Pick a modality...any modality!

I am trained in a large number of modalities of massage. Each style of massage has a unique feel and purpose. Are you looking for muscle relaxation? Quick recovery from over-exercising? Relief from headache? Or simply to feel really good? Whatever your goal, I can provide massage modalities that will meet your needs.

Many people just want to get "rubbed the right way!" However, if you'd like to know more about specific modalities of massage, feel free to click the buttons on the left to learn more about each modality I can provide.

With all these types of massage to choose from, you can be confident that I can put together a set of modalities that will give you exactly the kind of massage you want. In fact, I encourage my clients to help design their own massage!

Aura Balancing

By: Michael Manion			Page Views: 8,913
Hashtags: #AuraBalancing
All about Aura Balancing.
Estimated reading time: 2 minute(s) (254 words)

If the aura changes the physical body may become affected. Likewise, if a person has been injured, even in the past, the aura may reflect this as a disturbance or change in its structure or color.

Chakra Balancing

By: Michael Manion			Page Views: 7,251
Hashtags: #ChakraBalancing
All about Chakra Balancing.
Estimated reading time: 2 minute(s) (312 words)

Chakra is a Sanskrit word that translates as turning wheel or disc. It is a concept referring to wheel-like energy vortices which, according to traditional Indian medicine, exist in the etheric portion of the body. The chakras are said to be "force centers," vortices of subtle matter. They are considered the focal points for the reception and transmission of energies. They literally feed the auric fields and the physical body as well.

Chinese

By: Michael Manion			Page Views: 8,627
Hashtags: #ChineseMassage
All about Chinese Massage.
Estimated reading time: 3 minute(s) (537 words)

Tui Na uses techniques and manipulations to stimulate acupuncture points or other parts of the body surface so as to correct physiological imbalances of the body and achieve curative effects. The effect of Tui Na is to disperse and smooth obstructions whilst checking and restraining hyperfunction. Tui Na is an important part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which also encompasses acupuncture, herbal medicine, nutrition and exercise to treat the whole body, mind and spirit.

Deep Tissue

By: Michael Manion			Page Views: 6,875
Hashtags: #DeepTissueMassage
All about Deep Tissue Massage.
Estimated reading time: 1 minute(s) (67 words)

Deep Tissue massage is designed to relieve severe tension in the muscle and the connective tissue or fascia. This type of massage focuses on the muscles located below the surface of the top muscles. Deep tissue massage is often recommended for individuals who experience consistent pain, are involved in heavy physical activity (such as athletes), and patients who have sustained physical injury.

East Indian Head Massage

By: Michael Manion			Page Views: 6,599
Hashtags: #EastIndianHeadMassage
All about East Indian Head Massage.
Estimated reading time: 2 minute(s) (434 words)

Indian head massage (IHM) is a Hindu massage technique, tracing back to the ancient ways of Ayurvedic Indian health care. Used for over 4,000 years to improve overall health, this massage has become more and more popular in recent years. It is also known as champissage or shiroabhyanga.

Fibromyalgia Therapy

By: Michael Manion			Page Views: 5,958
Hashtags: #FibromyalgiaTherapy
All about Fibromyalgia_Therapy.
Estimated reading time: 1 minute(s) (146 words)

Massage therapy is one of the oldest methods of healthcare still in practice. At Michael's Hands, I concentrate on techniques that encourage circulation in the muscles, which increases the flow of nutrients and eliminates waste products. This is particularly beneficial for those with fibromyalgia as it can reduce heart rate, relax muscles, improve range of motion in joints and increase production of the body's natural painkillers.

Hot Stone

By: Michael Manion			Page Views: 7,610
Hashtags: #HotStoneTherapy
All about Hot Stone Therapy.
Estimated reading time: 1 minute(s) (117 words)

A hot stone massage uses water-heated stones to apply pressure and heat to the body. Stones coated in oil can also be used by the therapist delivering various massaging strokes. The heated stones can also be laid upon various areas of the body to relax tense and tight contracted muscles. It can be very relaxing and invigorating at the same time.

Ionic Detox Foot Bath

By: Michael Manion			Page Views: 6,417
Hashtags: #IonicDetoxFootBath
Ionic Detox Foot Bath.
Estimated reading time: 2 minute(s) (405 words)

Ionic footbaths are a popular tool for detoxing the body. The media has been quick to label them pseudoscience based on some poorly done research. Properly done research has shown that ionic footbaths do increase detoxification of heavy metals. There is still some uncertainty as to the mechanism of action, but the anecdotal evidence of the effectiveness of ionic footbaths is overwhelming. The stored toxins of the body can pass through the various meridians of the body. Some meridians are positively charged out-flowing, called Yang Meridians; others are negatively charged, receptive, called Yin Meridians.

