What is massage therapy?
Massage therapy is the systematic manipulation of the soft tissues of the body to help improve an individual's health and well being. It can have therapeutic effects on the respiratory, nervous, muscular, circulatory, and energy systems of the body
as well as:

relieve muscle tension, stiffness, pain and spasm
relieve sress, tension headaches and anxiety
improve flexibility and joint mobility
provide relaxation and revitalization of the body and mind

Healthworks strives to offer a variety of massage therapy techniques to address your specific needs.

Swedish Massage
The most common type of massage found in the United States, is also known as European massage. This method uses a system of long strokes, kneading, friction and percussion that can range from very light to very deep. Stretching and/or strengthening exercises may also be utilized. Oils, lotions or cremes are used to reduce the amount of friction on the skin. Swedish massage is the most effective technique for relieving stress.

Sports Massage
This massage type is especially designed to prepare an athlete for an upcoming event and to aid in the body's regenerative and restorative capacities following a rigorous workout or competition.

Deep Tissue and Trigger Point Therapy
Deep tissue work utilizes many of the same strokes used in Swedish massage. The therapist starts with lighter pressure to warm up the superficial muscle layers and progresses to the deepest level of pressure, working withing client tolerance levels. Deep tissue massage helps alleviate chronic muscle pain and muscle adhesions (knots). Trigger points are hyper irritable areas of muscles that can cause a muscle to spasm up around it or send pain to another part of the body close by. Trigger point therapy is often incorporated into a deep tissue work session where specific pressure (ischemic compression) is applied to a trigger point to help the muscle release.

Medical Massage
This type of massage generally deals with specific injury or illness.

Pregnancy Massage
This is massage therapy designed to support the pregnant woman by addressing the dynamic changes that occur with pregnancy and safely relieving common discomforts experienced during and after pregnancy. This specialized massage combines various techniques from Swedish, Shiatsu, Reflexology and joint mobilization. This massage is performed by experienced therapists specifically trained in this technique.

Hot Stone Massage
Heated stones are placed on different parts of the body and used in the massage itself. They can be used for a very general, deeply relaxing massage or they can be used for deeper, more specific work to relieve muscle pain and spasm.

On-Site Massage
Portable massage. This type of massage can be done just about anywhere i.e. special events, golf outings, parties, offices etc. A specially designed chair can be easily transported, takes up less room than a massage table and allows recipients to receive massage sitting up and with their clothes on. Massage techniques that do not need oil are used.

Myofascial/Connective Tissue Massage
This technique addresses the fibrous connective tissue that holds the body together and gives it shape. Fascia can become rigid and restrictive causing limited mobility, postural distortion, poor cellular nutrition, pain and a variety of other problems. This type of massage works to restore mobility and soften connective tissue that has become rigid.