The office recently sent out letters announcing my arrival to Waterbury Chiropractic. This letter- like my bio- lists the modalities or styles of massage I am trained in. While this list makes sense to other massage therapists, unless you've heard of the specific modality you're not likely to know what they are or what benefits they have. So today I'm going to tell you a little bit about each one!
Shiatsu- it's a Japanese style of massage based on the same principles as acupuncture and accupressure. Shiatsu is traditionally performed over clothing and involves a mixture of rocking, compression, and accupressure. While I don't usually perform a full traditional Shiatsu massage I love to use the tools over the blankets on the table or on clients who are not comfortable completely disrobing.
Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy- This is a very unique style of massage where the therapist uses their feet to deliver "the most luxurious massage on the planet!" While I do not have the bars necessary to perform Ashiatsu massage set up currently, I have translated the techniques for the slow, deep, and relaxing style of massage so that I can utilize them with my hands and forearms. These techniques allow me- a skinny lightweight woman- to go very deep without hurting and bringing great relaxation into the massage.
Deep Tissue/NST- Normalization of Soft Tissue (NST) is what massage therapists are taught as being "true deep tissue". What this means is that most people ask for deep tissue because the want deep pressure in their massage, however this is not a deep tissue massage in the same way NST is deep tissue. NST is a heavily focused style of massage based primarily on neuromuscular techniques (specifically trigger point therapy) used to balance or "normalize" the soft tissues (muscles, tendons, ligaments, etc). This form of massage is great for specific issues and addressing muscles individually.
Sports Massage- This is very similar to NST as it is a focused style of massage that provided me the education and protocols to work with physical conditions specifically related to sports enthusiasts. The knowledge I gained from this also taught me how to use NST techniques to increase range of motion and how to identify key issues that cause limited mobility and how to address them.
MFR- Myofascial release is again soft tissue therapy meant to aid in increasing mobility. I use this particular modality to work with releasing fascia a web-like tissue that wraps and connects all tissues in the body. Why do we need help releasing this you ask? Well, the easy answer is that if our fascia is tight it can really limit our mobility and create a feeling of tension and discomfort and releasing that relieves those feelings.
Swedish Massage- as the name suggests, this style of massage originates in Sweden and has become known as an all-purpose general massage. It's the stereotypical relaxing massage in a lot of ways. I like to use it because of its many amazing benefits like relaxation, blood pressure regulation, improving circulation, and increasing your blood oxygen levels.
Lymphatic Drainage- This is a very simple set of techniques used to improve lymphatic circulation which boosts your immune system and generally encourages the system to work the way it should naturally if for some reason it cannot or is not.
Prenatal- Pregnant women need a little extra attention and care in order to ensure safety and comfort for her and the baby, I learned this style of massage so that I could meet the needs of a pregnant woman.
Reflexology- Massage for the head, hands or feet working with reflexology points in order to affect change in other areas of the body. Whether you believe the ancient techniques and their effects, it simply feels amazing and I love getting to use it if only for two minutes to take you from relaxed to living in bliss.
Polarity Therapy- is a mixture of techniques both energetic and physical to create energetic balance in the body by creating communication between polar energies within the body.
Vibrational Therapy- this is a form of energy work (that is sometimes hands-on) to influence and work with healing the chakras.
Reiki- is defined as "a healing technique based on the principle that the therapist can channel energy into the patient by means of touch, to activate the natural healing processes of the patient's body and restore physical and emotional well-being." I can think of no better way to describe it. I am a Master of Tera Mai Reiki.
Raindrop Therapy- is a powerful protocol using essential oils created by Gary Young in 1980 to bring balance and alignment to the body in a non-invasive and deeply detoxifying way. This therapy is phenomenal and is great if you feel you are coming down with a cold or if you have one.
I hope this provides some clarity to some of you. As I have said before my style of massage is intuitive and incorporates pieces of each of these styles and techniques. I look forward to furthering my education so I can bring more into my massage sessions and ensure that I am able to meet the needs of my clients.
Monday, December 1, 2014
Tuesday, October 28, 2014
Essential Oils in Massage?
I am a firm believer in the usefulness and effectiveness of therapeutic grade essential oils. I use them in daily life and love to incorporate them into my massages whenever possible. Why do this? Because essential oils have unique and individual benefits that I can apply to the body to aid in our bodies' natural healing process.
