Medical Massage Therapy

Craniosacral Therapy (CST) is a gentle hands-on treatment that may provide relief from a variety of symptoms including headaches, neck pain and side effects of cancer treatment among many others.

CST uses a light touch to examine membranes and movement of fluids in and around the central nervous system. Relieving tension in the central nervous system promotes a feeling of well-being by eliminating pain and boosting health and immunity.

The therapist uses gentle pressure techniques to assess the existence of possible disruptions and/or restrictions in your fascial system. Light touch and fascial release may help your muscles and organs naturally relieve stress, which improves function. Other patients often report feeling a sense of deep relaxation.

CST can benefit almost everyone. With a few conditions, however, craniosacral therapy may not be appropriate, and you’ll need to talk with your CST practitioner and physician. Your session needs to wait if you have experienced any of the following and have NOT been released for treatment by your physician:

• Recent concussion
• Cerebral swelling
• Structural defects in the cerebellum such as Arnold-Chiari malformation
• Brain aneurysm
• Traumatic brain injury
• Blood clots
• Any disorder that causes instability of cerebral fluid pressure, flow or build-up 

Cupping is a type of alternative therapy used by AOM (Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine), massage therapy and other healthcare practitioners. Cupping is accomplished by having a cup applied to the skin; the pressure in the cup is reduced by using a change in heat or by suctioning out air, so that the skin and superficial muscle layer is drawn into and held in the cup.

Deep Tissue Massage is designed to relieve severe tension in the muscle and the connective tissue or fascia. This type of massage focuses on the muscles located below the surface of the top muscles. The term “deep tissue” is often misused to identify a massage that is performed with sustained deep pressure. Deep Tissue Massage is a separate category of massage therapy, used to treat particular musculoskeletal disorders and complaints and employs a dedicated set of techniques and strokes to achieve a measure of relief. It should not be confused with “Deep Pressure” massage, which is one that is performed with sustained strong, occasionally intense pressure throughout an entire full-body session. Deep Tissue Massage is applied to both the superficial and deep layers of muscles, fascia, and other structures.

Originally based on the work of Wilhelm Reich, this style of bodywork was developed at the Boulder College of Massage Therapy over 20 years ago. To assist in the release of emotional issues trapped in the body, long fluid strokes are used to move energy from the head down and out through the hands and feet. This is combined with the use of deep breath-work to aid the process.

Lymphatic Massage is very light massage, is very relaxing and is used to promote healthy flow of lymph, the clear fluid that flows throughout our bodies. The body system responsible for our immunity is lymphatic system. Since the lymphatic system is the “garbage collector” of our body, this type of massage helps locate any imbalance/blockage in the system and re-establish healthy flow moving metabolic wastes out of the body. This work is a wonderful tool for general health maintenance but is not appropriate for people with infections, tumors, undiagnosed lumps and people with heart problems.

All muscles, arteries, bones, organs, etc. are held together by a Saran wrap kind of tissue called fascia. Developed in the late 1960’s by John Barnes, Myofascial Release works by the manipulation of the fascia that connects and surrounds muscles. Because the fascia is body-wide, a tension or trauma in one part of the body can affect another part. The fascia responds to the trained touch to release the adverse effects of inflammation, tensions and trauma.

Neuromuscular Massage Therapy is a specialized form of massage that involves firm, sustained, and controlled pressure over painful, tight bands of muscle called trigger points.

Oncology Massage is not a technique. It is a comprehensive approach that involves thorough assessment and adjustments made by the massage therapist to standard massage modalities.

Relieve the aches and pains associated with pregnancy through Prenatal Massage Therapy. Our experienced licensed massage therapist will position you to maximize massage strokes and minimize discomfort. Prenatal Massage Therapy benefits also include:

• Reduces stress and promotes relaxation
• Benefits to the circulatory system
• Reduces musculoskeletal strain and pain
• Contributes to developing flexibility and kinesthetic awareness
• Fosters nurturing maternal touch and healthy bonding 

This special form of massage is typically used before, during, and after athletic events to prepare the athlete for peak performance, to drain away fatigue, to relieve swelling, to reduce muscle tension, to promote flexibility and to prevent injuries. Depending on the needs of the athlete, a variety of techniques are used including classic Swedish strokes, cross-fiber friction, pressure-point work, and joint mobilization.