Therapeutic Massage
Advance Scheduling required.
To book an appointment (818) 934-1608 or book online.
STATE CERTIFIED MASSAGE THERAPISTS
Modalities
Swedish, DeepTissue, Shiatsu, Thai, Sports, MFT,
Passive stretching & Energy work.
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Benefits
- Increases a sense of well-being/stress reliever
- Lengthens tight contracted muscles relieving tension
- Increases range of motion in the joints
- Assist in correcting postural deviations
- Breaks up adhesions and scar tissue
- Circulates blood flow to assist in removal of waste through the lymphatic system
- Increases nutrients and oxygen delivery to tissue & speeds up healing process that is needed in the body.
- Increases flexibility
- Energy blockages are released bringing the body back into balance
- Helps the body recover quicker from acute muscle soreness.
- Quickens recovery from over training and injuries.
- Helps improve the immune system and overall health
These are just a few of the benefits one can gain from therapeutic massages.
The massage therapist will need your current health status/physical limitations if any and specific fitness/wellness goals to decide what the best type of massage therapy or combination of therapies will help you. If you have had massage therapy before and know what you like and don’t like please let your therapist know.
Our massage therapists are California certified and are well trained in the importance of professionalism and communication. The therapists will keep track of your specific needs, progress, limitations and strategize a therapy that will bring balance throughout your mind, body & soul.
If you are looking for a facility that offers a one stop fitness/wellness center this is the place to be. Imagine yourself getting an awesome, highly motivating workout and then right afterwards getting a relaxing/rejuvenating massage.
Advance scheduling is required. Please contact to make an appointment with one of our highly trained therapists for more information.
Definition of Massage Modalities
Swedish massage history
Swedish massage is the therapeutic massage standard for much of the Western world. Developed in the 1800s by Pehr Henrik Ling, it incorporates a variety of specific massage techniques to treat sore muscles, tension, stress, and poor circulation.
Ling intended it to supplement traditional medical care. Another physician, Johann Mezger, gave the techniques used in Swedish massage French names and popularized the massage style. Today, it is offered at spas and massage studios all over the world, and many other massage styles are rooted in Swedish massage.
What is Swedish massage?
Swedish massage uses five basic movements to increase circulation and remove toxins from the muscles. Always working towards the heart, the massage therapist incorporates these techniques into a flowing massage session that leaves the patient physically and emotionally relaxed. The trademark move of Swedish massage is Effleurage, long gliding strokes that can be firm or soft, depending on purpose and client. The therapist will start out a session with Effleurage to familiarize him or herself with the client, and then start to bring more pressure to bear for deeper work.
Swedish massage also includes Petrissage, or kneading. Petrissage is designed to relax muscles & increase circulation by compressing, lifting, separating, and rolling the muscles. This aids greatly in riding the body of toxins through the lymphatic system. Another technique, Tapotement, involves tapping the muscles with a percussive stroke. The side of the hand, fingers, or palm may be used to release tension and cramping. The therapist also can incorporate vibration, a technique added to the Swedish massage. The therapist centers his or her hands on the back of a limb and shakes them briskly for several seconds to release tension, encourage circulation, and help muscles to contract. Friction is another technique that is a strong, rapid, circular movement usually done to release muscle knots/tension.
You receive this massage on a table and you are unclothed to your comfort level and covered with a sheet. Soothing oils and lotions are used.
Benefits of Swedish massage?
By far, the most popular benefit of Swedish massage is that it is both relaxing and invigorating. It is an excellent way to help rid the body of not only toxins but relieve muscle tension and reduce stress. It promotes a sense of overall well-being. Book a Fuel Rx Swedish massage today and you are guaranteed to walk away with many of its benefits.
What is Deep Tissue? - Deep tissue massage is effective because of its technique - consisting of slower, stronger massage that stimulates deep into muscles. This can be especially helpful for athletes who expose their muscles to daily, intensive conditioning. Deep tissue massage will noticeably loosen muscles, elevate pain, and increase mobility - all significant benefits for an athlete. However, you don't have to be an athlete to enjoy the benefits of deep tissue massage Those suffering from certain conditions may also find deep tissue massage to be quite therapeutic. Sufferers of chronic pain, fibromyalgia, edema, muscle cramping, and even carpal tunnel syndrome may find significant relief from deep tissue massage. The pressure exerted on different groups of muscle tissue stimulates circulation in areas of pain. .
