gift.

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EUROPEAN STONE MASSAGE

European Stone Massage is a massage utilizing Swedish Techniques and Heated or Chilled Ocean Stones from Hawaii. Its main benefit is a deeper massage than just plain Swedish Massage plus the added benefit of heat/cold. This massage work is not as flowing as Swedish Massage since your therapist has to break away from her work to retrieve and replace stones in the heating/cooling equipment.

Indications:

Chronic stress/tension	Arthritis	Carpal tunnel
Menstrual cramps	Headaches	Lower back pain
Strained muscles	Fibromyalgia	Need for deep tissue massage

Benefits:

• Deeper relaxation
• Increased blood flow due to heat application
• Increased detoxification through evaporation
• Peripheral blood vessel dilation
• General muscle relaxation
• Facilitated vasoconstriction/vasodilation
• Activated parasympathetic nervous system
• Decreased pain/muscle spasm
• Increased metabolism (greater oxygen exchange and detoxification)
• Slower breathing (better oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange)

Contraindications are many-please call our office for a complete list if you have medical problems.

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GERIATRIC MASSAGE

Massage can do the fallowing:

Increase blood circulation Combat depression Improve balance and flexibility Reduce the pain of arthritis Increase joint mobility Improve posture Encourage overall well-being

The contraindications are the same for any age group and were listed earlier.

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