TECHNIQUES

Here is an all inclusive list of the techniques that we apply throughout our sessions.

EFFLEURAGE

Long, smooth strokes applied with gentle pressure.

Effleurage is a fundamental massage stroke that involves gliding the hands or fingers over the client's skin with a smooth and continuous motion, typically in the direction of the heart, to enhance circulation, promote relaxation, and prepare the muscles for deeper massage techniques.
During effleurage, the therapist uses broad, sweeping motions to spread oil or lotion on the client's skin, allowing for a smooth glide while also stimulating the nerve endings, increasing blood flow, and helping to relax the muscles and nervous system.
therapies. It takes into account the whole person and helps activate each patient’s natural healing processes as well as restoring their physical and emotional well-being.

PETRISSAGE

Kneading, rolling, and squeezing

Petrissage is a massage stroke that involves lifting, squeezing, and kneading the muscles and tissues with a firm pressure, helping to improve circulation, break up adhesions, and promote relaxation. It typically targets larger muscle groups and can be performed using various techniques such as kneading, wringing, and skin rolling.

CROSS FIBER FRICTION

Firm, transverse pressure across the muscle fibers, perpendicular to their natural alignment

When performing cross fiber friction, the therapist uses their fingers, thumbs, or other tools to create controlled friction and pressure on the affected area. This helps break down adhesions, which are areas of fibrous tissue that can restrict movement and cause pain. By applying transverse pressure, the therapist can effectively disrupt and realign collagen fibers, promoting proper healing and reducing the formation of excessive scar tissue.
The mechanical stimulation provided by cross fiber friction also triggers a localized inflammatory response. This response promotes increased blood flow to the area, bringing oxygen, nutrients, and immune cells that aid in the healing process. The controlled friction and pressure can also stimulate the production of fibroblasts, cells responsible for collagen synthesis, contributing to tissue repair and remodeling.

TRIGGER POINT

Focused pressure to specific areas of muscle tension

Trigger point massage is a therapeutic approach where the therapist applies deep and direct pressure to specific areas of muscle knots or tight bands known as trigger points. These trigger points are hypersensitive areas within the muscle that can be a source of pain and can also refer pain to other parts of the body.

During a trigger point massage, the therapist locates these tender points by palpating the muscles and then applies sustained pressure to them. This pressure helps release the tension and tightness within the trigger points, promoting relaxation and alleviating pain.

PNF

Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation

PNF uses contraction and relaxation of muscles through a range of stretches to help increase range of motion and flexibility.

Reciprocal inhibition is a facet of PNF. It is what occurs in the target muscle (TM) when the opposing muscle is contracted voluntarily in the form of decreased neural activity in the TM. It occurs when an opposing muscle is contracted in order to maximize its contraction force, in this case, the TM relaxes. This relaxation of the TM is a result of the decrease in the neural activity, and the increase of inhibition of proprioceptive structures in the TM. Inhibition of the electrical activity in the stretched TM occurs due to the neurons’ continuation of firing in the TM, the contraction of the antagonist muscles would be resisted and diminished by the force of the TM continuing to receive signals to contract. On a spinal level, afferent fibers enter the spinal cord and give off collateral branches that interact with interneurons in the spine, which then send signals to the alpha-motoneuron in the GTOs of the TM. The effect of this connection is inhibitory and causes relaxation of the TM.

The mechanism of PNF referred to above, is the way in which TM and its antagonist muscles work together. When one contracts, the other relaxes and is thus inhibited in order to prevent the muscles from working against one another.

MYOFASCIAL RELEASE

Gentle, constant massage that releases tightness and pain throughout the tissue.

Fascia is a connective tissue that wraps around and supports your muscles, bones, organs, and other structures in your body. It's like a network of thin, flexible sheets that provide structure, protection, and enable different parts of your body to work together smoothly.

Myofascial release is a technique used to address issues with the fascia. It involves applying gentle, sustained pressure on specific areas of the body to release tension and tightness in the fascia. This technique aims to improve mobility, reduce pain, and enhance overall physical function.

Myofascial release works on a neurological level by stimulating sensory receptors in the fascia, triggering relaxation responses in muscles and fascia, promoting the release of endorphins for pain relief, and influencing the autonomic nervous system to induce relaxation and reduce stress.

ART

Active release

Pin & Stretch focuses the force of a stretch to a specific region of the muscle.

The therapist uses their hand (or other body part such as an elbow or forearm) to manually place a “pin” into the belly of the muscle and then moves one of the muscle's attachments away from that pinned point.

During the pin and stretch technique, the pressure applied to the targeted muscle helps release tension and break up adhesions within the muscle fibers. This can lead to increased blood flow, improved tissue mobility, and a reduction in muscle tightness and discomfort.

Simultaneously, the stretching component of pin and stretch helps elongate the adjacent muscles, tendons, or fascia. The controlled stretching promotes lengthening of the tissues, enhances flexibility, and can help improve range of motion.

IASTM

Instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization

Neurologically, IASTM affects the body through several mechanisms. Firstly, it stimulates mechanoreceptors in the skin and underlying tissues, which are sensory receptors sensitive to mechanical pressure and movement. This stimulation sends signals to the brain, promoting the release of endorphins, natural pain-relieving chemicals that can help reduce discomfort.

Secondly, IASTM can help modulate the autonomic nervous system. By applying controlled pressure and sliding the tools over the skin, IASTM can influence the sympathetic and parasympathetic branches of the autonomic nervous system. This can lead to a shift towards parasympathetic dominance, promoting relaxation, reducing stress, and aiding in the body's healing processes.

Furthermore, IASTM can impact neuroplasticity, which refers to the brain's ability to reorganize and form new neural connections. The application of the tools on soft tissues can provide sensory input that activates neural pathways, facilitating the rewiring of the brain and promoting motor control improvements and functional recovery.

CUPPING

An Ancient Science

The suction created by cupping helps to expand the blood vessels and increase circulation to the area. This enhanced blood flow can bring oxygen, nutrients, and immune cells to the tissues, promoting the healing process and reducing inflammation.

Cupping can also have a myofascial release effect. As the cups create suction, they gently lift and stretch the underlying tissues, including the fascia. This can help loosen adhesions, break up scar tissue, and release muscle tension, resulting in improved range of motion and reduced pain.

On a neurological level, cupping can stimulate sensory receptors in the skin and underlying tissues. This stimulation can affect the nervous system, leading to pain reduction and relaxation. It may also trigger the release of endorphins, natural pain-relieving chemicals produced by the body, which can contribute to pain relief and a sense of well-being.