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- Acupuncture
- Crainial Sacral Therapy
- Manual Lymphatic Drainage
- Massage and Bodywork
- Naturopathy
- Organic Skincare
- Reflexology
- Reiki
- Yoga
What can I expect from a 1 on 1 yoga session?
Your instructor structures the session around your physical and emotional needs and is there to support proper alignment and help you reach your ultimate goal.
What is the difference between private session and a class?
A private session is based on your body’s needs and spiritual direction. Classes are based on the whole class and poses are more generalized rather than individualized.
What are the principles of Naturopathic Medicine?
The underpinnings of naturopathic medical practice are found in the following six principles.
The Healing Power of Nature (Vis Medicatrix Naturae)
Naturopathic medicine recognizes the body’s inherent ability to heal itself. Naturopathic physicians identify and remove obstacles to recovery to facilitate this healing ability in patients.
Identify and Treat the Causes (Tolle Causam)
The naturopathic physician seeks to identify and remove the underlying causes of illness, rather than eliminate or merely suppress symptoms.
First Do No Harm (Primum Non Nocere)
Naturopathic medicine follows three principles to avoid harming the patient:
- Use methods and medicinal substances which minimize the risk of harmful side effects;
- Avoid, when possible, the harmful suppression of symptoms;
- Acknowledge and respect the individual’s healing process, using the least force necessary to diagnose and treat illness.
Doctor as Teacher (Docere)
Naturopathic physicians educate the patient and encourage self-responsibility for health. They also acknowledge the therapeutic value inherent in the doctor-patient relationship.
Treat the Whole Person
Naturopathic physicians treat each individual by taking into account physical, mental, emotional, genetic, environmental and social factors. Since total health also includes spiritual health, naturopathic physicians encourage individuals to pursue their personal spiritual path.
Prevention
Naturopathic physicians emphasize disease prevention, assessment of risk factors and hereditary susceptibility to disease and making appropriate interventions to prevent illness. Naturopathic medicine strives to create a healthy world in which humanity may thrive.
When to avoid Reflexology?
While reflexology is an extremely safe healing practice, it is important to be aware of a few contraindications or times when reflexology might not be a wise choice. These contraindications include:
- Foot injuries
- Pregnancy
- Blood clotting issues
- Open wounds
What are the Guiding principles of reflexology?
- Reflexologists do not heal clients; the body repairs itself.
- Humans consist of a physical and emotional body, with a mind and spirit that are all interdependent.
- The body responds to touch, which can facilitate healing on all levels.
- Practitioners and clients may feel energy move.
What is Zone theory?
The recognition of reflexology as a specific type of treatment began with Zone Theory, in which the body is divided into 10 vertical zones. Each zone corresponds to fingers and toes all the way up to the top of the head. For example, if you are standing up with your hands on your thighs (palms facing down) the thumbs and great toe would be zone 1. On either side of the body, the index finger and second toe would be zone 2, etc. In reflexology theory, every organ, valve, muscle, etc. that lies within a zone can be accessed via a point or area on the feet or hands. For example, working between toes 2 and 3, or fingers 2 and 3, the eye point is found. These pathways between pressure points and other parts of the body are thought to be connected via the nervous system, as described above.
How does light therapy work?
Each light carries a different wavelength that affects the body and skin. Cooler colors have a calming effect with antiseptic and anti-bacterial properties while warmer colors have stimulating effects for blood flow and our nervous system. Making it a perfect tool for not only skin care but also emotional health!
Who can get light therapy?
Anyone! There are three different light settings that can target acne, anti-aging, hyperpigmentation and scarring, and improve lymph flow.
What is light therapy?
It is a technology-based skin treatment that uses specific wavelengths of natural light energy to restore skin’s normal, healthy activity.
What Is Naturopathic Medicine?
Naturopathic diagnostic methods including an extensive intake, physical exam and laboratory testing when indicated. Natural therapies used for treatments include diet and lifestyle counseling, acupuncture, herbal medicine, water therapy, homeopathy, natural supplementation. We have a diverse healthcare team at the wellness center that may be included in your treatment protocol including, massage and manual therapy, cranial sacral therapy, Reiki, lymphatic drainage, aromatherapy and reflexology.
