Massages
Whether its alone, with friends or a loved one, just layback , relax and enjoy our massage offerings
If you and your honey and looking for new ways of building bonds, there’s nothing better than a luxurious couples massage. The perfect lead-up to a romantic dinner, an hour of shared rubbing and pressing can be as firm or as gentle as preferred by each partner.
Here are just some of the benefits of booking a couples massage at Magnolia Poconos Medi Spa:
- Uninterrupted quality time with no intrusions is hard to schedule, as tasks related to work and family tend to fill up most people’s weekdays, and most of their weekends as well. Even on date nights, its hard to resist the temptation to check emails, call the babysitter, or glance at the latest news on social media. But all these distractions are out of reach during a massage, making each session into a mini-vacation for two;
- Reconnecting to the roots of your relationship is an important step for strengthening bonds. This precious time away from routine activities allows you both to focus on why you decided to take this giveaway trip together, perhaps for a weekend, perhaps for a lifetime;
- Unwinding after a stressful week of non-stop demands – paying bills, household chores, cooking meals, and supervising homework – is an important step for physical and mental well-being. That’s because constantly high stress levels pump up blood pressure, giving rise to many diseases, as well as depression and anxiety.
- Greater affection and appreciation are a natural outcomes of a couples massage. The touch techniques used during a professional massage stimulate what are known as the happy hormones: dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin, and endorphins. Working together, these mood enhancers keep couples happily attuned to each other long after leaving the massage suite.
- Closer intimacy at the physical level is another natural result of surging feel-good hormones released during a couples massage. This effect is so marked that many couples decide to cut short their post-massage dinners, bringing their desserts back in doggy bags for later. Much later…
Promoting positive feelings like happiness, pleasure, and – with a little bit of luck – love as well, hormones play a leading role in how satisfied people are with their lives. Together with neurotransmitters, they are involved in many essential processes that keep us alive, the body’s chemical messengers that determine our quality of life.
Rising and falling throughout the day, hormones play vital (but invisible) roles in our daily lives. Every morning, a surge of cortisol wakes us up; at night, melatonin makes us drowsy and ready for bed.
There are four main feel-good hormones, all of which are released in ample quantities during a couples massage session. Here’s what they do:
- Dopamine plays a motivational role in the brain’s reward-with-pleasure system;
- Serotonin is a mood stabilizer that brings feelings of well-being and happiness
- Endorphins bring relaxation and relieve pain,, often known as a runner’s high;
- Oxytocin is nature’s own lovebug building bonds based on trust and love.
Takeaway: If you’re feeling kneady, tap into togetherness with a couples massage at the Magnolia Poconos Medi Spa.
Book Your Couples Massage Session Now! Call: (570) 671-2121
Members
$170
Retail
$230
Add-ons
CBD – Members $25 | Retail $35
Aroma Therapy – Members $25 | Retail $35
Used to address specific issues – often medical – this advanced massage technique is far more than just a Swedish massage that digs deeper and harder into knotted muscles. In addition to stress relief, it’s often used to treat painful conditions like bursitis and arthritis, as well as diabetes and high blood pressure. On the mental side, it can also help with conditions like persistent depression and fatigue.
Using firm pressure and slow strokes, deep tissue massage penetrates deep into layers of knotted muscle and tight fascia (the smooth and slightly stringy connective tissue that surrounds each muscle). Particularly effective for breaking up scar tissue, as well as painful knots and adhesions, this type of massage releases bands of painfully constricted muscle tissue that inhibit circulation, causing sore patches of inflammation.
Initially developed for dealing with sports injuries, repetitive motion damage, sprains, and strains, deep tissue massage techniques are specially designed to encourage faster healing, by methodically applying movement and pressure to connective tissues and muscles.
In the hands of an experienced massage therapist (like those working at the Magnolia Poconos Medi Spa), a deep tissue massage session usually ends with a feeling of relaxation and even fatigue. In fact, the after-effects are very similar to a good workout.
