Massage Therapy

Our office provides massage therapy to our patients by Jessica, Erin and Kim. Massage therapy is the perfect complement to chiropractic care, as well as a beneficial treatment in its own right. Massage Therapy is made up of various "modalities" or, in layman's terms, types of massage.

Here at Optilux Wellness Center, we offer many different modalities including Swedish, Prenatal, Sports, and Craniosacral massage.

SWEDISH MASSAGE

Swedish massage therapy is the type of massage that most people think about when they hear the word "massage." As the best-known type of bodywork performed today, the primary purpose of the Swedish massage technique is to relax the entire body.

This is accomplished by rubbing the muscles with long gliding strokes in the direction of blood returning to the heart. But Swedish massage therapy goes beyond relaxation. Swedish massage can be very beneficial for increasing the level of oxygen in the blood, decreasing muscle toxins, improving circulation and flexibility while easing tension.

DEEP TISSUE MASSAGE

Deep tissue massage therapy is similar to Swedish massage, but the deeper pressure is beneficial in releasing chronic muscle tension. The focus is on the deepest layers of muscle tissue, tendons and fascia (the protective layer surrounding muscles, bones and joints).

Studies have found that people's blood pressure fell after a single 45 to 60 minute deep tissue massage. Additionally, massage modalities like deep tissue reduce stress hormone levels and heart rate while boosting mood and relaxation by triggering the release of oxytocin and serotonin.

PRENATAL/PREGNANCY MASSAGE

Performed by a trained therapist, many methods of massage are both effective and safe prenatally and during labor and postpartum periods of women's pregnancies. Prenatally, specific techniques can reduce pregnancy discomforts and concerns and enhance the physiological and emotional well-being of both mother and fetus.

Skilled and appropriate touch facilitates labor, shortening labor times and easing pain and anxiety. During the postpartum period, massage techniques re-balance structure and physiology, relieving tension, depression and anxiety.

SPORTS MASSAGE

Sports Massage is designed to enhance athletic performance and recovery. Sports Massage can reduce recovery time, enabling the athlete to resume training at peak efficiency much sooner than rest alone would allow.

In the case of an injury, skillful massage therapy can often speed and improve the quality of healing.

AROMATHERAPY MASSAGE

Aromatherapy is the use of oils extracted from herbs, flowers, resin, woods and roots to treat both the body and skin. These oils aid in relaxation, improved circulation and help the healing of wounds. The oils are blended by the aromatherapist and added to a "carrier oil" (like almond oil) to be used during the massage. Amazingly each oil has its own unique characteristics and benefits.

TRIGGER POINT MASSAGE

Trigger Point Massage therapy is a non-invasive form of massage that is used to relieve and control myofascial pain and dysfunction. The goal of such treatment is the patient's recovery from or significant reduction in myofascial discomfort.

The therapist's treatment consists of "trigger point" compression, myomassage, passive stretching and, sometimes, a system of corrective exercises. If successful, Trigger Point Massage should increase the patient's range of motion and increase the patient's strength. Most importantly, it should alleviate, if not completely remove, the pain.

CRANIAL SACRAL THERAPY

Cranial Sacral Therapy addresses the patient's need to reset and rebalance the central nervous system using one of the body's life-sustaining biorhythms: the cerebral spinal fluid. Tuning into the vitality of this palpable rythm-combined with gentle hand placements on bony landmarks, where there are areas of significant fascia and connective tissue constitution.

CST effectively decompresses and balances musculo-fascial and nervous tone. Strongly indicated for chronic pain and joint dysfunction, headaches, TMJ, and many other chronic ailments. It is also a synergistic compliment to chiropractic adjustments to feel the ultimate bliss of decompression and alignment!

If you are in need of massage therapy in New Kensington, Penn Hills, Plum, Monroeville, Fox Chapel, Verona, Oakmont, Cheswick, Tarentum, Natrona Heights, Freeport, Sarver, or any nearby city, call us today at 724-335-5210 to schedule an appointment.