TRENDING TRENDING TRENDINGDiscover a handful of Portland’s finest spas for a massage. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing Swedish massage or a more intense deep-tissue experience, we trust you’ll find what you’re looking for on this list of top-rated spas.
Licensed massage therapist Andrew Hoffmann is guided by the principles of ancient Chinese medicine, specifically the idea that “stagnation is the cause of all disease.” He believes that through the healing powers of massage, he can help get your body moving properly again and most importantly, have you feeling pain free. He even works to aid clients specifically affected by migraines and headaches. Andrew also favors a more holistic approach by taking into account the client’s mood and emotional state as well.
Rolfing isn’t a cool, alternative form of frisbee (that’s frolfing), no—it’s a cool, alternative form of therapy that uses physical manipulation to align the body with the Earth’s gravitational field. Sound a little out there? That’s because it kind of is. It’s a radical approach to massage therapy and there’s some debate over how effective it may actually be. That said, here’s what goes down in a typical rolfing treatment and what its purpose is.
Practiced rolfers work and knead the body in ways similar to a deep-tissue massage where practitioners use elbows and apply firmer pressure. Where it differs is its focus on different areas of the body over a prescribed 10 sessions. Over those sessions, the therapist will focus on the connective layers of tissue, gradually working toward the deeper levels.
Aside from the actual technique, rolfing differs because it doesn’t merely focus on areas of high tension. Instead, it works to heal the entire body, including some emphasis on clients’ emotional state, citing a connection between emotions and the body’s soft tissue.
To understand Rolfing, it’s helpful to examine Ida P. Rolf’s founding philosophy on the subject: “As in all matter organized into biological units, there is a pattern, an order in human bodies. Rolfers make a life study of relating bodies and their fields to the earth and its gravity.” While certified Rolfer Michael Valenti holds this notion dear, his bodywork approach is more direct. By manually lengthening the connective tissue through kneading techniques, Michael hopes to ease his clients’ chronic tension and improve range of motion.
Learn a little more about a few of the more unusual types of massage with our handy definitions below:
Want to learn more about the types of massage? Check out the full article above or click here.
Dressed in plush robes and spa sandals, guests of Me Spa drift from changing room to treatment room, where they unwind during pampering services such as facials, Swedish massages, and body scrubs. The whole experience is tailor-made for relaxation, right down to the silent-cell-phone policy. That rule allows enough peace and quiet for stress to evaporate and the senses to be soothed. Upscale extras such as warm oils, hot stones, and scalp massages may be added to treatments such as gentlemen's manicures, organic enzyme and peptide facials, or full-day packages for enhanced relaxation. Me Spa is so popular, in fact, it earned a 5-star rating from customers. Check out what a few of them had to say:
“Great spa !! Loved it!! I can’t wait to go back!!!” – Beth G.
“As always, great service, wonderful people and super massages and facials. My daughter also loves the pedicures. LOVE ME SPA!” – Kathe H.
“When I walk in the door the clam settles in. From the changing area with all the amenities you would need, to the foot bath and lemon water the experience only gets better.” – Judith C.
