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Regular Massage Therapy descriptions
Swedish Massage
With the use of five basic strokes consisting of long, flowing techniques, the therapist warms up and works the muscle tissue, releasing tension and breaking up muscle "knots" or adhered tissues, called adhesions. The five basic strokes are effleurage (sliding or gliding), petrissage (kneading), tapotement (rhythmic tapping), friction (cross fiber) and vibration/shaking. Generally, the therapist lubricates the skin with massage oil/lotion prior to doing bodywork. Swedish massage is a great way to promote relaxation, and ease muscle tension.
Craniosacral therapy (also called CST)
A craniosacral therapy session involves the therapist placing their hands lightly on the patient, which allows them to "tune into the craniosacral rhythm".
A typical craniosacral therapy session is performed with the client fully clothed, in a supine position, and usually lasts about one hour. Patients often report a sense of deep relaxation during and after the treatment session, and may feel light-headed.
Craniosacral therapists claim that this treatment modality has the ability to treat mental stress, neck and back pain, migraines, TMJ Syndrome, and chronic pain conditions such as fibromyalgia.
Specialized Neuromuscular Therapy descriptions
Neuromuscular Therapy is an umbrella term encompassing a variety of treatment approaches that address the structural integration focused to bring the physical structure of the body into alignment with gravitational forces. Some examples of bodywork disciplines are deep tissue massage, myofascial release, and trigger point therapy.
The dysfunction in the fascial network compromises the efficiency of the body, requiring an increase in energy expenditure to achieve functioning ability. Fatigue and pain often the result. The focus of treatment is to create normalization and redirection of deeper fascial components of muscles and fascial sheaths. In most therapy sessions, a lubricant is not applied to allow the therapist to create a drag quality on the body tissue.
Deep Tissue Massage
This type of massage focuses on the muscles located below the surface of the top muscles. Deep tissue massage is often recommended for individuals who experience consistent pain, are involved in heavy physical activity (such as athletes), and patients who have sustained physical injury.
Myofascial Release
A massage technique for stretching the fascia and releasing bonds between fascia, integument, and muscles with the goal of eliminating pain, increasing range of motion and equilibrioception. Myofascial release usually involves applying shear compression or tension in various directions, or by skin rolling.
Trigger Point Therapy
Trigger points are small areas of hyperirritability within the muscle and fascial tissue that tends to have a characteristic referred pain patterns and the restriction of localized motion. The therapy session involves detecting active, and latent trigger points and releasing tension through variable pressure, mainly dependent on tissue response.
Frozen shoulder, medically referred to as adhesive capsulitis:
A disorder in which the shoulder capsule, and the connective tissue surrounding the glenohumeral joint of the shoulder, becomes inflamed and stiff, greatly restricting motion and causing chronic pain.
Movement of the shoulder is severely restricted. Pain is usually constant, worse at night, and when the weather is colder; and along with the restricted movement can make even small tasks impossible. Certain movements or bumps can cause sudden onset of tremendous pain and cramping that can last several minutes.
This condition, for which an exact cause is unknown, can last from five months to three years or more and is thought in some cases to be caused by injury or trauma to the area.
In addition to difficulty with everyday tasks, people who suffer from adhesive capsulitis usually experience problems sleeping for extended periods due to pain that is worse at night and restricted movement/positions. The condition also can lead to depression, pain, and problems in the neck and back.
Risk factors for frozen shoulder include diabetes, stroke, accidents, lung disease, connective tissue disorders, and heart disease. The condition very rarely appears in people under 40.
Temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMJ syndrome:
An umbrella term covering acute or chronic pain in the Temporomandibular joint, usually caused by an inflammation of the muscles of mastication. The disorder and resultant dysfunction can result in significant pain, which is the most common symptom, combined with impairment of function.
Signs and symptoms associated with TMJ disorders may be:
- Blinking
- Biting or chewing difficulty or discomfort
- Clicking, popping, or grating sound when opening or closing the mouth
- Dull, aching pain in the face
- Earache (particularly in the morning)
- Headache (particularly in the morning)
- Hearing loss
- Migraine (particularly in the morning)
- Jaw pain or tenderness of the jaw
- Reduced ability to open or close the mouth
- Tinnitus
- Dizziness
- Neck and shoulder pain
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