MODALITIES
Eastern
Eastern ideas of health and wellness have manifested themselves in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). It is a complete system of health care with its own unique theories of anatomy, health, and treatment. It emphasizes diet and prevention and using acupuncture, herbal medicine, massage, and exercise; and focuses on stimulating the body's natural curative powers. In TCM, both philosophically and medically, moderation in all things is advocated, as is living in harmony with nature and striving for balance in all things.
TUINA
TuiNa is a Chinese system of massage, acupoint stimulation, and manipulation using forceful maneuvers, including pushing, rolling, kneading, rubbing, and grasping. It is based on the principles of yin-yang, the five elements, and a meridian view of the body. The goal is to encourage free flow of qi by manipulating the joints, viscera, and soft tissue. This Chinese system of bodywork has the goal of impacting circulatory flow and chi to improve general function and enhance resistance to disease.
This massage style, much like any other, can be very deep and vigorous, mild and gentle or any where in between depending on the needs and desires of the client.
FIRE CUPPING
Fire Cupping is an ancient healing technique being documented in China as far back as 1000 BC and in Ancient Egypt as far back as 1550 BC. The procedure increases blood flow to the specific areas cupped and relieves tension in the fascia and musculature. First a light coat of oil is applied to the area, then the interior of a specialized glass cup is rapidly heated with an alcohol soaked cotton ball held by forceps. The cup is then quickly place on the skin where the cooling air inside causes a light vacuum to occur. Multiple cups are usually used and they can be stationary or moved around depending on what is needed. Afterwards, the skin is usually left looking discolored. This is the normal therapeutic response as cellular waste is drawn to the skin surface and is more akin to a hicky rather than a bruise. The marks will usually disappear within a few days after treatment.
GUA SHA
Gua Sha is a traditional Chinese medical treatment using palpation and cutaneous stimulation where the skin is pressured, in strokes, by a round-edged instrument. This can result in the appearance of small red dots called "sha" that will fade in 2 to 3 days. Much like Cupping, it is used to bring toxins to the skin's surface in injured areas, stimulate blood flow and healing and release fascial restrictions. The patient can experience immediate relief from pain and stiffness.
WRINKLE REDUCTION
With this very old Gua Sha technique from China, facial wrinkles are lightly rubbed with a small tool to gradually and painlessly erase them. This is a special program done for short time (usually only 15 minutes) over a period of 3 to 6 months.
Western Techniques
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Swedish Massage - This is the most common form of massage. It's aim is relaxation utilizing long, gliding strokes.
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Deep Tissue - This is similar to Swedish but utilizes deeper pressure to releive tension and fascial adhesions at the deepest layers.
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Myofascial Release - This technique is focuses on releasing the constriction in fascial tissue through holding pressure over a longer period of time, usually 2 to 10 minutes.
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CranioSacral - This is a gentle technique that can bring deep relaxation through the release of contriction in the dural tube that contains the Craniosacral (Dural) fluid via extended holds.