THW Bodywork & Massage
I am pleased to announce that with deliberate care, I have re-opened in-person healing practices.
Like others in the health and wellness fields, I have made careful adjustments to ensure that I can safely offer services for my clients in person and online.
Session availability is limited, by appointment only.
Please email me for scheduling or inquiries: tania@taniahughes.com
Please click here to view and complete a Covid-19 Safety Agreement.
“By touching a body, we touch every event it has experienced. For a few brief moments we hold all of a client’s stories in our hands. We witness someone’s experience of their own flesh, through some of the most powerful means possible: the contact of our hands, the acceptance of the body without judgment, and the occasional listening ear. With these gestures we reach across the isolation of the human experience, and hold another person’s legend. In massage therapy, we show up and ask, in so many ways, what it is like to be another human being. In doing so, we build a bridge that may heal us both.” -Tracy Walton
Foot Reflexology
Foot Reflexology, also known as zone therapy, involves application of pressure to the feet with specific thumb, finger, and hand techniques to stimulate a system of zones and reflex areas that reflect an image of the body on the feet to affect a physical change to the body, which can promote health in corresponding organs and various zones of the body through energetic pathways.
This treatment induces a healing response, and can alleviate ailments.
Massage therapy is the manipulation of tissues to relax the muscles, relieve tension, and improve circulation. This can improve overall health and well-being.
Reflexology, on the other hand, uses a targeted, pressure-point massage to restore the flow of energy throughout the body.
Relaxation Massage
A calming remedy that involves structural and muscle manipulations that rub and knead aches and pains away, this treatment soothes sore muscles and gives way to relief of overall body tension. Often long, soothing Swedish massage techniques are practiced.
After receiving the recipient leaves in a blissful state of relaxation with increased mental clarity. Massage therapy is known to activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which stimulates the release of endorphins and serotonin, prevents fibrosis or scar tissue, increases the flow of lymph, and promotes deep, restful sleep.
Trigger Point (TP) Therapy and Deep Tissue Massage
Trigger Point(TP) Therapy is often used in Deep Tissue and Chronic Pain Management therapeutics. TP addresses the neuromuscular junction, which ultimately causes a muscle to contract. An entire session may consist of preparing an affected area of disfunction to administer a specific set of techniques to accomplish a healthy re-set of injured tissues.
Overused, contracted muscles benefit from deep slow pressure and specific techniques to release chronic patterns of tension and reset muscle memory. Tendons and fascia are addressed to restore healthy alignment and elasticity. As each client session varies, specific techniques are employed including deep structural stretches, TP and Myofascial therapy.
Clinical Massage
A special focus, clinical massage sessions address areas of specific complaint such as chronic conditions and injuries for the duration of the treatment. This focus can incorporate any or all of the above therapies and may also include yoga, stretching or Craniosacral Therapy as the body is re-educated with a direct approach of anatomy/physiology and kinesiology techniques.
Infrared Body Detox Wrap
Do you enjoy heat? Prepare to sweat.
This treatment begins with dry brushing, which stimulates the lymphatic system and prepares the skin for optimum absorption of oils that heal and reduce inflammation.
After the lymphatic dry brushing, you will receive a thick application of castor oil to your whole body, then you will be wrapped into flannel within the infrared blanket. Prepare to rest like a babe. Infrared heat deeply relaxes muscles while detoxifying, and is followed by a 60 or 90-minute massage to reduce tension while the tissues are relaxed into a melty butter state.
Fire Cupping
What is fire cupping? With gentle suction, the skin is drawn into the cup by creating a vacuum in the cup placed on the skin over the targeted area. The vacuum is created by the heating and subsequent cooling of the air in the cup. The cup is left in place for somewhere between 5-10 minutes to help treat:
- promotion of circulation
- muscular tension via pattern disruption
- reduction/elimination of chronic pain
- deep scar tissues & muscle adhesion in the muscles & connective tissues
- cellulite reduction
Prenatal Massage
Celebrate the miracle of growing a baby! Let me bring you comfort on the journey. It is an honor to be part of this process. During a time that your body and lifestyle are experiencing major shifts, massage can soothe more than just aches and pains. Your comfort and support are priority in our session.
Prenatal Massage is similar to regular massage, with the same intent to relax tense muscles, ease tension patterns, and improve body mobility and circulation. Carrying a baby changes your center of gravity and puts a great deal of stress on the back, abdominal muscles, neck, and shoulders. During the first trimester, there is an increase of relaxin, a protein hormone. Relaxin prepares your body by widening and softening the cervix, and relaxes the uterine musculature, which facilitates labor. Because these structures are softened to prepare the body to make room for growing and delivering a child, positioning for prenatal massage is different from regular massage. Pillows and bolsters are used to lend proper reinforcement for vulnerable core structures. Remember to take care of yourself as you develop this being.
