Mark the Spot Massage Therapy

What's the Difference in Massage Styles?

I often get the question, "Why go to a neuromuscular massage therapist?" The answer lies mainly in the type of massage you want, and the benefit it provides.

Let's look at a couple of specific types of massages, and what they will do for you.

Swedish Massage
Swedish massage is perhaps the most common type of massage therapy and involves long, gliding strokes over the entire body. This type of massage increases the blood flow and provides a generally, relaxing experience. Swedish massage reduces stress, lowers blood pressure, and boosts the immune system because it stimulates the number of white blood cells that fight infection.

Trigger Point Therapy
Trigger point therapy is designed to ease tightness within a constricted muscle that may refer pain to another part of the body. Cycles of isolated, increasing pressure followed by release results in an easing of pain in vulnerable areas such as the head and neck.

Deep Tissue Massage
Deep tissue massage uses greater pressure on the muscles to focus on the tissue, tendons and fascia which will help relieve chronic muscle tension. Deep tissue massage is beneficial in lowering blood pressure and by boosting mood and relaxation by triggering the release of oxytocin and serotonin.

Neuromuscular Massage
Neuromuscular massage is also a deep tissue technique that focuses on restoring strength and range of motion to an area of overuse or injury. Neuromuscular massage is not always as comfortable or relaxing as a Swedish massage, but the after effects are.

Neuromuscular massage is a targeted therapy to treat conditions such as plantar fasciitis, persistent neck or back pain, and issues of overuse such as carpel tunnel syndrome, tennis elbow or shoulder and rotator cuff pain from golf or baseball.

My practice is neuromuscular massage although I can employ any of the above techniques. I use massage techniques to restore your muscles and the joints they control to a full range of motion without pain.


At Mark the Spot Massage, Mark Brungardt uses an advanced neuromuscular technique to address specific muscle and connective tissue issues. He works with athletes of all abilities, cancer patients who are receiving chemotherapy, pregnant women while their bodies are adjusting to pregnancy, patients who suffer with tinnitus, and workers who have repetitive use injuries such as neck and back strain, or carpel tunnel syndrome.

Massage can address a number of specific health issues. Bodywork can:

• Alleviate low-back pain and improve range of motion.
• Assist with shorter, easier labor for expectant mothers and shorten maternity hospital stays.
• Ease medication dependence.
• Enhance immunity by stimulating lymph flow—the body's natural defense system.
• Exercise and stretch weak, tight, or atrophied muscles.
• Help athletes of any level prepare for, and recover from, strenuous workouts.
• Improve the condition of the body's largest organ—the skin.
• Increase joint flexibility.
• Lessen depression and anxiety.
• Promote tissue regeneration, reducing scar tissue and stretch marks.
• Pump oxygen and nutrients into tissues and vital organs, improving circulation.
• Reduce postsurgery adhesions and swelling.
• Reduce spasms and cramping.
• Relax and soften injured, tired, and overused muscles.
• Release endorphins—amino acids that work as the body's natural painkiller.
• Relieve migraine pain.

Experts estimate that upwards of ninety percent of disease is stress-related. And perhaps nothing ages us faster, internally and externally, than high stress. Massage is an effective tool for managing this stress, which translates into:

• Decreased anxiety.
• Enhanced sleep quality.
• Greater energy.
• Improved concentration.
• Increased circulation.
• Reduced fatigue.

Give Mark a call to schedule an appointment today! 303-489-1433.