Benefits of Massage

  • Relief of muscle tension, stiffness and pain
  • Deep relaxation and stress reduction; a calmer mind
  • Increased joint flexibility and range of motion
  • Increased circulation of blood and lymph fluids
  • Reduced blood pressure
  • Improved posture and ease of movement
  • Strengthened immune system
  • Increased feeling of well-being
  • Reduced levels of anxiety
  • Faster healing time from pulled muscles
  • Deeper and easier breathing
  • Awareness of the mind-body connection
  • Greater ability to monitor stress signals
  • Health maintenance

Meets and exceeds the standards of practice of the massage therapy profession by maintaining state certification, national certification (NCTMB), professionalism and adhering to an established code of ethics.

I pride myself on providing the best therapeutic bodywork available to suit your individual needs.

So whether you are looking for relaxation, relief from pain or stress, or if you simply want to cultivate your own self-care, call for an appointment today.

I believe that professional therapeutic bodywork is too important to be treated as a luxury.  Massage therapy is a time-tested, highly effective, holistic health alternative in the treatment of many medical conditions; at the same time it can enhance and promote a person’s overall health and well-being.

Supporting and sustaining your optimal health is our business.

Chair Massage

This technique uses a specially designed massage chair in which the fully clothed client sits comfortably. Seated massage includes bodywork and somatic techniques, such as shiatsu, trigger point therapy, and Swedish massage. A session typically last between 20 – 30 minutes. Usually the massage focuses on the back, neck, shoulders and arms. It is a good way to receive some of the benefits of massage when you are short on time.

Swedish Massage

One of the most commonly taught and well-known massage techniques, Swedish massage incorporates a variety of techniques including broad strokes, kneading, rolling, vibration, percussive, and tapping movements, with the application of oil or lotion, to reduce friction on the skin. Swedish massage relaxes muscles; increases circulation; removes metabolic waste products (which shorten recovery time from muscular strain); stretches the ligaments and tendons, keeping them supple; stimulates the skin and nervous system while at the same time relaxing the nerves themselves; helps the recipient obtain a feeling of well being. Helping reduce emotional and physical stress, it is often recommended as part of a regular program for stress management and overall wellness.

Deep Tissue Massage

Deep tissue massage is a type of massage aimed at the deeper tissue structures of the muscle and fascia, also called connective tissue. It is a more focused type of massage, as the therapist works to release chronic muscle tension or knots (also known as “adhesions.”). It helps with chronic muscular pain and injury rehabilitation. It is especially helpful for chronically tense and contracted areas such as stiff necks, low back tightness, and sore shoulders. Although this type of massage can be more intense, it should not hurt. It is important to communicate with your therapist regarding pressure and intensity so that they can adapt their techniques as needed. It is generally integrated with other massage techniques

Lymphatic Massage

This type of massage uses very light touch and is done in a specific sequence to flush the entire lymph system. Keeping the lymph glands and vessels healthy and free of congestion is the best prevention of disease; massage increases lymph movement by 200-300%. It helps in the removal of toxins, reduces fluid retention and supports the immune system. It is ideal at the change of seasons, anytime you feel a need to strengthen your immunity and to quicken recovery from illness.

Myofascial Massage

Myofascial massage utilizes techniques to work with fascia to produce an effect upon the soft tissues, minimizing pain and restoring movement. Performed dry or with very little oil, the therapist engages soft tissue layer by layer by rolling, pinching, stretching and kneading. The pressure used can be light to heavy depending on the needs of the client. Fascia is the connective tissue for all muscles, bones, nerves and organs. Malfunctions within the fascia can create a binding of the fascia which can initiate pain or malfunctions at other sites throughout the body. Through releasing the fascia, the underlying muscles can more easily be massaged to reduce pain and increase range of motion. Myofascial massage is an effective therapeutic approach in the relief of cervical pain, back pain, fibromyalgia, scoliosis, neurological dysfunction, restriction of motion, chronic pain, and headaches.

