What to Expect During a Massage:

1. My first goal: To make you as comfortable as possible
2. My office provides a calm, relaxing atmosphere
3. I will ask you to fill out a one-page history information sheet
4. I will develop a plan for your session and ask for your approval, and discuss your expectations and needs
5. You will be allowed to undress in private, and climb onto the massage table underneath a sheet
6. I will keep you covered the entire time and there is no need to remove your underwear if you do not wish to do so
7. During the massage, I will invite you to ask for more or less pressure in certain areas
8. At the end of your massage you will dress in private and will be given a bottle of water for your drive home
9. Communication is important and is key to receiving a great massage
10. Leave relaxed, refreshed and ready to take on the world!

• Neuromuscular Therapy:

The most effective type of massage therapy for lower back pain is neuromuscular therapy. Neuromuscular therapy is also called trigger point myotherapy. The American Academy of Pain Management recognizes this form of massage therapy as an effective treatment for back pain caused by soft tissue injury (such as a muscle strain).

Neuromuscular therapy consists of alternating levels of concentrated pressure on the areas of muscle spasm. The massage therapy pressure is usually applied with the fingers, knuckles, or elbow. Once applied to a muscle spasm, the pressure should not vary for ten to thirty seconds.

Muscles that are in spasm will be painful to the touch. The pain is caused by ischemic muscle tissue. Ischemia means the muscle is lacking proper blood flow, usually due to the muscle spasm. This in turn creates the following undesirable process:
Because the muscle is not receiving enough blood, the muscle is also not receiving enough oxygen.
The lack of oxygen causes the muscle to produce lactic acid.
The lactic acid makes the muscle feel sore following physical activity.
After the muscle is relaxed through massage therapy, the lactic acid will be released from the muscle, and the muscle should start receiving enough blood and oxygen.

Neuromuscular therapy will feel painful at first, but the pressure of the massage should alleviate the muscle spasm. At this point, it is extremely important to communicate with the massage therapist regarding the pressure - whether the pressure is too much, too little, getting better, getting worse. The therapist should listen and respond accordingly. The massage therapy pressure should never be overly painful. In fact, most people describe the pressure as “good pain”.
Following a neuromuscular therapy massage, any soreness that presents itself should fade after twenty-four to thirty-six hours. The muscles that were tight should remain noticeably more relaxed for four to fourteen days, depending on stress, activity level, and severity of back pain prior to beginning massage therapy.

• Swedish Massage:

What is a Swedish Massage?

The term "Swedish Massage" refers to a variety of techniques specifically designed to relax muscles by applying pressure to them against deeper muscles and bones, and rubbing in the same direction as the flow of blood returning to the heart.

Swedish massage was developed in the 1700's by a Swedish doctor named Per Henrik Ling.

Purpose of Swedish Massage?

The main purpose of Swedish massage is to increase the oxygen flow in the blood and release toxins from the muscles.

Swedish massage shortens recovery time from muscular strain by flushing the tissues of lactic acid, uric acid, and other metabolic wastes. It increases circulation without increasing heart load. It stretches the ligaments and tendons keeping them supple and pliable. Swedish Massage also stimulates the skin and nervous system and soothes the nerves themselves at the same time. It reduces stress, both emotional and physical, and is suggested in a regular program for stress management. It also has many specific medical uses.

• "On-Site" Chair Massage

In addition to my table work, I offer on-site chair massage by pre-arrangement. On-site chair massage, also known as corporate chair massage, is perfect for companies who like to make something special available to their employees (employer funded or employees pay for their own sessions), for group/club meetings, parties, and other events. With On-Site Massage, lots of people can be reached in a relatively short amount of time. It's less expensive than table massage and more convenient, because we come to you! You remain fully clothed and no messy oils are used that can mess up your outfit! The sessioins last anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes each and then you can continue your day, relaxed and refreshed.

On-Site Massage is a great pick-me-up in the middle of your stressful day! While relaxing, it's also invigorating and refreshing. In fact, a 15 minute On-Site Massage gets you the same benefits as a 20 minute brisk walk! Got a headache? On-Site Massage can go a long way towards relieving that pain.

• Deep Tissue Massage

Stress, bad sitting positions, long travelling by car, excessive fitness training, work on the computer: all these things can cause muscle stiffness, neck- and backpain, even headaches.
Apart from stretching, a deep tissue massage can help. Affected parts can be treated effectively. It does not matter if it is the back, the neck, shoulders, thighs or calves, we´ll make you fit and tender again.

Since the deep tissue massage is a treatment which is aimed to release stiffness and pain, also the deeper layers of muscles are being treated. In the beginning a deep muscle tissue massage can sometimes hurt, especially in those parts, where adhesions and curtailments already cause pain. Still you determine how strong the squeeze might get. Still, it is not avoidable to endure a certain amount of massaging pain because adhesions and curtailments have to be loosened mechanically. The muscles are being moved, the blood circulation stimulated, and accumulated metabolites released and removed with the blood. This causes a muscular and somatic reaction which is similar to soreness. This "soreness" can last up to 2 days and is normally being experienced after the first two or three treatments. It is determined that well trained people do not experience this phenomenon at all or only mildly.

So do not be surprised, when you feel slight pain the day after a deep tissue massage. It is not extraordinary and you can be rest assured: something is happening.

A deep muscle massage is something different from a relaxing massage. Of course, one wants to relax when getting a massage. Still, the paramount aim of this specific treatment is to reduce stiffness and pain. Therefore the deep tissue massage is not free of pain, because the affected musculature is already irritable and sensitive to compression. The treshold of pain is reduced in uptight musculature. This will be improved with regular treatment.

Nevertheless: as mentioned before, you determine the intensity.

Inspite the effectiveness of the deep tissue massage, you, as client, have to participate as well. A massage is not a cure-all, it is auxiliary and in acute cases improving but you can not help but stretch the muscles regularly (especially after physical activity or invariable or constant stress e.g. work on a computer). Also you should do specific strenghtening of the back muscles, in order to avoid a premature fatigue of the upholding musculature and a shift in posture, and to relieve the spine.

• Reiki:

An ancient form of energy work that is safe, gentle and non-invasive. It is effective for relieving pain and treating internal problems such as those in the glands, organs and various systems of the body.
Promotes a high level of relaxation and a feeling of well- being.