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Craniosacral
Therapy |
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Via
a gentle, non-invasive manipulative technique, this therapy encourages
your own natural mechanisms to improve the functioning of your brain
and spinal cord to dissipate the negative effects of stress, promote
good health, and enhance resistance to disease.
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Remedial
or Deep Tissue Massage |
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Deep
Tissue Massage is used to release chronic muscle tension through slower
strokes and more direct pressure or friction applied across the grain
of the muscles. This invigorating experience is a process of detection
of stiff or painful areas by determining the quality and texture of the
deeper layers of musculature, and slowly working into the deep layers
of muscle tissue. Specific hand positions and strokes are then used to
respond to various tissue qualities. Techniques employing breath and
movement are also used for releasing muscular congestion.
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Esalen
Massage |
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Esalen Massage is
Swedish massage combined with the influence of early Esalen leaders,
Charlotte Selver and Bernie Gunther who taught sensory reawakening.
What sets Esalen Massage apart from other types of massage is the philosophical
approach. For the massage therapist, the work is a meditation, a time
to quiet the mind, and attend to his or her intuition, and to be fully
present in the moment with the client.
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Erotic massage |
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Erotic massage is
really a sexual foreplay technique, rather than a form of massage. Massage
focuses on muscles, whereas erotic massage focuses primarily on skin.
It's been said that 95% of erotic (or sensual) massage is the same as
other massage. This is not an accepted form of bodywork and therefore
not something that you should expect from a Registered MT.
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Jin Shin Do |
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Jin Shin Do (translated to the way of the compassionate
spirit) is derived from acupressure. The technique involves applying
gentle fingertip pressure to thirty specific points along the body to
release, smooth and balance vital `chi' energy. Practitioners meditate
and try to transfer chi to clients by using knowledge of where energy
flows and patterns meet. According to its practitioners, Jin Shin Do
pervades all aspects of our being by affecting general muscle tension,
improving circulation, balancing emotions and raising the spiritual state
of being.
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Hakomi |
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Hakomi method is a body-based psychotherapy
using special states of consciousness to help clients probe non-verbal
levels where core beliefs direct and influence their experiences. Body-mind
awareness and touch are used to explore the body as a deep source of
information, empowering the client to change their attitudes.
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Manual Lymphatic Drainage |
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This healing
technique has become a popular massage choice. It blends soothing, gentle,
rhythmical, precise massage-like movements to accelerate the flow of lymphatic
fluid in the body. Pressure is light and superficial, contact is with the
skin and not the muscle.
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Myofascial release |
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Myofascial release is used to evaluate
and treat restrictions in the body's contractile connective tissues (muscles)
and non-contractile supportive connective tissues (fascia) by the application
of gentle traction, pressures and positioning. Fascia is a complex supportive
web throughout the body affecting all components of the musculoskeletal,
nervous and visceral (organ) systems. It surrounds groups of muscle fibres,
and entire muscle groups and organs. Myofascial release techniques are
used to coax muscles in spasm to relax, and break adhesions in the fascia.
Bodies respond to these therapies by releasing tension that has been
stored in the fascia, thus allowing more functional flexibility and mobility
of the muscles, fascia and associated structures.
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Neuromuscular therapy |
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Neuromuscular therapy uses advanced
concepts in pressure therapy to break the stress-tension-pain cycle.
It aims to relax muscle so that circulation can increase and the body
will return to normal neuromuscular integrity and balance. The St. John
Method is a type of NMT.
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On-site or chair massage |
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On-site or chair massage is one name
for a short (15-20 minute) massage of a client sitting in a special, portable
massage chair or futon. The client remains fully clothed and no oils are
used while their shoulders, neck, upper back, head and arms are massaged.
On-Site is popular at some offices as an employee benefit and for some
conferences, workshops and certain social events.
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Pfrimmer Deep Muscle Therapy |
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Pfrimmer Deep Muscle Therapy Pfrimmer
deep muscle therapy was developed by Therese Pfrimmer. Once partially paralysed,
she overcame her disability through deep muscle manipulation and spent
the next 30 years developing this technique. Pfrimmer Deep Muscle Therapy
works across the muscles manipulating deep tissues, stimulating circulation
and regenerating lymphatic flow, thus promoting detoxification and oxygenation
of stagnant tissues.
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Polarity
therapy |
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Polarity therapy is a holistic
approach to natural health care. It asserts that energy fields exist
everywhere in nature, and that the flow and balance of this energy in
the human body is the underlying foundation of health. Stress, tension,
pain, inflexible thinking, and environmental stimuli are among many factors
that can contribute to the restriction of this energy flow in the human
body. According to Polarity therapists, such energy blocks can be released
by the use of four therapeutic methods: bodywork, diet, exercise and
self-awareness.
