Massage therapy offers numerous benefits, including pain reduction, improved function, and increased body awareness. In Peterborough, New Hampshire, a variety of massage therapy types are available, each with unique techniques and approaches to address individual needs. These therapies are provided by skilled and licensed massage therapists dedicated to promoting pain relief, injury recovery, relaxation, and overall wellness.
The Benefits of Massage Therapy
Massage therapy offers a wide array of benefits that extend beyond mere relaxation. Skilled massage therapists locate the source of pain and tension, targeting the underlying structures to bring lasting relief.
Pain Reduction and Resolution
Experienced massage therapists can locate the source of pain and tension. Through targeted techniques, they address the underlying structures responsible for discomfort, providing lasting relief.
Improved Bodily Function
With an in-depth understanding of anatomy, massage therapists can target the specific areas that restrict a full range of motion. By addressing these limitations, they create greater ease and improved function in the body.
Heightened Body Awareness
Stress and tension can limit an individual's awareness of their own body. Releasing this tension through massage therapy can help regain that awareness, allowing for improved movement, feeling, and overall function.
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Acupuncture and Acupressure
Acupuncture and acupressure, both rooted in ancient Chinese medicine, are valuable therapeutic modalities offered in Peterborough. Acupuncture improves bodily functions and promotes the natural self-healing process by stimulating specific acupuncture points through the insertion of fine, sterile needles into the skin. Pressure, heat, or electrical stimulation may further enhance the effects. Other acupoint stimulation techniques include manual massage, moxibustion or heat therapy, cupping, and the application of topical herbal medicines and liniments. Acupuncture therapy can release blocked qi in the body and stimulate function, evoking the body’s natural healing response through various physiological systems. Modern research has demonstrated acupuncture’s effects on the nervous system, endocrine and immune systems, cardiovascular system, and digestive system. Acupressure uses the gentle but firm pressure of hands and feet on these points to release muscular tension, promote blood circulation, and aid healing. Acupressure can be effective in relieving headaches, eye strain, sinus problems, neck pain, backaches, arthritis, muscle aches, tension due to stress, ulcer pain, menstrual cramps, lower backaches, constipation, and indigestion. It can also be used to relieve anxiety and improve sleep. The healing touch of acupressure reduces tension, increases circulation, strengthens resistance to disease, and promotes wellness.
Massage Therapy Modalities Available in Peterborough
Peterborough massage therapists use a variety of therapeutic modalities to customize a well-rounded and therapeutic experience. Some of the massage therapy modalities available include:
Swedish Massage
One of the most commonly taught and well-known massage techniques, Swedish massage is a vigorous system of treatment designed to energize the body by stimulating circulation. Five basic strokes, all flowing toward the heart, are used to manipulate the soft tissues of the body. The disrobed client is covered by a sheet, with only the area being worked on exposed. Therapists use a combination of kneading, rolling, vibrational, percussive, and tapping movements, with the application of oil, to reduce friction on the skin.
Deep Tissue Massage
Deep tissue massage targets deeper layers of muscles and connective tissues. It is often used to address chronic muscle pain and injuries.
Sports Massage
Sports massage is designed to enhance athletic performance and recovery. There are three contexts in which sports massage can be useful to an athlete: pre-event, post-event, and injury treatment. Pre-event massage is delivered at the performance site, usually with the athlete fully clothed. Fast-paced and stimulating, it helps to establish blood flow and to warm up muscles. During the massage, the athlete generally focuses on visualizing the upcoming event. Post-event massage is also delivered on site, through the clothes. The intent here is to calm the nervous system and begin the process of flushing toxins and waste products out of the body. Post-event massage can reduce recovery time, enabling an athlete to resume training much sooner than rest alone would allow.
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Chair Massage
Also known as seated massage or on-site massage, this technique involves the use of a specially designed massage chair in which the client sits comfortably. The modern chair massage was originally developed David Palmer, but the technique is centuries-old, with some Japanese block prints illustrating people having just emerged from a nearby bath, receiving massage while seated on a low stool.
