Massage therapy is one of the most effective forms of preventative health care.  It takes away stress and tension, relaxes muscles and relieves associated headaches and muscular aches and pains.  By encouraging the body’s own defense mechanisms, massage therapy reduces healing time.

Vivo Wellness Center offers the following massage techniques:

SWEDISH MASSAGE/RELAXATION

This is the most common type of massage therapy in the United States.  The main purpose of Swedish massage is to increase the oxygen flow in the blood and release toxins from the muscles.

Swedish massage shortens recovery time from muscular strain by flushing the tissues of lactic acid, uric acid, and other metabolic wastes. It increases circulation without increasing heart load. It stretches the ligaments and tendons keeping them supple and pliable. Swedish massage also stimulates the skin and nervous system and soothes the nerves themselves at the same time. It reduces stress, both emotional and physical, and is suggested in a regular program for stress management. It also has many specific medical uses.

Our massage therapists use long smooth strokes, kneading and circular movements on superficial layers of muscle using massage lotion.  A Swedish massage is very gentle and relaxing.

ONCOLOGY MASSAGE

Oncology massage is the branch of massage therapy that is specifically dedicated towards cancer patients. It is a way of providing extra care to cancer patients on their journey back to good health. Research has shown that cancer patients do in fact benefit from the therapeutic effects of massage therapy. Oncology massage can also be applied to the patient during any stage of their cancer treatment, including when first diagnosed or when on the road to recovery.

Oncology is a multidisciplinary field that involves different research, medical and alternative therapy techniques. Oncology massage therapy is a form of massage therapy that is designed to help patients suffering from cancer.  It can be used as an adjunct during the treatment process and also provides relief to those in the post-recovery phase.  Oncology massage therapy combines many different forms of massage therapy such as acupressure and Swedish massage. It focuses on improving the immune system and blood circulation and is invaluable in helping the body fend off the debilitating effects of chemotherapy.  This highly specialized form of massage therapy is carried out by massage therapists who are specially trained to deal with cancer patients.

A typical massage session will consist of a pre-massage consultation to inquire about the course of the treatment and any specific problem areas, followed by the actual massage process. Prior to starting the massage, the therapist will also identify sensitive areas that should not be massaged, but can benefit from light touch and acupressure techniques. A typical massage session may take up to sixty minutes and will be a combination of various massage modalities specially designed to aid cancer recovery.

What are the benefits of Oncology Massage Therapy?
Oncology massage therapy is primarily used to complement traditional medicinal and radiological cancer treatments. It is especially effective in counteracting the myriad side effects associated with chemotherapy.

Oncology massage therapy helps to alleviate cancer related and cancer treatment related pain. It also helps to control the frequent bouts of nausea that are experienced by patients undergoing treatment. Oncology massage therapy also reduces anxiety in patients and can help improve sleep patterns in cancer patients. It has also found to be effective in treating cancer related fatigue. Massage also stimulates the flow of blood and strengthens the immune system, thereby helping the body fight off the effects of the cancer and chemotherapy.

DEEP TISSUE MASSAGE

Deep Tissue Massage is a massage technique that focuses on the deeper layers of muscle tissue. It aims to release the chronic patterns of tension in the body through slow strokes and deep finger pressure on the contracted areas, either following or going across the fiber’s of the muscles, tendons and fascia.

Deep tissue massage is used to release chronic muscle tension through slower strokes and more direct deep pressure or friction applied across the grain of the muscles not with the grain. Deep tissue massage helps to break up and eliminate scar tissue. Deep tissue massage usually focuses on more specific areas and may cause some soreness during or right after the massage. However, if the massage is done correctly you should feel better than ever within a day or two.

A Deep tissue massages feels good and it is beneficial to your health. When muscles are stressed, they block oxygen and nutrients, leading to inflammation that builds up toxins in the muscle tissue. A deep-tissue massage helps loosen muscle tissues, release toxins from muscles and get blood and oxygen circulating properly. Because many toxins are released, it’s important to drink plenty of water after a deep-tissue session to help eliminate these toxins from the body.

The purpose is to “un-stick” the fibers of a muscle while releasing deeply-held patterns of tension, removing toxins, while relaxing and soothing the muscle. It is both corrective and therapeutic.

HOT STONE MASSAGE

Hot stone massage is a specialty massage that uses smooth, heated stones. They are often basalt, a black volcanic rock that absorbs and retains heat well. It is a deeply soothing, relaxing form of massage. The heat helps tight muscles release.  The heat of the stones helps muscles release more quickly than in traditional massage

Before you arrive, the massage therapist sanitizes the stones and heats them in 120 to 150 degree water.  The therapist uses traditional strokes of Swedish massage while holding a heated stone. As the stone cools, the therapist replaces it with another.
The therapist might also leave heated stones in specific points along your spine, or in the palms of your hand, or even between your toes to improve the flow of energy in your body.

You should speak up if the stones are too warm or the pressure too intense.

CLEANSING MASSAGE

A cleansing massage reaches more than just the muscles of your body. It is designed to stimulate and activate specific organs of the body by directly massaging them through the skin.

