Overview of what to expect for each service offered FAQ-Starting point for information most commonly requested

Time Frames
~15 minutes- Ideal for the quick lunch break de-stress , one specific area of tension, or to simply try out massage and to see if the techniques used are suitable to you. You will remain fully dressed. Also recommended for children between ages 2-8 years old.
~30 minutes- Special focus on one or two specific areas of tension, OR a brief full body massage. If you opt for the full body version, we will not be able to adequately focus on any specific areas of tension. Suitable for children 9-14 years old.
~60 minutes- Specific work on 2-3 tension areas, and/or full body massage for relaxation.
~90 minutes/2 hours- Recommended for those who have chronic tension in several areas that need to be addressed, in addition to simply to relaxing for a longer period of time. Also recommended for Therapeutic/Assisted Stretching Sessions, however Stretching may be done in any time frame.

Massage Parties~ Please see “On-Site Options” page for more details.

Sports Massage

(See also “Benefits of Massage page)
Swedish massage is more beneficial then the rest for tissue recovery. Sports massage is more beneficial than Swedish massage because it increases blood flow for a longer duration.
Sports massage is actually a variety of techniques and modalities, which may include:
- Neuromuscular Therapy (NMT)
- Myofascial Release (MFR)
- Trigger Point Therapy
- Massage with active and passive engagement of the muscles
- Stretching techniques such as Range Of Motion exercises and Muscle Energy techniques (PNF/“Sports Stretching”)
- Hydrotherapy (ice & heat)

Event Massage
Performed at your sporting event and used to compliment, (not replace), your warm up and cool down.
- Pre-Event: Helps the muscles to function more efficiently and less prone to injury.
- Post-Event: Assists in recovery from activity.

- Maintenance: Addresses specific muscle imbalance and injury (by keeping the muscles flexible and hydrated) and aids in your body's own healing process.
- Injuries can be acute or chronic
- Acute injuries (strains/sprains) are best treated with R.I.C.E. (Rest, Ice, Compression & Elevation) for the first 24 to 48 hours. After that, massage is beneficial.
- Chronic injuries are generally from micro-tearing in the muscles, lesions and adhesions. Sports massage is exceptionally beneficial to bring the muscles into a balanced state.
- Adhesions/Scarring - If there is insufficient movement, the tissues will heal but will be restricted/ “glued together” and poorly adapted and prone to re-injury. [Sports massage is beneficial for anyone from the professional athlete to the weekend warrior, or anyone that has repetitive movement from their work or other hobbies. Anyone with injuries, muscular imbalance or who prefers a massage that is less sedating than a traditional Swedish Massage. Sports massage is more interactive, client gives feedback throughout the session and some of the movements require active and passive movements on the part of the client.]

Deep Tissue Massage
A variety of techniques are used and there is a focus on bringing the body back into balance by massaging and stretching the muscles that have "shortened" in a different ratio to those that have "lengthened", rather than massaging each side equally as in traditional massage for relaxation purposes. Everyday stress, injuries, trauma, repetitive motions, poor posture and walking patterns all create imbalances or distortions in the body. Imbalances lead to aches and pains, which if left untreated may result in physical dysfunction. Seemingly innocent habits can create these imbalances. Over time, tension will be felt in the muscles and movement will be limited. During deep tissue massage, a mild amount of discomfort may be felt in areas of tension to create the changes in muscles - too little pressure will not elicit a response from the tissues, however too much pressure and the body will consider it an intrusion, tightening up even more. Thus, deep tissue massage is much more interactive than a relaxation massage. Communication between the client and therapist is extremely important in order to remain within the comfort level of the client. Generally those who will choose this type of session have been in discomfort for a while, have previous injuries or tend to carry a lot of tension in their muscles and are looking to get to the cause of their pain. Many of these techniques are often employed in "sports massage". This type of work enhances and compliments Chiropractic treatments very well.

Therapeutic/Assisted Stretching
I have blended components of Myofascial Release, PNF (Sports) Stretching, Stretches for Repetitive Strain Injuries, and Thai-Yoga movements to create this modality, which facilitates healing and flexibility in the body. The client remains mostly passive while I support their body and assist throughout the various stretches.
This will significantly improve flexibility and range of motion. Exceptionally beneficial for athletes and anyone who is in a "repetitive movement" line of work, and those who suffer from chronic tension or stiffness. Beneficial and appropriate for any level of flexibility.
You may choose to experience this as a service in itself, in which you are fully dressed in workout-type clothes; or selected techniques can be used during your regular massage session.

