Massage therapy is “a profession in which the practitioner applies manual techniques, and may apply adjunctive therapies, with the intention of positively affecting the health and well-being of the client." (AMTA)
Therapeutic massage involves the manipulation of the soft tissue structures of the body to prevent and alleviate pain, discomfort, muscle spasm, and stress; and to promote health and wellness. AMTA defines Massage as, "a manual soft tissue manipulation that includes holding, causing movement, and/or applying pressure to the body."
Massage therapy improves functioning of the circulatory, lymphatic, muscular, skeletal, and nervous systems and may improve the rate at which the body recovers from injury and illness. Massage involves holding, causing movement of soft tissue, and/or applying pressure to the body.
Structural Integration Therapy
Structural Integration is a method of bodywork that applies deep tissue massage, myofascial techniques, and therapeutic stretches to facilitate and reeducate nerve response and connective tissue holding patterns. This modality is particularly beneficial with old injuries and acute pain syndromes. Structural Integration often has long term, positive results where conventional techniques may have fallen short.
Myofasical Therapy
Myofascial Therapy 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 specific techniques to safely stretch the fascia and release the bonds and restrictions that exist between the fascia (its fibers), muscles and bones. Fascia is the connective tissue that connects and envelopes all muscles, organs, and skeletal structures of the body. Direct Myofascial Therapy is sometimes known as deep tissue work. Directed release applies light pressure and gently stretches the fascia; this allows for increased blood circulation and relief from pain.
Cupping - Guasha
When injuries occur deep in the muscle or connective tissue, bleeding and edema often occurs causing deep bruises. There will also be inflammation in the area involving the coagulation of sticky proteins. The combining presence of these elements usually results in stagnation of circulation to the area, resulting in pain, dysfunction, and chronic conditions. Cupping allows free circulation to be restored to the affected areas, thus creating space for oxygen, living cells and nutrients for faster recovery.
Hot Hydrotherapy
Hot Hydrotherapy increases blood circulation, including circulation of the immune system’s white blood cells. Hot Hydrotherapy also increases the body’s production of endogenous opioid peptides, particularly endorphins. Enhanced circulation and increased endorphins strengthen the immune system, reduce inflammation, heal injured tissue, improve well-being and energize the body. Hot Hydrotherapy also supplies fresh nutrients and oxygen to injured tissue and helps with the removal of waste products. The application of moist heat can accelerate healing by improving blood vessel integrity and muscle tone. Heat causes peripheral (surface) blood vessels to dilate or expand.
Benefits of Hydrotherapy Hot The benefits of hot hydrotherapy include: Dramatically increasing the elimination of waste, thus assisting detoxification. Loosening tense, tight muscles and encouraging relaxation. Increasing the metabolic rate and digestion activity. Hydrating the cells, thus improving skin and muscle tone. Boosts the immune system, allowing it to function more efficiently. Improves the function of the internal organs by stimulating their blood supply.
Benefits of Hydrotherapy Ice Ice application slows the inflammation and swelling that occurs after injury. Most muscle pain is accompanied by some type of inflammation, and addressing the inflammation helps reduce the pain. Ice numbs sore tissues (providing pain relief similar to a local anesthetic). Ice application slows the nerve impulses in the area, which interrupts the pain-spasm reaction between the nerves. Icing decreases tissue damage. (Ice Therapy Would Be Done At Home, Not In Office) Inflammation It is important to recognize the signs of inflammation: Redness, heat, swelling, and pain. Redness is caused by the dilation of small blood vessels in the area of injury. Heat results from increased blood flow through the area and is experienced only in peripheral parts of the body such as the skin. Fever is brought about by chemical mediators of inflammation and contributes to the rise in temperature at the injury site. Swelling, called edema, is primarily caused by the accumulation of fluid. All this fluid signals our trusty pain receptors to fire resulting in pain.
Percussion/vibration Therapy
Vibration machines work on the principles of frequency and amplitude, which may be adjusted to suit your specific needs. In Vibration Therapy, as the machine generates vibrations, they are transmitted to your body. The direction and intensity of the vibrations is what makes them effective. Some machines produce only side to side vibrations, whereas others produce vibrations up and down, front and back, and sideways. Up and down vibrations are believed to be most effective for producing rapid muscle contractions. Localized vibration therapy has a stimulating effect on small groups of muscles which helps in reducing pain and increasing circulation.
