Treatments
Swedish Massage
Gentle technique of long strokes, friction, tapping, percussion, vibration and kneading movements are used to release muscle tensions, remove the pain and improve blood circulation, all the while promoting relaxation.
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Petrissage: Kneading movements with the hands, thumbs and/or fingertips
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Effleurage: Gliding strokes with the palms, thumbs and/or fingertips.
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Friction: Circular pressures with the palms of hands, thumbs and/or fingertips.
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Vibration: Oscillatory movements that shake or vibrate the body.
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Percussion: Brisk hacking or tapping.
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Passive and Active Movements: Bending and stretching.
Deep Tissue Massage/Remedial Massage
Using a combination of different techniques from trigger point therapy, cross-fibre frictioning, and slow muscle stripping to help alleviate muscle pain and discomfort from new or old musculoskeletal injuiries (sprains, strains, tendinitis, posture dysfunction, and variety of conditions - Multiple Sclerosis, Post-Stroke, Parkinson's, Whiplash, etc.)
Myofascial Release
A very effective hands-on technique that works to 'release' and rebalance our muscle and connective tissue.
Fascia is the soft tissue component of the connective tissue that provides support and protection for most structures within the human body, including muscle. In its healthy state, it should provide support for internal structures and appropriate amount of movement. This soft tissue can become restricted due to overuse, trauma, infectious agents, or inactivity, often resulting in pain, muscle tension, and corresponding diminished blood flow.
The direct myofascial release (or deep tissue work) method works on the restricted fascia. The therapist use knuckles, elbows, or other tools to slowly stretch the restricted fascia. Direct myofascial release tries to change the myofascial structures by stretching (elongation of fascia)or mobilizing adhesive tissue. The practitioner moves slowly through the layers of the fascia until the deep tissues are reached.
The gentle traction applied to the restricted fascia will result in heat and increased blood flow in the area. This allows the body's inherent ability for self correction to return, thus eliminating pain and restoring the optimum performance of the body.
Cupping Therapy
Used extensively in Chinese medicine for thousands of years, plastic cups are used with a pump to create suction and negative pressure. Massage cupping is used to drain excess fluids and toxins; stimulate the peripheral nervous system; bring blood flow to stagnant muscles and skin; and loosen adhesions, connective tissue and stubborn knots in soft tissue.
There are two main cupping techniques: stationary and moving. Stationary cups are placed on the skin and left for a period of 5-15 minutes in one location. Moving (or "massage cupping") is the more commonly used form of cupping among massage therapists, where the cup is moved along the area of restriction to lengthen and increase circulation in the tissue.
Where there is dead, static blood, lymph, cellular debris, pathogenic factors, and toxins present in the body, Cupping can leave marks which indicates that the stagnation or disease has been moved from the deeper tissue layers to the surface.
The color and pattern of the marks depend on the level of stagnation in the area, and range from a bright red to dark purple, usually lasting 3 days to a week - sometimes longer if the person is very sick or sedentary. If there is no stagnation present, there will be only a pink marking which disappears in a few minutes to a couple of hours.
Gua Sha Therapy
Gua Sha therapy is traditionally a modality used by practitioners of Chinese medicine. With a Gua Sha scraping tool that can vary in different shapes and sizes, it is used to clear blockages of ‘chi’ in specific energy pathways of the body. Gua Sha has become more mainstream in the past few years due to its benefits of increasing the youthfulness of the skin on the face, but it can be used for so much more!
Gua Sha therapy is especially effective at treating fascial adhesions which include conditions such as TMJ disorder, Dupuytren's contracture, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, IT Band Syndrome, and Plantar Fasciitis, as well as common ailments such as Frozen Shoulder, headaches, and low back pain. It can also be helpful in treating certain types of inflammatory conditions, where fluid is getting stuck in the particular area of the body.
Since the area will more than likely have noticeable raised small, red, rash-like dots that show under your skin called petechiae (also known as "petechiae"), it is advisable to cover your body from any drafts after treatment, as well as to avoid the consumption of alcohol.
Usui Reiki - Rei (life) Ki (energy)
Usui Reiki is a method of natural healing that was developed and used to treatment patients by Dr. Usui, who started a clinic in Tokyo in 1921.
How Reiki is applied: the hands of the Reiki practitioner is held on top or above the body of the client. There is no pressure being applied to the body to cause any pain or discomfort. This provides a transfer of universal energy that sometimes feels like heat applied to the area being worked on. This source of energy provides a very calming sensation, that helps to relax your body and mind along with strengthening our spiritual well being. The Reiki practitioner will be guided by you and intuition to apply energy to different areas of the body from the head to feet. Reiki can be applied to any living being or animal. Sessions lasts up to one hour or longer.
– Release of anxiety, stress, headaches, migraines, fears, anger, and creative blocks
– Helps to relax muscle tension and stress
– Strengthens self esteem, self worth, and self confidence.
– Helps to lesson learning disabilities and behavioural problems
Reiki is being used for people in hospitals, clinics, and in emergency situations to promote the healing processes. When a patient is terminally ill, Reiki is wonderful for decreasing the pain and releasing the tension. Reiki promotes the healing process.
RAPID NeuroFascial Reset - Upper, Lower Body, and 4
RAPID NeuroFascial Reset, is a new soft tissue, movement based therapeutic technique that addresses the central nervous systems role in alleviating tension and restrictions within muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia and nerves.
Some of conditions that can be resolved with a few treatments of RAPID-NFR include:
headaches /migraines
back pain
carpal tunnel syndrome
shin splints
shoulder pain
sciatica
plantar fasciitis
knee problems
tennis/ golfers elbow
whiplash
TMJ
frozen shoulder
bursitis
bunions and arthritic joints
What is a treatment like?
Every session is actually a combination of examination and treatment. The RAPID provider uses his or her hands to evaluate the texture, tightness and movement of muscles, fascia, tendons, ligaments and nerves. Hypersensitive areas are treated by combining precisely directed tension with very specific patient movements.
RAPID sessions may be uncomfortable during the movement phase of the treatment. This occurs as the neurological system is being stimulated to restore normal function.
Hot Stone Massage
Hot Stone Massage is a deeply relaxing, gentle massage involving heated stones. These stones are heated to anywhere between 110-130°F (43-54°C) and are used in the therapists hands to massage with, as well as placed statically on areas of tension while the therapist massages other areas of the body. This type of massage is known to melt away tension, stress, and leave you feeling relaxed and warm. This treatment is an addition to a therapeutic treatment to address areas of concern. *Heat can be a contraindication for a lot of people so please make sure you can tolerate heat well or don't have any underlying conditions *