What I Do As a massage therapist, my focus is on soft body tissues such as muscles, tendons, ligaments and connective tissue known as fascia. My aim is to free up areas of chronic holding and congestion, and facilitate greater function, and freedom of movement. These effects are produced by hooking into the skin and manipulating the underlying tissues locally, which can also create a related effect at a distant site. I also include range of motion movements and stretches for relief from aches and pains and improved flexibility and movement.  I treat musculoskeletal issues, such as strains and injuries. By applying sustained pressure using slow, deep strokes to target the inner layers of muscles and connective tissues. This helps to break up scar tissue that forms following an injury and reduce tension in muscles and tissue to promote faster healing by increasing blood flow and reducing inflammation and trigger points in the skeletal muscle. Trigger points are spots that produce pain when compressed. Trigger points form as a result of trauma to the muscle fibers..  When I manipulate the fascia, which is a thin covering of fibrous stringy tissue that encloses a muscle, my aim is to relieve any tightness, pain and increase range of motion. In most cases, fascia smoothly stretches and rebounds to allow for optimal movement. However, if scar tissue and/or adhesions form, muscles can’t bounce back like they could before. This can lead to tightness and pain. Releasing fascia manually and/or scraping tools help eliminate this and can make for a much lighter and looser feeling and increased range of motion. It may leave a visible mark that looks somewhat like an abrasion or burn, but which goes away without leaving a scar. "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made..." -Psalm 139:13-14