Treatment modalities
Swedish massage
Swedish massage is a smooth, constant application of pressure gently manipulating the muscles. This umbrella of techniques can be used with a light pressure or a deep pressure and has quite a few benefits. Swedish massage will help to increase circulation, range of motion, tissue mobility and decrease tension and pain. It can be used for relaxation purposes or therapeutic purposes.
Myofascial Release
Myofascial release is a very gentle technique that affects the fascial layering both superficial and deep. Fascia is a connective tissue that encloses all muscles, ligaments, tendons, bones, joints and organs. When there is a lesion or restriction in the fascia it can cause a lot of problems. A very visual example would be a scar that has caused the skin around it to pucker and pull and is uncomfortable and restrictive. The therapist finds the direction of resistance in the tissues and applies a prolonged stretch in that direction. The heat of the therapists hands combined with the prolonged stretch is what allows the fascia to relax and loosen. Myofascial release restores tissue's equilibrium and proper function and can give relief to pain and restrictions due to fascial tightness.
Trigger Point Therapy
Trigger point therapy is a strong pressure applied to what is often referred to as a "knot". These knots are trigger points, and they can cause local pain as well as referred pain. For example, muscles in the neck can refer into the head causing a tension headache. Some muscles in the head refer to the mouth and mimic a tooth ache. Trigger points in the gluteals can convince people they have sciatica. Trigger points are caused by a neuromuscular reflex causing the muscle to contract whether it's due to stress, a postural problem, over use or compensation. The pressure applied to the trigger point allows the muscle to relax and alleviate the pain.
Muscle Energy Technique
Muscle energy technique is a great way to lengthen short muscles and realign joints that are not moving quite right. Say your hamstrings are shortened and not very flexible; we can use your quads by contracting them to reflexively relax and lengthen your hamstrings. Perhaps a spinal segment or a hip is misaligned and causing pain or discomfort; this is likely due to an imbalance in the musculature surrounding that joint. Using muscle energy is a gentle way of using your own muscles to help realign these joints. The therapist will have you stand or sit in a specific position and engage the muscles necessary to address the problem spot.
Craniosacral Therapy
Craniosacral therapy deals with the movement and alignment of the cranial bones, spine and sacrum as well as the flow of cerebrospinal fluid. When the craniosacral rhythm and flow is off it can cause problems such as temperomandibular (jaw) dysfunction, headaches, sinus problems, insomnia, stress, memory problems, fatigue and many other problems. This technique is very gentle and slow and can alleviate these symptoms as well as enhance the function of the nervous system and the immune system.
Manual Lymphatic Drainage
Manual lymph drainage is a very specific and methodical technique. It's use is to decrease edema in tissues and return lymph to the cardiovasular system so that it may be filtered and eliminated through the kidneys. MLD can be used post injury (like a swollen sprained ankle), post surgery or, when there's edema due to a pathology or condition. There are a few different levels in MLD training starting at basic with a healthy lymphatic system, to more complicated patterns of treatment with lymphatic systems that have been altered (ie: removed lymph nodes). So far I have my basic level and plan to take the next one when the course is available.
Joint mobilization
Joint mobilization is a gentle manipulation of the joints. It's not like when you go see your chiropractor. This technique simply puts a small stretch on the joint capsule that is restricted and tight. It can be as simple as distracting the joint to allow space or moving it in several directions to increase your range of motion. Joint mobilization can decrease pressure, pain and can help restore your range of motion. It can be quite beneficial for people with arthritis, those who are recovering from an injury where the joint has been immobilized for a while or for conditions like frozen shoulder.
Hot Stone
I hope to soon bring hot stone treatment into my practice, but first I need to collect the rocks! I learned this technique in my time spent working at the spa from a coworker who used to teach the hot stone course at WCCMT. The stones are used to massage instead of the hands and provide a deep pressure while the heat melts the tension out of your muscles very quickly.
Visceral Manipulation
Visceral manipulation treats many symptoms caused by decreased motility and mobility of the organs in our body. Motility is the natural movement of the organ. It has a slow even rhythm, and the organs are supposed to mirror each other and move in unison toward the midline, and outwards again. Mobility is the ability of the organs to slide and move around each other as we go about our daily routines. When an organ is particularly stuck, it's function can suffer and we'll often feel discomfort as it doesn't glide around as easily. Manual techniques are used to assess and treat the motility and mobility of the organs by applying pressure in specific areas of the abdomen and around the borders of the lower ribcage. The organs I have learned to work with specifically include the liver (and gallbladder), stomach, small intestines, kidneys, bladder and uterus as well as valves between structures of the digestive system.
