Types of massage

Lifetime Massage and Zaftig Bodywork provides ethical massage for men and women.

I describe my style of bodywork as Deep Tissue Relaxation Massage.  I primarily combine Swedish Massage with Neuromuscular Therapy Techniques in one session.  But depending on the client’s preference, I can offer simply Swedish or simply Neuromuscular Therapy.

Swedish Massage – This type of massage usually incorporates longer, broader and more flowing massage strokes.  The depth of Swedish massage can vary, depending on the client’s preference.  Full body massages (as opposed to massages focused on treatment of a specific injured area) tend to rely heavily on Swedish work.

Neuromuscular Therapy – This type of bodywork tends to focus on problem areas and is usually deeper and more specific than Swedish massage.  This work focuses not only on muscles but also their attachment sites and their connective tissues (fascia, tendons, ligaments).  Trigger point work is often a focus in this type of treatment work, as well as the client’s active and passive movements.

In addition to the foundation of my massage style, I specialize in:

Prenatal and Pospartum Massage Therapy.

With Prenatal Massage, the client’s positioning on the table will change depending on her week of pregnancy.  I do not use a table with a recess for the pregnant belly, since there are conflicting opinions about the safety of this face-down position for both Mom and Baby.  As a safer alternative, I work with my client positioned on her side.  With any positioning modifications required for a pregnant client, I can still offer both Swedish Massage and Neuromuscular Therapy.  I have found the majority of pregnant clients report discomfort in their shoulders, middle backs, low backs, and hips.  I am highly trained and skilled in offering deep treatment work in these areas.  With the swelling of hands and feet, usually a gentler massage technique can offer some relief.

With Postpartum Massage, positioning modifications may still be necessary, depending on a client’s enlarged breasts, stretched abdominal area, or possible Caesarian incision site.  Since caring for a little one takes a tremendous physical toll on the body, partners of clients or any other primary caregiver can also benefit from the specific attention of typical areas strained from constant caregiving:  neck, shoulders, arms, low back.

In addition to my basic style of massage and my specialty with Prenatal and Postpartum, I have received specific training in:

Reflexology - my massage on the feet is very thorough and specific in any session I give (provided the client is not ticklish on the feet).

Comfort Touch for the Elderly and the Ill -  Appropriate, comforting touch can be tremendously beneficial for seniors or for folks who are ill.  The massage is usually done through clothing while the client remains in bed (or a chair).  The technique uses broad compression with both hands, at a depth of pressure that is comfortable to the client.

Infant Massage Instruction - I am trained to teach parents and caregivers how to give massage to their babies.  I offer group classes and also private sessions for individual families.  The babies themselves determine the pace at which we go, so this class is lots of fun and very relaxed.  An intro session usually last no longer than an hour and a half, or a complete class can be covered in two or three sessions (spanning a several days), each lasting no more than an hour and a half.  Classes are usually scheduled in mid-morning because their senses tend to be less overwhelmed at this time.  Babies’ crying, breast or bottle feeding, diaper changing all occur during a session, so parents are encouraged to bring any little one, no matter how vocal or hungry or leaky he or she may be.  All materials (oil and handouts) are provided.  Classes usually run about $50.  Infant massage can be done with any child of any age; however, the classroom setting usually works best if the babies are not yet crawling.

Visceral Massage – It is thought that any imbalance in our internal organs can create discomfort in our muscles.  Visceral Massage focuses on the internal organs and their connective tissues.  This type of massage is usually done through clothing while the client either sits or lies on the massage table.  The treatment is usually brief (10 or 15 minutes), and can be added onto any sort of massage session (except for Comfort Touch or Massage).