Exploring Body Work
Our offerings and practitioners use a lot of terminology you may not be familiar with. To help facilitate better understanding of what is going on during a session, please explore some key explanations below. As always, if you have any questions before, during, or after a session, please do not hesitate to ask your practitioner to help foster a shared understanding.
Acupressure Points – Spots along the body’s meridians (energy channels) to which pressure is applied to help balance energy and restore health.
Cupping Therapy – Use of glass and plastic cups suctioned to a tight area of the body to release muscle tension. Glass or plastic cups may be dragged to increase blood flow to the targeted area based on client’s pain scale.
Gua Sha Therapy – Gua sha is a tool utilized to scrape areas of muscle tension by flattening knots and drawing blood flow to the area. Pressure is based on client’s pain scale.
Mindful Stretching – Assessing range of motion by guided, mindful stretching of the muscles. This technique helps improve flexibility and recovery.
Myofascial Release – With little to no oil used, the practitioner focuses on the first layer of skin and muscle to stretch the fascial layer, release stagnant energy, and remove tough knots.
Oracle Cards – A practitioner may use oracle cards as a means to reassure the energy being called during a session, as well as the energy that may need to be released.
Polarity Therapy – A technique to balance the elemental centers in our body (earth, water, fire, air, and ether) by using polarity pathways and tridoshas. This helps relax the mind, body, and soul by releasing stagnant energy. Acupressure points are used to help hold space for energy to move out of the body.
Range of Motion – The capability and capacity of a muscle’s motion, which is increased through gentle stretching and movement.
Reiki – The practice of balancing the body’s chakras (energy centers) through use of sacred symbols and language to clear stagnant energy. Channeling universal energy invites light into the mind, body, and spirit. Acupressure points are used to help hold space for energy to move out of the body.
Sound Healing – Intentional or intuitive playing of crystal or brass sound bowls to assist in aligning each chakra (energy center) of the body.
Trigger Point Therapy – Use of pressure on a scale of 6 or 7 out of 10 on a single point for approximately 60 to 90 seconds followed by muscle manipulation to help release the built up knot.
Pin + Stretch — The practitioner holds a trigger point and then stretches you muscle to increase flexibility and release muscle tension.
“Drove well out of my way for my appointment with Nola & boy was I happy I did. I’ve now found the only place I will go to for a massage from now on. Nola is magical - she does a few maneuvers that I’ve never had done before that open up my chest, neck & shoulders like no one else ever has. She also introduced me to cupping & I love it. I will be back! Thank you Nola! ”
— Doug Shahian
