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Deep Tissue
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Deep Tissue is a technique that focuses on the deeper layers of the skin to release chronic muscle tension. When muscles are stressed, they block oxygen and nutrients, leading to inflammation that builds up toxins in the muscle tissue. Since this massage focuses on specific areas, it may cause some soreness during or right after the massage. However, if the massage is done correctly you should feel better than ever within a day or two. Because many toxins are released, it’s important to drink plenty of water after a deep-tissue session to help flush these toxins from the body.
When there is chronic muscle tissue or injury, there are usually abrasions (bands of painful, rigid tissue) in the muscles, tendons and ligaments. Adhesions can block circulation and cause pain, limited movement and inflammation. Deep tissue works by physically breaking down theses adhesions to releive pain and restore normal movement.
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Swedish
Swedish massage was developed in the 1700’s by Swedish doctor Henrik Ling. The main purpose of Swedish massage is to increase the oxygen flow and release toxins from the muscles. It improves circulation without heart load, soothing the nerves, and reducing both emotional and physical stress.
There are six techniques used in administering Swedish massage. The techniques techniques include the following:
1. Effluerage: These are long, sweeping strokes that cover more than one area of the body. Though it makes the client feel like his muscles are being broken down, the purpose of effluerage is actually to connect one part of the body to the others.
2. Petrissage: This is the act of kneadng and squeezing the muscles of the body. Petrissage does not target or foucs on any particular part of the body, but the process of kneading the body's muscles allow for deeper and more penetrating effects of massage.
3. Friction: Heat makes the muscles relax and friction is used to make the area treated warm up. The therapist accomplishes this by circular pressures with the palms of hands, thumbs, and/or fingers.
4. Vibration: The vibration technique is used to shake up the area of the body that is being treated. This is done by oscillatory movements that shake or move the area to loosen the muscles being treated.
5. Tapottement: These are strokes that aim to energize the area of the body that is being treated, yet at the same time making the area loosened and relaxed. This is done by chopping the area with the side of the hands or hitting the area rhythmically with cupped or fisted hands.
6. Traction: This invloves pulling the arms, legs, and sometimes the head of the client. These passive and active movements of bending and stretching are always done as part of the last portion of the massage because pulling needs to be done to relaxed muscles.
Hot Stone
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The sensation of smooth heated stones rolling along the spine feels marvelous. Not only is the Hot Stone massage a wonderful relaxing treatment, it is very therapeutic at the same time. Stones are placed on key areas of the body, which are then incorporated into massage-like strokes. Selected essential oils and heat from the stones promote deep penetration into the tissues to detoxify, instantly loosening tense muscles and melting away stress.
Stone layout will typically be along both sides of the spine, or along th chakra centers on the top and baseball sized stones are placed in the hands. While these layout of stones are delivering concentrated centers of heat, the therapist massages the client with heated stones held in the palm of the hand with long, firm strokes.
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