LA Stone Therapy Back to Top
When someone says “hot stone massage”, what do you think of? Something that's pleasant only in the wintertime? Perhaps you think of the widespread cliché pictures of a woman lying face-down on a massage table, in a grassy field, with a line of black stones going down her spine. Neither are incorrect, but there's more to stone massage than just feeling warm and relaxed. Stone therapy is rejuvenating. It decreases pain. It helps heal the body.
LaStone therapy was created by Mary Nelson in Tucson, Arizona, in 1993. She found that using both hot and cold stones was therapeutic; the physiological benefits of alternating hot and cold to the body have long been scientifically and medically proven.
The hot stones are typically made from basalt, a result of cooled lava from volcanic eruptions. During a massage, the stones will be heated anywhere from 110 degrees to 130 degrees. The short term effects of heat on the body include vasodilation, which is a widening of the blood vessels, and in turn increases the blood supply. The heat also increases metabolism and the pulse rate. The hot stones penetrate the muscles deeper and more quickly than with just the hands, which means more time can then be spent on other areas in need. While the body is relaxed, healing can take place more efficiently.
The cold stones are usually made from marble, which tends to keep cold longer. The temperature of these cold stones is around the same as a normal refrigerator, or will sometimes be put on ice when needed. The coolness of the marble stones is a distinct contrast with the heat of the basalt stones; the cold reduces inflammation, pulls heat from the area to allow the body to heal more efficiently. Cold is also great for inflamed and aching joints, such as arthritis, and can help relieve headaches and sinus problems.
The constant alternating of hot and cold during a LaStone session allows for optimal physical healing and ultimate relaxation.
If you would like to know more about what a typical session consists of, contact us at the clinic at 937-233-1755 and ask for Jaime Bacon; we will be more than happy to assist you.
Active Isolated Stretching Back to Top
Developed by Aaron Mattes, Active Isolated Stretching (AIS) is a dynamic system for improving your flexibility and overall well-being. As you probably already know, stretching your muscles not only reduces your chance of injury, but also strengthens your tendons and improves your circulation.
Cancer/Oncology Massage Back to Top
Oncology Massage is a special type of massage developed specifically for cancer patients. Cancer patients have unique needs which must be addressed to make sure that a massage is beneficial to their health. I focus my attention on creating a gentle, nurturing environment for you to relax into.
Chair Massage Back to Top
Chair massage is a popular way of relieving stress and releasing tension right in your home or workplace. You receive your massage in a specialized ergonomic chair which I bring to your location. In addition to the usual health benefits of massage, another benefit of chair massage is that it is done over the clothing. With seated massage, you can avoid the discomfort and awkwardness that you may feel in disrobing for a traditional massage. Also, chair massage sessions are usually shorter than traditional massage, making it convenient enough to fit into your busy schedule.
Deep Tissue Massage Back to Top
Deep Tissue Massage is a form of bodywork that aims to relieve tension in the deeper layers of tissue in the body. Deep Tissue Massage is a highly effective method for releasing chronic stress areas due to misalignment, repetitive motions, and past lingering injuries. Due to the nature of the deep tissue work, open communication during the session is crucial to make sure you don't get too uncomfortable. Keep in mind that soreness is pretty common after the treatment, and that plenty of water should be ingested to aid with the flushing and removal of toxins that will have been released from the deep tissue during the session.
Geriatric Massage Back to Top
Geriatric massage is a form of massage designed to meet the specific needs of the elderly. It helps to improve blood circulation, relieve pain, and also increase range of motion. If you are elderly, geriatric massage can help you maintain and improve your overall health, as well as regain certain physical functions that have been reduced due to aging. In addition, since the elderly don't typically receive enough physical touch, this massage can also help alleviate symptoms of loneliness or depression.
Hot Stone Therapy Back to Top
Hot Stone Therapy is a style of massage where heated stones are placed at specific sites on your body to deepen relaxation and promote circulation in your muscles. Muscles that are heated with these stones release tension and stress much more deeply and quickly than with a traditional massage. The overall experience is very relaxing, nurturing, and rejuvenating.
Infant Massage Back to Top
Infant Massage is a style of bodywork designed specifically to promote the healthy development of your infant. Caring human touch is crucial for a healthy thriving baby, and the benefits of massaging your infant are potent and numerous. For example, many infants show improved growth and development of the brain and nervous system. Infant massage has also been shown to improve the quality of a baby's sleep, as well as strengthening their immune system.