Reflexology
Based on an ancient Chinese therapy, reflexology involves manipulation of specific reflex areas in the foot, hands, and ears that correspond to other parts of the body. Sometimes referred to as zone therapy, this bodywork involves application of pressure to these reflex zones to stimulate body organs and relieve areas of congestion. Similar to acupressure principles, reflexology works with the body’s energy flow to stimulate self-healing and maintain balance in physical function. This technique is used to reduce pain, increase relaxation, and stimulate circulation of blood and lymphatic fluids. It is especially useful in stress-related illness and emotional disorders.
Trigger Point Myotherapy
Trigger point myotherapy is a noninvasive therapeutic modality for the relief and control of myofascial pain and dysfunction. The goal of treatment is the client’s recovery from or a significant reduction in myofascial pain. The treatment goal is achieved through a systematized approach. Treatment consists of trigger point compression, myomassage, passive stretching, and a regime of corrective exercises. Success may be measured subjectively by the level of pain reduction experienced by the client and objectively through increased range of motion, strength, endurance, and other measures of improved function. Trigger point myotherapy relies heavily on client-therapist interaction, including verbal and nonverbal elements. The myotherapist encourages the client to be personally responsible for their improvement, with attention to such factors as nutritional intake, stress, proper exercises, mechanical abnormalities, and other physical components. These elements protect the client from delayed diagnosis, delayed treatment, or contraindicated treatment, which are the concerns of first order.
Myofascial Release
Myofascial release is the three-dimensional application of sustained pressure and movement into the fascial system in order to eliminate fascial restrictions and facilitate the emergence of emotional patterns and belief systems that are no longer relevant or are impeding progress. First, an assessment is made by visually analyzing the human frame, followed by the palpation of the tissue texture of various fascial layers. Upon locating an area of fascial tension, gentle pressure is applied in the direction of the restriction.
Neuromuscular Therapy
This comprehensive program of soft-tissue manipulation balances the bodyʼs central nervous system with the musculoskeletal system. Based on neurological laws that explain how the central nervous system initiates and maintains pain, the goal is to help relieve the pain and dysfunction by understanding and alleviating the underlying cause. Neuromuscular therapy can help individuals who experience distortion and biomechanical dysfunction, which is often a symptom of a deeper problem.
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Reiki Healing
Reiki healing is a hands-on energy healing art. It was originated in Japan in the early 20th century by Mikao Usui, who had a life-changing experience of light and energy that he recognized as reiki--sacred life force--and that awakened his innate healing abilities. He developed a system of practices that enabled others to become effective healers. In a reiki healing session, the practitioner, trained to access and serve as a channel for the life force (ki or chi), places her hands on or just above the clientʼs body in order to activate healing energy within receptive points on the body. The practitionerʼs hands move progressively with a passive touch through twelve positions on the body, remaining in each position for three to five minutes.
Soft-Tissue Release (STR)
Soft-tissue release (STR) is a powerful injury treatment technique developed in Europe with the world’s fastest sprinters. Recovery rates once considered impossible by traditional therapists and sports medicine doctors were achieved, through methods based on European osteopathy techniques, along with insights from quantum physics. In recent years, STR has been given clinical application for chronic low back pain and whiplash injuries. STR deals directly with the reasons for soft tissue dysfunctions and subsequent referred pain and nerve entrapment. In acute conditions, STR affects the insidious way scar tissue is formed, and in chronic conditions, STR breaks up the fibrotic and adhered mass of scar tissue to quickly allow the muscle to return to its natural resting length. Once the muscle or muscle group has returned to the original resting length, there is an immediate release from the pain induced by the inflammation response. The client is placed in a particular position so that the muscle begins to stretch in a very specific direction or plane. When the exact location of the injury has been defined, a determined pressure is applied directly into the affected tissue or along a specific line of injury. At the same time, the client is given a set of instructions that now engage the antagonist of the muscles involved. The muscle is extended from a fixed position in a determined direction under a pinpoint of pressure.
Geriatric Massage
Geriatric massage, with its focus on the elderly, addresses the psychological and physiological aspects of aging and its associated diseases.
