Place of Peace

Susanne Carol Wissell, B.Sc., LMT, CH, CLT, Aromatherapy Specialist

Complementary Therapies for Health & Wellness

Aromatherapy is the skilled use of essential oils extracted from flowers, leaves, needles, seeds, wood, resins, roots, rinds of plants. Inhaled, essential oils soothe the respiratory system; applied to the body via massage they relax muscles, reduce inflammation, and nourish skin. Via olfaction (smelling), nerve impulses to the limbic portion of the brain trigger memory and emotions, which then communicate throughout the body to influence immunity. Essential oils are used to naturally fragrance the home, complement health care, and provide pure pleasure; essential oils, absolutes and concretes extracted from plants are the materials from which perfumes were originally made.

Guided Relaxation is an educative process synthesized from disciplines of meditation, guided visualization and other self-care practices, specifically designed to fit within the scope of practice of massage and bodywork. It employs simple breathing exercises, contract / relax (progressive relaxation) exercises, body awareness techniques and use of the imagination to shift attention to the places where tension is held in the body. Guided relaxation increases recognition of holding patterns and provides techniques for consciously letting go of or releasing muscular tension. These techniques can be practiced at home to maintain relaxation in between sessions.

Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork is the application of various techniques to the muscular structure, soft tissues and energetic systems of the body. Massage complements chiropractic treatment and physical therapy to positively affect postural alignment. Deep relaxation improves the ability to cope with stress.

Swedish/Esalen-style Massage combines gliding, kneading, percussion, vibration and deep circular or cross-fiber friction to increase blood circulation, decongest tissues and break up adhesions. The long, fluid Esalen-Style strokes deepen relaxation while the firm pressure of Swedish massage relieves muscular aches and pains.

Reiki is a gentle hands-on healing modality delivered while the client relaxes, fully clothed, on the massage table. Given as a “light-touch” treatment at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Hospital (New York City) Reiki relieves stress and encouragers healing, even when massage therapy is contraindicated.

Hot Stone Therapy employs heated and iced river stones for massage. Especially popular during winter months, the deeply penetrating heat releases muscular tension and increases relaxation.

Aromatherapy Massage includes distilled plant essential oils combined with vegetable oils, jojoba or lotion to produce muscle and mind relaxation. Blends of specific essential and vegetable oils can decongest and reduce tissue inflammation and help release trigger points. Aromatherapy massage or Reiki restores the feeling of balance and flow to the body’s energy. When essential oils are matched to an individual’s “smell preference” clients experience deep rest and an increased sense of well being.

Manual Lymphatic Therapy employs specific strokes to stimulate movement of lymphatic fluids, thereby  improving lymphatic function throughout the body. In lymphedema therapy, MLD is used to reroute the lymph flow around blocked areas into healthy lymph vessels, which drain into the venous circulation. Lymphatic drainage therapy is indicated in cases of fibromyalgia and migraine or sinus headaches, as well as for general relaxation and detoxification of the skin and superficial fascia.

1 hr. Aromatherapy Massage $70
1/2 hr. Massage or Reiki Session  $35

1 hr. Aromatherapy Consultation $75 (with product to take home)

Aromatherapy Consultation plus Aromatherapy Massage $99

1 hr. Guided Relaxation individual session  $65 (ask for group pricing)

Peggy Huddleston's Prepare for Surgery, Heal Faster ™ (individual) workshop

$75 includes Peggy's Book & CD

For Susanne's Biography: