Massage Therapy
While many people think that Massage is a luxury we at Active Life Integrative Health Center believe it to be necessary to improve a person's health & well being. Massage Therapy is the manipulation of the soft body tissues (Muscle, Connective Tissue, Fascia, Tendons & Ligaments) to enhance overall health. There are many different types of Massage such as Swedish, Trigger Point, Deep Tissue, Ayurvedic Massage (Abhyanga), Reflexology & Aromatherapy.
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Massage Therapy is known to do more than make the body feel good. It actually makes the body achieve balance & health. Our massage therapists tailors each massage to meet the clients needs & desires based on the overall preferences & comfort level. Massage is known to relieve pain, increase blood flow & allow for more range of motion to name a few of the many benefits of massage.
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Our therapists at Active Life Integrative Health Center use organic coconut oil as a base oil to hydrate the body but an essential oil can be added & each oil used has different healing benefits. The amount of pressure depends on the client & their comfort level.
Acupressure Massage
Acupressure is one of a number of Asian bodywork therapies with roots in traditional Chinese medicine. In fact, Shiatsu massage is a Japanese form of acupressure therapy. Traditional Chinese medical theory describes special acupressure points that lie along meridians, or energy channels, in your body. These are the same energy meridians as those targeted with acupuncture. It is believed that through these invisible channels flow vital energy, a life force called qi (chi) or as known in India "prana". It is also believed that these 12 major meridians connect specific organs or networks of organs, organizing a system of communication throughout your body. According to this theory, when one of these meridians is blocked or out of balance, illness can occur. Acupressure massage therapy is thought to help restore balance to the body thereby helping to ensure good health.
Benefits of Acupressure Massage
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To relieve pain and reduce tension in muscles
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Improve circulation and promote deep states of relaxation.
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Alleviate nausea, vomiting, motion sickness, headaches.
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Alleviate neck and back pain, as well as chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia.
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As a beauty treatment to enhance muscle tone and increase circulation, especially of facial muscles.
***Acupressure massage should not be considered a primary treatment for serious illness, and is not recommended during pregnancy as certain points are thought to stimulate uterine contractions. Pressure should not be exerted over areas with burns, infection, contagious diseases of the skin or active cancer.***
Deep Tissue Massage
Deep tissue massage is a separate category of massage therapy, used to treat particular muscular-skeletal disorders & complaints. It employs a dedicated set of techniques & strokes to achieve a measure of pain relief & is designed to relieve severe tension in the muscle, connective tissue or fascia.
This type of massage concentrates on the deep layers of muscles & fascia in the body. Deep tissue massage is often recommended for individuals who experience consistent pain, are involved in heavy physical activity (such as athletes), & patients who have sustained physical injury. It is not uncommon for receivers of deep tissue massage to have their pain replaced with a new muscle ache for a day or two.
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Benefits of Deep Tissue Massage
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Reduces chronic pain
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Improves blood pressure
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Increases mobility
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Better posture
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Reduces muscle tension
Reflexology Massage
Reflexology is a therapeutic method of relieving pain & improving health throughout the entire body by stimulating pressure points that are found on the hands, ears & feet. Based on the idea that there are "zones" or reflex areas on the feet that correspond with all of the glands, organs, parts & systems found inside or on the body & is very similar to the concept of acupressure based on the energy meridians of the body. A professional reflexology massage has been shown to stimulate over 7000 nerve endings.
Benefits Of Reflexology Massage
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Stimulates nerve function
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Increases energy
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Boosts circulation
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Eliminates toxins
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Prevents migraines
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Cleans urinary tract
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Speeds up recovery time from injuries
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Treats sleep disorders
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Reduces depression
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Relieves pain
Swedish Massage
Swedish Massage is the most common type of massage in America because of the level of relaxation that the entire body experiences from this form of massage. It involves soft, long, kneading, gliding strokes in the direction of blood returning to the heart. The light, rhythmic, tapping strokes on the topmost layers of muscles & joints relieves tension. Swedish massage can relieve muscle tension & can be both energizing as well as relaxing.
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Benefits of Swedish Massage
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Increased levels of oxygen in the blood
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Decreased muscle toxins
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Improved circulation and flexibility
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Reduction in levels of the stress hormone cortisol
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Increase in the number of lymphocytes or white blood cells that are part of the immune system
Trigger Point Massage
Trigger point therapy was developed by Dr. Janet Travel in the 1940's and is also known as Myofascial trigger point therapy. It is one of the most effective types of massage therapy for lower back pain and is generally recognized as neuromuscular therapy or Trigger Point therapy. It aims to treat underlying causes of chronic pain involving the muscular & nervous systems by allowing the sheath surrounding muscles to relax. This medically-oriented form of massage addresses trigger points (tender muscles points), circulation, nerve compression, postural issues, and biomechanical problems that can be caused by repetitive movement injuries. Trigger points can cause referral pain to other parts of the body. Pain from trigger points can range from sharp, intense or dull pain. Trigger point therapy is also recommended for sciatica treatments.
Trigger Point massage therapy consists of alternating levels of concentrated pressure on the areas of muscle spasm. The neuromuscular therapy pressure is usually applied with the fingers, knuckles, or elbow. Once applied to a muscle spasm, the pressure should not vary for ten to thirty seconds. Clients are encouraged to do deep breathing and informing the therapist where they may feel the tender point or discomfort.
The American Academy of Pain Management recognizes this form of massage therapy as an effective treatment for back pain caused by soft tissue injury such as a muscle strain.
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Benefits of Trigger Point Massage
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Decrease in Pain
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Manage pain from chronic injuries
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Improves Circulation
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Decrease in muscle stiffness and tension
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Improves flexibility
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Increases range of motion
CuppingMassage
Cupping therapy is a different type of soft tissue modality used at Active Life. Cupping provides a mechanical sensation to the body which can have a very profound impact to help modulate pain & improve movement. Most soft tissue techniques utilize variations of compressive force. Cupping on the other hand provides decompression or distraction to the superficial soft tissue layers. This helps to promote blood flow & reduce sensitivity to the area.
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At Active Life Integrative Health Center, we utilize cupping in a variety of ways. We offer cupping as an option for a portion of your massage. Dr. Andrew uses cupping in conjunction with many other state-of-the-art soft tissue therapies to maximize your healing.
