Have you been thinking about trying out a new massage style? What's your comfort level with different techniques and modalities, like orthopedic massage or reflexology? Don't worry! We’ve got some information that will help narrow down the options so all it takes is a few easy clicks to make your appointment at My Elite Massage.
What is Orthopedic Massage?
What is Relaxation Massage?
What is Blended Massage?
What is Scar Release Therapy?
What is Vagal Nerve Stimulation?
What is Orthopedic Deep Tissue Massage?
What is Sports Massage?
What is Relaxation Reflexology?
What can you tell me about your other modalities?
What is Orthopedic Massage?
Orthopedic Massage was pioneered and developed by internationally renowned massage therapist, James Waslaski, who combined his paramedic, trauma center and pre-med experience with his massage training to create a pain-free orthopedic massage. Orthopedic Massage Therapy is a multidisciplinary approach to relieving myoskeletal and soft tissue pain, dysfunction, and injuries. It focuses on the muscles and soft tissues surrounding joints. It is also utilized to help clients regain and improve their health and fitness. Orthopedic massage is used to increase range of motion, decrease and manage pain and restore normal body movement and function.
The aim of orthopedic massage is to relieve pain while restoring balance to the tissues and create a fuller range of motion. Properly performed and directed by a licensed therapist, it restores the body’s structural balance, significantly reduces acute soft tissue pain, and improves flexibility so it's a great way to reduce pain, increase range of motion and prepare your body for returning to its everyday stresses. It's a natural way to help your body heal - AND it is often very relaxing while it reduces your muscle pains and strains!. It may even inspire you to set some goals of where you'd like to be regarding the effected joints as your results will be measured throughout the healing process.
What is Relaxation Massage?
Most massage treatments will relax you, even while working out pain or movement issues; this one's all about the Ahhh factor. Incorporating primarily Swedish style or "classic massage," this relaxing treatment will help you unwind and de-stress for total relaxation with smooth flowing strokes that are designed to work magic on your muscles!
Typically 60-90 minutes in duration, this luxurious massage will use all kinds of massage techniques including long strokes, gentle kneading, soothing fascia release, a few passive joint movement techniques, and perhaps some rhythmic rocking from side to side. You may even receive some reflexology if time allows. This is a passive treatment; meaning you just lie there, let go, and let the therapist do all the work. In other words, this is the perfect massage if you want to relax and be pampered for awhile.
What is Blended Massage?
You may get some relaxation techniques in your orthopedic massage and the reverse is also true. Choosing a Blended Massage gives you the best of both worlds. It's a great choice if you expect to need roughly equal parts of both styles or prefer a relaxation massage but know you have those one or two problem spots that really need to be addressed before your body will even allow you to relax.
The goal of a blended massage is to find the source, or root cause if you will. It's not just about relaxing your muscles but getting rid them completely so they don't return again later on down the line! It will typically begin as a relaxation massage but will veer into orthopedic and other techniques as we discover or work on known trouble spots throughout your session.
At the start of your blended massage, you will decide which is most important to you, completing a full-body massage or attempting to fully work out the issues you know about or we discover. You may even change your mind during the massage regarding this. Ultimately, the results tend to be an increased sense of looseness, flexibility, and serenity.
What is Scar Release Therapy (SRT)?
This is a painless, microcurrent point stimulation treatment of scar tissue utilizing DC current — the same current your body produces, rather than the AC current used by TENS units — to reduce and release both visible scars and deeper scar tissue. There is a 7-minute video on the Scar Release Therapy page well worth watching that explains the impact of scars and why SRT is helpful. Kevin may incorporate a little SRT into his orthopedic or blended massages but if you would like a session focused solely on reducing your scars, this is the therapy for you. You may book it as a stand-alone session or ask for it as a 30-minute starter session before your regular 90-minute or longer massage. Expect to need roughly 30 minutes for every six inches of scar tissue. Results are usually noticeable after one session but three or four sessions are typically needed for maximum results. Please wear clothing that allows simple access to the area to be addressed.
What is Vagal Nerve Stimulation (VNS)?
.png)
The vagus nerve is the major nerve of the parasympathetic nervous system, countering the fight-or-flight stress reaction caused by the sympathetic system. It is in charge of our immune response to inflammation, our pulmonary (breathing) functioning, and the vast majority of our bodies' rest-repair-heal cycle.
Using accessories designed for the Dolphin neurostim device, this non-invasive service stimulates the entire vagal nerve track to aid in countering sympathetic stress in the body and in strengthening immunity.
You remain dressed during the session, which uses microcurrent point stimulation connected to a pad just below the naval and a small clip attached to your lower left ear lobe. The service itself lasts for 15 minutes while you sit or lay down comfortably.
What is Orthopedic Deep Tissue Massage?