I use Young Living Essential Oils because of their purity standards which exceed international standards and because they contain the largest amount of natural bioactive compounds possible. You can read about it all on their website. Because their oils are so potent, a couple of drops are all that is needed to have an impact on the entire body.
Most people are not aware that essential oils are good for things other than aromatherapy! Certain essential oils and blends have real therapeutic benefits. Essential oils like peppermint and lavender are great for calming inflammation, cinnamon, basil and oregano increase circulation of fluids and boost your immune system. Basil and oregano are anti-bacterial and anti-fungal, rosemary and peppermint help diminish headaches, these are just a few examples of the amazing benefits of essential oils. Next time you come in for a massage ask about what essential oils would benefit you!
I use Young Living Essential Oils because of their purity standards which exceed international standards and because they contain the largest amount of natural bioactive compounds possible. You can read about it all on their website. Because their oils are so potent, a couple of drops are all that is needed to have an impact on the entire body.
Most people are not aware that essential oils are good for things other than aromatherapy! Certain essential oils and blends have real therapeutic benefits. Essential oils like peppermint and lavender are great for calming inflammation, cinnamon, basil and oregano increase circulation of fluids and boost your immune system. Basil and oregano are anti-bacterial and anti-fungal, rosemary and peppermint help diminish headaches, these are just a few examples of the amazing benefits of essential oils. Next time you come in for a massage ask about what essential oils would benefit you!
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
Massage and Chiropractic
Massage and chiropractic work in perfect harmony together, which is why it always surprises me that people consistently believe they must choose one or the other. This is one of the reasons why I started this blog. There are many misconceptions about massage, its accessibility and its usefulness.
The American Chiropractic Association defines chiropractic as “a health care profession that focuses on disorders of the musculoskeletal system and the nervous system and the effects of these disorders on general health.”
Most chiropractors recognize the need to address the underlying cause of a patient's ailment instead of only helping the patient with the side-effects of their ailment- as Western Medicine usually does. When seeking to address the underlying cause of dis-ease it is best to approach it from multiple angles. This is why massage therapists and chiropractors like to work together and address the other areas of a patient's life (like nutrition). Working together gives you, the patient, an opportunity to be cared for by a team of individuals that are there to support you and address you, your ailments and pains on every front.
When you are receiving massage and chiropractic you'll see how each form of care supports and strengthens the benefits of the other. Patients who receive both forms of care often experience faster recovery from injuries because they are receiving care to every layer of the body affected by the injury. Chiropractic adjustments are more successful and easier when you're receiving regular massage because it relaxes the tension in the muscles that would normally resist the adjustments. Together they can increase circulation, range of motion in joints, lessen pain from injuries, improve posture, and even help manage the pain caused by arthritis and fibromyalgia.
With all these benefits, is there really any reason to keep from seeing a chiropractor and a massage therapist regularly? Now there's no reason not to,
Waterbury Chiropractic Wellness Center is now offering 60 min massages for only $45 when scheduled monthly!
The American Chiropractic Association defines chiropractic as “a health care profession that focuses on disorders of the musculoskeletal system and the nervous system and the effects of these disorders on general health.”
Most chiropractors recognize the need to address the underlying cause of a patient's ailment instead of only helping the patient with the side-effects of their ailment- as Western Medicine usually does. When seeking to address the underlying cause of dis-ease it is best to approach it from multiple angles. This is why massage therapists and chiropractors like to work together and address the other areas of a patient's life (like nutrition). Working together gives you, the patient, an opportunity to be cared for by a team of individuals that are there to support you and address you, your ailments and pains on every front.
When you are receiving massage and chiropractic you'll see how each form of care supports and strengthens the benefits of the other. Patients who receive both forms of care often experience faster recovery from injuries because they are receiving care to every layer of the body affected by the injury. Chiropractic adjustments are more successful and easier when you're receiving regular massage because it relaxes the tension in the muscles that would normally resist the adjustments. Together they can increase circulation, range of motion in joints, lessen pain from injuries, improve posture, and even help manage the pain caused by arthritis and fibromyalgia.
With all these benefits, is there really any reason to keep from seeing a chiropractor and a massage therapist regularly? Now there's no reason not to,
Waterbury Chiropractic Wellness Center is now offering 60 min massages for only $45 when scheduled monthly!