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Reiki |
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Reiki , which
means"universal
life-force energy," During Reiki, the "healer" becomes a channeler of
universal energy. The treatment follows a traditional pattern of hand
positions resting on the body without pressure. Reiki is pure energy,
and brings about deep relaxation and healing.
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Rolfing |
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Rolfing by Dr. Ida Rolf, aligns
the major body segments through deep manipulation of the fascia or connective
tissue.
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Shiatsu |
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Shiatsu is a system based on the
body's energy meridians. Shiatsu massages are normally done fully clothed
and involve pressing points on the body and stretching and opening of the
energy meridians. Shiatsu is somewhat related to acupuncture, which is
a form of anaesthesia and therapy used in Chinese hospitals for surgery.
Its proponents view it as a form of treatment alternative to medicine or
surgery.
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Sports Massage |
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Sports Massage is used primarily
for the serious athlete who trains continuously. It focuses on the muscles
relevant to the particular athletic activity. It also an include pre-event,
post-event and maintenance techniques that promote greater athletic endurance
and performance, lessen chances of injury and reduce recovery time.
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Relaxation or Swedish Massage |
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Relaxation or Swedish Massage (which
is a proper name, not a reference to Sweden) refers to a collection of
techniques designed primarily 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.
The lymph system and veins
(which carry blood back to the heart) both rely on muscle action, rather
than heart pump pressure, to operate. Many believe it is safe to apply
light pressure in the opposite direction. Friction is reduced by oil,
or lacking that baby powder.
Swedish massage can relax muscles, increase
circulation, remove metabolic waste products, help the recipient obtain
a feeling of connectedness, a better awareness of their body and the
way they use and position it. The strokes and manipulations of Swedish
Massage are each conceived as having a specific therapeutic benefit.
One of the primary goals of Swedish Massage is to speed venous return
from the extremities. Swedish Massage shortens recovery time from muscular
strain by flushing the tissue of lactic acid, uric acid and other metabolic
wastes. It improves circulation without increasing heart load. It stretches
the ligaments and tendons, keeping them supple.
Swedish Massage also
stimulates the skin and nervous system while at the same time relaxing
the nerves themselves. As it can help reduce emotional and physical stress
it is often recommended as part of a regular programme for stress management.
It also has specific clinical uses in a medical or remedial therapy.
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Trager Psychophysical Integration |
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Trager Psychophysical Integration (usually
just called Trager) uses light, gentle, non-intrusive movements to facilitate
the release of deep-seated physical and mental patterns. Each part of
the client's body is moved rhythmically so that the recipient experiences
the possibility of moving lightly, effortlessly, and freely on their
own.
A Trager session should help reduce stress from chronic tension,
teach more effective ways to recover from stressful situations, enhance
conscious awareness and flexibility, improve self-image, expand energy,
restore free flowing movement and full self-expression by reducing
constriction and rigidity. A Trager session can bring about the experience
of peace and serenity -- a high-energy state of well-being beyond relaxation.
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Trigger point and Myotherapy |
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Trigger point and Myotherapy are
pain-relief techniques to alleviate muscle spasms and cramping. The therapist
locates and deactivates `trigger points', which are often tender areas
where muscles have been damaged or acquired a re-occurring spasm or `kink'
that worsens painfully when aggravated. The major goals are to reduce
spasm inducing new blood flow into the affected area. The spasms are
partly maintained by nervous system feedback (pain-spasm-pain) cycle.
Spasms also physically reduce blood flow to the trigger point area (ischemia),
reducing oxygen supplied to the tissues and increasing the spasm. Pressure
is applied to trigger points, for a short time (between about 7 to 10
seconds per point), which can be momentarily painful but is greatly relieving.
Myotherapy aims to erase pain and soothe tightened muscles. People with
acute or chronic muscle tension and the associated pain are likely to
benefit greatly from this type of treatment.
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Watsu |
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Water Shiatsu is where
a therapist floats you in a warm pool, the crook of an elbow under your
neck, a hand under your sacrum, a gentle rock, a gradual swaying stretching
you from side to side, a rolling of your spine looser and looser...And
while one leg is lifted and rotated your other stretches out as you are
swirled through the water...moments of activity flow into moments of
quiet. The therapist applies the stretches and movements of Zen Shiatsu
while your body is floating in water. The water allows for movement that
is not possible on a conventional massage table.
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Massage