Kinesiology

By: Michael Manion			Page Views: 8,827
Hashtags: #Kinesiology
All about Kinesiology.
Estimated reading time: 2 minute(s) (475 words)

The word Kinesiology is derived from the Greek words kinesis (movement) and kinein (to move), also known as human kinetics, is the science of human movement. It is a discipline that focuses on Physical Activity. A kinesiological approach applies scientific based medical principles towards the analysis, preservation and enhancement of human movement in all settings and populations. Kinesiologists work in research, the fitness industry, clinically, and in industrial environments. Studies on human motion may be supported by computer vision, using stereo camera systems for pose recognition and motion modeling.

Medical

By: Michael Manion			Page Views: 6,977
Hashtags: #MedicalMassage
All about Medical Massage.
Estimated reading time: 1 minute(s) (180 words)

Technically, "medical massage" includes any massage specifically prescribed by a doctor for treatment of a medical condition. There are, however, certain techniques that are often so prescribed.

Reiki

By: Michael Manion			Page Views: 6,737
Hashtags: #Reiki
All about Reiki.
Estimated reading time: 1 minute(s) (186 words)

Reiki means "universal life energy" and Reiki techniques can be combined with massage for healing. Sometimes those receiving this healing can experience slight changes physically during the session such as heat or cold or even changes in kinesthetic or visual subtleties. None of these need to occur for it to be working, however.

Shiatsu

By: Michael Manion			Page Views: 6,864
Hashtags: #Shiatsu
All about Shiatsu.
Estimated reading time: 1 minute(s) (103 words)

The Japanese word Shiatsu (指圧) is composed of two words: "shi" meaning finger, and "atsu" meaning pressure. This therapy uses pressure applied with thumbs, fingers and palms to the same energy meridians as traditional Chinese acupressure, with the additional incorporation of stretching. It also adds components such as rolling, brushing, vibrating, grasping and in one particular technique developed by Suzuki Yamamoto, pressure is applied with the feet on the person's back, legs and feet.

Sports

By: Michael Manion			Page Views: 7,382
Hashtags: #SportsMassage
All about Sports Massage.
Estimated reading time: 2 minute(s) (270 words)

We've all had the experience of playing a little too hard and pulling something as a result. Massage can relieve the resulting pain so that healing can be promoted. However, just as most athletes stretch out before a workout or a game, many find a pre-exertion massage helps them excel.

Sugar Polish, Salt Glow Massage

By: Michael Manion			Page Views: 5,497
Hashtags: #SugarPolish #SaltGlowMassage
All about Siegar Polish Treatments and Salt Glow Massage.
Estimated reading time: 1 minute(s) (80 words)

A body polish is a popular body treatment that exfoliates and hydrates your skin, leaving it smooth and soft. This is primarily a skin treatment, like a facial for the body. It should not be confused with a massage.

Swedish

By: Michael Manion			Page Views: 7,601
Hashtags: #SwedishMassage
All about Swedish Massage.
Estimated reading time: 2 minute(s) (463 words)

Swedish massage uses five styles of long, flowing strokes to massage. The five basic strokes are effleurage (sliding or gliding), petrissage (kneading), tapotement (rhythmic tapping), friction (cross fiber) and vibration (shaking of the hands or fingers).

Thai

By: Michael Manion			Page Views: 6,461
Hashtags: #ThaiMassage
All about Thai massage.
Estimated reading time: 1 minute(s) (200 words)

Known in Thailand as นวดแผนโบราณ (Nuat phaen boran), meaning "ancient/traditional massage." Thai massage actually originated in India and is based on ayurveda and yoga. This form of massage is believed to be at least 2500 years old and is associated with the Buddha himself. The technique combines massage with yoga-like positions during the course of the massage; the northern style emphasizes stretching while the southern style emphasizes acupressure.

Therapeutic Touch

By: Michael Manion			Page Views: 6,524
Hashtags: #TherapeuticTouch #BioenergeticField
All about Therapeutic Touch.
Estimated reading time: 1 minute(s) (199 words)

Therapeutic Touch is an energy therapy which was developed to promote healing and reduce pain and anxiety. Therapeutic Touch practitioners have shown that by placing their hands on or near the patient they can detect and manipulate the patient's putative energy field. The detecting of an energy field takes practice and time just as does learning to walk or ride a bicycle. Practitioners are taught to work with what is termed the person's "biofield" or "bioenergetic field."

Trigger Point

By: Michael Manion			Page Views: 7,341
Hashtags: #TriggerPoint
All about Trigger Point massage.
Estimated reading time: 1 minute(s) (151 words)

Sometimes confused with pressure point massage, Trigger Point Therapy involves deactivating trigger points that may cause local pain or referred pain and other sensations, such as headaches, in other parts of the body. Manual pressure, vibration, injection, or other treatment is applied to these points to relieve myofascial pain.