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
Benefits of Regular Massage
"Like exercise, massage does more for you if you engage in it regularly... even a monthly treatment can help maintain general health. ‘Touch is basic to survival,’ says Elliot Greene, past president of AMTA [American Massage Therapy Assn.]. That’s all the excuse anyone should need to indulge." says a Newsweek article entitled "The Magic of Touch"
Most people know that massage is soothing, relaxing and generally makes you feel good. Unfortunately, most people don't realize that massage not only benefits our muscles but subtly affects all other systems in the body. Yes, massage does relieve pain. A study released in 2011 showed just how effective massage is in relieving debilitating back pain. Dan Cherkin, Ph.D., and lead author of the study had this to say about his findings:
"We found the benefits of massage are about as strong as those reported for other effective treatments: medications, acupuncture, exercise and yoga."
That's pretty incredible if you ask me, but that barely scratches the surface of what massage can do. Massage can lower blood pressure, and its gentle touch can help you manage anxiety and depression by lowering the levels of the stress hormone cortisol and simultaneously raise serotonin and dopamine levels. Between the stress reduction and pain reduction, a regular client of massage is likely to see a great change in their life, but that's not all! It comes with a free set of knives! Just kidding, it actually improves sleep, boosts immunity by raising your white-blood cell count and improving lymphatic circulation, boosts brainpower, curbs headaches, and relieves post-workout tension and soreness. Not sounding too bad. Now, just think, if a regular massage can accomplish that, is there any reason not to schedule an appointment?
Waterbury Chiropractic and Wellness Center is offering a special discount to anyone who schedules monthly appointments, $45 for a 60 minute monthly appointment! That's $15 off the regular price of $60! All you have to do is schedule monthly, no contract required.
Call 303-485-7117 and schedule an appointment today.
Most people know that massage is soothing, relaxing and generally makes you feel good. Unfortunately, most people don't realize that massage not only benefits our muscles but subtly affects all other systems in the body. Yes, massage does relieve pain. A study released in 2011 showed just how effective massage is in relieving debilitating back pain. Dan Cherkin, Ph.D., and lead author of the study had this to say about his findings:
"We found the benefits of massage are about as strong as those reported for other effective treatments: medications, acupuncture, exercise and yoga."
That's pretty incredible if you ask me, but that barely scratches the surface of what massage can do. Massage can lower blood pressure, and its gentle touch can help you manage anxiety and depression by lowering the levels of the stress hormone cortisol and simultaneously raise serotonin and dopamine levels. Between the stress reduction and pain reduction, a regular client of massage is likely to see a great change in their life, but that's not all! It comes with a free set of knives! Just kidding, it actually improves sleep, boosts immunity by raising your white-blood cell count and improving lymphatic circulation, boosts brainpower, curbs headaches, and relieves post-workout tension and soreness. Not sounding too bad. Now, just think, if a regular massage can accomplish that, is there any reason not to schedule an appointment?
Waterbury Chiropractic and Wellness Center is offering a special discount to anyone who schedules monthly appointments, $45 for a 60 minute monthly appointment! That's $15 off the regular price of $60! All you have to do is schedule monthly, no contract required.
Call 303-485-7117 and schedule an appointment today.
Meet Me!
My name is Anna Griffith and I am a Licensed Massage Therapist, Certified Yoga Teacher, and Tera Mai Reiki Master. I have been doing massage professionally since September 2011 after receiving training from the Boulder College of Massage Therapy. Before my formal training, I was taught the basics of massage as a young girl by my grandmother who learned it while living in Turkey. I was inspired to become a massage therapist after experiencing first hand how powerful therapeutic touch can be. Since the age of 8, I have suffered from chronic pain and the only relief I have found has been through massage, chiropractic and yoga. 
I am trained in Shiatsu, Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy, Deep Tissue, Sports Massage, Swedish Massage, Prenatal, Reflexology, Integrative Massage, Polarity Therapy, Vibrational Therapy, Reiki, and Raindrop Therapy. I use the skills and tools of each style of therapy I learn to give clients exactly what they need in their massage. I feel the most appropriate description of my style of massage is intuitive. My clients often tell me that they can tell I “listen” to their bodies, and that is exactly what I do. Using my hands I carefully “listen” to what your body tells me and provide it with what it needs to move you into a place of relaxation, peace and out of pain.
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