Ancient Elements Massage & Therapeutics

Swedish massage is a great option for your first massage as the long strokes, kneading and gliding coupled with the light to firm pressure give your muscles the ability to relax and get used to massage. Different strokes are used to promote blood flow to the soft tissue of the body resulting in reduced stress/ anxiety, reduced joint or muscle pain and can help prevent insomnia.

Deep tissue massage is commonly misunderstood. It is not an extra-deep, Swedish massage. Deep tissue is a specialized technique that builds upon itself to prepare superficial muscles for deeper strokes. These movements help to break up ischemic tissue (tissue that has had a loss of blood supply), scar tissue, and adhesions in the connective tissue. The increasing pressure through strategic movements “strips” the deepest layers of tissue which characterizes a deep tissue massage as a different technique from other modalities. During a deep tissue massage, your muscles may experience micro-tears, similar to a strenuous workout. YOU MAY EXPERIENCE MUSCLE SORENESS FOR 2-3 DAYS FOLLOWING YOUR MASSAGE. 

Deep tissue massage is ideal for people with chronic pain and muscle tension. Additionally, it can be a beneficial therapy for those suffering from limited mobility, injury and repetitive strain.

Deep tissue massage is contraindicated for some medical conditions and while taking certain medications. If you have any questions, please seek advice from your medical provider.

Also known as “trigger point therapy”, NMT considers the neuromuscular system and how it connects to the rest of the body. This is highly focused work that works to isolate and relieve problem areas in the body. THIS IS NOT A TRADITIONAL, RELAXING MASSAGE. You may find the neuromuscular massage is slightly uncomfortable and leaves you feeling sore, but relieved. It is vital that you maintain open, honest communication with your therapist during your massage, this is not a "no pain, no gain" scenario. The goal is to keep your muscles relaxed through the treatment.

Neuromuscular massage is ideal for patients who suffer from ischemia, myofascial trigger points, neural entrapment, and nerve compression. When there is not enough blood flow in the soft tissue, the muscle can spasm and cause pain. Neuromuscular therapy works to combat that and increase blood flow.

Fascia or myofascia is the dense, tough tissue which surrounds and covers all of your muscles and bones. It runs from the top of your head to the bottom of your feet. (Under a microscope, myofascia resembles a spider web.) When it's healthy, myofascia is organized and very flexible. Myofascia has no beginning, end or edges, which means, when one area is damaged, it can effect distant areas in your body years later. When you experience trauma, inflammation, etc., the myofascia becomes tight, restricted and a source of tension throughout the body. 

Myofascial release is part massage and part stretching. This modality is done without lotion to allow accurate detection of fascial restrictions and to apply the appropriate amount of sustained pressure to facilitate release of the fascia. 

 Cupping Therapy is a form of alternative therapy that has been around for centuries and involves the application of specialized cups to areas of the body in order to stimulate healing. Cupping creates suction on an area of skin which generates the action of tissue decompression that promotes relaxation and healing. 

Cupping reduces muscular tension and inflammation, increases blood and lymphatic flow locally and systematically, draws out stagnant blood and lymph, dead cellar debris, pathogenic factors and toxins, stimulates the body’s circulatory and immune system functions. Cupping can also help with chronic pain, myofascia release, digestive issues, fatigue, sciatica and fibromyalgia.

Hot stone massage is a delightfully relaxing and serene treatment using smooth, warm stones to massage the body from head-to-toe. This warming treatment works on energy points located throughout the body to rebalance and harmonize. The muscles are relaxed and rejuvenated in a sensation totally unique to hot stone massage.

The gentle pressure from the stones, along with the accompanying massage, has the effect of wiping out tension and making you feel like you’re walking on air.