Relaxation Massage
Relaxation massage is designed to melt tension, reduce stress, and enhance your wellbeing. A sense of deep relaxation is achieved by addressing each segment of the body; including feet, face and scalp. A combination of Swedish Massage techniques are used along with hand-crafted aromatherapy blends or wild-crafted herbal products to induce a feeling of well-being and refreshment by engaging the parasympathetic nervous system.
Swedish massage is the style that comes to mind when most people think about massage. It was developed in Stockholm a couple of centuries ago and is the most common and best-known type of bodywork performed today.
The goal of Swedish Massage is to relax the entire body. This soothing modality uses long, gliding strokes, kneading, friction, and percussion to increase circulation and induce relaxation. Additional techniques include range of motion and stretching. Lotion is often used to reduce friction and stimulate the skin.
Swedish massage is exceptional for encouraging the body to enter a relaxed state. It also boosts the immune system, improves sleep and concentration, relieves soreness and fatigue, and reduces stress levels.
Therapeutic Massage
A therapeutic massage session is designed to address particular areas of concern and often begins with a clinical assessment. Work is tailored using a combination of Trigger Point Therapy, Circulatory Massage (commonly referred to as sports massage) and Deep Massage: the Lauterstein Method; a technique that is new to Ireland. These significant therapies are used in tandem with hand-crafted aromatherapy blends or wild-crafted herbal products for a holistic approach.
Deep Massage: the Lauterstein Method, was developed over a span of 20 years by one of my teachers and is a unique approach incorporating Myofascial Release, Cranial Sacral Therapy, Deep Tissue, Zero Balancing, and Rolfing.
Trigger points are tight areas or "hot spots" within the muscle. They refer and radiate much pain in the body. A trigger point in the back, for example, may cause pain in the neck. Cycles of isolated pressure and release are used during Trigger Point Therapy to alleviate the source of pain and often offer a significant decrease in pain after just one treatment
Traditional Deep Tissue massage is similar to Swedish massage but is used to target knots and release chronic muscle tension. Other benefits include reducing inflammation and helping to eliminate scar tissue. The focus is on the deepest layers of muscle tissue, tendons, and fascia (the protective layer surrounding muscles, bones and joints). Deep Tissue massage uses strokes across the grain of the muscles, not with the grain as in Swedish massage.
For more information on the various types of massage and bodywork, please see the glossary at MessageTherapy.com.
Reiki Treatment
Reiki is a gentle, yet powerful, form of touch therapy used for healing and balancing. Reiki is non-invasive, often performed without physical touch, and sessions are done with the client fully clothed. Reiki energy, (often described as `universal life energy' or `spiritual energy') is accessed by the practitioner during a treatment. It enhances the body’s natural healing ability and promotes well-being. Its origins go back to ancient Tibet, with the form known today being practiced in Japan for hundreds of years. It is believed that Reiki works at an atomic level, causing the body's molecules to vibrate at a higher intensity to dissolve energy blocks which manifest as imbalance, pain and eventually disease. Reiki Treatment sessions are combined with a subtle use of hand-crafted aromatherapy blends or wild-crafted herbal products for a holistic approach.
Birth Doula Support
What is a Birth Doula?
Doula (doo’-luh) is a Greek word referring to an experienced woman who helps other women. Today the word is used to refer to a trained person (usually a woman) who provides physical, emotional, and informational support to women and families during and after childbirth.
A birth doula assists the pregnant woman and her family in preparing and carrying out their birth plans. She stays with the laboring mother throughout the entire birth process, providing emotional and physical support and an objective viewpoint. She helps her clients get the information they need to make informed decisions.
The birth doula recognizes childbirth as a transformative life experience. Her primary objective is to nurture and protect a woman’s memory of her birth experience.
