Registered Massage Therapy Techniques

General Swedish Massage: Consists of a variety of techniques that are meant to improve circulation and overall tissue health. Your therapist will achieve this by utilizing kneading, gliding and static techniques on your muscles. Swedish massage is effective at maintaining healthy muscle balance, treating trigger points, and reducing general aches and pain.

Trigger Point Therapy: A ‘trigger point’ is a knot or tight band in a muscle that causes discomfort in a particular area or may refer pain to other parts of the body. For example, a trigger point between the shoulder blades can refer pain up into the head causing a headache. These trigger points occur when muscle fibers get stuck in contraction. Your therapist will apply direct pressure to the specific muscle, encouraging the area to reflexively relax. This reflexive muscle relaxation reduces tension, decreasing pain and discomfort and also restores healthy tissue function.

Myofascial Techniques: Fascia is the name for the tissue in our body that completely surrounds each of our muscles, keeping them separated and allowing each to move independently. Fascial tissue is extremely strong; some fascia has the strength of up to 2,000 lbs. per square inch! There are two main ways your therapist will address fascial adhesions. Indirect techniques apply a gentle stretch on the fascia and should be held for several minutes or until a release in the tissue is felt. Direct techniques apply force through a fascial adhesion and create desired stress on the tissue to break up and correct any tissue imbalances. The ultimate goal is to restore mobility and decrease pain in the affected area.

Hot Stone Massage: This type of massage treatment is excellent for general relaxation due to the soothing heat of the stones. The Basalt stones can be placed directly over muscle areas of chronic tension, or your therapist may use them in conjunction with Swedish Massage techniques. Benefits of this treatment include an increase in circulation of blood and lymphatic flow as well a calming affect on the central nervous system.

Home Care Exercises: (Post Massage) Home care exercises are vital to maintain and improve upon any changes achieved during a treatment. Your therapist will empower you with practical suggestions regarding how you may use stretching and strengthening movements to improve muscle balance throughout your body. Stretching is vital in the prevention and return of trigger points and other muscular imbalance. In most cases, a few simple exercises performed consistently will decrease your overall healing time!

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Craniosacral Therapy
Massage Techniques