Manual Therapies

Natural Preventive Medicine

David has been a worderful asset to our practice, assisting my patients on the continued recovery. David is able to ease their pain, and increase their flexibility to help them achieve and maintain their optimal level of function. There is a real peace of mind that comes with knowing that my patients are in good (strong, caring, skillful, healing) hands.

- Amy Amelotte, RPT

Myofascial Release

Myofascial release addresses the body's fascia, or connective tissue. The fascia is interconnected with the body's internal environment, including the blood vessels, muscles, organs, bones, and skin to support and facilitate everyday function. When injury, inflammation, or trauma in the body occurs, the fascia becomes tight, resulting in pain and soft-tissue restriction. Myofascial release aims to restore health and balance by unwinding and literally releasing the fascial restrictions through the application of gentle pressure. Myofasical release is helpful for many conditions, including chronic pain, headaches, emotional distress, depression, and other stress-related conditons

Relaxation Massage

Stress is the response that your body experiences after being bombarded from daily demands. Most massage treatments will relax you, among other things, but with relaxation massage relaxation is the only aim. If you are experiencing sore and tight muscles, tension headaches and/or anxiety, receiving a massage will help relieve stress. An added benefit to massage treatment is that it boosts the immune system, helping the body defend itself from stress related illness. The benefits of relaxation massage can last days and can be experienced from massaging isolated areas like the scalp, neck and back.

Trigger Point Therapy

'X' represents trigger point

Trigger points are characterized by hypersensitivity, local pain, tightness, and tenderness in specific areas of a muscle that refer pain to another area of the body. For example, a trigger point on the neck or shoulder may refer pain down the arm or up the back of the head. Oftentimes, active trigger points develop from overexertion, stress, poor posture, and other dormant trigger points. Trigger point therapy aims to first identify and then deactivate the trigger points through the application of appropriate, localized pressure and manual stretching.

Deep Tissue Therapy

Used to warm up and loosen adhered muscle.

Deep tissue therapy consists of the application of slow and direct pressure using the fingers, thumbs, or elbows to access specific regions. Deep tissue massage seeks to penetrate the muscles, connective tissue, and fascia deep beneath the surface of the muscle in order to release chronic tension patterns. Deep tissue massage should never be unbearably painful. Experienced massage therapists will maintain an ongoing dialogue with the client throughout the session to ensure that pressure levels are tolerable.

Acupressure

Acupressure involves the use of fingers and thumbs to apply pressure to specific points, often in combination, on the surface of the body to stimulate the body's natural healing ability. An acupressure-point prescription involves the application of pressure on a selection of specific points that, when combined, synergistically addresses a patient's primary complaint. Applying pressure to these prescription points relieves muscle tension, releases endorphins, and promotes the circulation of Qi (pronouced "chee") and blood to restore balance to the body's internal environment. The releasing of endorphins blocks pain and increases the flow of blood and oxygen to the affected area, thereby reducing tension, strengthening the immune system, and promoting wellness.

Cranial Sacral Therapy

Cranial Sacral Therapy (CST) is a gentle hands-on method using a touch no greater then the weight of a nickel to evaluate and enhance the functioning of a physiological body system called the craniosacral system. The craniosacral system is composed of the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord. The objective of CST is to release restrictions in the craniosacral system to improve the functioning of the central nervous system.

Cupping

Cupping treatment is used in many different parts of the Far East and has crossed the Atlantic Ocean via traditional Chinese medicine. Cupping is gaining popularity among practioners in complementary medicine. The treatment itself is not painful, but it often leaves temporary marks of the treatment area that can last for several days.

Cupping involves lighting an alcohol-soaked cotton ball with a match and inserting the warm end into a small bulb-shaped glass cup. The heat creates a vacuum when the cup is placed on the surface of the skin. The cup is then placed on the body and moved across the surface. For the patient, the sensation is warm and soothing. Cupping helps soften and relax the muscles, facilitates regional blood flow, loosen adhesions. It is a perfect complement to deep-tissue massage.

Gua Sha

Gua Sha originated in Asia and is commonly called the "scraping techique" in the United States. It involves moving a small, flat hand-held tool on the surface of body in gliding strokes. The clinical function of Gua Sha is to move stagnant blood, increase regional circulation, loosen and break adhesions, and relax the muscles. Gua Sha addresses many musculoskeletal and pain-management conditions.

The Gua Sha technique may leave temporary marks on the skin that usually disappear in a few days. I endeavor to keep the markings to a minimum, but sometimes these temporary marks can appear dark, depending on the condition.