Other things to know
- Please make sure to eat a light snack at least 2 hrs prior to the treatment and be well-hydrated
- If you feel uncomfortable at any point during the treatment let the acupuncturist know
- Make sure to use the bathroom before the treatment begins
What should I wear?
Wear comfortable, loose fitting clothing.
How long is the community acupuncture treatment?
You will fill out a brief intake in advance and have a short discussion about your condition before the treatment (about 10 minutes). You may then rest with the needles for 20-30 minutes. You should allow 45 minutes for the treatment.
What is ‘Community Style Acupuncture’?
In this style of acupuncture, patients will be treated back to back and so the assessment is not as in depth. There will be 3 clients receiving treatment in the space simultaneously. Each client will have their own private space to rest. This allows for the acupuncturist to treat more people at a time and enables us to charge lower fees. Not only does this allow for costs to remain lower, but the healing energy of the group dynamic is beneficial as well.
What can acupuncture help with?
Acupuncture treatments are used in the treatment of pain, headaches, digestive issues, sleep issues, addictions, stress/anxiety and depression (to name a few). Acupuncture treatments can also be used as preventative healthcare to strengthen your immune system.
What is Cupping and Gua Sha Treatment?
Generally, cupping and gua sha are combined with acupuncture in one treatment, but can also be used alone. During a cupping treatment, glass cups will be suctioned to the muscle layer. Gua sha treatments involve scraping the skin with a ceramic or horned animal bone tool after a lubricant oil has been applied. These treatments are used in order to loosen muscles, encourage blood flow and sedate the nervous system. Both are useful in the treatment of back and neck pain/tension, anxiety, fatigue and migraines. They also clear congestion from the common cold and can help to control asthma symptoms. These treatments will leave red or purple bruises in the area for about a week following treatment. This bruising is called “sha” and is an indication that the stagnation of blood in the area has been released. Cupping/gua sha treatments may include both modalities or just one or the other depending on the condition.
What is Auricular Stress Relief Treatment?
This is a general treatment where a set of five points in each ear will be utilized. This protocol is useful in the treatment of stress, sleep disturbance and anxiety. It has also been used in the treatment of addictions for its ability to reduce cravings and to calm emotional disturbances. The protocol helps to induce a feeling of well-being and promotes relaxation.
What is Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture?
Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture is a timeless beauty enhancing therapy to reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles, even the skin’s complexion, and relax the muscles of the face. It improves lymph drainage, tonifies the muscles of the face, brightens the eyes, reduces stress and enhances collagen production. It involves the insertion of hair-thin needles into the face and other points in the body in order to manipulate the flow of energy throughout the body, according to each patient’s needs. It is a 10-12 week process, requiring 1-2 session per week, dependent upon the patient and his or her goals. Diet and lifestyle changes will also be discussed to maximize results.
What is Acupuncture?
Acupuncture involves the insertion of extremely thin needles through your skin at strategic points on your body. Points are selected based on a Chinese medical pattern diagnosis determined by the symptoms you are experiencing, the shape and color of your tongue and the quality of your pulse.
Traditional Chinese medicine explains acupuncture as a technique for balancing the flow of energy or life force — known as qi or chi (CHEE) — that flows through pathways (meridians) in your body. By inserting needles into specific points along these meridians, obstructions in the meridian flow are removed and balance is restored to the body.
Western practitioners view the acupuncture points as areas that stimulate nerves, muscles and connective tissue. This stimulation boosts your body’s natural painkillers and increases blood circulation.
Acupuncture is most commonly used for pain but has many other applications. Such applications include: improvement in sleep and digestion, the treatment of gynecological conditions, infertility, addictions, stress relief and much more.
When to have Lymphatic Drainage Massage?
-Lymph edema
-Post-mastectomy edema
-Pre and Post Surgery – scar tissue
-Inflammatory conditions such as sprains, strains, and muscle tears
-When experienceing certain allergies affecting sinuses and digestion
-When quitting smoking
-Many more
Who are the best candidates for Lymphatic Drainage Massage?
-Patients with acute or chronic injuries
-Patients with swelling and certain edema
-Patients who are pre- or post-surgery
-Patients going through cosmetic surgery, especially tummy tuck and liposuction
-A natural alternative to face lift
-Patients with chronic fatigue and low immune system
-Patients who are detoxing including quitting or just quit smoking
What are the benefits of Lymphatic Drainage Massage?
