massage modalities
Massage
Massage is defined as the systematic manual or mechanical manipulation of the soft tissues of the body for therapeutic purposes. There are many benefits to massage including the relief of pain and tension in the body, the increase of mobility and flexibility, even boosting the immune system, as well as promoting relaxation and reducing stress.
Stress causes an increase in hormones in the body which can cause headaches, muscle aches and weakness, weight gain, digestive issues and problems sleeping. Massage can not only help with stress relief, but regular massage therapy sessions can increase physical and emotional well being and boost energy levels.
Other benefits from regular massage therapy sessions are lower blood pressure, increased circulation, a decrease of inflammation, improved muscle tone, posture and gait.
Customize Your Session
Can't decide on which service or treatment to get? No worries. We can customize your session to include different treatments in order to maximize the results and the way you feel.
Relaxation Massage
This style of massage generally uses softer or gentler and slower techniques. Some of these techniques are from Swedish massage, such as effleurage. This massage has the intention of easing the mind and body of stress and tension without any specific therapeutic benefit. It's perfect for the busy person or the busy minded person.
Therapeutic Massage
Therapeutic Massage is defined as the manipulation of soft tissue (muscles, fascia, lymph, etc.) to restore normal systemic and biochemical function or use. This is often used in medical settings and is used in massage studios like this one. Therapeutic Massage is more detailed with a ameliorative intention. A lot of massage modalities can be classified as therapeutic, including those listed below.
Sports Massage
Sports Massage is used to increase athletic performance and physical recovery. There are three types of Sports Massage: pre-event, post-event and treatment of injury. Both pre and post-event massage are performed and the sight of the event with the client usually fully clothed. Using fast and stimulating motions, it helps increase blood flow, warm and stimulate muscles and allows the athlete time to mentally focus on their event. Massage is beneficial to an injured athlete by increasing healing time and quality.
Deep Tissue
Deep Tissue Massage can be misinterpreted by many clients as well as some therapists. It is not just "punching into the muscles" and it is definitely not meant to bring the client pain. Deep Tissue uses broader, slower strokes and techniques in order to work through superficial layers of muscles, allowing for the manipulation of the deeper layers of tissue. This is why forearms, elbows and fists are commonly used in this style of massage.
Trigger Point Therapy
Trigger points are a contraction in the muscle that restricts the blood flow into that muscle, retaining toxins and causing pain. Trigger Point Therapy focuses on the applying of direct pressure to a trigger point, also known as a knot, to release the tension in the muscle, also releasing the toxins, allowing for better function in the musculature.
Swedish
Swedish Massage is most likely the type of massage that you are familiar with. It is the most common style of massage in western culture. Long, soft strokes and kneading, percussion and tapping are used. This massage can blend the best of Relaxation and Therapeutic quite perfectly.
Myofascial Release
Myofascial (my-o-FASH-e-ul) Release is an effective technique that focuses on pain that arises from the tightening myofascial tissue. This tissue is the tough membranes that interconnect, wrap and support your muscles.
Myofascial pain can differ from other types of pain because it originates in trigger points imbedded within the myofascial tissue. The pain that those trigger points cause can often be difficult to pinpoint.
It involves applying gentle to deep sustained pressure into the myofascial areas that feel stiff and rigid in order to make them more flexible and movable to eliminate pain and restore motion.
Reflexology
Reflexology is based on the ancient Chinese belief in qi (pronounced “chee”), or “vital energy.” Qi flows through every physical body. When there is stress, injury or ailment in the body, the body blocks the flow of qi. This continued imbalance in the body leads to further illness. Reflexology is practiced with the intention of maintaining the flow of qi through the body, keeping it balanced and disease free.
Reflexology uses compression techniques on the feet, hands and ears that correspond to the organs and functions throughout the body. Reflexologists use maps of these points to decide where to apply pressure, stimulating the body's own ability to heal.The most common technique used is referred to as finger walking.
Prenatal
Prenatal Massage is very much like any other massage with the exception that it is performed during pregnancy. It has the same goals of achieving relaxation and relief of the tension, aches and pains of the soft tissues in the body. Specific care and positioning on the table is used, especially after the first trimester. Massage techniques are adjusted to accommodate the mother to be. Generally, a lighter touch is used.
massage enhancements
Localized Cupping Therapy
This Treatment is an ancient Chinese Therapy that uses suction on the surface of the skin to create energy flow, blood circulation and releases the fascia, or interconnective tissue, allowing the muscles more space to move. Here at Daivim, we use cupping as an addition treatment along with massage therapy, stretch therapy or reiki. Here, cupping is applied locally to a specific area, usually your "problem areas", in order to enhance your session.
Localized Vibration Therapy
In 1867 Gustav Zander, Russian physician and inventor, used weights and pulleys to create a mechanism that applied the sense of vibration for therapeutic purposes. Dr. John Harvey Kellogg implemented vibration therapy in his health practice in 1895. Russian astronauts who were affected with bone loss and fractures were treated with vibration therapy to help increase bone mass and strengthen muscles. Even NASA continues to use vibration therapy to help prevent bone loss.