Raindrop Technique

Raindrop Technique This a method of using particular massage techniques, reflexology, Vita Flex, hot towels and carefully selected essential oils applied on various locations of the body to bring it structural and electrical alignment. It is designed to bring balance to the body with its relaxing and mild application. It will help align the energy centers of the body and release them if blocked, without using hard pressure or trying to force the body to change.
This technique will strengthen your immune system, provide a deep cleanse, and is appropriate for facilitating healing for almost any health condition! Massage movements are only on the back, neck and feet. This technique may be done on its own, (60 minutes) or in addition to a full massage session. We may also do a “Mini Raindrop” for 30 minutes in conjunction to an hour massage.

Bach Flower Remedies

The Bach Flower Essences, discovered and brought to us by Dr. Edward Bach, help to balance our emotions, thus creating balance in our bodies, and our lives. The premise is that all physical ailments have an emotional component attached to them. (Think of “the weight of the world on your shoulders, providing you with nice, stiff, achy shoulders!) For this 60 minute session, we begin with a consultation. Essentially, you will talk for about 20-30 minutes about what issue(s) are on your mind at that moment. (Issues, challenges and emotions may vary from week to week). I will then ask some questions and take some notes, and together we will make your personal Bach Flower Remedy. We can use up to 7 essences in one formula, so if we come up with more emotions/essences than 7, we will go back over our list, and decide which is most pertinent for you, at this moment. You will receive your complimentary bottle of your remedy, which you take 4 drops under your tongue or in a glass of water, at least 4x a day. A bottle usually lasts about 3 weeks, depending on how often you use it. Remember, it is important to do 4x a day, and not 16 drops at once. It is the repetition, and awareness that also helps the process. It is also helpful to state a positive affirmation as you are taking your remedy. The effects may be subtle over a length of time, or more substantial very quickly. This will vary from person to person, or with the same person but with different issues. You may receive the same formula for several sessions, or you may overcome one issue, and like the peeling of an onion, uncover another. This is helpful for muscle or other body issues, or simply for those emotional in nature. (Please note that if you need more in depth assistance with your emotions, that you may consider a qualified counselor or Rubenfeld Synergist to aid you). The remedies are very safe, and do not interfere with medications. The ‘worst’ that may happen is that it doesn’t seem to work. (Remember, some effects are very subtle, so you may not notice it working until later, and you notice you aren’t feeling in a way that doesn’t serve you well, or your aches don’t seem “so bad”…)

Bach Flower Remedies are also very beneficial for animals. For fears, aggression, behavioral issues, etc. We would go over a sheet to match up various behaviors and what they represent, and how it would help your special friend. We can also muscle test, using you or another person as a “proxy” and see which essence would be most beneficial.

For those who have heard only briefly of Bach Flower Remedies, you may have heard of “Rescue Remedy”. This is a formula that the institute came up with that is specific to various trauma and fear. I have used this numerous times with great success (along with personal formulas). I used the Rescue Remedy when my Mom was dying in the hospital, putting it on her skin as well as taking it myself and for family~ It helped to keep her calm, and my one sister said it alleviated her pounding headache by the second dose. I use it for my animal family when it thunders outside, and when we received a new addition to the family. I have made numerous personal remedies, and it never ceases to amaze me the awareness it provides for various issues, and overcoming them. There is also a learning that each essence corresponds with certain body parts. I am studying this now, and so far, it has been extremely accurate! I am very excited to be able to use this exceptional tool as part of my “balance” program to bring to everyone!

Pregnancy/MaternityMassage
(See also “Benefits Of Massage”/Pregnancy Massage section)

Safe for all stages of a healthy pregnancy, even during labor and delivery! Please check with your physician before making your appointment. Client is placed in a side-lying position with pillows for support. Special attention is given to any areas of discomfort. Most often these areas are the upper back and shoulders, lower back, feet and forearms/hands. In my personal experience in providing Pregnancy Massage, I have had clients tell me that they had a much easier time with their pregnancy while receiving monthly or bi-weekly massages. One client had resolved her ligament pain after one session! I massaged my sister during the delivery of her daughter and it helped in keeping her calm, and the leg that I held/massaged was less sore the next day then the leg held by the medical assistant! Sometimes the baby will get more active during the session and sometimes they quiet down. A set of twins actually KICKED me while I was massaging their mom's back!