-Decreases edema swelling
-Enhances the action of the immune system
-Stimulates tissue regeneration
-Reduces pain
-Improves over all skin health, reduces puffy eyes and dark circles
-Promotes deep relaxation
-Speeds healing of injuries
-Decreases scar tissue
-Minimizes scar formation
-Detoxing
-Decreases sinus congestion and improves digestion from allergies
What is manual lymphatic drainage?
Lymphatic Drainage Massage is a type of gentle massage which is intended to encourage the natural drainage of the lymph from the spaces between the cells in the tissues of the body. The lymph system depends on intrinsic contractions of the smooth muscle cells in the walls of lymph vessels (peristalsis) and the movement of skeletal muscles to propel lymph through the vessels to lymph nodes and then beyond the lymph nodes to the lymph ducts which return lymph to the cardiovascular system. Lymphatic Drainage Massage uses a specific amount of pressure (less than 9 ounces per square inch) and rhythmic circular movements to stimulate lymph flow.
What are the conditions CST can help with?
CranioSacral Therapy has been found to be effective in helping alleviate such sensory, physical, motor, or intellectual dysfunctions including;
- Allergies
- Alzheimer’s disease & dementia
- Autism
- Central nervous system issues
- Chronic fatigue
- Chronic neck & back pain
- Depression
- Ear infections
- Fibromyalgia
- Eye problems
- Hearing disturbances
- Hyperactivity
- Learning disabilities
- Migraines and headaches
- Orthopedic problems
- Parkinson’s
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Sciatica
- Stress and tension
- Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMJ)
- Traumatic brain & spinal cord injuries
Infant disorders;
- Colic, reflux, excessive crying, difficulty breastfeeding
What is Trauma Touch Therapy (TTT) and Emotional Release?
There is a saying in Cranial Sacral circles: “There can be issues in the tissues”. The body retains memory not only in the cortex of the brain, but in every cell of the body. TTT may involve emotional release for the resolution of past or present “issues” to help rid your body of the residual effects of trauma, injury, or suffering that are preventing healing of an injury, pain or tension. It can also provide an amazing opportunity to achieve deeper levels of self-awareness.
How Often Should You Have Cranial Sacral Therapy?
Length of treatment depends on your goals for healing and the nature of the disorder being addressed:
Acute symptoms: Goal to release the effects of physical or emotional trauma trapped within the body and restore balance and mobility to the whole structure. Most common benefit with 5-10 sessions.
Chronic Symptoms: Debilitating disease or severe injury, at least ten sessions are usually required for maximum benefit.
General: Goal to improve your overall well-being on an ongoing basis. Most common protocol is the first 3-4 sessions are performed within 4-7 days of each other, then spread out to best fit your needs.
I recommend trying four to 5 sessions initially and then we will re-assess. If you feel 100 percent better, that is wonderful and we’re done! If you are 50 percent better, then we can proceed a with an updated protocol to get you to 100 percent. If you feel absolutely no change (and this is extremely rare), then we will adjust to a technique that is most effective to your needs. I also offer intensives, in which clients are seen for 1-2 hours each day 5 times in one week. Please call for rates and availability.
What to Expect in a CST session?
You will lay fully clothed on the treatment table while the therapist applies light pressure and gentle joint manipulations to stimulate your body to self-correct and unwind tension patterns. Pillows, bolsters, and blankets are available to help you be as comfortable as possible.
How CST Works?
Injuries, traumatic events, muscle strain, and everyday stress can cause irregularities in the craniosacral rhythm, which in turn blocks the free-flow of cerebrospinal fluid in and out of the brain’s dura mater membrane. Such restrictions greatly inhibit the body’s ability for self-healing and may result in physical aches and pains, acute and chronic disease, and emotional or psychological disturbances.
The intrinsic movements of the skull bones enable the therapist to manipulate the rhythmic, hydraulic force inherent in the cerebrospinal fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord – the craniosacral rhythm. The quality of the flow of cerebral spinal fluid is an indicator for the health of your central nervous system. With CST, the bones of the skull and the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord are worked with to ensure that there are no restrictions within the system. Palpation of this hydraulic motion, soft tissue release work, and gentle manipulation of the cranium, spine, and sacrum enable Cranial Sacral Therapists to open restrictions to stimulate the self-healing process.
