About my Massage Treatments
You will immediately notice by the confident and intuitive movement of my hands that I am a professionally trained and licensed massage therapist with over 12 years experience in the healing arts. My full body massage sessions typically include a variety of massage styles, from deeper therapeutic work, to light swedish sensual touch. I may incorporate the use of hot stones, stretching, kneading, deep tissue, therapeutic and sports massage variations. Most sessions include a combination of techniques based on my intuition, and I am happy to take any client requests. My practice embodies a detailed, result-oriented, holistic healing approach, combined with hot stone therapy upon request. Not only will you experience head-to-toe relief from muscular pain and tension, this is the ultimate de-stressor and relaxation for the body and mind! My goal is for you to leave my table HAPPY!
Sessions are conducted at my private studio, in a quiet, relaxed atmosphere, on a comfortably padded table, with soothing sounds, candles, and relaxing water fountain. Whenever possible, it's best to turn your phones and pagers to silent to minimize disruptions.
I use only unscented oils and lotions, and provide aromatherapy upon request.
A shower is always available for either before or after sessions, with natural unscented soap as well.
I would prefer that you don't smoke before your appointment, or wear heavy cologne or perfume to the session.
If you have never experienced the wonderful art of massage and the energizing heat of the stones, then this is your opportunity to try something new. I guarantee you will feel completely at ease, sensationalized, invigorated, de-stressed and totally pampered at the end of one of my sessions.
Try and think of nothing except for breathing and feeling each of your muscles letting go while experiencing your massage.
There are no specific rules of etiquette concerning conversation or quiet during the masage - I'm happy to accomodate either way.
It is also highly recommended that you drink plenty of water before and after your session to help flush toxins that are released during the massage.
Some of the techniques that I may incorporate into your massage session include:
La Stone Therapy (Hot Rocks)
HOT STONE THERAPY NOT AVAILABLE DURING SUMMER MONTHS!
La Stone is a therapeutic massage which applies the use of heated stones to the muscles and energy points on the body to induce deeper relaxation and exceptional therapeutic effects! The heat of the stones melts the muscles much more quickly and effectively, complementing traditional massage. In addition, it creates a very sedative and detoxifying effect. Cold stones may also be applied as needed for particular clients, and in areas of pain or inflammation, as a complement to the heat.
The stones are used in conjunction with any preferred type of massage style, and level of pressure, including Swedish, deep tissue, sports, etc. Because the style of hot stone therapy that I have developed incorporates more massage contact time than traditional La Stone, it is most desirable to reserve the 90 minute or 2 hour session for this particular treatment.
Swedish Massage
Swedish Massage is characterized by several different types of smooth stroking motions, using oils or lotions, and going primarily in the same direction that the blood flows to the heart. This technique is very relaxing, greatly increases circulation, and aids in the flushing of toxins and metabolic waste from the body. Swedish massage can help shorten muscle recovery time, stretch tendons and ligaments, and balance and relax the nervous system.
Sports Massage
Sports Massage focuses on the muscles, and is a more vigorous, stimulating type of massage. It uses a medium + depth, which is deeper than Swedish Massage, but not as deep as Deep Tissue work. Sports massage can be used to address specific injuries, or as muscle tuning and maintenence to help overall energy and performance during workouts. This type of massage is great for athletes, highly active individuals, or people who use their bodies at work.
Deep Tissue
Deep Tissue or deep muscle work is directed toward the deeper muscle and fascia in the body to optimize posture, improve flexibility, reduce trauma in the tissue, and enhance fluidiy of movement in the body. Deep tissue work is done very gently and slowly. Pressure is maintained at a constant while the tissue relaxes and until release is completed, or until the therapist accepts that no release is forthcoming. The work proceeds slowly, so that the deeper pressures and the intensity of physical and emotional sensations that often occur, can be assimilated by the client.
Trigger Point/Myofascial/Neuromuscular Therapy
These are different modalities of body work that is similar, and primarily for releif of muscular pain and discomfort. "Trigger Points" are taut bands or "knots" in the muscles that are often sore and painful, and can often cause pain to refer to other parts of the body. They can cause sensations ranging from dull aching pain, to numbness, tingling and stiffness, and often signifcantly restrict range of motion. Pressure is applied to the Trigger Points for 7-10 seconds at a time to help bring fresh blood flow to the area and release the kink. Neuromuscular therapy works in conjunction with trigger points, and includes muscle specific stretches that separate and release muscles, to further encourage the tissues to lengthen and relax.
Reflexology
Reflexology is based on the theory that specific reflex zones in the body, primarily in the hands and feet, are related to and affect other zones in the body. By applying pressure to the hands and feet, the feet being more effective, one can accomplish a therapeutic effect for releiving tensions and balancing the entire body. Working specific points on the feet can release blockages and restore free flow of energy to the body and enhance the body's natural healing processes.
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is the ancient art and science of using the healing power of aromatic essential oils, distilled from organic plant sources. Due to the vast number of natural phytochemicals produced by the plants, essential oils can have many different effects on the body, mind, and spirit. Essential oils can be sedative or stimulating. Many are antispasmodic, most are antibacterial. How does it work? During a massage, the aromas are percieved by the nerve endings in the nose, and signals are passed to the limbic system in the brain. A important part of the limbic system governs the pituitary gland, which controls hormone release throughout the body. Additionally, the small molecules of essential oils are absorbed through the skin. They then dissolve into the natural body fats and fluids. This allows them to flow around the body, to relax or stimulate, detoxify and regenerate.
