Massage Therapy

Massage therapy at Nature’s Balance Acupuncture and Wellness Center in Crystal Lake helps to maximize the benefits of acupuncture and other alternative treatments through increased circulation and muscle relaxation, which unblocks the stagnation in the body by increasing the flow of blood and oxygen in addition to stimulating the lymphatic system.

Find out how the many benefits of massage therapy can help you by calling 815.788.8383 today.

What are Some of the Conditions That Massage Therapy Helps?

• Stress Relief
• Managing Anxiety and Depression
• Pain Management
• Stiffness
• Sports-related Injuries
• Sports Performance and Endurance
• Boosting Immunity
• Cancer Treatment

For more information, you can visit the NIH website for a detailed introduction to massage therapy.

What Types of Massage are Available at Nature’s Balance Acupuncture?

Gentle/Energetic Massage Techniques

• Swedish – Swedish massage utilizes soft, long, kneading strokes with light to medium pressure to access the topmost layers of muscles. By relieving muscle tension, Swedish therapy helps promote relaxation, reduce pain, boost mood and relieve stress.
• Hot Stone  – Hot stone massage therapy melts away tension, eases muscle stiffness and increases circulation and metabolism utilizing water-heated stones. The warmed stones are placed on key areas of the body which allows the therapist easy access to the deeper muscle layers.
• Shiatsu – Uses finger and palm pressure to energetic pathways called meridians to improve the flow of qi. Shiatsu can improve circulation, relieve stiff muscles and alleviate stress.
• Visceral Manipulation – Uses extremely gentle abdominal massage and is designed to “free up” your organs to improve their function, reduce the effects of stress, enhance mobility and influence general metabolism.
• Thai Massage – Developed by Buddhist monks in Thailand 2,500 years ago. Uses passive stretching and gentle pressure along the body’s energy lines to increase flexibility, relieve muscle and joint tension and balance the body’s energy systems.
• Prenatal Massage – Massage during pregnancy is a wonderful complement to prenatal care. It is a healthy way to reduce stress and promote overall wellness. Massage relieves many of the normal discomforts experienced during pregnancy, such as backaches, stiff neck, leg cramps, headaches and edema.

Targeted Body Therapies

• Deep Tissue – Deep tissue massage is best for giving attention to certain painful, stiff “trouble spots” in your body. The massage therapist uses various techniques to access the deepest layer of muscles, tendons and fascia to relieve chronic patterns of tension.
• Trigger Point Therapy – Trigger points are painful areas in the muscle tissue that often radiate pain to other areas. Trigger point therapy locates these points and manipulates them through ischemic compression and stretching to reduce the pain and “deactivate” the area.

Combination Therapies

• Body Mobilization – Developed by Bob King, Body Mobilization involves therapeutic stretching and range of motion techniques that unwind chronically tight or injured muscles. These techniques have been shown to increase the mobility of all major joints and muscle groups.
• Sports Massage – Developed to help with the muscles used for a particular sport, sports massage uses a variety of approaches to help athletes — before, during, or after athletic events. The massage therapist focuses on areas of the body that are overused and stressed from repetitive and often aggressive movements.

Other techniques and massage styles are also available. Talk to one of our massage therapists to learn more about the right therapeutic massage for your needs.

Current Massage Therapists At Nature’s Balance:

• • • • Azlaan Arif

      • Patricia Azeh

      • Jane Dintzner

      • Roland Johnson

Please call our Crystal Lake office at 815.788.8383  to find out more about Massage Therapy in Crystal Lake, Algonquin, Woodstock, & McHenry County.