Bodywork and Movement
Myofascial Massage
Myofascial massage eases adhesions and restrictions in the fascia, the weblike membrane that surrounds muscles, viscera, and everything within our internal environment, holding the body together. Because fascia connects and covers all muscles, organs, and skeletal structures of the body, supporting and releasing this highly innervated connective tissue helps eliminate pain, increases range of motion, and rebalances the entire body. For example, sometimes neck pain might originate in tightness in the calves. I begin the session with a longitudinal palpatory fascial assessment and listen with my hands to where your body indicates the strongest fascial pull is first, then, slowly, firmly, and with intention hold the fascial line and allow it to unwind. As we continue to release tension in the web, you will sense your muscles move with more space and more freely as well as a calmness within your whole body.
Due to the profound tissue work we do together, open communication during the session is crucial to make sure you remain comfortable. Soreness is not unusual after the treatment, as the body adapts to the changes we make. Plenty of water should be ingested to aid in tissue hydration, blood volume, and the moving of metabolic waste.
During the Myofascial Bodywork session, I may incorporate any of the following techniques to help your body release sticky adhesions:
Neuromuscular Therapy
Neuromuscular Therapy corrects pain and dysfunction by treating trigger points, muscle adhesions, and fascial patterns that can form due to a specific trauma, postural pattern, or series of repetitive movements. Using treatment protocols to positively change the messaging at the junction between the nervous and muscular systems helps reduce the muscular areas of pain, and awaken and retrain the surrounding muscles affected due to biomechanics and compensation for the primary pain.
Trigger Point Therapy
Trigger points are found in muscle bellies and refer pain to other areas of the body. For instance a trigger point on the hamstring might cause pain in the lower back. By applying sustained, direct pressure to the spots in the muscle for several seconds with either the hands, fingers, or elbows, the referred pain dissolves.
Trager Approach
The Trager Approach involves gentle, calming rocking and bouncing that promotes ease and unwinding in stuck tissue. Trager activates positive neurological changes, improves movement patterns, allowing physical efficiency, coordination, and relaxation.
Deep Tissue Massage
After releasing and unwinding fascial adhesions, I am able to better relieve tension in the deeper layers of tissue in the body. By applying slow, firm pressure, I am able to go as deeply as your body allows, and help ease chronic stress areas in muscles due to misalignment, repetitive motions, and past lingering injuries. Often, the lighter the touch, the deeper the change we are able to effect.
Structural Integration
A continuation of the neuro-myofascial bodywork approach, through structural integration we improve your biomechanical functioning as a whole rather than simply treating particular symptoms of isolated areas. This global approach to manual therapy and sensorimotor education helps improve your posture and movement .
Dynamic Release Therapy
Dynamic Release Therapy is a multifaceted approach to releasing myofascial restrictions in multiple planes. By using the Dynamic Release tools while the client engages multiplanar movements of the muscles, we release tension in fascia and muscles, improve circulation and flexibility, and increase overall range of motion. This is an effective and efficient approach to decrease pain and increase strength and endurance, and it is an excellent mode of recovery from chromic injuries. Many athletes appreciate the faster recovery they experience with the Dynamic Release tools with respect to the daily demands on their bodies. Wear gym shorts and t-shirt during the Dynamic Release Therapy session.
CranioSacral Therapy (CST)
CranioSacral Therapy (CST) is a gentle yet deeply powerful technique that involves light touch to the body, namely the head, spine, and pelvis to optimize the movement of cerebrospinal fluid through the spine and around the skull. This therapy evaluates and addresses imbalances in the craniosacral system, which encompasses the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord. I tune in to your body’s inherent rhythms, listening carefully to the subtle movements and fluctuations within the craniosacral system such that I can identify areas of tension or restriction and facilitate their release. A soothing and relaxing healing experience, CranioSacral Therapy is effective in releasing neck pain, back pain, headaches, and restoring balance to the nervous system. CST supports the body’s self-healing mechanisms and has been shown to help improve the functioning of the digestive, musculoskeletal, respiratory, circulatory, and other systems as well as ease the physical components of Post Traumatic Stress, depression and anxiety. Wear loose comfortable clothing for your session to ensure ease of movement and relaxation.
Lymphatic Drainage
Lymphatic Drainage Therapy, a gentle and rhythmic pumping therapeutic touch to move the lymph through the body in order to enhance the functioning of the immune system, and to relieve swollen areas of the body, reducing pressure and pain. As both a preventative and remedial technique, Lymphatic Drainage can be used for a wide range of purposes including faster recovery from injury, support after surgery, reduction of swelling and discomfort from pregnancy, and strengthened resistance to illness. A sweet, calming massage, Lymphatic Drainage helps one feel refreshed with a clearer mind and restored energy.
