Myofascial release is a form of soft tissue therapy intended to eliminate pain, increase range of motion, and rebalance the entire body. It does this by using massage techniques to stretch the fascia and release the bonds that exist between the fascia, muscles and bones. Fascia is the connective tissue that connects and covers all muscles, organs, and skeletal structures of the body. It plays a role in protecting and supporting our body. Direct myofascial release is sometimes known as deep tissue work. Indirect release applies light pressure and gently stretches the fascia; this allows for increased blood circulation and relief from pain.
Fascia develops restrictions and knots in it, but does not respond to stretches, muscle relaxers, and other modalities that are good for treating muscle injuries. With chronic bad posture, fascia reorients itself to help support your body in the bad posture, so if you try to re-develop the normal posture, the new fascial orientation will make what should be normal, natural posture seem not normal and uncomfortable.
In restoring normal fascial positioning, it goes through an unwinding process that requires pressure on the restricted fascia or a light sustained stretch. As the fascia unwinds it will cause the practitioners hands to move in many different directions or it may be necessary to allow the extremities to move to help facilitate the unwinding process.
If you are dealing with an injury or pain that hasn't responded to your current treatments, stretches, or physical therapy, then the fascia is probably needing to be addressed. I have had many clients come in and say they have tried everything and nothing has worked, and when I do a myofascial release session on them, they get relief in the first session.
This technique addresses the not so familiar craniosacral system. It is composed of the meningeal membranes that surround the spinal cord, the cranial bones, sacrum, and other bones that connect to the dural membrane, and the cerebrospinal fluid and all structures that help with the movement of the cerebrospinal fluid.
Proper movement of cerebrospinal fluid is necessary for maintaining proper health and funtioning of our body. Traumatic falls on our butt, car accidents, traumatic brain injuries, and other things can impede the proper movement of our cranial bones, and sacrum and impede the normal flow of craniosacral fluid.
Craniosacral Release utilizes very light stretches and pressures to reastablish proper sacral and cranial bone movement, and stretch the dural membrane that is connected to the inner surface of the cranial bones, parts of the vertebral column, and the sacrum.
The feet are the foundation of the body, if the feet are in bad shape the rest of the body will be affected eventually.
This technique focuses mostly on treating the feet or the hands, but I only do foot reflexology. There are specific points on the feet that connect to and affect the health and function of specific parts and organs of the body. When tension and crystaline nodules develop on these points, it can interrupt the neurological signals and flow of energy to those body parts and organs and negatively affect the function and health of that body part or organ.
The massage techniques in reflexology are designed to relieve tension and break up the crystaline nodules, which are located on the bottom, top, and sides of the feet, in the toes, around the ankles, and on either side of the achilles tendons.
If you like your feet massaged foot reflexology is the ultimate foot massage, getting almost every aspect of the feet, including deep areas.
If you have areas in your back or other locations that are very sensative to touch and can't be addressed with direct massage wor or other treatments, foot reflexology has be used to help reduce the tenderness to be able to address the areas directly.
Swedish Massage is a very relaxing and therapeutic style of bodywork. It combines oils or lotion with an array of strokes such as rolling, kneading, and percussion to help the body improve its circulation. The benefits of this type of bodywork are wide-ranging and include relief from aches and pains, decreased stress levels in the body, enhanced mental clarity, improved appearance, and greater flexibility. A recent study has shown the massage mimics the effects of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatories such as Bayer, which is commonly used for conditions such as arthritis that produces great pain.
Deep Tissue Massage is a form of bodywork that aims to relieve tension in the deeper layers of tissue in the body. Deep Tissue Massage is a highly effective method for releasing chronic stress areas due to misalignment, repetitive motions, and past lingering injuries. Due to the nature of the deep tissue work, open communication during the session is crucial to make sure you don't get too uncomfortable. Keep in mind that soreness is pretty common after the treatment, and that plenty of water should be ingested to aid with the flushing and removal of toxins that will have been released from the deep tissue during the session.
Neuromuscular therapy is a system of massage techniques that were developed in the 1930's by Dr. Stanley Lief in England. It uses a holistic approach towards healing, emphasizing and stimulating the body's natural ability to heal itself. Neuromuscular therapy also enhances the function of joints and muscles, and accelerates the overall healing process by facilitating the release of endorphins. Techniques such as Muscle Engergy Technique, and Trigger Point Therapy are used widely in athletic and active individuals such as long distance runners because of the development of muscle knots and trigger points that can develop from the overuse of muscles.