My Techniques

Hi, my name is Zola Pancake-Torres, LMT. I am a Massage therapist, I have been practicing massage in a variety of ways to help create lingering change in the body and pain reduction. I love to help people lead the best quality of life they can. I was trained at RTC College for 990 hours.

I continued my education earning an additional 96 credits since graduating and have been practicing since 2015. 

Please scroll down to read the different techniques that I incorporate into all of my custom massages.

Active Isolated Stretching Certified, taught by Aaron L. Mattes:

Active isolated stretching (AIS) is often called the Mattes Method. Developed by Aaron L. Mattes decades ago, this method is an amazing way to reduce pain, increase flexibility, and improve performance while decreasing the chance of injury. AIS also restores deep and superficial fascial planes. The technique of preventive muscle stretching is based upon reciprocal innervation of muscle tissue also known as the agonist-antagonist reflex.

Myofascial Release:

Myofascial release works specifically with the connective tissue (fascia) to relieve the tightness that causes muscle restrictions. This is done by gripping the tissue without oil and pulling/pushing. Great for long-term tension treatment.

Trigger/Tender Point Therapy:

Trigger point therapy is a soft tissue technique that works to release painful, knots in the muscle. There are many different approaches to trigger point therapy including soft tissue work, deep tissue massage, and pinpointed ischemic pressure.

Pregnancy Massage:

Prenatal or Postnatal massage can ease some of the aches and pains of pregnancy and help you relax. It may also reduce swelling, improve mood, and help relieve some pregnancy depression and anxiety.

Cranial Sacral Massage: 

Craniosacral therapy (CST) is a gentle hands-on technique that uses a light touch to examine membranes and movement of the fluids in and around the central nervous system (spinal cord and brain). Relieving tension in the central nervous system promotes a feeling of well-being by eliminating pain and boosting health and immunity. Great for whiplash and nerve damage.

Deep Tissue:

Deep tissue massage is used to break up scar tissue and break down muscle adhesions (the "knots" that we feel in our muscles which are bands of rigid and stuck painful muscle tissue). These knots can inhibit our circulation and cause pain and inflammation.

Reiki:

Reiki is an energy healing technique that promotes relaxation and reduces stress and anxiety through gentle touch. Reiki practitioners use their hands to deliver energy to your body, improving the flow and balance of your energy to support healing.

The way I perform Reiki is not incorporated into massage but it is its own separate session that you can request at the beginning of the session.

Cupping:

Cupping therapy is an ancient form of alternative medicine in which a therapist puts special cups on your skin for a few minutes to create suction. People get it for many purposes, including circulation, inflammation, blood flow, relaxation, and well-being. It is also a type of deep-tissue massage and myofascial release. Depending on your circulation and tension it may leave marks on your skin that usually resolve in less than 7 days. (They are not bruises)

Inter-oral Massage:

Inter-oral Massage is a technique that uses gloved hands working internally on the muscles of the mouth and throat. Which can help with many tensions and problems like grinding or uneven bites, relief after dental oral work, and neck pain/tension. It requires training and a license which I have.

Table Top Thai Massage:

Table top Thai massage is a wonderful technique that incorporates traditional Thai Massage and sports stretching on top of a table. It is done with clean clothes and fresh socks, client is recommended to wear full body clothing that is stretchy and form fitting for best results.

This can be a wonderful form of deep tissue with clothes on.

Heads up, unless you request not, this is a session where I am standing on the table and on you as needed. With fresh socks at the start of the session.

 

Want to learn more, ask me!