Massage is the manipulation of superficial and deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue to enhance the function and promote relaxation and well-being. The word comes from the French massage meaning “friction of kneading”, or from Arabic massa meaning “to touch, feel or handle”, or from Latin massa meaning “mass, dough”.
Massage involves acting on and manipulating the body with pressure – structured, unstructured, stationary, or moving – tension, motion, or vibration, done manually or with mechanical aids. Target tissues may include muscles, tendons, ligaments, skin, joints, or other connective tissue, as well as lymphatic vessels, or organs of the gastrointestinal system. Massage can be applied with the hands, fingers, elbows, knees, forearm, and feet. There are over eighty different recognized massage modalities. The most cited reasons for introducing massage as therapy have been client demand and perceived clinical effectiveness.
In professional settings massage involves the client being treated while lying on a massage table, sitting in a massage chair, or lying on a mat on the floor. The massage subject may be fully or partly unclothed. Parts of the body may be covered with towels or sheets.
Single dose effects:
- Pain relief: Relief from pain due to musculoskeletal injuries and other causes is cited as a major benefit of massage. Acupressure or pressure point massage may be more beneficial than classic Swedish massage in relieving back pain.
- State anxiety: Massage has been shown to reduce state anxiety, a transient measure of anxiety in a given situation.
- Blood pressure and heart rate: Massage has been shown to reduce blood pressure and heart rate as temporary effects.
- Attention: After massage, EEG patterns indicate enhanced performance and alertness on mathematical computations, with the effects perhaps being mediated by decreased stress hormones.
- Other: Massage also stimulates the immune system by increasing peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs). However, this immune system effect is only observed in aromatherapy massage, which includes sweet almond oil, lavender oil, cypress oil, and sweet marjoram oil.
Multiple dose effects:
- Pain relief: When combined with education and exercises, massage might help sub-acute, chronic, non-specific low back pain. Furthermore, massage has been shown to reduce pain experienced in the days or weeks after treatment.
- Trait anxiety: Massage has been shown to reduce trait anxiety; a person’s general susceptibility to anxiety.
- Depression: Massage has been shown to reduce subclinical depression.
Massage Services
Swedish Massage
A calming, relaxing style which includes long, gliding strokes along with medium pressure, kneading and stretching.
60 Minutes
90 Minutes
Therapeutic Massage
Treatment includes Swedish massage, acupressure, reflexology, deep tissue and pays special attention to areas of concern.
60 Minutes
90 Minutes
Deep Tissue Massage
Applies greater pressure and focuses on deeper muscle layers. It dramatically relieves chronic tension and pain.
60 Minutes
90 Minutes
Maternity Massage
A calming massage for moms to be. Propped comfortably around pillows, includes a Swedish massage with extra attention around the lower back, feet and neck.
60 Minutes
Reflexology Massage
Reflexology points which relate directly to specific areas and organs of the body. Manual stimulation of these points, helps to unblock, balance and assist with the body’s natural healing ability.
60 Minutes
Head & Toe Massage
Head and toe massage pays special attention to your head & neck for 30 minutes, before moving on to your feet for another 30 minutes.
60 Minutes
Sports Massage
Designed to target tight muscles, promote range of motion, stimulate circulation and relieve pain. Helps prepare an athlete for peak performance. In addition, relieves swelling, reduces muscle tension, promotes flexibility and aids in the prevention of injuries.
60 Minutes
90 Minutes
Pure Heaven Massage
A relaxing foot massage that includes aromatic moisturizing and exfoliating foot pampering.
30 Minutes
Neck & Shoulder Massage
This massage includes Swedish strokes and acupressure points that ease your tension and calm the nerves. Includes a relaxing scalp massage.
30 Minutes
