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If you watch martial arts movies, it is highly likely that you have seen a character in such a movie take down his or her enemy through the simple act of pressing certain points in the enemy’s body. The application of pressure on these particular points on the body of the enemy can debilitate him or her in many ways, like making him or her paralyzed or blind.
In defeating his or her enemy through the simple power of the fingertips, these martial artists apply the principles of what is called acupressure. Acupressure, however, is not a mere combat maneuver; it is actually an ancient massage technique used by practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine. And by ancient, we mean that acupressure has been around for around 5,000 years.

In acupressure, it is believed that the body has 14 meridians running through it, and through which energy, also called as chi, flows through the body. An imbalance in the hot and cold elements of the body, more known as an imbalance between the yin and the yang, can cause this flow of energy to be blocked, leading the body to experience pain and illness. The purpose of acupressure is to remove these blockages in order for energy to flow more freely by pressing certain points along the 14 meridians. In releasing this latent energy, the natural ability of the body to heal itself is revived and the body becomes rejuvenated and healthy.

Acupuncture actually works on the same principle followed in acupressure. However, unlike acupuncturists, a massage therapist who specializes in acupressure does not have any need for using needles. Acupressure is a non-invasive healing technique, and the massage therapist only uses her fingertips, hands, elbows and knees in manipulating the pressure points on her client’s body.

Whichever pressure points are manipulated by the massage therapists depends on the client’s condition that is being treated through acupressure. Certain pressure points correspond to certain parts of the body. For example, it is said that applying pressure to specific acupoints on the soles of the feet can relieve migraine. Abdominal problems are treated by pressing some parts of the abdomen. The application of light pressure on the backs of the knees is claimed to be a treatment for lower back pain.

Acupressure is said to be effective in treating various types of illnesses, not just stress and muscle pain. There are claims that such ailments as eyestrain, nausea, motion sickness, morning sickness for pregnant women, arthritis, fibromyalgia and a host of other illnesses can be healed through acupressure. This is not proven yet according to conventional scientific means, but there are tests that prove that applying pressure on specific focal points of the body encourages the release of endorphins, the body’s feel-good hormones. Acupressure also stimulates increased circulation of cell-nourishing blood through the body, not to mention lymph fluids that take away the cell’s waste materials.

Acupressure, however, is not a miracle procedure. Whatever pain the body feels will not go away in just one session. Treatments often take as much as eight sessions, and sometimes even more depending on the seriousness of the condition being treated.

Some people who suffer from certain ailments should avoid acupressure; in particular, people who are afflicted with infectious diseases and skin ailments; pregnant women; and people who have problems with their heart, lungs or kidneys.





Rolfing improves balance, range of movement,and posture trough therapeutic massage of the connective tissue of the body.

Rolfing, developed in America in the 1940s and 1950s, is a therapeutic massage of the connective tissue of the body. Rolfing's purpose is to improve balance, the range of movement, and of posture.

In history, rolfing was first developed by Dr. Ida P. Rolf. She believed that the earth's gravity influences human structure, and that the body's the connective tissues hold the key to its structural reorganization because they were the matrix for all other components of the body.

People with stiffness, structural aches and pains, and other types of physical stress and discomfort benefit greatly from Rolfing. The benefits of a Rolfing massage session are greater vitality, greater physical stability, relief of aches and pains, and an enhanced capacity for self-healing. And clients often enjoy great phsycological effects as well.

Swedish massage is considered to be among the most basic methods of massage and is among the first styles of massage that new masseurs get to study. Developed by Henrik Ling in Sweden in the 1700s, Swedish massage is particularly to allow the body to absorb more oxygen, thereby rejuvenating the body. Swedish massage is also geared towards detoxification by increasing the speed by which the cells of the body eliminate their waste materials.

But more than these, Swedish massage brings to the receiver an immense feeling of satisfaction and relaxation.

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.

There are six techniques used in administering Swedish massage. These techniques are the following:

1. Effleurage. Effleurage is the technique most people associate with massage in general and Swedish massage in particular. In doing effleurage, the masseuse makes use of long and sweeping strokes that cover more than just one area of the body. Though it makes the client feel like his muscles are being broken down, the purpose of effleurage is actually to connect one part of the body to the others.

2. Friction. Heat makes the muscles relax and friction is used to make the area to be treated warm up. A masseuse would make use of the friction technique by rubbing the palms of her hands vigorously on the surface of the client’s skin. She can also do this by rubbing her palms together and then laying them on the skin of the client.

3. Petrissage. Petrissage is the act of kneading and squeezing the muscles of the body. Petrissage does not target or focus on any particular part of the body, but the process of kneading the body’s muscles allows for deeper and more penetrating effects of massage.

4. Tapottement. Tapottement are strokes that aim to energize the area of the body that the masseuse is treating. This is done by chopping the area with the sides of the hands. It can also be done by hitting the area being treated rhythmically with cupped or fisted hands. Tapottement is aimed towards energizing the area being treated, yet at the same time making it loosened and relaxed.

5. Traction. Traction involves pulling at the arms and legs of the client, and sometimes also the head. The act of pulling stretches the muscles of the client. Traction is always done as part of the last portion of the massage routine because pulling needs to have the muscles relaxed; otherwise, it would hurt.

6. Vibration. The vibration technique is used by the masseuse to shake up the area of the client’s body that she is treating. This is done by moving the heel of the hand, or sometimes the side of the hand, or even the fingertips, forward and backward across the skin to loosen the muscles of that particular area

What is Orthopedic Massage ?

