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Healing Through Massage Therapy

Massages are a very ancient form of healing, with evidence of its usage dating back to the Egyptians, Chinese, Native Americans, and Indians.  Among all of these nations many different styles with many different purposes arose.  Here are some of the massage styles Nature for Nurture offers and a short overview of what they do.  For more information about pricing, please visit the Massage page.

​Swedish Massage
Massage is the manipulating of superficial and deeper layers of muscle and connective
tissue using various techniques, to enhance function, aid in the healing process, and
promote relaxation and well-being.
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Deep Tissue Massage
Deep tissue massage involves slow strokes with deep pressure. The massage
therapist applies pressure in the opposite direction of muscles that cause pains
and aches. This type of massage benefits people who experience muscle tension,
chronic inflammation, muscle pain and physical stress.



Reflexology
Reflexology, or zone therapy, is an alternative medicine involving the physical act
of applying pressure to the feet, hands, or ears with specific thumb, finger, and hand
techniques without little or no use of oil or lotion. It is based on a system of zones and
reflex areas that reflect an image of the body on the feet, ears, and hands, with the
premise that such work effects a physical change to the body.
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Hot Stone Massage
Heated or hot stone massage is a type of treatment that uses warmed stones to relax
muscles and induce a calming state of mind. It’s not a new technique; in fact, heated stone
massage was used as early as 1500 B.C.  Intended to be extremely relaxing, a heated stone
massage involves the placement of sanitized, warmed, smooth rocks (usually basalt, a type
of volcanic rock that retains heat) upon different parts of the body. Typically, the treatment
is done in conjunction with traditional massage techniques, such as Swedish massage,
and the stones are used to apply pressure by the massage therapist during the treatment.
Cool stones may also be used to address muscle injury or migraines.





 

​Chakra Balancing
Chakras are energy centers in the human body that correspond to different glands and govern
specific parts of the physical body and areas of the psyche. The seven main chakras are located
down the center of the physical body next to the hormonal glands along the spinal column. 
Chakras are interrelated and affect one another, therefore achieving optimum balance of these
chakras provides a state of total well being emotionally and physically. Often chakras are influenced
by negative thoughts that affect the chakras' ability to function correctly leading them to become dirty,
shrunken, or swollen and in need of energetic cleansing.

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​Geriatric Massage
Geriatric massage focuses on the elderly, addressing the psychological and physiological aspects
of aging and its associated diseases. Bodywork, often limited to a shorter time span and gentler
pressure, is often performed in residential care facilities.



Chair Massage
A condensed version of a Swedish Massage performed in a massage chair that allows the therapist
to reach all pertinent stressed muscles.




Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is the therapeutic use of plant-derived, aromatic essential oils to promote physical
and psychological well-being. It is sometimes used in combination with massage and other therapeutic
techniques as part of a holistic treatment approach.


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Pregnancy and Infant Massage
Massage during pregnancy offers undeniable physical benefits throughout every prenatal stage.
Research has shown that women who receive massage while pregnant may have easier deliveries, a
reduced chance of post-partum depression, and regain their bodies more quickly. In most cases,
massage is perfectly safe and can help the mother-to-be relieve general body aches, pains, and tension.
Infant massage is massage given to a young infants involving tactile and kinesthetic stroke and rubbing
stimulation as a therapy to enhance their cognitive and physical development


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Sports Massage
A sports massage is a type of therapy geared toward athletes and the particular stresses they place on their
bodies. A sports-massage therapist is trained in applying techniques that include joint manipulation and
stretching to help athletes avoid injuries, cool down after exertion and enhance their overall performance.
Proper sports massages should concentrate on increasing motion and flexibility, relieving muscle soreness,
and promoting a quick recovery from muscle overuse.





Acupressure
Acupressure is a form of touch therapy that utilizes the principles of acupuncture and Chinese medicine.
In acupressure, the same points on the body are used as in acupuncture, but are stimulated with finger
pressure instead of with the insertion of needles. Acupressure is used to relieve a variety of symptoms and pain.
Acupressure massage performed by a therapist can be very effective both as prevention and as a
treatment for many health conditions, including headaches, general aches and pains, colds and flu,
arthritis, allergies, asthma, nervous tension, menstrual cramps, sinus problems, sprains, tennis elbow, and
toothaches, among others.

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​Trigger Point
Trigger point massage is the therapy that involves applying pressure to muscle tissues so as to relieve pain.
It is a term coined to describe the method of treating muscular pain and ailments. It is a very widely used
technique to treat muscle spasm and cramps. Because of its ability to remove pain it is very commonly used
by therapists to treat professional athletes and is highly recommended by medical doctors as well.


Ayurveda
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An ancient Indian massage technique that frees body and mind of all toxins. It is performed contemporarily by 1-2
therapists with the use of essential oils. The massage is performed directly on the skin to loosen the excess of a
certain dosha. It promotes circulation, increases flexibility, and relieves pain and stiffness. Applied with herbal oil. It is
a vigorous massage combined with energy work on the marman points (subtle energy points) using warm oil and
herbs to promote the health and well being of the subject.

​Nature for Nurture

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