Lymphatic Drainage Back to Top
Lymphatic Drainage Therapy aims to gently and rhythmically move the lymph through the body, especially swollen areas of the body, relieving pressure and enhancing the functioning of the immune system. As both a preventative and remedial technique, LD can be used for a wide range of purposes including faster recovery from injury, reduction of swelling and discomfort from pregnancy, and strengthened resistance to illness.
Myofascial Massage Back to Top
Myofascial massage is a technique used to treat injuries and discomfort, reducing pain and increasing range of motion. Myofascial massage differs from other types of massage in that it targets the fascia - the membrane surrounding muscles - rather than the muscle itself. Since fascia completely encases every muscle in the body, imbalances in the fascia can have serious effects on your range of motion and comfort level. While other forms of massage can overlook the fascia, myofascial massage focuses specifically on releasing tension in this important membrane.
Myofascial Release Back to Top
Myofascial release is a form of soft tissue therapy intended to eliminate pain, increase range of motion, and rebalance the entire body. It does this by using massage techniques to stretch the fascia and release the bonds that exist between the fascia, muscles and bones. Fascia is the connective tissue that connects and covers all muscles, organs, and skeletal structures of the body. Direct myofascial release is sometimes known as deep tissue work. Indirect release applies light pressure and gently stretches the fascia; this allows for increased blood circulation and relief from pain.
Myotherapy Back to Top
Developed by physical therapist Bonnie Pruden in 1976, myotherapy involves applying focused pressure onto specific points of the body called "trigger points". Trigger points are places in the body that can cause pain to other areas of the body. For instance a trigger point on the hamstring might cause pain in the lower back. These trigger points are dissolved by applying direct pressure to the muscle for several seconds with either the hands, fingers, or elbows. Through several sessions of myotherapy, trigger points are eliminated, restoring full function and health to the body.
Neuromuscular Therapy Back to Top
Neuromuscular therapy is a system of massage techniques that were developed in the 1930's by Dr. Stanley Lief in England. It uses a holistic approach towards healing, emphasizing and stimulating the body's natural ability to heal itself. Neuromuscular therapy also enhances the function of joints and muscles, and accelerates the overall healing process by facilitating the release of endorphins.
Orthopedic Massage Back to Top
Orthopedic massage is a style of massage therapy focused on treating painful conditions that affect the soft tissues of the body. Because orthopedic massage is designed to treat medical conditions, it requires extensive training. It involves releasing tense muscles, helping to stretch and lengthen tight muscles and tendons, and decompress rigid joints. My goal is to restore full health to the soft tissues of your body, both treating your specific conditions as well as improving your overall well-being.
Pregnancy Massage Back to Top
Pregnancy Massage is a style of bodywork designed specifically for pregnant women. Pregnancy is a time when a woman's body endures tremendous stress due to dramatic physical and emotional changes. Using various techniques specially developed for the expecting mother, Pregnancy Massage helps release the pain and discomfort experienced throughout pregnancy. The benefits are profound, including emotional support, the relief of joint pain due to extra weight and postural imbalance, and improved breathing and relaxation.
Pressure Point Therapy Back to Top
Your body stores stress in specific areas called pressure points. Pressure points are small painful pockets of energy that are located along a nerve pathway in your body. These pressure points actually block the nerve energy from flowing through your body, causing a variety of discomforts and illnesses. In our session, I apply pressure to these specific points and dissolve them, releasing any blockages and restoring your nerve pathways to optimal health and function.
Sports Massage Back to Top
Sports Massage is a type of massage designed for highly active people who engage in athletics. Engaging in sports is harsh on the body and can often lead to injuries in both the short and long term. Sports Massage enhances performance and prolongs a sports career by helping to prevent injury, reduce pains and swelling in the body, relax the mind, increase flexibility, and dramatically improve recovery rates. Sports Massage is also highly effective in aiding the rapid recovery of an athlete from an injury by encouraging greater kinesthetic awareness and in turn promoting the body's natural immune function.
Trigger Point Therapy Back to Top
Trigger Point Therapy is a style of bodywork that focuses on stimulating and releasing "trigger points" in your body. Trigger points are tender areas of tension similar to acupressure points, except they occur in the belly of the muscle rather than along the energy pathways of the body. These "knots" are built up throughout a person's life due to physical, mental, and/or emotional stress. During a session, focused pressure is applied through a variety of techniques order to release your trigger points. This process can be quite painful at times, yet the effects are lasting and profoundly transformative.
