MEDICAL MASSAGE

Massage has been used for healing purposes for centuries and dates back 4,000 years in Chinese medical literature and continues to be an important part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) today. Massage techniques may stimulate or calm muscles and tissues and when combined with human touch, promotes emotional and physical healing. When a practitioner massages soft tissue, electrical signals are transmitted both to the local area and throughout the body to heal damaged muscle, stimulate circulation and rid scar tissue, clear toxins, boost immune response, reduce pain and tension, and induce relaxation. Massage enhances your sense of wellbeing with the release of endorphins (natural pain killers and mood enhancers) and reduces stress-related hormones. Here, at PhysicalOne, our therapists use a range of massage techniques specifically tailored to your needs to help you achieve improved wellness.

• Aromatherapy massage. Essential oils from plants are massaged into the skin to enhance the healing and relaxing effects of massage. Practitioners believe essential oils have a powerful effect on mood by stimulating two structures deep in the brain known to store emotions and memory.
• Craniosacral massage. Therapists apply gentle pressure to the head and spine to correct imbalances and restore the flow of cerebrospinal fluid in these areas.
• Lymphatic massage. Therapists use light, rhythmic strokes to improve the flow of lymph (colorless fluid that helps fight infection and disease) throughout the body. One of the most popular forms of lymphatic massage, manual lymphatic drainage (MLD), focuses on draining excess lymph.
• Myofascial release. Therapists use gentle pressure and body positioning to relax and stretch the muscles, fascia (connective tissue), and related structures. Trained physical therapists and massage therapists use this technique.
• On site/chair massage. On site massage therapists use a portable chair to deliver brief, upper body massages to fully clothed people in offices and other public places.
• Polarity therapy. A form of energy healing, polarity therapy stimulates and balances the flow of energy within the body to enhance health and well being.
• Reflexology. Therapists use specialized thumb and finger techniques on the hands and feet. Reflexologists believe that these areas contain “reflex points” or direct connections to specific organs and structure, throughout the body.
• Rolfing. Therapists apply pressure to the fascia (connective tissue) to stretch it, lengthen it, and make it more flexible. The goal of this technique is to realign the body so that it conserves energy, releases tension, and functions better.
• Shiatsu. Therapists apply gentle finger and hand pressure to specific points on the body to relieve pain and enhance the flow of energy (known as qi) through the body’s energy pathways (called meridians). Shiatsu is widely used in TCM.
• Sports massage. Often used on professional athletes and other active individuals, sports massage can enhance performance and prevent and treat sports-related injuries.
• Swedish massage. Therapists use a variety of strokes and pressure techniques to enhance the flow of blood to the heart, remove waste products from the tissues, stretch ligaments and tendons, and ease physical and emotional tension.
• Trigger point massage. Pressure is applied to “trigger points” (tender areas where the muscles have been damaged) to alleviate muscle spasms and pain.
• Integrative touch. A gentle form of massage therapy that uses gentle, non-circulatory techniques, integrative touch was designed to meet the needs of patients who are hospitalized or in hospice care.
• Compassionate touch. Combines one-on-one focused attention, intentional touch, and sensitive massage with communication to enhance the quality of life for elderly, ill, or dying patients.