Our complete massage services include:
Massage Techniques
Therapeutic Massage – focuses on several techniques that help to restore hypertonic (or tight) muscles to a pain-free state. Techniques such as trigger point therapy, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretches (PNF’s) & mobilizations are effective alone or in combination to restore normal muscle function.
Relaxation Massage
– Begins with long slow strokes over the body, called effleurage. This induces an immediate sense of well-being & relaxation. It has a sedative action & is particularly beneficial for soothing the nerves. Stress & strain are relieved & tension begins to dissipate. Friction is useful for breaking down the knots & nodules that build up in the tissues & eliminating any waste products that may have accumulated. It is very effective in breaking down adhesions in scar tissue & increasing blood flow to an area. Percussion movements, called tapotement, are used to stimulate the muscles, drawing blood to the surface & improving circulation. This is extremely useful for athletes before an event & is beneficial in loosening congestion in the lungs. Vibrations & shaking techniques are helpful for restoring & maintaining nerve function & the muscles supplied by them, thereby improving their nutrition.
Reflexology
– is more than a foot massage. It is a compression technique used on the hands or feet to stimulate the energy points that relate to all organs & all parts of the body. Reflexology correlates longitudinal & horizontal zones of the feet to the same areas of the body. The feet become the map of the body. Pressure in one zone of the feet will affect that zone in the body to which it relates. It affects the endorphin secretions of the body to relieve pain & relax & improve function of the entire system. Reflexology improves circulation & elimination, normalizes body rhythms & reduces stress. Relief from headaches, backaches & nasal congestion can be felt by applying pressure to certain reflex buttons. Sensitivity of the reflex point is an indication of congestion in that system. As the pressure is applied & the congestion breaks up, wastes are eliminated, the reflex ceases to hurt & you feel better.
Points in this map correspond to different areas of the body. All points are addressed in a session, with benefits to the entire body.
Pregnancy Massage
– is massage therapy specifically tailored for the expectant mother’s needs. It is also known as pre-natal massage. It’s been found to reduce stress, decrease swelling in the arms and legs, and relieve aches and pains in muscles and joints. A popular complementary therapy during pregnancy for back pain, when choices for pain relief, such as medication, are often limited.
Find out more about pregnancy massage in Edmonton.
Energy Balancing (From the teaching of James Minckler) – Balancing of the organ systems of the body is vital in addressing the underlying factors of physical discomfort. Through applied kinesiology or “muscle testing”, a technique used to receive specific answers from your muscles, it is possible to determine the imbalances in the different organ systems of your body. It is especially important in the event of an accident where the body has had a sudden “jolt” thereby causing a chain reaction of problems. By balancing the main or underlying system of concern, balance is restored to the entire body, like fixing the weak link in a chain. This is achieved by stimulating the lymphatics, hand & foot reflex points & source points specific to that organ system. Then, depending on whether the indicated system is in excess or deficiency, energy is moved accordingly to another organ system, completing the process.
Hanna Kroeger Techniques – The late Hanna Kroeger developed a series of “hands-on healing” techniques that gained her recognition as a healing practitioner in her lifetime. Specific points in the body are stimulated & or mobilized to release the “energy” trapped within. Once the flow of energy is restored, stress & normal function ensues. Hanna’s techniques are an important addition to any form of body work or massage. Much pain & tension can be relieved & normal function re-established.
Trigger Point Therapy – is the application of pressure to a tender or hypertonic spot on the muscle thereby allowing the release of built-up toxins in the muscle fibers. This restores the circulation in the muscle fibers & relaxes the whole muscle.
Deep Tissue Massage – focuses on specific areas of concern but with more intensity. Heavier pressure is used to release stubborn muscle tension. Always let your therapist know what pressure is right for you.
Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) Stretches – is a technique whereby the hypertonic or tight muscle is taken into a mild stretch by the therapist. The receiver then resists by performing the action of the indicated muscle. This is done with synchronized breathing & is repeated three times, each time increasing the stretch incrementally to achieve greater mobility.
Mobilization – is a process of taking the joint through its range of motion, sometimes with some gentle shaking, to loosen the joint capsule. This allows the synovial (inter-joint) fluid to lubricate the joint space & allow more freedom of movement within the joint itself.
These techniques are applied in conjunction with regular massage to give you relief from muscle aches & pains thereby achieving a sense of relaxation.
All major forms of payment accepted. Please let us know of any medical conditions you may have or if you are pregnant.
