Massage therapy uses a variety of techniques to manipulate your joints and soft tissue to improve your body’s overall health. Massage increases the body’s supply of oxygen and nutrients to your muscles, which help release waste from the muscle tissue. Massage also accelerates your body's own natural ability to heal itself.

 Types of massage offered

Deep Tissue massage refers to a firmer, sometimes more intense massage. There are two schools of thought regarding deep tissue massage. One is where the pressure could be very intense and slightly uncomfortable, but releases the resistant tissues and gives immediate relief. The second is more gentle, sustained pressure to relieve pain. Both ways increase blood flow to tight, constricted muscles and increase movement in the affected areas.

Swedish massage is made up of five different strokes; effleurage, petrissage, tapotement, friction and vibration/shaking. Effleurage is a style where the hands slide or glide across the skin. Petrissage utilizes kneading. Tapotement uses rhythmic tapping. Friction is rubbing against the skin and can be used with the fibers or across them.

"Swedish" massage is the most commonly used style of massage. It can be very light to more intense, but the client always has the right to tell a therapist if it is too light or too intense. It generally induces a feeling of relaxation and relief from pain. Clinical studies have reported that this type of massage can reduce low back pain.

Trigger point therapy is a type of massage that works out localized tenderness or pain. The trigger point is a spot within a muscle that, when depressed, refers to a different area of the body. An example: a tight spot in the shoulder refers up to the base of the skull when pressed. It can cause some discomfort, the area affected may become warm, or there may be a twitching response before the pain dissipates. This form of massage can be used in conjunction with other types of massage. A massage therapist may request that the client take slow, relaxing breaths, as well as, help identify areas of discomfort.

When people hear "Sports Massage", they typically think of Olympic athletes or sports stars, but the truth is that anyone that is active can benefit from this style of massage. Marathon or triathletes and runners, as well as, body builders, bicyclists, hobby athletes, and really anyone, can have injuries and accidents. Sports massage helps rehabilitate after an injury. It also helps those who actively push their bodies recover after an event, increase their performance during training or a function. It focuses on decreasing inflammation, increasing range of motion and reducing pain. It focuses on the area affected, instead of a full body massage. The therapist may give the client recommendations of heating, icing, or show them stretching techniques.

Pre-natal/pregnancy/post-natal massage all refer to massage while a woman is pregnant. Massage is highly recommended before, during and after pregnancy. At Moe Bodyworks, the massage therapists utilize pregnancy bolsters, which support the breasts and belly and allow for work down the back, buttocks, and legs. The therapists also utilize side-laying techniques. This type of massage helps elevate the "feel good" hormones, relieve stress, as well as, decrease pain and inflammation.