Bodywork

Myofascial Release

Myofascial release is a type of physical therapy often used to treat myofascial pain syndrome. Myofascial pain syndrome is a chronic pain disorder caused by sensitivity and tightness in your myofascial tissues. These tissues surround and support the muscles throughout your body. The pain usually originates from specific points within your myofascial tissues called “trigger points.” Myofascial release focuses on reducing pain by easing the tension and tightness in the trigger points. It’s not always easy to understand what trigger point is responsible for the pain. Localizing pain to a specific trigger point is very difficult. For that reason, myofascial release is often used over a broad area of muscle and tissue rather than at single points.

Neuromuscular

Neuromuscular massage therapy is a form of soft tissue massage that aims to alleviate chronic muscle and nervous system disorders and problems. It is mainly used to fix trigger points, circulation, nerve compression, postural problems and repetitive movement injuries.

Reflexology

Reflexology rests on the ancient Chinese belief in qi (pronounced “chee”), or “vital energy.” According to this belief, qi flows through each person. When a person feels stressed, their body blocks qi. This can cause an imbalance in the body that leads to illness. Reflexology aims to keep qi flowing through the body, keeping it balanced and disease free. In Chinese medicine, different body parts correspond with different pressure points on the body. Reflexologists use maps of these points in the feet, hands, and ears to determine where they should apply pressure. They believe their touch sends energy flowing through a person’s body until it reaches the area in need of healing.

Thai Massage

Thai for the Table is a relatively new phenomenon. Functionally, there is little to no difference in the number of techniques or type of techniques you can perform using table Thai massage versus Thai massage on a floor mat. The majority of technique adaptation comes from shifting the therapist’s body position. For example, in traditional Thai massage, there are a number of movements where the therapist is standing over the client. In Thai for the Table, the therapist moves to the side or head of the client but performs an identical or similar movement that creates the same impact on the client’s body. In teaching Thai for the Table with therapists who are already trained in traditional Thai massage, we find they have these “a-ha” moments where they realize how they can translate movements to the table. Once learned, it’s an easy jump, but table Thai massage requires certain flexibility in thinking that’s difficult to come up with on your own without training. There are, of course, a number of interpretations of Thai massage when it is performed on the table. Approaches vary depending on who is teaching the course. Some therapists get onto the table with the client, using the table almost like a floor mat for a number of techniques; however, this is not necessary. Getting on the table is uncomfortable for the therapist (and sometimes for the client), and poses an unnecessary risk in stability and liability. But mostly, it’s just not needed. Additionally, in the BodySaver modality of Thai for the Table, we have replaced much of the thumb- and palm-pressing techniques with use of the therapist’s forearms, knuckles, fists, knees and feet to be in alignment with our mission of injury prevention. This is a departure from traditional technique, but the benefits remain the same for the client and the therapist gets to further protect their joints from injury.

Trigger Point Therapy

Trigger point myotherapy also known as neuromuscular therapy or sometimes massage therapy consists of alternating levels of concentrated pressure on the areas of muscle spasm. Pressure is applied with the fingers, knuckles, and/or elbow in ten to thirty second intervals to effectively alleviate the muscle spasm.

Active Release Therapy

Active release technique (ART) treats your body’s soft tissue by combining manipulation and movement. The technique’s been around for more than 30 years. ART entails identifying, isolating, and targeting the affected area to break up scar tissue. This promotes blood flow and faster healing of injuries. ART can be used to treat problems with your: muscles ligaments tendons nerves It was first used by Dr. P. Michael Leahy, a chiropractor, to treat soft tissue disorders in elite athletes and has since been used to treat millions of people. A number of healthcare providers are trained in ART, including: chiropractors physical therapists massage therapists physicians These providers use ART to treat back pain, headaches, and other symptoms caused by soft tissue conditions and injuries.

Resist and Release

Resist and Release is based on the premise that discomfort, pain and reduced function are physical symptoms of accumulated tension that result from accidents, weak posture, fear, emotional blockages and daily stress. It focuses on reducing these unnatural patterns of movement and eliminating neuromuscular tension by using gentle, rhythmic rocking motions. These rhythmic movements can create a state of deep relaxation, which therapists say can allow the body and mind to achieve a state of balance and integration.