A Little About me
My name is Jason Carlton, and I'm a Licensed Massage Therapist through the Virginia board of Nursing. I am also Nationally Certified through the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork.
I grew up Greenville, South Carolina, and graduated from massage therapy school in Columbia in 2010. Since then I've worked in chiropractic offices and massage clinics where I've had the opportunity to help hundreds of clients and patients each year. In 2012, I relocated to Richmond, and in 2017 started Carlton Bodyworks.
The work I do is my own blend of deep tissue, trigger point therapy, myofascial release, and sports massage. While it often has an overall relaxation flow to it, my style is geared mostly toward those seeking relief from pain and discomfort. I especially love working with clients who are interested in taking a holistic, team-oriented approach to their care.
I'm passionate about personal growth and development, and enjoy strength training and running. In my free time, I like staying active outdoors with my wife and our dog, getting together with friends, and playing guitar.
This profession brings together my passions for wellness, service, and making the world a better place. I am grateful for this opportunity.
more about what i do
Deep Tissue Massage is designed to relieve severe tension in the muscle and the connective tissue or fascia. The term "deep tissue” is often misused to identify a massage that is performed with sustained deep pressure. Deep tissue massage is a separate category of massage therapy, used to treat particular musculoskeletal disorders and complaints and employs a dedicated set of techniques and strokes to achieve a measure of relief. It should not be confused with "deep pressure” massage, which is one that is performed with sustained strong, occasionally intense pressure throughout an entire full-body session. Deep tissue massage is applied to both the superficial and deep layers of muscles, fascia, and other structures.
Swedish Massage uses a system of long gliding strokes, kneading, and friction techniques on the more superficial layers of muscles, generally in the direction of blood flow toward the heart, and sometimes combined with active and passive movements of the joints. It is used to promote general relaxation, improve circulation and range of motion, and relieve muscle tension. Swedish massage is the most commonly used form of massage.
Trigger Point Therapy is a bodywork technique that involves the application of pressure to tender muscle tissue in order to relieve pain and dysfunction in other parts of the body. Developed by Dr. Janet Travell in the 1940s, this work came to national attention when she treated President John F. Kennedy for his back pain. Trigger point therapy is said to interrupt the neural signals that cause both the trigger point and the pain. The object is to eliminate pain and to reeducate the muscles into pain-free habits. In this manner, the swelling and stiffness of neuromuscular pain is reduced, range of motion is increased, and flexibility and coordination are improved. The therapy can also relieve tension and improve circulation.
Sport Massage is a special form of massage is typically used before, during, and after athletic events to prepare the athlete for peak performance, to drain away fatigue, to relieve swelling, to reduce muscle tension, to promote flexibility and to prevent injuries. Depending on the needs of the athlete, a variety of techniques are used including classic Swedish and deep tissue strokes, trigger point work, and joint mobilization.
Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils for curative and rejuvenating effects. Dating back to ancient Egypt, India, and the Far East, this simple therapy has been used for centuries to reduce stress and tension, refresh and invigorate the body, soothe emotions, and clear the mind. After an initial discussion with the client, specific essential oils are used in conjunction with massage. Mixed into the massage medium, the essential oil is absorbed through the skin and into the body to affect physiological change. When inhaled the aroma directly affects the limbic area of the brain that is related to emotions and memories.
““I’ve worked with Jason since 2013 and I can’t imagine working with anyone else at this point. He has helped me to alleviate pain from stress and poor posture, and has helped me get back on the rock climbing wall after a shoulder injury. Jason is knowledgeable about his work, attentive to what I need each session, and just an overall good person.””