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Refers to a system of bodywork which uses pressure on specific points to balance an individual's energy and bring about physical improvements. Acupressure may be used in conjunction with an oil massage or exclusively as in Shiatsu, Jin Shin Do®, and Reflexology.

One of the more gentle yet powerful therapies. A hands-on technique done with or without clothing, this modality uses gentle, fluid movements of the bones and tissues of the head, thorax, and hips, to enhance the flow of cerbrospinal fluid. This corrects imbalances in the central nervous system between the cranium and the sacrum, resetting the body’s natural healing potential. The benefits of treatment include improvement of nerve system function, reduction of stress, deep muscular relaxation, support of the immune system, and overall enahncement of body health. A greater sense of calmness, clarity, and connectedness is experienced after a Craniosacral session.

Massage through muscle tension layer by layer, reaching the deeper muscles where chronic pain and tension may be released. Deep work is often slower than regular bodywork, allowing the soft tissues to open at deeper levels. Since deep work requires more time to release the tension in specialized areas, your massage will not always treat all areas of your body in one session.

Manipulates soft tissue to reduce inflammation, release muscle spasms, and promote the healing of injuries. Sometimes just called therapeutic.

A highly specialized stretching technique used by physical therapists to treat patients with a variety of soft tissue problems. A gentle blend of stretching and massage, myofascial release therapy uses hands-on manipulation of the entire body to promote healing and relieve pain. Just as its name suggests--myofascial comes from the Latin "myo" for muscle and "fascia" for band--therapists use the technique to ease pressure in the fibrous bands of connective tissue, or fascia, that encase muscles throughout the body. Sheaths of this dense and elastic connective tissue weave about blood vessels, bones, and nerves as well, forming an intricate, 3-D web that supports your organs and joints from head to toe and acts as the body's shock absorber.

Consists of alternating levels of concentrated pressure on the areas of muscle spasm. The massage therapy pressure is usually applied with the fingers, knuckles, or elbow. Once applied to a muscle spasm, the pressure should not vary for ten to thirty seconds. Neuromuscular therapy will feel painful at first, but the pressure of the massage should alleviate the muscle spasm. At this point, it is extremely important to communicate with the massage therapist regarding the pressure - whether the pressure is too much, too little, getting better, getting worse. The therapist should listen and respond accordingly. The massage therapy pressure should never be overly painful. In fact, most people describe the pressure as “good pain”.

A natural healing art, based on the principle that there are reflexes in the feet and hands which correspond to every part of the body. By stimulating and applying pressure to the feet or hands, you are increasing circulation and promoting specific bodily and muscular functions.

Dating back to ancient Tibetan times and brought to the U.S. in the mid-1900s, Reiki involves hands-on touch and visualization applied to the entire body, which aligns the chakras and brings healing energy to organs and glands. Reiki practitioners, trained to access and serve as a channel for the life energy, use a passive touch which some clients experience as warmth or a tingling sensation. Reiki is a popular new-age style of massage used for relaxation and to heal general ailments.

Shiatsu incorporates the theory of  acupressure and other manual therapy techniques to balance the flow of yin and yang energies within the body. Shiatsu theory proposes that energy, known as "Chi" (or "Ki") moves through the body along well defined pathways called meridians. For optimum health, these energies should be balanced. Shiatsu clients are usually clothed and resting on a mat during practice. Shiatsu is wonderful for reducing stress, eliminating fatigue and alleviating a wide spectrum of symptoms such as back pain, shoulder and neck problems, headaches, constipation and cramps.

Sports Massage is a special form of massage and is typically used before, during, and after athletic events. The purpose of the massage is to prepare the athlete for peak performance, to drain away fatigue, to relieve swelling, to reduce muscle tension, to promote flexibility and to prevent injuries.

Swedish massage is a vigorous style of massage designed to energize the body by stimulating circulation. The client disrobed and lays facedown on a table, under a sheet, with only the area being worked on exposed. The therapist first applies oil to reduce friction, and then uses rolling, kneading and percussive strokes to manipulate and relax the soft tissues of the body. Swedish massage is used for relaxation and improved circulation.

This light, gentle form of massage seeks to release deeply ingrained tensions, promoting a sense of relaxation and freedom. It appears to be especially helpful for people with chronic neuromuscular pain, including back problems and sciatica, and it has also been advocated for stress-related conditions, high blood pressure, strokes, migraine, and asthma. Proponents say that it can benefit patients with polio, multiple sclerosis, and muscular dystrophy as well. Trager bodywork sessions are quite different from a run-of-the-mill massage. There's no oil, and no rubbing. Instead, the therapist enters a meditative state called "hook up," the better to sense areas of tension in the body. By rhythmically stretching tense muscles and rocking stiff joints, the therapist attempts to induce a feeling of lightness and freedom, inviting the patient to completely surrender muscular control. When he encounters an especially tense area, he relaxes his pressure instead of bearing down

Static compression (pressure) is applied for 10 seconds, released, then pressure applied for 10 more seconds in a pumping action while the client breathes deeply. This action flushes the toxins and calms the nerves. Releasing trigger points releases endorphins so the result is elimination of discomfort as well as being energized. Trigger point massage is not a relaxing, "fluff and buff" technique. It requires the participation of the client to communicate the presence and intensity of pain and discomfort. The therapist and client work together as a team to maximize the effectiveness of the treatment. Often included in other forms of massage.

Other Therapies *

Colonic irrigation (CI) is a procedure in which very large quantities of liquids are infused into the colon via the rectum through a tube, a few pints at a time., in an effort to wash away and remove its contents. CI differs from an ordinary enema which involves infusing a lesser amount of liquid into the rectum only. A "high colonic" may involve the use of twenty or more gallons pumped by a machine or transmitted with an apparatus that relies upon gravity to achieve its purpose. Liquids used in colonics may include coffee, herbs, enzymes, wheatgrass extract, or many other substances.

External or internal massage of the prostate. Traditionally, doctors would massage their patients' prostates regularly to cure or prevent disease. Now, however, most doctors only check the prostate, and if they find a problem prefer to cut it out or prescribe medication. But a doctor is not necessarily required for prostate massage. You can do it yourself or have your partner do it for you. Try this practice and discover its health benefits. When you do it yourself, you can be very gentle and make the treatment pleasurable as well as efficacious. Medical science accepts that it is normal for men over the age of fifty to experience problems with their prostates. Although prostate problems may be common, they are not normal. They are abnormal.
 

New to Western society, stone therapy, also known as "thermotherapy," combines heat, cold and pressure, in the form of smooth hot and cold stones. The client disrobes and lies facedown on a board or cot, with a sheet or towel draped over his or her lower half. The practitioner applies the hot and cold stones, in sequence, to the client's back. This form of therapy is deeply relaxing and can promote healing of the body and mind.