• Be as receptive and open to the process as possible.

• Do not eat just before a massage session.

• If you do not want to remove all your clothing, wear clothing that you will be comfortable wearing during the massage and will allow the massage therapist to touch and move the areas of your body you expect will need to be worked on.

• Give the massage therapist accurate health information.

•  Good communication is very important. Before the session, let your massage therapist know what your needs are. During the massage session, report any discomfort, whether it is from the massage or due to any problems or distractions related to the environment, e.g., room temperature, music volume, lighting, etc. Feel free to give feedback to the massage therapist regarding the massage, e.g., amount of pressure, speed of movement, etc.

• Don’t be afraid to discuss any apprehensions or concerns. It is important that you be as comfortable as possible during your massage. Your massage therapist is a professional dedicated to do his or her best to help you feel at ease.

• Some massage therapists like to play music during the massage session and may have music specially composed for relaxation and other effects. Others may find music distracting. Let you massage therapist know if you have any preferences regarding music if it is available.

• Breathing helps to facilitate relaxation. People often stop or limit their breathing when they feel anxious or a sensitive area is massaged. If you realize you are stopping your breathing, let yourself breathe.

• Tightening up, i.e., contracting or hardening your muscles during the massage is counterproductive. If you are able to, relax those muscles. Let your massage therapist know this is happening. They may need to adjust the massage technique being used. They may also be able to help you relax the affected area.

• If you find your thoughts are racing during the massage, one way to be more body-centered and to quiet the mind is to follow the hands of the massage therapist and focus on how the touch feels.

• If anything is happening during the massage that you dislike or seems improper, you have the right to ask the massage therapist to stop. If necessary, you also have the right to end the session.

• If you are dizzy or light headed after the massage, do not get off the table too fast.

• Drink extra water after a massage.

• Allow for some open, quiet time after your massage session if possible. Sometimes one needs a little time to integrate or absorb the results of the massage session or needs some "re-entry" time.

• Massage has its greatest benefits over time. The therapeutic effects of massage are cumulative, so the more often a person gets a massage, the better he or she will feel and the more quickly one’s body will respond. From one session to the next, relaxation deepens as the chronic patterns of stress in the body are affected and released. These changes are readily felt in day-to-day life as well, which adds another dimension of reinforcement. If you are getting massage to address chronic muscular tension or recovery from a soft tissue injury, more than one session is usually needed, so be prepared to schedule several sessions.

The Different Types of Massage

SWEDISH MASSAGE

What is a Swedish Massage?

The term "Swedish Massage" refers to a variety of techniques specifically designed to relax muscles by applying pressure to them against deeper muscles and bones, and rubbing in the same direction as the flow of blood returning to the heart. Swedish massage was developed in the 1700's by a Swedish doctor named Per Henrik Ling.

Purpose of Swedish Massage?

The main purpose of Swedish massage is to increase the oxygen flow in the blood and release toxins from the muscles. Swedish massage shortens recovery time from muscular strain by flushing the tissues of lactic acid, uric acid, and other metabolic wastes. It increases circulation without increasing heart load. It stretches the ligaments and tendons keeping them supple and pliable. Swedish Massage also stimulates the skin and nervous system and soothes the nerves themselves at the same time. It reduces stress, both emotional and physical, and is suggested in a regular program for stress management. It also has many specific medical uses.

Benefits of Swedish Massage?

Swedish massage feels good, is relaxing and invigorating. It affects the nerves, muscles, glands, and circulation, while promoting health and well being.

                                              
DEEP TISSUE MASSAGE

What is Deep Tissue Massage?

Deep Tissue Massage is a massage technique that focuses on the deeper layers of muscle tissue. It aims to release the chronic patterns of tension in the body through slow strokes and deep finger pressure on the contracted areas, either following or going across the fibers of the muscles, tendons and fascia. Deep tissue massage is used to release chronic muscle tension through slower strokes and more direct deep pressure or friction applied across the grain of the muscles not with the grain. Deep tissue massage helps to break up and eliminate scar tissue. Deep tissue massage usually focuses on more specific areas and may cause some soreness during or right after the massage. However, if the massage is done correctly you should feel better than ever within a day or two.

What is the purpose of Deep Tissue Massage?

The purpose is to "unstick" the fibers of a muscle while releasing deeply-held patterns of tension, removing toxins, while relaxing and soothing the muscle. It is both corrective and therapeutic.

AROMATHERAPY MASSAGE

Aromatherapy, on its most basic, involves the use of essential oils for treating all kinds of unpleasant feelings and conditions. The essential oils are noted to have a number of different effects on the body, mind, and spirit that most of them can be stimulating and sedative, while others can be antispasmodic and analgesic.

Since its introduction, the aromatherapy massage has long been considered as highly beneficial. It has the power to affect the autonomic nervous system and calm and the “fight or flight” response, thus alleviating the amount of harmful stress hormones in the body. Several studies have also found out that aromatherapy massage greatly aids to kindle the blood circulation, therefore increasing the supply of essential nutrients and oxygen to the cells. The aromatherapy massage even kindles the lymphatic flow, enhancing the body’s immune system as well as the tissue drainage.

The essential oils commonly used in aromatherapy massage are generally believed by the skin during the application. However, there are opposing opinions as to how much of the elements of the essential oils can go through the skin, and what their effect on the body might be if they do penetrate. Nevertheless, several experts have settled to a certain point claiming that a number of beneficial effects can take place at the surface of the skin after an aromatherapy massage. It is even believed that with the aromatherapy massage, many skin conditions can be enhanced, and this is because of the anti-inflammatory as well as anti-microbial properties of the essential oils.

Aromatherapy massage is now practice in specific areas, like the athletic training. A number of massage therapists, as you may know, are now an integral part of the Olympic Games for many years as they are continually assisting to improve athletic achievement and increase recovery time after a certain performance.

NEUROMUSCULAR THERAPY

 
Also called NMT or Trigger Point Therapy.   NMT 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 we use to help clients experiencing pain and it's very gentle and effective.   Stated in simplest terms, we release trigger points in muscles, and help correct muscular imbalances that can cause pain and discomfort.  Additionally, NMT uses soft tissue manipulations on tendons and other connective tissue to assist in muscle balance.  NMT also addresses nerve pain caused by pressure from soft tissues including muscles, fascia, and tendons.  NMT 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 Myofascial Release: This technique, while not strictly massage, is another gentle and highly effective technique used by the therapist to help facilitate 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, Functional Scoliosis, Lupus, and Myofascial Pain Syndrome.

SPORTS MASSAGE

 
Sports Massage is generally used to help improve athletic performance.    Most often the Sports Massage is focused on the muscles and tissues most often used in the athletes sport, i.e., runners focus on their legs and hips.  The techniques used include those used in Swedish Massage but may be deeper and combined with other techniques like Neuromuscular Therapy (NMT), Myofascial Release (MFR), Deep Tissue massage, and stretching (PNF and MET).  The Sports Massage session might also include Orthopedic (Functional) Assessment.  Exactly how it is done depends on whether the massage is being used to prepare for an event, recover from an event (helping with Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness), or assist in treating an injury.