80 Sumner Avenue  ·  Springfield, MA 01108  ·  Phone: (413) 733-0404  ·  Fax: (413) 739-4239
Types of Massage
Types of Massage

What distinguishes us from the others is our scope of services and patient friendly orientation.  Available at Therapeutic Touch is:

  • Acute care/Medical massage
  • Myofascial therapy
  • Neuromuscular therapy
  • Injury rehabilitation
  • Swedish massage
  • Stress reduction
  • Deep tissue massage
  • Stone massage
  • Sports massage
  • Overuse therapy
  • Aromatherapy
  • Pregnancy massage
  • Infant massage
  • Heat therapy

Medical Massage and Acute Care & Injury Rehabilitation

This form of therapy is under the direction of a physician when working on muscles and connective tissues.  A more aggressive therapy, its goal is to reduce pain, tension and spasms through the use of a variety of techniques, including trigger point, myofascial and neuromuscular therapies.

Swedish Massage

A relaxing full body massage incorporating effleurage, petrasage, tapotement, percussion and kneading through  long strokes and gentle pressures. This particular rub down relieves muscle and emotional tensions, fatigue and improves skin tone and flexibility.

Deep Tissue & Sports Massage

Assists restoration of normal ranges of motion to injured muscles and joints using gentle pressures and compressions. Its purpose is also to enhance muscle coordination and endurance for those who demand peak performance.

Stone Massage Treatments

Heated or Hot Roman Stone Massage is massage bodywork utilizing Swedish Massage techniques along with smooth heated and or chilled river or ocean stones.  It's main benefit is a deeper massage work than just plain Swedish Massage.  There are several additional benefits which result from the heat used during this massage.  But heated stone massage is not for everyone, especially those individuals who have medical problems. 

Aromatherapy

An early form of therapy utilizing essential oils from plants and flowers to promote health and well-being. There are several aromas, each with their individual benefits designed for either relaxation, stress reduction or energy.

Pregnancy Massage

Your entire body adapts to the new life growing inside you. During this time you need and deserve support, both emotionally and physically. Pregnancy massage offers you the emotional support by providing you complete attention to your needs and concerns. It offers complete relaxation, reduction and alleviation of neck and back pain caused by improper, muscle weakness and imbalance. Another advantage is the development of sensory awareness that promotes an easier labor and delivery. Massage can also be beneficial with  heartburn, edema, muscle aches, fatigue, anxiety relief, lowering blood pressure, preparing for labor, and much more.

Infant Massage

Studies conducted by the Touch Research Institute (founded in 1985 at the University of Miami School of Medicine) have proven that the positive effects of massage therapy on infant development are overwhelming.

Preterm infants who were massaged left the hospital six days earlier on average than non-massaged infants, saving hospital costs of $10,000 per infant. They also gained 47% more weight, were more socially responsive, fell asleep more quickly and slept more soundly.  Preemies massaged as newborns even showed greater weight gain and more optimal cognitive and motor development over non-massaged infants eight months later. 

Infants (of depressed mothers) who were massaged showed greater weight gain, more organized sleep/wake behaviors, less fussiness, improved sociability and soothability and improved interaction behaviors.  They also had lower cortisol and norepinephrine and increased serotonin levels, suggesting less depression.  Cocaine and HIV exposed newborns who were massaged showed increased weight gain as well as better motor performance over a non-massaged group.

When parents massage their infants, it not only aids the infants' development, but also can result in better parent/child relationships.  According to one study, fathers who gave their infants daily 15-minute massages for one month displayed more optimal interaction behavior with their infants than non-massagers. 

If infant massage were made a universal practice, it could result in healthier babies and hospital savings of $4.7 billion per year. For more information on numerous studies showing the positive effects of massage on newborns, as well as news on additional research currently underway, consult the Touch Research Institute's web site, www.miami.edu\touch-research.

Glossary of Terms: cortisol-a hormone that acts upon carbohydrate metabolism norepinephrine-a hormone secreted in response to physical stress serotonin-a brain chemical that affects mood and personality  References: Field, T. Massage Therapy for Infants and Children. J.Dev. Behav. Pediatr. 16 (2): p. 105-111; April 1995. Scafidi, F.A., T. Schanberg, S.M.

Factors that predict Which Preterm Infants Benefit Most
>From Massage Therapy.  J. Dev. Behav. Pediatr. 14 (3):
p. 176-80; June 1993. Field, T., Morrow, C.,
Valdeon C., Larson, S., Kuhm, C., Schanberg, S.,

Massage Reduced Anxiety in Child and Adolescent
Psychiatric Patients.  J. Am. Acad.

Child Adolesc. Psychiatry.  31(1): p.125 -131;
January 1992. Scafidi, F. A.

Effect on Tactile/Kinesthertic Stimulation on the Clinical
Course and Sleep/Wake State of Preterm Neonates.
Infant Behavior and Development.  9(1): p. 91-105;
Jan./March 1986.

Additional Conditions and Concerns

As reported in the AMTA publication Massage & Medicine current research indicates that physicians are beginning to prescribe therapeutic massage for a wide range of medical conditions, including: Allergies, Arthritis, Asthma and bronchitis, Carpal tunnel syndrome, Chronic and temporary pain, Circulatory problems, Digestive disorders, including spastic colon and constipation, Headache, Insomnia, Myofascial pain and Fibromyalgia, Range of motion, Sinusitis, Stress, Sports injuries, including pulled or strained muscles and ligaments, Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ) and Infant development.

A great majority of the adult American population has not had even one professional massage. As attitudes change in favor of natural approaches to health, the potential for bodyworkers is tremendous. It all starts (and grows) with steady, effective promotion and keeping the word out about our services.

History of Massage

Massage may be the oldest and simplest form of medical care.

Search

Have you tried the  American Massage Therapy Association Web Site?  It is an easy way to find information on topics related to therapeutic massage.  Complete information can also be found on the Massage Today Web Site.

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Copyright © 1996 Langlitz Chiropractic Health & Rehabilitation Group, P.C.
Last modified: November 05, 2007