What is Massage?

Massage Therapy is the manipulation of soft tissues of the body (including muscles, connective tissue, tendons, ligaments, and adipose tissue) through various techniques. The therapist may use hands, knuckles, fingertips, forearms or elbows to treat different areas. Varying levels of pressure are utilized depending on the client's goals.

Having a Naturopathic Doctor on staff, together with the additional medical resources of Clifton Springs Hospital, allows us to thoroughly understand and safely treat most clients. You may be referred to your primary physician for assessment before treatment if there are any warning signs present. If you have any questions about the safety of receiving a massage for your condition, please call and ask to speak directly with a therapist to provide guidance. Practitioners obtain a health history, discuss the client's goals and expectations, perform certain assessments, and answer questions prior to the session. All the therapists at The Springs have undergone our specific application process and are NY State Licensed Massage Therapists and must follow discrete draping and privacy practices. If you have any concerns related to privacy, please discuss them with your therapist as modifications are available to suit your needs.

If you have an injury related to an accident, you may qualify for insurance coverage. Most HMOs do not cover massage therapy. You may be able to pay for massage with your Flexible Spending Funds with a prescription from your doctor. Contact your insurance company for more information.

The number of sessions required to obtain relief depends on dedication of client to perform self care recommendations. It is possible to obtain relief after only one session, however, improvement may depend on the severity of the condition.

We offer several forms of massage therapy.  Following the list below, you will find detailed descriptions of each.

What to Expect...

The Springs offers several types of massage. Please see the descriptions below to determine which session is most appropriate for you.

Orthopedic Massage & Pain Management
These sessions are intended to treat a specific complaint. One region is addressed in a single session utilizing techniques including orthopedic assessment tests to isolate any muscle injury or restrictions, myofascial release, stretching, and possibly specialized joint capsule techniques if indicated. Treatment aims to be pain-free, and can be highly effective when combined with specific home care protocols.

Conditions that may be treated include:

Relaxation Massage
Ideal for stress reduction and general muscle relaxation, this type of session utilizes Swedish massage techniques that are characterized by smooth, flowing strokes to the body. This type of session is extremely calming and soothing and can be utilized by all body types. Light to moderate pressure is used, depending on the client's preferences.

Deep Tissue Therapy
For relief of chronic muscle tension, pain, athletes, and relaxation, this session incorporates techniques from connective tissue therapy, trigger point therapy, myofascial release, and other types of deep massage. Deep tissue sessions typically involve firm pressure, but are not typically painful. Techniques may be modified in areas with increased tenderness. Appropriately trained therapists individualize treatment and adjust their strokes to accommodate particular needs of the client. Deep tissue is not appropriate for someone taking Coumadin or other prescription blood thinning medications, those with Osteoporosis, or a blood clotting disorder.

Prenatal Massage
Massage during pregnancy can alleviate some of the discomforts associated with carrying the weight of a growing baby, as well as provide much needed relaxation. Special positioning allows the mother-to-be to receive massage comfortably. We recommend monthly sessions during the second trimester, and until 32 weeks gestation, then increasing to weekly sessions for the last weeks until delivery. Massage therapy can address concerns including low back pain, neck & shoulder pain, muscle cramping, insomnia, and stress management. Precaution is warranted when working in certain areas and your therapist will review these with you. If there have been any complications during the pregnancy, please obtain doctor's permission before scheduling an appointment.

Hot Stone Therapy
The Springs offers two types of massage using stones.
LaStone Therapy® incorporates the use of thermotherapy, energy work, auric field work, deep tissue manipulation, and spirituality, all in one 90 minute treatment. It can be modified to focus on any combination of the above depending on what the client would like to accomplish. The Springs Signature Stone Treatment combines Swedish massage techniques with deep tissue work as needed or requested utilizing various temperature stones. Stones may be placed for anchoring or to provide continual heat to certain areas. Some stones may be placed to facilitate stretching of the myofascia, and may be used to perform reflexology or acupressure as needed. This treatment is individualized based on client preferences and incorporates the individual skills of the practitioner for each session.

Massage for People Living with Cancer
Cancer diagnosis, treatment, and the side effects of treatment pose many challenges that massage therapy can offer much-needed support. Massage therapy can provide relief by reducing anxiety, reducing pain, helping control nausea, improving sleep, easing fatigue, and improving mood. It provides opportunity to relax and restore healing potential, in a safe and supportive environment.

Massage therapy is a safe treatment to complement medical care for people living with cancer when performed by a therapist with advanced skills and training. An old myth warned that massage could spread cancer cells by raising circulation. It is now recognized that this is not true as general daily physical activity can raise circulation more than massage or skilled touch can. Massage of a solid tumor site is avoided, as well as radiation sites and areas of compromised tissue.

A properly trained therapist will obtain a health intake and ask questions about treatments the client is receiving, any surgeries, including removal of lymph nodes, and any concerns or specific needs of the client. We encourage each client living with cancer to discuss their wish to receive massage with their physician and patient care team. The doctors or nurses may contact the therapist with any concerns or specific precautions prior to treatment. The massage is adapted to accommodate the needs and requests of each individual and may change over the course of treatments.

CranioSacral Therapy
CranioSacral Therapy (CST) is a gentle, hands-on method of releasing restrictions around the brain and spinal cord to enhance central nervous system performance and allow the body to self-correct. CranioSacral Therapy strengthens the body's natural healing processes to bolster resistance to disease and improve overall health.

Daily stressors often cause body tissues to tighten and distort the craniosacral system, causing tension to form around the brain and spinal cord. The result is a barrier to the healthy performance of the central nervous system, and potentially every other system it interacts with. Such restrictions can be detected and corrected using simple methods of touch. Using about 5 grams of pressure - roughly the weight of a nickel - the CST practitioner uses his or her hands to evaluate the craniosacral system by gently feeling various locations of the body to test for the ease of motion and rhythm of the cerebrospinal fluid and soft-touch techniques are used to release restrictions influencing the craniosacral system.

By normalizing the environment around the brain and spinal cord and enhancing the body's ability to self-correct, CranioSacral Therapy is able to alleviate a wide variety of dysfunctions, from chronic pain (especially head, neck and back pain) and sports injuries to stroke and neurological impairment. It has also proven effective in aiding individuals with a wide range of medical challenges associated with pain and dysfunction, including migraines, Fibromyalgia, TMJ Syndrome, Autism, colic, learning disabilities, emotional difficulties, PTSD, and immune disorders.

Because of its gentle nature and positive effect on so many body functions, CranioSacral Therapy is practiced by a variety of healthcare professionals, from physicians to massage therapists. As a client you remain fully clothed as you recline on a massage or treatment table. The practitioner will stand or sit positioned at various points of your head, torso or feet. At times your practitioner may also support your limbs and spine while helping your body release accumulated tension.

CST has proven especially effective on puzzling cases that have not responded well to other approaches. The extremely light touch also makes CranioSacral Therapy a safe approach for children and infants who have experienced early stress, including birth trauma.