Therapeutic Massage
Therapeutic Massage addresses specific injuries or conditions. Your therapist will discuss your condition with you and tailor your massage to provide relief or aid in rehabilitation of your condition. Therapeutic massage often is focused on a specific area, and doesn't always provide a whole-body treatment. It may incorporate a number of massage techniques, including compression, kneading to warm the tissues, trigger point or myofascial therapy to address adhesions, or stretches to improve range of motion. Your massage is tailored to your needs, and may change over time as your condition changes or improves.
Conditions that may benefit from Therapeutic Massage include muscle strains, ligament sprains, chronic headaches, TMJ disorders, sports injuries, and chronic pain conditions related to arthritis or other musculoskeletal or nerve conditions. Therapeutic massage is generally targeted toward speeding your healing process or alleviating pain so that you can move more freely.
Swedish Relaxation Massage
Swedish Massage provides overall relaxation by using slow, rhythmic movements with light to medium pressure to help calm your mind and body. Swedish massage techniques can also help relax muscle tissue and assist with lymphatic and blood circulation. When you get a Swedish massage, you will be asked to undress to your level of comfort. The therapist will uncover only part of the body being worked on and you will always be appropriately covered by sheets, a technique called draping.
Some conditions that may benefit from a Swedish Relaxation Massage include anxiety or stress, muscle tension, fibromyalgia, arthritis, and insomnia related to stress. Even stress-related digestive problems could benefit from a relaxation massage. A Swedish relaxation massage is generally targeted toward getting your body out of “fight or flight” mode and into a more relaxed state. It is a perfect general treatment for nearly everyone, especially if you have a stressful career or are a busy parent at home.
Deep Tissue Massage
Deep Tissue Massage incorporates work on muscles and tissues beneath the surface layer, and tends to use more pressure or more concentrated pressure during the massage. Clients who prefer heavier pressure often request deep tissue work. When we perform deep tissue work, we will work within your comfort level. Although sometimes specific points or areas may be more tender than others,we will never work to the point where you experience severe pain. If we notice a response that indicates that the pressure is causing you discomfort, such as holding your breath or muscles tensing up, we will reduce the pressure and then slowly increase pressure accordingly to remain within your tolerance level. When your body has that type of reaction, the treatment is no longer therapeutic, since your body is resisting the pressure. When we are working on an area that requires deep pressure to release adhesions, our goal is to work so that the pressure is tolerable, and any pain you feel is the “good pain” of soft tissues releasing.
It's important when getting a deep tissue massage to communicate well with your therapist and ask for them to adjust the pressure, whether that mean reduce or increase pressure according to your comfort level. However, realize that once your body begins to resist the treatment, your therapist must reduce pressure in order for the treatment to be effective. Deep tissue massage does not need to be painful to be effective.
Most conditions that would benefit from Deep Tissue work would also benefit from Therapeutic or Swedish Massage. However, at times deep tissue work may be necessary in order to break up adhesions due to scar tissue or release trigger points that have formed in muscles or tendons due to chronic contractions or injuries. Deeper pressure may also benefit individuals with sensory disorders.
Still can’t decide what type massage therapy is right for you? This might help sum it up for you.
Swedish Relaxation Massage would be considered, for the most part, a general massage for any person. Its focus is on relaxation of the entire body and increasing circulation. It is generally lighter and less intense than other types of massage, and would be recommended for a first massage, a wellness massage or for massage to relieve stress and tension.
Deep Tissue Massage, like Swedish Massage, is often a whole-body treatment, but may focus on specific areas. Deep tissue is focused more on releasing adhesions, scar tissue, and trigger points rather than overall relaxation. Deep tissue may be the treatment of choice for a person with old injuries that have left residual scar tissue or a person with adhesions, or “knots” that don't release with Swedish massage techniques.
Therapeutic Massage is focused on treating a specific condition. Because of this, your therapeutic massage will be tailored to you, and may include a plan of action that includes return visits, longer or shorter treatments, and working with you on at-home techniques to aid in your rehabilitation and healing. Therapeutic massage clients can expect regular assessments of their condition, and alterations in their treatment plan accordingly. Therapeutic massage may include any of the other modalities we provide, depending on your condition and preferences.
