You could receive a variety of different types of massage at Massage Ministration, depending upon what your body needs at any given time. You will not be run through the same massage protocol every time. Instead, you can expect to encounter any combination of the following in order to help your process of healing:
Swedish Massage is the standard for most massage. It is a very relaxing and therapeutic style of bodywork. It combines oils or lotion with an array of strokes such as gliding, rolling, kneading, and percussion that help to improve the the body's circulation. The benefits of this type of bodywork are wide-ranging and include relief from aches and pains, decreased stress levels in the body, enhanced mental clarity, improved appearance, and greater flexibility. A Swedish massage can include hot stones with warm towels, ice, essential oils. Many practices charge for these additions. We do not. Ask and ye shall receive!
Deep Tissue Massage aims to relieve tension in the deeper layers of tissue in the body. Deep Tissue Massage is a highly effective method for releasing chronic stress areas due to misalignment, repetitive motions, and past lingering injuries. Due to the nature of the deep tissue work, open communication during the session is crucial to make sure you don't get too uncomfortable. Deep tissue massage doesn't always have to hurt, though it sometimes does. Teresa usually uses a type of deep tissue massage that is slow and gentle, allowing her to go deeper without other muscles tensing up to protect the area, as they'll do if they perceive that they're "under attack." There are times, though, when she'll just get an elbow in there if you need it. That said, you should know that rigorous deep tissue massage can be dangerous in these post-Covid days, so be sure to tell any massage therapist if you'd had, or even suspect that you may have had, Covid because one of the silent effects of this disease is the formation of blood clots throughout the body, and rigorous deep tissue massage is contraindicated where there are blood clots, as any of these could dislodge and be fatal.
Deep Tissue Massage aims to relieve tension in the deeper layers of tissue in the body. Deep Tissue Massage is a highly effective method for releasing chronic stress areas due to misalignment, repetitive motions, and past lingering injuries. Due to the nature of the deep tissue work, open communication during the session is crucial to make sure you don't get too uncomfortable. Deep tissue massage doesn't always have to hurt, though it sometimes does. Teresa usually uses a type of deep tissue massage that is slow and gentle, allowing her to go deeper without other muscles tensing up to protect the area, as they'll do if they perceive that they're "under attack." There are times, though, when she'll just get an elbow in there if you need it. That said, you should know that rigorous deep tissue massage can be dangerous in these post-Covid days, so be sure to tell any massage therapist if you'd had, or even suspect that you may have had, Covid because one of the silent effects of this disease is the formation of blood clots throughout the body, and rigorous deep tissue massage is contraindicated where there are blood clots, as any of these could dislodge and be fatal.
CranioSacral Therapy is a gentle yet powerful technique that is effective in releasing neck pain, back pain, and mental stress (among other things). It does this by optimizing the movement of cerebrospinal fluid through the spine and around the skull. Developed by physician William Sutherland, this therapy provides a very soothing and relaxing healing experience. Teresa often works this into your regular massage as needed, but you can also schedule a 30- or 60-minute CranioSacral session. Teresa has a primary certification in the CranioSacral technique of John Upledger, whose ground-breaking work founded this therapy.
Neuromuscular Therapy is a system of massage techniques, such as trigger point therapy, the Trager method, muscle energy techniques, and orthobionomy, all of which use a holistic approach towards healing. These techniques work with the neuromuscular system to enhance the body's natural ability to heal itself. We have a tendency to think of the various systems in our bodies as separate because of education that analyzes various parts of the body. But the muscular system and the nervous system are intertwined. Our muscles are permeated with fascia which is where nerve endings reside that monitor and set muscle tone. If our muscles are chronically tight, our nervous system may be the problem. (This is how stress causes tight muscles.) By adding a little additional pressure for 30-90 seconds to make the nervous system register a problem, we can retrain it to set a more relaxing resting tone for our muscles. Neuromuscular therapy also enhances the function of joints and muscles, and accelerates the overall healing process by facilitating the release of endorphins, which is why you feel better after a massage. Teresa has studied and practiced these techniques extensively. Her pastoral training and academic research in trauma is also helpful in dealing with any emotional releases that may occur once a muscle's memory of trauma is released. Such strong emotions that can arise during a massage may surprise and even scare some people. This is just part of your healing, and while she is not a psychologist, she is a compassionate, non-judgmental witness. Teresa is also currently pursuing advanced training in ortho-bionomy, which could also be classified as a neuromuscular technique.
Orthopedic massage is a style of massage therapy focused on treating painful conditions that affect the soft tissues of the body. Orthopedic massage is designed to treat medical conditions, which is what my massage education emphasized. It involves releasing tense muscles, helping to stretch and lengthen tight muscles and tendons, and decompress rigid joints. The goal is to restore full health to the soft tissues of your body, both treating your specific conditions as well as improving your overall well-being.
Trigger Point Therapy stimulates and releases "trigger points" in your body. Trigger points are tender nodules in the taut bands of muscles' fascia that produce pain when compressed. In many cases, trigger points form as a result of trauma to the muscle fibers in the belly of the muscle. They may be places where the fascia has gotten all twisted into a tangled snarl with multiple nerve endings, so they are painful when pressed, and they often cause referred pain elsewhere. These tiny "knots" are built up throughout a person's life due to physical, mental, and/or emotional stress. Trigger point therapy is used where needed in nearly every massage given, with careful attention to positioning the tissue in such a way that any pain is minimized.