Although Vibration Therapy has been around for over a century and a half, the advancements in technology have come a long way. The most common form we see today is in the form of "massage guns"
or tools that are used at home or in massage practices like this one.
During localized vibration therapy, a hand-held device is placed on specific parts of the body; the back or thigh, for example. The vibrations are transferred to the muscles, causing them to contract and relax. This (immediately, in most cases) provides a release of tension and pain. Certain types of vibration may also cause your body to produce more osteoblasts, which are cells that produce bone.
stretch therapy
Assisted Stretch (PNF, MET)
All forms of stretch can be beneficial to the body, as well as the mind and the soul. Assisted Stretch, in particular, is especially therapeutic when performed by a qualified, licensed professional. Utilizing techniques from passive stretching and PNF, the therapist stretches the clients muscles in a systematic and specific manner, deliberately flexing and stretching them with little or no assistance from the client. Assisted Stretch increases flexibility and range of motion, relieves muscle fatigue, releases stress stored in the muscles and joints, reduces joint inflammation and reduces potential injury. Assisted stretch can be incorporated in any massage session or can be performed as a full session treatment.
thai massage
Classic Thai Massage
Thai massage or Thai yoga massage, which originated in India, has been around for over 2,500 years. Originally regarded as a healing art, traditional Thai massage includes influences from both Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine, combining acupressure, Indian Ayurvedic principles, and assisted yoga postures. It is also inspired by Buddhist teachings. Thai massage looks like a cross between acupressure, yoga and zen shiatsu.
Unlike Swedish or typical Western style massages, it doesn’t involve lying on a massage table while a massage therapist applies lotion or oil to the body and manipulates the soft tissue and pressure points.
Instead, you lie fully clothed on a mat on the ground while a practitioner uses compression, stretching, pulling, and rocking techniques to relieve tension, promote relaxation, and improve flexibility and circulation. The massage consists of slow, rhythmic compressions and stretches along the body's energy lines, called sen. Over 70,000 sen are said to exist within the body, and Thai massage concentrates on applying pressure along 10 of the most important sen, using the palms of the hands, thumbs, elbows, and feet. The effort from the practitioner works to free tension within the body. Practitioners also position the body into yoga-like poses and gently rock the body to open the joints and facilitate limbering.Sometimes referred to as assisted yoga, Thai massage is focused on improving the flow of energy throughout your body. One of the most important principles of Thai massage is the continuous flow of sequential movements that prepares the client for the next step in the massage. The practitioner is always aware of his position so that an uninterrupted slow rhythm is maintained. Deep, sustained pressure ensures that the myofascia, or the muscle's connective tissue, soften and relax in order to release the flow of energy along the sen, and to prepare the client for the large-scale stretches that follow.
There are two styles of practice, Northern (Chiangmai ) and Southern (Bangkok). The former is considered gentler. The latter is faster and sometimes more intense. The Southern style is more widely used in Thailand, while the Northern style has become popular in the united States.
Among many other benefits, Thai massage relieves headaches, eases back pain, increases mobility and flexibility, reduces pain, stiffness and inflammation the muscles and joints, eases anxiety and revives energy.
Precautions
While some of the pressure techniques used in Thai massage may seem too penetrating to many, most can adjust to it quickly. For those who are frail or stiff, a skilled practitioner will be able to adjust all of the soft tissue and manipulation work to their level of comfort.
reiki
Reiki
This explanation has been taken from the homepage of reiki.org, as I find it is a wonderful description of the practice.
Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. It is administered by "laying on hands" and is based on the idea that an unseen "life force energy" flows through us and is what causes us to be alive. If one's "life force energy" is low, then we are more likely to get sick or feel stress, and if it is high, we are more capable of being happy and healthy.
The word Reiki is made of two Japanese words - Rei which means "God's Wisdom or the Higher Power" and Ki which is "life force energy". So Reiki is actually "spiritually guided life force energy."
A treatment feels like a wonderful glowing radiance that flows through and around you. Reiki treats the whole person including body, emotions, mind and spirit creating many beneficial effects that include relaxation and feelings of peace, security and wellbeing. Many have reported miraculous results.
Reiki is a simple, natural and safe method of spiritual healing and self-improvement that everyone can use. It has been effective in helping virtually every known illness and malady and always creates a beneficial effect. It also works in conjunction with all other medical or therapeutic techniques to relieve side effects and promote recovery.
An amazingly simple technique to learn, the ability to use Reiki is not taught in the usual sense, but is transferred to the student during a Reiki class. This ability is passed on during an "attunement" given by a Reiki master and allows the student to tap into an unlimited supply of "life force energy" to improve one's health and enhance the quality of life.
Its use is not dependent on one's intellectual capacity or spiritual development and therefore is available to everyone. It has been successfully taught to thousands of people of all ages and backgrounds