Good for the body is the work of the body.  Good for the soul is the work of the soul. 

Good for either is the work of the other.

  -- Henry David Thoreau -- 

A weekly massage for the same person, yet every week it's a different session.  Every day our bodies adapt and change to meet the needs of our external and internal environments.  The best massage sessions will employ a wide variety of techniques to meet those changes; some methods may remain fairly constant, others will be utilized as specific needs present themselves.  Below are some of the techniques / therapies / modalities that may be incorporated into your session:

Active Engagement:   This technique, which has numerous variations, involves easy client participation.  It's a very effective way to engage and release the muscles and fascia (myofascial tissues) by therapist-applied pressure either during a patient controlled concentric (shortening) or eccentric (lengthening) contraction. 

Acupressure:   Acupressure uses finger pressure on acupuncture points instead of needles.  These points are along channels, known as meridians.  When a point is sensitive to pressure, it is especially in need of balance and release.  This release allows energy, known as "qi" ("chee"), to flow more freely through the meridians (lines of energy), promoting relaxation, healing and the restoration of proper function.

AromaTouch:  doTERRA's AromaTouch Massage Technique, developed by Dr. David K. Hill, D.C.,  involves the application of eight specific essential oils and blends along the spine, feet and hands.  Benefits include immune support, decreased pain and inflammation and an overall sense of well-being. It is a gentle technique and can be adapted to accommodate young or sensitive skin so that anyone can benefit without the worry of overwhelming the body.

Brain Gym:   Developed by educator and reading specialist Paul E. Dennison and his wife and colleague, Gail E. Dennison, Brain Gym® activities involve movements done during the first years of life when we  learn to coordinate the eyes, ears, hands, and whole body.  Even though it is not clear yet why these movements work so well, they often bring about improvements in concentration and focus, memory, attitude, and physical coordination.

Breath Work:   Breath work as a general term is used to describe any type of therapy that utilizes breathing exercises to improve mental, physical, and spiritual health. In addition to breathing exercises specifically designed to improve the efficiency of the respiratory system, renewmassage incorporates body work to improve the tone and function of the muscles and structures involved in breathing. These exercises and the body work involved are based on methods outlined in the course "Recognizing and Treating Breathing Disorders" by Leon Chaitow, Dinah Bradley, and Christopher Gilbert.

Chair Massage:   Chair massage is a style of seated massage that is typically short -- 10 or 15 minutes -- and focuses on the back, shoulders and neck and arms. Chair massage is done over clothes using Swedish massage moves like kneading and compression and tapotement which don't require oil.

Cryotherapy:   Cold therapy is also known as cryotherapy. Cold packs (stationary application) and ice massage (moving over the tissue with a cold pack or ice) are the primary applications.  It works by reducing blood flow to a particular area, which can significantly reduce inflammation and swelling that causes pain, especially around a joint or a tendon. It can temporarily reduce nerve activity, which can also relieve pain. 

Deep Tissue:   Deep tissue massage involves manipulation of the deep layers of tissue in the body, including the fascia and other supportive tissue that make up the muscles and joints. Deep tissue massage is usually slower and firmer than other popular massage techniques, such as Swedish massage or acupressure. Most deep tissue massages normally focus on major muscle groups — such as the neck or lower back — along with joints and tendons that are susceptible to straining or injuries. 

Epley Maneuver:   The Epley maneuver is a type of exercise help that helps to treat the symptoms of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). This exercise can also be done at home.  BPPV is caused the misplacement of calcium crystals (canaliths) which move out of position within the inner ear (from the utricle and into the semicircular canals).  This misplacement can cause the semicircular canals to send incorrect signals to the brain about body position. This can make you feel like the world is spinning, known as vertigo. Dr. John Epley designed a series of movements to dislodge the crystals from the semicircular canals and bring them back to the utricle, where they belong.  Because there are various causes for vertigo, it is important that you see a physician and receive a diagnosis for BPPV.  This technique will not help other types of vertigo.

Essentials Oils:   Essential oils are the naturally occurring, volatile aromatic compounds are found in the seeds, bark, stems, roots, flowers, and other parts of plants.  These small organic compounds are called volatile because they change state (from sold or liquid to gas) quickly at room temperature. The type of compounds present in an essential oil determines both the oil’s aroma and the benefits it offers. 

FIM (Far Infra-red Mineral) Heat:   These lamps (TDP lamps) contain a mineral plate which becomes ionized when heated. In their ionic state, the minerals can penetrate up to 3 ½ inches below the surface of the skin and into the muscles to help stimulate the healing and metabolic processes of your body.  The lamp is placed 12 to 16 inches above the area being treated and provides a warm sensation that is soothing and relaxing. 

Geothermal Therapy: Geothermal therapy incorporates hot and cold stones into massage therapy, and provides benefits for the client who has multiple muscle pain issues. Geo, meaning earth/stone (geology), and thermal, meaning temperature (thermometer), defines geothermal therapy as treatment with stones and temperatures. Although hot stone therapy is one of the most popular types of massage given in spas or private practice sessions, cold stones are being used more frequently as their benefits are studied and reported.

Healing Touch:   Founded by registered nurse Janet Mentgen in 1989, Healing Touch (HT) is an energy therapy which uses only very light or near-body touch to influence the energy field that penetrates and surrounds the body (similar to Qigong, Jin Shin Jyutsu, and Reiki). Because HT therapy requires only a receptive participant and a practitioner, it can be used for nearly any indication or ailment. Many hospitals are incorporating HT to calm and prepare patients for surgery, chemotherapy, and other anxiety-provoking procedures, with studies suggesting it also provides decreased wound healing time and shortened hospital stays. It is especially useful for patients who are in pain but unable to tolerate traditional massage or touch, such as fibromyalgia and burn patients.

