Therapy Explained
Swedish Massage:
The development of Swedish massage is credited to Per Henrik Ling,
though the Dutch practitioner Johan George Mezger adopted the French
names to denote the basic strokes. The term "Swedish" massage is not
really known in the country of Sweden, where it is called "classic
massage". Swedish massage uses five styles of long, flowing strokes to
massage.
Shown to be helpful in:
• Reducing pain
• Reducing joint stiffness
• Reducing muscle tension
• Increase circulation
• Increase lymph flow
• Reduce blood pressure
• Reduce anxiety
• Induce relaxation
Blue Season Session:
A significant percentage of Americans suffer from clinical depression, but milder feelings of sadness and melancholy can strike at any time.
While it’s important to recognize that clinical depression should be treated by a qualified doctor or therapist, seasonal and milder forms of depression often respond well to holistic therapies.
Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, is a recognized mood disorder that results from prolonged lack of sunlight. People who suffer from this condition may produce excessive melatonin during this time, enough to cause incapacitating symptoms of depression. Photo-therapy, commonly called light therapy, uses specially designed light boxes to imitate the light of the sun, facilitating biomedical changes within the brain that lift mood and relieve symptoms associated with SAD.
In use since the early 1980s light therapy is now considered the standard therapy in treating SAD by many health professionals. An average session lasts 20 - 30 minutes and occurs only once a day, with morning being the optimal time for therapy.
At Willamette Wellness Spa we offer Bright Light Therapy with 10,000 LUX from Uplift Technologies:
Bright light therapy system has been clinically tested to be safe and effective. We choose 10,000 LUX white light over colored light. Blue light may cause eye damage and has no known benefit over white light. The bright light therapy system has a proper diffusion screen to balance the distribution of light and block harmful UV rays.
Massage has been reported to help with such things as; depression, fatigue, circulation, sleep, energy levels and overall well-being. Massage releases the body's natural endorphins, decreases heart rate, improves circulation, and helps to restore and energize the body. Short-term effects can be felt in one session, but it is recommended for long-term effects you make massage a part of your healing process. For some it may mean weekly sessions, while others may just need monthly sessions.
Aromatic Body Stone Massage:
In
stone massage hot and cold stones can be combined with various massage
techniques to produce a unique treatment. Stone massage can be given
for relaxation, injury rehabilitation, energy balance, deep tissue and
reflexology work. Similar to regular massage, hot stone massage
increases circulation and lymph flow. Because of the heat involved, the
body tends to react more strongly to stone massage. This usually
results in a deep muscular release, a deep relaxation and a decrease of
stress. Stone massage techniques can be used in a variety of situations
and will introduce the earth element into any treatment.
Ref. Spa Bodywork: Stone massage. By Anne Williams
Integrative Reflexology:
The short version: Your feet are intelligent and tell you where your body is out of balance. We look at your feet and the arches of your feet. We massage your feet and work on pressures points that correspond with parts of the body. We pay special attention to those areas that are sensitive and those areas that correspond with pain and other issues in your body you mention to us upon arrival. Reflexology breaks down toxins in your body, creating balance and a deep relaxation.
The Four Theories:
Structural Alignment: Structural
alignment is the fascial model from Ida Rolf the creator of Rolfing®.
Ida Rolf called the feet the tattletalers. They let you know where the
client is holding their fascial tension. The feet play directly into
the back muscles with the shape of the arch. A collapsed arch or
swollen inner lower arch generally indicate sacrum alignment problems.
Zones: Zones have long been the common theory for reflexology. It is believed that the zone in the foot corresponds to the zone that follows the body up from the foot. Eunice Ingham developed the zones into the reflexology that is most practiced today.
Meridians: Meridians are energy pathways
that Chi (energy) flows through. The major meridians begin or end at the
fingers and toes. The direct connection between merdians
and reflexology is important. In this method studying the connection
made between these two powerful healing arts creates a wholistic
approach that is both informative and functional.
Proprioceptors or nerves: There are about 7,200 nerve endings in each foot . Your feet are intelligent and tell you where your body is out of balance. Accumulated crystals and tissue build-up around the nerve endings in our feet and reflexology treatments will break these toxins down. Since so many nerve endings are affected during a reflexology session, the brain experiences an endorphin response. Most clients become very relaxed.
Methods and Techniques: Whole
hand, knuckles, side of hand, rocks as tools and cream are used. The
protocol is moving between both feet, in a rhythm.
