Services
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ACE Massage Cupping™
Historically, cupping has been used in many different cultures: Egypt, Greece, and Asia to name a few. In fact, a Russian friend of mine remembers everyone in her culture applying cupping for various ailments.
Cupping is a technique that creates suction or negative pressure on the tissue. The pressure can be varied from very light to deep tissue. Ways to use it include clearing of lymphatic pathways (such as helping with sinus congestion), bringing blood circulation to an area (can be useful in the abdominal area for digestive irregularity), loosening tight muscles (like in the shoulder area), loosening adhesions (such as ones formed by scar tissue), lifting and releasing in the case of an athletic injury, and many more.
The cups come in many different sizes and vary in shapes as well as materials they are made out of. They can be as small as the tip of a little finger and as big as the hand of an adult. Most of them are round, but some come oval shaped to accommodate certain contours. There are glass, plastic, as well as silicone cups.
The technique can be used exclusively in a session or incorporated with other massage modalities.
MediCupping™
The negative pressure in the case of Medicupping is generated by a machine as opposed to a hand pump. Advantages of using the machine include more smooth and regular cup movement, subtle adjustments to pressure, ability to replicate a specific pressure (in the same or a future session), the option to use bigger cups, and less strain on the therapist.
For additional information visit www.medicupping.com
Facial Lifting Cupping
When cupping someone’s face, three to four small glass or plastic cups are used. There is a certain sequence to follow in order to optimize lymph drainage. The cup may either be applied by using suction and release, or gliding. The pressure is light enough to compare it to “butterfly kisses”. If there are challenges such as TMJ, sinus congestion, tense forehead muscles (which can lead to headaches), or scar tissue, more pressure may be effective and advisable.
Facial lifting cupping can be performed by using cups with suction bulbs or the Medicupping machine.
Cupping of the face can also simply be used to energize the facial tissue and give the skin a rejuvenated look. Many of my clients find it to be incredibly relaxing.
Manual Lymph Drainage
What is Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD) ?
MLD was created by Dr. Emil Vodder in Europe, nearly a century ago in the 1930s. Originally designed to treat facial conditions, the modality was discovered to promote healing and reduce scar formation. Research has shown that it benefits over 40 conditions.
The term Manual Lymphatic Drainage describes how the treatment is applied: with hands. In Europe, Certified MLD Therapists are found in the finest Spas and Clinics of Lymphology. While it is a manual therapy, MLD is not a massage directed at muscles, and is gentle in comparison. The focus of MLD is on the lymph vessels just below the skin’s surface that contain our natural healing cells.
MLD is used to drain excess fluid from the body and improve the overall functioning of the lymphatic (immune) system. It is most commonly used to treat Lymph Edema, which is characterized by the blockage of lymph nodes in the arms and legs. It has also been found to be of great benefit before and after surgeries. Swelling and bruising after a procedure can be drastically reduced by applying MLD once or twice a few days before the intervention. MLD after surgery helps clear areas of congestion further and thereby aids the healing process of the wound and surrounding areas.
For additional information visit http://www.clt-lana.org/about.html and http://mldinstitute.com/
Himalayan Salt Stone Massage
"Himalayan salt stones as the name implies come to us directly from the foothills of the Himalayan Mountains." You might wonder about the origin of salt in that mountain range: as the Primal Sea evaporated and the mountain range emerged, the salt deposits formed in the process.
The many electronic devices surrounding us in everyday life result in electronic pollution which in turn lead to an overabundance of free radicals.
The stones emit negative ions (much like the salt in the ocean) which counteract the effect of free radicals. In the case of lamps, they act as air purifiers. When used in baths, it detoxifies. Used to add to food (food grade), it is easily absorbed as it contains different elements as well as trace minerals. Applied as a technique during a massage it is very calming for the central nervous system. The warmth of the stones also helps the muscles relax.
