Designed to help atheletes prepare their bodies for optimal performance, recover after a major event, or function well during training. Sports massage is also ideal for people with injuries, chronic pain or restricted range of motion. In other words, it's a good choice if there is a specific problem -- a tender knee from running, for instance. Rather than give a full body massage, the therapist generally focuses in on the problem area.

Medical Massage

Generally practiced in relation to a specific goal focused on improving health of patients. Medical massage is helpful to individuals suffering from various health conditions, including repetitive motion injuries, Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, muscle spasms, neuromuscular conditions, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, chronic headaches, whiplash, rotator cuff injuries, and soft-tissue injuries as well. Medical massage increases blood supply to skeletal muscles and other body components, while stimulating the nervous system as well. Overall, this modality is a noninvasive therapy that produces beneficial health results to those experiencing numerous health-related illnesses and injuries.

Prenatal Massage

Prenatal massage is a special experience of support and relaxation for a pregnant woman, providing a soothing and nurturing touch combined with focused, individualized attention to her physical and emotional concerns. Depending on the client's needs, the massage practitioner will choose from a variety of bodywork modalities such as Swedish massage, manual lymph drainage, deep tissue work, reflexology, passive movements and stretches as well as muscle energy techniques. Combined with guided breathing the benefits of relaxation happen immediately and she will be able to focus inward on her own body and mind.

Postnatal Massage

Postnatal massage can relieve the stress of delivery by facilitating recovery of the postpartum woman and providing emotional support for the transition into motherhood. Swedish Massage and manual lymph drainage contribute to the rehabilitation of abdominal skin and muscles. Reflexive techniques to feet, hands, and connective tissue address common postnatal issues like constipation, difficulty urinating, uterine cramping, and perineal soreness. Regular massage therapy is especially helpful for post-cesarean mothers who are recuperating from major abdominal surgery, as well as the strain of pregnancy. Manual lymph drainage to the incision site may speed healing of scar tissue.

Trigger Point Therapy

Technique that involves the applying of pressure to tender muscle tissue in order to relieve pain and dis-ease in other parts of the body. Oftentimes, massage and trigger point therapy are performed together. Trigger points differ from acupressure points. Acupressure points are concentrations of energy or blockages of the body's energy pathways. Trigger points are physical phenomena that can be felt by touch. The purpose of trigger point therapy is to re-educate the muscles into pain-free habits. After several treatments, the swelling and stiffness of neuromuscular pain is reduced, range of motion is increased, tension is relieved, and circulation, flexibility and coordination are improved.

Body Tuning by Gabriel Vanaver, LMT

Gabriel Vanaver, a graduate of Finger Lakes School of Massage Therapy, has been studying massage therapy since 2003.  He has a background in dance and is well versed in the capability of the human body.

Gabe specializes in a Body Tuning technique which combines Deep Tissue modalities with Passive and Active Stretching to help rehabilitate the muscle tissue. This type of work requires approximately 30 minutes per specific issue. An additional 30 minutes is recommended to work on surrounding affected areas. This session is perfect for many types of people including athletes (from the casual runner to the weekend warrior),   office workers with computer chair syndrome and other ergonomic-related issues, and for the rehabilitation of injuries and ailments.

Body Tuning is a way of restructuring the muscles in order to help maintain posture and well-being. For longer sessions, the work may begin with stretching on a shiatsu matt.  This helps to loosen and relax the body so that the deeper elements of the work are more effective.

            If you just want to relax, and forget the stresses of everyday life, Gabe also offers relaxing Swedish and/or Energy work, which uses long flowing strokes and rocking. These works will increase circulation and help to harmonize your parasympathetic nervous system, which sends a message throughout the body to breathe deeply and relax.

“After every visit with Gabe, I feel completely relaxed and rejuvenated. He focuses his attention on problematic areas, working specifically on these and other areas that need care. I really appreciate the ways he listens to how I am feeling and how he talks to me during my treatment to make sure he is targeting the right muscles. I feel like a new person after every massage. I highly recommend him to anyone!”

-Swati

“I was unable to run for six years due to excruciating pain in my knees.  Gabe’s deft touch worked out all of the tension and now I’m able to run 3-4 miles several days a week without any pain. If you want a no-frills, great value massage/healing, book time with Gabe and head to Kneaded Bodyworks.”

-Riaz L.