Massage Therapy

$75 Hour

$40 ½ Hour

$110 Hot Stone

$100 Infant Massage

Instruction  

Swedish, Deep Tissue, Pre and Post Natal, Infant massage instruction for parents, Hot Stone Massage, On-Site Chair Massage for Offices and Events

 People that have had massage before can attest to the relaxing, stress reducing effects that it can have on the body and mind. It has long been used and valued for centuries as a healing art form. Here are some of the health benefits;

Assist with shorter, easier labor for expectant mothers and shorten maternity hospital stays.

Enhance immunity by stimulating lymph flow—the body’s natural defense system.

Help athletes of any level prepare for, and recover from, strenuous workouts.

Improve the condition of the body’s largest organ—the skin.

Lessen depression and anxiety.

Pump oxygen and nutrients into tissues and vital organs, improving circulation.

Reduce post surgery adhesions and swelling.

Reduce spasms and cramping.

Release endorphins—amino acids that work as the body’s natural painkiller.

Promotes weight gain in premature infants and promotes bonding with parents

According to this recent Newsweek article:

We know a massage feels good, but it can have a host of therapeutic advantages, too.

Sep 4, 2008 | Updated: 6:49 PM. ET Sep 4, 2008

The newest cure-all may be an ancient one: simple touch. The Chinese have been using massage for all kinds of medical conditions for centuries. Now, Western research is confirming that massage isn't just for muscle pain. One of the most surprising findings: massage may help premature babies gain weight. When Tiffany Field, a professor of pediatrics, became a new mother, she massaged her premature infant daughter and was so impressed with the results she later founded the Touch Research Institute (TRI) at the University of Miami School of Medicine. Massage, it turns out, may boost immunity and help people with a range of conditions from premenstrual syndrome to high blood pressure. It also seems to help soothe pain from arthritis, burns and even surgery. Here are five surprising facts about massage from the research findings at TRI and elsewhere that you can put to use:

1. Pick Your Spot: You don't have to massage the part of the body that hurts most. If you're shy about letting a friend touch your aching lower back, for instance, she could help by massaging your shoulders instead. This is because massage creates chemical changes that reduce pain and stress throughout the body. One way it does this is by reducing a brain chemical called substance P that is related to pain. In a TRI study, for example, individuals with a form of muscle pain called fibromyalgia showed less substance P in their saliva (and they reported reduced pain) after a month of twice-weekly massages.

2. De-Stress, Stay Healthy. Massage may boost immunity. Several studies have measured the stress hormone called Cortisol in subjects' saliva before and after massage sessions, and found dramatic decreases. Cortisol, which is produced when you are stressed, kills cells important for immunity, so when massage reduces your stress levels and hence the Cortisol in your body, it may help you avoid getting a cold or another illness while under stress.

3. Blood Pressure Benefits: Massage reduces hypertension, suggests a good deal of research. This may be because it stimulates pressure receptors that prompt action from the Vagus nerve, one of the nerves that emerge from the brain. The Vagus nerve regulates blood pressure, as well as other functions. In a 2005 study at the University of South Florida, hypertension patients who received 10 massages of 10 minutes each over three weeks showed significant improvements in blood pressure compared to a control group who simply rested in the same environment without any massage.

4. Technique Tactics: There's little evidence to support one kind of massage over another, says Field, so don't worry about whether your therapist is schooled in Shiatsu, Swedish or some other technique. The key is pressure firm enough to make a temporary indentation in the skin. If you try massage with a partner, use massage oil, which you can find in a health-food store or pharmacist, but test a little on your skin first to make sure you are not allergic.

5. Self Help. You can massage yourself. Although you don't have to massage the part of the body that hurts to relieve pain, targeting that area does tend to help more. One example is massaging the arms. If you're in danger of developing inflamed nerves in your hands or arms from repetitive movements (like typing on a keyboard, or even gripping a steering wheel for hours at a time) try massaging your arms for 15 minutes a day. Stroke from the wrist to the elbow and back down on both sides of the forehand.

In case you are hesitant or have some questions about what to expect on your first massage, I have included this section. Of course always feel free to share any additional concerns or questions with me before your session.

