Massage Therapy

Our Massage Therapist Angela F. Church is nationally certified, licensed and a Professional member of the American Massage Therapy Association.

Angela graduated from Bancroft School of Massage in Worcester, MA and has training in a variety of body work applications including: Swedish**, Myofascial Unwinding**, Sports, Deep Tissue**and Prenatal.**

The benefits of Massage:

• Increases circulation, allowing the body to pump more oxygen and nutrients into tissues and vital organs.

• Increases circulation of blood and lymph systems improves the condition of the body's largest organ - the skin.

• Relaxes and softens injured and overused muscles.

• Reduces spasms and cramping.

• Increases joiunt flexibility.

• Reduces recovery time, helps prepare for strenuous workouts and eliminates subsequent pains of the athlete at any level.

• Release endorphins - the body's natural painkiller - and is being used in chronic illness, injury and recovery from surgery to control and relieve pain.

• Reduces post-surgery adhesions and edema and can be used to reduce and realign scar tissue after healing has occurred.

• Provides exercise and stretching for atrophied muscles and reduces shortening of the muscles for those with restricted range of motion.

Types of Therapies: To suit your individual needs, all treatments can be applied individually or in concert to address your body's needs. Whether it is relaxation, deep tissue work or relief from chronic pain, there is a treatment that will help relieve tension and bring your body back into alignment. It is my goal to continually grow and evolve my practice, so please ask regularly about other treatment options.

Myofascial Unwinding:** Fascial tissue is a thin, white membranous connective tissue which wraps all musculature. Fasical tissue also wraps and interweaves all organs, nerves and blood vessels. Fascia serves the function of movement. Fascial tissue is most elastic in the young. Soft, pliable, and stretchy; it serves as a lubricant. As we age, for reasons of physical and emotional trauma, disease, habit patterns, and the desiccation of tissue which accompanies aging, facial tissue becomes hard, rigid, dense, fibrous, inelastic, and short. It goes from being a lubricant to being an adhesive. This massage usually requires a higher level of communication between the client and therapist.

Deep Tissue Massage:** Is a more aggressive technique which aids in elleviating pain, decreasing tension, and increasing range of motion. Special techniques are applied to specific problem areas in an effort to help realign the body's soft tissue. This massage usually requires a higher level of communication between the client and therapist.

Swedish Massage**: A Swedish massage is the most common type of relaxation massage. It consists of long, gliding and kneading strokes on the more superficial layers of the muscle. It also involves active and passive movements of the joints. This massage promotes general relaxation, improves blood circulation, range of motion, and relieves tension.

Prenatal Massage**: Pregnant women can certainly benefit from massage, since the added weight and imbalance in their bodies can cause considerable soft tissue pain, especially in low back, hips and legs. Certain percautions must be taken, however, and special requirements need to be considered. If you are not having a low risk pregnancy, discuss your condition with your physician or midwife. After further discussion, you may be able to receive therapy with additional release.