Massage Therapy
Massage therapy is the manual manipulation of soft body tissues (muscle, connective tissue, tendons and ligaments) to enhance a person’s health and well-being. There are many types of massage therapy methods (also called modalities). People seek massage therapy for a variety of reasons; for example, to reduce stress and anxiety, to relax muscles, to rehabilitate injuries, to reduce pain and to promote overall health and wellness.
Gua Sha
Gua Sha or “sand scraping” is the use of a tool to scrape the skin to increase the blood flow of the soft tissue or “move stagnant qi, toxins and blood”. A liniment (lubricant) is applied to the skin and the tool is scraped using long or short strokes. The treatment is also used to brake internal scar tissues and to soften external scar tissues. Adhesion on the treated area can also be broken down to release tension.
Cupping
Cupping is performed with a rubber and/or plastic cup to cause suction of the skin, fascial, and muscles. This helps to relieve tension, break up adhesion, and allow the connective tissues that surround the muscles to be pliable. The cups will be moved around the tissues and when it is necessary will remain stationary on the affected area. The period that the cups will remain stationary varies from 5 minutes to 20 minutes.
Sports Massage
Sports massage is focused and systematic, targeting muscles that are used in a specific sport and physical activities. It uses various techniques to decrease muscle pain and improve recovery, as well as improve overall range of motion and flexibility to support safe and effective movement. Sport massage can benefit everyone that practice spots, but also those that have a lifestyle that involves plenty of physical activities. It is used for general relaxation of the muscular skeletal system as well as being directed towards any problem areas.
Prenatal Massage
Prenatal massage, sometimes called pregnancy massage, is massage therapy for the pregnant woman. It has been shown to produce numerous health benefits including relieving musculoskeletal aches and pains, decreasing muscle tension, relieving leg cramps, reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression, improving sleep quality, and improving labor outcomes. Prenatal massage focuses on adapting massage techniques and client positioning strategies to accommodate the needs of mothers-to-be.