Conditions where massage is contraindicated for pregnancy:
- Deep Vein Thrombosis
- Varicose Veins
- Pre-eclampsia/Eclampsia
- or any Edema with unknown Cause

Reflexology Foot Massage
45 Minutes - consists of an exfoliating sea salt scrub, hot towel foot wrap, foot massage with pressure point work, and is completed with a brief hand and neck massage to feel totally balanced and relaxed.

Scalp, Face and Neck Rejuvenation
45 Minutes-Release the tension held in these areas that may cause headaches, TMJ strain, and sinus pain. Heated towels and stones, Apricot Kernel and Jojoba oils are used to help you feel relaxed and rejuvenated, while special techniques are utilized to relieve chronic tension that is typically held above the shoulders (Please note that this is not a "facial").

Massage Enhancements
These enhancements do exactly that...enhance your overall massage experience, and create even more relaxation in the body and mind.

Heated Oil Scalp Massage.
I use pure Jojoba oil, which is exceptionally beneficial for the hair and scalp. (You will definitely leave with messy hair!) This treatment feels incredibly nurturing and sedating. It is completed with a hot towel head wrap so the oil will penetrate the hair shaft. It is recommended to leave the oil on the hair for an hour or two after you leave the office. (Not recommended to book this treatment if you need to be somewhere important soon after!)
~Heated Healing Stone Enhancement
This is based on my training in "LaStone" massage. I can incorporate heated stones throughout your regularly scheduled massage. The heat and energy of the stones helps to relax the muscles and soothe the nerves, and helps to give you more grounded feeling during and after your massage.Please request a free sample when booking your appointment!)

~Aromatherapy
I have blends and individual oils that you can choose from to enhance the benefits of your massage, or select a single essence. One aspect of Aromatherapy is the simple pleasure of the aroma and "Memory Response". When you smell a certain scent during a particular situation, and then you smell it again at a later time, your body and mind will "go back " to that original time. (Think of Grandma's cookies baking, or medicinal smell of a doctor's office). SO~ using Aromatherapy will help you to go into a relaxed state whenever you smell the "scent" that you chose for your massage.
The second aspect of Aromatherapy, is that it is made up of "Essential Oils" from various plants. These essences have healing qualities in them. We can use certain oils that will help relax the muscles, invigorate the mind, or have more soothing qualities.
~Back, foot, or hand polish.
This is an abbreviated "Salt Glow", for those particular areas that tend to get more dry and chapped, or, as with the back, the skin may get "congested" and prone to break outs or flakiness. This helps to exfoliate the dead skin, leaving it softer and smoother. It is also very relaxing and sedating. (The foot polish is already added onto the Reflexology treatment!)
~Dry Skin Brushing
Performed with textured gloves; exfoliates skin and stimulates blood and lymph flow. Invigorating and relaxing at the same time. Great for the immune system.

~Guided Imagery
This is performed at the beginning of your appointment. I begin with your head nestled between my hands, using the energy balancing of Reiki. Then I verbally ‘take you’ to a place the you tell me ahead of time that would be relaxing to you ( the Caribbean, the mountains, a favorite room…) then I move into an issue that you would like to work on in a positive manner ( less stress, healthy body, letting go, body image, releasing judgment…the possibilities are endless). We would focus on the positive of what you want to achieve, rather than the negative of what you want to get rid of (i.e. if you want to get rid of pain, we would name your pain—perhaps if feels like a “vice” on your shoulder. We would visually unwind the vice and maybe gently push it off into an ocean…then focus on having good health, rather than give the pain more attention…). One benefit besides the deep relaxation is that it helps relieve some of the mental “chatter” in our minds before the massage begins, so that the rest of the massage is more restful, and you are able to focus more on the movements, or the relaxation rather than your to do list, or any issues and challenges that you may be facing.

~Animal Massage
This is more of a brief lesson to show you how to massage your special friend. I can do this at my office for a 15-30 minute session (depending on the size of the animal) and I also add Reiki energy work while I do the hands on segment. I can also provide this at your location when you schedule an onsite massage party or housecall (2 hour minimum for total service/ again 15-30 minutes for each pet). This could simply be for soothing purposes for a distressed pet, or for muscular/hip issues. As with a human with special needs/ailments receiving massage who may need a doctor’s clearance, if you have any concerns with your pet’s health, please consult your veterinarian to be sure that massage is not contraindicated for your pet.

~Wellness Workshops
“On-Site Options” and “Lessons/Workshops” pages for more complete descriptions.

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