Deep tissue massage is used to target specific areas of hypertonicity and release chronic muscle pain. Other benefits include reducing inflammation and helping to eliminate scar tissue. The focus is on the deepest layers of muscle tissue, tendons, and fascia (the protective layer surrounding muscles, bones, and joints).

Deep tissue massage uses strokes "against the grains" of the muscles, not "with the grains" as in Swedish massage. The more intense movements and techniques such as deep finger pressure may be slightly uncomfortable and cause soreness. This is due to reestablishing proper muscle tissue alignment and breaking up of scar tissue.  Soreness typically lasts a couple of days before the desired relaxation and pain relief occur.  Commonly with concurrent and regularly scheduled massage the soreness phase is much shorter or even absent all together.

Swedish massage is the style that comes to mind when most people think about massage. It was developed in Stockholm a couple of centuries ago and is the most common and best-known type form of bodywork performed today.

The goal is relaxing then entire body and this is accomplished by rubbing the muscles with long gliding strokes in the direction of blood returning to the heart. Additional techniques include circular pressure applied by the hands and palms, firm kneading, percussion-like tapping, bending and stretching. Lotion is often used to reduce friction and stimulate the skin. 

Swedish massage is exceptional for increasing the level of oxygen in the blood, decreasing muscle toxins, improving circulation and flexibility while easing tension. 

A trigger point is a tight area within muscle tissue that causes pin in other parts of the body. A trigger point in the back, for example, may trigger pain in the neck. The neck, now acting as a satellite trigger point, may then cause pain in the head. The pain may be sharp and intense or a dull ache. trigger points are caused by muscle overuse or injury and because the aches are associated with moving pars, the pain commonly mistaken for arthritis. 

Trigger point massage (also known as myotherapy) is specifically designed to alleviate the source of the pain through cycles of isolated pressure and release. In this type of massage the recipient actively participates through deep breathing as well as identifying the exact location and intensity of the discomfort.

The result of trigger point massage is the elimination of toxins in the muscles and the release of energizing endorphins. A significant decrease in pain is often found after just one treatment.   

Sports massage is geared toward athletes of every kind, from world-class professionals to weekend joggers. The massage is specific to the athlete's sport of choice and is often focused on a particular toublesome area like the hip. knee, foot, shoulder, etc. Aspects of massage are gaining popularity as useful components in a balanced training regimen. 

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Sports massage can be used as a means to enhance pre-event preparation and reduce recovery time for maximum performance during training or after an event. Athletes have discovered that specially designed massage promotes flexibility, removes fatigue, improves endurance, helps prevent injuries, and prepares them to compete at their absolute best. 

Medical Massage is a type of deep tissue therapy that is specifically targeted to a certain medical condition or concern. In Medical Massage the session is solely directed toward the medical concern and a full-body treatment may not be required.

This type of massage is very useful for post surgeries, such as knee, shoulder and hip replacements. Areas surrounding the replaced joint can be worked to help increase range of motion and aid in assisting faster progression of rehabilitation in conjunction with prescribed Physical Therapy. In such situations the massage therapist will need to consult with the client before services. The therapist will tailor the session based on care recommendations by other providers, processes used during Physical Therapy, and the time that has elapsed post surgery. If you are interested in this particular service, please allow extra time before your initial appointment for an in depth consultation and discussion of your plans for utilizing this type of massage therapy. Please do note: when surgeries are involved the massage therapist may be limited in certain respects as considerations of medications involved or how the surgery affected surrounding muscle tissues. Massage therapists are trained in contraindications and will work with you as best as possible to meet your goals without causing further concerns.

Medical massage can also be utilized for non-surgical conditions or concerns. More common examples of this would be: Fibromyalgia, Spinal Stenosis, Disc Degeneration, Migraines, and Parkinsons. In each of these cases massage is often recommended by physicians as a complementary modality to assist with pain management or other concerns related to the chronic medical condition. In situations such as spinal  or nervous-system related diseases, massage has been shown to slow progression and aid in range of motion, mobility, and pain mitigation as part of a management plan. View How Massage Therapy Can Help Parkinsons

 In such cases, massage is expected to be a complimentary service, and all regular medical care should be continued. Please make sure to keep your physician apprised of your utilization of massage services and update them regularly in regards to the amount of relief gleaned from such services. Your physician may suggest certain aspects for the massage therapist to consider or focus on.

