Swedish/Western Massage is an oil massage using five types of manipulation: effleurage (long strokes), petrissage (kneading), friction (deep circular movement), tapotement (percussion), and vibration to promote relaxation, improve circulation, relieve tension, and expand the range of motion. This technique requires the client to remove their clothes

Swedish massage was developed in the 1700's by a Swedish doctor. Swedish massage has long been thought of as the first organized and systematic method of modern massage therapy therapeutic massage in the western world. The specific strokes and manipulations of Swedish massage are each conceived as having definite therapeutic benefits. The goal of Swedish massage is to speed the venous return of un- oxygenated and toxins from the extremities. 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. It is effective for most ailments, because massaging the skin, the body's largest organ, sets up a chain reaction that produces a positive effect on all layers and systems of the body. It affects the nerves, muscles, glands, and circulation, while promoting health and well being.

Swedish massage refers to 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. The lymph system and veins (which carry blood back to the heart) both rely on muscle action, rather than heart pressure. Many believe it is safe to apply light pressure in the opposite direction. Oil or other lubricant such as baby powder reduces friction during the Swedish massage. Some practitioners claim benefits from vegetable rather than mineral oil. Swedish massage can relax muscles, increase circulation, remove metabolic waste products, help the recipient obtain a feeling of connectedness, and a better awareness of their body and the way they use and position it.

Sports Massage is a highly specialized form of massage therapy. It begins with careful study of the movements involved in sports activity. Then the muscle and joint movements are analyzed. Finally, deep tissue strokes, muscle massage, release points, and joint movements are designed to correct harmful movement patterns and prevent tissue damage during exercise. Sports Massage consists of specific components designed to reduce injuries, alleviate inflammation, and provide warm-up for amateur and professional athletes before, after, and within their training regimes. It is tailored to the specific needs of an athlete's sport.

When is the best time to have a sports massage?
Sports massage is used both before and after competition. Pre-event massage is best 15-45 minutes before the event. Good results can still be obtained 1 to 2 hours before the event. Post-event massage is best 15 minutes to two hours after event. The purpose is to calm the nervous system, relaxing the athlete from the effects of the event. Research shows that this type of massage promotes rapid removal of metabolic wastes and is more effective than rest in recovery from muscle fatigue.

Is sports massage beneficial during training?
Massage during training is the most beneficial form of massage for the athlete. Most athletes incorporate massage into their training schedule. Massage is considered a regular and valuable part of the training process.

Does sports massage aid in the recovery from injury?
Massage therapy greatly reduces the effects of soft tissue injury. When combined with other forms of manual medicine such as physical therapy techniques, it will decrease the amount of time to heal from an injury.

• Reduces the chance of injuries
• Alleviates inflammation
• Reduces lactic acid build-up in muscle
• Reduces muscle stiffness
• Improves flexibility
• Injuries heal more quickly

Deep Tissue Massage works through muscle tension layer by layer, reaching the deeper muscles where chronic pain and tension may be released. Deep work is often slower than regular bodywork, allowing the soft tissues to open at deeper levels. Since deep work requires more time to release the tension in specialized areas, your massage will not always treat all areas of your body in one session.  Deep tissue massage uses slow strokes and deep pressure on painful parts of the body. Some specific methods of Deep Tissue Massage include Rolfing and Hellerwork.Deep Tissue Massage is used to release chronic patterns of muscular tension using slow strokes, direct pressure, or friction usually on a focused problem area. Often the movements are directed across the grain of the muscles (cross-fiber) using the fingers, thumbs, or elbows. This is applied with greater pressure and at deeper layers of the muscle than Swedish massage and that is why it is called deep tissue. Deep tissue massage is a technique used in sports massage.

Deep tissue massage employs the principles of muscular restoration. It works across the muscles manipulating deep tissues, stimulating circulation, and regenerating lymphatic flow. This promote detoxification and oxygenation of stagnant tissues. It is designed to bring fluids into the cells, stimulating changes on a cellular level. Deep tissue massage releases adherent muscle conditions existing in deep layers of muscle and actually corrects damaged muscle tissue.

Deep tissue massage relieves entrapment of nerves, and it also aids in moving out toxins and congestion that may have accumulated in damaged muscles and soft tissue, thereby reducing edema and inflammation, as well as reducing pain. It softens hard fibrous muscle which restricts joint range of motion, thereby "throwing off" the body's proper structural alignment.

Deep tissue massage provides a form of passive exercise for those who have been injured or ill. Combining deep tissue massage with traditional treatments of diseases offers an added edge that can speed recovery and promote maximum improvement where traditional treatments leave off.

Below is just a partial list of ways that deep tissue massage can help with your overall health:

Muscular system - Corrects damaged muscles, softens hard fibrous muscles, separates adherent fibers, allows nutrients and medicines to reach cellular areas, cleans cells by removing wastes, relieves pain, and relieves congestion and inflammation.

Skin -Improves circulation to the skin, moisturizes dry, scaly skin, improves skintone, reduces bed sores, acne and other skin eruptions, and reduces the buildup of cellulite.

Skeletal system - Improves joint range of motion, clears deposits and debris from old bone injuries, restores damaged ligaments and tendons, enhances effectiveness of chiropractic and osteopathic treatment, and improves posture.

Nervous system - Releases trapped nerves in soft tissue, relieves neuromuscular conditions, reduces inflammation and congestion along nerve pathways, and improves conditions resulting from brain injury.

Cardiovascular system - Contributes to the improvement of sclerotic blood vessels, relieves congestion in chest for congestive heart patients, and improves general health so that heart patients can maintain self through exercise.

Lymphatic system - Releases trapped of lymphatic vessels, drains sluggish nodes, and improves integrity of lymphatic blood vessel walls.

Respiratory system - Releases restrictions in breathing muscles, promotes postural improvement which reduces crowding of lungs, and removes old congestion in lung and rib areas.