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To Help Start Your Day Or Just Unwind Michele has been a Registered Massage Therapist in Houston Texas since April 2002. She is Nationally Certified and graduated with Advanced credits in Sept 2005 from Healthmasters School of Massage, Houston Texas. She is an Associate Member in good standing with The American Massage Therapy Association. Scentuary is located at: By Appointment Monday through Saturday Call us at 713-503-2435 or drop us an email for appointments. (Appointments outside operating hours can be arranged) Full Body Massage with Aromatherapy in-office and out-calls Skincare (to be introduced 2005) Call us at Tel: 713-523-5112 or drop us an email for the price. Massage & Aromatherapy What is Massage Therapy? MASSAGE THERAPY is a profession in which the practitioner applies manual techniques, and may apply adjunctive therapies, with the intention of positively affecting the health and well-being of the client. MASSAGE is manual soft tissue manipulation, and includes holding, causing movement, and/or applying pressure to the body. THERAPY is a series of actions aimed at achieving or increasing health and wellness. MANUAL means by use of hand or body. What are the benefits? The basic goal of massage therapy is to help the body heal itself and to increase health and well-being. When muscles are overworked, waste products such as lactic acid can accumulate in the muscle, causing soreness, stiffness, and even muscle spasm. Massage improves circulation, which increases blood flow, bringing fresh oxygen to body tissues. This can assist the elimination of waste products, speed healing after injury, and enhance recovery from disease. Therapeutic massage can be used to promote general well-being and enhance self-esteem, while boosting the circulatory and immune systems to benefit blood pressure, circulation, muscle tone, digestion, and skin tone. It has been incorporated into many health systems, and different massage techniques have been developed and integrated into various complementary therapies. Types of Massage Therapy? Deep Tissue Massage Deep Tissue Massage is used to release chronic muscle tension through slower strokes and more direct pressure or friction applied across the grain of the muscles. This invigorating experience is a process of detection of stiff or painful areas by determining the quality and texture of the deeper layers of musculature, and slowly working into the deep layers of muscle tissue. Specific hand positions and strokes are then used to respond to various tissue qualities. Techniques employing breath and movement are also used for releasing muscular congestion. On-site or chair massage is one name for a short (15-20 minute) massage of a client sitting in a special, portable massage chair. The client remains fully clothed and no oils are used while their shoulders, neck, upper back, head and arms are massaged. On-Site is popular at some offices as an employee benefit and for some conferences, workshops and certain social events. Sports Massage is used primarily for the serious athlete who trains continuously. It focuses on the muscles relevant to the particular athletic activity. It also can include pre-event, post-event and maintenance techniques that promote greater athletic endurance and performance, lessen chances of injury and reduce recovery time. Swedish massage (which is a proper name, not a reference to Sweden) refers to a collection of techniques designed primarily to relax muscles by applying pressure to them against deeper muscles and bones, and rubbing in the same direction as the flow of blood returning to the heart. The lymph system and veins (which carry blood back to the heart) both rely on muscle action, rather than heart pump pressure, to operate. Friction is reduced by oil, gel or lotion. Swedish massage can relax muscles, increase circulation, remove metabolic waste products, help the recipient obtain a feeling of connectedness, a better awareness of their body and the way they use and position it. The strokes and manipulations of Swedish Massage are each conceived as having a specific therapeutic benefit. One of the primary goals of Swedish Massage is to speed venous return from the extremities. Swedish Massage shortens recovery time from muscular strain by flushing the tissue of lactic acid, uric acid and other metabolic wastes. It improves circulation without increasing heart load. It stretches the ligaments and tendons, keeping them supple. Swedish Massage also stimulates the skin and nervous system while at the same time relaxing the nerves themselves. As it can help reduce emotional and physical stress it is often recommended as part of a regular program for stress management. It also has specific clinical uses in a medical or remedial therapy. What is aromatherapy? Aromatherapy is one of the complementary therapies that use the pharmacological, physical and aromatic effects of essential oils for relaxation or rejuvenation to improve the physical and emotional well-being. Aromatherapy is an especially effective treatment for stress-related problems and a variety of chronic conditions. What is an essential oil? An essential oil is an aromatic, volatile substance that is extracted from plant material. These oils are extracted from a variety of plants, and can be taken from the