Just as expected, the goal of a relaxation massage is to relax the body. Typically, these massages utilize Swedish Massage techniques with long sweeping strokes and gentle kneading of the muscles. Other techniques Valerie likes to utilize in her relaxation massages include Manual Lymphatic Drainage and CranioSacral Therapy.

Relaxation has different meanings for different people, because of this Valerie can customize your relaxation experience to meet your specific goals. This may include lighter or heavier pressure to meet your specific nervous system’s needs.

Potential Benefits of a Relaxation Massage

  • Increased circulation
  • Improved sleep
  • Improved mood /decrease in depression
  • Improved immune system
  • Decrease in muscle stiffness, inflammation and pain
  • Increase in flexibility

Routines

Though, your relaxation massage can be customized to meet your specific goals, here is a list of available routines that Valerie frequently performs.

Full Body Face Down Therapeutic Massage

This session is meant for relaxation and general body maintenance, and generally includes a few focus areas. It works the entire body in a face down only position. The advantage to this massage is that you avoid rolling over during the session which can disrupt the relaxation experience. Pressure is customized during this routine to meet your needs. This routine may include some or all of the following techniques: Manual Lymphatic Drainage, CranioSacral Therapy, Swedish Massage, Deep Tissue Massage and Sports Massage.

Full Body Face Down and Face Up Therapeutic Massage

This session is meant for relaxation and general body maintenance and generally includes a few focus areas. This routine works the head, neck, shoulders, arms and hands face up and the neck, shoulders, back, hips, glutes, legs and feet face down. Pressure is customized during this routine to meet your specific needs. This routine may include some or all of the following techniques: Manual Lymphatic Drainage, CranioSacral Therapy, Swedish Massage, Deep Tissue Massage and Sports Massage.

Standard Swedish Massage

Swedish massage utilizes long sweeping strokes (effleurage) that are meant to calm the nervous system. It also utilizes rocking, petrissage (kneading), friction, and tapotment (tapping, karate chopping, compression). This is usually the stereotypical “relaxation” style of massage. This routine is usually performed:

  • Face up and Face down
  • Face down only (which may increase the relaxation experience by not disrupting the flow to turn over)
  • Face up and Face down Upper Body only (can include: face, head, neck, shoulders, abdomen, arms, hands, back)

Effleurage Swedish Massage

This Swedish Massage routine emphasizes slow long sweeping effleurage strokes and less on the friction. This really emphasizes calming the sympathetic nervous system and activating the parasympathetic nervous system. It is usually performed with very light pressure but this can be adapted to meet your goals. This can be a great session for someone who is recovering from a long term health condition like cancer where the body is in a more fragile state. This routine can be performed:

  • Face up only (which may increase the relaxation experience by not disrupting the flow to turn over) Note. The back can still be shredded in a face up position
  • Face down only (which may increase the relaxation experience by not disrupting the flow to turn over)
  • Face up and Face down

Sideline Swedish Massage

This is your standard Prenatal Massage Routine but can be great for anyone who cannot lie on their stomach. This routine can be performed:

  • Face up or Semi-reclined and on one side
  • On one side only (which may be indicated for someone dealing with a high risk pregnancy)
  • Half of the time on one side and the other half on the other side (This is the standard routine)

Full Body Swedish Massage and Lymphatic Drainage

This is a great combination that includes the activation of the Tarantino is system benefits of Swedish Massage and the analgesic benefits of the methodical Lymphatic Drainage. With this session you get the benefit of the Lymphatic Drainage and still get to experience the “rubbing sensation” of a standard Swedish Massage. This combination is typically only performed face up in a 60 minute time frame but can include face down time in a 90 minute session. This routine can be good for someone recovering from a long term illness, someone with an autoimmune condition, someone retaining water, or someone just wanting to clear some general inflammation.

Lymphatic Drainage Session

Valerie performs the Vodder Technique in her Lymphatic drainage routine. This consists for four techniques: the stationary circle, the pump, the scoop and the rotary. This is not a “rubbing massage” session. However, the methodical repetitious motions are very relaxing and can have an analgesic effect. A lymphatic drainage session can be customized to meet someone’s specific goals like surgery recovery, current cancer treatment or cancer recovery. In these instances the goal is to work with specific segments of the body. In this Lymphatic Drainage routine, this is a full body face up and face down experience. Clothes often remain on during this session.

CranioSacral Therapy

This routine is often customized to meet your goals, but Valerie does have a 10 step protocol basic routine she can follow. Like Lymphatic Drainage,  CranioSacral Therapy is not a “rubbing” technique, but consists of a series of light “holds”. People usually report after their session feeling like their head is “lighter” and more “grounded”. This routine can be great for someone going through some emotional upheaval, experiencing grief, anxiety, headaches or someone with a central nervous system condition. Clothes often remain on during this session.