Sports, Treatment, Relaxation, and Pregnancy Massage
Massage has been shown to reduce stress, lower blood pressure, reduce heart rate, relieve muscle tension and pain, decrease anxiety, improve local circulation, improve speed and accuracy in mathematic computations, stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, and release ‘feel good’ endorphins. Sleep quality and immune function improve. It’s a brief opportunity to escape and experience the power of safe, non-sexual touch in a clinical setting. There are calming, healing properites in human touch. It's one of the rare instances when someone focuses entirely on you and your immediate needs.
A recent Ohio State University animal study supports Sports Massage, finding:
- Muscles massaged after exercise recovered an estimated 60% of strength in the following days, compared to 14% in muscles simply rested after exercise.
- Muscles massaged after exercise had fewer damaged muscle fibers and virtually no sign of white blood cells, compared to rested muscles. The absence of white blood cells indicates that the body did not have to work to repair muscle damage after exercise.
- The massaged muscles weighed about 8% less than the rested muscles, indicating a reduction in swelling.
(This study did not include AIS, which produces even greater fluid exchange and even better recovery; see Stretching.)
Massage needn't be painful to be effective. I offer a mix of gentle, focused massage techniques that are designed to reduce stress, resolve injuries, restore flexibility, and enhance performance.
Please, keep your clothes on.
Seated massage is done with the client fully clothed. For other types of massage, based on years of doing on-site massage at events, businesses, and retirement homes, I ask clients to change into comfortable, oversized clothing, which I can provide. This is very similar to how athletes dress for sporting events, where they often receive pre- and post-event massage. The oversized clothing can be rearranged to provide access to only the areas being massaged, This assures your modesty and comfort and allows for easier repositioning on the massage table.
Swedish
Swedish is what most people think of as 'massage.' It combines long flowing strokes (effleurage) with kneading (petrissage), and other strokes to relax, refresh, and revitalize. Maximum relaxation, but minimal long-term change. I use pure, organic Jojoba oil.
Soft Tissue Release
STR combines many of the movements of AIS with a sliding pin-and-stretch. A light lubricant is used and a thumb, hand, or forearm glides up or down the muscle fibers as the limb is moved. While not as powerful as AIS, Soft Tissue Release is fast and effective when you don't have to time for a full AIS session. Done slowly, it is very relaxing and it promotes fluid exchange. It's a great way to work out the kinks. I use pure, organic Jojoba oil or Prosage Heat.
Myofascial Work
Myofascial work uses less of no lubricant as a finger, thumb, palm, or forearm slowly slides up or down the body or limb, engaging the tissue. By balancing the speed and pressure of the stroke, the superfiscial fascia can be released and lengthened without pain. AIS is more effective and less painful for lengthening deeper fascia and it avoids pain.
Pregnancy
Pregnancy massage is designed to address the many challenges a woman faces as her body changes to accomodate the growth of the fetus. If you are pregnant, you should get a release/ prescription from your doctor saying that it's OK to get a massage. I use the bodyCusion orthopedic positioning system to assure your comfort. bodyCushions are a modular system designed with areas sculped out for your breasts and abdomen to allow you safely lie face down because it supports your by your bony areas. Shims and spacers can be inserted to allow for the increasing size of your fetus. I also have an optional breast adapter that comfortably accomodates augmented, lactating breasts.
Sports
Mr. Wander was an active member of the AMTA-Ohio Sports Massage Team, which was recognized as the Premier Sports Massage Team for 2007. 
He received the team's Iron Hands Award in 2006. Sports massage helps relieve the fatigue, soreness, and stiffness that often accompany exercise. It stimulates lymphatic drainage, helping remove metabolic wastes and bring in frash, nutrient rich blood, speeding recovery. It improves flexibility and enhances performance. Done regularly, it helps athletes maintain and increase their training regimine. Athletes will often schedule a sports massage every 1-2 weeks to maintain themselves and avoid injuries.
I also do The Mattes Method of Active Isolated Stretching (AIS) as an advanced form of Sports Massage or as personal training. Sessions are generally much longer than regular massage sessions because the technique involves the systematic opening up of progressively deeper muscles and tissue. Unlike most massage, the subject does the work, with instruction, guidance, and gentle assistance from the practitioner.
The subject's body responds like a blossom opening; the outer layers of tissue must be open to allow the next layer to open. This eventually allows access to the deepest tissue and parts of muscles that can't be touched from the surface. As the tissue relaxes, chronic postural distortions are released and the posture realigns. AIS sessions are done occassionally as specifically needed, but client's are trained in self-stretching as part of the treatment. I also offer group classes in AIS. AIS Strengthening is normally done at the same time to restore muscular balance.
Seated Massage
Seated Massage is typically done with the clothed subject sitting a special massage chair and typically last 15-30 minutes. The focus is on the back, shoulders, and neck. Strokes are primarily compressions and circular finger or hand movements with some movement of the arms and some tools (rollers and or vibrator). Scalp massage can be included. Accomodations can be made for special needs clients. This is very relaxing and refreshing; a great stress reliever.
AIS Seated Massage is now available thanks to the Mattes Chair, whick stabilizes the seated client to allow controlled AIS Stretching of the shoulders and neck.