Massage Services
Massage means to touch, softly press, squeeze, rub, handle or knead with hands.
It is one of the oldest forms of natural medicine which acknowledges and supports the body's natural ability to heal itself.
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Massage is usually applied to the skin and soft tissues of the body including the fascia, muscles, ligaments and tendons. It can be done through clothing and fabric or skin-to-skin; using oils, balms, liniment and creams or dry.
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The action of massage is said to be therapeutic in that it provides physical, emotional, psychological or spiritual benefits. Therefore, the term "therapeutic massage" applies to all methods and forms of massage.
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The Greek word masso or massein means to touch, handle, knead or squeeze.
The Portuguese verb amassar means to knead.
The Arabic word mass'h or mass means to press softly, as does the Sanskrit word makeh.
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[Casanelia L., and Stelfox D., (2010) Foundations of Massage, 3rd Edition.(pp1-2), Elsevier, Sydney]
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At BRAATS, our massage services cover three main categories of massage therapy:
1. Therapeutic Touch & Subtle Energy Practices
2. Relaxation Methods & Swedish Massage
3. Remedial approaches including:
Myofascial Release
Manual Lymphatic Drainage
Neuromuscular Technique
Trigger Point Therapy
Reflexology
Orthobionomy
Sports Massage
Thai Style Compressions
Cupping
We can treat...
Muscular pain & tension
Body tension & stiffness
Chronic pain
Sciatica
Frozen shoulder
Fibromyalgia
Scar tissue
Arthritis
Mental stress
Fatigue
Migraine & Headache
Eliminate toxins
Circulation & blood flow
Digestive issues
Sinus congestion
Oedema & puffiness
Range and ease of movement
Flexibility
Muscle spasms
Restless legs
Inflammation
And other stuff
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Fascia is a three dimensional web of connective tissue that hold the body together. It's the tough membrane that surrounds muscles, bones, tendons, ligaments, organs and blood vessels. Healthy fascia glides, it is supple and flexible, and influences muscular length and function.
Releasing fascial tissue can releive discomfort, reduce compensations and alleviate pain, restore flexibility, revitalize energy, enable natural body integrity, improve ease and range of movement.
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Myofascial pain syndrome, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Centralized Hypersensitivity Pain Syndrome - are chronic pain disorders characterized by sensitivity and tightness in muscles and fascial connective tissues throughout the body.
*NO sex. Do not even go there. Disrespectful, aggressive and lude behaviour will NOT be TOLERATED.
Management reserves the right to remove offenders via the staircase without warning.
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Therapeutic Touch and Subtle Energy Practices
Therapeutic Touch is a gentle tactile interaction with the nervous system via the skin. Performed with light tough directly to the skin or through fabric, it gently simulates the parasympathetic nervous system which regulates our rest and digest responses, thus helping one to relax while confirming a safe, non-threatening interaction.
Therapeutic Touch ;
- improves social and emotional connection, transmits compassion, safety and healing through non-verbal communication.
- aids in regulation of the respiratory, digestive and nervous systems.
- is a subtle and gentle approach to communicating with the body
especially effective for treating areas of chronic pain, injury and trauma. Therapeutic Touch aids in regulation of the respiratory, digestive and nervous systems.
Subtle Energy Practices seek to connect with the subtle energies of the body.
Both practices Performed with light touch directly to the skin or through fabric, it acknowledges the person as a whole - physically, spiritually, mentally and emotionally -
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Relaxation Massage
Melt away stress and tension. Based upon the style of Swedish Massage, with smooth, gentle yet firm, gliding strokes, Relaxation Massage seeks to reduce mental stress and general body tension by pushing out the bad stuff and rubbing in some good stuff. Performed in a calming and comfortable environment to sooth the senses.
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Trigger Pointing
Trigger Pointing is
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Myofascial Cupping
Myofascial Cupping is a gentler form of cupping used in conjunction with regular gliding massage techniques and is suitable for those who are unfamiliar cupping.
The gentle suction or negative pressure created by soft silicone cups creates a gentle pulling sensation on the skin while the therapist's hands add positive pressure into the soft tissues. These combined effects help to release tightness in the underlying tissues without leaving marks on the skin.
Benefits: no bruising, suitable for chronic pain management and reduction of pain intensity, stimulates blood flow, drains lymph and cellular debris, relieves soft tissue tension and muscular tightness, ease muscle spasms, improve ease and range of movement.
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Vacuum Cupping
With Vacuum Cupping, plastic cups are strategically placed along the meridian lines of the body and vacuum suction seal is created, thus pulling the skin, muscle and soft tissues into the cup. Traditionally used to remove energy blockages to the flow of qi (chi) or body energy, vacuum cupping stimulates blood flow to remove stagnated fluid, release toxins and promote healing.
Circular bruise-like marks typically result on the skin as blood is drawn to the superficial layers; these marks can last for two weeks or more. The colour and pattern also depend on the degree of stagnation, sweating, skin elasticity and vascularity.
Unlike the suction created by traditional fire cupping, with Vacuum Cups the strength of the vacuum can be regulated to suit the client and minimize marks.
Level 1 - low pressure vacuum, tolerated well by most people, generally does not leave marks on the skin unless you are prone to bruising.
Level 2 - medium pressure vacuum, well tolerated by most people, may result in pinkish-red marking.
Level 3 - high pressure vacuum, more painful, will result in red-brown-purple bruise-like circular marks on the skin.
Level 4 - maximum pressure vacuum, can be quite painful, will result in dark purple circular bruise-like marks lasting 2 weeks or more.
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Myofascial Release
Myofascial Release is technique where the therapist's hands stick to the skin and a gentle, slow sustained pressure is applied. The fascia and soft tissues are effectively stretched, breaking down painful adhesions and scaring within the muscle and connective tissues.
The slow motion stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system which controls the body's "rest and digest" systems, thus Myofascial Release may also produce feelings of calmness with pain release.
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Ortho-Bionomy
Our muscles work by pulling on bones and for the most part, that keeps us upright and moving okay. However, with injury, postural stress and chronic conditions some muscles are forced to overcompensate to keep us moving which creates habitual tension patterns, tender points and pain. Rather than forcing the body into a better position, Ortho-Bionomy is a very gentle modality which employs a position of comfort to reduce pain and induce the body's natural ability to self-correct and heal.
By placing the body structures in an exaggerated position of comfort the nervous system, muscles and fascia can unload and relax, pain reflexes are down regulated, and proprioceptive reflexes are stimulated - meaning that your body is given a chance to listen to itself and self-correct structural misalignments without being forced.
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