Hands 2 Health

Massage has become an increasingly popular way for people to relieve tension and enjoy a relaxing retreat from life's otherwise stressful activities. Massage can be an enjoyable experience for those who benefit from it, and it is also a great way to improve energy and motivation at work and at home.

But what type of massage should you get?  First of all, massage should be a relaxing, enjoyable experience.
The two most popular types of massage (excluding sports injury related massage) are Swedish massage and Deep Tissue massage. We our very expereinced in both techniques.  We are most noted for our Hands 2 Health special massage. Our unique massage combines the benefits of Swedish and Deep Tissue, so you will gain the benefits of both massage styles.

Swedish massage was developed in 1812 by a Swedish physiologist named Henri Peter Ling, who worked at the University of Stockholm. He wanted to create a relaxing form of massage that would increase circulation, ease tension and improve flexibility in patients.

Swedish massage incorprates five individual techniques, which are used together to create the maximum effect and benefit: long, smooth strokes; careful kneading of individual muscles; friction; hacking (tapping); and consistent vibration.

Reasons to request a Swedish Massage:

1. You have poor circulation, and you wish to improve it. The long, gentle strokes help to open circulation and increase blood flow to the extremities.

2. You are stressed about work or home life. Swedish massage is intended for relaxation and comfort, and will help to relieve stressors that affect you on a daily basis.

3. You have sensetive skin. Swedish massage is very gently, and will not abrade the skin or the muscles. It is not intended to "work out" kinks and knots, but to soothe them.

Deep Tissue massage is designed to relieve severe tension in the muscles of the neck and back and in the connective tissue, called fascia. It is called "deep tissue" massage because it is aimed at the muscles located below the surface of the top muscles, and will invariably work out hard knots or adhesions that exist in those muscles.
Many of the same techniques used in Swedish massage are also implemented in Deep Tissue massage, but the pressure is usually more intense and focused. Rather than massaging the entire neck and back, Deep Tissue massage will usually be focused on problem areas and stiff muscles.

Deep Tissue massage is great for people who sit or stand in one position all day or who engage in physical activity on a regular basis. Muscles tend to compensate for one another, which can create an imbalance in the muscular structure of the body. Deep Tissue massage serves to ease the tension in over-compensating muscles and to alleviate stress on particular muscle groups.

Many people mistakenly believe that Deep Tissue massage should hurt, and that if the therapist applies more pressure, pain will be instantly relieved. In reality, Deep Tissue massage should not hurt, though it might be uncomfortable in comparison to Swedish massage. Massage therapists will always encourage you to say something if the pressure becomes to much to handle.

Reasons to request Deep Tissue Massage:

1. You experience chronic pain in a particular muscle group. This usually means that the muscles are over-compensating, and Deep Tissue massage can serve to overcome that.

2. You are consistently involved in heavy physical activity. Deep Tissue massage is designed to relieve tension and aches in muscles that might be overworked or strained.

3. You have sustained prior injuries that are still bothering you. Deep Tissue massage will help to promote the mending of those muscles and to work out any kinks or knots that have formed as a result of that injury.