Bio Mat Therapy

Craniosacral therapy (also called CST, also spelled CranioSacral bodywork or therapy) is an alternative medicine therapy used by osteopaths, massage therapists, naturopaths, chiropractors, and occupational therapists. A craniosacral therapy session involves the therapist placing their hands on the patient, which they say allows them to tune into what they call the craniosacral system. The practitioner gently works with the spine and the skull and its cranial sutures, diaphragms, and fascia. In this way, the restrictions of nerve passages are said to be eased, the movement of cerebrospinal fluid through the spinal cord is said to be optimized, and misaligned bones are said to be restored to their proper position. Craniosacral therapists use the therapy to treat mental stress, neck and back pain, migraines, TMJ Syndrome, and for chronic pain conditions such as fibromyalgia.[2]

Deep Tissue massage is designed to relieve severe tension in the muscle and the connective tissue or fascia. This type of massage focuses on the muscles located below the surface of the top muscles. Deep tissue massage is often recommended for individuals who experience consistent pain, are involved in heavy physical activity, such as athletes, and patients who have sustained physical injury. It is also not uncommon for receivers of Deep Tissue Massage to have their pain replaced with a new muscle ache for a day or two. Deep tissue work varies greatly. What one calls deep tissue another will call light. When receiving deep tissue work it is important to communicate what you are feeling.[2]

Hydrotherapy, formerly called hydropathy involves the use of water for pain-relief and treating illness. The term hydrotherapy itself is synonymous with the term water cure as it was originally marketed by practitioners and promoters in the 1800s. A hydrotherapist therefore, is someone who practices hydrotherapy. According to the International SPA Association (ISPA), hydrotherapy has long been a staple in European spas. It's the generic term for water therapies using jets, underwater massage and mineral baths (e.g. balneotherapy, Iodine-Grine therapy, Kneipp treatments, Scotch hose, Swiss shower, thalassotherapy) and others. It also can mean a whirlpool bath, hot Roman bath, hot tub, Jacuzzi, cold plunge and mineral bath. These treatments use physical water properties, such as temperature and pressure, for therapeutic purposes, to stimulate blood circulation and treat the symptoms of certain diseases.[2]

Myofascial release is a form of soft tissue therapy used to treat somatic dysfunction and accompanying pain and restriction of motion. This is accomplished by relaxing contracted muscles, increasing circulation, increasing venous and lymphatic drainage, and stimulating the stretch reflex of muscles and overlying fascia.[2]

Prenatal massage is similar to massage during non-pregnancy in terms of the goals (relaxation, pain relief, increased circulation & mobility, etc.). However, due to the changes undergone during pregnancy, modification are made. To accommodate swollen tender breasts and a growing belly, special pillows, positioning and techniques are utilized to ensure comfort for both the expecting mother and baby. With increasing weight, a changing center of gravity and the many other changes associated with pregnancy, prenatal massage can help provide relief and a sense of well being that is much deserved.[1]

Shiatsu (指圧) ("shi" meaning finger and "atsu" meaning pressure.) is an eastern (oriental) born therapy that uses pressure applied with thumbs, fingers and palms to the same energy meridians as acupressure and incorporates stretching. It also uses techniques such as rolling, brushing, vibrating, grasping and in one particular technique developed by Suzuki Yamamoto, pressure is applied with the feet on the persons back, legs and feet (special set up is required for the "foot" shiatsu).[2]

Sports massage is actually a form of Swedish massage that is delivered to athletes. Most commonly, sports massage focuses on increasing blood and lymphatic fluid flow, reducing and eliminating pain as well as tender trigger points, and increasing range of motion of the affected area. Sports massages can be broken into 4 distinct types - the pre-event sports massage, the post-event sports massage, the restorative sports massage and the rehabilitative sports massage. As the names indicate, each type of sports massage has a different focus for the athlete as they are delivered at different times during their training and performance schedule.[1]

A stone massage uses cold or water-heated stones to apply pressure and heat to the body. Stones coated in oil can also be used by the therapist delivering various massaging strokes. The hot stones used are commonly river stones which over time, have become extremely polished and smooth. As the stones are placed along the recipient's back, they help to retain heat which then deeply penetrates into the muscles, releasing tension.[2]

Swedish massage uses five styles of long, flowing strokes to massage. The five basic strokes are effleurage (sliding or gliding), petrissage (kneading), tapotement (rhythmic tapping), friction (cross fiber) and vibration/shaking. Swedish massage has shown to be helpful in reducing pain, joint stiffness, and improving function in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee over a period of eight weeks. It has also been shown to be helpful in individuals with poor circulation. The development of Swedish massage is credited to Per Henrik Ling, though the Dutch practitioner Johan Georg Mezger adopted the French names to denote the basic strokes. The term "Swedish" massage is not really known in the country of Sweden, where it is called "classic massage".[2]

Trigger points or trigger sites are described as hyperirritable spots in skeletal muscle that are associated with palpable nodules in taut bands of muscle fibers. Trigger point practitioners believe that palpable nodules are small contraction knots[ambiguous] and a common cause of pain. Compression of a trigger point may elicit local tenderness, referred pain, or local twitch response. The local twitch response is not the same as a muscle spasm. This is because a muscle spasm refers to the entire muscle entirely contracting whereas the local twitch response also refers to the entire muscle but only involves a small twitch, no contraction. The trigger point model states that unexplained pain frequently radiates from these points of local tenderness to broader areas, sometimes distant from the trigger point itself. Practitioners claim to have identified reliable referred pain patterns, allowing practitioners to associate pain in one location with trigger points elsewhere.[2]

