What kind of bodywork do I need? A guide to our massage offerings.

You know you need bodywork - but where do you even start?

Maybe your shoulders have turned into bricks. Maybe you’re recovering from recent surgery. Or maybe you’re just ready to feel more like yourself again. You hop onto our booking site, ready to schedule some time to take care of yourself… and then you see the long list of appointment offerings: Neuromuscular Therapy, Craniosacral Therapy, Manual Lymphatic Drainage, Ayurvedic Detox Massage - wait, which one is right for you?

At Constellation Acupuncture & Healing Arts, we offer a wide range of massage and bodywork because different bodies - and different seasons of life - need different kinds of care. But we also know it can be overwhelming to choose when you’re not sure what each session involves.

Here’s a simple guide to help you choose the right session for your needs.

If you're in pain: Try a Neuromuscular Therapy & Myofascial Release session

You don’t have to be an athlete to need deep, targeted (read: not full-body) work. Whether you’re recovering from an injury, dealing with chronic pain, or carrying tension that just won’t quit, Neuromuscular Therapy sessions offer slow, precise techniques that release the fascia (the connective tissue around your muscles) and help you feel like you’re living in your body again - not fighting against it.

These sessions are great for:

• Chronic pain

• Acute injury

• Postural tension

• Scar tissue

• Limited mobility

If you need deep rest and nervous system support: Try Craniosacral Therapy

Not all healing has to feel intense. Craniosacral Therapy is an incredibly gentle, hands-on, fully-clothed technique that works with your craniosacral system (yep, that’s your skull, spine, and cerebrospinal fluid) to downshift your nervous system and allow your body to unwind stored tension - physically and emotionally.

We offer Craniosacral Therapy on its own or in combination as a Cupping + Cranio session for a dynamic duo of restful healing. Many of our clients describe these sessions as a reset for their entire system.

Craniosacral is great for:

• Stress and anxiety

• Nervous system regulation

• Insomnia

• Emotional overwhelm

• Post concussion/TBI (traumatic brain injury) support

If you’re feeling puffy, swollen, or are recently post-op: Try Manual Lymphatic Drainage

Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) is a gentle technique that stimulates your lymphatic system - a key part of your immune and detox pathways. It can be especially helpful if you’re recovering from surgery, experiencing hormonal swelling, or simply feel like your system is a bit “sluggish.” 

These sessions are so gentle they are often recommended by medical doctors in the immediate aftercare from surgery, without the typical waiting period for hands-on bodywork.

MLD is great for:

• Post-surgical healing, including immediately after top surgery or mastectomy

• Bloating and fluid retention

• Supporting immunity

• Chronic inflammation

If you want to zone out and feel better after: Try a Relaxation or Deep Tissue Massage

These sessions are customized, full-body massages that utilize Swedish or Deep Tissue techniques based on what you and your practitioner decide is most needed that day. If you like gentler pressure, choose a Relaxation Massage, and if you prefer deeper pressure, choose a Deep Tissue Massage. These sessions are incredibly relaxing while still therapeutic.

Bonus - our Relaxation and Deep Tissue massages also can include Fire Cupping when your practitioner finds it appropriate for your condition at no extra charge!

Relaxation and Deep Tissue massages are great for:

• General stress or mild pain relief

• People new to massage

• Anyone who wants a well-rounded session

• Anyone who sits all day at work and suffers from desk-related aches and pains

If you're curious about Ayurvedic healing or want to strongly boost your circulation: Try an Ayurvedic Detox Massage

Rooted in the Ayurvedic Indian system of medicine, our Ayurvedic Detox Massage uses substantial amounts of oil tailored to your constitution. Through vigorous and enlivening strokes it supports increased blood flow, lymphatic circulation, and tissue nourishment to your system. These sessions stimulate your internal organs, immune function, and promote skin health.

Ayurvedic Detox Massages are great for:

• Boosting your immune system 

• Supporting seasonal transitions

• Bringing hydration and luster to your skin

• Whole body detoxification

What about Fire Cupping?

At our clinic, the Chinese medicine technique of Fire Cupping is a cornerstone of many of our treatments. All of our practitioners (both acupuncturists and massage therapists alike!) are trained in fire cupping and will add it to a session when it’s appropriate for the patient and condition. 

We also offer a few cupping specific appointment types - like our Cupping Massages - that blend fire cups and traditional massage techniques into 60-min of whole body bliss. If you’re short on time, our 25-min Quick Cupping sessions are perfect for established patients who just need a quick cupping tune-up. And as we mentioned above, Cupping + Cranio seamlessly blends the fascia support of gentle cupping with the deep rest of Craniosacral. 

Fire Cupping is great for:

• Improving athletic performance and recovery

• Generalized aches and pains

• Whole body detoxification

• Releasing tight fascia
  
  

All Sessions Are Trauma-Informed & Gender-Affirming

You won’t find a “gender-affirming massage” on our services menu - because all of our sessions are offered in a way that honors your body, your story, and your identity. Our practitioners are trained to create a space where queer, trans, and nonbinary folks feel safe, respected, and centered. We believe healing touch should never require you to explain or justify who you are.

Still not sure?

It’s okay! You can always book a 15-min free consultation and talk directly to one of our practitioners to help you decide. 

We all need more hands-on care right now. Our clinic is happy to be here and provide the care you need.

Ready to book?

*The information provided on this site is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider. Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition.

