Deep Tissue massage is often confused with a good, “deep pressure” massage,
which might use sustained strong pressure throughout an entire full-body session, but
might not address a specific complaint.  

Deep Tissue Massage is designed to relieve severe tension in both the superficial and
deep layers of muscles, fascia, and other structures. Deep Tissue technique is often
recommended for individuals who experience consistent pain, are involved in heavy
physical activity (such as athletes), and patients who have sustained physical injury.  
Deep tissue technique may often be used in specific areas during an otherwise
relaxing massage session.

Your Balancenter practitioner will be working with you, responding to your comfort
level, and will be able to alternate deep tissue technique with good firm pressure as
needed.

A deep tissue therapist does not need to be “big and strong” or exert an enormous
amount of pressure. A therapist (slowly and with great focus and intent) uses their
bodyweight, forearms, elbows and leverage along the lines of muscle fibers and on
trigger points to release muscle so that it can be stretched and restored to full
functionality.  Scar tissue can be stretched to facilitate better range of movement.  
Muscle tears can be identified to discourage further stretching during the healing
process.

Primarily Deep Tissue sessions are often quite intense as a result of the deliberate,
focused work. While you may feel soreness after a deep tissue session, it’s more like
the feeling you get after a good workout.








Reiki

Reiki is a safe, gentle, non-invasive form of hands-on healing. Receivers of Reiki
experience increased energy, reduction of pain, deep relaxation and a general feeling
of well being. It feels like a soothing, relaxing heat. Many are able to learn to focus
their eyes to see energy.  Reiki can be given through clothing, through a cast,
anywhere anytime, including during another type of massage session.  
The word Reiki is made of two Japanese words - Rei which means "God's Wisdom or
the Higher Power" and Ki which is "life force energy". So Reiki is actually "spiritually
guided life force energy."















Sports Massage

Sports massage is a form of bodywork geared toward those who participate in physical
activities such as running, cycling, hiking, swimming, dancing, tennis, strength training
and aerobics.   Sports massage can help you “perform” with fewer injuries, less pain
and greater flexibility.
Maintenance and pre-event clients regularly report increased speed and increased
distances before fatigue sets in.  They are able to maintain more-even bilateral
strength and flexibility, decreasing risk of overuse or traumatic injuries.
Even Bodybuilders, who often associate size with strength, learn that when a muscle is
already contracted, it can’t perform as well as when in contracts from it’s lengthened
and flexible resting state.

Balancenter is happy to support your pre-event goals, helping you stay flexible, pain-
free and on-track ~ And everyone deserves a post-event massage.  We can help you
whether you’re doing a Marathon, Triathlon, cycling tour or just your personal walking
or running program to stay fit. Many people find that ongoing sessions help them stay
limber and keep on track with their fitness goals.
















How does Massage Help?

The reasons we become sick or injured are as individual as we are. Whatever our
challenges in life, they often manifest in the body as fatigue or pain; sometimes as a
twisted ankle or a crashed car. Stress can manifest as a headache or migraine.  
Together client and therapist address the underlying causes and after-effects of an
injury from a holistic view.

Deep Tissue and Sports Massage work well for athletes trying to improve
performance, but are also quite useful for people who have become injured through
traumatic or ongoing stresses, including poor posture or overuse. Activities like
driving, sitting at a computer or lifting children are at the top of the list for many of our
clients.  Others may have overdone it at the gym. Some are challenged by scoliosis,
headaches or limited range of motion. Myofascial trigger-point work, a Western-
medicine counterpart to acupressure, can be very effective.

Our approach balances intensely physical bodywork with subtler emotional and
spiritual exploration. Pain caused by poor posture might warrant Deep Tissue
Massage or Myofascial Release, Reiki, stretching and strengthening. Nutritional and
spiritual counseling might support treatment of joint pain that's being exacerbated by
excess weight. Combined styles treat injuries and chronic musculoskeletal conditions
while addressing breath, flexibility, movement of Chi, physical strength and emotional
concerns as required by the individual.
Deep Tissue massage is
often confused with good
deep pressure massage.