What are the benefits of balanced chakras? First of all you just feel good. You feel balanced, relaxed, whole and healthy. You feel everything in your life is going well for you. All or most of your projects are flowing the way you like. Everyone who is associated with you, either professional or personal are attracted to your energy and wants to be with you.
How do you know if your chakras are out of balanced? If you are out of balance, you will know it immediately! Your clue will be that you will feel awful or that something is not right. What makes it sad is that most people do not know why they feel this way. It can start with an empty feeling, in some cases start in the heart or the stomach and if the “emptiness” is not addressed, the “emptiness” feels like it is spreading. After a long time of not knowing what it is, in some cases, the next step is either depression or a health issue develops.

What’s happening to your chakras? They are getting blocked with negative energies! How does the blockage begin? Well, first of all, is your life balanced? Are you stressed out of your mind? Are you over scheduled? Do you take time to breathe? What do you do you do for yourself? Are your worries overwhelming you?
Blocked Charkas – When a chakra becomes blocked, damaged, or muddied with residual energy, then our physical and emotional health can be affected. Another piece of evidence to tell you when your chakras are blocked, in most cases your mood announces your energy level. Are you in a bad mood a lot? Are the people closest to you now hiding from you?

What does a balanced chakra feel like? Calm, peace, less or no anxiety and balanced. Chances are good that you can handle stressful situations pretty well. If your energy is positive, the energy will flow evenly from the top of your head to your feet with ease.
Who can achieve balanced chakras? Everyone with practice and education.

What are Chakras? The word “chakra” has Hindu (Sanskrit) roots and means “wheel or disk”. All living creatures have chakras. These energy vortexes are the channels through which energy flows. Chakras are “entry gates” of the aura. Within the physical body resides a spiritual body that contains the chakras.
Where Do Your Chakras live? There are seven main chakras located along the central line of the body, from the base of the spine to the top of the head. There are twenty one-minor charkas throughout the body. Chakras are energy centers that receive, assimilate, and express life force energy. They are responsible for the person’s physical, mental, and spiritual functions.

How Do Chakras Affect Us? The chakras are constantly rotating and vibrating. The activities in the chakras influence our body shape, glandular processes, chronic physical ailments, thoughts, and behavior. When one or more of the chakras are blocked, the energy does not flow harmoniously, or if they are wide open, it will result in imbalance.
Chakras and the Physical Body – Every chakra has corresponding organs in our physical system. When clients come in with specific health issues, almost immediately, I can tell which chakras have slowed down or shut down completely.

First chakra, also known as the “root” chakra, is located at the base of the spine and is associated with the color red. This chakra that is associated with being grounded and with having strong survival instincts. The large intestine, rectum, and some function of the kidneys are associated with the first chakra.

Second chakra, also know as our “emotion” chakra is located below the naval. This chakra color is orange and governs creativity and emotion. The reproductive system, testicles and ovaries, urinary bladder, sexuality, and the kidneys are associated with the second chakra.

Third chakra also known as our “self esteem or desire”chakra is located at the solar plexus and is associated with the color yellow.The organs that are associated with the third chakra are liver, gall bladder, stomach, spleen, and the small intestine.

Fourth chakra is the “heart” chakra and is associated with the color green, and also the color rose, which is the “color of love.” This chakra is connected with emotion, self-love, harmony, trust, and growth. The heart and arms are associated with the fourth chakra.

Fifth chakra is the “voice” chakra. It is located at the throat and is blue in color. It governs communication and truth. The lungs and the throat are associated with the fifth chakra.

Sixth chakra is located between the two eyes and is considered the “third eye” chakra and is indigo blue in color. This chakra is connected with intuition, vision, and psychic vision. The brain, face, nose, and eyes are associated with the sixth chakra.

Seventh chakra is at the crown of the head, and is the color of violet. This chakra is our connection to our “higher selves” and to the “divine.” The seventh chakra does not have a corresponding organ but is related to the whole being.

I offer Chakra Balancing combined with a Swedish Massage coupled with crystals, oils and tuning forks. Or you may receive just some energy work consisting of crystals, oils and tuning forks.

Cupping Therapy

A cotton ball is clamped in hemostats and soaked with about five to 10 drops of alcohol. The cotton is lit, then inserted into the glass cup to create the vacuum. Move the cup over the area to be treated, remove the cotton ball and invert the cup onto the body. Or using a manual vacuum set.
There are two main cupping techniques: stationary and moving. Stationary cups are placed on the skin and left for a period of five to 15 minutes in one location, or four to six cups may be applied and removed cyclically in a technique called "flash cupping." These are the methods most commonly used in Chinese medicine. Moving (or "massage cupping") is the more commonly used form of cupping among massage therapists and other health care practitioners. Prior to applying the cup, oil is administered to the skin to facilitate smooth movement and palpably discover the areas of tension and congestion. Create the vacuum and place the cup on the affected area, then glide it over the surface. A cup may be "parked" for a short time on stubborn knots or over inflamed joints or tissue. Cupping can be used on the neck, shoulders, back, sacral area, hip, abdomen, thigh, upper arms and calves.