Missouri Massage Therapy Big Time Results

MASSAGE THERAPY

Swedish Massage:

Swedish massage is the style that comes to mind when most people think about massage. The goal is relaxing the entire body and this is accomplished by rubbing the muscles with long gliding strokes in the direction of blood returning to the heart.  Additional techniques include circular pressure applied by the hands and palms, firm kneading, percussion-like tapping, bending and stretching.  Lotion is often used to reduce friction and stimulate the skin. Swedish massage is exceptional for increasing the level of oxygen in the blood, decreasing muscle toxins, improving circulation and flexibility while easing tension.

Deep Tissue Massage:

Deep tissue massage is similar to Swedish massage but is used to target knots and release chronic muscle tension.  Other benefits include reducing inflammation and helping to eliminate scar tissue.  The focus is on the deepest layers of muscle tissue, tendons, and fascia (the protective layer surrounding muscles, bones and joints).

Deep tissue massage uses strokes across the grain of the muscles, not with the grain as in Swedish massage.  The more intense movements and techniques such as deep finger pressure may be slightly uncomfortable and cause soreness that lasts a couple of days before resulting in the desired relaxation and pain relief.

Reflexology:

Reflexology, also called zone therapy, is based on the notion that each body part is represented on the hands, feet, and ears and that pressing on specific areas on the hands, feet, and ears can have therapeutic effects in other parts of the body.

Sports massage:

Sports massage is designed to help athletes prepare their bodies for optimal performance, recover after a big event, or function well during training. Sports Massage stimulates circulation of blood and lymph fluids by using trigger point therapy to break down knots in the muscles and increase range of motion. It is not only used for performance preparation, but also for people with injuries, chronic pain or restricted range of motion.

Myofascial Release:

Myofascial Release is a very effective hands-on technique that provides sustained pressure into myofascial restrictions to eliminate pain and restore motion. Fascia is a connective tissue that covers every muscle, bone, nerve, artery and vein as well as all of our internal organs including the heart, lungs, brain and spinal cord. When it becomes restricted it squeezes around whatever it is covering (your muscles, nerves, organs, etc). It is important to keep fascia loosened up for the body to operate at its best.

TMJ Massage:

Massage can be very beneficial as a complement to dental care in the treatment of Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD), which is commonly referred to as TMJ.

Massage therapy for TMD must be well designed to be effective, and includes the systematic and careful attention to the facial muscles, the muscles of chewing and the muscles of the head and neck.