Foot reflexology is a simple, non-invasive method to help balance the body. It has been described as a natural therapy that requires that application of a specific type of pressure on particular areas of the feet. It is based on the principle that there are reflexes in the feet which correspond to every part of the body. Reflexology serves to relax, improve circulation and promote general wellness. 

In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), cupping is a method of applying acupressure by creating a vacuum next to the patient's skin. The therapy is used to relieve that is called "stagnation" in TCM terms, and is used in the treatment of respiratory diseases such as the common cold, pneumonia and bronchitis, Cupping is also used to treat back, neck, shoulder, and other musculoskeletal pain. Its advocates claim it has other applications as well.

In the late 20th century, cupping has gained a second wind as an alternative treatment for a variety of ailments. 

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An ancient technique traditionally used for respiratory problems, muscle or joint pain, headaches and colds. It is used primarily on larger areas of the body, especially the back, to stimulate and open meridians. This helps clear congestion and promote a healthier flow to Qi** and blood. 

Suction is applied to the tissues by creating a vacuum under a "cup". This is done by a pump on a plastic cup or heating a glass cup. The cups are be place on fixed points and usually left for 5- 15 minutes. Glass cups can be moved along muscles or  meridians** , using a light massage oil as a lubricant. This therapy is commonly used for stubborn muscle pain or cramps as well as respiratory problems. There are some recent studies that indicate it i beneficial for chronic fatigue and dementia.

Those with dementia had some increase in physical strength, memories and feelings. 

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Be aware:

• Cupping is Contra-indicated for: high fever, convulsions, areas with skin conditions and the lower torso of pregnant women. 

• Ring shaped bruises commonly occur. They are generally painless, dull in color and gone in a few days. Occasionally they can be darker and last 7-9 days. 

• **Qi (pronounced "chee") is generally described as the vital or electrical force of life. 

• **Meridians are the pathways that the Qi follows.  

Cranial Sacral therapy (also known as craniosacral therapy) is a gentle, noninvasive form of alternative medicine that deals with the movement of the fluid surrounding the skull and spine. Cranial sacral therapists ease the restrictions of nerve passage by focusing on the membranes that encase the central nervous system. 

Cranial sacral therapy seeks to restore misaligned bones to their proper position and is thought to eliminate the negative effects of stress as well as provide relief from migraine and headaches, neck and back pain, temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) (the inflammation of the joint that connects the lower jaw to the skull) and more. 

Integrative Massage is intended for a wide variety of concerns and is terminology used as a description for the techniques utilized by the therapist. Integrative Massage is used to describe massage therapy that relies on multiple techniques to accomplish goals for the client. This often comes into play where someone might be seeking an overall deep-tissue massage, but has a minor medical concern that they would prefer a little extra time devoted to. It can also arise if the client requested a deep-tissue but noted discomfort in an area where trigger points are common. The result would be that the massage therapist would give an overall deep-tissue massage, but check for and utilize techniques for trigger points. This terminology would also apply if cupping was utilized for a small localized concern, or if hot or cold treatments are added to the massage session. Integrative massage is quite literally a unique modality where each individual session may have qualities included in any other session, but no 2 integrative session are exactly alike. 

Myofascial Release Therapy is a safe, effective massage modality that involves sustained pressure to the Myofascial connective tissue. This modality helps to release restrictions in the connective tissue to eliminate pain and restore motion. These restrictions can be caused by a wide variety of life experiences, including, but not limited to: trauma, injuries, inflammation, and/or surgical procedures. Unfortunately, even though these restrictions can have a huge impact on muscle movement and functionality, they do not show up on many of the standard medical tests.

Myofascial Release Therapy  can be utilized any time there is restriction preventing normal movement. Due to its focus on the connective tissues which tend to be very slow to respond, there is innately a time element to these treatments. Yet such slow sustained pressure to the muscles can relieve restrictions so effectively that significant results can still be obtained in one session.

Each Myofascial Release session is performed directly on skin without oils, creams or machinery, when utilized in an Integrative Massage session, the massage therapist may use a towel or sheet to compensate for the presence of oils on the skin. This enables the therapist to accurately detect fascial restrictions and apply the appropriate amount of sustained pressure to facilitate release of the fascia.