MASSAGE TERMINOLOGY
All-Natural Facial - First, a quick scrub awakens the skin on the face and a mud or seaweed masque is applied. Over this is placed a paraffin masque to hold in moisture while the minerals in the masque are absorbed. While the paraffin cools, the client can rest/receive a hand and foot massage. With swift, revitalizing strokes hot water/castille soap/aloe vera are then used to cleanse/moisturize/increase circulation in the face/neck/upper chest. Organic oils are then used in conjunction with the hot water to massage the face/neck/upper chest releasing tension from the muscles. This increased circulation provides relief from Sinus Pressure, Migraine, Puffiness, Lines, Acne and TMJ due to lymphatic blockage in the upper extremities. It also restores skin elasticity and a natural glow.
Aromatherapy - is the ancient practice of using essential oils extracted from plants to treat and heal imbalances of body, mind, spirit and emotions. When we inhale these essential scent molecules, our brains release neuropeptides that can have mood altering effects from relaxation and stress release to mental clarity.
Body Masque - Our Dead Sea mineral mud is warmed and painted onto the body. For enhanced health benefits, the client is covered with a steam tent (or lying on infrared mat) and allowed to warm-up. With the high temperature, pores are opened and the detoxifying minerals in the mud are absorbed through the skin. With the creation of this artificial temperature, excess water and stored toxins are released to detoxify the body. This mud has skin fortifying magnesium/phosphorous that hydrates, exfoliates and re-mineralizes the skin. Everything we use is completely organic.
Chiropractic Care - Ongoing chiropractic care can have a significant positive effect on your overall well-being, assisting your body in everything from improved sleep quality to joint health which can in turn aid significantly in the prevention of other serious health issues. Regular chiropractic adjustments improve spinal alignment which restores and maintains overall nervous system health. In addition studies show that injuries are less likely to be serious and heal at a significantly faster rate in people who receive regular chiropractic care, especially when combined with a nutritious diet and regular exercise.
Couples Massage - Two therapists are scheduled with so that couples may receive a massage session simultaneously.
Cranio-Sacral - is a technique for finding and correcting cerebral and spinal imbalances or blockages that may cause sensory, motor or intellectual dysfunction.
Deep Tissue - releases the chronic patterns of tension in the body through slow strokes and deep pressure on contracted areas, either following or going across the grain of muscles, tendons and fascia. It is called deep tissue, because it focuses on the deeper layers of muscle tissue.
Ear Candling a.k.a Ear Coning - While side-lying, a candle made from Muslin Cloth and Beeswax (10" x 1") is placed into the outer ear canal. The other end is then lit. The flame creates a vacuum that gently warms and removes Wax, Toxins and Yeast. Candling is relieving for Lymphatic Congestion, Sore Throat, Earache, Allergies and Chronic Headache and Improves Hearing, Vision, Taste, Smell, Balance and Mental Clarity. The soft crackling sound is soothing to the nerves and mentally calming. Essential Oils may be incorporated for Aromatherapy benefits.
Effleurage - is a stroke generally used in a Swedish massage treatment. This smooth, gliding stroke is used to relax soft tissue, stimulate blood/lymph circulation and create a sense of well being.
Fascia - the thin membrane that lies on and throughout all muscle fiber (the most superficial part surrounds the muscle and is directly below the fat layer). When fascia is tight the muscle is pinched, knotted and pulled.
This causes tension in the body.
Friction - the deepest of Swedish massage strokes. This stroke encompasses slow, high pressure movements applied to soft tissue causing the underlying layers of tissue to rub against each other. The result causes an increase in blood flow to the massaged area.
Infrared Heat Therapy - The Far Infrared (FIR) light is the invisible part of the light spectrum which is the same as what comes from the sun. It’s what we feel when we step into the sun. It's not heat, but light energy which feels warm when it touches us. Because it's light (not just the kind of electrical heat you get from a heating pad, which is a surface heat) it penetrates 6-7 inches into your body, giving you a deep cellular level massage, opening capillaries, (which improves circulation & oxygenation) and increasing lymph flow, allowing the body to flush toxins.
The BioMat is also producing negative ions, which is what you breathe in after a thunderstorm, at the ocean, or near a waterfall that feels so good in your lungs. It is actually helping your body heal, because negative ions re-open clogged gates (ion channels) in the cells (which get stuck closed from bad air, water and food, as well as stress - a clogged cell can be the start of disease) and get the cells communicating again.
Lymphatic Drainage - This type of bodywork relieves the lymph blockages in the body that can hender proper flow of circulation while inhibiting metabolism and optimal immune function.
