Massage Types - Deep Tissue Massage and Others

 Classic Swedish:

This relaxation style is a smooth, flowing massage of the entire body using oil or lotion to reduce friction.  Done unclothed to your level of comfort.  Best for relieving stress and tension.

Chair Massage:

This popular technique is done fully clothed on a specially designed chair.  
Most sessions are 5-30 minutes  and allows the therapist to focus on back, neck, shoulders and arms.

Deep Tissue Massage:

Most Requested but least done

Deep tissue is often requested due to confusion with a deep or heavy pressure massage.  Deep Tissue is actually a more invasive type of massage as the therapist is working deeper muscles in the body by shifting other muscles out of the way or working through more superficial layers to reach.  Deep Tissue can cause inflammation and possibly bruising or a residual ache in the area worked.  

Sports Massage:

Usually a heavier handed massage comprised mostly of compression to loosen tight muscles and restore balance to improve range of motion, speed recovery and improve performance.  Can be done clothed or disrobed.

Prenatal (Pregnancy) Massage:

A gentler technique which can include any of the above techniques to help ease tension and pain associated with pregnancy.  Can be done lying on the side for comfort using pillows for support as needed.

Therapeutic Massage:

True therapy using a combination of techniques and strokes based on your needs.  Therapeutic is NOT the smooth, flowing massage you're familiar with although I do my best to bring a logical flow to the session.  Based on your concerns, techniques are used to address the issue and then the surrounding areas are "soothed".  Since everything is connected, this helps bring balance back to the body after injury or helps to calm nerves and move inflammation in the case of chronic pain.

Integrated Manual Therapy:

IMT blends literally every single technique and massage type with energy healing, corrective exercise and even some nutritional recommendations to help you finally heal chronic issues for good.  A little more expensive than just massage, but IMT focuses on the root cause of your issue and allows your body to finally heal.  Sessions are progressive, meaning that they build on each other to break holding, guarding and painful patterns you've held for years.  Once the resolution is reached, at least a monthly massage appointment is recommended for maintenance and to head off potential future issues.

* See Specialized Techniques for additional modalities *