Massage Therapy

Chair Massage

Gateway Bodyworks offers chair massage here at our offices or at yours. We have specialized chairs that allow a client to receive massage fully clothed in a seated, yet comfortable position. This is perfect for the busy person who cannot take the time to lie on a table, but is in need of some “spot work.” Generally the back, neck, and shoulders are the focus of the chair massage, but the head and the extremities are easily accessible!
Chair massage is perfect for maintenance, attitude adjustment, or quick and simple de-stressor.

We are more than happy to cater your special event, office party, shower, or health fair! Please call for pricing and details or stop by our office for a refresher!

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Couples Massage

Two people share a room, each with a different therapist. Couples include partners, sisters, brothers, moms and daughters, and/or friends. The combination doesn’t matter, just the opportunity to experience relaxation with someone you are close to! It is a great way to connect and decompress; the shared experience can also introduce the one you love to the amazing and healthy benefits of massage! Couples massages are Swedish or Therapeutic Massage only.

Couples massage makes a great gift; anniversaries, holidays, or any special occasion you would like to share! If booking online, make sure to book two therapists at the same time to ensure availability.

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Deep Tissue Massage

Deep Tissue Massage is a massage technique that focuses on the deeper layers of fascial and muscular tissue. It aims to restore normal range of motion and release scar tissue, adhesions, trigger points, and chronic patterns of tension in the body through slow strokes and deep finger pressure on the contracted areas. Deep tissue massage usually focuses on more specific areas and may cause some soreness during or right after the massage. However, you should feel better than ever within a day or two.

Due to repetitive motion, strain, etc., muscles become stressed, blocking the flow of much needed oxygen and nutrients to the tissue. This leads to inflammation that builds up toxins in the muscle tissue, allowing the body to develop further compensation patterns, creating pain and discomfort, thwarting range of motion, and impinging the functionality of all the systems in the body. The purpose of deep tissue massage is to "unstick" the fibers of a muscle by releasing the deeply-held patterns of tension, removing toxins, while relaxing, opening and lengthening the muscle and fascia. It is both corrective and therapeutic, meaning the body and the mind receives an upgrade!

Because many toxins are released, it's important to drink plenty of water after your session to help eliminate these toxins from the body, promote further release, and encourage rehydration.

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Hot Stone Massage

Hot stone massage is a natural therapy in which warmed stones are positioned on parts of the body to maximize the therapeutic benefit. The stones used are typically river rocks or other very smooth-surfaced stones made of basalt. These stones are heated in water before use. The high iron content in basalt helps the stones retain heat during the massage. The heat helps to relax muscles, allowing the therapist to manipulate the deep tissues more effectively, releasing tension and alleviating any soreness or pain.

Hot stone massages are beneficial on both physical and psychological levels:
Releases toxins
Relieves pain
Improves circulation
Calms the psyche
Muscular aches and pains
Back Pain
MS
Arthritis
Fibromyalgia
Stress
Anxiety
Circulatory problems
Insomnia
Depression

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Mu-Xing

Mu-Xing Therapy is a treatment using warm bamboo and rosewood tools to perform deep tissue massage techniques. Mu-Xing Therapy tools are specially crafted to deliver a full body, deep tissue massage effortlessly. The warmth of the tools helps to melt muscular tension and allows the therapist to work deeper with less effort. Using different sized and shaped tools, the therapist applies a variety of massage strokes which address ischemic tissue and promote a deep sense of overall well being and relaxation.

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Off-Site Massage

We bring the table to you! We provide your choice of our massage therapies in the comfort and privacy of your home. Our in-home massage services are available for anyone unable to visit our facility. Whether an illness or injury, business or time constraints, we can bring the benefits of wellness to you.
We service up to 20 miles from our center.

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Postnatal Massage

Some pregnant women have it easy, others have to go through hours of labor or in many instances, a C-section is performed. After delivery, many moms experience restlessness, depression, body aches and pains. As well as, the aspect of trying to get used to her new body shape and hoping to regain her figure as it was pre-pregnancy. With late night/early morning breast feeding and the reality that maternity leave does not allow for much rest, moms are under pressure to stay focused, strong, and alert.

