Massage Therapy & Bodywork

During Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy the therapist uses overhead parallel bars to balance while applying gliding strokes of the feet to pressure points along the spine. This provides a deep tissue massage and elongated stretching of the spine while also stimulating the lymphatic system.

Clinical massage refers to massage with a clinical purpose. Three types of clinical massage are described below.

‍Neuromuscular Therapy (NMT) is achieved when the massage therapist uses deep pressure to lengthen hypertonic (tight) muscle tissue and release trigger points where muscles are likely to be locked, both of which are frequent factors in chronic and severe pain.

Muscle Release Technique (MRT) is a clinical stretching method used to treat a localized problem. A session includes an educational discussion with the therapist in addition to the MRT treatment. MRT is sometimes uncomfortable but can be highly effective in a short period of time.

Active Release Techniques (ART) is a soft tissue system/movement based massage technique. A session includes an examination as well as treatment. Precisely directed tension combined with very specific patient movements are used to treat abnormal tissues caused by repetitive use. The ART provider identifies and corrects the specific problem affecting each individual.

Craniosacral therapy (CST) uses a gentle, non-invasive technique to help restore craniosacral rhythm and improve the function of the central nervous system. CST focuses on removing obstructions in the body’s structural components: the spine, torso, sacrum, and fascia. CST is a preventive measure but also resolves issues of physical injury, emotional stress, pain management, hyperactivity, and depression. The benefits of CST can be achieved with the patient fully clothed for a truly non-invasive healing experience.

A deep tissue massage is designed to relieve severe tension in the muscle and in the connective tissue or fascia. This type of massage focuses on the muscles located below the surface of the top muscles.
The term “deep tissue” is often misused to identify a massage that is performed with sustained deep pressure. Deep tissue massage is a separate category of massage therapy and is used to treat particular musculoskeletal disorders and complaints. Deep tissue massage employs a dedicated set of techniques and strokes to achieve a measure of relief. It should not be confused with “deep pressure” massage, which is one that is performed with sustained strong, occasionally intense pressure throughout an entire full-body session, and that is not performed to address a specific complaint.
Deep tissue massage is applied to both the superficial and deep layers of muscles, fascia, and other structures. The sessions can be quite intense as a result of the deliberate, focused work. An important part of receiving a great, effective massage is receiving the pressure level that you prefer. Our therapists are able to work with a variety of pressure levels including deep, firm, moderate, or light. If you prefer a "Deep Tissue Massage" with targeted areas of deep pressure or a full-body massage with deep pressure, please let your therapist know your pressure preferences before and during your session. You are always in control of the pressure level that your therapist applies during your massage.

According to esoteric healing practitioners, “energy follows thought”, and negative, disharmonious thoughts or emotions can lead to disease. During an esoteric healing session, the practitioner attempts to detect, assess, and treat the area of disharmony in the patient, and stimulate energy fields that underlie and support the physical body. Patients remain fully clothed during treatment. A session includes silent, off-the-body energy work and the sharing of information.

During this treatment basalt stones are warmed and placed strategically on the back like natural heating pads. The massage therapist then glides the stones over the back, applying light pressure to massage the healing heat of the stones into the muscles.

During a session of lymphatic drainage therapy (LDT), the therapist uses gentle hand and finger movements developed especially to follow and enhance lymph flow and promote a healthy lymphatic system. The lymphatic system helps rid the body of toxins and seeks to restore the natural flow of lymphatic fluid. No oils are necessary and treatment can still be effective if the therapist has to work over sheets or clothing.The stimulation of the lymphatic system can loosen long-hidden waste products, which may have decayed to the point of becoming toxic to the body. Until the toxins have fully flushed out of the body, some discomfort may be felt.

Myofascial release relieves pain and restores flexibility by stretching and releasing dysfunctional holding patterns that exist between the fascia and the skin, muscle, and bone. Fascia is the sheet of connective tissue that surrounds, separates, and binds all of the body’s tissue. Numerous factors including trauma, repetitive motions stress, and inactivity can lead to fascial damage. Applied with slow, sustained pressure, myofascial release is a specific technique used to address the restrictions and scar tissue that can develop as a result of injury to the fascia. Everybody is different, so no two sessions are exactly the same.

When healthy movement is restored using myofascial release, pain is alleviated, posture improves, and energy increases.

Oncology massage is a gentle technique for people of all ages and stages of cancer. It improves circulation, boosts the immune system and eases the side effects of chemotherapy and surgery. It can also help lessen anxiety and depression. Oncology massage can provide an opportunity for a relaxing, pleasurable experience in the midst of everything that is going on, relieving nausea or other symptoms such as pain or peripheral neuropathy and helping clients get through the remainder of their cancer treatments. No matter where you are in your journey with cancer, oncology massage can help.

