Massage Tips

Massage Tips: If possible, rest or take a walk after a massage to allow some time to adjust to your new relaxed state. This often helps get the most out of a massage.

Cost of massage: Donations to the Therapeutic Massage Program for program and student development will are gratefully accepted. 

Due to Phoenix city ordinances, a practicing massage student can not accept compensation of any kind.

During the massage: If the massage is too light or too hard, ask to have the pressure changed. Some massages are only light (Lymphatic, CranioScral, etc.) but asking is appropriate.

If you are uncomfortable (need heat turned up, less blankets, light moved), say something.

Tell the practitioner where you hurt. This way the massage can focus on where you need it most.

Spending time during the massage being grateful can help one make huge changes.

Often breathing deeply can help you get the most out of a massage. Breathe into every cell of your body.

Combining either aromatherapy or flower essences can enable even more change if so desired.

After the massage: Drink lots of water. This helps the body release toxins that you were able to release during the massage.

Plan to take the first 20 minutes after a massage lightly. For example, go on a short walk or sit quietly. This allows the massage to settle into the body.

After many massages, a nice warm bath is very refreshing.

Massage Types

Available Body Therapies

Swedish Massage: is an oil/lotion massage using five types of manipulation: effleurage (long strokes), petrissage (kneading), friction (deep circular movement), tapotement (percussion), and vibration to promote relaxation, improve circulation, relieve tension, and expand the range of motion.

Trigger Point/Deep Tissue Massage: works through muscle tension layer by layer, reaching the deeper muscles where chronic pain, tension and trigger points may be released. Trigger Point and Deep work is often slower than regular bodywork, allowing the soft tissues to open at deeper levels. Since trigger point/deep work requires more time to release the tension in specialized areas, your massage will not always treat all areas of your body in one session.

Reflexology: while similar in principal to Shiatsu and Acupressure, focuses on points of the hands and feet believed to correspond to each organ, gland and structure of the body. Practitioners manipulate reflex points to reduce tension, improve blood supply and reestablish harmony among body functions. As in Shiatsu, clients can remain clothed except for shoes and socks.

Polarity/Craniosacral Therapy: is one of the more gentle yet powerful therapies. A hands-on technique done with or without clothing, this modality uses gentle, fluid movements of the bones and tissues of the head, thorax, and hips, to enhance the flow of cerebrospinal fluid. This corrects imbalances in the central nervous system between the cranium and the sacrum, resetting the body’s natural healing potential. The benefits of treatment include improvement of nerve system function, reduction of stress, deep muscular relaxation, support of the immune system, and overall enhancement of body health. A greater sense of calmness, clarity, and connectedness is experienced after a Polarity or Craniosacral session.

Shiatsu/Acupressure: is a Japanese hand healing method effective for stress, locomotive and internal disorders. In Oriental Medicine, all disorders are seen as the result of an imbalance of the distribution of life force in the body. The practitioner supports and empathizes with the receiver's inner drive to recover, balances the life force in the meridians and creates a warm understanding through touch and pressure, thus promoting self-healing. The client is fully clothed to receive Shiatsu.