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Our Services.
– Chicago Tribune, April 6, 1995
What To Expect
From the first moment you walk into our waiting area, you will notice it is unlike other offices. The atmosphere is inviting, comfortable, peaceful and attractive. You will be greeted personally by your individual massage therapist, guided to a private room where your practitioner will ask questions regarding your medical health history as well as your individual needs for the massage session. During this time, you will be encouraged to ask any questions you have with regards to massage therapy and the forthcoming session.
After the initial conversation is over, the massage therapist will leave the room while you disrobe and get on the massage table between the sheets. The massage therapist will knock on the door, re-enter the room, and the massage will begin. Massage sessions are typically 60 or 90 minutes in length. During the massage, only the section of your body receiving massage will be uncovered. The massage therapist has been trained in draping techniques to ensure that your privacy and boundaries are respected. At no time will you be completely naked nor will your gluteal cleavage, breast tissue, or genitals be exposed. During the massage your feedback is encouraged. At the end of your massage session, the massage therapist will leave the room while you dress. After you are dressed, you and your massage therapist will have a brief discussion about how the massage went, how you are feeling, and options for further treatment.
What Is A Massage?
According to the American Massage Therapy Association, massage is the manipulation of the body’s soft tissues (skin, fascia, and muscles) to promote health and well-being.
Common Massage Terms:
- Cranio-Sacral – is a technique for finding and correcting cerebral and spinal imbalances or blockages that may cause sensory, motor or intellectual dysfunction.
- Deep Tissue – releases the chronic patterns of tension in the body through slow strokes and deep finger pressure on the contracted areas, either following or going across the grain of muscles, tendons and fascia. It is called deep tissue, because it also focuses on the deeper layers of muscle tissue.
- Effleurage – is a stroke generally used in a Swedish massage treatment. This smooth, gliding stroke is used to relax soft tissue and is applied using both hands.
- Friction – is the deepest of Swedish massage strokes. This stroke encompasses deep, circular movements applied to soft tissue causing the underlying layers of tissue to rub against each other. The result causes an increase in blood flow to the massaged area.
- Myofascial Release – is a form of bodywork that is manipulative in nature and seeks to rebalance the body by releasing tension in the fascia. Long, stretching strokes are utilized to release muscular tension.
- On-site Massage (also known as chair massage or corporate massage) – is administered while the client is clothed and seated in a specially designed chair. These chairs most often slope forward allowing access to the large muscles of the back. On-site massage usually lasts between 15 and 30 minutes and is intended to relax and improve circulation.
- Petrissage (also called kneading) – involves squeezing, rolling and kneading the muscles and usually follows effleurage during Swedish massage.
- Reflexology – massage based around a system of points in the hands and feet thought to correspond, or "reflex," to all areas of the body.
- Rosen Method – utilizes gentle touch and verbal communication to help clients to release suppressed emotions and subsequently muscular tension in some instances.
- Shiatsu and Acupressure – Oriental-based systems of finger-pressure which treat special points along acupuncture "meridians" (the invisible channels of energy flow in the body).
- Sports Massage – massage therapy focusing on muscle systems relevant to a particular sport.
- Swedish Massage – a system of long strokes, kneading and friction techniques on the more superficial layers of the muscles, combined with active and passive movements of the joints.
- Tapotement – is executed with cupped hands, fingers or the edge of the hand with short, alternating taps to the client.
- Trigger Point Therapy (also known as Myotherapy or Neuromuscular Therapy) – applies concentrated finger pressure to "trigger points" (painful irritated areas in muscles) to break cycles of spasm and pain.