seed, the flower, the bark, the fruit, the leaf or the root of the plant. Some plants produce more than one essential oil. An example is the orange tree that produces three essential oils - Petitgrain (from the leaves and branches), Neroli (from the blossom), Sweet Orange (from the peel of sweet orange). What does it do? They can be used to treat a variety of illnesses, conditions and complaints. Some oils have a balancing effect on the body, others help to promote relaxation , for example lavender; others like rosemary and ylang ylang have an uplifting and stimulating effect. Used correctly, essential oils are very safe, mainly because they are diluted with carrier oils and only applied in small amounts. Are essential oils safe? Because the oils are extremely concentrated they should be diluted before you apply them to the skin. If the oil is going to be used for a massage, make sure you use a good carrier oil such as jojoba. You should be looking to have just two or three percent concentration of essential oils. Aromatic oils should never be ingested, and should never come into contact with the eyes. If this does occur, blot the eyes with olive oil and then rinse well with water. There are certain oils that should not be used by anyone unless they have been specifically advised to do so by a qualified aromatherapist. There are also many oils that should be used with care especially http://www.aromatherapy-us.gb.com/aromatherapy-information.htm Ways to benefit from Aromatherapy Massage, Bath, Compress, Inhalation, Vaporisation, Perfumes. Massage therapy using aromatherapy oils can benefit the body in a number of ways. These benefits are not only brought about through the massage itself, although these positive effects are obvious, but also by the direct effect the essential oils have on the body. The interaction that occurs between the aromatherapist and the person receiving the massage is also an important factor in getting the most out of an aromatherapy massage. Aromatherapy oils play an important role in massage therapy. They can often mean the difference between a successful treatment and an unsuccessful treatment. This is because the recipient is not only benefiting from the massage, but from the inhalation of the aromatherapy scents, as well as from the effects the oils have as they are absorbed into the skin and then into the bloodstream. http://www.aromatherapy-us.gb.com/aromatherapy-information.htm When is aromatherapy massage not recommended? Massage is non-invasive, relaxing and natural. It is therefore considered a safe treatment for most people. However, there are three types of contraindication: total, localized, and medical. Total contraindication (when massage is not recommended) – fever, contagious or infectious diseases, under the influence of drug or alcohol, recent operations, neuritis, skin diseases. Local (where therapist can massage but not over any areas affected by) – undiagnosed lumps or bumps, varicose veins, bruising, cuts/abrasions, sunburn, undiagnosed pain, inflammation, broken bones. Medical (massage can only take place once it has been approved by GP) – pregnancy (not advisable during the first 3 months), cardio-vascular conditions, cancer, epilepsy, diabetes, asthma/bronchitis, acute rheumatism and arthritis, cancer. What can be expected Before any treatment can begin, we will do a consultation to find out your needs and expectations. This consultation serves as a fact-finding mission for both parties. The therapist will find out about the client’s medical history, whether there are any contra-indications to treatment and the client’s reasons for choosing a particular treatment. As the first contact between therapist and client, the consultation also helps to establish a professional relationship. All information given will be confidential. Ethics Bodywork benefit the whole body and massage therapy has become a reputable and recognized therapy, thanks to increased awareness and interest in complementary therapies and alternative medicine. Physical contact is made in the context of holistic treatment. At no time will erotic or sensual massage be performed. Our therapists are all formally trained and qualified with internationally recognized accreditation. We are professionals who work on the basis of mutual trust and respect. Policies For your convenience and ours, please give us at least 12 hours' notice to cancel or reschedule your appointment. Please be punctual for your appointment for the consideration of others. Procedure Our treatment requires you, the client to be partly or completely undressed (underpants could be kept on). Undressing takes place in private and a towel is provided for draping. The therapist will undrape only the part of your body to be worked upon to ensure that your privacy is respected at all times. Your treatment will take place in an ambient atmosphere with soothing music being played. You will be lying on a comfortable padded massage table. Your role is to relax and trust the therapist to work on you. Pricing Call us at Tel: 713-523-5112 or drop us an email. We will be pleased to hear from you. Registered Massage Therapist with The State of Texas The European Institute for Massage Therapy, Houston Texas Health Masters School of Massage Therapy, Houston Texas The American Massage Therapy Association, Associate Member |