Lymphatic Drainage:  Edema is a type of swelling caused by trapped fluid within the body's tissues. Temporary conditions of edema may occur to most people at some point in their lifetime (such as pregnancy), and may be easily treated by massage therapy. Normally, the body removes excessive fluid before it builds up, but there are several factors that may lead to edema.  It is essential to identify the underlying cause of edema to develop a proper treatment plan. If the edema is severe and/or persistent, then your first priority should be to see a physician for a complete diagnosis of the cause. 

Moist Heat:   Moist heat penetrates tissue more effectively than dry heat and is generally used for chronic (long-term) pain and stiffness. Heat increases blood flow and relaxes muscles.  Most therapists and doctors advise not to use heat right after an injury, as it will only increase the pain and swelling. If the area is inflamed or sore from overuse, use cold therapy, not heat therapy.

MET (Muscle Energy Technique):   These techniques involved patient participation with muscles contraction in a precisely controlled position, specific direction, against therapist-applied pressure.  After this isometric contraction, the tissues are moved or stretched. 

Myofascial Release: Gentle sustained pressure is applied into tissue restrictions to eliminate pain and restore motion.  The body is given adequate time to respond to the pressure and allow the fascia to elongate.  No oils are creams are used on the area being treated.  Myofascial restrictions (from trauma, inflammatory responses, surgical procedures, etc.) can produce tensile pressures of  @2,000 pounds per square inch. Releasing this tensile pressure can provide significant pain relief and improved mobility.

Pelvic Balance:  This technique utilizes patient involvement to help bring the pelvis into neutral alignment, reducing torsion and pain in the SI joints (posterior pelvis) and realigning the pubic symphysis (anterior pelvis) where the left and right hip bones, or ilium, connect.

Prenatal Massage:   Prenatal massage "nurtures the nurturer" with gentle techniques, body support and positioning to meet the needs of the expectant mother.  All the benefits of a relaxation massage are provided within the context of the mother's changing body and sensitivities.

Rain Drop Therapy:    Young Living's Rain Drop Therapy uses several specially selected and applied essential oils.  It is a unique practice based on methods that have been used for centuries to rejuvenate the body and mind, bringing balance and harmony to the body with targeted massage and distinctive energy approaches. The technique, developed by Young Living Founder and CEO D. Gary Young, draws from his experience with Native American wellness traditions and provides a revolutionary means of nurturing harmony—physically, mentally, and emotionally.  

Reflexology:   Reflexology (or foot reflexology) is a therapy based on the principle that there are small and specific areas of innervation in the hands and feet that correspond to specific muscle groups or organs of the body. Through the application of pressure on particular areas of the hands or feet, reflexology is said to promote benefits such as the relaxation of tension, improvement of circulation, and support of normalized function in the related area in the body.  

Reiki:   This Japanese energy-based technique is administered by "laying on hands."  Reiki treats the whole person (body, emotions, mind and spirit) with relaxation and feelings of peace, security and well-being.  Our energy levels affect our health; if low, we are more likely to get sick or feel stress; if high, we are more likely to feel happy and healthy.  The word Reiki is made of two Japanese words, Rei ('ray') meaning "God's Wisdom or the Higher Power", and Ki ('kee') which is "life force energy."  Reiki is then "spiritually guided life force energy," although no dogma or religious beliefs are attached to or required for its use or reception. (I am currently a Level I&II practitioner.)

Scar Tissue Release:   This work focuses directly on scar tissue to increase pliability and reduce restriction and discomfort of scar tissue caused by injury or surgery.   While not one of the more comfortable techniques, it can produce dramatic results in freedom of movement and pain reduction.

Swedish Techniques:   One of the most well-known massage techniques, Swedish massage involves five basic strokes (kneading, rolling, vibrational, percussive, and tapping) which flow toward the heart. Therapists use a combination of movements, with the application of oil, to reduce friction on the skin. 

Therapeutic Cupping:    Soft silicone, glass or plastic cups are placed over areas of tension/restriction.  Suction is then created within the cups (using heat or mechanical means) creating negative pressure which lifts the tissue, releasing restrictions and improving blood flow.  Cups may be applied and moved along the body providing cupping massage, or may remain stationary to treat localized areas of pain, restriction and adhesion. The stationary technique can create marks which appear to be bruises.  Cupping marks, however, are not bruises; rather, they are an accumulation of stagnant bodily fluids which have been moved through the tissues and made available for clearing by the body's circulatory systems.  (Bruises are damaged tissue caused by extreme compression, which is not part of the therapeutic cupping process.)  With continued cupping, these areas will no longer redden, even though the treatment may be of the same or longer duration. 

Trigger Point Therapy:   Steady or intermittent pressure is applied to specific places in myofascial tissue which have become chronically tight or painful.  This pain may be local pain (sensation is where the therapist is pressing) or referred pain (sensation is felt in another muscle or area away from the pressure site).

 

Upcoming therapies ....

K-Cuts (elastic therapeutic taping):   Strips of cotton elastic therapeutic tape with an acrylic adhesive is specifically placed to support muscles and joints to treat pain and disability from injuries and other physical disorders.

 

Jamie Truba-Whaley, LMT, CCT

209 E. Main Street, Suite C

Lowell, MI 49331

616-490-4932

renewmassage.lowell@gmail.com

www.renewmassage-lowell.abmp.com

State of MI License #7501008601