SABA practitioners offer the following massage and therapeutic specialties. Please contact us if you have any questions about a specialty and whether it is right for you.

SWEDISH MASSAGE

This is great for people looking for a flowing, relaxing full body massage that increases circulation. Swedish massage includes a series of long, smooth strokes, kneading, tapping, and rocking that relaxes muscles and eases aches and pains throughout the body.

DEEP TISSUE MASSAGE

Deep tissue massage is more specific work that uses slow, deep pressure to release chronic tension in muscles, tendons and ligaments. The therapist can also use these techniques to relieve pain and allow easier, more fluid movement.

INJURY TREATMENT

Whether you were injured in a car accident, at work or at play, massage therapy may help your healing process. Injuries may damage soft tissue directly or even indirectly (when healthy muscles overcompensate and become affected themselves). Massage can relieve pain and tension, increase mobility and circulation, and help restore healthy posture.

PREGNANCY MASSAGE

Pregnancy massage reduces the stress of carrying added weight, helps with changing hormonal levels, and with the discomfort and fatigue that often accompany pregnancy. Your therapist safely applies massage techniques, avoiding those that could be potentially harmful to the mother or baby. Massage is also very useful postpartum to help new mothers recover from the stress of delivery.

SPORTS MASSAGE

Deeply relaxing and therapeutic, sports massage is suitable for athletes and non-athletes alike. Rhythmic pressing motions stretch and release muscle tissue to bring the body to optimal functioning. Sports massage increases circluation throughout the body, improves joint function and releases tensions and adhesions. It is an excellent way to prepare for an event or to speed recuperation after you have crossed the finish line.

ACUPUNCTURE

Acupuncture is an ancient healing system that treats a wide variety of illnesses and disorders. Please see the Information about Acupuncture section.

ACUTONICS

Acutonics is a healing system uniting the energetics of Acupuncture with sound. Precision-calibrated tuning forks are applied to Acupuncture points on the body. The sound waves activate the points, enhancing the flow of Qi and blood throughout the body. This is a non-invasive modality can be combined with other techniques and is useful for people who want the benefits of acupuncture without the needles.

CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY

Craniosacral Therapy is a gentle yet profound form of bodywork. Stress, injuries, trauma and other factors can adversely impact the entire body including the central nervous system, muscles and organs. Your therapist uses a light touch to feel the movement of fluids, tissues and bones in the body, sensing where there are areas of restriction and gently facilitating the body towards a state of healing and balance.

HOT STONE MASSAGE

Your therapist uses smooth, heated Basalt stones to massage the long muscles of your body and may place stones of different sizes and weights between toes, along the spine, on the abdomen, or other areas of the body. The warmth of the stones gently relaxes the body and grounds the spirit. Try this massage for a uniquely relaxing experience.

LOMI LOMI

Lomi Lomi has ancient roots in the Hawaiian healing tradition. Often quite vigorous and deep, the rhythmic strokes of this massage are given with heart and prayerful intent leaving you feeling relaxed, released and rejuvenated. The session is often meditative for both giver and receiver.

MYOFASCIAL RELEASING (MFR)

MFR focuses on the fascia - the matrix that holds all the muscles and organs in place. These techniques release patterns of tension and holding that contribute to chronic pain.

NEUROMUSCULAR THERAPY (NMT)

NMT is a thorough, specific and scientific approach to muscular pain relief. NMT therapists use specific techniques to treat common pain syndromes.

DAUCIK

Daucik is advanced injury treatment focusing on the problem area with a combination of deep tissue, sports, NMT and MFR.

REFLEXOLOGY

Reflexology works by applying pressure to specific points on the feet and hands that relate to each and every organ of the body through a system of energy pathways. The therapist may discover imbalance in the body by feeling these points; and through regular treatments, balance can be restored.

REIKI

Reiki is a gentle, relaxing and nurturing form of energy work originating in Japan. The practitioner gently holds his or her hands - which get very warm during the treatment - on various parts of the body to deliver energy that stimulates the body's natural healing processes.

TRIGGER POINT MASSAGE

In Trigger Point massage, your therapist will apply direct pressure to tender points in soft tissue in order to release entire muscle groups. This work can be very effective in relieving pain and increasing range of motion.

AROMATHERAPY

Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils from plants such as lavender, eucalyptus and lemon-balm to effect therapeutic changes in the body. This can be extremely effective for:

  • Acute or chronic pain
  • Repetitive strain injury
  • Improved posture
  • Improved body awareness
  • Improved athletic performance
  • Personal development

QI GONG IMAGE THERAPY

Grounded in the ancient self-development system of ZY Qigong, Image Therapy is an energy healing treatment. Practitioners scan your external, internal, and spiritual anatomies to find root causes of problems. Using deep energy healing techniques as well as activating your own self-healing powers, the therapist affects release of blockages and restores balance. To further healing, you may be taught Qi Gong exercises.

