 | Deep Tissue Therapy
Deep tissue therapy is used in conjunction with other
techniques when needed. The therapist must understand the layers of the
body's tissue and uses slow, deep stokes to relax, lengthen, and release
holding patterns in the myofascial system. There is less emphasis on
relaxation and more emphasis on altering the structure, improving
posture, and alleviating pain.
Contrary to popular theory, deep tissue
massage should not cause pain. The therapist should approach the slowly
so that the deep fascia and muscle tissue "melt" and allow for
deeper and deeper penetration. Deep fascia and muscle tissue is both
stretched and compressed to bring about a release. Used in conjunction
with muscle reeducation, deep tissue therapy is sometimes called medical
massage and is effective in treating old or chronic injuries as well as
newer injuries that are past the acute stage. The client generally
disrobes to the level at which he/she is comfortable and is covered by a
sheet except for the area of the the body receiving therapy.
$30 per 1/2 hour; $60 per hour.
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Neuromuscular
Therapy
Neuromuscular Therapy or NMT is a technique that uses soft tissue manipulation to balance
the central nervous system with the musculoskeletal system. It is
considered to be one of the primary Deep Tissue Massage modalities and is
sometimes called Myotherapy, depending on variations of the technique
according to developers, or Trigger-point Therapy because of its
focus on tiny contractions in the muscles that cause pain and
limitations on movement. By addressing the underlying causes of pain
and dysfunction, NMT relieves trigger points that cause taut bands and
referred pain as well as postural alignment or flexibility problems.
Working to release chronic patterns of tension, the therapist will
work more slowly and more deeply than when giving Swedish massage. The
client generally disrobes to the level at which he/she is comfortable
and is covered by a sheet except for the area of the body receiving
therapy.
$30 per 1/2 hour; $60 per hour. |
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| Cranio-Sacral Therapy
Craniosacral Therapy is a gentle but powerful hands-on treatment
that facilitates the body's own self-healing mechanisms. Pioneered
by Dr. William Sutherland and further developed by Dr. John
Upledger, Craniosacral Therapy (CST) is supported by extensive and
ongoing scientific research, as well as over fifty years of success
in clinical and therapeutic settings.
The therapist places her hands on the client's body using a very
light touch of only five grams. While following the subtle body
rhythms and in particular the rhythm of the cranio-sacral fluid, the
therapist is able to detect imbalances and restrictions in the
cranio-sacral system and the various body systems it enervates,
including soft tissues, joints, glands, organs, and systems Once the
nature of the restrictions is determined, the therapist gently
assists the body in unwinding or letting them go, allowing balance
to be restored. For a more detailed explanation of Cranio-Sacral
Therapy, please click here.
$60 per hour; $90 per 90 minute session. |
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Hydrotherapy/Contrast
Application
Heat relaxes the tissues and brings fresh, oxygenated blood to the area
and carries out toxic wastes. Cold relieves swelling and reduces the
pain of injury. Hydrotherapy includes use of either heat or cold, and
Contrast Hydrotherapy uses both by alternating heat and cold, which can
be more comfortable than cold by itself. Contrast Application is a
powerful treatment that increases local blood flow (and thus cell
nutrition and healing) by up to 100% and creates and effect known as the
Vascular Flush that helps the body flush the toxins that may be making
the client feel stiff and sore. It enables the therapist to go deeper
into the muscles without causing the client discomfort and thus getting
to the root causes of the client's pain. The client must follow the
treatment with a walk of at least 15 minutes, a warm bath including one
cup of apple cider vinegar to further pull out toxins, and intake of at
least 1/2 oz. of water for each pound of body weight to further flush
the system. The treatment begins with heat and ends with cold in a
repeating sequence of 6-8 times. Client can be partially clothed if only
one part of the body is being addressed in the work. A sheet drape is
used to cover the client except for the area of the body receiving
therapy.
$70 per hour; $100 per 90 minutes
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| Gentle Myofascial Release
The fascia is the thin sheet of connective tissue that covers every
structure in the body. Furthermore, this single sheet of tissue is
uninterrupted as it travels 3-dimensionally from head to toe, front to
back, and interior to exterior. It provides a matrix for intercellular
communication and acts as the body's first line of defense against
disease and injury. This single sheet of 3-D fascia envelopes, supports,
and protects every structure in the body, including every single one of
the six trillion body cells; every muscle fiber, muscle and muscle
group; every bone, blood vessel, nerve and organ. Fascia literally holds
the whole body together and gives the body its shape.
Just as Deep Tissue Massage works on the deep fascia, Gentle Myofascial
Release works on the superficial fascia. By applying very light, gentle
pressure, the therapist can keep the fascial sheath from contracting in
response to a perceived injury and can coax it into relaxing, which in
turn allows tendons, ligaments, and muscles to relax. It is a
particularly good therapy for clients who scar tissue that restricts
movement and for those who have fibromyalgia or similar pain and cannot
tolerate deeper manipulative pressure. Depending on the extent of the
massage, the client may remain clothed except for the body area
receiving therapy.
$30 per 1/2 hour; $60 per hour.
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If one part of of the body's fascia is contracted or
injured, it can affect tissue all over the body, just as stretching a
thread on a sweater can pull the whole sweater out of proper
alignment.
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| Muscle Energy
Technique/Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation/Joint Mobilization
Joint Mobilization is used to restore and increase range of
motion to joints and their surrounding tissues that have been injured or
that have become weakened by disuse, disease, and aging. For example, an
ankle that has been severely sprained may employ "splinting"
of the muscle to prevent further injury. If the muscle remains rigid
long after the sprained ankle has healed, it can cause pain and limited
movement when there is no real cause for it (other than the nerve
endings have a memory of the injury). These joint mobilization
techniques can reteach the nerves that normal movement of the ankle
joint will no longer cause tears to the ligaments. The muscles can relax
and normal range of motion can be regained.
Muscle Energy Technique (MET) and Proprioceptive Neuromuscular
Facilitation (PNF) are techniques of joint mobilization that utilize
isometrics (when the muscle contracts but does not move) and isotonics
(the muscle contracts and either gets shorter or it fatigues and
relaxes) along with therapist-assisted stretching and movement. Both MET
and PNF improve range of motion in the skeletal joints to a greater
extent than conventional static stretching can accomplish. Both reset
the neurological transmitters so that chronically tight, contracted
muscles release their reactive reflex response to injury and retain
their relaxed state for longer and longer periods. Both build the
strength of the affected muscles. They are particularly good for
repetitive stress injuries.
MET and PNF are effective methods for mobilizing restricted joints,
relaxing hypertonic and spastic muscles, and facilitating neuromuscular
reorganization. Clients whose symptoms are aggravated by certain
postures, bodily positions, or repetitive movements may experience
changes in mobility and reduction in pain almost immediately, and these
can last if the postures, positions, or movements can be eliminated from
the lifestyle. If not, they can provide relief and prevent further
injury.
Clients may remain clothed if MET/PNF are the only modalities being
employed.
$30 per 1/2 hour; $60 per hour.
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| Postural Analysis/Structural Rebalancing
One of the remarkable qualities
of connective tissue is its tremendous capacity for change; its
plasticity. Fascia is very responsive to stress demands in the
body, quickly adding more tissue when stress in an area increases.
Fortunately, the reverse is also true; connective tissue will
loosen up and melt when stress in an area decreases. It is this
process which is at the basis of how Structural Rebalancing
achieves its results.
Using a plumb line, the therapist evaluates the client's
posture, including shoulder height, hip height, pelvic tilt,
spinal curvature, arm and leg length, and joint rotation or
torque. Based on these deviation, the therapist then
determines which muscles are tight and which are weak and are thus
causing the postural problem and muscular pain. Using Gentle
Myofascial Release Techniques and muscle reeducation techniques
such as MET/PNF, the structural imbalance can usually be corrected
and pain can be alleviated. Similarly, the newly rebalanced
body feels more graceful and light as it rediscovers its center of
gravity and the core becomes stronger. The client wears a swim
suit or underwear for the evaluation and is covered by a sheet on
the massage table. A 90 minute session must be scheduled.
$90 per 90 minute session.
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|  Lymphatic Drainage
The lymph is an important defense in the body's immune
response. Its vessels run along side the circulatory system and
empty back into it. It is responsible for detoxifying the cells and
tissues and for transporting foreign cellular debris away from the
tissues until the toxins can be eliminated safely. If lymph
circulation stagnates, toxins accumulate and compromise cellular
functioning, which opens the way to physical ailments.
Lymph Drainage Therapy (LDT) is an original hands-on technique
developed by French physician Bruno Chikly, now with the Upledger
Institute. LDT allows the therapist's hands and fingers to
manually attune to the wave-like flow of the lymphatic system,
including its specific rhythm, pressure, quality and direction, and
to assess areas of congestion. By using very light touch and subtle
manual maneuvers, the therapist can activate lymph and intercellular
fluid circulation and can stimulate the functioning of the immune
and parasympathetic nervous systems. The results can include:
 | Reduction in edemas (swelling) and lymphedemas of various
origins.
| Detoxification of the body.
| Relief of numerous chronic and subacute inflammations,
including sinusitis, bronchitis and otitis.
| Relief of chronic pain.
| Regeneration of tissue, including burns, wounds, stretch marks
and wrinkles.
| Stimulation of the immune system.
| Reduction in the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome and
fibromyalgia.
| Deep relaxation to aid insomnia, stress, loss of vitality and
loss of
memory.
| Anti-aging effects.
| Alleviation of adipose and cellulite tissue. |
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$90 per 90 minute session. |
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| Polarity Therapy
Polarity therapy was developed in the 1950s by Dr.
Randolph Stone out of his experience as an
osteopath/chiropractor/naturopath and his study of systems of
healing in India and China. Alan Siegel further developed the
therapy. Siegel's student, Dr. Richard Overly taught Sandra
Tompkins. Overly and Tompkins are also teachers of Gentle
Bioenergetics. Tompkins is Suzanne's teacher.
 Polarity
Therapy teaches that there is a life energy flowing through and
around the body that forms a matrix for the body. In other words,
there is an energy pattern that underlies the physical body. Many
cultures in the world have a term for this life energy such as qui,
chi, prana, ki, ruach, and orgone. If the energy gets blocked, it
can cause dysfunction which may appear in the body as pain,
soreness, or tightness. Trauma may occur to the body distorting the
energy pattern. Usually the energy will rebalance itself, but when
this does not happen, Polarity Therapy can assist the rebalancing.
Polarity Balances are not a substitute for medical evaluation or
care.
The body work of Polarity Therapy consists of specific manipulations
aimed at releasing tension and holding patterns in the physical body
and then balancing the life energy. The client's body is not stroked
or kneaded. In fact, sometimes the therapist works with the hands
off the body or through a molded contact with body which is
sometimes combined with gentle rocking that helps to release
physical tension patterns and encourages the energy to move. A
deeper, more penetrating touch which can break up chronic, deep
congestion in the tissues and enliven the area. As well as
discovering where the body needs releasing at a physical level, the
therapist tunes in to the underlying energy patterns and flows and
encouraging their movement. |
$60 per hour or can be worked into Swedish or deep massage
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Reflexology
Reflexology is a gentle complimentary therapy based on
the principle that there are reflex areas in the feet and hands
that correspond to all of the glands, organs and parts of the
body. It is really a whole body treatment that is given through
massage and manipulation of the feet. The client is clothed unless
he or she wants other bodywork done, and reflexology is often
worked into Swedish or other whole body massage.
Crystalline deposits of waste products, usually calcium and uric
acid, can accumulate around nerve endings on the foot. Working on
a point helps crush the crystals and stimulate circulation so that
the lymph system can more easily eliminate the toxins. By working
on the whole foot, the whole body is reintegrated, energy can
flow, and a healthy equilibrium is restored.
Benefits of Reflexology may include:
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relaxation and stress reduction |
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improved elimination |
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improved circulation |
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renewed energy |
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endocrine balancing |
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feeling of well-being |
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$45 per 45 minute session; $60 per hour.
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| Touch for Health
Touch
for Health® Kinesiology is a safe and practical
touch-healing process of balancing the body's natural energies to
ease discomfort of common aches, pains and stresses of daily living.
It is a combination of ancient Chinese principles and recent Western
developments in wellness and preventive health care. It uses muscle
testing to let the body speak for itself and tell the client and
practitioner what needs to be corrected. Then by using techniques
such as tapping, meridian balancing, and color therapy, the
imbalances are corrected and retested. Touch for Health concentrates
on preventive health care and on the elimination of stress and the effects
of trauma on the body/mind. The client is clothed during a session.
Suzanne is a member of the Touch
for Health Kinesiology Association.
$60 per hour; $90 per 90 minute session.
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| Reiki
Pronounced ray-key, Reiki is a Japanese word meaning
Universal Life Force, or Life Energy. It is the energy that is all
around us and within us and through us.
Reiki is a system of natural healing that was developed in Japan in the
early part of the twentieth century by Dr. Makao Usui. Dr. Usui spent
many years meditating and studying ancient teachings. Once he had
discovered the techniques of Reiki, he spent the rest of his life
practicing and teaching Reiki. Today, Usui Reiki is taught by Reiki
masters to students and so continues to be passed down in a direct line
from Dr. Usui. There is no belief system attached to Reiki, so
anyone can receive or learn to give Reiki treatments. The only
prerequisite is the desire to be healed.
Receiving a Reiki treatment is a simple process. The client lies on
the massage table and relaxes. There is no need to remove any clothing
as Reiki will pass through anything, even plaster casts. The therapist
gently places her hands on the client or just above the client's body in
a series of positions. The whole person is treated, and because Reiki is
energy, it goes to where it is needed. The client may feel warmth or
tingling and experiences a feeling of great relaxation.
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$45 per hour; for attunement prices, click here.
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| Ear Candling
Ear candling or coning is a relaxing, "old-timey"
therapy said to have been developed by native peoples all over the
world, but credit is especially given to the Hopi. The technique is a
gentle, painless method of cleaning the ear canal and relieving pressure
on the sinuses. When done correctly, it is a safe and effective means of
removing wax buildup, fungus, and other foreign bodies from the ear
canal. Some clients even report better hearing, but that claim is anecdotal.
The ear candle is a hollow tube of beeswax and gauze. It is tapered on
one end, and this end is placed in the "corner" of the ear
canal. It is not pushed deeply into the ear canal--rather, it is placed
in such a manner as to create a visible vacuum when the other end of the
candle is lit. The suction created by the vacuum pulls the wax and other
debris from the ear into the candle. Periodically, the therapist cuts
off the burning end of the candle, pushes out the accumulated debris,
and relights the candle to continue the treatment, which usually takes
45-75 minutes or 90 minutes if you opt to have the sinus/facial massage
(recommended).
$60 per candling treatment (both ears); $90 for candling and
sinus/facial massage.
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Raindrop
Therapy
This powerful
technique uses essential oils for a gentle cleansing and therapeutic massage
that promotes healing on all levels. For more about Raindrop Therapy, click
here.
$70 per hour; $100 per 90 minute session.
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| Theta Healing
Although Theta Healing is not a massage modality, it is
nevertheless offered through Tapestry's massage and bodywork arm. For
more information on Theta Healing, please click here.
$60 per hour; $90 per 90 minute session. |
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