Feeling A Need To Replenish?
Integrating Shiatsu, Massage & Reiki With Samantha Spyridakos
Unraveling tension stored in our muscles, minds and organs can alleviate pain, discomfort and stress on all levels of our being.
About Samantha’s Style of Bodywork:
Samantha integrates a variety of modalities in a way that works best for each individual, blending intuition with a skillful and present touch. Her unique form of bodywork is delivered in a graceful and compassionate way that ultimately attempts to restore health, prevent disease and offers a comfortable and safe space where people feel welcomed with an invitation for healing to take place.
Shiatsu/Acupressure: Traditional, Zen & Barefoot Shiatsu & Jin Shin Do
Therapeutic Massage: Swedish, Deep Tissue, Myofasial Release, Tuina & Reflexology
Energetic Modalities: Reiki & Chakra Balancing
Additional Techniques: Guasha, Cupping, Moxa, Essential Oils, Crystal Therapy & Tibetan Bells.
Rates
First Session $120.00 - 1 ½ Hour Initial Consultation
1 Hour - $80
1 ½ Hours - $110
2 Hours - $150.00
*Please allow 1 ½ - 2 hours for your first visit.
*Wear comfortable clothing.
*Stay hydrated throughout the day.
*Avoid heavy meals 1-2 Hours before session.
Hours
Tuesday 1-7:30
Wed 1-7:30
Thursday 10-4
Friday 12-6
Alternating Saturdays 10-4
All session include an integration of
modalities for the same price!
Successful treatment often reported:
Physical Pain Conditions:
Sciatica, Herniated Disc, Carpal Tunnel
Common Aches & Pains, Muscle Spasms,
Headaches, Sinus Pressure. Emotional & Mental Stress Patterns:
Decreasing Anxiety, Worry, Depression, Anger,
Grief, Fear & Increased Overall Emotional Balance
Digestive Problems:
Indigestion, Heartburn, Gas,
Bloating, Abdominal Distention
Other Disturbances:
Insomnia, Frequent Urination
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Samantha Spyridakos was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland. At the age of seven she began talking about her interest in massage.It was common for her and her close family members to give one another massages, walk on each other, and make hot herbal compresses for treatment of ailments or simply just because. Samantha was intrigued by the effect of a present and nurturing touch.
She also began martial arts
at a young age as she practiced
Karate, Aikido, Kung Fu and as of late started Ba gua.Meditation, Yoga and an appreciation for functional
body mechanics have always sparked her interest.
Shortly after graduating High School
Samantha decided to receive formal training,
because this work was an integral part
of her lifestyle and conscious.
When Samantha is not working and away from
academics she finds pleasure in being with
close family members and friends sharing a
good meal and conversation.
She has a great love for the outdoors,
art, music, poetry and developing her
spiritual practice.
Education:
Samantha brings 10 years of practice to her sessions.
She graduated from Baltimore School of Massage
in 1999 as a Licensed Massage Therapist
and in 2001 as a Certified Asian Bodywork Therapist.
She returned to Baltimore School of Massage in 2003-2005
as a Teaching Assistant in both the Massage and Shiatsu programs. Samantha graduated with her Associates in Health Science in 2010.
Description Of Modalities:
Shiatsu: “finger pressure” aka Acupressure
Involves stimulating acupoints along an
extensive energetic-organ network system
called meridians or channels.
Moderate yet powerful pressure is applied,
combined with facilitated stretches
which allows the free flow
of blood and energy to circulate
with-in the body-mind.
Shiatsu is given fully clothed
and traditionally performed on a mat.
This ensures free movement of joints
and limbs during stretches and
enhances the ability to access the
chi/energy in meridians rather than muscles alone.
Being supported by the earth strongly roots
the practitioner and client and
offers space and stability for stretches
and movements to take place.
Samantha successfully incorporates
Shiatsu on the table, if a mat is
preferred please make her aware
of this prior to the session time.
How is Shiatsu similar
to Acupuncture?
Shiatsu is a hands on bodywork therapy
that does not use needles.
However, Shiatsu follows the same
theory, philosophy and assessments
as Acupuncture, hence the
umbrella term Chinese Medicine.
The first session focuses on gathering as much
information as possible, therefore more time is needed.
Subsequent visit’s help to compose a larger picture
of each individual’s life story and how that affects
one’s state of health and dis-ease.
The following information highlights this approach.
The Building Blocks
of Chinese Medicine:
Health Intake:
This is an important aspect for the practitioner
to understand who you are as a person.
How your past has contributed to
where you are presently. And focuses on future
goals that one may want to reach.
Chinese Medicine takes into account
these intricate patterns and asks specific
questions that help determine
one’s strengths, where excess
is found in the body-mind and
how to build up what may be in
a weakened state. These aspects
combined with the symptoms and demeanor
of a person are all used to assess an
overall “pattern of disharmony”.
From this a treatment plan is devised.
Assessments:
Pulses:
The quality of force in the
radial artery is used to assess the
internal condition of the body.
Tongue:
The color, shape, texture and coating
of the tongue are indicators of
what is occurring internally as well.
Abdominal or Hara Assessment:
Commonly used in Zen Shiatsu,
palpation of the abdomen assesses
areas where there is the most excessive
and deficient amounts of energy around the organs.