Prenatal/Pregnancy Massage

Prenatal massage uses specific techniques that can reduce discomforts of pregnancy as well as enhance the physiological and emotional well being of both mother and fetus. Massage offers a safe, all-natural method of relief for common complaints including: fatigue, headaches, lower back pain, and neck/shoulder tension, swelling of the extremities, and mood swings. It can also increase circulation, lower blood pressure, and reduce stress on weight-bearing joints. Depending on how far along the client is, this type of massage can be done in a side lying position. Massage is helpful both during pregnancy and in the postpartum period. It is recommended to wait until the second trimester before getting a massage. It is always best to consult with your Doctor prior to receiving a prenatal massage.

Prenatal Massage Therapy Benefits

There are several observed or identified benefits to massage therapy during pregnancy including:

  • Relief of muscular tension, especially in the lower back, upper back, shoulders and neck
  • Reduces stress on weight bearing joints
  • Enhances body awareness for better posture and less discomfort
  • Assists with body mechanics and movement during structural change
  • Supports birth process by relaxing muscles involved in labor and birth
  • Ease anxiety and stress during time of transition
  • Gives emotional support and nurturance

A Pre-Natal massage is a relaxation massage for mom & baby. It focuses on providing

  • Emotional support by comforting touch
  • Decreased insomnia
  • Reduction in leg cramps
  • Decreased stress on pelvis & low back
  • Reduction in swelling of ankles
  • Reduction in sciatic pain

Benefits during labor:

Massage therapy allows the partner to be more available to the laboring woman. Therefore, the partner is able to support the laboring women in other ways, such as breathing. The additional support of a massage therapist may also provide the partner with both support and relief.
*Studies show that labor support with physical contact can significantly reduce the use of oxytocin, pain medications, the need for forceps, and the request for epidurals. In addition, such support can lead to shorter labors and /or decrease the need for caesarian sections.

*Cited on Klaus, Kennell, and Klaus: Mothering the Mother

Birth Doula

A Birth Doula is a woman professionally trained to help other women in labor.

Medical research has shown that the presence of a doula:

  • Reduces a women’s likelihood of having pain medication,
  • Increases her satisfaction with her birth,
  • And increases her chances for spontaneous birth,
  • Helps her feel better about her partner, her baby and her experience,
  • Helps fathers and partners interact more during labor and birth,
  • Is an extra pair of knowledgeable hands,
  • Is a resource for information about pregnancy, birth and parenting,
  • Stays with the laboring mother through her entire labor,
  • Works for the mother, not the care provider or the hospital,
  • Helps to create an environment where mothers and their families can labor comfortably and effectively,
  • Supports fathers and partners so they can concentrate on nurturing and caring,
  • Works in hospitals and homes,
  • Helps create positive birth memories.

Research has not found any downside to doulas.

HypnoBirthing®

HypnoBirthing®, The Mongan Method, helps you reach complete relaxation so you will be able to determine the degree and the manner in which you will feel the surges. You will experience birthing in an atmosphere of calm relaxation, free of the fear that prevents the muscles of your body from functioning as nature intended them to. In this calm state, your body’s natural relaxant, endorphins, replaces the stress hormones that constrict and cause pain. The HypnoBirthing® Support Techniques provides the specific techniques and philosophical information needed to professionally support HypnoBirthing® couples in hospital or home birth settings.

For more information on HypnoBirthing® please visit http://www.hypnobirthing.com/.

Cold Stone Migraine Therapy

50 million people a year suffer from headaches and an increasing number want a more natural-yet powerful-way to get relief. The heart of Natural Migraine Solutions is the fusion of custom designed cold marble stones that contour along key headaches sites comfortably and essential oils with combinations developed specifically to counteract the top four headache causes (food, environment, stress and hormones) into a harmonious therapeutic approach for all kinds of headache pain.

Kelly Lott developed this treatment and the stones that will be used along with specific stretches, pressure points and relaxation techniques all to help eliminate headaches.
Kelly Lott, of Lott Productions, has been a nationally certified instructor through NCBTMB for the past 13 years. She has extensive experience teaching massage classes all around the country in pregnancy, post-partum/ labor, face toning, cold stone therapy for migraine headaches and many other massage related topics.