Choosing the Right Type of Bodywork
To choose the type of bodywork that is right for you, it is important to be clear about your goals. Being aware of your goals will guide you and your therapist in choosing the type of bodywork that is right for you.
Peterborough Massage Therapists: Profiles and Specialties
Peterborough, New Hampshire, is home to a variety of skilled and licensed massage therapists, each with unique training, specialties, and approaches to client care.
Lindsey, LMT
Lindsey is a Licensed Massage Therapist in the state of New Hampshire. She received her training at Holistic Academy of Natural Disciplines in Nashua, NH. She is trained in a variety of modalities including cupping, hot stone, manual lymphatic drainage, and myofascial release. She strives to help the body heal naturally, alleviate chronic pain by injury or repetitive strain, and help with stress caused by everyday life. She specializes in injury and disease and works with all types of folks from athletes to office workers.
Tori, LMT
Tori’s healing endeavors began after high school, working in nursing, with a background in long term care and hospital work. Tori has always had a passion for natural wellness and realized she wanted to help people in a more holistic way, where she would have the time to connect with them one on one. Her goal is to get her community out of imbalance and into peace of mind, body and spirit. This vision brought her to massage therapy. Tori has been practicing since 2019 and specializes in several different modalities including Swedish, deep tissue, neuromuscular, lymphatic drainage, elderly massage, cupping, aromatherapy, and headache/migraine focus work. Tori offers an integrative approach to massage which blends different techniques based on individual needs that feels both therapeutic and relaxing.
Cherlyn, LMT
Cherlyn is a Licensed Massage Therapist in the state of New Hampshire. She and her family recently moved from Louisiana and live in Wilton, New Hampshire. Cherlyn has always had a passion for helping people which lead her to massage therapy. She graduated from Delta College in Covington, Louisiana in 2022. Cherlyn enjoys incorporating CranioSacral therapy into her therapeutic sessions as well as orthopedic and cupping. Her main focus as a massage therapist is to create a safe space for healing and help her clients live their best life free from pain.
Lucy, LMT
Lucy’s journey to bodywork began in 2015 when she attended the Port Townsend School of Massage and has been practicing bodywork ever since. She has a background as a yoga teacher, athlete and doula which all contribute to her fascination, excitement and reverence for the body. In every session Lucy aims to create a safe and welcoming space for healing and relaxation. She loves to listen and collaborate with clients helping them move toward health goals and finding a greater sense of wellbeing. While her training is rooted in Swedish and Deep Tissue techniques, she has additional training in myofascial release and particularly enjoys working with neck issues.
Leah, LAc, LMT
Leah is a Licensed Acupuncturist and Licensed Massage Therapist in the state of New Hampshire and and is board certified by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (Dipl.Ac). Leah is a graduate of the Clinical Institute of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine in Honolulu Hawaii. She has completed additional advanced certifications and enjoys working with a variety of conditions ranging from women’s health, infertility, orthopedic and pain issues, emotioal wellness, neuromuscular and cosmetic acupuncuture. Leah’s acupuncture treatments draw from the wisdom traditions of Japanese palpation based acupuncture and diagnosis, while weaving in modern modalities that pull from sports medicine acupuncture and myofacial release. Her treatments are deeply relaxing and healing while being clinically effective. Additionaly, Leah is a Chinese medicine herbalist and licensed massage therapist.
Jon, LAc
Jon is a Licensed Acupuncturist in the state of New Hampshire and is board certified by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (Dipl.Ac). He is a graduate of the World Medicine Institute with a Masters of Science in Acupuncture(MSAC). Jon specializes in Classical Acupuncture and diagnosis and utilizes the Master Tung acupuncture system. He has additional continued studies in advanced Classical Herbal Medicine for treating chronic and systemic conditions.
Peterborough Massage and Community Care
Peterborough Massage and Community Care offers customized massage and bodywork sessions inspired by individual needs.
Somatic-Based Clinical Approach
Practitioners at Peterborough Massage and Community Care utilize a somatic-based clinical approach to massage therapy. This approach recognizes the interconnectedness of the body and mind, integrating physical techniques with awareness and emotional processing.
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