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What to Expect 

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When you first arrive at the office, the therapist will go over your full history, including chronic conditions, ongoing health issues, and any recent health concerns.

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Each visit after this will involve an assessment to determine how to tailor your treatment. The therapist will review your progress, what you hope to achieve, and any life events that may be affecting your health and wellbeing.

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Below are some descriptions of the types of massage therapy available at Atlas Massage and Wellness.

Swedish Massage

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Swedish massage is the most common type of body work. The primary goal of this modality is to relax the entire body. It involves soft, long and kneading strokes, on the topmost layers of muscles. It is exceptionally beneficial for increasing the level of oxygen in the blood, decreasing muscle toxins, and improving circulation and flexibility while easing tension.

Trigger Point Therapy

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A trigger point is a tight area within muscle tissue that causes pain in other parts of the body. A trigger point in the back, for example, may produce referral pain in the neck. Trigger point massage therapy is specifically designed to alleviate the source of the pain through cycles of isolated pressure and release. In this type of massage for trigger point therapy, the recipient actively participates through deep breathing as well as identifying the exact location and intensity of the discomfort.

Deep Tissue Massage

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Deep tissue massage is similar to Swedish but with firmer pressure. This modality is best used when treating certain painful, stiff trouble spots in your body. The practitioner uses deliberate and slow manipulation that focuses pressure on layers of muscle and tendons deep under the skin. While this type of massage is not as rhythmic as Swedish, it is very therapeutic-relieving chronic patterns of tension and helping with muscle injuries.

Myofascial Release

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Myofascial release is a manual therapy technique that focuses on pain believed to arise from myofascial tissues-the tough membranes that wrap, connect, and support your muscles. During a session, the practitioner locates myofascial areas that feel stiff and fixed. The practitioner applies broader pressure and slower glides to release trigger points within the fascia. By releasing the tension in these broader networks of muscles, you then reduce pain levels and increase muscles and joint mobility.

Ashiatsu (Barefoot Massage)

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Ashiatsu is an ancient practice dating back 3000 years. It was believed to have originated in India, where classical dance and martial arts communities used it to maintain flexibility sourceand heal from injuries. It is a technique in which the practitioner uses their bare feet instead of their hands to perform the massage, while holding onto a bar suspended from the ceiling for support. Gravity allows the therapist to deliver up to 3x deeper pressure than traditional hands-on treatments, by using body weight and the foot as a massage tool to provide broad, consistent, flowing strokes.

 

Ashiatsu helps to relieve pain, improve posture, increase flexibility and range of motion, promote restful sleep, and improve athletic performance. It elongates the spine more effectively than traditional massage, helping to give the nerves more space and bring oxygenated blood to the area to increase circulation. Ashiatsu also increases detoxification, decreases inflammation and helps to stretch tight, shortened muscles.

 

Ashiatsu is a good choice if you are looking for deep tissue massage without the discomfort of pointy elbows and thumbs Because the pressure is spread through the larger surface of the therapist’s foot, the client is able to relax and allow the body to receive deeper healing.

Cupping

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Cupping is a traditional, time-honored treatment favored by millions of people worldwide because it’s safe and remarkably effective for many health disorders. It’s use of suction, rather than compression helps rapidly facilitate rigid soft tissue release and loosens and lifts connective tissues. Cupping pulls stagnation out of the tissues and brings it to the skin level. The pores expand, discharging some of the waste and toxins. The rest is then more accessible to the body’s circulatory and lymphatic systems where it can be properly flushed out. In addition, cupping brings fresh, revitalized blood to stagnant areas.

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Click here to learn about the different types of cupping and how they can benefit your health and well being.

8147 SW Seneca St, Tualatin, OR 97062

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