Our massage therapists start every session with gentle movements and lighter pressures, warming up the muscles, tendons, and ligaments before moving deeper into problem areas. Here are some specialized techniques used during Swedish and deep tissue massage sessions:
- Effleurage: purposeful strokes glide firmly over the skin, varying in intensity and pressure in order to elongate the muscle, easing tension and soothing aches and pains;
- Petrissage: affected areas are targeted by heavy palm pressure, wringing, and kneading the skin to reach deeper muscle layers;
- Tapotement: rhythmic taps and smacks ease stiff muscles and loosen lymphatic build-up trapped in the back of the torso, maintaining a steady speed and momentum;
- Friction: using the sounds and forefingers, the therapist applies deep pressure through circular movements, releasing stored-up tension from deep in the targeted muscles;
- Vibration: the final stage of a traditional massage session, when the therapist applies hand-rocking motions all over the client’s body, breaking up any remaining tensions and negative energies still trapped in muscle tissue.
- Cross fiber friction: used to break up constructive scar tissue by non-oiled strokes across muscles, ligaments, or tendons, this deep massage technique promotes flexibility and pliability by reducing fibrosis;
- Active release: another effective way of loosening restrictive scar tissue through applying the pressure, this technique makes the muscles repeatedly loosen and construct at problem points;
- Trigger point therapy: once a tight tension spot is located through fingertip examination, the therapist presses firmly on the targeted area over and over again, until the knotted fibers loosen, releasing build-up tension and easing pain;
- Myofascial massage: one of the most effective deep tissue massage techniques, this involves using clenched fists and knuckles to press targeted areas firmly and repeatedly, releasing tensions from long-term pain spots that are often related to old injuries.
Takeaway: Although the practitioners at the Magnolia Poconos Medi Spa are happy to follow client instructions on the dips and firmness of any treatment, deep tissue massages are best suited to people with sports injuries or scarring, who are used to healing pressure on problem areas.
Book Your Deep Tissue Massage Session Now! Call: (570) 671-2121
Members
$95
Retail
$120
Add-ons
CBD – Members $25 | Retail $35
Aroma Therapy – Members $25 | Retail $35
The secret’s right there in the name: heated stones. At Magnolia Poconos Wellness, hot stone massage therapists use seashells or river stones that remain hot throughout most of each session.
Although possibly connected to ancient Mayan practices, hot stone massage techniques are most strongly related to India. Here, records dating back 5,000 years mention hot stones as part of the Ayurvedic healing tradition.
Based on the breath of life called prana, aspects of this ancient belief system are still used by modern massage therapists. Many of today’s therapeutic tools – flowers, herbs, salts, crystals and stones – are based on these age-old techniques.
Before each treatment, the stones are heated to around 110°F to 120°F – warm enough to penetrate tight muscles, but not hot enough to burn delicate skin. A special heating unit is used to ensure an even spread of warmth,, rather than a regular oven or a microwave that could result in patchy temperatures.
In general, the heated stones are placed carefully on specific parts of the body, particularly hotspots (sometimes known as the seven chakras) that are believed to ensure smoother and more balanced energy flows. Many of the selected hubs are similar to acupuncture nodes.
Using movements similar to classic Swedish massage, therapists work on knotted muscles and painful joints with hot stones, instead of fingers and fists. Always sensitive to personal pain thresholds and tolerance levels, sensitive clients should never hesitate to ask for lower temperatures or a lighter touch.
Although varying widely from person to person, many of the benefits of hot stone massage are common to most everyone. Here are some of the main advantages of this heat-healing treatment:
- Boosting immunity is a proven effect of Swedish massage, with its effects extended even deeper through hot stones sending powerful streams of warmth deep into the body;
- Chronic pain reduction may be achieved by many kinds of massage, with hot stones being particularly effective at penetrating deeper into problem areas;
- Comforting and relaxing, hot stone massage sends heat deep into the muscles, with emotional effects similar to a warm embrace;
- Drawing out toxins is one of the major benefits of a hot stone massage, pulling undesirable wastes up from deeper tissues to the skin, and then eliminating them in sweat flowing through heat-opened pores;
- Deep heat penetration carries regular massage benefits to deeper layers of the body, but without the sometimes painful pressures needed for deep tissue massages;
- Relieving pain through easing tension, because heat is a traditional remedy for tight, sore muscles, stepping up the blood flow throughout the constricted region, easing cramps and allowing stiff joints to be gently flexed as they regain mobility;
- Restful and restorative sleep, as a hot stone massage just before bedtime helps ease insomnia, particularly among postmenopausal women;
- Relieving cancer symptoms like pain, fatigue, nausea, and depression is a known benefit of Swedish massage that is enhanced by hot stones;
- Self-healing effects are often noted after hot stone massages, perhaps due to better-balanced energy flows and more positive mindsets;
- Soothing anxiety and stress through stimulating the release of endorphins and other feel-good hormones, while lowering stress hormones such as cortisol and norepinephrine.