Medical Massage - Medical massage is performed with the intent of improving conditions or pathologies that have been diagnosed by a physician; a wide variety of modalities are utilized to focus the treatment based on the diagnosed condition. Medical massage treatments will have a therapeutic affect and improve health by acting directly on the muscular, nervous, circulatory, lymphatic and immune systems. Directly or indirectly, it will help all systems mentioned before. Medical massage therapy can develop, sustain, rehabilitate or augment physical functions. The basic goal of Medical Massage Therapy is to help the body heal itself and to increase health and well-being. Objectives may be a to heal injury, improve circulation and relieve tension in the muscles and fascial layer.
Mud Masque/Wrap - Our Dead Sea Mineral Mud is extracted from specific shores of the Dead Sea and imported directly from Jordan. Dead Sea Mud is world renowned as a source of non-soluble clays, carbonates, sulfides, and organic compounds. It is also extremely rich in magnesium, potassium and calcium. We use it to combat bruising, joint inflammation, sore muscles and to extract toxins and poisons, as well as hydrate and soften the skin. In conjunction with a steam treatment or a wrap the detoxifying benefits of Dead Sea Mineral Mud increase.
Myofascial Release - a form of bodywork that seeks to re-balance the body by releasing tension in the fascia. When the fascia is dehydrated it can pull and pinch muscle fibers which may cause pain and weakness. Long, stretching strokes away from the joints stretch the fascia from its origin. This lengthens and releases adhesions. This modality is slow and manipulative in nature.
On-site Massage a.k.a chair massage - is administered while the client is clothed and seated in a specially designed chair. These chairs most often slope forward allowing access to the large muscles of the back. On-site massage usually lasts between 15 and 30 minutes and is intended to relax and improve circulation.
Petrissage - involves squeezing, rolling and kneading the muscles and is usually incorporated with effleurage
during Swedish massage.
Pre-natal Massage - Prenatal Massage focuses on the mother-to-be as she goes through the changes due to pregnancy. This is not a replacement for medical care, but rather as an adjunct to aid in the health and rapid recovery of the mother. Massage therapists will focus treatment on the concerns of each trimester. After the mother has given birth, treatment will assist in restoring the body back to its normal condition. Prenatal massage may also help reduce and/or eliminate excess water retention.
Reflexology - bodywork based around a system of points in the hands and feet that correspond, or "reflex," to other areas of the body. This release of reflex points improves nerve response and balances nerve flow throughout the
systems of the body.
Reiki - The use of transferred energy to heal and ease pain from injury, both physical and emotional. The "hands-on" approach to healing and pain relief has been used for thousands of years. As recent as WWII medics would use this sort of energy transference to ease the pain of wounds when morphine was unavailable. The nurturing aspect of touch, for emotional health, has been acclaimed since the dawn of man.
Salt Scrub - Utilizing sea salt, essential oils and carrier oils the body is ex-foliated with light gliding massage strokes. Circulation is increased, elasticity enhanced, skin is softened and a natural glow restored.
Shiatsu and Acupressure - Oriental-based systems of finger-pressure which treat special points along acupuncture "meridians" (the invisible channels of energy flow in the body- Chi).
Sports Massage - massage therapy focusing on muscle systems relevant to a particular sport.
Steam Therapy - Since ancient times, steam therapy has been used by traditional healing systems around the world to improve and maintain good health and beauty. Steam therapy is beneficial for weight-loss, detoxification, stress reduction, muscle soreness, joint pain, respiratory conditions, circulation, inflammation, and the boosting of the immune system (steam can help the body fight colds and flu by creating an artificial temperature).
At BWC the Steamy WonderTM Tent is utilized for steam treatments. It fits over the massage table so the client can relax while they become detoxified and healthier. This treatment can be used on its own, or in conjunction with seaweed masque, mud masque, salt/sugar scrub and massage therapy for increased benefits.
Structural Re-Balancing - addresses misalignments through postural assessment and by integrating Deep Tissue, Myofascial Release, Side Posture Massage and Swedish Massage to bring the body back into balance and
relieve the restrictions.
Swedish Massage - a system of long strokes, kneading and friction techniques on the more superficial layers of the muscles, combined with active and passive movements of the joints.
Tapotement - is executed with cupped hands, fingers or the side of the hand with short, alternating taps to the client.
Trigger Point Therapya.k.a Myotherapy or Neuromuscular Therapy - applies concentrated finger pressure to "trigger points", which through stress or injury can become the central location of pain in the muscles. This breaks cycles of spasm and pain in the body. (Trigger points can refer pain elsewhere in the body. ex: a tight neck may cause headache)