- Swedish MassageSwedish Massage is a traditional full body massage to relax superficial muscles, reduce stress, and increase circulation. It uses mostly long even calming effleurage strokes, with some petrissage (kneading), friction, vibration and percussive techniques as well. Pressure can be light or firm and strokes can be slower or quicker depending on the client’s needs and preferences. This is the basic massage taught the first semester of massage school. It is especially therapeutic in increasing overall circulation and calming the nervous system, which is typically overstimulated in most people due to stress. And, as a mode of nurturing touch, it can significantly help basic well being. As you may be aware, studies have shown that babies that are not touched will not survive. It is a loving gift to many elderly, also. The skin is our largest organ, and nurturing touch sends many signals to the body that help it/us to thrive.
- Deep Tissue MassageWhen suffering from pain in your head, neck, and/or back (or arms and legs), deep tissue can be so helpful. It usually involves warming up the area with more superficial work and gradually working through the layers of connective and muscle tissue with more pressure, using fingers, hands, elbows, stones, or other tools.
- Prenatal MassageThere few greater gifts to give a baby than a relaxed, and pain-free mom during gestation. Babies do absorb much from their surroundings during gestation, including stress hormones and emotions of mom. Nurturing touch for mom goes a long way in benefiting both of them! Prenatal massages are usually 60 minutes, but can be shorter, and incorporate Swedish, Lomi Lomi, and perhaps some deeper work on the back. Susan so appreciated the massage she received throughout each of her pregnancies. It makes such a difference, both before and after delivery.
- Thai MassageThai Massage is a combination of stretching and compression typically done fully clothed. People find it both relaxing and invigorating, AND they feel greater range of motion as well.
- Hawaiian Lomi-Lomi MassageLomi Lomi massage is relaxing, like Swedish, but also energizing because it stimulates the whole body on deeper levels with the effects of rhythmic kneading, forearm compressions and gentle stretching.
- Full Body Massage“Susan Chalker does a great massage! Been going to her for a few years now. She will address whatever you need, or do the full body massage. VERY relaxing! Have also done the foot massage a few times, which is great!”
- Aromatherapy Massage
- Craniosacral MassageMost clients have preferred a combination of Thai and regular massage, not wanting to give up the deeper massage work on the back and neck. So often, the deep back work with hot stones and/or cupping, is combined with the hip and leg Thai work to help with tight hip/low back issues. And the Thai neck stretches work well after deeper back and neck work followed by craniosacral neck work when neck range of motion is limited.
- Reiki Massage
- Shiatsu MassageTraditionally, Lomi Lomi is an ancient Hawaiian/Polynesian healing system involving years of training with prayer, meditation and healing practices. Massage is just one component. It is similar to the Asian massages like Thai and Shiatsu with its stretching and gentle pulling, and compression, yet has the overall skin contact and stress relieving stimulation of the Swedish type massages, as well.
- Stretching
- AcupressureAromatherapy can be added to any massage. Use of essential oils has become much more widespread so many people are familiar with the relaxing and healing potential from them. They also just smell wonderful! Clients can pick the oils they would like, and/or Susan uses ones known to be helpful for tight muscles, soreness, nerve pain, or other issues wanting to be addressed. There are also specific protocols for tension release or restoring energy and grounding or assisting with trauma. These protocols each take 10 minutes or less and use specific oils on specific acupressure points. As with all the modalities, there is no extra charge for this.