Post-natal massage may just be the solution to her needs. Post natal massage can assist women in regaining their figures, while reducing stress, increasing circulation, promoting relaxation and rejuvenation, reliving aches and tenderness, reducing fluid retention, assisting the uterus to shrink back to its original size, reducing cellulite, toning the body, and improving overall mood.

We provide a special body cushion for you to lie upon during your session, which helps to support the post pregnancy body and breast feeding mother more comfortably.

Babies are welcome! You are welcome to bring your child with you during your session. The bond of mother and child is beautiful and we are more than happy to support that!

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Prenatal Massage

Prenatal massage shares many of the goals of regular massage — to relax tense muscles, ease sore spots, improve circulation and mobility, and just make you feel good. But it's also tailored specifically to the needs of pregnant women and their changing bodies, and therapists who are trained in prenatal massage adjust their techniques accordingly.

Most women find it uncomfortable to lay face down right from the start of pregnancy because of their tender, swollen breasts and you can't lie face down once your belly is starting to grow. On the other hand, it's not a good idea to lie flat on your back either, particularly once you're past mid-pregnancy, because the weight of your uterus puts too much pressure on the vein that returns blood from your legs to your heart.

For this reason, we use a special body cushion with hollowed out areas to accommodate your belly and your breasts as well, so you can lie face down in a safe, fully supported manner.

Carrying a baby changes your center of gravity and puts a lot of stress on your back, neck, abdominal muscles, and shoulders. Pregnancy also relaxes your ligaments, so that your pelvic joints are less stable, and changes your posture, pulling your pelvis forward. Add to that the extra weight you're carrying and you've got yourself an aching lower back, tight calf muscles, swollen ankles, and tender legs. Sciatic nerve pain may be experienced by many women in late pregnancy as the uterus rests on muscles of the pelvic floor and lower back. The pressure of the uterus spreads tension to the muscles of the upper and lower leg, causing them to swell and put pressure on nearby nerves. Massage therapy addresses the inflamed nerves by helping to release the tension on nearby muscles. Many women have experienced significant reduction in sciatic nerve pain during pregnancy through regular massage.

Prenatal massage aims to relax muscle tension and improve lymphatic and blood circulation through mild pressure applied to the muscle groups of the body. Massage reduces anxiety, decreases symptoms of depression, relieves muscle aches and joint pains, and improves labor outcomes and newborn health.

Studies done in the past 10 years have shown that hormone levels associated with relaxation and stress are significantly altered, leading to mood regulation and improved cardiovascular health, when massage therapy was introduced to women’s prenatal care. Hormones such as norepinephrine and cortisol (“stress hormones”) were reduced and dopamine and serotonin levels (low levels of these hormones are associated with depression) were increased in women who received bi-weekly massages for only five weeks. These changes in hormone levels also led to fewer complications during birth and fewer instances of newborn complications, such as low birth weight. The evidence points strongly to maternal and newborn health benefits when relaxing, therapeutic massage is incorporated into regular prenatal care. Prenatal massage is used after you are 16 weeks pregnant, we cannot massage between 0-15 weeks.

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Sports Massage

Sports massage was originally developed to help athletes prepare their bodies for optimal performance, recover after a big event, or function well during training. It is also useful for anyone with chronic pain, injury or range-of-motion issues. Sports massage emphasizes prevention and healing of injuries to the muscles and tendons. This stimulates circulation of blood and lymph fluids, reduces and/or and eliminates adhesions, increases range of motion, lengthens contracted/tight muscles, prevents injury due to repetitive strain and motion.

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Swedish Massage

The main purpose of Swedish massage is to increase the oxygen flow in the blood and release toxins from the muscles. A system of long strokes, kneading and friction techniques on the more superficial layers of the muscles, combined with active and passive movements of the joints. The four strokes of Swedish massage are effleurage, petrissage, friction, and tapotement.

Swedish massage shortens recovery time from muscular strain by flushing the tissues of lactic acid, uric acid, and other metabolic wastes. It increases circulation without increasing heart load. It stretches the ligaments and tendons keeping them supple and pliable. Swedish massage also stimulates the skin and nervous system and soothes the nerves themselves at the same time. It reduces stress, both emotional and physical. It also has many specific medical uses. Swedish massage feels good, is relaxing and invigorating. It affects the nerves, muscles, glands, and circulation, while promoting health and well being.

