Massage therapy not only provides relaxation and relief to muscle strain and fatigue, a therapeutic massage may improve your health. There are many benefits to massage therapy, including physical, emotional, and physiological improvements in the body.

Massage techniques:

Integrated Wellness Massage - an eclectic massage utilizing a variety of techniques including: deep tissue, swedish, trigger point and myofacial release depending on your needs

Swedish Massage - a very relaxing massage using long gliding strokes

Deep Tissue Massage - this massage is based on the Swedish technique but utilizes much deeper pressure to relieve tension in specific areas of need

Trigger Point Therapy - a technique involving extremely deep pressure on specific points to address “knots” in muscles and chronic tension in specific areas of the body

Myofascial Release - a mixture of stretching and massage techniques to promote healing and relieve pain

Northern Style Thai Massage - this massage is done on a mat (instead of a massage table) and involves deep compression and stretching.  Both therapist and client wear comfortable, stretchy or loose-fitting clothing to allow for range of motion.  This style is a favorite of dancers, athletes and those who enjoy pilates or yoga!  

Pre- and Post-Natal Massage - a Swedish-based technique that is safe for both expectant and newly delivered mothers.  Annie also includes infant massage instruction for the new parents as part of the package.

Cancer Massage - a gentle technique that is safe for cancer patients

Comfort Touch Massage - an extremely gentle technique for individuals of any age (infancy - geriatric) in a more fragile physical condition

Attire

NST, Thai Massage and Comfort Touch

Clients should wear loose fitting, comfortable clothing for freedom of movement.  No lotions or cremes are applied to the skin.

All other massage techniques

Clients may undress, to their comfort level, and will be covered by a sheet and blanket on the massage table.  Organic, unscented massage creme will be applied to the client’s skin, and only the specific area being worked will be uncovered during the massage. The client’s privacy (and need to stay warm!) will be respected at all times. 

Why Get a Massage?

Imagine a long day of standing on cement floors, lifting heavy boxes, or sitting at a desk. Your back is killing you, there is a sharp pain in your shoulder, and your temples are throbbing. Fatigue, repetitive motion, muscle strain, or staying in one position for an extended amount of time could cause any or maybe all of these symptoms.

It's your body's way of saying, "slow down and take it easy". How you respond to these symptoms determines how you will feel. What if your stress, pain, tension, and fatigue could be purged from your body through therapeutic massage? Would you get one? There are many reasons a person may desire or need a massage. The above example covers 80-90% of the cases a massage therapist sees. However, there many good reasons to get a massage.

• Reduces lower back pain and other bodily aches.
• Helps sooth infants and promotes digestion.
• Increases range of motion in joints.
• Decreases illness-related fatigue.
• Calms aggressive behaviours.
• Decreases depression and helps to promote a healthy mind.
• Helps your immunity by increasing white blood cell counts.
• Improves recovery after post-operative surgery.
• Alleviates age-related disorders, sleep disorders, and many more emotional and physical problems.

Physical Benefits
During massage therapy, the massage therapist works the tension out of stiff and sore muscles, encouraging their patient to relax. This may help the person receiving the massage on many levels: his muscles feel relaxed and are no longer sore, he is relaxed and no longer tense, and the muscles loosen, allowing a larger range of motion. 

A study performed on university dance students demonstrated that the dancers had improved in range of motion, mood, balance, posture, and performed better.

Emotional
As certain muscles are massaged, emotions may be released. The kneading motions combined with heat and or aromatherapy cause a person to relax, releasing tension. Stress and tension is often rubbed away with any aches or pains in the body.

Physiological
Studies performed by the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami indicated that the immune systems improved in children who were massaged daily by their parents; the children's white blood cell and neutrophil counts increased. Therapeutic massage is used as a treatment for many illnesses and during the recovery period after surgery. 

Scientists believe that this deep, healing massage triggers the release of certain chemicals in the body that helps you combat illnesses and speeds recovery.

Frequently Asked Questions