Massage Therapy

Massage is generally considered part of complementary and integrative medicine, and studies indicate it is an effective treatment for reducing stress, pain and muscle tension. Some studies have found massage is also helpful for:

Anxiety
Digestive disorders
Fibromyalgia
Headaches and migraines
Insomnia related to stress
Myofascial pain syndrome
Soft tissue strains or injuiries
Sports injuries
Temporomandibular joint pain
Simple enjoyment and relaxation

Our massage therapists offer a variety of massage treatments and will be happy to recommend the modality best for you. Learn about massage types.

Jennifer Bothast, COTA/L, LMT

803-746-5700

While raising her family, Jennifer earned an associate's degree in Occupational Therapy in 2000, then graduated with honors with a degree in Health Sciences, concentrating in Gerontology, from Florida Gulf Coast University in 2006.

In 2022, Jennifer attained a diploma in Massage Therapy from Alpha School of Massage in Jacksonville, Florida.

Always interested in expanding her understanding of human anatomy and healing modalities, Jennifer has additional training in John Barnes Myofascial Release, Upledger's Craniosacral Therapy, and Reiki.

She aims to help each of her clients to live without pain, have better movement and feel whole and healed.

Summary of massage techniques

Swedish - a "traditional" massage using long strokes, kneading and gliding with light to firm pressure.
Deep tissue - uses more pressure than a Swedish massage, using slow strokes and deep finger pressure to reach the deepest layers of your muscles.
Hot stone - Instead of using just her hands, your massage therapist will also use smooth, heated stones to relax your muscles and improve blood flow. This type of massage helps ease stress and anxiety, treats chronic pain from fibromyalgia or arthritis, may help relieve symptoms of autoimmune diseases, and promotes relaxation and sleep.
Ashiatsu - the massage therapist uses her bare feet to deliver deep, long gliding strokes and stretching that help elongate your spine in order to relieve pain and discomfort. These long strokes also help flush the body's lymphatic system.
CranioSacral Therapy (CST) — is a light-touch approach that releases tensions deep in the body to relieve pain and dysfunction. It has been shown to help people with migraines and headaches, chronic neck and back pain, stress and tension-related disorders, chronic fatigue, learning differences (ADHD, ADD), Alzheimer's, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Scoliosis, Fibromyalgia and many other conditions.
Cupping - Small cups are placed on the skin for a few minutes to create suction and decompress soft tissues during the massage session. The suction draws blood to the affected area and may help chronic pain and musculoskeletal injuries.
Myofascial release (MFR) targets trigger points — stiff areas in the body's fascial tissue which can restrict muscle and joint movement. During the session, the therapist will use gentle pressure and tissue stretch to restore fluid flow and movement throughout the body. It may benefit those who have experienced physical trauma (from falls, car accidents, etc.), inflammation, compressed nerves or repetitive stress injuries.
Neuromuscular Massage Therapy (NMT) - involves the application of firm, controlled pressure over painful trigger points — releasing tension and facilitating blood flow to relieve chronic back pain.
Prenatal massage - used to release tension and anxiety, and alleviate back and leg pain. Offered through the second trimester.
Reiki - a technique using energy force to reduce stress and anxiety and promote healing and balance. Reiki employs a light touch and may help decrease anxiety and pain, and reduce fatigue and depression.
Reflexology - Pressure is applied to specific points in the hands and feet that correspond to different organs and parts of the body. Reflexology has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to induce a healing response and help cleanse the body of toxins, boost the immune system, improve circulation, and relieve stress.
Sinus massage - promotes sinus drainage by applying light pressure to certain regions of the face. Treats congestion from allergies or colds.
Trager® - combines gentle touch and movement that releases and relaxes emotional states as well as body tensions and pain.

These are some of the massage types provided at Dragonfly Wellness. Your massage therapist can recommend the best techniques — or combination of techniques — to address your condition. During your massage session, be sure to let the therapist know if you feel pain or need more or less pressure.

Massage Therapy

Our massage therapists offer a variety of massage treatments and will be happy to recommend the modality best for you. Learn about massage types.

Summary of massage techniques

Swedish - a "traditional" massage using long strokes, kneading and gliding with light to firm pressure.

Deep tissue - uses more pressure than a Swedish massage, using slow strokes and deep finger pressure to reach the deepest layers of your muscles.

Ashiatsu - the massage therapist uses her bare feet to deliver deep, long gliding strokes and stretching that help elongate your spine in order to relieve pain and discomfort. These long strokes also help flush the body's lymphatic system.

Cupping - Small cups are placed on the skin for a few minutes to create suction and decompress soft tissues during the massage session. The suction draws blood to the affected area and may help chronic pain and musculoskeletal injuries.

Neuromuscular Massage Therapy (NMT) - involves the application of firm, controlled pressure over painful trigger points — releasing tension and facilitating blood flow to relieve chronic back pain.

Prenatal massage - used to release tension and anxiety, and alleviate back and leg pain. Offered through the second trimester.

Reiki - a technique using energy force to reduce stress and anxiety and promote healing and balance. Reiki employs a light touch and may help decrease anxiety and pain, and reduce fatigue and depression.

Sinus massage - promotes sinus drainage by applying light pressure to certain regions of the face. Treats congestion from allergies or colds.

Trager® - combines gentle touch and movement that releases and relaxes emotional states as well as body tensions and pain.

These are some of the massage types provided at Dragonfly Wellness. Your massage therapist can recommend the best techniques — or combination of techniques — to address your condition. During your massage session, be sure to let the therapist know if you feel pain or need more or less pressure.