FAQ’s About Massage Therapy
What is Massage Therapy?
Massage Therapy uses many different techniques and oils or crèmes on the muscles and soft tissue structures of the body to prevent and alleviate pain, discomfort, muscle spasm and stress as well as promote health and well being. It is a wonderful adjunct to treat chronic pain and injuries, improve athletic performance or facilitate deep relaxation.
How Does Massage Therapy Benefit Me?
Massage can benefit you by:
- Increasing flexibility in joints and muscles
- Relieve muscle tension and stiffness
- Increasing range of motion
- Improve blood and lymph circulation
- Reducing blood pressure
- Decreasing overall stress
What Conditions Has Massage Therapy Been Known to Help?
Massage can help a wide range of medical conditions including:
- Allergies
- Arthritis
- Chronic and temporary pain
- Headaches
- Anxiety
- Digestive Disorders
- Sports injuries
- Stress
- Insomnia
- Sinusitis
What Types of Massage are offered at Wellness Springs?
We offer:
- Swedish – A system of various “strokes” using oil which relaxes tense or spastic muscles, increases joint range of motion, soothes the nervous system, reduces swelling and assists in removal of toxins from the tissues. Very therapeutic as well as great for stress relief.
- Aromatherapy – An ancient tradition of adding pure essential plant oils with massage therapy. Essential oils initiate the healing experience in the most primal parts of our brain and can evoke our body’s healing response in the deepest way possible.
- Pre- and Post-natal – Gentle techniques that are designed especially for the special needs of pregnancy and right after delivery. Our staff is specially trained to relieve areas of tension and discomfort, reduce swelling and re-vitalize your body. There is no better time when massage is more needed and effective!
- Deep Tissue/Sports – Similar to Swedish, with very specific attention to deeper muscles and connective tissue for relief of chronic tension and pain which results from over-use, athletic training or chronic stress.
- In Sports massage, the therapist works according to the needs of the athlete and the type of sport. Treatment is designed to help prepare an athlete for an event and to help him or her to recover.
- Lymphatic Drainage (Pre/Post Surgical) – Gentle massage techniques designed specifically to enhance flow throughout the body's lymphatic channels. This form of massage can help to prevent or reduce; swelling, edema, puffiness in the face after cosmetic or dental surgery, and may be used after surgeries where lymphatic tissues and/or nodes have been removed.
- Le Stone – Using hot and cold stones on key energy points on the body and during the massage, this technique is both deeply relaxing and invigorating. Warm stones help to ease tension, cool stones quiet area of chronic discomfort. If you enjoy massage and want a unique experience, this is for you!
- Couples Side-by- Side massage - The massage of your choice for you and your partner done simultaneously in our couples massage room. Perfect for an anniversary or to begin a romantic evening.
- Reflexology – Based on the theory that reflex zones on the ear, foot and hand correspond to organs and regions of the body. Massage of these points are said to improve circulation, eliminate toxins and reduce stress. Wonderful when combined with a facial or body treatment.
- Reiki – A gentle, subtle laying-on of hands to move the body’s universal life energy to relieve physical, emotional and spiritual “blockages”. Treatment is performed clothed and is often experienced as a tingling, warm sensation throughout the body.
- Cranio-sacral – A very gentle manipulation of the joints of the skull which alters the flow of cerebrospinal fluid around the brain and vertebral column. This therapy has been effective in reducing chronic pain such as TMJ dysfunction, migraine headaches, depression and ringing in the ears. It results in a deep sense of balance and relaxation.
- Shiatsu – An ancient technique using pressure on acupuncture points to move and balance the body’s vital energy, or chi. It is performed clothed and has a profound healing effect on the body, mind and spirit.
There is no need to “choose” a type of massage. All of our massage therapists are NY State licensed, highly skilled professionals who are especially trained to evaluate and meet your needs with individualized sessions using a variety of the techniques described above.
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How Does Massage Feel?
Massage on healthy tissue feels good and very relaxing. Working into an area of an injury or chronic pain may cause some discomfort at first, but will lessen gradually as the therapist continues working.
If you feel discomfort at any time during the massage, you should inform the therapist so that they can adjust their pressure to better suit your needs. Your comfort is our top priority!
What is the First Appointment Like?
You should plan to arrive a few minutes early to fill out paperwork so that the massage therapist has an accurate account of any medical conditions and understands your needs fully.
For a full body massage, you will be asked to undress to your level of comfort. You will lie on a table and be covered by a sheet or towel except for the area being worked on at that time (i.e.: back, arm, neck…) The room will be warm and quiet and soothing music will be playing softly in the background.
Do I Need to do Anything During the Massage?
Just make yourself comfortable and relax. You may close your eyes and relax and remain quiet or you may talk. It is up to you, it is your massage, feel free to ask questions at any time.
What Should I Expect Afterwards?
Massage can be profoundly relaxing. After an initial period of feeling slowed down, you may experience an increase in energy. You should feel relief from aches and pains as well as great stress relief. Drinking water will help flush out any toxins that have been released into the system during massage.
What is the difference between swedish, aromatherapy and deep tissue massage?
The classic Swedish massage uses gentle to moderate pressure with long relaxing rolling strokes and specially blended massage oils and creams to promote relaxation and wellness.
An aromatherapy massage combines these techniques with the proven effectiveness of potent organic and bio-dynamically grown herbs found in Jurlique’s pure aromatherapy products.
The deep tissue massage is a deeper, firmer therapy that utilizes techniques that release chronic pain and muscle tension. This type of massage aims to manipulate fascia and connective tissue and will be more intense than other forms of massage. We recommend clients first experience a milder form of massage to gauge their tolerance to deep work.
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