Techniques and Modalities

Relaxation Massage - Begins with long slow strokes over the body, called effleurage. This induces an immediate sense of well-being & relaxation. It has a sedative action & is particularly beneficial for soothing the nerves. Stress & strain are relieved & tension begins to dissipate. Friction is useful for breaking down the knots & nodules that build up in the tissues & eliminating any waste products that may have accumulated. It is very effective in breaking down adhesions in scar tissue & increasing blood flow to an area. Percussion movements, called tapotement, are used to stimulate the muscles, drawing blood to the surface & improving circulation. This is extremely useful for athletes before an event & is beneficial in loosening congestion in the lungs. Vibrations & shaking techniques are helpful for restoring & maintaining nerve function & the muscles supplied by them, thereby improving their nutrition.

Therapeutic Massage - focuses on several techniques that help to restore hypertonic (or tight) muscles to a pain-free state. Techniques such as trigger point therapy, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretches (PNF's) & mobilizations are effective alone or in combination to restore normal muscle function.

Deep Tissue Massage - focuses on specific areas of concern but with more intensity. Heavier pressure is used to release stubborn muscle tension. Always let your therapist know what pressure is right for you.

  • Trigger Point Therapy - is the application of pressure to a tender or hypertonic spot on the muscle thereby allowing the release of built-up toxins in the muscle fibers. This restores the circulation in the muscle fibers & relaxes the whole muscle.
  • Mobilization - is a process of taking the joint through its range of motion, sometimes with some gentle shaking, to loosen the joint capsule. This allows the synovial (inter-joint) fluid to lubricate the joint space & allow more freedom of movement within the joint itself.
  • Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) Stretches - is a technique whereby the hypertonic or tight muscle is taken into a mild stretch by the therapist. The receiver then resists by performing the action of the indicated muscle. This is done with synchronized breathing & is repeated three times, each time increasing the stretch incrementally to achieve greater mobility.

    These techniques are applied in conjunction with regular massage to give you relief from muscle aches & pains thereby achieving a sense of relaxation.

 

In addition to massage, we incorporate...

CranioSacral Therapy
(as quoted from the Upledger Institute Website)

CST was pioneered and developed by osteopathic physician John E. Upledger following extensive scientific studies from 1975 to 1983 at Michigan State University, where he served as a clinical researcher and Professor of Biomechanics.

CST is a gentle, hands-on method of evaluating and enhancing the functioning of a physiological body system called the craniosacral system - comprised of the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord.

Using a soft touch generally no greater than 5 grams, or about the weight of a nickel, practitioners release restrictions in the craniosacral system to improve the functioning of the central nervous system.

By complementing the body's natural healing processes, CST is increasingly used as a preventive health measure for its ability to bolster resistance to disease, and is effective for a wide range of medical problems associated with pain and dysfunction, including:

  • Migraine Headaches
  • Chronic Neck and Back Pain
  • Motor-Coordination Impairments
  • Colic
  • Autism
  • Central Nervous System Disorders
    • Orthopedic Problems
  • Traumatic Brain and Spinal Cord Injuries
  • Scoliosis
  • Infantile Disorders
  • Learning Disabilities
  • Chronic Fatigue
  • Emotional Difficulties
  • Stress and Tension-Related Problems
  • Fibromyalgia and other Connective-Tissue Disorders
  • Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome (TMJ)
  • Neurovascular or Immune Disorders
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
  • Post-Surgical Dysfunction

SER is a therapeutic process that uses and expands on the principles of CranioSacral Therapy to help rid the mind and body of the residual effects of trauma. SERI offers applications designed to enhance results using CST and other complementary therapies.

  • Assess and mobilize the Avenue of Expression working through more than 10 different body components, including the thoracic inlet, hard palate and hyoglossal tissues.
  • Locate and release Energy Cysts.
  • Release suppressed emotions that may be inhibiting complete structural releases.
  • Refine listening and comprehension skills.
  • Improve palpation and whole-body evaluation skills.

Hanna Kroeger Techniques

The late Hanna Kroeger developed a series of "hands-on healing" techniques that gained her recognition as a healing practitioner in her lifetime. Specific points in the body are stimulated & or mobilized to release the "energy" trapped within. Once the flow of energy is restored, stress & normal function ensues. Hanna's techniques are an important addition to any form of body work or massage. Much pain & tension can be relieved & normal function re-established.

BodyTalk

BodyTalk is a safe, effective and non-invasive form of energy medicine which stimulates the body's innate ability to heal itself. The name, BodyTalk, is derived from the principle that in a healthy body every part in the bodymind is in constant communication with every other part. The common stresses of life tend to break down this communication, causing illness and injury. BodyTalk helps restore the natural balanced communication in the body, which can then go about its business of healing itsllf. BodyTalk can be used as a stand-alone system and can also be seamlessly integrated to support any other healthcare modality.