Massage Santa Cruz
Massage Santa Cruz is a collective of professional Massage Practitioners and Therapists serving Santa Cruz, Watsonville, Aptos, Capitola, Scotts Valley, Felton and all of Santa Cruz County. We are dedicated to bringing you the highest quality Client Centered massage.
You can choose from a variety of massage styles, as well as many skilled Massage Therapists. Please explore our Massage Therapists page to make an informed choice for your first session.
Santa Cruz is a leader in massage therapy, with high quality massage schools, such as Twin Lakes College of the Healing Arts (TLC) having been around for almost 30 years. TLC teaches “Client–Centered Therapy” to their students and is locally and family owned. We are fortunate to have so many Massage Practitioners to choose from, as well as styles of massage, such as Swedish, Thai, Shiatsu, Myofacial Release, and so many more.
We look forward to serving you.
Massage Modalities
Hot Stone Massage (Warm Stone Massage)
Hot Stone Massage/Warm Stone Massage is a luxurious way to soften muscle tissue and move lymphatic fluid. Warm stones are first placed over a sheet, usually on the muscles on the sides of the client’s back. The warm stones may also be placed along the chakra centers and ind in the hands. While these stones are penetrating heat, the practitioner is massaging the client with oiled, heated stones along the muscles of the legs, feet, and/or arms.
An true warm stone massage is not just lightly gliding warm stones over the surface of the skin, but the stones are used to work the deeper muscles, depending upon the pressure requested by the client. Hot Stone Massage, as any modality, should be personalized to the client’s preferences, withing the scope of the practice of the practitioner. Stones should be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized between each client for the safety of the client.
The heat from the stones can melt the muscles, increase blood flow and lymphatic movement, and also brings a nurturing feeling to many clients—nothing beats a warm stone massage in winter!
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Swedish Massage
Swedish Massage is what usually comes to mind when one thinks of massage in our culture. The client lays on a massage table mostly—or completely—nude, with a sheet covering them. Warm oils and creams are used to deliver the stokes used in Swedish Massage.
Practitioners use effleurage (long gliding strokes), petrissage (lifting and kneading muscles), tapotement (rhythmic tapping/percussion), friction (cross fiber/deep circular rubbing) and vibration/shaking/rocking.
Swedish massage is often helpful for reducing pain, lessening joint stiffness, and improving mobility. It helps circulation and lymphatic flow.
Per Henrik Ling is credited with the development/adaptation of Swedish Massage, after learning the Asian modality, Tuina. His great–great grandfather, Olof Rudbeck, discovered the human lymphatic system in the 1600s.
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Thai Massage
Traditional Thai Massage, also called Thai Yoga Massage, mimicks yoga moves for both the client and the practitioner.
No oils are used, as the client lies on a mat on the floor, and wears loose–fitting clothing. The practitioner positions the client’s body into passive stretches that allow the muscles to sometimes stretch farther than when the client practices yoga on their own, when their muscles may be engaged.
The practitioner also uses their hands, elbows, thumbs, and feet, leaning their body weight into the Sen lines on the client. The rhythmic rocking involved often brings about a feeling of nurturance and deeper relaxation.
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Shiatsu
Shiatsu means, literally, “finger pressure”.
The client lies on a mat on the floor or a more traditional massage table, wearing loose fitting clothing. The practitioner uses their body weight to press their thumbs, palms, fingers, and elbows along acupuncture or acupressure points. Shiatsu also incorporates rocking and stretching.
Working the energy meridians, as Shiatsu does, opens up the chi (vital life force) of the client, and also helps to balance yin and yang energies.
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Myofacial Release
Myofascial release is the manual massage technique for softening and releasing tight fascia and muscles with the aim of easing pain and increasing range of motion. Myofascial release usually involves applying slow, gentle, and constant compression in various directions by following the body’s signals, and moving limbs in the same subtle way.
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Craniosacral Therapy
In a craniosacral therapy session, the massage practitioner places their hands on the client, usually starting with the occipital ridge, which allows them to support the client’s craniosacral system. The practitioner gently works with the spine and the skull and its cranial sutures. Craniosacral therapy helps to ease the restrictions of nerve passages. Craniosacral therapists use the therapy for clients with neck and back pain, migraines, TMJ Syndrome, and for chronic pain conditions such as fibromyalgia, among others. Craniosacral Therapy is also used by osteopaths, physical therapists, naturopaths, chiropractors, and occupational therapists.
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Trigger Point Therapy
Trigger Point Therapy involves focusing on trigger points that may cause local aches and pains, or that refer pain to other areas of the body. Manual pressure and vibration are applied to these points to help relieve myofascial pain. Your practitioner is educated in the “map” of known trigger points and how they affect other areas of the body.
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Reiki
More information on Reiki coming soon.
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Deep Tissue Massage
Information for Deep Tissue Massage coming soon.
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Sports Massage
Sports Massage info coming soon.
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Acupressure
More info on Acupressure to come.
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Chair Massage (Seated Massage)
Description of Chair Massage, also known as Seated Massage and Corporate Massage, to come.
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Reflexology
Reflexology info coming soon.
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