Into Balance Bodywork
relax * strengthen * heal

Massage Technique Descriptions

 

Swedish Massage uses broad, flowing strokes to promote increased circulation and encourage a profound state of relaxation and rejuvenation.  It is generally performed directly on the skin, using lotion or oil to allow for smooth kneading and gliding over muscles, ligaments, and tendons.  Clients often report feeling lighter and freer in moving, and experience improved sleep and better stress-management, following a Swedish massage.

 

Myofascial/Trigger Point Therapy uses deep, concentrated pressure to release ‘trigger points’ in muscles.  Trigger points are painful, irritated muscle fibers that are stuck in constant contraction, often described as “knots” by clients.  Myofascial/Trigger Point Therapy is helpful in treating tissue injuries, trauma, or overuse by breaking up scar tissue, increasing circulation, and decreasing the pain associated with the contracted section of muscle.  Trigger Points often refer pain to another area of the body; for instance, carpal tunnel/wrist problems often originate in (or are aggravated by) trigger points found the neck muscles.

 

Craniosacral Therapy uses a very gentle, light touch to access and correct restrictions in the Craniosacral system, the body’s physiological system responsible for production, circulation, and absorption of Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF).  This is the fluid that circulates around and through the brain and spinal cord, and nourishes the entire nervous system.  I believe Craniosacral Therapy bridges the palpable, embodied Cerebrospinal Fluid, with the connected yet often esoteric energy systems that surround and traverse our bodies and minds. This work is both grounding and otherworldly--truly an expansive exploration of the human body-mind.  It is used to treat a wide range of conditions, including (but not limited to): headaches, migraine, injury, emotional stress, insomnia, ADHD, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, neck and low back pain, and TMJ.

 

Lymph massage is a very relaxing, light-touch technique that dramatically enhances lymph production and movement in both the superficial and deep aspects of the lymph system. The purposeful movement of lymph improves immunity, reduces stress, decreases recovery time from injury or surgery, reduces edema, and activates the parasympathetic nervous system. It is very helpful in relieving hand, foot, and limb swelling experienced during pregnancy, and it can assist recovery from common viruses, sinus infections, and respiratory infections/flu. Lymph massage can also help improve digestion, while supporting overall stress-reduction and relaxation.

 

Tui Na has been used in China for over 2,000 years on people of all ages, combining manual massage, stretching, joint mobilization, and acupressure, with strokes similar to Western massage modalities. The purpose of this therapeutic medical massage is to enhance the flow of the body’s vital energy, or qi, by removing obstructions along the energy meridians and reducing inflammation throughout the body. When the qi flows freely and is in balance, the body is empowered to heal itself and remove the condition causing pain.

 

Sports Massage uses specific strokes to help athletes, dancers, runners, bikers, skiers, physical laborers, musicians, team and individual sports participants, gym enthusiasts, and others who regularly push their physical limits through movement. Sports Massage received pre-event, post-event, and throughout a training program increases circulation, and helps prepare muscles (pre-event), relaxes muscles and promotes healing (post-event), and maintains strength and flexibility, preventing and/or managing injury as training continues.

 

 

Questions?  Contact Jen:

jen.intobalance@gmail.com