Clinical Massage

Also known as medical massage, this systematic approach to complementary healthcare emphasizes targeted manipulation of muscle tissue or fascia, to address specific complaints.

Treatment involves use of such techniques as myofascial release, deep tissue massage, and neuromuscular therapy. It is often – though not always – used in a rehabilitative context, after illness or injury, though it can help alleviate chronic health problems.

Sports Massage

The key objectives of sports massage are enhanced athletic performance and shortened recuperation time. Treatment can be administered pre- or post-event, integrated into a training regimen, or used as a rehabilitative tool after an injury.

Sports massage tends to be a more vigorous, intense application of Swedish massage techniques, blended with other modalities, to tailor the session to the individual’s needs and the specific sports’ demands.

Deep Tissue Massage

Here the focus is on relieving tension in, and realigning deep layers of, muscle and connective tissue – also known as fascia. It involves slow, concentrated pressure, applied across the muscle grain, to release knots, or adhesions.

The intensity of the treatment required to successfully address such contracted muscles – which can be the source of chronic pain – can itself result in some post-session stiffness, though this should last no more than about a day and can often be soothed by applying ice to the affected area.

Lymphatic Drainage

Gentle manipulation is used to stimulate lymph movement to promote a healthy lymphatic system. Lymph is a plasma-like fluid that maintains the body’s fluid balance and acts as a filtration system, helping eliminate toxins.

Therapy can help maintain a free-flowing system; it can also help clear a blocked system, which – if left untreated – can result in swollen lymph nodes and lower effectiveness of the system’s detoxification function and thus the body’s immune system.

Additionally, a fully functioning lymphatic system helps support the circulatory, respiratory, muscular, nervous, and endocrine systems.

Medical Cupping

This technique involves the application of specialty cups to the skin to create a suction effect.  This can help loosen connective tissue/fascia and encourage blood flow to the surface of the skin as well as facilitate circulation of lymphatic liquid.

Cupping may cause temporary bruising and soreness – as seen with the circular markings on some members of the US swim team in the 2016 Olympics.