Swedish: This is the most common form of massage. It uses light to medium pressure with a long connecting flow, to relax and ease aches and pains, improve blood circulation, and relieve stress.
Deep Tissue: This modality concentrates on the deep muscles and how they can affect the superficial muscles, fascia and skin. It is usually focused on pain in the hip, lateral rotators, back, abdomen, pelvis, chest, shoulder girdle, and neck. Hard pressure with slow compressions and strokes are used in this modality to treat new and old injuries, increase range of motion and reduce scar tissue.
Trigger Point: Trigger points, also known as muscle knots, are those areas of tenderness in a muscle that represent the problem areas and can be associated with pain and illness. When activated or stimulated, it can cause radiating or throbbing impulses to distant areas.
Most illnesses are caused by stress, bad posture and over exertion. This can lead to the formation of muscle knots, or trigger points, which then lead to pain and illness. Swelling and stiffness can also be a side effect of trigger points.
Trigger point therapy is used with or without massage therapy in order to eliminate the pain. I apply medium to deep pressure to the trigger point while stretching or rotating the muscle at the same time. This increases the blood flow to the specific area. This eventually will release the trigger point and increase the healing time of an injury.
Increased flexibility and muscle coordination, improved range of motion, better posture, easing of pain, and faster healing times are all beneficial side effects of trigger point therapy.
Reflexology: The body and its organs mirror themselves in points located on the feet, hands, and ears. With the application of pressure and small movements over the feet, hands and ears, you release congested energy and tension which stimulate the body and its organs improving there function and helping to release built up toxins. ( I only practice foot reflexology at this time.)
Prenatal or Pregnancy Massage: A wonderful modality for a mom-to-be! Pregnancy massage is light to medium pressure and is very relaxing. It is much like a Swedish massage but it avoids certain pressure points on a soon to be mom as to not induce labor, (unless that's what mom wants once she reaches full term). If mom is in her 2nd or 3rd trimester and can not lay on her tummy the massage is performed with her lying on her side with pillows under her head, between her legs and one for her to hug and lean on. Once comfortable the whole side is massaged starting at the head, down the neck, back, leg and to the feet. She will then flip over so the same can be done on the other side. If she is still comfortable we end with her on her back, propped up with pillows, and work on her face, scalp, ears, and end with the front of the legs, knees and feet. (This whole time, as with all massages, the client is fully draped with a sheet.)
Prenatal massage is great to improve circulation, reduce swelling, improve lymphatic drainage, ease muscle tension, and stress. A happy mom equals a happy baby! :-)
Reiki: Reiki is a natural and simple healing method. It is not a massage and does not manipulate the muscles. It is done through very light touch and simply allows you to absorb more energy and or balance the energy or chakra points in your body. It heals the body spiritually, mentally, emotionally and physically.
For More About Scientific Research and Reiki, please visit these links -
www.reiki.org/reikinews/reikin24.html
www.advancesjournal.com/adv/web_pdfs/miles.pdf
Reiki (General Information) -
(The following info. is copied from www.Reiki.org).
Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. It is administered by "laying on hands" and is based on the idea that an unseen "life force energy" flows through us and is what causes us to be alive. If one's "life force energy" is low, then we are more likely to get sick or feel stress, and if it is high, we are more capable of being happy and healthy.
The word Reiki is made of two Japanese words - Rei which means "God's Wisdom or the Higher Power" and Ki which is "life force energy". So Reiki is actually "spiritually guided life force energy."
A treatment feels like a wonderful glowing radiance that flows through and around you. Reiki treats the whole person including body, emotions, mind and spirit creating many beneficial effects that include relaxation and feelings of peace, security and well being. Many have reported miraculous results.
Reiki is a simple, natural and safe method of spiritual healing and self-improvement that everyone can use. It has been effective in helping virtually every known illness and malady and always creates a beneficial effect. It also works in conjunction with all other medical or therapeutic techniques to relieve side effects and promote recovery.
While Reiki is spiritual in nature, it is not a religion. It has no dogma, and there is nothing you must believe in order to learn and use Reiki. In fact, Reiki is not dependent on belief at all and will work whether you believe in it or not. Because Reiki comes from God, many people find that using Reiki puts them more in touch with the experience of their religion rather than having only an intellectual concept of it.