Members
$105
Retail
$125
Add-ons
CBD – Members $25 | Retail $35
Aroma Therapy – Members $25 | Retail $35
Also known as classical massage therapy, this technique is known mainly for its relaxing effects. Therapists target muscles with specialized movements that blend stroking and kneading with friction, using their fingers, knuckles and even elbows.
In the Western world, Swedish massage is the core technique that underpins many other types of physical therapy. It is often recommended as a fast way of relieving pain and stress, while enhancing feelings of well-being.
Here are a dozen possible benefits of Swedish massage, listing symptoms that may be improved through this technique.
- Low Back Pain. Some studies indicate that Swedish massage does indeed relieve low back pain, while others found that exercise was required as well.
- Stiff neck. With causes that range from a pinched nerve to osteoporosis, the general consensus is that Swedish massage may ease neck pain, but only temporarily. In fact, it seems that people are more likely to benefit from this type of treatment when sessions are long and frequent.
- Shoulder pain. The most common injuries in this area are whiplash and rotator cuff tears, which can be caused by injury (like a fall) or long-time repeated stress, usually in sports with frequent overhead movements, like basketball, tennis, and swimming. Regular massage therapy sessions maximize healing times for injured areas
- This condition causes chronic muscle and tissue pain at tender points, particularly the neck, back, knees and elbows. Shooting pains to make it hard to exercise, which is where regular Swedish massage sessions may help.
- Ranging from stress headaches to full-blown migraines, headaches can be soothed by the relaxing effects of Swedish massage. By relieving anxiety and lowering blood pressure, a massage session may be more effective than medication;
- Anxiety. A natural response to challenging situations (a job interview, a sick relative), anxiety becomes chronic when feelings of fear are constant and largely causeless. Overwhelming and debilitating,, anxiety disorders include phobias and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Regular Swedish massage sessions may help ease the symptoms of these concerns.
- High blood pressure. Known as the silent killer, as it is largely symptomless,, high blood pressure treatments often include diuretics and beta-blockers, with dietary constraints. By releasing stress, regular Swedish massage sessions relax blood vessels, with improved circulation and lower blood pressure.
- Often a side-effect of anxiety and menopause, insomnia can be debilitating. By inducing relaxation, Swedish massage needs to improved sleep quality.
- Premenstrual syndrome. By drawing out toxins and retained water, Swedish massage reduces bloating, while feel-good hormones surge, balancing mood swings and boosting energy.
- Depression. Whether genetic, biochemical, hormonal, or seasonal, depression casts a pall over people’s lives. The way out often includes medications, as well as regular exercise and alternative wellness techniques, including meditation and massage.
- Cancer symptoms. Although not a cure, some research indicates that Swedish massage may help cancer patients cope more effectively with common symptoms like fatigue, anxiety and pain.
- Better circulation. By inducing body-wide relaxation, Swedish massage helps open up blood vessels and improve blood flows through physical stimulation.
Takeaway: Targeting muscles, ligaments, and tendons in ways that promote relaxation and boost feel-good hormones, Swedish massage offers many benefits, ranging from lower blood pressure to pain relief and enhanced well-being.
Book Your Swedish Massage Session Now! Call: (570) 671-2121
Members
$85
Retail
$115
Add-ons
CBD – Members $25 | Retail $35
Aroma Therapy – Members $25 | Retail $35
Members
$115
Retail
$135
Add-ons
CBD – Members $25 | Retail $35
Aroma Therapy – Members $25 | Retail $35
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Book your services to our Poconos PA location and enjoy a package stay at our private stream side resort, Magnolia Streamside Resort.