Deep tissue does not mean deep pressure; you can receive either one without the other. Specifically, deep tissue massage addresses both muscles and connective tissue below the surface layers. While many therapists are trained to use a lot of heavy elbow work with slow, concentrated pressure, and sometimes awkward positioning to achieve a deep tissue massage, orthopedic deep tissue massage is different. Orthopedic deep tissue massage is designed to be pain-free and effective at realigning deeper muscles. The elbow work isn't needed, nor will Kevin drill into one point of your body with all his weight!
Whether you are a fan of deep tissue massage or are simply curious about trying the orthopedic version, you can experience the benefits here without feeling like you've been beat-up when it's over.
Orthopedic Deep Tissue massage is available on 60-minute sessions only.
What is Sports Massage?
According to research in the North American Journal of Sports Physical Therapy, sports massage refers to “a collection of massage techniques performed on athletes or active individuals for the purpose of aiding recovery or treating pathology.” In other words, its purpose is to help active people prevent and address injuries while participating in their sport of choice.
At My Elite Massage, Kevin will work with you to create a session that is most beneficial for your needs. Whether it's weekly exercise, monthly injury prevention or just relief from sore muscles after a game or workout; he can provide personalized attention toward achieving goals based on what type of sports activity you practice week-to-week or month-to-month!
When you visit, we will address any of those slight annoyance issues that have cropped up between visits, follow up on previous problems, and/or do a full-body check to insure all the major muscles and joints are functioning correctly. (Part of a good sports maintenance massage is to keep an eye out for any burgeoning imbalances and address them before they cause problems.) And if you wish, your visit can also be an accountability checkpoint for any self-maintenance exercises, stretches, and postural adjustments you are working into your home self-care. Just like every massage at My Elite Massage, your session is customized to your goals.
What is Relaxation Reflexology?
.jpg)
Relaxation Reflexology. Although it is not available to book online, Relaxation Reflexology is sometimes included as part of the longer relaxation or blended massages. Techniques from this modality are also sometimes used when treating plantar fasciitis or other foot-related issues in orthopedic massages.
One of the most popular massage modalities for relaxing is Reflexology. This technique focuses on specific reflexology points in your feet and hands to help release tension in these parts while also restoring natural energy levels!
If you would like to book an exclusively Relaxation Reflexology massage, book any 1-hour massage and contact Kevin to have it changed to Relaxation Reflexology. This massage is performed solely on the feet, hands, and a little on the neck and shoulders. You can wear loose, comfortable clothing during that session that allows access to your lower legs, your neck, and upper back/shoulder blades. It is available as a 1-hour session only.
What can you tell me about your other modalities?
Prenatal Massage: Pregnancy massage focuses on addressing the special needs of expecting women. Side-lying postures with multiple pillows are used to prevent putting pressure on the abdomen. Sciatic pain relief and some reduction in swelling are common results, along with the traditional relaxation outcomes. If there is anything that causes your pregnancy to fall outside of a "normal" pregnancy, you may need your doctor's approval for massage
Massage for Minors: Massage is beneficial at any age. For minors, as for adults, each session is customized to the client's pressure preference and other needs. My Elite Massage offers massages for ages 8-17 from 15-minutes in length up to 1-hour. For children under the age of 8, please contact My Elite Massage to discuss before setting an appointment.
Generally, a child's massage will be focused on some short specific goals such as calming or pain relief (particularly for those active in sports) that can be done in a shorter session. Massage lengths are usually shorter than adult sessions to prevent restlessness during the treatment. A parent/guardian must stay in the room or the building during the session, depending on the child's age.
What is cupping and why is it included here when it's not a modality option?
It is true, at this time, Massage Cupping is not offered as an entire session (yet). However, My Elite Massage's options are all integrated massages, meaning different modalities are utilized in all of them. It's very possible massage cupping may be used to address an issue in your orthopedic, sports, or blended massage, so it's worth spending a minute or two to explain it here.
Cupping has been around for over 2,000 years in some form or another in various countries and empires. At My Elite Massage, massage cupping (i.e. cupping with silicone cups) is used to create a small vacuum which lifts the skin and fascia allowing for better blood flow. This often releases deep tension and scar tissue adhesions.
If you've seen someone who had a cupping massage and you're concerned about looking like you battled an octopus afterwards, that should not happen here as Kevin will keep the cup moving along your tissue as opposed to leaving it in one spot for an extended time.
Cupping has been used to positive effect in the treatment of anemia, hemophilia, arthritis, fibromyalgia, high blood pressure, anxiety and depression, lung infections, asthma, and may even help to reduce pain and inflammation. Once I am certified in medical massage cupping, it will be an outstanding addition to the massage offerings here.
There are contraindications (health reasons why it should not be done) to cupping so please make certain your intake and health forms are filled out accurately and completely so if this treatment is not an option for you, it isn't used.
