While we love offering traditional hands-on massage at Therapeutic Bodywork, we know that sometimes our bodies need a little something extra to get them feeling great and performing optimally. That’s why we’re excited about instrument-assisted massage, a form of massage therapy in which a specialized tool is used to target and treat soft tissue for a myriad of health benefits. We’re proud to offer a selection of instrument-assisted massage experiences, including Gua Sha, Cupping and Hot Stone Massage. If you’re curious about instrument-assisted massage, keep reading to find out which of our services is right for you!

GUA SHA
With origins in Ancient Chinese medicine, Gua Sha is type of massage in which a smooth-edged tool, known as a Gua (which means “scrape” in Chinese), is gently rubbed or scraped along the skin to improve circulation and decrease tension in the body. Gua Sha has long been used to jump-start healing, release unhealthy elements in the body, and improve the flow of qi.

Gua Sha is frequently performed on the neck, shoulders, and back, but a gentle Gua Sha treatment along the face can help reduce inflammation and provide sinus relief. It’s also a great skincare routine and can help fight signs of aging. There are even studies that suggest Gua Sha may help reduce perimenopause symptoms like hot flashes, fatigue, and headaches.

We have a full range of Gua Sha instruments at Therapeutic Bodywork. You’ll find guas made of wood, stainless steel, rose quartz and jade, so we can care for different areas of the face and body and achieve many health benefits!

CUPPING

You can find evidence of cupping as early as 1550 BC in Ancient Egypt and China! Cupping is a therapeutic process of placing cups made of glass, silicon, or plastic on the skin to create a vacuum. Common in acupuncture, cups are left along the skin for several minutes and are gently removed with some suction resistance. It’s super relaxing and decreases pain.

Fair warning: cupping often leaves harmless spots on the skin, but these go away after a few days. This pain-reducing therapy improves circulation and encourages tissues to release toxins. It also engages the parasympathetic nervous system (the “rest” and “relax” function of our nervous system) – giving our bodies time to heal.

If you’re looking for a toned and contoured look, you can also try facial cupping! It boosts collagen production, helping to minimize the appearance of scars, fine lines and wrinkles, and keeps skin looking young.

HOT STONE MASSAGE

Hot stone massage has origins from many cultures. It’s been seen in the spiritual and medicinal traditions of Ancient China, Hawaii, and in Indigenous North American tribes. Hot stones are placed on the body to provide heat and pressure to our muscles, which softens tissue to promote elasticity and relieve pain. A good hot stone massage will increase mobility, improve circulation, and encourage more restful sleep.

In New Windsor, we use basalt stones in our hot stone massages. Basalt is a volcanic stone that’s smooth, dense, and able to retain heat for long periods of time, providing a consistent massage experience from start to finish. In Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine, basalt is thought to have grounding and calming properties.

If you’re wanting to explore more of what the natural world has to offer, we also incorporate Himalayan rocks into our practice. Made of pink, mineral-rich salt, Himalayan rocks emit negative ions, which help reduce stress, improve mood and energy, exfoliate skin, aid in the respiratory system, and provide an overall grounding effect of the body.

If you’re curious about our instrument-assisted massages or you’re ready to relax with some hot stones, Gua Sha, or cupping, schedule an appointment here and come see us! We can’t wait to meet you.