MASSAGE THERAPY is the manipulation of the soft tissues of the body through manual techniques that affect the muscular, skeletal, circulatory, lymphatic, nervous, connective tissue and other systems. The basic philosophy of massage therapy embraces the concept of vis Medicatrix naturae, which is aiding the ability of the body to heal itself, and is aimed at increasing health and well-being. Massage therapy is one of the oldest health care practices known to history. References to massage are found in Chinese medical texts more than 4,000 years old. Massage has been advocated in Western health care practices at least since the time of Hippocrates, the "Father of Medicine." In the fourth century B.C. Hippocrates wrote, "The physician must be acquainted with many things and assuredly with rubbing." (the ancient Greek term for massage was rubbing).
TOUCH is the fundamental medium of massage therapy. While massage can be described in terms of the type of techniques performed, touch is not used solely in a mechanistic way. Massage Therapy also has an artistic component. Touch used with sensitivity allows the massage therapist to receive useful information via his or her hands about the client's body, such as the optimal amount of pressure to use and exact location of muscle tension and other soft tissue problems.
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CRANIAL-SACRAL THERAPY gently addresses the spine, the skull and its sutures, the body’s horizontal tissues (diaphragms), and the fascia (soft tissue component of the connective tissue system) in order to optimize the pulsation of the cerebrospinal fluid. For example, by resolving adhesion in the connective tissue called the dural tube, and thus facilitating the movement of the cerebrospinal fluid from the fourth ventricle of the brain through the dural tube (which houses the spinal cord), restricted nerve passages are eased, thus allowing the fluid to bathe the nerves. Pain naturally is relieved and the body is freed to realign of its own accord. The therapist must listen carefully to the body’s directives in order to provide appropriate assistance. Cranial-sacral therapy is helpful in the treatment of injury related pain and discomfort throughout the body and has many further functions and applications.
LYMPHATIC MASSAGE is a deeply relaxing treatment that benefits the immune system by increasing the distribution of the lymphatic fluid. Because there is no pump to move the lymph, the main ways to encourage a healthy lymphatic drainage are exercise, breathing, peristalsis and massage. Lymphatic fluid is clear or milky white. It is 96% water and contains proteins, lipids, colloids , hormones, peptides and cells. Lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell, provide crucial functions of the immune system in fighting pathogens and toxins. Increased lymphatic circulation brings about improved healing through reduction of swelling, better delivery of nutrients to cells, smooth delivery of the body’s chemical messengers, as well as the removal of pathogens, cellular waste and toxins.
POLARITY THERAPY is a dynamic yet soothing form of energy work that brings the mind and body into synchrony. It helps to free blockages between the polarities of the body: upper to lower and side to side. In order to restore the natural flow and balance of the energy fields of these polarities and of the navel center, the therapist uses light touch, nonphysical touch, gentle rocking of the body, as well as deep massage when indicated. The body is then able to heal itself with proper nutrition and exercise as it was designed to do by nature.
REFLEXOLOGY involves the stimulation of mapped pressure points on the feet, hands and outer ears that reflex through nerve endings to every part of the body, in order to relieve pain and tension.
SWEDISH MASSAGE uses a system of long gliding strokes, kneading, and friction techniques on the more superficial layers of muscles, generally in the direction of blood flow toward the heart, and sometimes combined with active and passive movements of the joints. It is used to promote general relaxation, improve circulation and range of motion, and relieve muscle tension.
SPORTS MASSAGE uses techniques from Swedish, deep tissue and trigger point massage, to deal with the effects of pain and injury from athletic performance and to aid recovery.
TRIGGER POINT THERAPY is a form of deep massage that is applied to individual muscles. It is used primarily to release trigger points (intense knots of muscle tension that refer pain to other parts of the body), and also to increase blood flow. It is often used to reduce pain.
SHIATSU, similar to Acupressure, applies finger or thumb pressure to specific points located on the acupuncture meridians (channels of energy flow identified in Asian concepts of anatomy) in order to release blocked energy along these meridians and re-balance the energy flow.
HOT STONE MASSAGE is an ancient healing tradition throughout many cultures of our world. Water- heated stones are placed on the body to help the muscles to release tension more readily during the massage. The therapist also engages the muscle tissue with the warmth of the stones, sometimes using the stones as massage tools. The treatment is deeply relaxing, relieves pain and releases toxins.
CAROL HOY, MA, LMT has studied and practiced Massage Therapy since 1975. She graduated from The New Mexico School of Natural Therapeutics in 1985. She has been a New Mexico Licensed Massage Therapist in the Albuquerque area since then. She is certified in the modalities listed below, and, in practice, she often integrates more than one method in her work. She ascertains each person’s needs and requests, and then she uses the techniques that will meet those needs best.
"Since beginning to offer my work in this luminous Albuquerque area twenty-five years ago, as a Licensed Massage Therapist I have been continuously privileged to see the creative healing potential in action, and I am pleased to be a co-facilitator in this magnificent process along with my clients." - Carol Hoy
