What are the benefits of massage therapy?

1. Physical – The benefits of the massage to the physical body are numerous. Massage improves the overall functioning of all the body systems including the nervous system, circulatory system, lymphatic system and encourages hormonal balance. Massage releases restriction of fascia and soft tissues which may contribute to pain, inflammation, limited range of motion and lack of overall well-being. Massage brings the body to a greater state of balance and encourages the body to biologically correct itself,
2. Mental, emotional and spiritual benefits – Reducing the physical stress and tensions in the body brings a sense of peace and calm to the mind. Massage stimulates the production of endorphins and creates positive feelings to flow and be expressed naturally. Mental and emotional tensions are often held and stored in the physical body without our awareness. Release and recognition of these tensions create healing at many levels of being. Massage brings us into the present and into our body. In busy western society bodywork is an opportunity for us to connect within.

What types of massage do you offer?

I specialize in what in what I call integrative massage– a blend of my bodywork training which  may include therapeutic massage, fascial release techniques, cranial sacral therapy, and Reiki energy healing. Each massage session is customized to your unique needs in the present moment. In addition to integrative massage, I offer energy healing, cranial sacral sessions, hot stone and relaxation massage. I offer the use of DoTerra essential oils in my practice. Essential oils promote healing and inner balance.

What type of massage session is recommended for me?
Are you a new client? A new client session includes a new client assessment to assist me to best meet your needs followed by a bodywork treatment session. Please book a new client assessment session.

Would you like a full body massage?  Invest in a 90 minute session to allow enough time and attention to address the full body including often overlooked areas like hands, feet and even a facial massage.

Do you have neck or low back pain? Choose 90 minutes of cranial sacral therapy or 90 minutes of integrative massage therapy.

Do you have muscle tension, an injury or specific body concerns? Book 60, 90 or 120 minutes of integrative massage depending on your condition.

Are you feeling stressed? Consider an relaxation massage with the addition of Doterra Balance Blend essential oils.

Are you feeling the winter blues? Choose 60 or 90 minutes of hot stone therapy.60 minutes for a specific body area and 90 minutes for a full body massage.

What can I expect in a massage session?

Each session is unique and intended to meet your present needs. I encourage an atmosphere of sacred space, you are invited to let go of your day and give yourself the gift being present with your body. Massage therapy is done using sheets for draping. You will be fully draped for your massage and only the area of the body being treated is undraped. Massage lotion and essential oils may used during treatment, please advise me if you have any allergies.

What is fascia?

Fascia is the continuous connective tissue system which covers, surrounds and connects everything in the body. It may be described as a 3D spiraling matrix web that holds the body together. The fibers that comprise fascia run primarily in a longitudinal direction but there are specific areas of the body in which the fibers run in a transverse direction. The  fascia is simultaneously mobile and strong to create structure and support within the body and allow both subtle and gross body movements.

Electromagnetic energy is transferred through the ground substance of fascia and the energy of our human experiences are recorded in our fascia. Fascia has a memory, it records and remembers our experiences of being- thoughts, emotions and physical experiences. Fascia is part of the self-correcting mechanism of the body, it remembers where a body structure started out and where it used to be. Therefore, if a part of the body is displaced with injury or trauma, the fascia remembers where it should go.

Many massage techniques are directed at lengthening shortened or restricted areas of fascia to bring the body to a more optimal state. Because fascial fibers are elastic in nature, fascia requires slow, continuous pressure to soften and come into a new lengthened form.

The techniques used to release fascia may be more delicate and gentle than you may expect from traditionally expect from massage. Deeper treatment is not necessarily more effective, especially as if fascia and other tissues are overstretched too quickly, they will simply “snap back” to their previous form.

What is cranial sacral therapy?

Cranial sacral therapy is a gentle manual therapy technique that improves the function of your central nervous system. Dysfunction of the central nervous system directly impacts your health and well-being and the performance of nearly every other system in your body. A cranial sacral therapy session evaluates the rhythm of the cranial sacral fluid flowing through your central nervous system and using a gentle touch – about the weight of a nickel, releases restrictions within the fascia. This optimizes the function of the nervous system to provide relief from pain, restricted movement and areas of chronic muscle tension. Cranial sacral sessions are done fully clothed and cranial sacral techniques can be integrated into your massage session.