UCSB Gaucho Pulse
Massage Selections
Trigger Point Therapy
Trigger Point Therapy is a stimulating treatment that uses therapeutic pain to address trouble areas
within the muscles. This treatment is best for individuals who are physically active, or use repeated
movements of certain muscle groups. During your massage, the massage therapist will apply deep
pressure using thumbs and elbows to break up the toxins stored within the muscles followed with
lymphatic work to move those toxins out of the area. This helps to relieve pain, and allows muscle
tissue to relax, lengthen, and repair. Fresh, oxygenated blood is delivered to the muscles,
promoting increased ability to stretch and move your body more efficiently without pain.
Swedish Massage
During this relaxing full body massage, warm oils will melt away tension and stress. Swedish
Massage uses light to medium pressure with long fluid strokes to leave you feeling calm and
centered.
Myofascial Release
A very slow, gentle, relaxing treatment that helps alleviate tension and blockages in the connective
tissue, or fascia. Gentle pressure reaches all the levels of tissue, from the skin down to the
muscles, allowing them to open and stretch. If you are in need of increased flexibility or range of
motion, as well as a mental release, this treatment is for you!
Acupressure
During your Acupressure massage, you can expect to experience the use of light to firm pressure
application to acupuncture points to help regulate the flow of qi, or energy, throughout the body.
Acupressure is useful for many common ailments, ranging from asthma and stress, to weight
control and more. For any problem you are experiencing, there is an acupoint that will help!
Reflexology
We often do not pay attention to how much we use our hands and feet throughout the day, and
often forget that they need the same care that the rest of our body does. Reflexology massage
targets these parts of the body, relieving tension in small muscles that we rely on constantly.
Reflexology also promotes the body’s ability to work more efficiently as a whole by sending signals
through the nervous system.
Neuromuscular Therapy
Neuromuscular therapy is a form of soft tissue manipulation that aims to treat underlying causes of
chronic pain within the muscular and nervous systems. This medically-oriented form of massage
addresses trigger points, circulation, nerve compression, postural issues, and biomechanical
problems that can be caused by repetitive movement injuries.
Deep Tissue Massage
Deep tissue massage is the most effect form of massage therapy for relief from painful, stiff
"trouble spots" in your body. During your treatment, the massage therapist will use slow, deliberate
strokes focusing pressure on layers of muscles, tendons, and other tissues deep under the skin.
Though less rhythmic than other types of massage, deep tissue massage can be extremely
therapeutic, relieving chronic patterns of tension and helping with muscle injuries.
Medical Qigong
Do you feel like you need a heavy weight lifted off your shoulders? If so, let Medical Qigong be your
solution. Your massage therapist will apply a combination of Ancient Chinese Medicine (ACM) and
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to balance the health and wellbeing of the entire body.
Acupressure and Meridian Therapy are also used to open and move joints, release blockages, and
balance the qi, or energy, moving through the entire body. Medical Qigong therapy combines
breathing techniques with movement, creative visualization, and spiritual intent to improve the
health, personal power, and control over your own life.
Chi Ne Tsang
This form of massage is also known as “belly work” or “abdominal massage”, but don’t let that
scare you! Slow and gentle pressure is applied to the abdominal area, to promote improved
digestion, the release of old emotions stored in the organs, and the overall health and vitality of the
internal organs.
What to Expect
Whether you are new to the use of massage as a therapeutic practice, or have been benefiting
from it for years, we want you to feel as comfortable as possible when coming to receive a
treatment from one of our Gaucho Pulse Massage Therapists. To prepare you for your massage
session, we have created a step-by-step outline of what you can expect.
1. Meet and Greet - Once you arrive at the Massage Therapy Clinic at the Recreation Center for
your appointment (we suggest showing up 15 minutes early so that you can have as much time as
possible with your therapist), you will discuss your registration packet questionnaire with your
Therapist. This provides them with information regarding your medical history, as well as insight
into what you are hoping to get out of your treatment session.
2. Getting Started - Once your Massage Therapist is familiar with your wishes and expectations,
they will guide you in choosing the best massage type for your individual needs. They will take you
into the private Massage Therapy Clinic, which will be pre-prepared with fresh linens and warming
elements to make sure you are comfortable during your massage. At this point, the massage
therapist will leave the room while you undress to your comfort level, before settling under the
sheets on the massage table. The top sheet will remain on you during the entirety of your
massage, with additional blankets are available upon request.
Helpful tips to help you prepare for your massage session:
Prior to your massage, please remove glasses and all jewelry.
Pull long hair back with a clip or band.
Feel free to ask your Therapist any questions before, during, or after the session. Your therapist is
a highly trained professional and will be happy to make you feel more informed and comfortable.
Please bring a photo ID to each session, as well as your completed registration packet and a copy
of your payment receipt
Please shower before appointment, massage therapist has the right to deny service if patron has a
lot of perspiration on their skin.
3. During Your Massage - If at any point during your massage a stroke, technique or the amount of
pressure being applied is uncomfortable, alert your Massage Therapist. Everyone is different, and
the Massage Therapists know this. They want to deliver the best, most relaxing and healing
massage possible, which means making sure you are as comfortable as possible. If there is a
specific area of your body that you would like the Massage Therapist to spend more time on, alert
them of this as well!
4. Ongoing Relief – Once your 60-minute massage session has ended, the Massage Therapist will
once again leave the room to let you redress. Please take your time getting ready! Your massage
was meant to be a relaxing experience, so please do not rush to get your things together. Once
you are ready, your massage therapist will meet you outside the massage studio with a glass of
water. We recommend that you hydrate throughout the remainder of your day after your massage
to flush out the components released from your muscles during your treatment.
The healing power of massage therapy is so powerful, that you will begin to benefit from it after just
one session. However, the road to health is life long, and requires constant attention. For this
reason, we recommend you schedule appointments with us on a regular basis to keep you feeling
your best.