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Rancho Bernardo Massage
Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork for Women

Massage & Bodywork Information

Specializations

  • Deep Tissue Sculpting
  • Structural Bodywork
  • Myofacial Release
  • Musculo-Skeletal Pain Man​agement​​
  • Active Release
  • Assisted Stretching
  • Prenatal Bodywork
  • Neuromuscular Therapy

What can I expect when receiving my massage therapy session?

You will receive a holistic bodywork session catered to meet the individual needs of your body. A variety of modalities may be used during your session, including deep tissue sculpting, myofacial release, stretching, active release and combined movement therapy. On occasion, I will also incorporate hot stone therapy and cupping into my massage sessions.

How does this work differ from Swedish, deep tissue, or sports massage?

The type of bodywork I provide is restorative, or productive, in nature. It is deep work that elicits a change in the tissue. I work with not only my hands, arms and elbows, but with assistive tools, as well. The sessions are not always full-body, but often condition-based work that is meant to elicit a change in the structures of the body.

How will prenatal bodywork differ from a typical restorative massage session?

Prenatal bodywork will include various techniques specially developed for the expecting mother as well as comfortable positioning. Pregnancy is a time when a woman's body endures tremendous stress due to dramatic physical and emotional changes. Pregnancy bodywork helps release the pain and discomfort experienced throughout pregnancy. The benefits are profound, including emotional support, the relief of joint pain due to extra weight and postural imbalance, and improved breathing and relaxation.

Benefits of Massage

  • Reduces tension and anxiety
  • Aids in relief of muscle cramps and spasms
  • Promotes pain relief
  • Promotes relaxation and a sense of renewed energy
  • Prevents and relieves stiffness of sore muscles
  • Increases range of motion
  • Increases circulation of blood and lymph, bringing nutrients to the cells of the body, and transporting toxins out of the system
  • Hastens healing of injured tissue
  • Increases metabolism
  • May reduce the chances of conditions associated with chronic stress (i.e. insomnia, ulcers, etc.)

Glossary of Massage Terms

Active Release Technique (ART) - is a non-invasive manual therapy that involves the patient actively moving the affected area while the practitioner applies pressure or maintains contact. The goal of ART is to break up adhesions and scar tissue that form in damaged soft tissue.

Assisted Stretching - Assisted stretching is a physical therapy technique that involves a trained practitioner or partner guiding a person through a stretch or series of stretches to increase flexibility and mobility. It's also known as proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching or partner stretching.​

Compression - Compression massage is a massage technique that involves applying pressure to muscle tissues by placing hands over a muscle area and pushing down. The pressure can range from light to very deep, and the hands are then moved to a different area and the process repeated. Compression encourages blood flow into the muscle being worked.

Condition-Based Work - Condition-based massage, as opposed to overall work, is sought to work on a particular health condition. An example of this would be TMJ (Temporomandibular joint) disfunction. Or migraine headaches.

C​ross-Fiber Friction - Cross-fiber friction, also known as cross-fiber massage or deep transverse friction, is a massage technique that uses deep pressure and friction to treat an area. It's often performed with fingertips or a tool, and involves moving back and forth across the area's fibers in both directions.

Deep Tissue Massage - Deep tissue massage is a therapeutic massage technique that uses slow strokes and sustained pressure to target the deeper layers of muscles and connective tissues in the body. The goal is to break up scar tissue and adhesions, which can improve circulation, promote healing, and enhance range of motion.

Rhythmic Deep Tissue Sculpting - Deep tissue sculpting combines deep tissue compressions with rythymic movement.

Holistic - Looking at the body as a whole.

​Holistic Health - Holistic health is a multidimensional approach to wellness that considers the whole person, including their physical, mental, emotional, social, intellectual, and spiritual aspects. It's based on the idea that all these aspects affect your overall health, and being unwell in one aspect affects you in others.

Lymphatic Drainage Massage - Lymphatic drainage massage, also known as manual lymphatic drainage (MLD), is a gentle massage technique that moves the skin in specific directions to help the lymphatic system drain fluid and waste.

Musculo-Skeletal Pain Man​agement​​ - Managing pain created by an imbalance in the muscular and skeletal systems of the body. Pain managment works to restore the balance of the body.

Myofascial Release - Myofascial release (MFR) is a manual therapy technique that involves applying pressure to the fascia and muscles to stretch and soften the myofascial complex, the network of tissue that encapsulates our muscles and tendons.. The goal of MFR is to restore length, improve function, and reduce pain.

Neuromuscular Therapy - Applying constant pressure to an acute, tense muscle sends a signal to the entrapped nerve to release, therefore allowing the entire area to relax and soften. Neuromuscular release restores much needed blood and oxygen to the muscle and the affected area, allowing the muscle to function with less pain.

​Passive Release - Passive release is a type of soft tissue therapy that involves a therapist applying pressure to a trigger point to reduce tension and pain. It can work by: Reducing muscle tension, Restoring normal muscle movement, Reducing muscle spindle activity, and Reducing local pain and tenderness.

​Prenatal Bodywork/Massage - Prenatal massage, also known as a pregnancy massage, is a full-body massage performed by a certified therapist to relieve pain and discomfort during pregnancy. 

Productive Massage - Massage that elicits a change in the structures of the muscular and skeletal systems. 

Restorative Bodywork - Restorative bodywork attempts to restore health, strength, or a feeling of well-being, through massage and bodywork.

Soft Tissue Manipulation - Soft tissue manipulation (STM) is a manual therapy technique that uses hands-on techniques to improve the health of soft tissues. Soft tissues include muscles, ligaments, tendons, nerves, skin, fat, and vessels.

Sports Massage - Sports massage is a type of massage designed to help athletes before, during and after training. Sports massage can help you to: increase flexibility, prevent injuries, and improve performance.

Structural Bodywork - Structural work is any bodywork that is working to elicit change in the structure of the body: the tendons, ligaments, and bones (well, not really the bones, per se, but the relationships of the bones to each other, also known as the joints).

Swedish Massage - Swedish massage is gentler than deep tissue massage and better suited for people interested in relaxation and tension relief. 

Vibration - Vibration massage, also known as vibromassage or vibration therapy, is a massage technique that involves pressing and releasing body tissues in an up and down motion. This creates a shaking or vibrating motion that can be stimulating or soothing.