**Deep tissue massage, however, is not for everyone. There can be mild to moderate discomfort during the massage as tight muscles are worked. And there can be a day or two of soreness following the deep tissue massage - similar to after you complete a particularly rigorous workout. But if you are comfortable with a stronger, more focused massage as well as the soreness that may accompany it, then a deep tissue massage may be for you
What is Thai massage?
Thai massage is believed to have been developed by Jivaka Kumar Bhaccha, physician to Buddha, more than 2,500 years ago in India. It made its way to Thailand, where the Ayurvedic techniques and principles gradually became influenced by traditional Chinese medicine. For centuries, Thai massage was performed by monks as one component of Thai medicine.
What does Thai massage feel like?
Thai massage is more energizing and rigorous than more classic forms of massage. Thai massage is also called Thai yoga massage, because the therapist uses his or hands, knees, legs and feet to move you into a series of yoga-like stretches. Many people say Thai massage is like doing yoga without any effort. Muscle compression, joint mobilization, and acupressure are also used during the session.
What should I expect during my visit?
Thai massage is done on a cushion floor mat. No oil is applied, so you are fully dressed. Best if you wear comfortable, loose clothing for your treatment.
What are the benefits of Thai massage?
It increases energy, increases flexibility, improves range of motion, reduces stress, reduces anxiety, reduces depression, relaxes tight muscles, improves circulation, detoxes the body by moving waste through the lymphatic system, improves the immune system and centers the mind/body which facilitates homeostasis in the body.
What is Shiatsu?
Shiatsu is a Japanese form of bodywork. The word shiatsu means “finger pressure”, and shiatsu is sometimes described as a finger pressure massage.
How does Shiatsu work?
Like acupuncture, shiatsu is based on the holistic system of traditional Chinese medicine, where illness is thought to result from imbalances in the natural flow of energy, or qi (pronounced “chee”) through the body. Shiatsu therapists use finger and palm pressure to energetic pathways, called meridians to improve the flow of qi. This is using acupressure techniques. A scientific explanation is that shiatsu calms an overactive sympathetic nervous system, which reduces stress, relieves stiff muscles, improves circulation, detoxes, and allows the body to re-balance itself.
What does Shiatsu feel like?
The Shiatsu therapist applies pressure using his or her fingers, thumbs, and/or palms in a continuous rhythmic sequence. The therapist will also work in line with your breathe to induce more effective benefits. The pressure feels more localized, because unlike other types of massage, the finger pads are used to apply pressure for most of the treatment instead of a moving motion of the therapist’s palms. The therapist; however, can mix in some Swedish massage into the shiatsu session. The pressure on the points is made slowly and soft but deep. Certain pressure points may feel tender, which some people describe it as “good pain”. If you feel any discomfort or pain that is not relieving to your body tell your therapist right away.
Shiatsu is done on a cushion floor mat or on a low massage table. No massage oil is applied, so you remain fully clothed during the session. Wear comfortable loose clothing for the shiatsu session.
What are the benefits of Shiatsu?
It is like experiencing a Zen meditation. It will relax you and reduce stress. It helps with back pain, headaches, premenstrual syndrome, anxiety, depression, insomnia, poor digestion, constipation, improve the immune system and many other benefits. Overall, shiatsu helps balance out the body by unblocking energy that is stagnating in certain areas of the meridian pathways.
What is Sports Massage?
Sports Massage is a special form of massage and is typically used before, during, and after athletic events. The purpose of the massage is to prepare the athlete for peak performance, to drain away fatigue, to relieve swelling, to reduce muscle tension, to promote flexibility and to prevent injuries.
What is the purpose of Sport massage?
The main purpose of sports massage therapy is to enhance performance and prevent or rehabilitate injury. Sport massage is used in pre-event and post-sporting events. This promotes greater athletic endurance and performance. It also lessens the chances of injury and reduces recovery time. This modality also helps alleviate stress, tension, drain away fatigue and relieve swelling which builds up in the body’s soft tissues during physical activity. This is where minor injuries and lesions occur, due to overexertion and/or overuse. Massage can break them down quickly and effectively. Before an athletic event, sports massage stimulates circulation, warms the tissues, calms the nervous system and prepares that athlete for maximum performance. After an athletic event, sports massage relieves soreness, re-establishes circulation and removes metabolic by-products, such as lactic acid.
