Foot Reflexology is a non-invasive, safe, and relaxing therapy used to normalize the body's functioning. The aim is to correct three negative factors involved in a disease process; congestion, inflammation, and tension. It is primarily intended to improve the body's circulation and speed up the process of eliminating waste products so that toxins do not have a chance to build to harmful levels. Additionally, reflexology stimulates the release of endorphins - the body's natural pain relievers.
Reflexology is not intended to implement a 'cure' from without, but to activate and balance the body's own life forces and healing power. 'Reflexology encourages this healing process to begin. The experience itself does not 'heal', it merely creates the circumstances through which self healing occurs.'
Dating back over 4000 years, paintings discovered in the Physician's Tomb at Saqqara, Egypt show an actual reflexology treatment in progress. In conjunction with acupuncture, the Chinese have used reflexology as far back as the 4th century BC.
Reflexology as we know it today, has its origins in the study of zone therapy, which utilizes the longitunal lines of energy running up the body from the feet to the brain. The development of acupuncture was founded on this understanding of these energy zones.
A person receiving a foot reflexology treatment is comfortably seated in a reclining chair or on a massage table. A warm hydro-soak of sea salts may precede the session to soften and open the feet in preparation for foot reflexology. A specific thumb technique is then applied to the various areas of the foot, stimulating reflex points that have been known to relate to specific areas or zones on the body. No oil or lotion is used so as to make better contact with the reflex points. A session can last between 35-60 minutes. The frequency of sessions varies by the individual's needs or goals. See Massage Services menu.
LAVA SHELL MASSAGE
Imagine a massage with shells rubbed smooth by sand, heated from inside, harnessing the life energy of the sea.
Found in premiere spas, Lava Shells are self-heating massage tools from beautiful Tiger Stripped Clams. The islanders of the Pacific Ocean gather what they need as part of their basic diets and the empty shells are recycled. They are thoroughly cleaned, sanded, polished and sealed. A combination of natural, biodegradable minerals including dried kelp and sea algae heat the shells from the inside. A smooth seamless glide over the body during the massage creates a synergy of warmth, relaxation, and beauty for a blissful sensation.
Available soon as Massage Services and Retail take-home kits
Reiki (pronounced 'ray-kee') is an energy medicine practice that originated in Japan. The word translates as 'Universal Life Energy'. In the U.S., Reiki is part of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM). In CAM, energy medicine therapies are based on the belief that disturbances in energy causes illness. Energy medicine practitioners seek to improve the flow and balance of energy in a beneficial way.
Reiki is a therapy that the practitioner delivers through the hands. The hands are placed lightly on or just above the person in various hand positions with the intent to transmit Ki. This Ki is believed to be a life force energy rather than the practitioners own energy. Usually the client sits or lies comfortably, fully clothed. Each hand position is held until the practitioner feels that the flow of energy has slowed or stopped.
The laying of hands used in Reiki therapy is similar to spiritual healing. There is a difference though. In spiritual healing, the practitioner releases energy to the receiver. So it is the therapist who is sending out the energy. In Reiki, the recipient draws the energy as needed. Thus the receiver takes an active role in the healing process.
Practitioners perform Reiki most often in offices, hospitals, clinics, and at home. People have sought Reiki treatment for a wide variety of health-related purposes. Some examples:
Effects of stress
Chronic pain
Recovery from surgery and anesthesia
Side effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy for cancer
Lower heart rate
Improving immunity
Mental clarity
Enhancing the sense of peace in people who are dying
Clients may experience a deep feeling of relaxation after a Reiki session. A client might also feel warmth, tingling, sleepiness, refreshment, and/or easing of one or more other symptoms after treatment. Sometimes a Reiki client experiences a feeling of weakness, or tiredness, a headache, or a stomach ache.
Reiki is not used as a replacement for conventional care or to delay the time it takes to see a doctor about a medical problem. Reiki may be considered when conventional massage therapy is not appropriate because of health issues.
Content from The National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine/National Institutes of Health
SOUND ENERGY THERAPY
Sound energy therapy, sometimes referred to as vibrational or frequency therapy, includes music therapy, as well as wind chimes, singing bowls and tuning fork therapy. The presumptive basis of its effect is that specific sound frequencies resonate with specific organs of the body to heal and support the body.
Disharmony can manifest in the body as stress, low energy, tight muscles and fatigue, creating blockages to our 'chi' or natural energy flow. The sound wave created by tuning forks works like kinetic energy, moving tension from the body while restoring harmony, balance, and a sense of well-being.
Sound healing is known to reduce stress and pain, and to re-establish balanced breathing. The medicinal use of sound vibration can also enhance the immune system, lower blood pressure, and stimulate the body to heal itself.
The OHM (OM) frequency is based upon the elliptical orbit of the earth as it travels around the sun through four seasons. Therefore, Ohm can be thought of as our Musical Center of Gravity.The Low-Ohm and Mid-Ohm (Om) sound which will be used during the massage session, if requested, is a specific frequency which together produce the Ohm Octave, a grounding and energizing musical interval.
To aide in the body's daily elimination of toxins and waste matter, simple manual exfoliation can be performed. The skin is responsible for one-fourth of the body's detoxification each day.
Salt glows, body polishes, and sugar scrubs are products used to gently loosen and remove the dry, dead surface skin layer to keep the pores open. Some of the benefits include:
Stimulating circulation
Increases cell renewal
Aides in clearing the lymphatic system
Strengthens the immune system
Among popular home options are dry skin brushing or using exfoliating gloves, mitts, or soap sacks in additon to prepared products. All are available for purchase through the massage office.
During your massage, you may request an additonal service for your back. Which one? 'Sugar Scrubs' are a moisturizing choice. This product contains glycolic acid so it helps the skin retain more moisture plus you get two kinds of exfoliation; physical (grains of sugar) and chemical (glycolic as sugar dissolves). 'Salt Glows' using sea salts mixed with the cream or oils remineralizes the body. This salt contains trace minerals that the body craves. See Massage Services menu.