When you arrive you will be given an intake form to fill out, (unless you have already filled out the one on our website.) You will be brought into the massage room where I have created a soothing environment, with soft lighting, sounds, and aromatherapy to help you relax. The table temperature is adjustable so if you like it cooler or warmer just let me know. I will look over your intake, and may ask you some additional questions so that I can get a full understanding of your history and current complaints. I have no exact “massage recipe” or agenda for your session. Each massage and person is unique and each situation different. Some people prefer light relaxing touch, and others prefer a deeper pressure and like to have the “knots” worked out. I expect you to tell me what you want, so that you can get the most from your session. I consider the time to be yours and want to address the needs that you have each and every time you come in.

I will leave the room and you can disrobe to your comfort level. If possible, it’s best to remove any jewelry and glasses. You can then get on the table under the sheets. I will return to the room after you are settled in, and will probably encourage and help you focus on some breathing exercises. Slow and purposeful focus on breathing helps to quiet the mind and relax the body, which enhances your massage experience.

I use a combination of organic creams and vegan massage oils during the massage which nourish the skin and feel very calming and relaxing. If you would prefer not to have oil or cream please let me know. You may find yourself quickly doze off or feel like you’re in a near sleep state, his is totally normal. It is also normal to feel so relaxed that you drool a little. When the session is finished, I will usually guide you through some more breathing exercises, and gently let you know that the session is finished. You may feel a little groggy when you get up, so it’s best to take your time getting up and drink plenty of water..

Drink Plenty of Water Before and After:

It’s best to drink plenty of water before and after your treatment for a variety of reason. Drinking water in general is a good idea, as the benefits from proper hydration, and consuming water helps the kidneys and other organs process the various substances which move through the human body on a regular basis. Drinking water before a massage helps the therapist perform deep work by hydrating the muscles so that they are easier to manipulate.

The primary reasons for people to drink water before a massage is because it helps the body flush out any accumulated materials in the muscles which were released during the massage, especially in the case of deep tissue massage. Massage stimulates circulation in the body while expressing water, salt, and other minerals from the muscles, and circulation is designed to carry away waste materials generated by cells. By providing the body with plenty of water, massage clients can help sweep away these waste materials; otherwise, they might build up, causing muscle achiness and soreness after a massage.

In the case of lymphatic massage, drinking water after is especially important, as the stimulation of the lymphatic circulation system can generate a large release of wastes in the body. If one thinks of the Lymphatic system as the sewer pipes of the body, collecting unwanted waste material and carrying it away for disposal, lymphatic massage is like a drain cleaner, so water helps flush the drain, in a sense.

Most importantly, people should drink water after a massage because it can be dehydrating. The manipulation of the muscles depletes them of water, and also moves the fluid in the interstitial spaces between the muscles around. By drinking water people can rehydrate their muscles, reducing the potential for pain and soreness in the days following a massage. For the same reason, people drink water after exercise other forms of exertion, because when the muscles are worked, they lose water and electrolytes.

The oils used have already infused essential oils or essential oils can be blended together with plain unscented oil to elicit a desired effect

Essential oils occur naturally in plant life and are sometimes referred to as the plant's "Life Force". They are very small drops of liquid occurring in the glands, hairs, or veins of flowers, and also in the leaves, seeds, bark, roots or peel of fruit. They are what give the plant its specific scent. In Lavender they occur in the flowering tops, in oranges in the peel, and in Rosemary in the leaves.

Essential oils enter the body by two main routes, the skin and the nose. They enter and leave the body efficiently, leaving no toxins behind. When inhaled, the essential oils come in contact with the olfactory system, located in the nose, behind the eyes. The oils are also easily absorbed through the pores and hair follicles in the skin. Essential oils are taken directly into the bloodstream, having a positive effect on blood circulation, and helping to bring oxygen and nutrients to the tissues, while also assisting in the disposal of carbon dioxide and other waste materials. It is believed that aromatherapy works in a holistic way, addressing mind, body and spirit. The main benefits come from the pleasant fragrances of the essential oils which can have a positive psychological effect.

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