Therapeutic Bodywork Definitions
Myofascial Release - Myofascial release is a manipulative treatment that attempts to release tension in the fascia due to trauma, posture, or inflammation.
Gua Sha - This is a traditional Chinese medicine technique used to gently scrape areas of your body with a smooth-edged tool. The aim, from a conventional medicine view, is to potentially reduce systemic inflammation, improve circulation, and/or increase range of motion.
Trigger Point Therapy - Trigger points are sore, painful spots—also called knots—found in muscles. These knots are sensitive and when pressure is applied, it produces pain in a different part of your body. Trigger point work helps to eliminate the knots and reduce the pain associated with them, pushing the muscle back into place behind the fascia.
Lymphatic Drainage - Lymphatic drainage massage is a type of massage therapy that is performed to relieve swelling that occurs when there is congestion in the lymphatic system. Our lymphatic system is the part of the body that protects us from infection and disease. There are many reasons to receive lymphatic drainage massage, including:
Swollen lymph nodes
Allergies
Frequent reoccurrence of sickness
Overall body swelling or specific edema (i.e., ankles, knees, etc.)
Chemotherapy treatment
Diagnosed Lymphedema
Cupping - A therapy in which different types of cups are applied to the skin creating suction as a way of stimulating the flow of energy, in an effort to reduce inflammation, smooth fascia and bring increased blood flow where restriction is present.
Sports Massage - Sports massage is manual manipulation of the muscles geared specifically toward helping people who have physically demanding lifestyles and/or hobbies, such as marathon running, tennis, golf and other repetitive motion type sports. This kind of therapeutic massage considers the impact of certain activities on specific joints, muscle groups, tendons, ligaments, and soft tissue groups. The focus of sports massage therapy supports and increases continuation and improvement in the clients’ sport activity.
Compression- Compression boots can be used to increase blood flow to assist with improved circulation. This will in turn improve the lymphatic system to remove waste. Compression is an excellent tool to be used pre and post race events such as triathlons, marathons, and to improve lymphatic drainage.