Swedish Massage is the most commonly practiced and recognized form of massage in North America. Swedish massage is easily recognized by it’s fluid effleurages, invigorating percussions, and soothing foulages. For theraputic work a combination of Swedish and Deep Tissue Massage are applied. Deep tissue massage is used to release chronic muscle tension through slower strokes and more direct pressures. Areas of stiffness and tension are identified by determining the quality and texture of the deeper layers of musculature. The techniques involve the use of knuckles, fingertips, palms, fists, and forearms. They are applied to slowly work into the deep layers of muscle tissue.

The client is actively involved through breathing and movements which are coached by the therapist. Massage is used to analyze various tissue qualities then flush them of lactic acid, uric acid, and other metabolic wastes resulting in the release of muscular congestion.

Myofascial release is used to treat restrictions in the body’s contractile connective tissues (muscles) and non-contractile supportive connective tissues (fascia) by the application of traction, pressures and positioning. Fascia is a complex supportive web throughout the body affecting all components of the musculoskeletal, nervous, and visceral (organ) systems. It surrounds groups of muscle fibres and entire muscle groups and organs.

While it is not contractile, it can be passively elastically deformed which can cause it to “hold” tensions from trauma and repetitive movements. It is also involved when a person suffers chronic pain or physical dysfunction. Chronically tense muscles restrict blood flow and fatigue the body. Both fascia and muscle tissues can become shortened if they are improperly or over used. Adhesions in the layers of fascia can cause them to stick together. These adhesions can cause restrictions in range of motion and ease of movement.

Myofascial release techniques are used to coax muscles in spasm to relax, and break adhesions in the fascia. Bodies respond to these therapies by releasing tension that has been stored in the fascia, thus allowing more functional flexibility and mobility of the muscles, fascia, and associated structures.

Trigger points are discrete, focal, hyper-irritable spots located in a taut band of skeletal muscle. They produce pain locally and in a referred pattern and often accompany chronic musculoskeletal disorders. Acute trauma or repetitive micro-trauma may lead to the development of stress on muscle fibers and the formation of trigger points.

Our major goals are to reduce spasm by inducing new blood flow into the affected area. The spasms are partly maintained by nervous system feedback (pain-spasm-pain) cycle and physically reduce blood flow to the trigger point area. Reduced blood flow can result in reduced oxygen supply to the tissues and increase the spasm. A protocol is applied to the trigger point which involves a “micro” pumping and massage action followed by localized stretching. Parts of this protocol can cause discomfort momentarily due to the hypersensitive nature of trigger points but the outcome is greatly relieving.