Brief History of Massage

Many people attribute the beginning of massage to Hippocrates in 460 BCE who wrote about the “friction” of rubbing and the necessity of healers to incorporate this rubbing into their practice. However, writings on massage have been found in many ancient civilizations including Rome, Greece, India, Japan, China and Egypt. The word massage, as we know it today, originated from the French word “massage” to mean “friction of kneading” describing accurately the method that massage therapist use to practice their trade.

Today, there are over 80 types of massages and the number of uses range from healing in physician’s office and rehabilitation clinics to relaxation for those on vacation to stress reduction for the overworked.

Listed below is a brief introduction of the various bodywork modalities that I’m trained in.

Types of Bodywork / Detail Descriptions

AROMATHERAPY - the practice of using natural oils extracted from flowers, bark, stems, leaves, roots or other parts of a plant to enhance psychological and physical well-being within the body. The combination of massage and the effects of essential oils is a compelling aid in the reduction of stress. Essential oils affect the mind and emotions as strongly as they affect the physical body. Using essential oils in a massage can enhance the benefits of bodywork on the muscular, lymphatic and nervous systems. Ayurveda uses dried and fresh herbs and is the traditional medical system of India. Thus, Aromatherapy and Ayurveda used in combination offers a unique blend of science and philosophy that balances the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual components necessary for holistic health.

DEEP TISSUE – Slow strokes and deep finger pressure is used to focus on the deeper layers of muscle tissue. Focus is given to the muscle tissue located below the surface of the top muscles helping to relieve severe tension in the muscle and the connective tissue or fascia. This deep tissue therapy is recommended for individuals who experience consistent chronic pain, are involved in heavy physical activity, such as athletes and patients who have sustained physical injury.

HERBAL THAI BALL THERAPY – a Thai ball filled with herbs and spices pressed along the energetic pathways of the body. This therapy helps to detoxify, increase blood flow and stimulate the lymphatic fluids in the body and induce relaxation.

MEDICAL MASSAGE (MBWC TARGET MASSAGE) - a focused treatment that is perfect for areas of the body that need specific attention due to a medical condition or issue. A targeted massage that works well and has the added benefits of a deep tissue massage without the painful pressure.

REFLEXOLOGY – based on the principle that there are reflexes in the hands and feet that relate to every organ, gland and system of the body. By massaging and manipulating these points you can affect the entire body in a positive way.

SKIN BRUSHING – a technique using a dry brush on the skin will help to detoxify the skin and stimulate the internal organs, as well as the lymphatic system and mucous membranes. Additional benefits of skin brushing are that it tones the muscles and tightens the skin preventing premature aging, stimulates circulation, helps digestion, strengthens the immune system and improves the function of the nervous system.

STRUCTURAL INTEGRATION THERAPY – a focused therapy that works on realigning the body structure, as well as the body’s movement and posture. This therapy’s main goal is to reduce physical and emotional distress to the body, helping to create length and space within the soft tissue through gentle pressure and touch. This will allow the body the room and freedom it needs to align itself, release old held patterns that may have resulted in past injury, illness, physical or emotional trauma. Even slouching in front of a computer for an extended period of time is enough to create imbalance and unhealthy patterns in the body which will result in misalignment that will need to be corrected.

SWEDISH – Long, flowing strokes, in addition to kneading and friction techniques are helpful in reducing pain, joint stiffness and improve functions in patients with poor circulation and osteoarthritis.

TRIGGER POINT THERAPY – Taut bands of muscles may cause local pain or refer pain and/or other sensations to other parts of the body. By applying manual pressure, massage, tapotement, vibration, stretching or several other techniques applied to these points to relieve myofascial / muscle pain. Creating length and space in the soft tissue/muscle areas will allow the body room to align itself, releasing old patterns and become balanced again. Treatment given to surrounding muscles to help elongate and release old habits/patterns, otherwise muscles can simply be returned to positions where the trigger points are likely to re-develop.

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When the body is not aligned and when there is an imbalance, it creates inefficiency resulting in stiffness, discomfort and loss of energy. The benefits of massage are plentiful and I've listed a few of those benefits below.

Benefits of Massage

• Physical benefits – help to stretch and loosen muscles, and relieve sore muscles
•  Emotional benefits – decrease depression and anxiety
• Mental benefits – diminish stress
• Improves circulation, which increases blood flow and brings fresh oxygen to body tissues
• Can assist in the elimination of waste products
• Improves functioning of the circulatory, lymphatic, muscular, skeletal, digestion, intestinal, nervous and immune systems and may improve the rate at which the body recovers from injury, illness or disease.
• Reduces muscle tension
• Increased mobility and range of motion of joints
• Enhances skin condition
• Relieves acute and chronic pain
• Useful for general relaxation
• Results in overall improvement in physical health and the quality of life
• Fosters peace of mind and a feeling of well-being
• Promotes a relaxed state of mental alertness
• Enhances capacity for calm thinking and creativity
• Increases awareness of mind-body connection

As a reminder, we do not diagnose, cure or treat diseases and are in no way intended to replace medical supervision. Our treatments are an holistic way to approach the body, mind, mood and spirit.