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Definitions

Muscle Energy Technique

Is a gentle osteopathic technique that restores aberrant joint biomechanics by resetting muscle tone around the joint. Joint restrictions are assessed through its entire motion and are corrected as encountered. Once the therapist locates the restriction in the affected joint, the patient minimally contracts the involved muscle, which in turn will reset its normal resting tone. If the muscle tone around the joint normalized (with the exception of an existing joint/muscle pathology), the joint can then move freely throughout its range of motion.

Strain Counter Strain

Is a gentle positioning technique that alleviates muscle tension and joint pain. Achieved by positioning the affected joint(s) into its position of greatest comfort. Relief of pain is accomplished by the relaxation of the surrounding musculature and normalized joint function.

Myofascial Release

Connecting with the deep fascial planes of the body, this work is effective in freeing soft tissue restrictions often resulting from trauma or poor posture. The work is quite intense and can access the superficial and deep layers of the body to enable changes in posture, movement and physiology (breathing). Fascia is also known as connective tissue, and acts as the body’s scaffolding system because it holds everything in place including organs, intestines, blood vessels and muscles.

Neural Tissue Tension Release

Is an effective gentle therapy that decreases tension on nerves. When the nerves are tractioned, they can cause pain/numbness along the course of the nerve (pins and needles sensation). This hands-on therapy gently decreases tension in the connective tissue surrounding the nerve and therefore, decreasing the stretch on the nerve involved without risking nerve integrity.

Craniosacral Therapy

Subtle but powerful therapy that normalizes the relationship between the bone movements of the cranium, spine and sacrum relative to the dural membrane (which covers the brain and spinal cord) and cerebral spinal fluid. Craniosacral Therapy can be effective in treating headaches, jaw pain, trauma to the head and spine. Hands-on contact with Craniosacral Therapy is very light; approximately the weight of a nickel.

Trigger Point Therapy

Is the release of taut painful bands of muscle (muscle knots) that accumulate from overuse, poor posture, trauma and stress. Trigger points often refer characteristic pain patterns locally and distant from the involved point. Once treated, the involved tissue and joint usually results in greater range of motion and decreased soft tissue pain.

Visceral Mobilization

A healthy organ or viscera has physiologic motion, which can be evaluated by a skilled practitioner. All viscera should function properly without any restrictions (a restriction may present itself with symptoms of unresolved lower back pain, reflux or spasm). Any restriction or adhesion to one another implies a functional impairment of the organ. This can be the result of an injury such as a whiplash injury.

Visceral mobilization is a gentle hands-on therapy, which involves assessment and treatment of impaired viscera to restore proper motion and ultimately proper function.

Swedish Massage Technique

Is rhythmical compression and releasing of the soft tissue (skin and muscles) to evoke a desired therapeutic effect. Typical Swedish massage strokes include effleurage (soothing introduction strokes), petrissage (deeper tissue/ wringing/ rhythmic mobilizations), and tapotement (percussive strokes). Swedish massage can be both therapeutic and relaxing. A number of conditions can be successfully treated such as:

-Headaches, migraines, insomnia
-Neck and back pain and stiffness
-Sciatica
-Strains, sprains, muscle spasm
-Arthritic pain
-Stress
-Sports injuries, trauma/swelling
-Pregnancy discomforts
-Constipation
-Joint pain including temporal mandibular joint pain
-Whiplash
-Carpal tunnel syndrome, repetitive strain injury
-Respiratory conditions
-Improving body awareness
-Relaxation

Indian Head Massage

The Art of Indian Head Massage originated from Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of medicine. Ayurveda is a Sanskrit word that is translated as the “science of life” or “knowledge of life”. The Ayurvedic approach to health is to address balance of body, mind and spirit.

Barbers in India incorporate massage into their treatment and perform champi, the Western word for shampoo, meaning to “have your head massaged”.

The Indian Head Massage is a seated massage which requires no oil (optional) and performed through clothing. The optional scalp treatment with oil can help improve skin condition especially “flakiness” and give hair a healthy, lustrous shine.

This is a detailed scalp treatment to address the muscle attachments that perform jaw clenching and facial expressions. Indian Head Massage can help decrease eyestrain, tension headaches, ear aches, jaw tension, promote hair growth, improve circulation to the brain, concentration and natural release of “feel good chemicals”.

Manual Lymph Drainage

Manual Lymphatic Drainage massage focuses on improving the circulation of the lymphatic system (waste removal from the body). Stimulation of lymph flow is accomplished by lightly massaging the primary areas of swelling and congestion that encourage lymph fluid drainage and ensure the body’s cells receive adequate levels of oxygen.

Lymphatic drainage techniques reduce swelling and pain in the affected area and reduce the build-up of excess fibrin which leads to scar tissue formation.

Lymph drainage is an effective, painless treatment, which gives new basis to tissue health and healing.

Spiraldynamik

Is a hands-on therapy developed in Switzerland and based on the body’s ideal 3-dimensional and coordinated patterns of movement to improve flexibility and dynamic stability. Spiraldynamik uses manual therapy to gently mobilize the joints in figure-8 movements and repetitive action/relaxation of the muscles. This stretch massage loosens up restrictions within the joints allowing freer movement and pain reduction.