Bodywork

Myofascial Release

This modality is known to be useful for treating skeletal muscle immobility and pain by relaxing contracted muscles, improving blood and lymphatic circulation and stimulating the stretch reflex in muscles. This modality uses the technique of light pressure touch to palpate stiff areas, or trigger points. The trigger points are known to limit muscle and joint movement and can be culprits for wide spread muscle pain. A very slow paced stretching technique is done to the "taught" area of fascia that is found. This modality is so effective for increasing range of motion and freeing up muscles from adhesions.

Sports Massage

A modality that blends several different modalities together for an effective treatment plan for sore, overworked muscles. "Sports Massage integrates Swedish Massage, Neuromuscular Therapy, flexibility guidelines and specific techniques catered toward athletes. This style of Massage can be used on all bodies, not just those that are athletes. It can energize or relax and provide rest to the muscles. Its really a diverse modality."

Cupping Methods

Cupping therapy is a therapeutic technique that utilizes a vacuum force created beneath a small vessel applied onto the skin's surface. This approach focuses on blood and autologous healing substances in a specific area, stimulating metabolic activity, improving immune function, and stabilizing blood biochemistry. I personally like to use "manual pumping" cupping- the cups are compressed by hand or with a mechanical device and are subsequently and swiftly placed onto the skin. The pressure release creates a vacuum, pulling the skin into the cup and creating the desired suction effect. Cupping is known to improve blood flow and circulation, helps with pain management, reduces scar tissue deep within muscles and connective tissues, and decreases swelling and muscle knots. The suction applied during cupping can draw stagnant fluids to the skin's surface, facilitating their elimination and potentially promoting detoxification of stagant toxic blood. I have found this to be effective on myself and because of that I try to educate my clients about its benefits so we can use these tools to help allievate trigger points and manage pain in the body.

Swedish Massage

It is described as "a general flowing technique designed to move blood and lymph and to relieve aching muscles while increasing relaxation and general well-being."

Connective Tissue Therapy

This style "focuses on lengthening the fascial component of chronically shortened muscles allowing the muscles to return to a relaxed state. Chronic postural habits can also be addressed. Clients who receive CTT can enjoy greater range of motion along with increased ease when standing and moving."

Neuromuscular therapy

I found that this modality is very effective in treatment for tight, taught, hardened muscles and fascia. "It is a form of deep tissue massage that stimulates neurological reflexes related to chronic muscle contraction and pain patterns. Pressure is applied to specific trigger points in the bellies of muscles, causing them to relax, reducing pain and increasing body awareness."

Hydrotherapy

This modality aids in Bodywork by assisting me during Massage to either soften (heat) or alleviate/reduce inflammation (ice) on specific parts of the body that might need a little extra help. Hydrotherapy is defined as "the use of water in any of its forms (water, ice, steam) for health promotion or treatment of various diseases with various temperatures, pressure, duration, and site." I love using heating pads for neck relief and back relief during sessions, and I always have hot towels on hand to use on specific aches and pains that might need a little more relaxing during the massage.