Types of Massage

There are a variety of different modalities and techniques of massage used in my practice.

Facelift Massage

Facelift Massage is a holistic, non-surgical procedure that involves firming, lifting, and contouring strokes on the face, acupressure and manual lymph drainage that stimulate blood flow, relax the muscles on the face, reduce fine lines and rejuvenate the skin.

Facial massage is not new. Ancient records show skin care treatments were used in Egypt, India, and China for 5,000 years. The Chinese discovered the acupressure points on the face which allow for releasing tension and softening lines, while toning and tightening of sagging skin. Facial massage was popular in Hollywood in 50's and 60's before plastic surgery became commonplace. Movie stars used to rely on weekly facial massages to maintain their youthful beauty. These days the latter is becoming popular again.

Facelift massage is perfect for the skin that is beginning to show a loss of tone. For persons in their 40's, just a few treatments can bring significant results. But at any age a client, after only 6 sessions, can begin to notice a contouring of the cheeks, while naso-labials are minimized. The jaw line is less saggy and there is less puffiness under the eyes. Facelift massage will also improve lymph drainage, relaxation, and release facial tension which provide beneficial lift to the face.

Most signs of aging in the body are caused by free radical damage. Free radicals control the cellular level of inflammation and may be the key to reduce the chemical changes that cause aging activity in the skin. Dermatologists recommend topical serums (such as Vitamin C & alpha lipolic acid), diet (such as blueberries, pomegranates, and acai), and supplemental anti-oxidants (free radical fighters) to curb the activity of free radicals in the body.

The factors that prematurely age our skin are:

• sun exposure and tanning beds
• repetitive facial expressions
• simple gravity
• habitual sleeping positions
• smoking cigarettes

Deep lines develop on the face as a result of continuing contraction of the face muscles. This muscular contraction can be released by repetitive strokes during facelift massage. The muscles "learn" to let go and the client begins a shift from unconscious holding patterns to releasing tension and lines. Studies show that massage keeps collagen and elastin "wet" which stimulates their growth, helping to maintain muscle tone.

If facial muscles are massaged and exercised regularly, toning and lifting benefits increase with each session. All metabolic processes are stimulated because circulation is improved and the facial lymphatic system is cleansed. As a result, the skin becomes more toned, radiant, glowing, and rejuvenated.

Deep Tissue Massage

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. Deep tissue massage is often recommended for individuals who experience consistent pain, are involved in heavy physical activity, such as athletes, and patients who have sustained physical injury. It is also not uncommon for receivers of Deep Tissue Massage to have their pain replaced with a new muscle ache for a day or two. Deep tissue work varies greatly. What one calls deep tissue another will call light. When receiving deep tissue work it is important to communicate what you are feeling.[2]

Medical Massage

Medical massage is applied to a specific area of the body on the basis of the pathology or the patient's chief complaint. It is not a general massage treatment and is not a full-body massage. This technique attempts to correct a specific pathology and achieve important clinical objectives such as:

• reduced inflammation
• restored normal soft tissue environment
• reestablished normal range of motion
• fewer patient symptom complaints

Trigger Point Therapy

Trigger points or trigger sites are described as hyperirritable spots in skeletal muscle that are associated with palpable nodules in taut bands of muscle fibers. Trigger point practitioners believe that palpable nodules are small contraction knots[ambiguous] and a common cause of pain. Compression of a trigger point may elicit local tenderness, referred pain, or local twitch response. The local twitch response is not the same as a muscle spasm. This is because a muscle spasm refers to the entire muscle entirely contracting whereas the local twitch response also refers to the entire muscle but only involves a small twitch, no contraction. The trigger point model states that unexplained pain frequently radiates from these points of local tenderness to broader areas, sometimes distant from the trigger point itself. Practitioners claim to have identified reliable referred pain patterns, allowing practitioners to associate pain in one location with trigger points elsewhere.[2]

Prenatal Massage

Prenatal massage is similar to massage during non-pregnancy in terms of the goals (relaxation, pain relief, increased circulation & mobility, etc.). However, due to the changes undergone during pregnancy, modification are made. To accommodate swollen tender breasts and a growing belly, special pillows, positioning and techniques are utilized to ensure comfort for both the expecting mother and baby. With increasing weight, a changing center of gravity and the many other changes associated with pregnancy, prenatal massage can help provide relief and a sense of well being that is much deserved.[1]