I am often asked the difference between the types of massage I deliver versus what one would find in a spa.

I do medical, or clinical massage here at MASSAVEDA Medical Massage Therapy, as opposed to relaxation massage. Medical massage requires a firm background in kinesiology, anatomy, and pathology and uses specific treatments proper to working with disease, pain, and recovery from injury. The specific goal in medical massage is relief from chronic pain. Chronic pain could be anything from job related repetitive stress injuries to whiplash.

Techniques used during a medical massage often include neuromuscular therapy, myofascial release, and trigger pointing among many others; however, they can also include more common techniques such as Swedish massage. The major difference between a medical massage and a regular massage is that a therapist with advanced training performs it and structures it to get a specific outcome.

Relaxation massage is a type of massage focused specifically on stress relief only. The standard technique used is Swedish massage, which incorporates long flowing strokes to calm the body and mind.

I do relaxation massage as well upon request and enjoy delivering that type of work. However, the primary mission at MASSAVEDA is to hunt down pain and relieve it. The cause of pain is the focus along with the symptoms. My hope is that everybody I work on begins to feel good in his or her skin again.

See you on the table!