WITH HEART AND OPEN HANDS seeks to support clients discover renewed vitality, wellbeing, and conscious living.   

Curiosity, open mindedness, compassionate presence, and dedication to further education in order to serve the clients best interest are at the heart of how we provide quality service to the community. 

Massage can help relieve chronic muscle tension and promote correct muscle function. But it's not just good for our muscles; it’s good for our entire physical and mental health. The stress hormone cortisol suppresses the immune system, which makes us much more susceptible to illness. Touch, on the other hand, increases the production of immunoglobulin A. This helps to expand the number of white cells in the blood and boost the immune system. Physical contact also encourages our brains to produce more Serotonin. It makes us feel relaxed and happy, and generally contributes to a sense of wellbeing

● Increases blood flow to limbs – Good circulation can become increasingly difficult as we age, and massage therapy helps promote blood flow into the limbs

● Improves balance – Due to massage’s ability to increase blood flow to the limbs, it helps to improve proprioception, or the sense of relative position of body parts, thus improving balance and reducing chances of falling

● Produces feelings of comfort – Some people enjoy massage because it can produce feelings of caring and connection

● Stimulates the nervous system – Massage helps produce hormones that have enormous benefits on the body, including oxytocin, serotonin and dopamine (the happy hormone)

● Increase flexibility – Massage therapy softens up tight muscles and loosens joints, enabling a wider range of motion in the activities of daily living

● Improves sleep – The relaxation benefit of massage can promote sleep through the night when sleep may otherwise be a challenge

● Immune support –Massage greatly supports immunity function by moving nutrients through the body and filtering metabolic waste through increased circulation and lymphatic flow 

DESCRIPTION

Integrative Massage Therapy is an approach to overall health and well-being that may incorporate different styles depending on the unique needs of the client such as:

• Swedish Massage involves long, gliding strokes in combination with kneading and friction to increase blood flow, release surface tension, and promote relaxation.

• Deep Tissue Massage uses slow strokes with applied pressure to help release the deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue and realign the muscles.

• Trigger Point Therapy involves applying 10-30 seconds of concentrated pressure and friction to a localized tense area of the muscle, helping to release tension and improve circulation. 

• Myofascial Release uses slow, steady pressure along with sustained stretching to gently soften the fascia and release tension held in the connective tissue around and throughout the muscles

• Gua Sha uses a smooth-edged tool to gently scrape areas of the body where there is  stagnation to help improve blood flow and promote healing.

• Cupping is a decompressive therapy that uses sliding or static suction with cups to move blood to an area of the body to increase energy and facilitate healing.

• Stretching using various assisted techniques such as Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF), Pin and Stretch, or Active Isolated Stretching to improve range of motion and flexibility.

• Yoga is a practice aimed to create a union between body, mind and spirit, as well as between the individual self and universal consciousness through conduct, attitude, movement, breath, and meditation.

You'll find me to be friendly, respectful and professional. You can find us in Swarthmore, PA, located just inside the doors of Optimum Physical Therapy. We are grateful to be sharing a space with Susan Graves, a massage therapist and owner of Soul Source Massage Therapy, who has been in practice for over 20 years.