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Therapeutic Massage

Therapeutic Massage is a corrective type of massage therapy that calms the nervous system and increases circulation, improves range of motion, free’s restrictions, and opens and lengthens the muscles, while, relieving pain and tension, decreasing or ceasing muscle spasm, invoking the natural healing process, and increasing energy. Therapeutic massage can be a lifetime ally in maintaining your ongoing good health.

Therapeutic Massage is typically combined in conjunction with Trigger Point Therapy to aid in the release of restriction, promote blood and lymph flow, and restore range of motion. Therapeutic Massage can help a variety of ailments.

Stress:
Therapeutic Massage is one of the best known antidotes for stress. Reducing stress gives you more energy, improves your outlook, and has even been shown to reduce the likelihood of injury and illness. It can also relieve symptoms of conditions aggravated by stress such as asthma or insomnia, and provide excellent support for people in counseling.

Tight and painful muscles:
Therapeutic Massage can stretch and knead away muscle tension in anything from a short-term muscle cram or spasm to a habitually clenched jaw or tight neck or shoulder. In addition, massage works gently on the nervous system, sending a message to soft tissues to let go and relax.

Post-exercise:
After vigorous exercise, a buildup of waste products as well as microscopic tears in your muscles can leave you feeling tired and sore. Therapeutic Massage improves circulation, cleansing tissues or irritating wastes and brings in oxygen and nutrients to relieve pain and speed recovery.

Nerve Pain, numbness, or tingling:
Muscles and fascia can become so contracted that they press or bind down a nerve that extends to arms, hands, legs, and feet, causing pain or tingling. If this happens, therapeutic massage can release those areas of discomfort, restoring function.

Injuries:
Therapeutic Massage can help heal injuries, old and new, including but not limited to; tendinitis, ligament sprains or muscle strains. It reduces swelling and inflammation by removing wasted and brings healing nutrition to injured cells. In addition, certain techniques can make old scar tissue more pliable and, in new injuries, limit its formation.

Secondary pain:
Therapeutic Massage can relieve secondary pain that may accompany and even outlast its original cause. Some examples are headaches from eyestrain, back ach during pregnancy, or protective tensing of healthy muscles around an injury.

Injury prevention:
By relieving chronic tension, therapeutic massage can help prevent injuries that might be caused by stressing unbalanced muscle groups, or by favoring or forcing a tight, painful area.

Pain or restriction in joints:
Therapeutic Massage releases tight muscles that restrict joint movement. It also increases circulation to the joints, which can improve their general health and natural lubrication, and relieve pain from conditions such as arthritis.

Fluid retention:
Therapeutic massage and the resulting increased circulation helps drain your tissues of excess fluid caused by recent injury, surgery or pregnancy.

Postural Problems:
Massage releases restrictions in muscles, joints, and surrounding connective tissue. This frees your body to return to a more natural posture. It can also relieve the contracted muscles and pain caused by abnormal spinal curvatures such as scoliosis or simply bad posture.

Poor range of motion:
When you are forced to limit physical activity because of injury, surgery, paralysis, repetitive strain, or normal aging, therapeutic massage can relieve general aches and pains, while improving your sense of vitality and alertness.

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Trigger Point Therapy

Trigger point therapy is a bodywork technique that involves the applying of pressure to tender muscle tissue in order to relieve pain and dysfunction in the body. Many times massage and trigger point therapy are performed together. Trigger points are taut bands of tissue (knots) within a muscle. There are two basic types of trigger points: active and latent.

Active trigger points cause muscular pain and will refer pain and tenderness to another area of the body when pressure is applied. Latent trigger points only exhibit pain when compressed; they do not refer pain to other areas of the body. Latent trigger points are believed to be one of the causes of stiff joints and restricted range of motion.

Trigger points have several causes. Some common causes of trigger points are: birth trauma, an injury sustained in a fall or accident, general injury, surgery, poor posture, overexertion, repetitive motion, repetitive strain, and loss of resilience.
Trigger point therapy is thus used to eliminate pain and to re-educate the muscles into pain-free habits. After several treatments, the swelling and stiffness of neuromuscular pain is reduced, range of motion is increased, tension is relieved, and circulation, flexibility and coordination are improved.

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Gateway Bodyworks & Wellness Center