Swedish massage is a smooth, constant application of pressure gently manipulating the muscles. This umbrella of techniques can be used with a light pressure or a deep pressure and has quite a few benefits. Swedish massage will help to increase circulation, range of motion, tissue mobility and decrease tension and pain. It can be used for relaxation purposes or therapeutic purposes.
Myofascial Release
Myofascial release is a very gentle technique that affects the fascial layering both superficial and deep. Fascia is a connective tissue that encloses all muscles, ligaments, tendons, bones, joints and organs. When there is a lesion or restriction in the fascia it can cause a lot of problems. A very visual example would be a scar that has caused the skin around it to pucker and pull and is uncomfortable and restrictive. The therapist finds the direction of resistance in the tissues and applies a prolonged stretch in that direction. The heat of the therapists hands combined with the prolonged stretch is what allows the fascia to relax and loosen. Myofascial release restores tissue's equilibrium and proper function and can give relief to pain and restrictions due to fascial tightness.
Trigger Point Therapy
Trigger point therapy is a strong pressure applied to what is often referred to as a "knot". These knots are trigger points, and they can cause local pain as well as referred pain. For example, muscles in the neck can refer into the head causing a tension headache. Some muscles in the head refer to the mouth and mimic a tooth ache. Trigger points in the gluteals can convince people they have sciatica. Trigger points are caused by a neuromuscular reflex causing the muscle to contract whether it's due to stress, a postural problem, over use or compensation. The pressure applied to the trigger point allows the muscle to relax and alleviate the pain.
Muscle Energy Technique
Muscle energy technique is a great way to lengthen short muscles and realign joints that are not moving quite right. Say your hamstrings are shortened and not very flexible; we can use your quads by contracting them to reflexively relax and lengthen your hamstrings. Perhaps a spinal segment or a hip is misaligned and causing pain or discomfort; this is likely due to an imbalance in the musculature surrounding that joint. Using muscle energy is a gentle way of using your own muscles to help realign these joints. The therapist will have you stand or sit in a specific position and engage the muscles necessary to address the problem spot.
Craniosacral Therapy
Craniosacral therapy deals with the movement and alignment of the cranial bones, spine and sacrum as well as the flow of cerebrospinal fluid. When the craniosacral rhythm and flow is off it can cause problems such as temperomandibular (jaw) dysfunction, headaches, sinus problems, insomnia, stress, memory problems, fatigue and many other problems. This technique is very gentle and slow and can alleviate these symptoms as well as enhance the function of the nervous system and the immune system.
Manual Lymphatic Drainage
Manual lymph drainage is a very specific and methodical technique. It's use is to decrease edema in tissues and return lymph to the cardiovasular system so that it may be filtered and eliminated through the kidneys. MLD can be used post injury (like a swollen sprained ankle), post surgery or, when there's edema due to a pathology or condition. There are a few different levels in MLD training starting at basic with a healthy lymphatic system, to more complicated patterns of treatment with lymphatic systems that have been altered (ie: removed lymph nodes). So far I have my basic level and plan to take the next one when the course is available.
Joint mobilization
Joint mobilization is a gentle manipulation of the joints. It's not like when you go see your chiropractor. This technique simply puts a small stretch on the joint capsule that is restricted and tight. It can be as simple as distracting the joint to allow space or moving it in several directions to increase your range of motion. Joint mobilization can decrease pressure, pain and can help restore your range of motion. It can be quite beneficial for people with arthritis, those who are recovering from an injury where the joint has been immobilized for a while or for conditions like frozen shoulder.
Hot Stone
I hope to soon bring hot stone treatment into my practice, but first I need to collect the rocks! I learned this technique in my time spent working at the spa from a coworker who used to teach the hot stone course at WCCMT. The stones are used to massage instead of the hands and provide a deep pressure while the heat melts the tension out of your muscles very quickly.
Visceral Manipulation
Visceral manipulation treats many symptoms caused by decreased motility and mobility of the organs in our body. Motility is the natural movement of the organ. It has a slow even rhythm, and the organs are supposed to mirror each other and move in unison toward the midline, and outwards again. Mobility is the ability of the organs to slide and move around each other as we go about our daily routines. When an organ is particularly stuck, it's function can suffer and we'll often feel discomfort as it doesn't glide around as easily. Manual techniques are used to assess and treat the motility and mobility of the organs by applying pressure in specific areas of the abdomen and around the borders of the lower ribcage. The organs I have learned to work with specifically include the liver (and gallbladder), stomach, small intestines, kidneys, bladder and uterus as well as valves between structures of the digestive system.