Restrictions anywhere in this area can adversely affect brain function, the cranial nerves (which operate your senses), or the spinal nerves (which oversee the organs and other body systems) giving rise to minor or major symptoms and dysfunction in the body and in emotional and mental health.
What is Cranial Sacral Therapy (CST)?
Cranial Sacral Therapy (CST) is a gentle, hands-on approach that releases tensions deep in the body to relieve pain and dysfunction and improve whole-body health and performance. The modality was developed by Osteopathic Physician John E. Upledger after years of clinical testing and research at Michigan State University where he served as Professor of Biomechanics.
Using a soft touch which is generally no greater than 5 grams – about the weight of a nickel – practitioners release restrictions in the soft tissues that surround the central nervous system. CST is increasingly used as a preventive health measure for its ability to bolster resistance to disease, and it is effective for a wide range of medical problems associated with pain and dysfunction.
CST is a gentle, hands-on bodywork modality that works to enhance the function of your central nervous system, which in turn oversees every other system in your body. By addressing the central nervous system directly, CST enhances the body’s natural healing processes. It improves the overall function of the central nervous system, dissipates negative effects of stress, enhances health and well-being, and strengthens resistance to disease.
Because of the gentle nature of this work, CST is ideal for babies, children, pregnant mothers, the elderly, and adults in fragile or acutely painful conditions.
What is Corrective Therapeutic Massage?
Corrective Therapeutic Massage is an integration of modalities including: deep tissue; myofacial release; trigger point therapy; neuromuscular therapy, sports massage; positional release; range of motion, and more. It combines slow, deep strokes and controlled pressure focused on releasing tight, contracted areas of the body. It is designed to relieve severe tension in the muscle and the connective tissue or fascia that cause postural issues and pain. It is recommended for individuals who experience pain and tension, are involved in high physical activity such as athletes and laborers or repetitive activities such as typing, and patients who have sustained physical injury or surgeries. It is highly effective for realigning the body by manipulating the connective tissues in order to release stress patterns. This leads to improved posture and facilitates your body to maintain optimal function.
What is Prenatal Massage?
What is Swedish Relaxation Massage?
Swedish Massage is a popular style aimed at reducing stress and promoting relaxation by soothing the nervous system. It improves oxygen flow in the bloodstream, which helps to release toxins that build up in the muscles.
What is Thai Bodywork?
Thai yoga massage is a dynamic bodywork therapy with origins dating back 2,500 years. It is based upon both yoga and Ayurveda practices. In this unique healing system of Thai Yoga Massage, also called Nuad Boran, the practitioner guides the client through a series of supine and seated yoga postures, while palming, stretching, and thumbing along the body’s energy (‘Sen’) lines and pressure points. The Sen lines in Thai medical theory are the body’s vital life energy that flows along channels in the body. Also called ‘Qi” by chinese and ‘Prana’ by Indians, pressing and stretching muscles makes these channels more receptive to this flow.
Yoga is generally accepted as being an effective way of remaining healthy and flexible. Thai body work is ultimately a passive way of obtaining these benefits of yoga and more. When muscles are tense, they become shorter even when not consciously contracting, this can happen through overworking them, under-using them, and/or emotional tension. Thai yoga manipulation techniques can be used to relieve this tension, chronic pain, stiffness and loss of flexibility. These manipulations are designed to stretch the accessible muscles just a little more than they would normally be stretched under the action of the antagonistic muscles. Together these actions result in a comprehensive full body treatment that relieves muscular tension, improves circulation, boosts the immune system and balances the body energetically. Thai yoga bodywork can be for the whole body in the full 90 or 120 minute sessions. Shorter sessions of 60 or 45 minuted are more effective to focus on specific regions and issues with the body. It is performed on a traditional Thai mat with the client dressed in comfortable clothing allowing ease of movement and flexibility.
Thai Yoga Massage is performed on a mat or on the floor; both the client and practitioner are dressed in comfortable clothing allowing ease of movement and flexibility. Thai Bodywork is especially beneficial for upper and lower back pain, sciatica, shoulder and neck pain, headaches and sore, tight hamstrings. It is not recommended to anyone with serious heart conditions, high blood pressure, people with severe osteoporosis, or who have artificial joints, certain skin conditions or for pregnant women.
