Experience the Art of Massage

Are you subject to the perils of modern life?

• Do repetitive tasks on your job contribute to chronic aches and pains?
• Is there so much stress in your life that you find yourself grinding your teeth or clenching your fists?
• Or has advancing age, an injury, or a long period of illness restricted your level of physical activity?
• Are you an athlete who would like to achieve optimum performance levels? A vocalist, looking for relaxation techniques to free your singing voice?
• Or would you simply like to pamper yourself, receiving the benefits of nurturing touch as you escape from your cares for a quite hour?

Experience a form of healing and relaxation that has been around for centuries. Experience the ART of Massage.

What Massage Can Do For You

Everyone can benefit from a professional massage. Massage therapy can provide anything from soothing relaxation to deeper therapy for specific physical problems. It can relieve your stress and anxiety, increase the nourishing blood supply to your tissues, improve your energy and alertness, and aid your recovery from pulled muscles or sprained ligaments.

There are many physical conditions where the power of massage can prove invaluable. For example, if you’re pregnant you’ll find that it can ease many of the uncomfortable stresses of child bearing, including edema, backaches, and exhaustion.

Certain repetitive motion injuries related to on-the-job activities can also be effectively relieved with massage. If you suffer from such problems as temporal mandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ) or carpal tunnel syndrome, you may find that regular massage therapy sessions can greatly reduce your pain.

Massage can also compensate, at least in part, for lack of exercise and muscular contraction if you’re a person who, because of age, injury, or illness, is forced to remain inactive. In your case, massage helps return venous blood to your heart, easing the strain on this vital organ.

A Healthy Response

Once your massage is underway, a whole range of beneficial reactions is set in motion within your body. The therapy can act as a mechanical cleanser, pushing along lymph and hastening the elimination of waste and toxic debris that are stored in your muscles. As your general circulation is stimulated, the interchange of substances between the blood and tissue cells is increased. Oxygenation of the tissues is heightened by a combination of your deep, relaxed breathing and the therapist’s stimulation of the relaxation response within your nervous system. All of these responses can help to strengthen your immune system, improve your posture, increase your joint flexibility and range of motion, and lower your blood pressure. You may even notice a healthier glow to your skin as it receives additional nourishment from the increased blood flow that stroking stimulates.

There are some instances when the use of massage might not be appropriate. If you suffer from certain circulatory ailments (such as phlebitis), infectious diseases, certain forms of cancer, cardiac problems, certain skin conditions, or any inflamed or infected tissues, be sure to consult your physician before initiating any massage program. An experienced massage therapist will also be able to tell you when massage is not indicated.

What You Can Expect

Your massage therapist will do everything possible to insure that your experience is positive and rewarding. Initially, you’ll be asked about your reasons for getting a massage, current physical condition, medical history, life-style, stress level, areas of pain, and other pertinent topics.

You’ll be asked to undress in private and drape yourself with the sheet provided by the therapist, those too shy to undress should ask about wearing loose clothing, like sweats for the massage session. You may leave your underwear off or on, at your discretion. You’ll lie down on a comfortably padded massage table. The therapist will undrape only that part of your body being massaged, insuring that your modesty is respected at all times.

You should expect a peaceful and comfortable environment for your massage. Report distractions of any kind to your therapist, whether from physical discomfort, room temperature, volume of music, or any other source.

Relax and experience the art and science of massage.