Reiki

Reiki (pronounced ray-key) is an energetic healing practice that draws upon universal life force and utilizes gentle hands-on touch. In a reiki healing session, the practitioner, trained to access and serve as a channel for the life force (ki or chi), places her hands on or just above the client’s body in order to activate healing energy within receptive points on the body. Viewed as a powerful tool in stress management and relaxation, Reiki advocates report success in treating a variety of acute and chronic complaints. It is considered beneficial for debilitating chronic conditions because of the enhanced energy it gives people.

Raindrop Therapy

Raindrop technique is a powerful technique using essential oils that was developed by D. Gary Young in the 1980s. It combines several holistic modalities to bring balance and alignment to the body in a non-invasive manner. It also stimulates all the body systems on a physical and emotionally level.This technique involves applying therapeutic grade essential oils to the spine, neck and feet. This technique involves applying therapeutic grade essential oils to the spine, neck and feet. This technique involves applying therapeutic grade essential oils to the spine, neck and feet.

Combining several holistic techniques, described below, created a synergistic effect for the body. The three modalities that combine to form Raindrop Technique are:

  • Aromatherapy – Raindrop technique uses seven single essential oils, two blends and one essential oil massage blend during the session. It is congruent with the French application of aromatherapy where essential oils are applied NEAT (undiluted) to the body.
  • Vita Flex Technique – Vita Flex was brought to the US in the 1920s by Stanley Burroughs. It is an ancient Tibetan healing methodology meaning “vitality through the reflexes”. Its theory is based on the fact that slight pressure applied to the body creates an electric charge that is therapeutic to the body. This is known as piezoelectric.
  • Feather Stroking – This is similar to a massage term technique called effleurage.

There are numerous benefits of the Raindrop Technique. Here are just a few:

  • Balance and Re-align the Energy Centers of the Body – The combination of techniques brings electrical and structural alignment to the body. The essential oil blend of Valor helps the body align and is often referred to as “chiropractor in the bottle”.
  • Non-Manipulative Technique – No manipulation as in chiropractic is performed. The oils help support the body to come back into balance by opening energy flow throughout the body.
  • Reduce Stress and Minor Anxiety – Not only can the oils enhance positive emotions such as joy and happiness, but they can also help us release negative emotions that are subconsciously stored on a cellular level.
  • Aid the Body’s Natural Response to Irritation and Injury – Thyme and Oregano support the immune, respiratory, nervous, and other body systems. They are strong antioxidants.
  • Ease Occasional Muscle, Bone, and Joint Discomfort – Muscles that are sore, spastic or stressed will also benefit. Basil, Wintergreen, Marjoram, Cypress and Peppermint essential oils reduce tension in muscles. Wintergreen supports healthy bone structure. See the section on oils for muscles for more information!
  • Improve Immune System Functions – Thyme and Oregano essential oils support the immune system; and aid in the release of toxins in the body. This will contribute positively to your overall health and well being.
  • Emotional Well Being and Release – Essential oils cross the blood-brain barrier and effect the limbic system where emotions are stored in the”brain’s emotional computer”.
  • Help Detox the Body Systems – The oils being high in phenols cleanse cellular receptor sites and enhance cleansing of the body.
 

Pricing

Cancellation Policy: Our time together is precious –Please cancel 24 hours in advance. If not cancelled 24 Hours prior to the appointment the client will be responsible for the full cost of the missed session.
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Chair Massage (on site) $30.00
Cold Stone Migraine Therapy $60.00
Raindrop Therapy $110.00

Reiki sessions:
30 minutes $30.00

Massage Sessions:
30 minutes $30.00
60 minutes $60.00
90 minutes $90.00

Packages available–$$ savings when paid up front
Package of six—60 minute sessions: $350.00

Gift certificates available
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Doula Price listing:
Birth Doula Support $600.00
Hypnobirthing Doula Support: $700.00