To learn more details about massage and our relaxation therapy services offered, click on the links below. Read about our 1st session and introduction at Infinite Kneads to get acquainted with our procedures.
Our 1st Session
Benefits of Massage Therapy
Swedish Massage
Deep Tissue/Neuromuscular Massage
CranioSacral Therapy
Hot Stone Massage
Massage for Hospice and Cancer Care
Foot Reflexology
Reiki
Intro Session
Upon entering and settling in with “Infinite Kneads,” you will be asked to fill out a brief health form. I will go over any highlights of the form with you. All procedures will be explained to you and questions are encouraged. It is my wish that you know that the session belongs to you and the control is yours.
You will be asked to undress down to your comfort level. Cover and privacy will be provided. Your comfort is foremost.
Most of my sessions start with the client face down on the table. Your position may change; dependent on your needs that day. Only the part of your body being worked on will be exposed. Each area is covered as I move on with the session.
During the session, I will check in with you from time to time. Your comfort level is always respected. You are free to speak if you wish. If the session is an hour or more, you may be asked to turn over to allow access to more areas. If your session is an energy work only session, there will be no need to disrobe.
Benefits of Massage Therapy
Massage has many important health benefits. Massage can help you maintain physical, mental and emotional well being, when it is part of your regular wellness routine.
Some of the main benefits of massage:
Relaxation
Increased body awareness
An increased sense of well being
Improved mobility
Improved blood and lymph circulation
Assists with body detox
And much more!
Swedish Massage
This is the “backbone” of massage therapy. It includes long, soothing, relaxing strokes that sooth the muscles and the mind. The massage therapist may use massage oil to facilitate smooth gliding massage strokes over the skin and muscles.
The pressure of swedish massage can be from very gentle to firm. Feel free to state your preference of pressure during the massage. Swedish massage usually includes some deeper muscle work on areas of specific tension. If you want more intensive work and firmer pressure, we may move on to deep tissue massage.
Neuromuscular Deep Tissue Massage
These modalities delve deeper into the tissue, seeking sore spots and trigger points in an attempt to enhance range of motion and to decrease pain. It is especially helpful for chronically tense and contracted areas such as stiff necks, low back tightness, and sore shoulders.
Deep tissue massage uses many of the same movements and techniques as Swedish massage, but the pressure will generally be more intense. It is a more focused type of massage, as the therapist works to release chronic muscle tension or knots.
When there is chronic muscle tension or injury, there are usually adhesions in muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Adhesions can block circulation and cause pain, limited movement, and inflammation. Deep tissue massage works by physically breaking down these adhesions to relieve pain and restore normal movement.
While deep tissue is certainly an integral modality, you should be aware that gentle styles of massage like craniosacral therapy can also produce profound release and realignment in the body. The therapist can suggest the best suited methods for your session to create the most relaxation and ease of pain for you.
CranioSacral Therapy
Developed by Dr. John Upledger, a gentle hands on method of evaluating and enhancing the function of the cranial-sacral system. http://www.upledger.com
A craniosacral therapy session involves the therapist placing their hands on the patient, which allows them to tune into the craniosacral system. By gently working with the spine, the skull and its cranial sutures, diaphragms, and fascia (connective tissue), the restrictions of nerve passages are eased, the movement of cerebrospinal fluid through the spinal cord can be optimized, and misaligned bones are said to be restored to their proper position. Using a soft touch, practitioners release restrictions in the craniosacral system to improve the functioning of the central nervous system.
By complementing the body’s natural healing processes, Craniosacral Therapy is increasingly used as a preventive measure for its ability to bolster resistance to disease, and is effective for a wide range of problems associated with pain and dysfunction.
Hot Stone Massage
Hot stone massage is one of the absolute, “yummiest” massage techniques employed at Infinite Kneads!
The session is customized by the therapist, as it flows along. The stones are natural basalt stones that are heated to between 120 degrees to 140 degrees. As I work, applying Swedish and deep tissue massage, the hot stones are picked up by me and held I my hands during the treatment. The heat from the stones assists the muscles into relaxing more quickly. In theory, the hot temperature, when applied to the skin, fools the body into releasing healing chemicals into the bloodstream. A deeply relaxed, intoxicated state is reached by the client.
Massage for Hospice & Cancer Care
It is extremely rare for massage to be contraindicated. For cancer care and Hospice I use an intuitive combination of energy work modalities. These techniques are very gentle and profoundly relaxing. Often clients are more easily able to handle the stress of treatments and hectic schedules with touch therapies.
When cancer is no longer treatable, attentive touch provides a most consoling kind of support. Massage has proven to be extremely useful for some hospice patients in managing stress and alleviating pain.
Massage is one of those human interactions which differ in their effect, depending on the intent with which they are performed and received. The reason why touch is so powerful is based on the recognition that tactile experiences are the first sensations which greet us at birth. They are also the last perceptions to leave us when we leave this world.
Massage has been proven useful as a primary or adjunct therapy for any condition that includes a stress component, and being diagnosed with possible life-threatening disease is high on any list of stress-producing events.
Foot Reflexology Massage
Your body is reflected in you feet. With over 7,000 nerve endings, the feet are very responsive to sensory input. Reflexology was used in Egypt, 5,000 years ago and practiced in ancient China as well.
Neural pathways or “reflex arcs” are stimulated to affect the various organs and areas through-out the body. Circulation of fluids and energy flow are enhanced, enabling improved body function.
The Benefits
1. It can relieve pain and stiffness caused by too much exercising or using muscle for too long.
2. It can help prevent and cure many symptoms such as headache, stress, asthma, constipation, sinusitis and migraine.
3. The blood circulation system will be boosted.
4. The body’s function will be naturally turned into its homeostasis.
Therapists may use lotion or oils for lubrication, sometimes including aromatherapy products.
Reiki Energy Therapy
Reiki (pronounced- Ray Key) 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.
Reiki encourages deep relaxation and increasing energy flow. The entire body is addressed. When seeking true health, all levels of our being must be aligned, the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual.
You can be fully clothed except for your shoes. You may also be asked to remove or loosen your belt so that your breathing is not restricted in any way. It is best to choose loose-fitting garments to wear on the day of your appointment.
Reiki is now being used in many hospitals and treatment centers as a complimentary therapy before and after traditional treatments and surgeries.