Massage Modalities

Swedish

Perhaps the most popular style of massage in the Western World is Swedish Massage. It involves the use of hands, forearms or elbows to manipulate and loosen the superficial layers of the muscles and improve circulation. Active or passive movement of the joints (Swedish Gymnastics) may also be part of the massage.

Deep Tissue
As the name suggests, Deep Tissue Massage involves affecting deeper layers of muscle and tissue, called fascia (FASH-uh). Elbows and forearms are excellent tools for reaching the right spot. We’ll communicate to make sure you get just the right amount of pressure for maximum effect.

NMT
A subtle, and highly effective, reflexive modality is Neuromuscular Technique (NMT). The practitioner works with what are called trigger points, basically little bundles of stored up tension or patterns of tightness in the layers of fasciae. Communicating with the nervous system, the goal is to release these bundles and free the area for nurturing blood flow.

Heated River Stones
Anyone who is interested in bodywork will no doubt come upon some type of heated stone therapy. This is an age-old therapy dating back 5000 years to India and most certainly even the Mayan culture. Stone therapy came from healers using rocks from the riverbeds and warming them either in hot coals or hot water.

By placing the heated stones on cloth and directly on the body and arranging them along the energy centers of the body, a healing process would occur. The heated stones have a tendency to relax the muscles and draw out muscle pain and discomfort.

I incorporate the stones into my massage and place them on different parts of the body for a full-body warming treatment perfect for the cold Seattle days or any day!