Therapies Offered at

A Touch of Health

Swedish Massage	Deep Tissue Massage
Neuromuscular Therapy	Sports Massage
Reiki	Reflexology
On-Site Chair Massage	Shiatsu
Geriatric Massage	Pregnancy Massage
Infant Massage	Pet Massage
Cranial-Sacral Therapy	Myofascial Release

 

Conditions that massage may be effective or beneficial in treating

Arthritis	Fibromyalgia	Sports Injuries
Chronic Pain	TMJD (Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction)
Sciatica	Headaches

 

Swedish Massage - (which is a proper name, not a reference to Sweden), also known as Western Massage, is a scientific system of manipulations on the muscles and connective tissue or soft tissue of the body for the purpose of relaxation, rehabilitation or health maintenance. Swedish massage therapy is probably the most popular and familiar massage system being practiced today and has served as a foundation for many of the massage techniques which have developed over recent years. Swedish massage is comprised of four or five basic strokes and their variations: Effleurage, Petrissage, Tapotement (or percussion), Friction and vibration (which is sometimes considered a type of friction). The techniques are utilized to apply pressure to muscles 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 that the heart pump pressure, to operate. Many believe that it is safe to apply only light pressure in the opposite direction. Oil or cream is utilized to reduce friction between the clients skin and the therapist's hands. Swedish massage can relax muscles, increase circulation, remove metabolic waste products. It can also help the recipient obtain a feeling of connectedness and a better awareness of their body and the way they use and position it.

Deep Tissue Massage - are a series of bodywork systems that work deeply into muscles and connective tissue to release chronic aches and pains. The work is generally localized and the client must be relaxed to permit the practitioner to work deeply. The pressure starts lightly, but progresses to the deepest level that the client can tolerate. It is believed that physical correction takes place at the discomfort level.

Neuromuscular Therapy - is a science by which homeostasis (balance) is brought about between the nervous and musculoskeletal systems. This system recognizes five physiological principles that create imbalance in the body and are addressed by the Neuromuscular Therapist. These five principles are: dysfunctional biomechanics, postural distortion, ischemia (lack of blood flow), trigger points, and never compression and entrapment. Supporting considerations include nutrition, elimination of waste products, hormone balance and the role that the mind plays in the health of the individual. The goal of the Neuromuscular Therapist is to help clients achieve pain-free and biomechanically correct movement patterns.

Reiki - is an ancient system of natural healing that works with the Human Energy Bio-field. Reiki is energy. It is a gentle hands-on healing technique to reduce stress, relieve pain and facilitate healing. It is a very high vibrational force, which can influence physical and non-physical, living and non-living things. It effects all levels of existence - physical, mental, emotional and spiritual and has an organizational pattern or intelligence of its own, which always works toward a positive end.

Reflexology - is the study, science and art of using various touch techniques on specific points to normalize body function, maintain optimum health and restore energy throughout the body. It is based on the belief that there are places on the feet (and hands) that correspond to parts of the body such as internal organs, glands and joints. Manipulating those parts of the feet can have direct effects on those corresponding parts o the body. Some proponents claim the ability to diagnose and treat illnesses of these organs by appropriate reflexological treatments.

Seated Chair Massage - is a way to provide massage to clients who are in a seated position. Because it is done through clothing, this massage requires no lubrication. It is usually a 5-20 minute massage. Practitioners utilize specially designed (usually portable) chairs, which allow access to the clients, back, neck, shoulders, arms, hands and scalp. Sometimes known as "On-site massage", this type of massage is ideal for the workplace, conventions, airports, shopping malls, street fairs, and many other public venues.

Shiatsu - is an ancient Japanese bodywork system that uses hand, knuckle, palm elbow or foot pressure on specific points called Tsubos which are located along energy pathways called Meridians to promote the free flow of Ki (or Chi) energy. The word shi translates to mean "finger", and atsu means "pressure". Shiatsu massages are normally done fully clothed and involve not only pressing points on the body, but also stretching and opening energy meridians. It is somewhat related to Acupuncture, as it utilized the same energy meridian principles.

CranioSacral Therapy - is a gentle manipulation technique which locates and corrects imbalances in the craniosacral system. Sensory, motor or intellectual dysfunctions may result from these imbalances. The positive effects of this therapeutic system are realized, to a large extent, by the body's innate healing and self-correcting abilities. The craniosacral system is made up of the brain, spinal cord, cerebrospinal fluid (which cushions and bathes the brain and spinal cord from skull to sacrum), dural membrane (which supports the brain), cranial bones and the sacrum. It is a closed hydraulic system that moves with a minimal but perceptible rhythmic fluctuation. The craniosacral system exists in humans and all animals with a brain and spinal cord. It develops with the fetus and functions until death.

Myofascial Release - is used to evaluate and treat restrictions in the body's contractile connective tissue (muscles) and non-contractile supportive 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 fibers, and entire muscle groups and organs. While it is not contractile, it can be passively elastically deformed. That is how it retains tensions from physical and emotional traumas. Both fascia and muscle tissue can become shortened if they are improperly used, and layers of fascia can become adhered together.