Experts estimate that upwards of ninety percent of disease is stress-related. And perhaps nothing ages us faster, internally and externally, than high stress. Massage is an effective tool for managing this stress, which translates into:
- Decreased anxiety.
- Enhanced sleep quality.
- Greater energy.
- Improved concentration.
- Increased circulation.
- Reduced fatigue.
Massage can also help specifically address a number of health issues. Bodywork can:
- Alleviate low-back pain and improve range of motion.
- Assist with shorter, easier labor for expectant mothers and shorten maternity hospital stays.
- Ease medication dependence.
- Enhance immunity by stimulating lymph flow—the body's natural defense system.
- Exercise and stretch weak, tight, or atrophied muscles.
- Help athletes of any level prepare for, and recover from, strenuous workouts.
- Improve the condition of the body's largest organ—the skin.
- Increase joint flexibility.
- Lessen depression and anxiety.
- Promote tissue regeneration, reducing scar tissue and stretch marks.
- Pump oxygen and nutrients into tissues and vital organs, improving circulation.
- Reduce postsurgery adhesions and swelling.
- Reduce spasms and cramping.
- Relax and soften injured, tired, and overused muscles.
- Release endorphins—amino acids that work as the body's natural painkiller.
- Relieve migraine pain.
Myofascial Release (MFR)
Myofascial Release (MFR) is a highly specialized and gentle, hands-on technique used to treat patients with a variety of soft tissue problems. A skilled therapist, applies sustained pressure into areas of restriction. This allows the fascia to unravel and lengthen, taking pressure off the soft tissue. Releasing fascial restrictions can have profound effects in eliminating pain and restoring function. Release can occur on a physical, emotional level or both. Fascial restrictions are identified via postural and hands-on assessment.
Trauma, inflammatory responses, repetitive stress, poor posture and/or surgical procedures create restrictions in the fascia. Because fascia is like an interconnected web, other parts of the body may become stressed or pulled. Fascia cover all the organs of the body, every muscle and even the fiber within each muscle. When muscle fibers are injured, the fibers and the fascia which surrounds it become short and tight. This is similar to pulling threads of a sweater in one area and watching all of the other threads pull and organize along the lines of tension. This uneven stress can be transmitted through the fascia to other parts of the body, causing significant pain, dysfunction and a variety of other symptoms in areas you often wouldn't expect. Myofascial Release treats the misaligned body and by releases the uneven tightness in injured fascia. It can greatly reduce pain, increase range of motion, and increase immune system response and can even be helpful in healing non-physical trauma. Myofascial restrictions do not show up on traditional medical tests such as MRI's or X-rays. Thus, they often go undiagnosed, treated for the symptom of pain and not resolving the cause.
MFR can be safely performed with patients of all ages to treat patients with:
Muscle and Joint Conditions:
- Sciatica
- Back Pain
- Neck Pain
- Postural Problems
- Scoliosis
- Whiplash
- Pre/post surgery rehab
- Spasm/Spasticity
- Carpal Tunnel/Thoracic Outlet
- Painful scars or post-surgical restricitons
- Limited range of motion
- Plantar Fascitis
Head and Neck Conditions
- Whiplash
- Vertigo
- Head Trauma
- Headaches/Migraines
- Jaw Pain (TMJ)
Stress Conditions:
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Fibromyalgia
- Chronic Pain
- Anxiety
- Unreleased Emotions/ Trauma