The stones are carved in various shapes and warmed up slightly. They then are incorporated in the massage session in a variety of ways: they can simply be held in the client ’s hands, be placed on the bottom of the feet, or be used by the therapist for certain strokes.
Aromatherapy
In summer 2012, I was fortunate enough to be able to take a 3 day class taught by Christina Polnyj, massage therapist and founder of Essential Education International.
Aromatherapy is used sparingly to enhance the effects of cupping and the use of Salt Stones during the session.
Raindrop Technique
Helen Keller is quoted as having said “Smell is a potent wizard that transports us across thousands of miles and all the years we have lived. The odors of fruits waft me to my southern home, to my childhood frolics in the peach orchard. Other odors, instantaneous and fleeting, cause my heart to dilate joyously or contract with remembering grief. Even as I think of smells, my nose is full of scents that start to awake sweet memories of summers gone and ripening fields far away.”
During a Raindrop Technique session the client starts face up with oils applied to the soles of the feet. Then lying face down, ten different oils and oil blends are gently applied along the spine and then distributed over the entire back with a light stroke. The session lasts about 45 minutes.
If you are interested in essential oils and are thinking about purchasing any, please visit the site Young Living World Leader in Essential Oils www.youngliving.com/vo/#/signup/start. If you would like to purchase as a member or a retail customer, and I am the first person who has given you information about Young Living oils, I would be honored to have you in my Young Living family. Please use my ID number 2314264 (number of member who referred you). However, if you were introduced to Young Living Oils before by someone else, I would like to encourage you to connect with that individual if you can. Either way I would be glad to talk to you if you have any questions at all. I can be reached via phone or text at 352-284-3895, or alternatively via e-mail at anna.rahmanch@gmail.com
Biomat
For complete info please visit www.thebiomatcompany.com
Swedish Massage
Swedish massage is the basic technique that many people think of when they think of a massage. It features long, graceful strokes which increase circulation and blood-flow, decrease muscle tension, relieve muscular spasms and pain, and reduce swelling and inflammation. All of this contributes to a feeling of calm and relaxation. The basic philosophy of Swedish massage is to manipulate the soft tissue for therapeutic purposes to enhance the body's tendency to heal itself. Swedish massage strokes and principles may be combined with other techniques based on your specific needs.
Connective Tissue
This type of massage in some ways resembles the Swedish strokes by being long in nature. The difference is more pressure is applied to reach deeper parts of the tissue, and the pace is much slower. It often is incorporated for specific needs, while Swedish strokes are a great way to warm up an area. With Connective Tissue massage there can sometimes be a sensation of a “good kind of tenderness or soreness”. The goal is to help improve flexibility of the fibrous tissue surrounding our muscles and organs. As always clients are encouraged to give feedback about pain right away.
Neuromuscular Technique/Trigger Point
In this modality the therapist applies concentrated finger pressure to tender areas in the muscle in order to break the cycle of spasm and pain. This is often combined with Deep Tissue Massage and sometimes with Swedish Relaxation.
Sometimes this technique is also called trigger point myotherapy. Often lower back pain responds very well to it, as it is very effective in treating soft tissue injuries (i.e. muscle strains). It consists of applying concentrated pressure on the area of the muscle spasm for 10 to 30 seconds. This is done with fingers, knuckles, or elbow.
Reiki
Reiki is commonly translated from the Japanese as universal life energy. This healing modality can be practiced either with hands placed directly on the body or off a few inches and therefore without the use of oil or cream. A session can last anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. The person receiving the session is fully dressed, preferably with loose fitting clothing for added comfort.
The practitioner can use a specific protocol with placement of hands on or near the body or be led by intuition. Reiki can be used alone or in conjunction with any other therapy. When used with other therapies, it can enhance the effect of other modalities.
The Hartford Hospital Outcome Measurement study showed that Reiki induces a parasympathetic “relaxation response”. University of Minnesota, Driven to Discover (Taking Charge of Your Health and Wellbeing) addresses many aspects of Reiki including “What Does the Research Say about Reiki?”