What Can You Expect?
There are no additional charges for ‘Add-On’ services. Each experience will include the opportunity to enjoy the full range of attention and service available. Depending upon your stated preferences, this may include:
- Aromatherapy matched to your specific needs (e.g., relaxation, headache relief, immune system support, etc.). Please indicate any allergies or sensitivities when you schedule your appointment.
- Music designed to disengage the mind from stress and allow the scientific properties of selected sound to soothe, heal, and provide respite.
- Warm towels and heating pad to soften muscles and allow for more significant improvement to problem areas without feeling the soreness of some modalities.
Once you are settled on the table, I will uncover your feet, cleanse, dry and re-drape them. This accomplishes the following important elements:
- Establishes your autonomy during the session,
- Introduces you to my ‘touch’ in a safe and comfortable fashion, and
- Removes any accumulated soil that might otherwise be transferred in the course of a full-body treatment.
Service Descriptions:
Depending on the Massage & Bodywork modality you have chosen, your session will utilize an approved massage table or chair specifically designed for massage, bolsters/pillows for proper positioning and comfort, clean linens & blankets, other massage tools, heat, oils or lotions, selected music, and aromatherapy. Special attention will be paid to known allergies and contraindications, based on your medical history, medications, and preferences.
I am certified in several modalities and have decided to concentrate on those listed below. To better prepare you for your session, the following is a brief explanation of each. Please note that an individual session may include all of the modalities listed below.
Swedish – (30, 60, or 90 minute sessions) Slow, therapeutic relaxation massage with light, moderate or firm pressure (per your preference and tolerance). Oil or lotion is used to eliminate discomfort due to friction. Swedish massage is performed on a table. You will disrobe (in private) to your level of comfort and be properly draped at all times - only the area being addressed will be undraped. A full-body Swedish massage typically covers the following: back, shoulders, arms/hands; legs/feet and sides of hips/glutes; neck and head (forehead, scalp, and ears). You may certainly request that an area be avoided. I use a heating pad on your back and neck while I address your legs and feet. The heating pad softens the tissues and typically allows your muscles to better accept the treatment.
Deep Tissue – (Focused session/spot treatment is 30 minutes. If incorporated into another modality a session may be 60 or 90 minutes.) Deep tissue is a therapeutic, active (client participates) treatment using warm-up, lengthening and cross-fiber strokes, and active/passive stretches. It is performed on a table using minimal lotion. Friction and drag on the skin, along with moderate pressure, allow the fascia to soften, improving range of motion and decreasing associated pain. This technique is precise and focused and is generally not as relaxing as other modalities, but may be incorporated into a relaxation massage or offered in ‘spot-treatments’. You may be asked to participate or for feedback. Deep Tissue may be appropriate after some injuries once the acute pain and the inflammation phase have resolved. Deep Tissue may result in slight bruising and may be contraindicated for anyone on aspirin therapy or similar medications. Though the word 'Deep' appears in the name, it can be misleading. Tissue damage may occur if the practitioner applies too much concentrated pressure; too much pressure may also cause the muscles to 'guard' and not allow the body to accept the treatment.
PNF (Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation) - PNF is an active stretching technique to increase range of motion (ROM) and can be incorporated into any massage session. This technique cannot be classified as 'relaxing' as it requires client participation.
Skin Rolling - Skin rolling is a technique that literally rolls the skin between the thumbs and fingers to release adhesions between the skin and superficial layer of muscles. These adhesions may restrict efficient movement. Typically, no massage medium (oil, lotion) is used during this technique. This modality may be scheduled as a stand-alone 30 minute session, or as an introductory phase of a longer session.