Gua Sha: what it is, what it does, and why it feels awesome

Gua sha is the practice of press-stroking or scraping the surface of the skin to produce intentional redness and petechiae, known as “sha”. It’s also known as scraping, spooning, kerokan, or coining. Gua sha is an ancient practice rooted in Chinese medicine and culture, treasured for its versatility and powerful healing impact. In much of south and east Asia, therapies like this are a common form of folk medicine, often performed among family members for ailments of all kinds. From a Chinese medicine perspective, when things become stuck, pain and dysfunction result. Gua sha moves what is stuck, resolves pain, and improves function. Gua sha has beneficial anti-inflammatory and immune system protective effects, helps prevent and treat acute infectious illness, reduces pain, treats acute and chronic musculoskeletal issues, and supports internal medicine concerns like digestive or respiratory disorders. More gentle gua sha techniques can be performed on the skin of the face to encourage a bright, smooth, and lifted complexion. When done properly, gua sha is very comfortable and safe.

In recent years, gua sha has become popular in the mainstream. Gua sha tools and appropriated techniques have become a hot commodity in the beauty industry. Many chiropractors and physical therapists practice Graston Technique for muscle pain and tension, a system derived from from gua sha techniques. Because gua sha is a therapeutic intervention, it is best to receive gua sha treatment and learn gua sha techinques from a trained Chinese medicine provider.

What can gua sha treat?

Gua sha can be used for a variety of concerns, such as....

• preventing the onset of colds and reducing fever

• asthma, chest congestion, chest tightness

• breaking up scar tissue from injuries or surgeries

• tight muscles and "knots" anywhere in the body

• promoting lymph fluid circulation and detoxification

• plantar fasciitis pain and tension

• supporting digestion and promoting regular bowel movements

• general wellness and preventative care

• when performed with light, non-marking pressure on the skin of the face, it encourages movement and drainage of mucous from the sinuses, moves lymphatic fluid, reduces puffiness, sculpts the tissues, and supports a vibrant, smooth complexion

What does gua sha feel like? Does it hurt?

Gua sha feels like firm, steady, stroking pressure against the skin. During a treatment, the skin is lubricated with oil to ensure a smooth, easy glide. Everyone’s tolerance for gua sha varies. Some people love firm pressure, while other people do best with very light pressure. Light pressure usually feels extremely soothing. When medium to firm pressure is applied, it feels like a deep massage, and can occasionally “hurt so good”, but should never be painful. The intensity of pressure is guided based on what is most appropriate for your symptoms, and what feels best for you. Gua sha performed on the skin of the face and the front and sides of the neck is very gentle to protect the delicate skin and structures of these areas.

What are gua sha tools made of?

Essentially, anything with a smooth edge that you can easily hold on to can be a gua sha tool.

In folk healing traditions, gua sha might be done with a porcelain soup spoon or a coin - it’s called “coining” in some regions for a reason! There are also an abundance of manufactured gua sha tools in a variety of shapes in sizes, made from materials like stone, bone, horn, plastic, or metal. In the clinic, we often use disposable jar lids, porcelain soup spoons, or stone tools.

Is gua sha safe?

Although the red color of “sha” can be surprising the first time you see it, when done appropriately the practice of gua sha is safe and non-invasive, and can be used on patients of all ages. Gua sha may not be appropriate for everyone, however - read on!

What are the contraindications (reasons not to get gua sha)?

• If you are very weak, are dealing with a prolonged disease, or have low blood pressure, you may be able to receive gua sha, but it would be gentle treatment and you should give yourself plenty of time to rest afterward

• If you have a bleeding disorder or taking blood thinners, gua sha treatments may or may not be appropriate, depending on your unique situation

• Pregnant people should not receive gua sha on the trapezius, low back, sacrum, or abdomen

• Gua sha should not be done on areas of severely dry/flaky, infected, broken, sunburned, burned, inflamed skin, acne, or cysts

• Gha sha should not be performed on areas of edema, ascites, or swelling

• Gua sha should not be performed over broken bones, herniated discs, dislocations

• People should not receive gua sha if experiencing severe health conditions such as cardiac failure, renal failure, liver failure

How often do I need gua sha?

That depends entirely on your body and your situation. Acute or short-term symptoms tend to resolve more quickly than long-term symptoms. We have some patients who come every week for treatments involving gua sha, while some patients only get it once a month or once a seasons. Because it has a cumulative effect, for chronic issues we recommend coming weekly for 4-6 treatments including gua sha, acupuncture, and other modalities to get the best results, then re-evaluating.

If you had a recent treatment with marking gua sha, please wait for the sha to completely fade before performing gua sha again on that same area.

Gentle facial gua sha can be performed daily if done properly.

How do I take care of myself after receiving gua sha?

Avoid exposure to the wind, drafts, direct sun, and cold for at least 24 hours, preferably until the sha is gone! Keep the area well covered and warm.

If activity has been reduced due to pain or stiffness, and feels better after gua sha, build up the activity level slowly to prevent re-injury and to rebuilt strength and mobility.

Avoid large quantities of cold, sour, or salty foods and drinks after gua sha treatment. From a Chinese dietary therapy perspective, cold stagnates and congeals the qi, worsening pain! Sour foods contribute to nervousness and increase pain conditions. Salty foods can also worsen pain by increasing swelling and puffiness.

How do I schedule, or learn how to do gua sha myself?

At the clinic, gua sha can be included in acupuncture appointments as appropriate for the patient and their chief concerns. Your provider will help determine if gua sha is right for you during appointment!

To perform gua sha on yourself safely and effectively, it is best to learn from a trained Chinese medicine practitioner. We love educating our patients on how they can do gua sha themselves as part of their own self-care routine! If this is something you’re interested in, ask about it at your next treatment.

We also strongly recommend the gua sha educational tutorials and traditional Chinese facial tools from Dr. Paige Yang, LAc of Yang Face.

Source:
Nielsen, A. (2014). Gua sha: : A Traditional Technique for Modern Practice. London: Elsevier Health Sciences UK.

*The information provided on this site is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider. Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition.