Massage Techniques & Types

Ever wonder what type of techniques are used during your session?

Active and passive Broadening and lengthening combined with movement:

*Spreading techniques are used to broaden muscles as they concentrically contract. Stripping technique is used to elongate as a muscle eccentrically contracts. It functionally separates muscle and fascia.

Deep Tissue Massage:

Deep tissue massage works layer by layer through connective tissue and muscles down to the deepest accessible layers to change posture and create freedom in movement by releasing fascial adhesions and chronic muscle tension.

Friction to Attachments: 

*Tendon and overlying tissue work as a unit. Friction stretches and separates fibers. It increases local circulation and increases range of motion. 

Myofascial Release (MFR):

*SLOW stretching and spreading of fascia, increasing pliability of the tissue, change the consistency of the ground substance and break cross-links or adhesions. Functionally separates muscle and fascia. Myofascial work utilizes a prolonged light pressure with specific directions into the fascial system.

Pin and Stretch:

*Combining a sustained compression with active or passive movement of a muscle or muscle group. Helps lengthening muscle fibers, functionally separates muscle from fascia, and reinforces neuromuscular function.

Rhythmic Compressions:

*Repetitive rhythmic pumping of the muscle belly. Creates hyperemia and spreads the muscles fibers.

Sports Massage:

*This is a more specific term that describes the science and art of applying massage and related techniques to ensure the health and wellbeing of the athlete and enhance athletic performance. The goal is to facilitate freer movement in the body. 

Swedish Massage:

Devised in Sweden, consisting of specific massage techniques: Effleurage, Petrissage, Sliding, and kneading movements. Long, sweeping, strokes over a muscle which enhances circulation and blood flow to the large muscle groups.

Vibration and Shaking:

*Vibration is a fine tremulous movement made by hand or fingers. Shaking is a much more course action made by picking up the muscle belly and moving it gently back and forth. Medically used for soothing peripheral neuritis (inflammation of the nerves or nerve tissue in the limbs), Asthma, Used for assisting lung drainage (along with "cupping" percussion), Relieving tender scar tissue and phantom limp pain, and used for stimulating peristalsis in the intestine). It's helps to release holding patterns or armored areas and client's who have difficulty relaxing. Because the movement is "overstimulating" to the nervous system, the final effect is often one of sedation. 

We do not charge by the techniques being utilized in a massage session, only by the type of massage. When a client is looking for a light and relaxing massage experience, Swedish or in our practice called "Blooming into relaxation" would be the type of massage that you want. If you are looking for medium to deep pressure, with more of a specific treatment plan "Root bound" or deep tissue massage is what you'll want.