TUI NA

Tui Na massage is one of the ancient healing forms of Traditional Chinese Medicine. It consists of techniques such as pressing, pushing, rolling, kneading, grasping, tapping, and pulling-stretching manipulations, all of which have different effects on the body. For example, the application of pressing and kneading has a pumping effect which mimics the contract/relax function of the muscles. The rolling technique creates a ripple effect throughout the body and the pushing and passive movements help improve the mechanics of the joints, muscles, ligaments and tendons. The main focus of Tui Na is to reset the balance between bones and surrounding tissues. Tui Na practitioners also use the same points and meridians as acupuncture and acupressure, and through removing blockages, restore normal flow of qi and circulation.

CHI NEI TSANG

Chi Nei Tsang was developed by Chinese Taoist Monks striving to detoxify, strengthen, and refine the body. It involves massage of the internal organs and fascia in the abdominal region. The focus of the work is to expand the movement of the breath, clear energetic blockages, and release tension patterns. CNT manipulations help relieve the body of excess stagnation, improving elimination, and stimulating the lymphatic and circulatory system. It releases deep-seated tensions and restores vitality. It also aides in transforming unprocessed emotions (called "charges") that are held in the digestive system. In working with the digestive system, the CNT therapist helps release pressure from charges, encouraging greater self-awareness, thus allowing the emotions to unfold. CNT can work well in combination with Chinese Medicine, meditation, psychotherapy, or counseling.

POLARITY THERAPY

Polarity Therapy is a comprehensive system that takes into account the root of physical restrictions, which tend to begin on a level of subtle energy. The different portions of the human body contain polarized zones of energetic flow, which, if disrupted, can restrict the muscles, or muscle groups through which they flow. By addressing this system, and influencing it through intentional touch, the practitioner can correct soft tissue dysfunction on a deeper level.

VIBROENERGETICS

VibroEnergetics is a synthesis of Treatment Massage, Polarity Therapy, Kinesio-Reflexology, Breathwork, and Sound Healing which promotes the release of connective tissue restrictions and improves muscular health, leading to increasingly deeper levels of healing and relaxation.

INFANT MASSAGE INSTRUCTION

By special arrangement, a certified infant massage instructor will teach you gentle techniques to give your baby a simple, safe massage. Sharing touch with your baby in this way has numerous health benefits. It is calming and improves the connection between parent and baby.

SOUND HEALING

See VibroEnergetics and Acutonics.

ABDOMINAL/BELLY MASSAGE

Abdominal or Belly Massage Therapists have specialized training in working with the facia, muscles, connective tissue, and viscera of the belly. Using gentle, comfortable techniques, the therapist releases tension patterns, normalizes visceral function, and sometimes assists in relieving emotional holding. Abdominal work is also important in correcting postural problems. You may want to receive this skilled type of work if you sense tension in your belly, if you have digestive issues, if you have had abdominal surgery or after delivering a baby.

THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE (MET, MFR, NMT, etc.)

Therapeutic massage is any number of techniques used by a therapist to rehabilitate muscle, joint, tendon or ligament issues. In therapeutic massage, the therapist will set goals and measure your progress with the intention of improving your ability to move through life without pain or limitation. Therapeutic massage is often covered by Health Insurance companies. Check with your insurance to see if you have coverage.

LYMPHATIC WORK

Lymphatic or lymph drainage massage consists of specialized techniques used to stimulate lymph flow, thereby hastening removal of waste products and harmful substances from the tissues. Very light pressure is used combined with soft pumping movements in the direction of the lymph nodes. Immune system function can be significantly increased, improving metabolism and helping the body to eliminate waste and toxins. Because lymph cleanses nearly every cell in your body, the negative effects of chronic lymph blockages include but are not limited to: frequent cold and flu infections, joint pain, headaches, and fatigue. Lymphatic massage is effective in treating edema, rehabilitating sports or high-impact injuries (like car accidents), improving energy and boosting immune system functioning.

ACUPRESSURE

Acupressure (from "acupuncture" and "pressure) is an ancient healing art using the fingers and other parts of the body to skillfully press key points, which stimulate the body's natural self-curative abilities. When these trigger points are pressed, they release muscular tension, and promote circulation of blood and the body's life-force energy (qi) to aid healing. Acupuncture and acupressure use the same pressure points and meridians, but acupuncture employs needles, while acupressure uses gentle, firm pressure and integrates therapeutic touch, healing imagery, energy psychology, and massage therapy techniques.

SHIATSU

Shiatsu, which in Japanese means finger (shi) pressure (atsu), refers to the use of the fingers and palm to apply pressure to particular points on the body for the purpose of correcting imbalances and maintaining and promoting health. Like acupuncture, shiatsu is based on the holistic system of traditional Chinese medicine, where illness is thought to result from imbalances in the natural flow of energy (qi) in the body.