Ortho-bionomy is a specialized massage technique that involves moving painful tissues into a position of ease and gently working with trigger points and the fascia until the muscle releases its chronic spasticity. It is gentle deep tissue work that involves myofascial release and resetting the resting muscle tone. It is highly effective for those in chronic pain. Having taken several classes in this technique, Teresa is currently in training to be a certified practitioner, which requires extensive education and apprenticeship.
Ortho-bionomy is a specialized massage technique that involves moving painful tissues into a position of ease and gently working with trigger points and the fascia until the muscle releases its chronic spasticity. It is gentle deep tissue work that involves myofascial release and resetting the resting muscle tone. It is highly effective for those in chronic pain. Having taken several classes in this technique, Teresa is currently in training to be a certified practitioner, which requires extensive education and apprenticeship.
Fascia is the connective tissue that wraps the body, enabling muscles to slide over one another with ease. It is also the place where nerves end in the body.
Myofascial release applies gentle sustained pressure into connective tissue restrictions to eliminate pain and restore motion. It is used to eliminate pain, increase range of motion, and rebalance the entire body. It does this by using massage techniques to stretch the fascia and release adhesions that may exist between the fascia, muscles, and bones. Designed to be the fluid and protective matrix of our body, fascia is the source of much mysterious pain in the body because it is where nerve endings are and where cells exchange nutrients and waste products. It is soft tissue that doesn't show up on x-rays, and though bodyworkers have known about its importance for awhile, traditional medicine is just discovering its importance for our overall health. Sometimes its fluidity just gets sticky or stuck. Sometimes it adheres to other structures in the body. Teresa knows various myofascial massage techniques, having studied with John Barnes, who has pioneered work with fascia, and with Tom Meyers, who has mapped the various continuous fascial lines in the body.
The Trager Approach is a type of bodywork developed by Dr. Milton Trager. It is designed to free up the body, release muscle tension, and improve your state of mind and physical well-being. It involves gently jostling the muscle to free it from fascial adhesions. Because the Trager method is a gentle and individualized type of bodywork, it is suitable for a wide range of clients.
Polarity Therapy. Polarity therapy works to balance the body's energy between two areas of touch. It can be helpful in areas that are too tender for pressure or too deep to reach.
Aromatherapy is part of your massage unless otherwise desired. Teresa mixes various essential oils for your benefit in the diffuser, mindful of your allergies. Knowing your medical history, she applies essential oils that may improve your health as part of your massage. She uses independently certified 100% pure oils, meaning that the plants from which they come have no fertilizers or pesticides used on them, and their processing is also chemical-free. Essential oils are nature's original and powerful healing agents that western medicine is rediscovering even though they've been used for centuries to promote healing.
Hot Stone Therapy can be part of your massage with no extra charge. Heated stones are placed at specific sites on your body to deepen relaxation and promote circulation in your muscles. Muscles that are heated with these stones release tension and stress much more deeply and quickly than with a traditional massage. The overall experience is very relaxing, nurturing, and rejuvenating.
Cryotherapy is a medical word for cold therapy. Ice can be useful for injuries, inflammation, and migraines. Alternating ice and heat can reduce inflammation and oxygenate damaged tissue to speed healing.
Chair massage is something offered at events or as part of an employee appreciation day. It's a way of relieving stress and releasing tension anywhere. You receive your massage in a specialized ergonomic chair designed to travel to various locations. In addition to the usual health benefits of massage, another benefit of chair massage is that it is done over the clothing, so there's no wasted time in disrobing. Also, chair massage sessions are usually shorter than traditional massage, making it convenient enough to relieve those aching shoulders in the middle of a busy day or at a special event. If you'd like to schedule an employee health & wellness or employee appreciation day, give Teresa a call. She sometimes does free chair massages at events in order to give back to our community. The chair can also be used in the office for those unable to lie down for whatever reason.
Hot Stone Therapy can be part of your massage with no extra charge. Heated stones are placed at specific sites on your body to deepen relaxation and promote circulation in your muscles. Muscles that are heated with these stones release tension and stress much more deeply and quickly than with a traditional massage. The overall experience is very relaxing, nurturing, and rejuvenating.
Cryotherapy is a medical word for cold therapy. Ice can be useful for injuries, inflammation, and migraines. Alternating ice and heat can reduce inflammation and oxygenate damaged tissue to speed healing.
Chair massage is something offered at events or as part of an employee appreciation day. It's a way of relieving stress and releasing tension anywhere. You receive your massage in a specialized ergonomic chair designed to travel to various locations. In addition to the usual health benefits of massage, another benefit of chair massage is that it is done over the clothing, so there's no wasted time in disrobing. Also, chair massage sessions are usually shorter than traditional massage, making it convenient enough to relieve those aching shoulders in the middle of a busy day or at a special event. If you'd like to schedule an employee health & wellness or employee appreciation day, give Teresa a call. She sometimes does free chair massages at events in order to give back to our community. The chair can also be used in the office for those unable to lie down for whatever reason.