Patients may benefit from reducing salt intake. If you smoke, stop smoking -- cigarettes are a major cause of hypertension and related heart disease. Reducing excessive alcohol consumption may also help. Massage is simply the manipulation of the soft tissues of the body - the muscles, tendons and ligaments. A massage therapist's hands are his most important tool through which he not only treats the patient but also detects physical and emotional problems. Massage Therapy is a hands-on manipulation of the soft tissues of the body including muscles, connective tissue, tendons, ligaments and joints. It is also an alternative health option to help alleviate the soft tissue discomfort associated with everyday and occupational stresses, muscular overuse and many chronic pain syndromes. It can also greatly reduce the development of painful muscular patterning.



Styles of Massage

Deep Tissue-Works to loosen and lengthen fascia, the connective tissue surrounding muscles, thus creating more freedom of movement and release of tension. Often combined with other techniques which focus on the muscles to relieve tightness and trigger points. This is an effective technique for repetitive stress syndrome (i.e., carpal tunnel, TMJ), chronic low back, neck and shoulder stress.

Aromatherapy oil-.preferably one of the calming massage blends. Warm your massage oil for 30 seconds in the microwave (make sure the cap is open or off) or in a pan of warm water on the stove. This will not only diffuse the oil beautifully, but will feel incredible when rubbed into your subject's body

Craniosacral Therapy - Via a gentle, noninvasive manipulative technique, this encourages your own natural mechanisms to improve the functioning of your brain and spinal cord to dissipate the negative effects of stress, promote good health, and enhance resistance to disease.

Acupressure is an ancient Chinese massage technique that uses the fingers to press key points on the skin that then release tension and increase energy flow and improve circulation. Applying pressure to these points is similar to acupuncture without the needles and has an excellent record for relieving headache, menstrual cramps, back ache, and a host of other ailments.

Sports Massage-Sports massage is specifically designed for people who are involved in physical activity. But you don't have to be a professional athlete to have one-it's also used by people who are active and work out often. The focus isn't on relaxation but on preventing and treating injury and enhancing athletic performance. A combination of techniques are used. The strokes are generally faster than Swedish massage. Facilitated stretching is a common technique. It helps to loosen muscles and increase flexibility.

Clinical styles of massage differ from relaxation because they focus on therapeutic goals (for example releasing muscle spasms or strengthening or stretching specific muscles affected by an injury). They use more specific manipulation of the muscle and/or surrounding connective tissue and may address other systems in the body such as the lymphatic, circulatory, and nervous system

Facial Massage-A very relaxing massage to sooth the facial muscles that cause tension and lines. Using a combination of oils, creams and hot compresses the client is put into a deeply relaxed state while the skin and muscles of the face are replenished, relaxed and restored. More flowing and relaxing than conventional beauty therapy facials.