Swedish Massage, Deep Tissue and Polarity Therapies

Swedish Massage

relax Swedish Massage is the most commonly known type of massage. Other types of massage — including deep tissue, sports massage, structural integration, trigger point and myofascial massage — are built on the foundation of Swedish Massage. This type of massage uses firm, gentle pressure to decrease muscle tension and pain, increase circulation, increase flexibility and relax the recipient. In a Swedish Massage, oil or lotion is applied to your skin with long, gliding strokes, your muscles are lifted and kneaded, and you receive penetrating, focused strokes in areas of constriction. I may also gently tap your muscles to soothe muscle spasms and release tension, as well as make your muscles vibrate with a soft shaking motion to increase circulation and release muscle pain. Clothing is removed in a Swedish Massage, and your breasts and genitals remain draped with a sheet. You may choose to leave on any item(s) of clothing that make you feel more comfortable. You may also request breast massage to drain toxins, relieve tightness in chest muscles, promote lymph drainage, increase lactation or reduce pain, congestion and swelling related to PMS, pregnancy or nursing.

“Studies have shown massage to have positive effects on conditions from colic to hyperactivity to diabetes to migraines, in fact, every malady TRI [Touch Research Institute] has studied thus far. Massage helps asthmatics breathe easier, boosts immune function in HIV-positive patients, improves autistic children’s ability to concentrate, lowers anxiety in depressed adolescents, and reduces apprehension in burn victims about to undergo debridement… Even in the elderly, elders exhibited less depression, lower stress hormones, and less loneliness.”
—George Howe Colt and Anne Hollister. The Magic of Touch:
Massage’s Healing Powers Make it Serious Medicine.LIFE
Magazine. August 1997.

Deep Tissue

Deep Tissue is similar to Swedish Massage, but the strokes are slower and deeper, concentrating on breaking up scar tissue and constriction (or knots) in areas of tension and pain. Deep Tissue massage realigns the muscle fibers and connective tissue, releases chronic muscle tension, improves circulation and eliminates toxins. While it can feel more intense than Swedish massage, it should not hurt! I will check in with you during your massage about your comfort with the pressure.

Polarity Therapy

Polarity Therapy is a combination of gentle bone and tissue alignment, deep tissue and myofascial release, craniosacral balancing, reflexology, Ayurvedic chakra balancing and maintenance of the human energy fields and pathways. Sessions include a verbal intake and a physical and energetic evaluation before you get on the table. You will remain clothed unless you also want to receive Swedish massage. During a session you may experience craniosacral holds, the placement of hands on your chakras, massage in the direction of your energy currents, gentle rocking, deep tissue release to tight muscles, myofascial release of scar tissue and pressure applied to reflexology and acupressure points. Clients have described Polarity sessions as “Relaxing and spiritual, like dreaming while awake;” “Profoundly effective for balancing me energetically, physically and emotionally;” “Gentle, purposeful touch and massage — Kristy intuitively knows just where to go to get your energy moving and your tension moving out;” and “A great way to get unstuck…when my muscles let go, my stuffed-down emotions let go too.”

As a Polarity practitioner I am also trained in Ayurvedic nutrition and yoga poses, and I can provide you with a holistic treatment plan with dietary and exercise suggestions if you are interested.

I am happy to combine more than one modality in a single session for no additional charge.