10.29.08
Posted in Massage Specials, back pain, fibromyalgia, head ache, massage, massage therapy, pain relief, relaxation, spa treatments at 11:31 pm by smorin
Origin: Stones have been used in healing practices all over the world, including Asia. Healing or hot stone massage is a treatment that gained popularity in North American spas in the 1990-2000s.
Technique: Stone massage is a form of contemporary bodywork and spa treatment. Stones of various sizes, shapes and textures are used as massage tools, and as a form of thermal therapy. As massage tools, stones are used instead of the hands to apply pressure during techniques such as effleurage. As thermal therapy, stones may be heated and placed on the body over certain anatomical structures or in patterns over energy centers and meridians; or cooled and used as cryotherapy to reduce swelling and cool tissues.
Theory: Stone massage is practiced as an eclectic form of bodywork incorporating Western anatomy and physiology with traditional Asian medicine. Geological properties of various kinds of stones are considered. Hot stones applied to the body impart weight and heat that promotes relaxation, normal body function, and energy balancing.
From Tappan’s Handbook of Healing Massage Techniques by Paticia J Benjamin and Frances M Tappan
The benefits of Hot stone massage: The heat helps the muscle to relax, increases local circulation, and makes connective tissue more pliable allowing for a deeper massage. Sore stiff muscles benefit from increased circulation and heat. The chronic pain of fibromyalgia can be eased with Hot stone massage and well as many other chronic pain and some arthritis pain as well. Plus it just feels good.
Shellie Morin LMT
www.sensesationalmassage.com
207-850-1014
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10.27.08
Posted in Massage Specials, back pain, fibromyalgia, head ache, massage, massage therapy, pain relief, relaxation, spa treatments at 2:23 am by smorin
Origin: Swedish massage and related techniques were developed in Europe in the early 1800s, and brought to North America in the 1860s. It can be traced historically to the work of two men, Pehr Henrick Ling(1776-1839) of Sweden, and Johann Mezger (1838-1909) of Amsterdam. The heyday of Swedish massag in the United States was in the 1930-1950s, when it was offered in health clubs, salons, and as part of physiotherapy.
Technique: Swedish massage is a form of traditional Western massage. The five classic technique categories of Swedish massage soft tissue manipulation are effleurage(long flowing strokes), petrissage (kneading, compression), tapotement (percussion), friction and vibration. Joint movements ad hydrotherapy are also within the scope of Swedish massage.
Theory: Swedish massage is based in Western anatomy, physiology, and pathology. It is applied to support the normal function of the human body and its systems, as well as enhance its innate healing capacity.
Massage is one of the traditional natural healing arts. It has been used for centuries to promote and restore health along with other gifts fo nature such as nutritious food, herbs, healing waters, exercise, relaxation, fresh air and sunshine.
Some of the effects of massage: Muscle relaxation, increased alertness, or reduced anxiety. Massage improves the overall health of cells and tissues of the body, primarily by increasing blood and lymph circulation. The “milking” action of petrissage techniques and the sliding movements of effleurage are very effective in moving body fluids to facilitate natural processes. Increased fluid circulation improves delivery of oxygen and nutrients to tissue cells, and helps in removal of metabolic wastes and byproducts of the inflammatory process. Massage also plays a role in the tissue repair process by helping in the remodeling of healthy scar tissue, ease sore aching muscles, increase joint mobility and flexibility, help with posture, increase the immune system keeping you from getting as many colds and flus. It also reduces stress and just give you a better all over sense of wellbeing.
taken from:”Tappan’s Hanbook of Healing Massage Techniques” by, Patricia J Benjamin, Frances M Tappan
Shellie Morin LMT
www.sensesationalmassage.com
207-850-1014
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