Deep Tissue Sculpting is a form of bodywork characterized by very slow, deep compressions into the origins and insertions of muscles, and to move (or sculpt) along the belly of a muscle. The work should be much more specific than the often general strokes of a Swedish massage. The direction of movement is generally away from the heart. The aim is to relieve tension in the deeper layers of muscle and fascia in the body. Deep Tissue sculpting (massage) is a highly effective method for releasing chronic stress areas due to misalignment, repetitive motions, and past lingering injuries. Due to the nature of the deep tissue work, open communication during the session is crucial to make sure you don’t become uncomfortable. Deep tissue work should have a pleasant feel, a "hurts so good feeling." During or after a deep tissue session, you should never feel as if you have been "beat up" or bruised.
Lymphatic Drainage Therapy is an extremely light form of bodywork. The aim is to gently and rhythmically move lymphatic fluid through the body. It is comprised of two main components. One being the activation or "pumping" of the major lymph nodes in the body. The second using very light strokes to move lymphatic fluid in the skin. Lymphatic drainage is used for a variety of reasons, with the two most common being increased immune system function and aiding in reducing swelling from lymphedema or injury. It is also used to help detox the body, and has also become a fantastic aid in recovering quickly from procedures such as lyposuction.
Esalen Massage sprang up from many years of education and bodywork at Esalen in Big Sur, California. It is a deeply relaxing and therapuetic massage that combines oils, deep tissue, movement and stretching. For those coming in who wish simply to relax and de-stress, or have never had a massage before and don't know what to try for a bodywork session, this is my massage of choice. I feel it is much more effective than a Swedish Massage, and not as intimidating to many people as a traditional Deep Tissue session.
Swedish Massage (also known as a circulatory massage) is a very relaxing and therapeutic style of bodywork combining oils or lotion with an array of strokes such as rolling, kneading, and percussion. Strokes are generally broad and towards the heart, particularly on the arms and legs. The benefits of this type of bodywork are wide-ranging and include increased circulation, relief from aches and pains, decreased stress levels in the body, enhanced mental clarity, and greater flexibility.
Sports Massage is a type of massage designed for highly active people who engage in athletics. Engaging in sports is harsh on the body and can often lead to injuries in both the short and long term. Sports Massage enhances performance and prolongs a sports career by helping to prevent injury, reduce pains and swelling in the body, relax the mind, increase flexibility, and dramatically improve recovery rates. Sports Massage is also highly effective in aiding the rapid recovery of an athlete from an injury by encouraging greater kinesthetic awareness and in turn promoting the body’s natural immune function. In my work, there is no particular "massage" for the athlete. It is a compilation of various techniques, borrowing from many different modalities. These include techniques from Structural Integration, Strain Counterstrain, Trigger Point work and others to work both muscles and fascia. Each session is tailored to each client's specific issues.
Bowen Technique is a type of bodywork that is extremely gentle and very relaxing. It stimulates the body’s own self-healing mechanisms, often providing fast and lasting relief from all types of pain and discomfort. Bowen Technique uses small, gentle moves at specific points on the body. There are regular pauses between the series of gentle moves to give the body time to integrate the healing. The precise location of the Bowen moves parallel the latest research into the body’s energy meridians and acupoints. Bowenwork works to rebalance the tension patterns in the body.