Elevate Your Massage Experience
By Amanda Crocker, Spirit Spa Massage Therapist
Amanda is a Reiki teacher, hot stone practitioner, aromatherapist and instructor at the Canadian College Massage & Hydrotherapy.
In a world where hugs are stripped from our day-to-day interaction, massages are great ways to insert the healing power of touch into our everyday lives. If Swedish massages are the only thing on your radar, it’s time to expand your horizon. This post will talk about four massage treatments, Reiki, Hot Stone, Gua Sha and Cupping, that will elevate your massage game and leave you blissfully relaxed.
What is Reiki Massage?
Reiki is an alternative energy healing treatment created by a Japanese Buddhist named Mikao Usui in the 1800s. The word “reiki” loosely translates to “universal life energy.” The practice involves transmitting or balancing that energy through the specific placement of hands on or above a recipient’s body at the seven chakra points.
At Spirit Spa, we combine traditional massage techniques with Reiki to loosen up muscles and balance our patients’ energy. With this type of treatment, patients are encouraged to use deep breathing to relax fully and get into an almost meditative state. Patients who try this treatment say they feel more relaxed, grounded and the effects last for days afterwards.
What is Hot Stone Therapy Massage?
A hot stone massage is a type of hydrotherapy that uses water and different types of warm and cool stones to soothe sore muscle, increase circulation, and reduce inflammation. Basalt, a kind of volcanic rock, obsidian and jade stones are heated between 130-145 degrees and placed and moved around the body. Smaller gemstones are also used dynamically to release tension in the muscles. Cool stones like marble, calcite, and serpentine are also used because they contain calcium that help calm engorged blood vessels and reduce inflammation. This massage is perfect for those who would love the extra warmth while relaxing sore muscles and can help people struggling with insomnia and anxiety.
What is Gua Sha Massage?
Gua Sha is an ancient Chinese therapy that’s become popular with celebrities. ‘Gua’ means scrape, and ‘Sha’ means sand. This treatment can be used on the face or body and involves gently scraping a flat jade or rose quartz stone over the skin in upward strokes to relax stiff muscles and promote circulation and tissue drainage. These beautiful tools can get deeper into smaller joints and muscles and provide that extra bit of muscle relief. If someone is suffering from tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, plantar fasciitis, fallen arches and the Achilles tendons – this is an excellent treatment to add to a regular massage.
What is Cupping Massage?
For those people who have chronically tight muscles, cupping therapy is another option to explore. It helps separate the layers of fascia – the thin connective tissue surrounding our organs and muscles and allows the therapist to go deeper into the tissue to relieve tension. The cups use suction to create a vacuum seal around the affected area of the skin. Between four to 20 cups can be used in treatment. There can be some light bruising but applying Kneipp Arnica Intensive Cream will decrease any soreness or marking from the treatment.
Now that you know about new treatment options, it’s time to book your next massage here and find your new favourite. Share your favourite massage on social with #MySpiritSpaMassage!
