Massage Therapy

Myofascial Release

This is the three-dimensional application of sustained pressure and movement into the fascia system in order to eliminate fascial restriction. Fascia is the web of connective tissue that separates, supports, connects and protects everything within the body.

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 and increasing range of motion. The key to myofascial release is sustained pressure over time, allowing the tissues to unwind until the tissue releases. Myofascial release usually involves applying compression or tension in various directions, or by skin rolling.

Hot Stone Massage

A deeply soothing form of massage, the heat from the stones helps tight muscles to loosen up and relax. A hot stone massage in Pompano Beach is a specialty massage that uses smooth heated stones.

A stone massage uses water-heated stones to apply pressure and heat to the body. They can be placed directly on the body or over cloth. The therapist uses traditional strokes of Swedish massage while holding a heated stone, or they can use stones coated in oil. As the stone cools, the therapist replaces it with another stone throughout the massage. The therapist might also leave heated stones in specific points along your spine, or in the palms of your hand, or even between your toes to improve the flow of energy in your body.

Lomilomi

The traditional massage of Hawaii, Lomilomi is an indigenous practice, and it varies by island and by family. Lomilomi practitioners use knuckles, thumbs, elbows, and forearms to relax the nervous system, increase circulation, and relieve pain. Lomilomi is especially popular in Hawaii, Japan, and Europe.

Reflexology massage

Reflexology involves massaging, squeezing, or pushing parts of the feet, hands, and ears with a goal of encouraging health throughout the body. Originally known as reflex zone therapy, a reflexology massage is a holistic healing method which involves pressure and massage of the reflex points. These reflexes are found on the soles of the feet, or the palms of the hands, which act as a small “mirror” reflecting the whole organism.

It teaches that a vital energy, or life force, circulates between the organs of the body, permeating every living cell and tissue. If this energy becomes blocked, the part of the body relating to the blockage is affected. By using specific pressure techniques, they can be detected through the experience of pain, or through the presence of “gritty areas”, often referred to as crystal deposits.

These occur in the part of the foot or hand that relate to the part of the body that is imbalanced. The pressure and massage techniques taught in reflexology are designed to dissipate the energy blocks and break down the crystalline structure. Through stimulation of the circulatory & lymphatic system, and by encouraging the release of toxins, reflexology promotes the body to heal itself. Reflexology is an extremely effective therapy in cases of stress, tension, and tiredness. It can be used as a preventive measure against ill health. It allows the body to be in charge of healing itself.

Sports Massage

Massage has been used since ancient times in the training of athletes. The goal of sports massage is to reduce and prevent injury by warming and softening the tissue, realignment of muscle fibers, flushing out toxins, healing scar tissue, enhancing athletic performance, speeding recovery, and increasing body awareness. It also helps to prepare athletes for strenuous activity, mentally and physically.

Swedish Massage

Swedish massage is the most common modality offered. It was developed by a Swedish physiologist, Henri Peter Ling, at the University of Stockholm in 1812. It uses a firm but gentle pressure to improve circulation, ease muscle aches and tension, improve flexibility, and promote relaxation. Swedish massage techniques include long strokes, kneading, friction, tapping, percussion, vibration, effleurage, and shaking motions.

The usually sequence of techniques are:

• Effleurage: Gliding strokes with the palms, thumbs and/or fingertips
• Petrissage: Kneading movements with the hands, thumbs and/or fingers
• Friction: Circular pressures with the palms of hands, thumbs and/or fingers
• Vibration: Oscillatory movements that shake or vibrate the body
• Percussion: Brisk hacking or tapping
• Passive and active movements: Bending and stretching

Chair Massage

An ergonomically designed massage chair is brought on-site. With this chair, a practitioner can perform seated acupressure. The patient does not need to disrobe, and oils are not used.

Prenatal/Pregnancy Massage

Designed specifically for pregnant women, this massage reduces stress, decreases swelling in the arms and legs, and relieves pain in the back, muscles, and joints. The patient is appropriately propped with pillows during the session. Prenatal massage helps relieve muscle spasms, cramps, and myofascial pain. It helps reduce stress on weight-bearing joints, develop the sensory awareness necessary to relax during the first stage of labor, and to recruit appropriate muscles during the second stage of labor.

Pregnancy massage can improve the outcome of labor. It provides the mother with the experience of nurturing touch, so that she knows how to lovingly touch her baby. Prenatal massage also promotes postpartum conditioning of abdomen and weight-bearing muscles, and it also provides support for the new mother experiencing the physical and emotional strains of motherhood.

Combination Massage

It is an integrated massage that combines some or all the following modalities like Lomilomi, deep tissue, Swedish, Thai, stretching and range of motion, reflexology, and / or myofascial release.

Deep Tissue Massage

Deep tissue massage is a healing modality that focuses on the deeper layers of the muscle and realigning the fiber of the muscles and connective tissue. The movement is slower and the pressure is deeper and concentrated on areas of tension and pain.

This type of massage aims to release the chronic patterns of tension in the body through slow strokes and deep finger pressure on the contracted areas, either following or going across the fibers of the muscles, tendons, and fascia. It is very helpful for chronically tense areas such as stiff necks, low back tightness, sore shoulders, sore hamstrings, and sore quadriceps muscle.

Deep tissue massage will help to break up and eliminate scar tissue, or adhesions. Deep tissue massage usually focuses on more specific areas and may cause some discomfort during or right after the massage. But, if the massage is done properly, you should feel better within a day or two.

 

To book massage therapy at our Pompano Beach spa, or for our mobile South Florida massage services, call or text us today at 561-674-5215!