Healing Hands

by Chérie L. Turner

Is there anybody who doesn't love a great massage? Thankfully for those of us who suffer the aches and pains of stress, injury and sports (or simply the years), Lake Tahoe is home to an abundance of expert massage therapists. Yet the many massage options, or "modalities," offered around The Lake can be confusing, if not downright intimidating.

Swedish is the most common "jumping off" point for most massages. This modality involves long, increasingly deep strokes that run in line with muscle fibers toward the heart, as well as kneading of the muscles, joint manipulation and percussive or tapping motions. Therapists start off with lighter pressure to warm things up and then go deeper, as the muscles allow. Swedish massage helps increase circulation, ease muscle tension and increase range of motion. "If you have never had a massage, starting with a Swedish massage is a good idea," recommends Mardi Lester of Elements day spa in South Lake Tahoe. "From there you can try different styles of bodywork to find the one that suits you the best."

A sports massage will often begin with Swedish work and then move into more rapid strokes to get the body's fluids moving (the goal being to work out toxins and lactic acid buildup in the muscles). The therapist will shake the muscles to keep them loose and, when tight spots are found, work across the fibers of the muscle (cross-fiber work) to break up adhesions and knots. This type of work is oftentimes painful, but in the end, helps the body recover from hard exercise.

Deep tissue work is likely the most misunderstood type of massage. "Many clients ask for deep tissue when they really want a firm Swedish massage," notes Elena Amodeo, owner of South Lake Tahoe's Alpensong Healing Arts.

But according to Damian Ferris, Director of Operations at Squaw Valley's new Trilogy Spa, deep tissue is often the most popular treatment in the mountains. Ferris says that a good therapist should ask the right questions before, and watch body language during the massage to know what is right for you. The goal of deep tissue massage is to release the deep-seated tension that lies within a muscle caused by injury, overuse or stress. One can expect to feel the "good" pain that arises from working out tough knots, but deep tissue work should never really hurt. Because this is intense work, it is especially necessary for you to breathe deeply to release the tension. No amount of pressure can release the tension if you (or your muscles) are not willing to let it go. Within deep tissue and other types of massage work, a therapist may employ the trigger point technique, finding points in a muscle where tension is held, holding firm pressure on those points for a period of six to ten seconds, and then slowly releasing the pressure. A therapist may return to a point multiple times to help the muscle completely release.

Reflexology is similar to trigger point therapy in that it focuses on holding specific spots. However, with reflexology those points are primarily found in the feet, hands and ears, under the premise that points in these locations relate to other parts of the body. For example, working the arch of the foot releases tension in the spine.

Cranio-sacral therapy is a gentle form of treatment based on restoring the fluid pulse of the cranial-sacral system, which, states the College of Cranio-Sacral Therapy website, "consists primarily of the membranes that surround the central nervous system; the bones of the cranium and sacrum that attach to these membranes; the fascia, which radiates out from the membranes to all parts of the body; and the cerebro-spinal fluid. The cranio-sacral system influences and is influenced by every structure and every part of our being." Like the respiratory or cardiovascular system, this system has a rhythmic motion that, when impeded, indicates disease or dysfunction. The therapist feels for the flow or pulse of the cranio-sacral motion, finds where the flow is blocked and gently works to free those blockages. After a craniosacral treatment, many clients report a feeling of deep relaxation and lightness.

Another subtle and increasingly popular modality related to cranio-sacral therapy is myofascial release. The goal of this form of bodywork is to release tight or bound fascia—the tough tissue that encases every muscle of the body. Tightness in fascia is caused by tension, poor posture, injury, etc., and can restrict the flow of fluids, stiffen joints and affect nerves. By releasing tightness, the body returns to a more balanced, pain-free state. The therapist will knead and gently stretch the fascia to encourage it to return to a healthy state.

Reiki is one of the most incomprehensible yet profoundly powerful (say its adherents) forms of massage. Reiki works with the more subtle energies of the body, with the intention of balancing the flow of those energies. Since Reiki can be accomplished with the hands merely in close proximity to the body, the therapist may or may not touch the client. During the session, a therapist feels for blockages and facilitates rejuvenation of energy flow. For Reiki to achieve optimum results, the client must tune in to the work of the therapist; he or she may feel increasing warmth in the areas where the therapist's hands are focused.

Most therapists around The Lake integrate one or more of these techniques into a session, utilizing the modalities most appropriate for the client. However, if one of the above strikes a nerve with you, make sure to seek out a therapist who is expert in that particular technique.

There are numerous elements that go into a perfect massage experience, of course. Many enjoy combining a massage with the greater relaxation options offered at a spa, where packages may include therapeutic treatments like hot stone applications, salt wraps and aromatherapy wraps, as well as non-therapeutic "fluff and buff" options (although some would argue that a good manicure is very therapeutic!). At Trilogy Spa, Ferris recommends a pre-massage exfoliating treatment. "These treatments help hydrate and moisturize the skin in dry climates like Tahoe and also help increase circulation during the massage.

To get the best out of a massage session, it's important to be completely relaxed and at ease. "The most important thing for a receiver to remember is that this is their session," says local therapist Karie Jacobson. "It's all right to be selfish."

A therapist should always provide you time alone in the massage room to get adequately undressed and onto the massage table, as well as proper draping (a sheet or blanket) that will be adjusted throughout the massage to comfortably cover you in the areas where she or he is not working.

The amount of experience a therapist has is also a key ingredient to a successful massage. Hire only a certified massage therapist, or CMT. This indicates that the therapist has had the minimum training required to legally practice. Many therapists seek additional bodywork education or work in clinical settings (like a chiropractor's office) to gain more knowledge. When hiring therapists for her studio, Lisa Woodson, owner of Tahoe City's Massage on The Lake, looks for "someone who has a minimum of 500 hours of education and has studied more than the basic coursework."

References are always a good way to find a massage therapist, spa or studio that will provide you with the desired experience. When you call to make an appointment, ask plenty of questions: What types of massage are offered? How much experience do the therapists have? If you have a specific pain, illness or are pregnant, what sort of experience does the therapist have that relates to your specific condition? Ask about the place where the massage is given. Do you want to shower afterward?

"The massage should flow so that you don't think about the therapist going from one thing to another," says Woodson. "Nothing should startle you or make you feel uncomfortable. The therapist should be able to adjust the pressure to what you need no matter what type of work they are doing; you should always feel like you're being taken care of, like you never have to work."

Then, go with the flow and reee-laaax!

Alpensong Healing Arts

South Lake Tahoe, (530) 542-8786

Elements

South Lake Tahoe, (530) 541-2180

Karie Jacobson

South Lake Tahoe, (530) 412-3469

Luminous Spa Party

South Lake Tahoe, (530) 314-9389

Massage on the Lake

Tahoe City, (530) 583-3200

Spa at Squaw Creek

Olympic Valley, 1-800-327-3353

Trilogy Spa

Olympic Valley, (530) 584-6125