Bodywork Treatments

Bodywork Treatments

Alison and Michael offer therapeutic massage sessions to suit your personal needs.  

In Alison’s sessions, she blends “Eastern” (Chinese, Japanese & Thai) techniques & principles with “Western” (deep tissue, relaxation, Swedish) therapeutic techniques & principles in order to effect greater flexibility & balance, pain relief, relaxation, and lasting transformation in the body’s tissues and systems.   

In Michael’s sessions, he focuses on offering a modern medical massage infused with ancient wisdom, working primarily with Neuromuscular Technique and Lomi Lomi to support every person in living well.

The following are among the tools which we utilizes in a therapeutic massage session. Please note that the lists of benefits are incomplete, but a good start.  

Deep Tissue

Designed to break the stress-tension-pain cycle by relaxing muscles, increasing circulation, and bringing the body into balance, Deep Tissue massage employs slower strokes with more direct pressure across the muscle grains.  It is often used to address soft tissue injuries and relieve chronic tension & pain in the deepest layers of muscle, tendons, and fascia.

Lomi Lomi

An ancient Hawaiian healing practice passed down through generations, historically from Kahuna to Kahuna, and now from teacher to students across the world. Lomi Lomi is a holistic bodywork practice that works the entire body with specific, focused techniques to relieve muscle tightness, support flexibility, reduce pain and inflammation, and support the body in the healing process. The lineage of Lomi Lomi Michael practices is Mana Lomi, taught by Maka’ala Yates, an interpretation and expression of “Auntie Margaret Style” his lifelong teacher on the Big Island of Hawaii.

Shiatsu

A holistic system of bodywork based on the "meridians" of Classical Chinese Medicine (CCM), Shiatsu (Japanese for "finger pressure") utilizes acupressure, muscle compression, rocking, and percussive techniques to restore balance and flow of the body's life energy ("qi" or "chi"). Alison incorporates a bit of Shiatsu wisdom into all of her sessions.

:: a full-body treatment tonifies each of the major energy channels (in CCM) and is an excellent way to maintain proper energy flow in each of the body's systems. 
:: improves circulation
:: helps bring relief to arthritis sufferers or those with stiffness in the neck / shoulders / back
:: reduces stress & tension, as well as anxiety & depression
:: restores and maintains the body's life energy; especially helpful to those suffering from fatigue and overall weakness

Thai-Inspired Bodywork

Alison utilizes techniques learned from teachers who have had extensive training in the 2500-year old Ayurvedic-based (Indian) tradition of Thai Massage.  The Thai tradition of bodywork combines deep compression, elongating stretches, myofascial release, acupressure, and joint mobilization.  

:: deeply relaxes & quiets of the mind
:: improves flexibility & range of motion
:: heightens energy levels
:: improves body-mind connection
:: relieves pain caused by muscle tension

Neuromuscular Therapy

Michael learned Neuromuscular Therapy (NMT) as his first massage technique and has spent his entire bodywork career deepening his understanding of the methods. Neuromuscular technique is a combination of specific pressure application and body positioning or movement. Stretching, passive movement, and active movement are all integrated to provide a therapeutic approach to relieve a variety of bodily ailments.

:: improves range of motion
:: relieves pain from injury and habitual tension
:: acutely addresses nerve-related pathologies
:: engages the recipient to be an active participant in their wellness journey
:: many techniques can be taught to clients and done at home

Aromatherapy & Hydrotherapy

Alison uses essential oils (high grade, organic) for their therapeutic effects, either to deepen relaxation or to enliven & awaken one's senses at the end of a session.  Similarly, she enjoys using the blood- and energy-moving effects of hydrotherapy (warm foot wraps, warm compresses & neck wraps) to enhance the therapeutic benefits of massage work. 

(HYDROTHERAPY)
:: aids in relaxation
:: alleviates pain
:: increases blood-flow locally in order to heal damaged tissues
:: reduces chronic tension locally