Massage Therapy

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At Equinox Acupuncture & Massage, our licensed massage practitioners bring unique life experiences and varied educational backgrounds to our group.

We provide therapeutic and relaxation massage for the enhancement of the health and well-being of our clients.

The success of our practice is built on trust, expertise, professionalism, and a personal touch that always puts our clients first.

We offer a diverse, yet complementary blend of Eastern and Western-based modalities and applications.

Contact us by phone or email and we will gladly match you up with the practitioner who can best support your needs and your schedule.

 

 Therapeutic uses of Massage

  • Medical issues
  • Pregnancy
  • Motor Vehicle Accident Care
  • Stress reduction
  • Injury Prevention

Benefits of Massage

  • Reduce pain (chronic and acute)
  • Increase range of motion
  • Improve recovery time (post-surgical/athletic)
  • Release endorphins
  • Soften scar tissue
  • Lengthen muscles
  • Unravel negative physical patterns
  • Enhance immunity
  • Lower blood pressure
  • Improve circulation

Types of Massage

  • Swedish / Relaxation
  • Deep Tissue
  • Sports Massage
  • Trigger Point
  • Myofascial Release
  • PNF
  • Acupressure
  • Reiki
  • Muscle Testing

 

Further Massage Benefits 

There is no denying that massage therapy can be a powerful part of any heath-care program.

Many heath and longevity experts estimate that up to 85 percent of disease is stress related. Internally and externally, nothing ages us faster than a high-stress lifestyle.

Massage can be as important for emotional balance as it is for the more obvious physical benefits.

When you manage stress through massage, it can translate into:

  • Decreased anxiety
  • Improved sleep quality
  • Greater energy and focus
  • Reduced fatigue

Medical Massage

This type of massage allows us to work with your heath care provider along with a prescription.  We use a variety of modalities to resolve conditions that have been diagnosed by a medical practitioner.

Pregnancy Massage

Therapeutic massage can positively affect  pregnancy and beyond.  It can be a vital support in helping a mother understand and assimilate all of the changes in her body.  With this type of massage we can help you to create a more confident and comfortable pregnancy. We have contoured pregnancy pillows available.

Motor Vehicle Accident Care

This also includes bike accidents and pedestrian road accidents.  Oregon auto insurance plans fully cover massage and acupuncture for injuries sustained in car accidents.  We are skilled at working with your insurance, so that you can focus on getting well again.  We use an integrative approach when treating these injuries.

Swedish/Relaxation

Often referred to as “traditional massage”, Swedish/Relaxation massage is comprised of seven basic strokes or movements.  Oil or lotion is used to minimize friction and increase the gliding or kneading action of the strokes.  This modality decreases tension and increases circulation and range of motion.

Deep Tissue (Deep Muscle Therapy)

Uses “cross-tissue” strokes and other movements to soften dense, adhesed muscle fibers.  These methods allow the practitioner to access deep muscular tension through superficial muscle layers by administering strokes with fingers, knuckles, and often elbows to work more deeply.

Sports Massage 

Typically a combination of classic Swedish strokes combined with other techniques administered to athletes to assist them in training and performing injury and pain-free.  Some widely used procedures include active joint movements, pressure point techniques, friction and compression techniques, Cryotherapy (ice) and many more.

Trigger Point Therapy

Trigger points are specific sites of over-sensitivity in the muscles, which can be “set-off” by a variety of stimuli from the nervous system.  Practitioners initially release the tense points through various pressure methods and proceed with stretches and movements to re-educate the muscle.

Myofascial Release (MFR)

A structural approach in which the comprehensive goal is to reduce pain, clear up structural dysfunction, regain function and mobility, and let go of emotional trauma.  The practitioner uses subtle but continuous pressure and stretching techniques on the fascia (connective tissue), creating friction, typically without lotion or oil.

Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF)

A method of stretching muscles to maximize their flexibility, often performed with a partner or trainer,  involving a series of contractions and relaxations with enforced stretching during the relaxation phase.

Acupressure

Based on ancient forms of massage from Asia, this style involves applying pressure to specific points along the meridian system. The goal is to stimulate and unblock energy flow, or qi, through the channels of the body, to stimulate circulation and healing.

Reiki

A form of Eastern-based energy work, Shiatsu is Japanese for “finger pressure”.  The goal is to stimulate/unblock energy flow, or chi, through the meridians of the body, by applying pressure to specific points.  Traditionally, this technique is administered with the client clothed.

Muscle Testing 

Isolated muscle testing can show the practitioner whether a muscle is weak or strong. The goal is to stabilize and balance the bodies structure by massaging neuromuscular points in a corresponding, or opposite area of the body.