Such a massage is based on a combination of various widely recognized and respected massage techniques taken from specialists from around the world. These techniques include Swedish massage, reflexology, deep tissue massage, relaxation and internal massage, plus other massage styles.

At the Center these techniques are brought together to work in harmony with each other and with the body to increase your health and help prevent disease. By directly massaging certain organs or systems of the body, the massage can stimulate that organ or system to release accumulated wastes that otherwise would remain stored in that organ. Toxic wastes are stored throughout the body when we inhale or eat something the body cannot handle.

Once these long-term wastes are released from that organ or system then that part of your body is able to function more normally since it no longer has to fight the poisons that once inhabited it.

When a cleansing massage is combined with other cleansing techniques offered by the Center, the amount of toxic waste released by that organ or system is greatly increased. For example, a colon cleansing following a cleansing massage is more effective because the waste released by the cleansing massage is quickly removed by the colon cleansing. In effect, the waste from the cleansing massage does not have a chance to accumulate in the colon.

FIRE CUPPING MASSAGE

Using cups to provide relieve from chronic pain and other things  In its simplest form, fire cupping is a type of deep tissue massage that promotes stress relief and relaxation. Clients who have had fire cupping done report benefits that range from feelings of deep relaxation and pain relief to the actual curing of the common cold.

INDIAN HEAD MASSAGE

Indian Head Massage is part of the Ayurvedic Bodywork anti-ageing system from India. The healing traditions of India have much to offer us for our health and well-being.  They realized that a healthy body is necessary for our happy progress through life, which can only be achieved if our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual dimensions are addressed as a unity. Their approach was holistic.  Indian Head Massage is the ideal stress-busting treatment for anyone who is suffering from aching shoulders, a tight neck, tension headache, eye strain, insomnia, or poor concentration. It is a safe, simple yet effective therapy renowned for relieving symptoms of stress.

AROMATHERAPY MASSAGE

A relaxing antidote to stress, this gentle, nurturing, massage technique combined with the therapeautic effects of pure essential oils specifically blended for your needs benefits the lymph flow throughout the body.   This complete head -to -toe treatment promotes the elimination of toxins, strengthens the immune system and helps establish a healthy equilibrium of body, mind and spirit.

SIGNATURE “NATIVE AMERICAN” HOT STONE MASSAGE

Utilizing a variety of Native American philosophies, techniques and healing methods, along with cedar and sage/  Hot rock massages were used during sweat lodge ceremonies. Basically, as the people were sweating out their physical and spiritual impurities, hot rocks were used for added relaxation. During your 90 minute massage Native American flute music is played.

ACTIVE ISOLATED STRETCHING

Active Isolated Stretching (AIS) is one of the methods of stretching most used by today’s athletes, massage therapists, personal/athletic trainers, and professionals.  It allows the body to repair itself and also to prepare for daily activity. The active isolated stretching technique involves the method of holding each stretch for only two seconds. This method of stretching is also known to work with the body’s natural physiological makeup to improve circulation and increase the elasticity of muscle joints and fascia.  Your session can be anywhere from 90-120 minutes.

For testimonials on our relaxing and rejuvenating massage therapy, click here.

To allow for efficient treatment scheduling and to ensure that you are cared for in a pleasant and professional manner, we request the following of our guests:

• Please arrive 15 minutes before your appointment to allow yourself time to check-in at a leisurely pace.
• For your convenience, you can print out your paperwork before hand at the following link: Health History Form
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• As a courtesy to you as well as our other clients, appointment times are reduced for late arrivals in order to accommodate our next scheduled client.
• If you have a cold, flu, sore throat, stomach virus, poison ivy, skin rash, anything contagious-please reschedule your appointment.
• Sexual behavior by the client toward the therapist is always unethical and inappropriate. Such behavior will result in immediate termination of the session with payment due in full.
• If you arrive under the influence of alcohol or drugs we reserve the right to cancel your appointment.
• Be clean, having showered the same day as treatment.
• Do not eat a heavy meal less than two hours prior to the treatment.
• We request that all pagers and cell phones be turned off or silenced in order to keep a serene environment.

Vivo Wellness Center will provide our clients the following:

• A competent and professional session each time they come for an appointment.
• Clients are draped with a sheet at all times during the session. Only the parts of the body being worked on are exposed at any time. The genitals are never exposed or massaged. You may undress to your comfort level and may remove or leave on your underwear as you wish.
• Clients are treated with respect and dignity.
• Appointments are confirmed the day prior to the appointment.
• All appointments must be cancelled according to our cancellation policy.
• We refer to appropriate specialists when work is not within our therapist’s scope of practice and/or not in the It is not uncommon for a client to feel sore after a massage session for one or two days, particularly if an area was worked deeply. Be sure to inform your massage therapist if this occurs. If you are sore for longer than two days, the pressure used during your massage needs to be adjusted. Our intention is never to cause harm or injury, please speak up at any time if you experience discomfort.