Swedish Massage
Swedish Massage is the purest form of relaxation massage, designed to ease tension throughout the entire body, muscle group by muscle group, with long smooth strokes, cooperatively stimulating the blood's return to the heart.
Swedish massage techniques include: circular pressure applied by the hands and palms, firm kneading, percussion-like tapping known as petrissage, neuro-muscular release, bending and stretching and is exceptionally beneficial for increasing the level of oxygen in the blood, decreasing toxins trapped in the muscles, and improving circulation and flexibility while easing muscle tension.
Before and during your massage session, communication is encouraged with your licensed massage therapist so that your massage is customized to your specific needs.
Therapeutic Massage
We generally describe massage pressure as involving a Swedish level of pressure on the more relaxing end (softest pressure), to involving a more vigorous session of manual therapy on the Deep Tissue end (most intense pressure). A therapeutic massage falls somewhere in between those two extremes, and is designed to provide relief to targeted issues like a tight neck or sore back without all of the intensity and soul searching that accompanies a typical whole body deep tissue massage. Your therapist may utilize techniques such as trigger point release, myofacial release, cranial sacral techniques, reflexology, and tapotement. We also include a complimentary upgrade to hot stones at your request with any Therapeutic or Deep Tissue Massage.
Before and during your massage session, communication is encouraged with your licensed massage therapist so that your massage is customized to your specific needs.
Deep Tissue Massage
Deep tissue massage therapy utilizes more intense pressure for releasing chronic muscle tension. The focus is on the deepest layers of muscle tissue, tendons and fascia (the protective layer surrounding muscles, bones and joints).
Please talk with your professional massage therapist to see if a deep tissue massage therapy would be beneficial for you. We also include a complimentary upgrade to hot stones at your request with any Therapeutic or Deep Tissue Massage.
Before and during your massage session, communication is encouraged with your licensed massage therapist so that your massage is customized to your specific needs.
Hot Stone Massage
The incorporation of hot stones into your massage delivers heat up to six times deeper into your muscles than typical heat treatments like a hot compress are able to, melting muscle knots and relaxing even the tensest of muscles. Hot stones greatly improve the therapeutic benefit of a massage without any need for uncomfortable deeper tissue work; they make a great addition to any massage, from the most relaxing to the most vigorous.
Before and during your massage session, communication is encouraged with your licensed massage therapist so that your massage is customized to your specific needs.
Swedish Gymnastic Stretching and Sports Massage
Sports massage therapy is geared toward athletes of every kind, from world-class professionals to weekend joggers. The particulars of the sports massage technique are specific to the athlete's sport of choice. Focusing on areas of the body that are overused and stressed from repetitive and often aggressive movements.
Aspects of sports massage therapy are gaining popularity as useful components in a balanced training regimen. Sports massage therapy can be used as a means to enhance pre-event preparation and reduce recovery time for maximum performance during training or after an event. Athletes have discovered that specially designed sports massage promotes flexibility, reduces fatigue, improves endurance, helps prevent injuries and prepares their body and mind for optimal performance.
One of the key benefits of Sports massage therapy compared to other modalities is its ability to target muscle-tendon junctions. A 2010 study in the journal of Strength and Conditioning Research found that even a 30-second massage improved hip-flexor range of motion. Another study conducted by Margaret Jones, Ph.D. of the American College of Sports Medicine, demonstrated a notable trend toward decreased muscle soreness in the athletes who received massage either before or after exercise.
For anyone participating in regular physical activity, Sports massage therapy every week or two may be a great addition to your normal regimen. It's best to talk with one of our professional massage therapists to find a plan that will work best with your schedule, level of activity and budget.
At Bella Fontana, we are the only Spa in Texoma offering an authentic, traditional Swedish Massage with Gymnastic Stretching. Per-Henrik Ling is credited with inventing the Swedish Massage in the early nineteenth century. Ling's process invovled an extensive series of passive stretching techniques to begin the massage session and loosen the client's muscles, culminating in addressing all of the body's different muscle groups in a specific order that gives attention to the fact that all of the bodies distinct muscle groups are interconnected.
Our Swedish Stretching Massage is certainly not our most relaxing treatment, but don't be scared away. All of the stretching involved is passive assisted stretching, meaning that our therapist will never assist you in stretching beyond what you're comfortable with: you're in total control the whole time. Wear loose fitting, comfortable clothes like sweatpants to start this session for best results.
Before and during your massage session, communication is encouraged with your licensed massage therapist so that your massage is customized to your specific needs.