The massage therapists at Watershed Wellness have all been trained in a variety of techniques. Depending on your needs, your massage may include any of the following modalities.
Swedish Massage
Swedish massage is considered the classic massage that promotes relaxation. It has five distinct strokes that are intended to promote venous return, or returning the blood back to the heart. Swedish massage provides total body relaxation and restoration of healthy muscle tissues.
Swedish massage is often combined with different techniques when more focused, deep, or myofascial work is desired or indicated. The pressure can be very light or deep, based on prevailing medical conditions and your comfort.
This massage is best performed with skin to skin contact. Usually the client undresses to their underwear but you can disrobe to your level of comfort. We are committed to draping properly to ensure that only the part of your body that is being worked on is exposed.
Deep Tissue Massage
Deep tissue massage focuses on the deeper muscles in the body, as its name implies. While it may take more pressure to engage these muscles, it is possible to receive a deep tissue massage without pain. The goal of deep tissue massage is to reduce the restrictions of the less superficial muscles of the body to increase range of motion and promote easy, free movement.
A deep tissue massage releases restrictions in the deeper muscles of the body, and it is not uncommon for the receiver of deep tissue massage to experience soreness for a day or two after the massage. It is important to let your massage therapist know if pressure needs to be moderated to your comfort level. Your therapist will be happy to adjust her pressure accordingly.
Deep tissue is helpful in relieving chronic muscular pain, promoting healing in the muscles, and freeing up scar tissue.
Trigger Point Massage/Myofascial Release
Trigger point massage is a general term that describes the release of “trigger points” using a variety of techniques. A trigger point is a very tender spot in a muscle that often causes referred pain and tension to another part of the body that is not obviously connected to the tender spot (for instance a trigger point in the neck may refer far down the back).
Depending on training, a massage therapist may address the trigger point in a variety of ways. As the trigger points are released, pain in the local area should reduce, as should pain in the area to which the trigger point refers. The pressure used in trigger point therapies may be deceptively light, and still have great therapeutic effects. Sometimes trigger point release can come with some increased sensation during the session, and your massage therapist will always want to hear if the sensation is too uncomfortable!
Many chronic pain mysteries have been unraveled by the finding and treatment of trigger points – it is well worth seeking out a trained massage therapist to find out if this method can help you.
Oncology Massage
Oncology Massage refers to specific training a massage therapist has undergone to understand cancer, its various treatments, and how it all affects the body. The therapist can create a massage session that is safe and effective for you – regardless of where you are in your journey.
Your therapist will ask questions about the treatments you’ve had, including surgeries and medications, as well what side effects you may have experienced from these things. This will help them understand how to tailor your massage to best fit your needs.
Studies have shown that regular massage during cancer treatments can lead to less intense side effects, improved rest, and easier recovery from surgical procedures.
Prenatal Massage
What better time to get massage than when your body is going through change because of pregnancy! We can help with the aches and pains that can arise in your hips, back and legs due to changes in your body. We’ve helped pregnant folks from when they first find out about their pregnancy through the first year post-natal and all of the times in between. We find that the care that receive after giving birth is just as important as the care you receive while pregnant. We’re able to adapt the massage to fit your needs through each trimester.