Zachary A. Shuman LMT, NMT
An integrated approach to massage and bodywork,
utilizing a variety of techniques and modalities
to suit your individual needs.
Editor's Note:
Zachary Shuman has transitioned into a career in Nursing, and is not available for massage appointments at this time.
Introduction
Zachary Shuman provides a wide variety of modalities to help you improve and maintain the health of your body, mind, and spirit. Whether you’re seeking help with chronic pain, injury recovery, energetic rejuvenation, somatic therapy for emotional stress or trauma, or just want a soothing Swedish massage, an appropriate treatment is available.
Each session will be designed to address your specific needs, integrating various techniques to bring you a unique healing experience. The possibilities range from full sessions of rejuvenating light-touch energy work, to extended multi-session plans for injury recovery and postural correction (akin to Rolfing and Soma work). For some types of work, clients will remain fully clothed. It all depends on your needs and personal comfort. Read on for more detail regarding the variety of treatments available.
Modalities in Detail
Deep Tissue Massage is focused primarily on releasing chronic tension from your muscles and fascia. It is intense and thus intensely rewarding work. Deep tissue massage is done patiently, at the rate and depth your body allows. Steady, deep strokes are used to lengthen and loosen your muscles and fascia, leaving you more relaxed, flexible, and in touch with your body.
Neuromuscular Therapy (NMT) (commonly known as Trigger Point Therapy) is the use of finger pressure on specific points on your body to relieve chronic pain and tension patterns. This work is designed to break the vicious cycle of nerve irritation and muscle tension which is often responsible for long-term pain syndromes. The treatment is intense and the effects are long-lasting.
Reiki is a subtle but powerful form of energy work. If you need gentle rejuvenation and grounding, Reiki is an excellent choice. It helps to rebalance and recharge your energetic system, soothing away stress and restoring your body's self-healing potential. When used with other modalities, Reiki provides the energy your body needs to make the most of the session.
CranioSacral Therapy (CST) is a gentle hands-on technique focused on releasing tension in the membrane system which houses and protects your central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). CST is a client-lead therapy – your body and non-conscious are given the space and safety to guide the healing process as necessary.
Swedish Massage is the proper name for the long, gliding strokes and gentle kneading may people envision when they think of "massage". Swedish massage is excellent for promoting overall relaxation and improved circulation. When used with other modalities, Swedish massage brings everything together into one seamless experience.
Tai Chi & Chi Gong are two components of an ancient exercise system developed in China. These involve simple breathing, movement, strengthening, and stretching exercises designed to help maintain and improve overall health. When practiced regularly, these exercises will help you maintain the level of physical well-being that bodywork helps you to achieve. Zachary Shuman has practiced Tai Chi and Chi Gong for the last nine years, and draws on this experience when recommending stretching and health maintenance exercises for each client.
Getting the most out of your massage
It is important to understand that you heal yourself. Bodywork only encourages your body to heal; it is your body (and mind, and spirit) which do the healing. There are several things you can do to make the most of receiving a bodywork treatment:
1. Drink a lot of water. Massage work of almost any variety is likely to release toxins and/or normal cellular waste from your muscles and connective tissue. Your body has a superb system for removing these waste materials, but it requires proper hydration to function properly. Without enough water consumption, you may feel somewhat sluggish after a deep massage, because the waste is stirred up but is not getting flushed out of your body adequately. Drink up!
2. Rest well, before and after your massage.
3. Do some light exercise and stretching. This will help retain the positive effects of the bodywork. Nothing heroic is required. The important thing is to develop greater awareness of what’s going on in your body, so you know when trouble may be coming and can do what it takes to keep feeling good.
Biographical Information
Zachary Shuman is a graduate of the Integrated Massage and Deep Tissue Therapy
Program at the Atlanta School
of Massage. His studies there included extensive hands-on training in
Deep Tissue Therapy, Neuromuscular Therapy, and Swedish Massage, as well as
basic training in Shiatsu, Polarity, and Therapeutic Touch. He has received
his third degree Reiki attunement, and has been studying Craniosacral Therapy
for several years. He has expanded his expertise through continuing education training courses in topics such
as Thai Massage, Acupressure, Meditation
with Biofeedback, and CranioSacral
Therapy.
Zachary Shuman recently graduated Yavapai College with a Associates Degree in Nursing, and is persuing a career in Nursing for the forseeable future, in Portland, OR.
"I have a passion for healing and for teaching.
I love helping people learn to improve and maintain their own health."
--Zachary Shuman
© Zachary A. Shuman