Shiatsu is a form of massage that originated in Japan and traditional Chinese medicine, and has been widely practiced around the world. Shiatsu means “finger pressure,” which describes the technique. In shiatsu therapy, pressure with thumbs, hands, elbows, knees or feet is applied to pressure points on the body. This form of massage also focuses on rotating and stretching limbs, joints, and pressure points, or meridians, as they’re called in traditional Chinese medicine.

Eastern medicine has a completely different perspective on health, the body and what is needed for healing. The West approaches illnesses and disease as problems that need to be fixed, with the remedy usually in the form of a pill. Eastern medicine believes the body and mind need to be in balance with its surroundings.

The theory behind shiatsu is that our bodies are made up of energy, called qi, and that energy gets blocked and causes suffering. Shiatsu massage helps remove the blockages by realigning meridian points, which balances the qi and eases the body and mind. When one balances qi, or vital energy, healing occurs in the body. The nervous and immune systems are both stimulated by applying pressure to the meridians, providing relief for both body and mind. Shiatsu also restores the circulatory system, improving blood flow throughout the body.

The body has twelve meridians, named according to its corresponding organ: lung, large intestine, stomach, spleen, heart, small intestine, bladder, kidney, heart governor, triple heater, gall bladder and liver. The functions of these organs have a broader definition in Eastern medicine.

Shiatsu massage has many benefits to the body and mind. Here is a list of some of those benefits:

• Restore and maintain the body’s energy, especially helpful to those suffering from fatigue and overall weakness
• Improves circulation
• Reduces stress and tension as well as anxiety and depression
• Relief from headaches
• Promotes healing from sprains and similar injuries
• Helps bring relief to arthritis sufferers
• Reduces problems with stiff neck and shoulders as well as backaches (including sciatica)
• Coughs, colds, and other sinus and respiratory problems
• Helps those dealing with insomnia
• Aids in treatment of such various things as digestive disorders, bowel trouble, morning sickness, and menstrual problems

If you would like to schedule a massage please call us at (860) 858-5912 or contact us today.

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Widely used to treat chronic aches and pains, deep tissue massage is a popular form of massage therapy. This technique targets areas of tension or tightness by applying concentrated pressure to the sub-layer of muscles and fascia, the connective tissue that surrounds your muscles. Many people consider a regular massage to be a relaxing body rub with calming music and inviting fragrance. The goal of a deep tissue massage is to support joint restrictions, knots, and adhesions in muscle and fascia.

Deep tissue massage benefits

Deep tissue massage helps the body by releasing restricted or injured tissues. By applying appropriate pressure, deep tissue massage expedites recovery to provide pain relief.

According to research, the benefits of deep tissue massage include:

• Increased range of motion
• Lower blood pressure and heart rate
• Reduced pain perception
• Relief of inflammation associated with plantar fasciitis
• Relief of chronic and low back pain

If you would like to schedule a massage please call us at (860) 858-5912 or contact us today.

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Swedish massage therapy is the most well-known and widely practiced type of therapeutic massage and for good reason. This type of massage focuses on muscle relaxation, targeting superficial muscles (rather than the connective tissues targeted in deep-tissue massage) and increasing blood circulation.

Wondering if you should request a reservation for a Swedish massage? Check out some of the benefits below to learn why a Swedish massage might be a great choice for you.

• Pain management. If you have a condition like sciatica or osteoarthritis and are suffering from chronic pain as a result, Swedish massage can be an effective method for managing that pain in a natural way. Notify your massage therapist about your pain points, he or she can target those areas and use a stroking motion to improve local circulation and reduce muscle tension.
• Increased blood flow. Your Swedish Massage Therapist should use effleurage – a long, stroking motion in the direction of blood flow towards the heart – in order to open up your blood vessels and increase your blood flow. Increased blood flow means that your muscles are getting more nutrients and oxygen and that your body is removing toxins more efficiently.
• Rehabilitation for muscle injuries. Your Therapist should also rely on kneading and friction to address any existing injuries, such as adhesions (which occur when muscle tissues fuse together). Many people say that this technique, which relaxes layers of muscle, makes it feel as if the Massage Therapist is “working out the kinks.”
• Increased flexibility. When your muscles are more relaxed, you’re able to experience a wider range of motion. A combination of Swedish massage and regular stretching is a great way for anyone to stave off workout-related injuries and get the most out of their periods of exercise.
• Reduced stress. Swedish massages are meant to maximize relaxation—you’ll be on a massage table, in a peaceful environment, with a professional spending an extended time (between 60 – 120 minutes) giving you a massage. The combination of the hands-on attention and the environment should relax you, lowering the level of the stress hormone cortisol in your body. Lowering your stress level offers a surprising number of additional benefits, including reducing or eliminating tension headaches, giving you more energy, and allowing you to get a better night’s sleep.
• Improved immune system. One other great benefit of reducing your stress with a Swedish massage is that the lower cortisol levels allow your immune system to grow stronger, meaning that you’re less likely to get sick and can spend more time doing the things you enjoy.

If you would like to schedule a massage please call us at (860) 858-5912 or contact us today.

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