We’ll come to you, when and where it is convenient for you. Creative Wellness can bring chair or table massage to your home, office, or event. Our licensed massage therapists will travel days, evenings, and weekends.

A chair massage is a convenient way to get a concentrated massage to relax and ease tension. As employers are becoming more aware of the importance of the well-being of their workforces, they are moving toward educating employees on the benefits of complementary health care including massage.  In addition, if you or someone you know has a disability or special need, on-site massage is a convenient way to benefit from massage therapy without leaving the home or hospital.  We recommend booking ahead of time to secure your date and time.

Pregnancy massage offers benefits during each trimester of pregnancy. Your practitioner will help you find a comfortable position for relaxing and pillows are used as needed for additional support. Post-delivery massage is highly beneficial in helping with the healing process, working on abdominal muscles to improve strength and skin tone.

Reflexology is a form of bodywork that focuses primarily on the feet. The reflexes of the feet and hands act like reflections of the body. By applying painless pressure to certain areas of the hands and feet, we can positively affect the corresponding organs and their functions, stimulating your parasympathetic nervous system to heal itself.

For 3,000 years Chinese practitioners have used reflexology to re-balance Qi (pronounced CHEE, the life force flowing through energy channels) to treat a number of conditions. It can work alongside conventional Western medicine to promote healing and improve well-being and vitality.

Rehabilitation massage takes place after an injury, illness, or surgical treatment. It involves techniques of therapeutic massage and includes expert assessment of progress and communication with physicians and insurance companies.

Reiki (pronounced ray-kee) is Japanese for “Universal Life Energy.” Reiki is an ancient Japanese healing system in which the trained Reiki practitioner uses the Usui systems of Reiki to balance the Universal Life Energy within an individual.During Reiki, the client remains clothed, while the practitioner lays his or her hands on the surface of the body in an orderly sequence, with special attention paid to particular areas of discomfort and imbalance. This allows the practitioner's life force to be transferred to the client’s problem areas. Reiki facilitates the client’s own healing.

Relaxation, or Swedish, massage uses five basic movements to increase circulation and remove toxins from the muscles. Working in long gliding strokes in the direction of blood returning to the heart, the massage therapist incorporates these techniques into a flowing massage session that leaves the client physically and emotionally relaxed. While the primary goal is to relax the entire body, relaxation massage is exceptionally beneficial for increasing the level of oxygen in the blood, decreasing muscle toxins, and improving circulation and flexibility while easing tension.

Rolfing is bodywork with the focus on structural integration. Movement patterns become dysfunctional due to physical trauma, injury, stress and poor posture. The Rolfing practitioner provides connective tissue manipulations, which lead to improved balance, greater relaxation and renewed structural alignment. A series of ten sessions is recommended, and advanced work is also available.

We offer special medical needs massage for all types of disabilities and special needs. Special medical needs massage can benefit short-term or long-term medical needs. Massage therapy can help those who have been in an accident get back to pre-accident health or those looking to attain a better quality of life reach their goal.

Massage therapy increases blood and lymph circulation, range of motion, stimulates (but not strengthens) weak muscles, positively affects the central nervous system, reduces aches and pains, can prevent or delay atrophy and contractures due to inactivity and muscle tightness, and reduces stress.

This service is also available as an on-site massage for those clients who have difficulties leaving the home.

Sports massage is beneficial prior to or following a sporting event and also benefits those recovering from a sports-related injury. Sports massage promotes circulation and healthy lymph flow. It can restore mobility to injured muscles and tissue. Sports massage is not limited to athletes and is beneficial for anyone with an active lifestyle.

Thai massage is more energizing and rigorous than more classic forms of massage. Thai massage is also called Thai Yoga massage, because the therapist uses his or her hands, knees, legs, and feet to move you into a series of yoga-like stretches. Thai massage is done with all your clothes on, so some recommend this for people who want the benefit of a massage but like to remain fully clothed. Muscle compression, joint mobilization and acupressure are also used during the treatment.

There are thousands of positions and techniques in the complete repertoire of Thai massage, including yogic stretching, rhythmic rocking, joint compression and decompression, gentle soothing movement, and pressure along the energy lines of the body.

A trigger point is a tight area within muscle tissue that causes pain in other parts of the body. A trigger point in the back, for example, may produce referral pain in the neck. The neck, now acting as a satellite trigger point, may then cause pain in the head. The pain may be sharp and intense or a dull ache.

Trigger point massage therapy is specifically designed to alleviate the source of pain through cycles of isolated pressure and release. In this type of massage for trigger point therapy, the recipient actively participates through deep breathing as well as identifying the exact location and intensity of the discomfort.

The results and benefits of trigger point massage are releasing constricted areas in the muscles, thus alleviating pain. You can experience a significant decrease in pain after just one treatment. Receiving massage with trigger point therapy on a regular basis can help naturally manage pain and stress from chronic injuries.