Massage Therapy

What is Massage Therapy?
Massage Therapy is the practice of soft-tissue manipulation with physical, functional, and/or psychological goals. There are many different types of massage. The most common types of massage include Swedish massage, deep tissue, myofascial release. The main idea of massage is to relax the tissues and relieve tension, pain, and stress.

What are the benefits of Massage?
There are many, many benefits to massage therapy. Some medically based research has confirmed that the benefits of massage include:

Massage usually works best with regularity.

Swedish Massage:
Swedish massage uses five styles of long, flowing strokes to massage. The five basic strokes are effleurage (sliding or gliding), petrissage(kneading), tapotement (rhythmic tapping), friction (cross fiber) and vibration/shaking. Swedish massage has shown to be helpful in reducing pain, joint stiffness, and improving function in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee over a period of eight weeks. It has also been shown to be helpful in individuals with poor circulation.

Trigger Point Therapy:
Sometimes confused with pressure point massage, this involves deactivating trigger points that may cause local pain or refer pain and other sensations, such as headaches, in other parts of the body. Manual pressure, vibration, or other treatment is applied to these points to relieve myofascial pain. Trigger points were first discovered and mapped by Janet G. Travell (President Kennedy's physician) and David Simons.

Deep Tissue Massage:
Deep Tissue massage is designed to relieve severe tension in the muscle and the connective tissue or fascia. This type of massage focuses on the muscles located below the surface of the top muscles. Deep tissue massage is often recommended for individuals who experience consistent pain, are involved in heavy physical activity, such as athletes, and patients who have sustained physical injury. It is also not uncommon for receivers of Deep Tissue Massage to have their pain replaced with a new muscle ache for a day or two. Deep tissue work varies greatly. What one calls deep tissue another will call light. When receiving deep tissue work it is important to communicate what you are feeling.

Myofascial Release:
Myofascial release refers to the manual massage technique for stretching the fascia and releasing bonds between fascia, integument, and muscles with the goal of eliminating pain, increasing range of motion. Myofascial release usually involves applying shear compression or tension in various directions, or by skin rolling.

What should I wear to a massage? Massage can be done in a variety of ways. Usually, traditional Swedish massage is applied directly over the skin, using a lubricant (either oil or lotion). So in this application, the client would not wear any clothing, other than underwear if desired. During the massage the client is always covered with a blanket or towel, except for the area being worked on, and the client’s gentile area is never exposed.

If you are uncomfortable being disrobed, then massage can be done over the clothes. In this case, you would want to wear something comfortable and loose.

Testimonials

“I look forward to each session... very relaxing and beneficial to my health!”
          -Sue Anders

“I feel like melted butter when Elizabeth has finished the session”
          -Sandee

“I want to thank Elizabeth for her ‘healing touch’. She is a skilled, caring, kind, and patient healer.”
          -Executive Client

“A very pleasant and gentle massage, with good therapeutic results. I would recommend Creative Healing to anyone.”
          -John (from Billings, MT)

“A massage that continues to benefit for several days is a rarity~ thank you Elizabeth!”
          -Omi

“Excellent massage, good atmosphere.”
          -Mildred Craig

“Elizabeth’s massages are a therapeutic, tranquil, and nurturing treat.”
          -Jan Berry

Join Our Mailing List
Email: