Refresh! More about relaxing massage therapy, therapeutic massage, energy work, reiki, facials, hot stone therapy.....

General Precautions for receiving massage

Please inform the therapist of any conditions that apply to you:

1.	Acute state of trauma, physical or emotional
2.	Cold or flu symptoms/fever
3.	Any heart or kidney conditions/medications
4.	Pregnancy
5.	Inflammation, swollen tissues or varicose veins
6.	Arthritis, fibromyalgia or osteoporosis
7.	Recent accidents, injuries, whiplash or sciatica

Your First Massage: what to expect.....

Inform the therapist of any health conditions we need to be aware of, or if you are under a doctor's care.

The massage table is specifically designed for comfort, softness and warmth. The therapist provides sheets for proper draping. Clients will be properly draped for warmth, modesty and comfort during the session.

You may choose to start your massage face up or face down. For Swedish massage, thirty minutes are allotted for each side.

Communicate with the therapist about your comfort level of the pressure and depth.

Energy based therapies (Reiki, Healing Touch) can be received while fully clothed.

After the massage, you may want to take a nap or you might feel very energetic. If you feel sleepy, please honor your body and take a short nap. It is very necessary to increase your intake of water after the massage, to help flush out released toxins from the muscle fibers. It may also be beneficial to take a warm bath or shower before going to bed.

Relaxation Massage Therapy or Swedish is the classic massage session designed to relax tight muscles, thus reducing stress, tension and fatigue. Soothing, long strokes applied with gentle to medium pressure makes this the preferred choice for a one hour session every month.

Therapeutic Massage uses specific massage techniques such as trigger point, deep tissue and cross fiber to relieve congested or constricted muscles that elicit a pain response in the body. The entire hour treatment is usually spent on one particular area. Depending on the muscle condition the session may be needed up to three times per week for a few weeks or until the condition improves.

Healing Touch is an Energy-based Therapy, and is a complementary form of healing which involves hands-on, energy based techniques. The aim is to balance the human energy field by realigning the flow of energy which naturally courses through the body. A Healing Touch session is a time for deep relaxation and may be indicated for the following issues: anxiety, stress, headaches, arthritis, grief and pain control. Healing Touch is sponsored by the American Holistic Nurses Association supported by the American Holistic Medical Association. It is currently being used in hospitals throughout the country and worldwide , and its procedures have been documented to be legitimate and effective.

Reiki is an energy based healing technique of placing the hands lightly over the body, progressively moving from head to toe and front to back. This ancient healing art heals the energetic field at a deep spiritual level and is often beneficial to help understand the roots and messages of disorders as well as emotional distress such as grief. The Reiki Master facilitates the healing energy of the Universal Life Energy through their open hearts and hands. The result is the same for all therapies: relaxation of the physical body and the mental-emotional mind. Recipients of Reiki will often remark that complete relaxation is achieved more deeply and more quickly.

Reflexology is an ancient technique applied to the feet, that represent a map of the body as a whole. It stimulates energy to a congested area without actually massaging the painful area. It is helpful for headaches, neck aches, sinus and lymph congestions. Thirty minutes to a whole hour are spent directly on the feet, reflexing the zones of the body that need healing. Reflexology is very relaxing and clients often fall asleep. Reflexology is a good introduction to bodywork for people who have never experienced massage.

Facial Honey is a natural skin conditioner and emollient. It gently cleanses the skin including blemished skin and acts as a humectant, moisturizing all skin types. After removing the mask with tepid towels, the therapist gently massages the face.
We use Aubrey Organics Natural Skin Care Products for our facials. Aubrey has succeeded for over 35 years with
*no petroleum ingredients
*no synthetic ingredients
*no artificial preservatives
*no animal by-products or testing

European Hot Stone Therapy Natural and smooth basalt stones are heated to a comfortable temperature and incorporated with the massage strokes. Conditions that benefit from stone massage include: chronic stress and tension, arthritis, carpal tunnel, menstrual cramps, some headaches, lower back pain, strained muscles, fibromyalgia and those needing deep tissue massage. Benefits of hot stone massage include: deeper relaxation, increased blood flow, circulation, metabolism and oxygenation. Clients report decreased pain, muscle spasms and an increase in range of motion. Elimination and constipation issues respond well with stones and specific abdominal massage techniques.

Thai massage is a thousand(s) year old branch of Ayurvedic Indian body work. It combines slow and deep stretching, joint rotations and compressions with hand, feet and knees. Thai massage increases range of motion, blood and lymphatic fluid circulation, and reduces muscle tension and tissue adhesions. Sessions are easily customized to accommodate injuries or physical limitations. Clients should come dressed in soft, comfortable workout clothes. The session takes place on the floor on a futon cushion and usually last one hour for an average woman ($60) and seventy minutes for an average man ($70). Sessions usually begin with hand presses to feet and legs followed by stretches and range of motion movements of the ankle, knee and hip. The therapist works up the body on the front and down the body on the back. The back and spine are gently twisted and taken through yoga-like stretches.

2008 RoundPage Publishing