Energy Work
When we feel out of sorts and are experiencing emotional or physical distress, our energy centers, or chakras, may be out of balance or disconnected. By holding your chakras in a nurturing, progressive pattern, I help connect each energy center to restore balance and flow to your entire system.
Cancer/Oncology Massage
Several gentle, nurturing techniques support the comfort and health needs of people experiencing cancer. I combine aspects of lymphatic drainage, craniosacral therapy, some myofascial release, and energy work to create a unique session for the special individual on the massage table.
Geriatric Massage
Designed to meet the specific needs of the elderly I use soothing, gentle strokes to help improve blood circulation, relieve pain, and also increase range of motion in our older generation. The massage provides a soothing and calming experience to help reduce stress and anxiety and improve sleep, cognitive function, and boost overall well-being.
Burn Scar Massage
Burn scar massage is specific massage therapy focused on treating painful conditions resulting from severe burns and road rash. Because burn scar massage is designed to treat many layers of injured tissue, it requires extensive training. It involves releasing tight scar tissue, moving lymphatic fluid, and relaxing tension in the rest of the body to improve overall well-being.
Chair Massage
Chair massage is a popular way of relieving stress and releasing tension right in your home or workplace. You receive your massage in a specialized ergonomic chair which I bring to your location. In addition to the usual health benefits of massage, another benefit of chair massage is that it is done over the clothing. With seated massage, you can avoid the discomfort and awkwardness that you may feel in disrobing for a traditional massage. Also, chair massage sessions are usually shorter than traditional massage, making it convenient enough to fit into your busy schedule. MINIMUM 6 SESSIONS PER VISIT
Movement Education
As a NASM Certified Personal Trainer with a focus on Corrective Exercises, I offer movement education to create a custom-tailored approach to improving your body awareness and movement skills. Combining assessment, problem-solving, guided-discovery, and exploratory methods, this practice inevitably leads to a stronger spatial awareness, thus creating a more natural and graceful experience of movement, balance, endurance, and strength.
Raindrop Technique
A combination of aromatherapy, reflexology, massage and moist heat, Raindrop Technique facilitates healing and cleansing through structural and electrical alignment to the body.
Gentle and relaxing, this mild application restores health to the entire system by flushing out toxins and killing dormant viruses and bacteria along the spine. The soothing process of dropping a sequence of nine essential oils like rain, gently along the spine, lightly massaging them in a feathering motion, then applying a hot compress facilitates the absorption of the oils.
Clinically tested to have antimicrobal and anti-inflammatory properties, these oils allow calming deep muscle relaxation, balance, harmony, and body wellness. The entire process takes about 75 minutes to complete, and the oils will continue working in the body for 5-7 days. Raindrop Technique is a powerful therapy that helps bring relief to chronic pain sufferers.
The massage technique stimulates spinal nerves and reflexes, opening them, allowing the absorption of the therapeutic qualities of the following Young Living essential oils:
- Valor, the most important oil in the Raindrop Technique, it is a blend that works on electrical and energy alignment of the body and can help align the spine and muscles of the back.
- Oregano, an aggressive antiseptic essential oil, helps stimulate the immune system, balance metabolism and strengthen the vital centers of the body.
- Thyme is one of the most antiseptic essential oils, which can easily penetrate the body and may help kill any bacteria that may be present. Consequently, this essential oil may be beneficial in helping to overcome fatigue and exhaustion, fortifying energy during times of stress and physical weakness.
- Basil can be relaxing to muscles, including smooth muscles (such as the heart and those of the digestive system). Basil is beneficial for mental fatigue.
- Wintergreen is beneficial for massage associated with bone, muscle, and joint discomfort, and it elevates and increases awareness in the sensory system.
- Cypress supports the circulatory system
- Marjoram is antiseptic and helps calm the respiratory and nervous systems, and it assists in relieving spasms and relaxing stressed muscles.
- Peppermint soothes the respiratory and digestive systems, and it directly affects the brain's satiety center, which triggers a sense of fullness after meals. Additionally, peppermint improves mental accuracy and concentration.
- Aroma Siez, a blend that may help relax, calm and relieve tight, sore, tired, cramping and aching muscles resulting from sports injuries, fatigue and stress an aggressive antiseptic essential oil, helps stimulate the immune system, balance metabolism and strengthen the vital centers of the body.