Massage Treatments

Acupressure: "Finger Pressure" is the definition for Acupressure. It uses gentle, sustained pressure on specific points on the body to relieve stress, tension and muscular pains, and allows the body to eliminate toxins. Meridians are invisible energy pathways throughout the body that carry the vital life force and the acupressure points are located on these meridians.

Neuromuscular Massage: Also known as trigger point therapy, this technique applies concentrated finger pressure to painful areas in muscles called trigger points.

Aromatherapy: Definition means "treatment using scents". It is a holistic approach to caring for the body with pleasant smelling botanical oils such as rose, lemon, lavender and peppermint. The essential oils are massaged into the skin, inhaled directly or diffused to scent an entire room. Aromatherapy is used for the relief of pain, care for the skin, alleviate tension and fatigue and invigorate the entire body. Essential oils can affect the mood, alleviate fatigue, reduce anxiety and promote relaxation. The essential oils are aromatic essences extracted from plants, flowers, trees, fruits, bark, grasses and seeds with distinctive therapeutic, psychological, and physiological properties, which improve and prevent illness. There are about 150 essential oils. Most of these oils have antiseptic properties; some are antiviral, anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving, antidepressant and expectorant. Other properties of the essential oils which are taken advantage of in aromatherapy are their stimulation, relaxation, digestion improvement, and diuretic properties.

Reflexology: This is referred to as Reflex Zone Therapy of the Feet. The feet are considered to be representatives as a central switchboard, from where observable effects over the whole body could be provoked. The feet are constantly being used and abused. We should take the time and thank them for their hard work and Reflexology is one of the best ways of accomplishing this.

Swedish: A collection of techniques designed primarily 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. Effleurage: Slow, rhythmic, gliding strokes; Petrissage: Kneading, pressing, and rolling muscle groups; Friction: Steady pressure or tight circular movements across muscle fibers without moving across the skin, often used in areas around joints; Percussion: Drumming hand movements on broad areas of the body, particularly the back; Vibration and Jostling: Vibration entails rapid movements by the therapist to transmit an oscillating action, Jostling requires rapid shaking of a muscle back and forth.

Shiatsu: Definition literally means finger pressure. Natural body weight is used when pressure is applied on special points of the body. Through this pressure, the energy "Chi" flows in the meridians "channels of chi". When chi stagnates, the body becomes ill. Each meridian corresponds with an organ and is named after that specific organ. This technique is used mostly on the floor for better manipulation.

Deep tissue: Slow strokes and deep finger pressure on areas that simply ache or feel contracted. This is used to go deep into the layers of muscles and fibers. When an area is over worked or injured, layers of scar tissue are formed. This is the way the body protects itself, causing shortening of the muscle (contracted state) and restricting our mobility in that affected area. Over time, toxins are released.

Sports: The intent is to warm muscles, increase circulation, and invigorate the athlete. In general, sports massage techniques are deeper, more vigorous, more intense, and more interactive. Open palm sweeping and kneading are commonly used.

Addressing Stress, Pain and Headaches

Pain. It is often referred to as blockages of energy. The more you experience pain the less you want to move. And, the less you move, the weaker your muscles become and the more you continue to feel pain.

Stress. It produces tremendous tension especially in the shoulder and neck muscles. The results include chronic pain and continued stress. Touch therapy can relieve and heal both pain and stress.

Headaches. Severe headaches hinder the productivity and relaxation of millions of Americans annually. Massage therapy assists in subsiding and preventing stress and migraine headaches without the use of medication.

Fort Collins Therapeutic Massage Center specializes in deep muscle therapy. We use a variety of touch therapy modalities to relieve chronic and severe tension, release chronic contracture of muscles, and improve posture and balance.

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