Massage
As a Licensed Massage Therapist in Arizona, as well as Board Certified through the NCTMB, Julie addresses physical discomforts including whiplash, sciatica, frozen shoulder, muscle tension, and headaches with an array of massage techniques. Her skills range from relaxation, deep tissue, trigger point, passive and active stretching, myofacial work, positional release, reflexology, and cupping.
What is Massage Therapy?
Massage Therapy is the manipulation of soft connective tissue and includes applying pressure to areas of muscles, ligaments, tendons, and fascia to release waste that have built up through repetitive movements and postures. Pain, stiffness, and tension are symptoms alerting the nerves to communicate to the brain, that there is a problem in that area. Once the cellular waste is removed from the tissue, the circulatory system can fill the space with blood to deliver oxygen and nutrients so that the muscles can be fed and breathe again, bringing relief and more range of motion to once restricted movements.
What is Swedish Relaxation Massage?
A Swedish Massage is the term used for relaxing the nervous system through long slow sweeping motions that the therapist applies with their hands using gliding lotions along the neck, back, arms and legs. Through light compression, therapists knead and roll the muscles to encourage circulation and the movement of lymph bringing an overall sense of serenity, balance, and a return to well being. Daily life stresses feel swept away through each motion as the mind-body communication is reminded that it is safe within the nurturing care of a skilled practitioner as the client is lulled into a state of ease and comfort.
What is Therapeutic Massage?
Therapeutic Massage encompasses a blend of techniques to address both the symptoms and cause of pain a client may be experiencing due to muscle strain and fatigue. Licensed Massage Therapists have extensively studied the anatomy of the muscular system to determine the exact functions of each muscle and how they work together in teams to perform particular movements. Over time, these muscle groups may adjust to compensate for acute and chronic injuries. Additionally, many muscles may refer pain to distant areas, but can be addressed by way of applying pressure to “trigger points” within each muscle. These trigger points, also referred to as acupressure points, hold bundles of nerves. When we press on the mapped trigger point, the nerves communicate to the brain as if to say, “well, I can stay contracted and be in pain, or I can let go and feel better”. Generally, between 30 seconds to 2 minutes, the contracted muscle decides to let go, and lengthen itself to its natural proper position, bringing great relief as the rest of the muscle group can then do so as well. Positional Release may include of series of postures and stretches the client is placed into, while the therapist provides resistance as we engage the muscles to contract and then release.
What Conditions does Massage Therapy Help?
First and foremost, massage therapy is used for stress reduction, as clients are afforded the opportunity to unplug and unwind in a quiet atmosphere free from tasks and ‘to-do lists’. Most commonly, the hectic conditions of everyday life patterns lead to tension held within the neck and shoulders, which can then refer pain as headaches, with specific muscles causing specific headaches, some to the back of the head, some to the top, others to the sides, and even some referring pain to behind the eyes. When we add the prevalence of so many people in careers sitting stationary at a computer screen, with the head held in a fixed position, neck muscles may become so trained to remain in a single position without movement, that overtime, they may “lock up” during sleep, leading to waking up with a stiff neck. Massage therapy is the quickest way to bring fast relief by addressing the cause, rather than masking the symptoms of pain with over-the-counter medication. Whip lash is another condition of the neck often experienced from the trauma of a car accident or other injury of impact, which can be helped by increasing circulation and speed the recovery.
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Whether through heavy overhead lifting and exercise, or repetitive job movements, many people experience pain through compromised “rotor cuff muscles” of the shoulders. The ‘rotator cuff’ is the compilation of four muscles above, below, in front of, and behind the shoulder blade, or scapula, that are responsible for rotating the arm in all directions. Applying massage techniques to these specific muscles as well as those that assist in rotating movements, reduces pain, and aids the body to heal from injury.
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For those experiencing sciatic nerve pain that begins in the gluteal area and often radiates down the leg to the calf, there is often a muscular cause termed ‘piriformis syndrome’. The piriformis muscle is one of six muscles that cross the glutes from the head of the femur leg bone to the sacrum. Through excessive physical labor, or even excessive sitting and non-movement such as driving long distances, this muscle may become so tense and taught that it presses down on top of the sciatic nerve that runs underneath. Massage therapy loosens and softens this piriformis muscle to lift it off of the sciatic nerve.
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Common in office roles through repetitive typing, or assembly and construction jobs through grasping tools, many people experience wrist pain through strain of the carpal tunnel. Left untreated, the tightness of ligaments and tendons could lead to permanent nerve damage. Massage therapy is used to release the muscles in the forearms, wrists and hands that are responsible for the movement of each of the fingers, providing circulation, relief and the break up of scar tissue.
With over 600 muscles in the human body that work hard for us to do everything from having proper posture and standing upright, to enjoying a full spectrum of hobbies and sports, and enabling us to execute career tasks, the list is endless for how many muscular conditions can be helped with Massage therapy.
What to Expect in a Massage Therapy Treatment
After a brief check in, the therapist will leave the room while you disrobe and get onto the treatment table underneath draping of a sheet and blanket. The massage pressure should be at a comfortable and beneficial level which is different for each person, so communication is very important if it is too much or too light. Generally the therapist will ask you periodically, however feedback during your session is welcome for proper adjustments. You will always be prompted when it is time to turn over, or bolster and headrest adjustments need to be made. Some therapists also use warm towels and table warmers throughout the session and will ask if the temperature is suitable to your comfort level.
Specialized Massage Offerings
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Pre-natal Massage
Pre-natal massage is a specialized gentle therapy for those going though pregnancy and is designed to relieve pregnancy-related discomforts like back pain, swelling, and stress. Using techniques similar to Swedish massage, it focusses on the back, hips, legs, as well as the neck and shoulders. Rather than lying on the stomach, clients are positioned on their side with pillows for support, and an electric table lifts to adjust the back into an upright position for safety and comfort. Benefits of Prenatal massage include pain relief related to reduced muscle tension, backaches, and hip pain. Also reduced swelling by decreasing the edema (fluid retention), by improving circulation. Many also experience improved sleep, as massage helps combat insomnia caused by discomfort. Emotional health benefits include lower stress and anxiety.
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Hot Stone Massage
Hot Stone Massage is the application of heated smooth lava stones onto the muscles. Using Spa grade Basalt Stones for long lasting heat from the inside, these finely polished hand held stones melt tension and ease muscle soreness. Because the heat from these stones travel through the tissue, deeper layers begin to unwind and relax without having to use a lot of force. Experience the ultimate state of relaxation through the melded blend of traditional massage and Hot Basalt Lava that have been heated to the perfect 120 degree temperature stones over a 90minute full body session.
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