Ref. http://www.integrativereflexology.com/reflexology.php by
Claire Marie Miller (to see pictures and diagrams for easy explanation)
Lymphatic Drainage Therapy:
Lymph
Drainage Therapy (LDT) is an original hands-on method of lymphatic
drainage developed by Bruno Chikly, MD, DO. Created out of his
award-winning research on the lymphatic system, LDT takes traditional
lymph drainage techniques and adds a level of precision consistent with
recent scientific discoveries.
This therapy is a gentle technique that works
through the body's lymphatic system to activate the body fluid
circulation and stimulate the functioning of the immune and
parasympathetic nervous systems. Therapists work with
flat hands, using all the fingers to simulate gentle, specific
wave-like movements. The result of these actions can be:
- Detoxification of the body
- Reduction in edemas (swelling) of various origins
- Relief of chronic pain
- Reduction in the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia
- Promotes the healing of fractures, torn ligaments, sprains, and lessens pain.
- Relief of numerous inflammations, including sinusitis, bronchitis and otitis
- Regeneration of tissue, including burns and wounds
- Anti-spastic actions to relieve some forms of constipation
- Deep relaxation to aid insomnia, stress, loss of vitality and loss of memory
- Anti-aging effects, minimizes lines and wrinkles, reduces ‘bags’ under eyes
- Reduces swollen ankles and legs during pregnancy
- Beneficial before and after surgery
- And many other benefits
CranioSacral Therapy:
CranioSacral Therapy is a gentle, light-touch approach that releases tensions in the central nervous system so that every other system in the body can relax and self-correct. It enhances the functioning of a physiological body system called the craniosacral system - comprised of the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord. During your session you will be fully clothed and lying comfortable on a table.
CST
was pioneered and developed by osteopathic physician John E. Upledger
following extensive scientific studies from 1975 to 1983 at Michigan
State University, where he served as a clinical researcher and
Professor of Biomechanics.
CST is increasingly
used as a preventive health measure for its ability to bolster
resistance to disease, and is effective for a wide range of medical
problems associated with pain and dysfunction, including:
* Migraine Headaches
* Chronic Neck and Back Pain
* Motor-Coordination Impairments
* Colic
* Autism
* Central Nervous System Disorders
* Orthopedic Problems
* Traumatic Brain and Spinal Cord Injuries
* Scoliosis
* Infantile Disorders
* Learning Disabilities
* Chronic Fatigue
* Emotional Difficulties
* Stress and Tension-Related Problems
* Fibromyalgia and other Connective-Tissue Disorders
* Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome (TMJ)
* Neurovascular or Immune Disorders
* Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
* Post-Surgical Dysfunction
Ref. www.upledger.com Upledger Institute
Reiki:
Reiki (pronounced ray-key) means "universal life energy". It is an ancient Japanese hands-on healing technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. The word "Rei" means "universal" and the word "Ki" means the same as "Chi" which is "life energy". It is a gentle transfer of energy that accelerates the body's ability to heal physical and emotional ailments.
During your Reiki treatment you will be fully clothed and lying comfortable on a table. Your Reiki practitioner will gently place her hands in a number of positions on your body, sending healing universal life energy wherever it needs to go. You may feel a glow of warmth coming from the practitioner followed by an intense feeling of relaxation. The energy is channeled through the Reiki practitioner from the universe, so the practitioner never uses her own energy but is merely a channel. The free and balanced flow of Ki is the cause of health. When the flow of Ki is disrupted, it causes diminished functioning, creating illness. During a Reiki treatment, the practitioner helps to break up energy blockages within the body, allowing healing energy to flow again freely and stimulating the body's natural ability to heal itself on a physical, emotional, mental and spiritual level.
Reiki has the ability to open the mind and spirit and to bring you into a profound state of relaxation, peace and balance.
Structural Relief Therapy:
SRT is a non-invasive, advanced massage technique that stops involuntary muscle contraction, instantly increases range of motion ROM) and dramatically decreased pain in the first treatment. SRT releases involuntary muscle contraction by reprogramming the jammed neurological signals of the muscles to and from the brain. SRT also incorporates the principles of Muscle Energy Technique (MET) and fascia realease. SRT uses the gentle principle of holding the body in a position to shorten the contracting muscle. By holding this position for 90 to 120 seconds, the involuntary muscle contraction stops and tissues soften.
This technique is developed by Taya Countryman, LMT