Orthopedic massage uses a range of therapeutic techniques to release chronic pattern of tension,loose scar tissue and restore flexibility,range of motion and postural balance. This form often focuses on one or two specific goals. Orthopedic massage may also be referred to as "therapeutic "clinical or"medical massage.

Orthopedic treatment may include, myofascial work,deep diaphragmatic breathing,neuromuscular therapy, muscle energy technique, cross-fiber friction, deep tissue massage, trigger point therapy ,compression and stretching techniques

It requires the active participation of the client to communicate the presence and intensity of pain. During your session, we will perform a series of evaluative tests to locate imbalances that contribute to patterns of pain and discomfort. Then we will work together as a team to reduce discomfort and maximize the effectiveness of the session.

Unlike drug therapy, which is often associated with many systemic and long-term side effects, massage therapy is relatively safe and has few contraindications.

Why should I choose orthopedic massage ?

If you are experiencing temporary or chronic pain, due to postural imbalances, injury or poor work ergonomics, orthopedic massage may help you return to a normal, healthy condition. Studies have shown that massage can relax the body, decrease blood pressure and heart rate, and reduce stress and depression. It may also provide symptomatic relief for many chronic pain issues that are caused by soft-tissue (muscular) dysfunction, or repetitive stress and strain injuries.

"Weekend Warriors" may find that orthopedic massage can help them deal with the aches and pains resulting from playing too hard on the weekend. Low back pain, plantar fasciitis, shin splints, rotator cuff strain, "golfer's" or "tennis elbow," and hiking soreness may all be relieved by massage.

Many doctors now also prescribe massage therapy as symptomatic treatment for headache, facial and jaw pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, certain types of surgical adhesions, frozen shoulder, osteo-arthritis, stress, athletic injuries and other chronic and acute conditions. Ask your physician if therapeutic massage is right for you.

Orthopedic massage is available in standard or extended session lengths. A standard length session is approximately one hour, and includes the detailed evaluation, hands on treatement and suggestions for home care. An extended session is about an hour and a half. Several sessions may be recommended to alleviate chronic conditions, so please ask about package discounts. In certain cases, a series of 30 minute sessions may be appropriate for treatment of very localized areas of pain or injury. 30 minute sessions are available as a prepaid package of 6, and are non-transferable.

What is Deep Tissue Massage?

Deep Tissue Massage is a massage technique that focuses on the deeper layers of muscle tissue. It aims to release the chronic patterns of tension in the body through slow strokes and deep finger pressure on the contracted areas, either following or going across the fiber's of the muscles, tendons and fascia.

Deep tissue massage is used to release chronic muscle tension through slower strokes and more direct deep pressure or friction applied across the grain of the muscles not with the grain. Deep tissue massage helps to break up and eliminate scar tissue. Deep tissue massage usually focuses on more specific areas and may cause some soreness during or right after the massage. However, if the massage is done correctly you should feel better than ever within a day or two.

Why get a Deep Tissue Massage?

It feels good and it is beneficial to your health. When muscles are stressed, they block oxygen and nutrients, leading to inflammation that builds up toxins in the muscle tissue. A deep-tissue massage helps loosen muscle tissues, release toxins from muscles and get blood and oxygen circulating properly. Because many toxins are released, it's important to drink plenty of waterafter a deep-tissue session to help eliminate these toxins from the body.

What is the purpose of Deep Tissue Massage?

The purpose is to "unstick" the fibers of a muscle while releasing deeply-held patterns of tension, removing toxins, while relaxing and soothing the muscle. It is both corrective and therapeutic.

What is lymphatic massage?

Lymphatic massage,otherwise known as lymphatic drainage, is gentle form of massage that uses soft rhythmic motions that stimulate the lymphatic system. This is designed primarily to promote the health circulation of the lymph, which is a clear fluid that flows around the body to seize foreign material like viruses to support the functioning of the immune system. Through this kind of massage,blockages within the lymphatic system are removed and toxins are more effectively flushed out.

Howe dose it work?

Fist,you have to know that the lymphatic system does. its primary job is to regulate the immune system and to aid in the removal of waste in the body. It eliminates toxins that can harm the body and cause various kinds of illnesses. When this system slows down or when a blockage occurs, fluid tends to build up in certain part of the system where there is a blockage. when this happens, a person would feel tires and heavy. This would also make a person more prone to different kinds of sicknesses.

By having a lymphatic massage, your lymph nodes would be stimulated. This stimulation helps clear any blockages and aids the lymph in going around trough the body more efficiently. This would help the elimination of toxins and will therefore boost the functioning of the immune system.

What are its health benefits?

The benefits of toxin removal cannot be any more emphasized, as this can help prevent a wide array of heath problems. But aside from this, lymphatic massage can also improve metabolism. which is very important to maintain proper wight as well as good health.

Lymphatic massage also is known as effective in producing energy, which is great for those who are suffering from sports injuries, low energy, and stress. Since most people today are stressed with work and other everyday problems, an occasional lymphatic massage would help make things easier and more relaxing for you.

Moreover, this therapy can alleviate the negative effects that can be brought about by blockages in the lymphatic system such as joint pains, headaches, migraine, menstrual cramps, cold and flue, arthritis, loss of appetite, cellulite, acne, fatigue, mood swings, respiratory. Overall this massage boosts the immune system, which is necessary in keeping your body strong and healthy.