Massage and Bodywork
The Difference between Massage and Bodywork
Although they can both be incredibly therapeutic, massage usually involves the overall kneading and stretching of bodily tissues to relieve stress, promote deep relaxation, and rejuvenate overall energy. People use massage to get in touch with their bodies, take a mental break from the challenges of busy lives, and learn how to relax and release.
Bodywork address more specific body problems, such as chronic muscle and joint pain associated with posture and movement dysfunctions, sports or orthopedic injuries, and surgeries or illnesses. My specialty in bodywork is neuromuscular patterning, which integrates handson work with active movement techniques.
Massage and Bodywork Techniques
With over 5000 hours of training and certifications from a number of different massage and bodywork programs, I draw on an array of techniques to address your needs. From years of teaching kinesiology and massage modality classes, I have an in depth understanding of anatomy and offer specific work to alleviate chronic muscle and joint pain. I also have years of clinical experience helping clients recover with sports injuries, whiplash, headaches, arthritis, surgeries, and accidents.
The type of treatment I give you will depend on your goals and your condition. You can choose from the following techniques:
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Swedish massage for deep relaxation-stress relief
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Deep tissue for chronic muscle pain and recovery from injuries/surgeries
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Craniosacral for headaches-trauma-whiplash-neck pain
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Lymphatic drainage for swelling from soft tissue injuries
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Neuromuscular patterning for changing posture and movement
Neuromuscular patterning (NMP) is my specialty. It integrates bodywork with active movement techniques for better results. In a NMP session, I direct the client to do specific core muscle isometrics or movements to engage specific muscles while I do hands-on release techniques to lengthen overworking muscles. Working together with our active participation boosts effectiveness
and produces longer-lasting results.
The benefits of NMP include
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improves body awareness and core engagement skills
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realigns posture and cultivates economy of motion
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relieves chronic pain from muscular tension
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reduces and prevents repetitive-use injuries
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improves joint flexibility and range of motion
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improves dance and athletic performance
Client is actively engaging abdominals to lengthen lower back and protect lumbar spine during twisting motions.
What to Expect in a Session
We will start the session with a brief intake process to plan treatment goals for the session. Then I will leave the room so that you can undress in privacy and lie on a massage table under the top sheet and blanket.
During the massage, I uncover only the areas I’m working on to provide complete privacy in other areas not being worked and to keep you warm. Since massage or bodywork is done directly on the skin, you can undress completely or to your level of comfort.To avoid excessive friction on your skin, I use a minimal amount of a light unscented and organic lotion that hydrates your skin. Since the lotion I use is readily absorbed, my clients leave sessions without feeling greasy or getting oil on their clothes.
To enhance relaxation and the release of muscular tension, I will encourage you to close your eyes, let your mind drift, and enjoy the relaxation music. Your safety is also very important, so I will be asking for feedback about pressure throughout the session and encourage you to speak up if you feel any discomfort.
The treatment room
Yes, the pod on the left really is a sauna steam cabinet and yes, when you sit in it, your head sticks out the top.
The Benefits of Regular Sessions
Whether you want general stress relief or have specific body problems that you want to work on, massage and bodywork can be a powerful ally in your healthcare regimen. The more hands-on work you get, the more it does for you. I become familiar with your body patterns, which helps me address your needs more efficiently each time we work
together and makes bodywork more cost-effective.
The incredible benefits of massage and bodywork are doubly powerful if taken in regular “doses.” Professionals at the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami describe why regular session yield greater benefits: Experts estimate that upwards of 90 percent of disease is stress related and nothing ages us faster than a lot of stress. Receiving massage and bodywork on a regular basis can and will, without a doubt, help you manage stress.
TESTIMONIALS
What clients say about massage, bodywork, and movement sessions with Mary Ann
"I’ve been a massage therapist for 30 years and have had many different types of massage. Mary Ann gives one of the best massages I’ve ever received; she knows just where and how to work, and the changes are long lasting."
Anne
"Mary Ann helps you activate core muscles during the bodywork session in an easy way that leaves you feeling taller and more centered, and shows you how to keep these changes from session to session."
Allyson
"Each session with Mary Ann takes you on a journey inside yourself and brings you back feeling better than ever. I never knew deep tissue could be so relaxing."
David
Contact me for more information
and/or to schedule an initial consultation.
720-684-7520
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