Healing Hands of Charleston
Massage Modalities
Chair Massage...
is a convenient way to bring the massage to you. The massage therapist brings and sets up her own specialized massage chair. Convenient for corporate events and health fairs, chair massage allows the recipient to receive a brief or long, professional massage while remaining fully clothed. Often focuses on the shoulders and neck.
Deep Tissue Massage...
focuses on the deeper soft tissue layers to release areas of chronic tension and pain. Using slow, deep, and focused pressure, shorter, specific strokes on areas of tightness and pain feel like a "good hurt". Deep Tissue massage is like a good workout for your muscles, so you may feel a bit sore the next day while your body integrates the work.
Hot Stone Massage...
incorporates smooth volcanic stones, heated to be warm but not too hot to the touch, in the massage. The stones are glided on the body in smooth, flowing strokes and are also strategically placed along the body to provide soothing heat and an exquisite experience of relaxation. The therapist also uses her hands to work the warmed muscles with kneading and other Swedish strokes.
Myofascial Release...
incorporates stretching techniques to loosen the muscle and the fascial layer. Fascia is a continuous sheath of connective tissue, surrounding and connecting every muscle and every muscle fiber in the body. Releasing the fascia can help alleviate pain and allow for more complete range of motion.
Prenatal Massage...
is, of course, massage during pregnancy. Expectant mothers experience rapid physical and hormonal changes, leading to various aches and pains, headaches, lower back pain, increased stress, swelling, and many other discomforts. Massage can help ease these pains, as well as increase body awareness important during labor. Because stress is thought to be the number one factor in premature labor, massage can be a valuable tool in maintaining a healthy pregnancy. Research has shown that regular massage during pregnancy can reduce the risk of premature labor, reduce labor time, labor pain, time in the hospital, complications, and postpartum depression. Massage is perfectly safe during a healthy pregnancy.
Do you have a pregnancy table?
While some spas use massage tables with cut-outs for the belly and breasts so that mommy can lie flat, this therapist does not recommend them. They can cause strain and stretch on the unsupported belly and further strain on the low back, which is rather counter-productive. The semi-reclined and side-lying positions are safe and comfortable for mommy and baby to receive massage.
Reiki...
is not massage, but is a healing method of laying on of hands. Great for the relief of stress and general well-being, Reiki works on an energetic level. For much more complete information on this site, please visit Reiki.
Shiatsu...
is an Eastern technique of massage, literally meaning "finger pressure". It traditionally takes place over clothing, with the recipient lying on the floor. Shiatu uses pressing rather than rubbing, focusing work on the meridians (energy channels through which chi flows) to balance and energize the body. Because it takes place on the floor, the practitioner is able to use her body weight very effectively to apply deep pressure with her palms, thumbs, fingers, forearms, etc.
Sports Massage...
is aimed at maintaining optimal body condition for athletic training and events. Sports massage can help both professional athletes and weekend warriors avoid injuries, recover more quickly and completely from events and challenging training, and maintain a body that is better in-tune with its abilities. Pre-Event massage focuses on warming up and stretching muscles so athletes can achieve maximal function earlier, and Post-Event enhances blood flow and recovery. During training, focused work on problem spots can help improve and maintain flexibility in muscle, tendons and ligaments.
Swedish Massage...
is what most people think of when they think of massage. Swedish massage includes long, flowing strokes, kneading, compression, percussion, and gentle shaking to induce relaxation and to ease physical and emotional stress locked in the body.
Neuromuscular/Triggerpoint Therapy...
is effective particularly for relieving back pain. A triggerpoint is an area of localized tenderness that may radiate or refer pain to another area. They are often felt as "knots" in the muscle, typically caused by injury, strain, repetitive stress or poor posture. Triggerpoint therapy uses sustained pressure to release these knots and their associated pain.