What are the Sport massage techniques?
Depending on the clients training intensity and goals a variety of techniques are used for those specific needs. The technique often involves a blend of traditional Swedish, rocking and shaking, compressions and passive stretching.
Each type of sport has different demands on the players. Each sport uses muscle groups in a different way. Sports massage is designed to address those specific concerns and may differ according to the sport the athlete plays. Sports massage can be aimed to help heal strained muscles and allow healthy ones to reach peak performance and maintain it while minimizing the risk of injury.
What are the benefits of Sport massage?
Sports massage has many benefits. In addition to FEELING GOOD, sports massage reduces the heart rate and blood pressure, increases blood circulation and lymph flow, reduces muscle tension, improves flexibility, and relieves pain. Each sport and athletic event uses muscle groups in a different way.
Sports Massage can include pre-event, post-event and maintenance techniques that promote greater athletic endurance and performance lessen chances of injury and reduce recovery time.
Foot Reflexology (offered by Martti Makinen)
Science and theory say that nerve paths to all the organs in the body terminate in the soles of the feet. Uric acid in the body causes crystal deposits in the soles of the feet, which in turn affect the normal flow of energy throughout the body. Reflexology work finds, breaks up and releases these deposits, thereby improving energy flow. Reflexology is also effective in releasing tension in the neck, shoulders and low back as well as promoting better digestion.
What is Passive Flexibility?
Passive flexibility is good for everyone unless it is contraindicated to a specific condition. The massage therapist will get your medical stats, exercise history and goals in order to properly design the correct stretching prescription. The client relaxes on a massage table with loose clothing while the therapist stretches him or her manually. The massage therapist can work on specific muscle(s) or incorporate a whole body stretch routine.
What are the Passive Flexibility techniques?
Passive flexibility techniques vary depending on the client’s condition(s) and goals. As the therapist stretches each muscle the pose will be held for a certain amount of time and then released. This is repeated until the muscle relaxes and is able to stretch further than before. A Propriceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretch technique is also used to enhance the bodies able to loosen the muscles, tendons and ligaments even more. This is done by the therapist holding the stretch to the max range of motion the can handle and then having the client put about 20% resistance on the stretch hold for 10 seconds and then the therapist will ask you to relax. The muscle group after the resistance you put on the stretch will actually loosen the muscle even more; thus, allowing the therapist to stretch you a little bit further to your max range of motion. This is held for one minute.
The therapist can add massage into the passive stretching or other techniques to facilitate even more muscle, tendon, ligament benefits. A massage combined with passive flexibility improves the benefits or stretching threefold.
What are the benefits of a Passive Flexibility session?
If performed regularly, passive flexibility can produce 10% - 15% increase in flexibility and range of motion. Good range of motion allows the client to engage his or her body with better biomechanics, reduces fatigue and helps reduce risk of injuries and helps the client recover quicker from exercising or a sporting event. Stretching increases blood circulation which gets the lymphatic system to work more efficiently; thus, allows the body to get rid of waste faster.
What are Trigger points?
Trigger points are in the small bands of the muscle which feels knotty known as nodules. Trigger points in the muscle are created by the body reacting to tension and they can remain in the muscles for months. If they are not released, they can affect range of motion, or worse, produce cramps, and muscle pulls and tears. Regular massage with trigger point work keeps the muscles working efficiently. Trigger points are thought to be due to an accumulation of waste products within deep muscle tissue.
What are the Trigger point therapy techniques?
The therapist puts isolated pressure on the trigger point and holds it until the client feels a reduction in pain and if the therapist feels the nodule loosen up as well. Heat treatments, compression, gentle kneading also encourages removal of the waste products and provides relief.
What are the Trigger point therapy benefits?
Can help relieve many ailments such as headaches, increases blood circulation getting the lymphatic system to remove waste, increases vitality, improves the immune system, reduces muscle tension due to sport/exercise activities or stress.
