Modalities:
Each therapist is trained in some of these techniques and this list defines the totality of techniques employed at Lux. You do not need to decide on a modality as your therapist will combine techniques to suit you during your session. Please contact us if you would like to know which therapist is trained in a specific modality.
Swedish Massage
The strokes of Swedish massage are long and flowing. The main goals with this technique are to promote relaxation, aid circulation and relax tight muscles. This type of massage is a base for most of the massage work at Lux.
Deep Tissue Massage
Deep tissue massage employs specific, targeted pressure to affect deeper layers of a muscle and deeper muscles in the body. The choice of which areas to work at this level depends on information that you as a client supply about yourself as well as strategy that we therapists develop to achieve our overall goals. This work is always combined with other techniques. With deep tissue work it is essential that we communicate about the level of pressure being applied and whether you can comfortably breathe during it. This work does not need to be painful to be effective.
Medical Massage
Patients with current injuries or recovering from injuries, surgeries, and illnesses, are treated on a case-by-case basis. Techniques are employed and adjusted specifically to meet special needs. Victims of car accidents can have a long term program of massage covered by their insurance company (with our therapists help).
No-Fault Massage
NY allows people to receive massage on a regular basis as part of their recovery after a car accident. Lux therapists are skilled in treating whiplash and being sensitive to it and to other injuries that may have been incurred.
Pre-Natal Massage
Pre-natal massage is very similar to other massage in that the client and therapist choose amongst various techniques to tailor a session to exactly what is needed at that time. The main addition to the session is a different sort of positioning so that the client is always comfortable and safe. Also there is an avoidance of certain energetic points (as described in Traditional Chinese Medicine) which need to remain intact to maintain a health pregnancy. It is a very special treat for us to work with women in this particular way. And it is actually evident during the massage that babies love it!
Trigger Point Work or Neuromuscular Therapy
Trigger points are minute areas of severely contracted muscle tissue that cause pain and muscle atrophy both where they exist and in other "referred" areas. These points are treated specially with pointed and sustained pressure and their release will cause a cascade of relief throughout the body.
Connective Tissue Massage
Connective tissue massage (branded as "Myofascial Release") feels like a slow stretching of skin and underlying tissues. The therapist may hold a position for several minutes to allow your body to accommodate and change. Fascia is the connective tissue that binds everything else in your body together and bringing it into a healthy state is absolutely essential for the health of all other tissues.
Sports Massage
Sports massage can be tailored to pre-event, post-event or training periods and will feel different and incorporate different techniques depending on the phase during which it is employed. This work will keep muscles healthy and resilient, maintain optimal range of motion, keep posture in balance and decrease the chance of tissue-scaring and injury. It is an invaluable part of a training regimen for athletes of all levels.
Cupping
An ancient Eastern Medicine technique that involves the use of cups to create suction that stirs up stagnant Chi and blood. This technique is a great compliment to deep tissue massage.
Gua-Sha
Also from the Easter tradition Gua-Sha or Scraping involves the use of stone or bone tools to scrape the surface of the skin to move stagnant Chi as well as break down hardened, scarified tissues. Used as a compliment to deep tissue massage.
Hot Stone Massage
Here therapists combine traditional Swedish techniques with the use of heated basalt stones to both melt constricted, stagnant tissues and to impart an almost transcendent feeling. Cold stones may be used as well.
Tandem Massage
Two therapists work simultaneously, mirroring strokes and offering a unique experience.
Aromatherapy
Essential oils such as Cedar, Balsam, Grapefruit, Lemon, Lavender, Eucalyptus, Ylang Ylang and others are blended and added to Jojoba during massage for an added level of experience. Young Living brand essential oils are for sale at Lux and you are welcome to talk with Gwendolyn to get a better understanding of their properties and uses.
Muscle Energy Techniques and Assisted Stretching
Muscle Energy Techniques utilize certain physiological properties of muscle, nerves and tendon to obtain a level of range of motion that may have been lacking due to injury or postural deviation. The application of Muscle Energy Techniques will seems somewhat like a session of targeted stretching. Please let us know when you schedule if you want a session with lots of stretching so that we can be prepared. We may work on a mat on the floor and/or ask you to remain clothed.
Energy Work
Energy work is, for many therapists, inextricable from the practice of massage therapy. Some practitioners called it "Reiki", others "Polarity Therapy". In Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture, it is the movement of Chi. It is not necessary to have a name for it but most people who work with bodies come to understand that there is field of energy within and without each body and that it's movement can be sensed. Throughout your session your therapist will likely be observing energetic flow and sometimes may keep her hands still while working to balance subtle energy. Please feel free to ask if you would like to talk more about this.
Shiatsu Massage
Based on Traditional Chinese Medicine and Easter philosophies, Shiatsu aims to move Qi (chi) personal energy through stretching and direct pressure delivered by the therapist. Clients remain clothed and work is performed on a mat on the floor.
Reflexology
Reflexology presupposes an intricate connection between nerve endings and energetic pathway endings in the hands and feet, and the health and functioning of all other organs and tissues in the body. For example, in reflexology your therapist may stimulate a point under the ball of your foot to help digestion. You can choose a 30 minute session of reflexology or you can ask your therapist to give you a sample during your massage. If you are at all squeamish about your feet, this can easily be done through your socks or through a sheet. Just know that we don't mind feet at all. And foot massage feels great!
Soma Energetics
Soma Energetics uses the power of tuning forks to harmonize the energy in the chakra system. When our chakras are open and balanced, we are able to fully use the energy that surrounds us. We feel grounded, centered, at ease in our mind and body and full of energy.
Vibrational Sound Therapy
Vibrational Sound Therapy, commonly known as Tuning comes from the premise that our bodies can be tuned like musical instruments with the help of tuning forks. Negative energy patterns can be stored in our energetic pathways creating blockages that keeps us from being the truest expression of ourselves. The SomaEnergetics' techniques work in a person’s etheric field (also known as the Aura) to liberate the energetic flow, allowing us to heal, evolve and grow in our lives.
And More!
We are constantly learning through Continuing Education and through experience and you never know what new techniques we will bring 'to the table'.
We are constantly learning through Continuing Education and through experience and you never know what new techniques we will bring 'to the table'.