Acupuncture is one of the oldest and most respected alternative medical treatments in the world. It originated in China over 5,000 years ago and has a proven history of effectiveness. More than eight million Americans have used acupuncture to treat a variety of common health…
This week Massage Therapy Center Palo Alto's blog features Clinical Deep Tissue Massage, in order to clarify the unique benefits offered through this modality. Clinical Deep Tissue bodywork works through tension, layer-by-layer, reaching the deeper muscles where persistent discomfort can be released. Much of the…
The lymphatic system is a branch of the circulatory system and a major part of the immune system. It is made up of organs (spleen, thymus, tonsils, adenoids) and lymph nodes and vessels. It produces the clear, extracellular fluid (lymph) that bathes the tissues and…
A fascia is a thin, elastic band or sheet of connective tissue that wraps most structures within the human body, supporting and protecting them. It attaches, encloses, stabilizes, and separates muscles and internal organs and generally acts as a shock absorber by creating tissue spaces.…
Swedish massage is the classic style of bodywork and is the most popular and familiar massage method being practiced today. It is a scientific system of manipulations of the muscles and connective soft tissue of the body for the purpose of relaxation, rehabilitation, and health…
Shiatsu is an ancient Japanese bodywork that uses hand, knuckle, palm, elbow, and foot pressure on specific points located along energy meridians, in order to promote the free flow of ki energy, the circulating life force. Oriental Medicine maintains that disease occurs because of stagnation or blockage…
Myofascial Release is a safe and very effective technique that involves applying gentle sustained pressure into the myofascial connective tissue to eliminate pain and restore motion. The therapist applies gentle pressure into the direction of the restriction by following the motion of the tissue, barrier…
In Trigger Point Therapy various methods are used to relieve and eliminate a hypersensitive area known as a trigger point—in the muscle, its tendon, or fascia. Usually the trigger point is not in the area of pain, but digital pressure over the point will elicit pain…
Craniosacral Therapy is one of the more gentle yet powerful therapies offered at Massage Therapy Center Palo Alto. This modality uses gentle, fluid movements of the bones and tissues of the head, chest area, and hips to enhance the flow of cerebrospinal fluid. Imbalances are…
Deep Work Massage is a unique approach to bodywork and is distinct from Clinical Deep Tissue Massage. 'Deep’ refers to the opportunity for a deeply transformative experience, not to the amount of pressure used. Deep Work therapists have an educated understanding of the role of…
Neurommuscular Release incorporates deep yet gentle techniques for correcting unhealthy chronic tension patterns and structural imbalances. Developed by Langdon Roberts, M.A., CMT, this work combines current theories of neuroscience with therapeutic bodywork to ‘teach’ the client’s nervous system how to achieve and maintain the physiology…
Reflexology practitioners believe that there are major points in the hands and feet, with a rich supply of nerve endings that correspond to each organ and major muscle group in the body, and that stimulation of these points can have far-reaching effects. Reflexology practitioners use thumbs,…
Reiki is a Japanese hands-on healing practice that works with the human energy bio-field to promote balance throughout the whole system. It accesses the very high vibrational force in all living beings. To tap into the universal energy, or reiki, the practitioner attunes the person’s…