Massage Therapy
Massage is a wonderful addition to your traditional health care and wellness activities and provides tremendous therapeutic benefits!
- Lowers Blood Pressure
- Relaxes Muscles
- Improves Range of Motion
- Increases Circulation
- Reduces Stress
Massage has countless benefits alone or when paired with physical therapy and other forms of care. It is important to communicate with your massage therapist before your massage, making them aware of conditions/injuries both past and present, treatment you are receiving, and any specifications and/or preferences you may have in order to provide the most effective and enjoyable massage for you. Keeping communication through the massage is very helpful as well. Please do not be afraid to speak up if you would like more or less pressure, or if you are experiencing something such as referred pain during the massage.
Therapeutic massage can address overuse injuries, trauma injuries, medical rehabilitation, postural/joint dysfunction, pathologies and conditions. Some examples include Carpal Tunnel, Tendinitis, Frozen Shoulder, Back and Neck pain, Bursitis, Whiplash, Strains, Sprains, Sciatica, Scoliosis, TMJD, Fibromyalgia and Thoracic Outlet Syndrome.
Here is a list of the most common modalities Ashley uses in her practice:
Swedish: A gentle form massage comprised of long, light to moderate pressure stokes, kneading, and light frictions with the intension of decreasing stress, body tension, and increasing circulation. Perfect as an introductory massage for someone who has never received or for those who do not tolerate deep tissue massage.
Circulatory Massage: Like Swedish massage, but using quicker, stronger strokes to maximize blood flow through the body.
Sports Massage: Using compressions, quick strokes, and passive range of motion to increase mobility and blood flow without working too deep before competition.
Myofascial Release: Focuses on improving the mobility of the fascial layers between the skin and musculoskeletal system. This technique requires no oil or lotion. The "grab" of the skin is used to separate underlying layers of fascia. Unlike a Swedish massage, myofascial release can be mildly uncomfortable. It is normal to feel a slight burning sensation as the fascial layers are being separated. This technique is beneficial for those with chronic injuries, whiplash, hypertoned muscles, and myofascial pain syndrome. Myofascial release is very effective alone and when paired with other modalities.
NMT: Neuromuscular Technique is a modality addressing trigger points in muscles, ligaments, and fascia. The "knots" you feel in your back, neck and throughout your body are usually trigger points. Strain and overuse along with other variables cause trigger points. They are sensitive upon palpation and can cause referred pain. NMT uses specific cross and with fiber compressions to reduce trigger points. Your massage therapist may ask you to take a deep breath into the point once it is located and pressure is applied, this both relaxes the body and increases the applied pressure to help reduce the trigger point. Along with myofascial release, this technique is ideal for those with chronic or acute injuries, whiplash, hypertoned muscles, and myofascial pain syndrome, tension headaches, TMJ, TOS, etc. and is very effective when paired with other modalites.
Deep Tissue: Deep pressured strokes and more aggressive cross fiber frictions are used to decrease muscle tension and increase range of motion by breaking up adhesions in the muscle tissue. Though this technique can be uncomfortable, it is not intended to cause pain. Communicating with your massage therapist is important so the massage can be effective, but within your comfort level. What may feel like a feather to one person can feel like a brick to another, so don't be shy to speak up if the pressure is too much for you. Because this is a much deeper massage, it is normal to be somewhat sore for the next day or two as your body flushes the toxins and inflammation released during the massage. Drinking extra water and icing helps to decrease soreness.
