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Massage Therapy Services and Explanations

Traditional Swedish Massage

"Make up the classical manipulations used by a massage therapist. Through practise and conscious application, mastery of these soft tissue techniques "not only gives the therapist the tools to manipulate the soft tissue, it also facilitates the development and improvement of palpation skills so essential to the massage therapist."(Luwig, Rattray 2000) Swedish massage techniques are complimented by the use of Non-Swedish techniques, remedial exercise and hydrotherapy to achieve physiological and psychological effects to treat client's condition." (Luwig, Rattray 2000)

Swedish massage techniques included, stroking, effleurage, petrissage, vibrations, and tapotment. (Ludwig, Rattray 2000)

Non-Swedish Massage Techniques

Your therapist may combine a variety of Non-Swedish Massage Techniques with Traditional Massage Technique for your treatment plan. These may included diaphragmatic breathing, manual lymphatic drainage, Static Pressure Techniques (including myofascial trigger point techniques, origin and insertion technique, etc.) Other Non-Swedish techniques include cross-fibre frictions, and fascial or connective tissue techniques (eg. Neuromuscular therapy, indirect fascial techniques, myofascial release. Joint mobilization techniques may also be used (e.g., rocking, tractioning, joint play, rhythmic mobilizations etc.) (Ludwig, Rattray 2000)

Myo-Fascial Trigger Point

Defined as local tenderness within a taut band of a muscle. CMTO Techniques Standards What you may refer to as a "knot". Each trigger point may have its own referred pain pattern. (eg. pain pattern, pain or a twitch response that travels elsewhere) Trigger point therapy techniques are used to diminish trigger points. These may include ischemic compression (a sustained pressure on the trigger point), muscle stripping (continuous motion through the muscle until trigger point has diminished. Stretching and heat may be applied following trigger point work to soothe the muscle. Trigger point work may be painful but are performed within the clients pain tolerance level. 

Deep Tissue

So that the technique engages the fascia and results in increased mobility and flexibility of the tissue. CMTO techniques Standards

The tissue is warmed and stretched before and soothed after the treatment. These techniques may be painful but are performed within the clients pain tolerance level. Ongoing communication throughout the treatment is important.

Myofascial Release Techniques

"Fascia is the tissue that gives your body its structural form or shape. Each group of muscle has its own fascia and each muscle in the group has a separate fascial sheath" Jennings, page 1

These involve Indirect and direct techniques. Indirect includes fascial glides where the therapists hands glides over the skin in several different directions. Direct fascial techniques included a variety of sub-techniques where the fascia is taken towards the restriction or 

   adhesion. These direct techniques may include skin rolling, crossed-hands fascial stretch, fascial spreading, cutting technique,          torquing, s-bowing, c-bowing, and j-stroke. These techniques increase flexibility of the fascia. (Ludwig, Rattray 2000)

Acupressure

Acupressure is applied pressure using thumbs or acutool to acupoints. "Acupoints are specific points where the Qi of the organs and meridians flows up to the body's surface. It is at these points that the practitioner can affect the flow of Qi." 

is a natural healing art based on the principal that there are reflexes in the hands and feet, which correspond to every part, gland and organ of the body. 

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