Massage Modalities

Therapeutic Massage Modalities Offered by Mountainside On-Site Massage Therapy

A session is typically performed with the client draped under a sheet, either fully clothed, unclothed, or wearing undergarments only. The part of the body being worked on is the only part that remains uncovered. Sessions at parties, or other shorter duration massage events, are performed fully clothed and consequently, without our hypo-allergenic massage oil.

Specializing in Neck & Back Pain, Stress & Tension Relief, Migraines & Headaches, Athletic Training, TMJ, Relaxation & Calmness, Sports Injury, Fibromyalgia, Myofascial Pain Syndrome, Chronic Pain Relief

We will concentrate on areas that require extra attention, rather than just doing a 'standard' routine that's identical for all clients. We listen to you; it's YOUR session, after all. Our approach is strictly therapeutic. SUPER stress-relieving focused scalp, neck, shoulders, and facial massage sessions also available.

Whether working together doing 4-Hand Therapeutic Massage, or working side-by-side doing Couples Massage, both therapists draw upon a number of useful, time-tested techniques and styles. Unless a client specifically requests for a massage performed in a certain manner or utilizing a certain technique, a typical session will often include elements derived from all of different modalities cited below:

Shiatsu: A massage technique imported from Japan, where it has been practiced as a traditional hands-on therapy for generations. Modern adaptations incorporate concepts derived from Chinese Medicine, as well as current medical research and theory.

"Shiatsu technique refers to the use of fingers and palm of one's hand to apply pressure to particular sections on the surface of the body for the purpose of correcting the imbalances of the body, and for maintaining and promoting health. It is also a method contributing to the healing of specific illnesses."

—December 1957: Statement made by the medical department of the Ministry of Welfare of Japan. (Currently known as the 'Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare').

The concept of 'Diagnosis and Therapy Combined" is key in Shiatsu, meaning that therapy may commence without a formal or previous diagnosis, and that the practitioner may learn in what manner the client may best be helped, by paying careful attention to tightness and other feedback from the client's muscles, fascia, joints, tendons, and ligaments. The client is treated as a whole, a concept now well established even within Western Medicine.

Swedish Massage: The technique, developed in the eighteenth century by Per Henrik Ling, a Swedish doctor, involves using long, fluid movement, which many clients find relaxing and deeply comforting. Swedish massage aims to increase the flow of blood and lymph, releasing trapped toxins in muscles, and rejuvenating the muscle by bringing in fresh oxygen with increased circulation. This helps eliminate lactic acid and other wastes from muscles, speeding recovery from workouts and stress. The technique also involves stretching the tendons, muscles, and ligaments.

There are six basic strokes: friction, tapotement, compression, vibration, effleurage (French: 'to skim') , petrissage (French: to knead) Clinical studies have proven Swedish Massage to be effective in helping to reduce pain and joint stiffness, and improve function in clients suffering from these symptoms.

Many derivative systems have been developed based on Swedish Massage.

Deep Tissue: Deep tissue work involves utilizing more pressure, and working the muscles deeper. Underlying layers of the soft tissue, including tendons, ligaments, and fascial tissue (connective tissue) are the focus of a deep tissue massage.

The fascia is found in all parts of the body, enveloping and actually penetrating bones, nerves, muscles, blood vessels, and organs. Our fascial tissue is the non-bone substance that helps give us shape, support, and protection of internal organs.

Past injury, including chronically tight muscles induced simply by stress, often cause dense, hard bands of called adhesions to form in fascial tissue, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Clients with longstanding complaints of chronic tension and contraction often benefit from deep tissue work.

The classic 'knots' in the upper back are often the result of longstanding stress, and therefore the deeper layers of tissue have become rigid and perpetually contracted. Deep tissue work seeks to help relieve the pain and tension caused by tight muscles and other tissues, by addressing underlying adhesions in deeper layers of soft tissue.

Trigger Point Therapy: This technique deals with applying light, medium, and deep pressure to areas within, and around muscles called trigger, or pressure, points. Trigger points often refer pain and discomfort sensations to other parts of the body, internally as well as externally. This means that a client may feel pain in the thigh, yet the trigger point in the lower back may actually be the source of the pain.

More importantly, perhaps, than dealing with referred pain sensations, trigger point therapy helps deal with underlying muscular and bodily conditions, by easing tension at key junctures. This works well for clients with Fibromyalgia, MPS (Myofascial Pain Syndrome) and other similar conditions. This techniques was developed by Dr. Janet G. Trabvell, physician to former president John F Kennedy. This therapy is also helpful for easing pain and constant contraction caused by TMJ.

Reflexology: While a Reflexologist is a member of a separate discipline and is licensed and regulated as such, there is a type of massage with the same name. Reflexology Massage refers to dealing with a focused area of the body, and is based on the concept that all areas of the body have pressure point and 'meridians', or lines, that connect the various parts of the body; within the microcosm is the macrocosm. Therefore, by working on a single area, for example the foot, the reflexology massage practitioner may address issues beyond the foot itself.