Similar to pulse assessment,
this gives the practitioner a frame of reference
in which to use to locate the most prominent
imbalances and ultimately attempt to restore balance.
Additional Techniques
affiliated with Chinese Medicine:
Guasha:
Gua means to rub or friction.
Sha describes congestion of blood at the surface of the body.
A round instrument is applied in repeated strokes
along the muscles that encourage nutritive blood
to rise to the surface of the skin,
creating small red petechiae (red or purple dots).
The color and rate of fading is indicative
of the degree of blood obstruction.
A practitioner uses Gausha as an
overall corrective method for:
- Pain or discomfort
- Upper respiratory & digestive problems
- It cools over heated conditions, warms cold conditions
- Nourishes deficiencies & disperses excess
Cupping:
This is a method similar to Guasha. The difference lies mainly in the instrument. Glass cups are quickly filled with a lit cotton ball of flame, then placed on the body.
This creates a vacuum, which pulls the surface of the skin. The heat from the flame makes this method especially useful for cold conditions. Other cupping sets are used with out fire and for practical reasons are used most often.Cupping is great for alleviating:
- Muscle pain & spasms,
- Expels common cold and flu symptoms
- Flushes out the body of toxins.
Moxa:
Or Moxibustion is Mugwort, an herb that is
dried and packed into a cigar-like tube
or remains in loose form and is burned close
to the skin at specific acupoints.
- Warms meridians and expels cold from the body.
- Cold causes slow movement and
stagnation of blood and energy.
- This method helps to alleviate those symptoms.
Massage:
Is the manipulation of soft tissue and muscles.
A combination of Swedish, Deep tissue, Myofascial Release and Tuina are used.
Although trained in Swedish, Samantha finds Deep Tissue and Myofascial Release
more effective and tailors her massage sessions accordingly.
- Ideal for the removal of lactic acid
and other toxins.
- Promotes the circulation of blood and lymph.
- Focus on assessing one’s posture and structural placement of the body.
- Prominent muscle groups carrying the most
tension, muscle rigidity, bracing, flexibility,
strength and weakness are assessed.
- Specific stretches and breathing exercises are suggested.
- A wide range of crèmes, lotions and oils are applied
Essential Aromatherapy Oils:
Are extracted and distilled from plants.
A variety of herbs, fruits and flowers are
used in this process. Each oil has a medicinal
effect that assist specific ailments to be alleviated.
The true essence of a plant is captured in the oil.
Specific oils are used on acupoints, along the spine aswell as being inhaled by the receiver for
physical and psychological well being.
Reiki:
Translates as universal energy.
This healing practice uses a non-invasive,
“laying of hands” technique that
directs energy from giver to receiver
as it circulates energy where it is needed.
The central charka system and
energetic aura field are the pathways
used for this method. A pendulum as well as
crystals and stones are often used.
There are numerous benefits.
This form of therapy can enable a
person to reach a
relaxed meditative state.
It is often described as
having a subtle, yet deep and
powerful affect on the body-mind. Samantha introduces Reiki during a
Massage &/or Shiatsu session.
Additional Continuing Education in the following areas has been Samantha’s focus:
Myofascial Release: Is a form of massage that does not use oil or crème. The connective tissue or fascia is a continuous sheet that surrounds all of our muscles. To directly access this intricate system traction and twisting strokes can be used. This combined with a subtle and slow superficial technique can last up to 2 minutes each stroke. Because of this continuous connection from muscle to muscle, it is common for the receiver to feel a light yet deep spreading, stretching and release of large muscle groups. Movements are encouraged in order to maximize this release.
Jin Shin Do: “The Compassionate Way of the Spirit” is a form of acupressure that uses a combination of points that are held for a couple of minutes while accessing the body’s master balancing mechanism, specifically accessing the Eight Extraordinary Vessels.
Tuina: “Push-Pull” is a vigorous Chinese massage using a variety of hand movements to increase circulation of chi and blood.
Reflexolgy: Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs depict stories of giving and receiving this form of foot massage. Common to Chinese Medical theory, the foot is a microcosm of our entire bodies. The head including all of its structures and organs begin with the toes. A mirror image of the body is mapped out on our feet. Areas of congestion are focused on. This is combined with regular sessions, if extra focus here is desired sessions can be tailored as such.
Energetic & Holistic Nutrition: Eating for health is a process. Realistic suggestions can be made to help alleviate certain symptoms. Specific foods are discussed to avoid or to be added. An overview of daily food and beverage consumption is examined, along with food cravings.
Chakra Balancing: Is a way of scanning the energy flow and balancing blockages in the central chakra system and aura field. Guided imagery may be used to help assist the receiver. Yoga Poses are suggested to help open related chakra imbalances.
Barefoot Shiatsu: Uses various parts of the foot that increases the amount of pressure normally given. Walking along the spine and hamstrings is a common protocol.
Zen Shiatsu: Is a whole body shiatsu style that focuses on balancing the energy in the entire channel rather than acupoints. Abdominal palpation is used for assessment and treatment.
When your body is not aligned,
The inner power will not come.
When you are not tranquil within,
Your mind will not be well ordered.
Align your body, assist the inner power,
Then it will gradually come on its own.
Nei-Yeh (Inward Training, 4th century BCE), chapter 11
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