Modalities

We utilize techniques from many different forms of body work. Below is a brief description on each. For certifications, click here

Table Massage

All massage sessions are tailored to suit the individual’s needs. Usually several modalities are utilized during each session to produce desired results. Almost all massage modalities can be performed on a table, except for chair massage and Thai massage if a traditional mat is preferred.

Couples Massage

This can be romantic, productive or just fun. Some people talk throughout, others both fall asleep. It is up to the couple. Friends, family and partners all enjoy couples massages together. We’ve had mothers and daughters, uncles and nephews, mothers first then daughters after, girlfriends, male friends, cousins, you name it, everyone gets couple massages together.

Swedish Massage

Swedish massage is a series of long, connecting, full-body strokes. It is done rhythmically and is used to lull the body into a state of deep relaxation. It also encourages blood and fluid circulation and increases range of motion.

Stretching

Our special stretching techniques utilize the latest research in stretching that go far beyond your everyday stretching that most people are accustomed to. This will get you further faster and completely reset the tonus in your muscle.

Deep Tissue Massage

Deep Tissue Massage uses deep, slow pressure to help lengthen the tissue. It is used to treat acute and chronic shortening of the muscle due to trauma, stress, and postural imbalances. This has been shown to increase strength in the muscle. We also have additional tools that can assist the process an ease the pain before, during, and after for faster recovery. Requires minimum 90 minute appointments.

Ashiatsu

Deeper than Deep Tissue Massage. Ashi-(foot) -atsu (pressure) is a deep, painless form of barefoot massage that you will love. Deep tissue massage fanatics often ask for more pressure than the therapist is able to consistently provide. With Ashiatsu, we can apply our entire body weight when appropriate. If you are looking for a massage deep enough to relax every fiber of your being, THIS IS IT! Try Ashiatsu BarefootBar Therapy — the deepest, most luxurious massage on the planet. It's pronounced Ahhhhh-shiatsu.

Trigger Point Therapy

Trigger points are tender areas usually found in tight bands of muscle that may radiate pain to other areas of the body. The therapist warms the muscle and then applies about 10 seconds of pressure to the trigger point to help it release. It can cause tenderness for a couple of days but it is the body’s normal response to the removal of toxins. We also sell massage tools for tending to your problem areas at home.

Prenatal/Pregnancy Massage

Our pregnancy massage utilizes special bolsters (the body cushion) with a deep cutout in the center so you can lie face-down comfortably, or you can also have your back massaged by lying on your side with pillows under your head and between your legs. A pregnancy massage should avoid certain acupressure points. It relieves stress on joints, it eases neck and back pain, helps you to keep good posture and relaxes and provides flexibility to birthing muscles. Pregnancy massage aids the circulatory and lymphatic systems, which keeps blood flowing to both the mother and the baby. It stimulates different glands in the body, which help to stabilize hormone levels, and relieves nervous tension throughout the body.

Myofascial Release

MFR is a soft tissue therapy for the treatment of skeletal muscle immobility and pain. This alternative medicine therapy aims to relax contracted muscles, improve blood and lymphatic circulation, and stimulate the stretch reflex in muscles. This is a very slowly done holding technique. Each area can be held from 3-5 minutes or more.

Manual Lymph Drainage

Is a soft-touch technique used to reduce swelling and move lymphatic fluid in the body. The lymphatic system is your second circulatory system and is an important party of your immune system. (Fun anatomy fact: 5% of your body’s fluid is in your blood, 15% is in the lymph system.) But the lymph system moves very slowly and can sometimes benefit from a little help via massage. It can be useful for people dealing with headaches, minor swelling, etc. More…

Craniosacral Therapy

Craniosacral therapy utilizes gentle traction and pressure techniques on bones and soft issue areas of the skull and pelvis to release restrictions and tension. Restrictions that are caused from emotional and physical impacts can create imbalances that can lead to structural dysfunction and improper flow of the cerebral spinal fluid. It is used to help people who suffer from chronic headaches, sinus problems, TMJ syndrome, and neck and lower back injuries.

Lomi Lomi

An ancient Hawaii healing art, LomiLomi is a sacred gift passing from generation to generation via this one simple massage. “Healing through loving touch.” LomiLomi is an interactive massage wherein the practitioner uses fluid, dance-like motions to relax fatigued muscle, restore body alignment, rejuvenate the mind, and empower the soul. The client is very minimally dressed on a heated oiled table or in the sun.

Shiatsu

Also known as acupressure, is a finger pressure massage technique. The therapist applies pressure with her thumbs, finger, and palms to specific areas of the client’s body that have been determined during an assessment period prior to the massage session. There are no needle pokes involved with shiatsu. Massage techniques like tapping, squeezing, rubbing, and applied pressure are applied along the meridians to unblock energy blockages and reintroduce the optimal flow of ki.

Sports

Each sport has its own characteristics and sports massage is geared at helping the athlete manage his training routines, performance and recovery. Pre-event, post-event and training massage each has their own focus to help you achieve your best results and avoid injuries.

Pre-event massage is geared for the athlete in training. It warms you up just prior to an event. This is a more dynamic type of massage. It usually involves a lot of stretching, compression, jostling: it “wakes up” the muscles and gets blood flowing to them getting them ready to work.

Post-event massage occurs immediately after the event. The purpose of this type of massage is to help you recover from the event faster. It helps keep you limber, helps your body shed excess lactic acid (which is what gives you the ‘burning’ feeling after a workout) and can help prevent injury by reducing swelling.

Training Massage occurs during your training cycle to help you improve your workouts by speeding recovery time, flushing toxins out of the body and reducing swelling. Potential injuries and weaknesses in the body are identified and targeted treatments are applied. An example: a runner getting shin splints. There are specific massage techniques that can help reduce shin splints faster, getting you back on the track sooner.

Medical Massage

Helps reduce pain, increase range of motion (ROM) and can be used to treat a long list of medical problems such as asthma, edema, muscle strain, tendonitis, Fibromyalgia, and many others. Medical Massage targets your particular issue for the bulk of the session. Making sure you’re comfortable during the work is important, so we may used several positions during a session, which may include lying on your side, having you sit up, or having you lie down (face down or face up) depending on the work.

Reflexology

This natural healing technique relieves stress, promotes relaxation, and increases blood circulation. It helps to balance the body through stimulation of pressure and reflex points on the feet. This relaxing method of stimulation helps kick-start the bodies healing mechanisms. Our Aroma Touch Treatment below involves a lot of reflexology. Infact all of your reflex points on your feet will be addressed in that treatment with the added application of essential oils to them as well.

Facial

A facial is one of the best ways to take care of your skin, especially when it's given by an experienced, knowledgeable esthetician. A facial cleans, exfoliates and nourishes the skin, promoting a clear, well-hydrated complexion, and can help your skin look younger. A facial is the second most popular spa treatment after a massage. A facial works best when it is part of an on-going program of skin care. More about facials...

See about all of our 'facials' on our 'services and rates' page.

Cupping Therapy

Increases blood flow, open pores, and allow toxins to leave the body. Cupping is an ancient Chinese method of causing local congestion. A partial vacuum is created in cups placed on the skin either by means of heat or suction. This draws up the underlying tissues. When the cup is left in place on the skin for a few minutes, blood stasis is formed and localized healing takes place. It has been found to affect the body up to four inches into the tissues, causing tissues to release toxins, activate the lymphatic system, clear colon blockages, help activate and clear the veins, arteries and capillaries, activate the skin, clear stretch marks and improve varicose veins. Cupping is the best deep tissue massage available. Though it leaves bruising, it goes away in a few days. Gwyneth Paltrow (the actress) showed up to a premiere in 2004 with proudly displayed circular bruises across her back. The 1st Godfather movie had a mother administering cuppy to her baby to relieve congestion in the lungs.

Hot Stones

Traditionally hot stones warmed by fire were used by Native Americans to treat aching muscles. Our therapists use smooth, heated stones, either as an extension of their own hands, or by placing them on the body while they massage other parts of the body. The heat can be both deeply relaxing and help warm up tight muscles so the therapist can work more deeply, more quickly. Can be added to any massage

Aromatherapy 

Aromatherapy is the practice of using the natural oils extracted from flowers, bark, stems, leaves, roots or other parts of a plant to enhance psychological and physical well-being. It is used for a variety of applications, including pain relief, mood enhancement and increased cognitive function. The inhaled aroma from these “essential” oils stimulates brain function. Essential oils can also be absorbed through the skin, where they travel through the bloodstream and can promote whole-body healing. We have over 70 essential oils to choose from. There are thousands of ailments that can be helped with essential oils. Just let us know how we can help.

Acupuncture

A Chinese practice of inserting fine needles through the skin at specific points to cure disease, relieve pain and bring about wellness.