Benefits of Massage for Renew clients
Consistent massage therapy offers benefits to people of all occupations, age, and lifestyle. It is a multi-sensory experience which can facilitate somatic awareness, deepen the connection between the mind and body, increase positive energy, and enhance self image.
Massage therapy relaxes the nervous system. In addition, massage sessions flush toxins through the lymphatic system, increase the flow of nutrients through the tissue, and speed up circulation of oxygen to the muscles. Applied stretching techniques combined with massage can improve range of motion of a joint and increase flexibility. It can also help one recover more rapidly from injury. Consistent therapeutic massage will benefit an individual regardless if one is a student of Yoga and Pilates, commutes to work, is a parent of young children, or a heavy computer user.
I offer three types of massage at Maldonado’s Renew. They are
Body Strategy, Warm Stone, and Pregnancy massage. All three are given with organic, paraben free aroma therapeutic oils/crème, vibrant, soothing music, and warm towels for the hands and feet. Aromatherapy is incorporated in each session to reduce physical and emotional stress while receiving body work
Every massage is customized for the client. I use an electric lift table with a table warmer to ensure the experience is comfortable and relaxing. Body Strategy massage sessions are more effective on this table as it provides me ease of movement for deeper stretching and positioning.
Body Strategy massage sessions are an effective way to increase range of motion, elongate muscles, and improve mental focus. For example, a tennis player may schedule several to free up the lower back so that serving is easier. These are goal oriented massage sessions where the following techniques may be applicable:
- Reciprocal inhibition
- PNF
- Hanna somatic movements
- muscle energy technique
- cross fiber
- myofascial release
I stretch the muscles after warming up the tissue prior to doing deeper work.
I assess, do the massage, re-evaluate, and assign exercises/stretches after a Body Strategy session. We track your progress through SOAP charting and communicate with each other to see how improvement is progressing. Each Body Strategy session feels relaxing and comfortable. The “no pain no gain” mentality does not apply to the techniques I utilize to effect change.
Warm Stone massage is performed with basalt stones heated to a temperature of 150 degrees. The stones are placed down the sides of the spine, over large muscle areas, and between fingers and toes to soften tissue. They are rotated to maintain consistent warmth, and sometimes left in areas that are more congested. I set them aside as they cool.
If one is particularly tight, Warm Stone massage is an excellent choice. It prepares the body to receive stretching and deeper work by warming up the fascia and muscles. The stones are smooth and feel wonderful gliding over the body. Clients often report a deep sense of release because the combined elements of heat, increased circulation, and weight of the stones are deeply relaxing.
Each Warm Stone Massage session is one and one half hours in length. This is due to the fact that I combine stretching and massage with the stones. The experience is like Deep Tissue massage without discomfort or pain. Often I will incorporate stones into Pregnancy massage sessions as expectant mothers can be restricted in their mid backs.
Pregnancy massage is beneficial to both mother and child. Consistent sessions foster a deep connection to the baby, and help the mother maintain a positive body image. Massage also alleviates stress due to endocrine and physical changes. Improved circulation passes nutrients along to the baby and reduces edema in the mother.
Pressure on the spine is a major source of discomfort for an expectant mother. Pregnancy massage keeps the spinal muscles elongated, loose, and pliant. Tight gluteals and hips can also be uncomfortable. Massage can free up these muscles so that range of motion improves and pain is reduced.
I teach specific self-massage techniques to pregnant clients. Regular self-massage can eliminate the need for an episiotomy, reduce pain and swelling in
breast tissue, and take pressure off the spine during labor. Often I will coach partners on how to massage the mother during labor and post-partum.
Pregnancy massage sessions are 1 and ½ hours. A Body Cushion positioning device is used so that the mother can lie face down to receive. This soft cushion cradles the mother face up or down, and provides a comfortable session no matter what trimester she may be in.
CLIENT TESTIMONIALS
Amanda has been my massage therapist for five years. I am an avid cyclist, and Amanda has the perfect touch to
relax, rejuvenate, and relieve stress on my whole body. She has provided me with elite level hand and hot
stone massages that are therapeutic healing for the scar tissue and nerve damage I have.
Ray Lopez
LIVESTRONG
I came to Amanda suffering from the complications of multiple surgeries for breast cancer--pain, loss of feeling, and lymphedema. My doctors had bluntly told me there was nothing I could do.
Amanda's work brought immediate pain relief enabling me to endure the daily routine of radiation therapy and continues to bring long term relief of the lymphedema. The results are nothing short of miraculous.
Alice
Massage has been an integral part of my healthy lifestyle. Amanda is an exceptional massage therapist and has been instrumental in helping me maintain my flexibility and range of motion. I find it relaxing and invigorating for my body. I look forward to each appointment with Amanda.
Doug
I’ve been seeing Amanda for orthopedic massage to help with fibromyalgia
And chronic myofascial pain. Amanda is always so loving and nurturing, and her fingers seem to know intuitively where all the right spots are. Living with a chronic pain condition has not been easy, but Amanda has helped make it more tolerable. I whole-heartedly recommend Amanda.
Jenny
_______________________________________________________________
707-477-5402
aclemensw@gmail.com
Schedule is Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Friday through Sunday by appointment.