This system is based on the Chinese systems of healing and growth developed ages ago, including Chi Kung.

Reiki: This system of hands-on healing was developed/discovered by Mikao Usui after three weeks of uninterrupted fasting and meditation on revered Mount Kurama, in Japan. Reiki refers to universal life energy, much like the 'chi' energy referred to in Chinese healing systems, 'Prana' of Hindu systems of religion and healing, and even the notion of 'the Force' explored in George Lucas' classic science fiction Star Wars film series.

A form of complementary therapy, and not massage therapy by precise definition, Reiki involves channeling 'healing energy, prana, spirit, or chi' into the client. This is done with hands placed flat, palms down, as in the traditional 'laying of the hands'. Practitioners often also conscious use these techniques to channel energy while performing other forms of massage on the client.

Kirlian high-voltage photography has demonstrated that a person practicing such 'energetic therapies' is, in fact, able to induce changes to the resistance and amount of 'energy' flowing from their hands. What this means, at this point, is debatable, however, it is quite clear that something is actually happening, and positive results claimed are not simply placebo effect, but may actually involve some form of yet unknown healing.

Craniosacral Therapy: This system was formulated by physician William Sutherland, D.O. in the early twentieth century, and is now associated with Dr. John Upledger and his famed Upledger Institute. This treatment is often described as profoundly relaxing.

By applying subtle pressure to the spinal and cranial bones, the practitioner helps to 'bring the nervous system into harmony', dissolving stress and strain. This modality addresses past traumas to the body, including generalized nervous tension. This system is often used for easing neck and back pain, chronic pain, mental stress, migraines and other headaches, TMJ Syndrome, and fibromyalgia

The cerebrospinal fluid flow fluctuates rhythmically, and may be balanced by the Craniosacral Therapy practitioner. The mobility of the intra-cranial and intra-spinal dural membranes, cranial bones, and sacrum are all addressed, using extremely light pressure, usually about the weight of a coin.

Doctor Sutherland had had the privilege of studying with the founder of osteopathy, Andrew Taylor Still. Sutherland proposed that the sutures on the cranial bones were actually not fused, but rather able to move. Sutherland observed that the sutures were, "...beveled, like the gills of a fish, indicating articular mobility for a respiratory mechanism."

This concept ran counter to the idea of his day, as most doctors and researchers thought that the bones of the skull did not move in any manner. According to Sutherland's findings, the dural membranes, which are a layer of the meninges, the membranes enveloping the central nervous system, act to guide the motion of cranial movement, allowing a sort of wave motion of contraction and expansion to occur. The nervous system was found to be mobile, and not fixed.

Sports Massage: Involves stretching of the muscles, as well as massage using a diverse blend of modalities and techniques, with a focus on helping key muscle groups in use during sports training and performance.

Myofascial Release: This is a deep tissue technique specifically designed to stretch the fascia, releasing the binding between fascia, integument, and muscles. This helps eliminate long-standing conditions caused by scarring and past injury to the body. Myofasical Release technique began from both Physical Therapy and Structural Integration techniques, the first complete system created by Michael Leahy.

Neuromuscular Therapy: This deep tissue modality is a form of massage used to help clients with pain issues. By noting the client's posture and bolidy position at rest, the practitioner then addresses any perceived abnormalities by site specific, trigger point, and systematic massage work. This system was developed by Dr. Stanley Leif, in 1934.

Pre-Natal Massage: Massage for pregnant women, this modality helps relieve some of the bodily and emotional stress associated with pregnancy. Specifically, ares addressed include sciatica, lower back pain, leg and foot circulation and pain.

Massage for Children: Kids get stressed, although we often consider childhood to be a stress-free time in life. Stressors include tension from schoolwork, long hours, athletic and sports training, social issues, and more. Injuries from sports are addressed, as well as general de-stressing. All techniques and modalities are employed, though less pressure is utilized than when working with adult clients.

Massage Facelift: This technique involves no actual surgery, unlike the more common medical procedure with the same name. A massage facelift is essentially a focused neck, scalp, and face massage. The emphasis here is to help relax and tone the skin and underlying tissues, as the underlying muscles and connective tissues form a scaffolding upon which the skin is anchored.

While the effects are in no way comparable to the instantaneous, fast-change Medical 'facelift' procedure, after even one session many clients claim to see some improvement. A very detailed and focused massage of all the key facial muscles and trigger points helps take years off the client's appearance in only a short time, while helping provide a deep level of relaxation, perhaps unparalleled.

Please email, or call 877 839 1537 for more information, or to book an appointment.

Cash, PayPal, Credit Cards, and Gift Certificates accepted. Insurance plans accepted: County / Municipal Health Care Plans (NJ), Independent Health Flex Fit, Preferred Care, No-Fault with Authorization

Note: We offer *strictly* therapeutic massage therapy. We do*NOT* offer sensual 'massage', in any form.