What are the benefits of Therapeutic Thai Yoga Bodywork
- Clear the mind – Much like meditating, receiving Thai massage creates a balanced mental/emotional state for the client. And since stress is such a crucial part of so many chronic ailments, calming the mind also has positive and wide-ranging effects on many bodily systems.
- Improved flexibility and movement – Thai massage draws from its yogic roots to stretch and mobilize the body. Muscles relax, joint surfaces lubricate, connective tissue warms and loosens. This improved flexibility and mobility has major implications for active people such as dancers, martial artists, yoga practitioners, and athletes in general.
- Improved circulation to cleanse the body’s tissues – Much like Hatha Yoga, when the body is gently stretched, compressed, or twisted, blood flow is temporarily restricted. When the pressure is released, an abundant flow of blood and lymph rush into the tissue, flushing out stagnant fluid and toxins… resulting in a more efficient immune response.
- Increased body awareness – Normally, when we stretch or move, some muscles contract so that others can relax and lengthen. But when the therapist does the work, everything can relax, and the client can go much further into their possible range of motion. When one receives Thai massage, a common result is to see that the body is much more flexible than one might have imagined.
- Increased energy – A curious effect of all that mental balancing, improved flexibility, increased circulation, and increased body awareness: after receiving Thai massage, many clients report feeling not only relaxed, but energized. The mental and metabolic energy that was previously bound up with tense muscles and a stressed-out brain is now freed for more productive uses.
- Thai Massage offers clients a highly effective remedy for many of the woes of modern life. And here’s the really wild and unexpected thing: all of those benefits are also felt by the practitioner! This makes the practice of Thai massage a natural fit for people with a passion for meditation, yoga, dance, or martial arts.
If you are looking for a little more Zen-like calm in a hectic day, a yoga-like flexibility for a sore and stressed body, or a right livelihood that is in harmony with a “yoga lifestyle”, then perhaps the Ancient Massage is for you.
What Is Reiki?
What is the CranioSacral system?
Your craniosacral system comprises the bones of the skull and the membrane system surrounding your brain and spinal cord (i.e. your central nervous system). It is named for the cranium (“cranio”) and the sacrum (“sacral”), which is the triangle-shaped bone at the base of the spine that attaches to the pelvis.
When you think of the three major organs we need to live, you think of the heart, lungs, and brain. The heart has a natural, rhythmic motion we can feel when we take our pulse. The lungs also have a natural rhythm we can feel when we place our hands on our ribs and feel them expand and contract in synch with our breath. So it makes sense that our body’s other major organ, the brain, has a similar inherent rhythm, the craniosacral rhythm. This soft, subtle motion is felt in the head in response to the production and re-absorption of the cerebrospinal fluid surrounding your brain and spinal cord. This rhythm can be felt body-wide via the connective tissue network (fascia).
The craniosacral rhythm can be a direct expression of your physical, mental, emotional, and even spiritual health. A strong rhythm may indicate a robust central nervous system that is able to oversee the function of all body systems easily. A shallower rhythm may indicate that the body is not able to function at its highest level of health or maintain homeostasis.
Within the body motion is health, so everything vital to our existence – organs, blood flow, the skeleton, etc. has a certain intrinsic motion much like the heart, lungs, and brain do. In order for the body to remain strong and healthy, all structures must maintain their natural movements. When things stop moving or movement is restricted, that’s when pain or disease sets in. It’s like the old adage, “Use it or lose it.”
Does acupuncture hurt?
Most patients say that there is little or no pain during and acupuncture treatment. Very fine, sterile, disposable needles are used. You may feel achy, warmth, pressure or tingling at the needle or in surrounding areas during the treatment. Those sensations are good!
How does acupuncture work?
Meridians of energy (Qi) run in regular patterns throughout the body. An obstruction in these meridians can interrupt the flow of qi and blood which creates imbalance. Needle insertion at an acupuncture point can unblock these obstructions. The improved energy flow produced by acupuncture results in the stimulation of the body’s natural healing abilities.
What does acupuncture do?
The purpose of acupuncture is to treat the whole patient and to restore balance between the physical, emotional and spiritual aspects of the individual.
