What Is Massage?
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Massage is one of the oldest healing arts; Chinese records dating back 3,000 years document its use. The ancient Hindus, Persians, and Egyptians applied forms of massage for many ailments. Hippocrates wrote papers recommending the use of rubbing and friction for joint and circulatory problems. Today the benefits of massage are varied and far-reaching. As an accepted part of many physical rehabilitation programs, massage therapy has also proven beneficial for many chronic conditions, including back pain, arthritis, bursitis, fatigue, high blood pressure, diabetes, immunity suppression, infertility, smoking cessation, depression, and more. As many millions will attest, massage also helps relieve the stress and tension of everyday living that can lead to disease and illness.

Massage is the application of soft-tissue manipulation techniques to the body, generally intended to reduce stress and fatigue while improving circulation. The many variations of massage account for several different techniques, including:

Swedish
Traditional oil massage for relaxation and relief from sore muscles and stress.

Deep Tissue
Deeper therapy for chronic tightness and the relief from musculo-skeletal dysfunction and pain.

Sports Massage
Rehabilitation for athletic injuries both recent and chronic.

Reflexology
Applies pressure to specific points on the foot and hands that “reflex” to different organs, glands, and structural parts of the body. To enhance circulation and promote healing.

Craniosacral Therapy
Subtle and potent internal healing focused on relieving restrictions in the tissue surrounding the central nervous system. Extremely relaxing and soothing.

Compressive Deep Tissue
Barefoot application of deep pressure over a broad surface, very powerful for releasing muscle tightness yet calming and rejuvenating. This work is done clothed on a futon with pillow bolsters.

Jin Shin Jyutsu
Traditional Japanese bodywork focused on opening the channels of chi (energy) in the body.

Shiatsu
Is an ancient Asian system of restoring health to the body through the fine tuning of the Qi Colso (known as the Breath of Life or life force) by manual manipulation along the energy channels or meridians of the body. It is also called acupressure massage

Watsu
Shiatsu done in water.

Visceral manipulation
To improve the whole body health through physical manipulation of the vital organs in your belly.

Prenatal and postnatal partum massage
Increasing health and facilitating comfort through the transformative time of pregnancy.

For more information: www.massagetherapy.com



Directory Listings

Maggie Davis, LMT
Reflexology

805-682-5117

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Leslie Joan Moed
Transformational Massage, Aura-Soma Practitioner
Intuitive Healing, Guided Imagery

P. 805.684.1676


  Jacque Cooper, LMT
 
Aquatic Massage and Watsu
Cranio-Sacral Therapy

805-689-4756
 


Kathleen Martin, LMT
Registered Craniosacral Therapist
Shiatsu practitioner

PO Box 23403
Santa Barbara, Ca 93121
805-563-3875


Sarah Garney
Synergistic Healing Arts

(805) 682-1184
www.sarahgarney.com


Romi Cumes, LMT
Transformative Healing Arts

Offering private and group yoga instruction, therapeutic bodywork, and energy healing.
(805) 448-4111

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Marla Van Stein, LMT
Integrative Bodywork, Swedish Massage, Lymphatic Drainage, Prenatal/Postnatal, Infant Massage Instruction

Points of Health
2958 State Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
805/687-7775
http://www.pointsofhealth.org/