The most effective type of massage therapy for lower back pain is neuromuscular therapy. Neuromuscular therapy is also called trigger point myotherapy. The American Academy of Pain Management recognizes this form of massage therapy as an effective treatment for back pain caused by soft tissue injury (such as a muscle strain).

It consists of alternating levels of concentrated pressure on the areas of muscle spasm. The massage therapy pressure is usually applied with the fingers, knuckles,or elbow. It is extremely important to communicate with the massage therapist regarding the pressure – whether the pressure is too much, too little, getting better, getting worse. The therapist will listen and respond accordingly. The massage therapy pressure should never be overly painful. In fact, most people describe the pressure as “good pain”.

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Prenatal massage refers to specific massage techniques that have been shown to reduce pregnancy discomforts and to enhance the physiological and emotional well-being of both mother and baby. Pregnancy is a tumultuous period for a woman’s mind and body. Any woman who has been pregnant can sympathize with the mental and physical fatigue associated with being pregnant. Not only does a woman experience physical changes, she also experiences mental changes as well.

Massage therapy has been known to calm many of the aches and pains associated with pregnancy such as sciatica, swelling, back and neck pain, and stomach upset. Prenatal massage has also been shown to improve physical discomforts by encouraging circulation and by stretching the muscles and joints to their full range of motion to improve skin elasticity and body tone. Studies show that pregnant women who receive regular prenatal massages are more at ease – furthermore relaxing the fetus inside their womb.

Benefits of Prenatal Massage include:

Oncology massage includes therapy for: people with cancer histories, in cancer treatment, and support caregivers. Our interest and desire to provide oncology massage has been inspired by very dear members of our immediate family members. Many people feel like cancer treatment is a full-time job and we can certainly attest to that statement! It certainly brings its own muscle tension patterns. Some good science is emerging to support our clinical observations of massage benefits in people with cancer. See please contact us for more information.

Massage can be helpful during all kinds of health crises. It has benefits for people during treatment, at end of life, in the process of diagnosis, and during long years of survivorship. In particular, for people in cancer treatment (or in the year of recovery from treatment), a regularly-scheduled session provides something to look forward to. It is a therapeutic intervention that isn’t painful–so it has a lot to recommend it! It may help manage symptoms such as pain, anxiety, poor sleep, muscle tension and nausea. Moreover, regular massage seems to ease depression and help body image.