Benefits
- Reduces muscle tension and stiffness
- Relieves stress and aids relaxation
- Increases flexibility and improves joint range of motion
- Can help reduce the chance of injury before and after exercise
- Improves circulation of blood and lymph
- Strengthens the immune system
- Improves sleep
- Enhances the health and nourishment of skin
What to Expect
Massage sessions usually last an hour, although 30 and 90 minute treatments are also available.
Upon arrival to the office, the therapist will ask you to fill out a medical history form and ask you to identify the areas you feel tension and areas you wish no work done. The therapist will then discuss a treatment plan, what your expectations will be and how best to get those results.
In the treatment room you will be asked to undress to your comfort level and then recline on the table under the draping. The room will be comfortably lighted, warm, and inviting. Music is generally soft and relaxing, but feel free to bring your own cd.
At the start of the massage a bolster under you knees will be placed for comfort. The sequence of the massage will be different for each client and situation. Generally a Swedish Relaxation massage begins face-up starting with the scalp, then the face, neck, abdomen, arms, and legs. The therapist will then ask you to turn over and onto your belly where the back and legs will then be massaged. It is important to remember that only the area being massaged will be uncovered. The other areas should be comfortably draped, warm, and relaxed.
Some therapists will complete a session with gentle rocking, compressions, or tapotement (tapping with the hands). These ending strokes are unique to the situation and therapist.
Be open to try new things, they will make each session more interesting and can energize or sedate depending on the goal you set for your treatment.
This is all about you … enjoy!
