MEDICAL MASSAGE MODALITIES:

Pfrimmer Deep Muscle Therapyis a highly refined system of corrective treatment designed to aid in the restoration of damaged muscles and soft tissue in the entire body. Using a specific series of cross-tissue movements applied to the muscles, a fully trained Pfrimmer Deep Muscle Therapist concentrates on all layers of muscle that have become depleted of their normal blood and lymphatic flow. This specific therapy helps to restore the circulation with its natural healing properties. Pfrimmer Deep Muscle Therapy establishes a foundation for corrective massage upon which other trouble-shooting techniques may be added. It has been valuable in aiding in the prevention as well as correction of many serious muscle conditions. Because of its positive benefits to all of the body’s soft tissue, it may be described as the most comprehensive form of corrective bodywork available today. Pfrimmer Deep Muscle Therapy is, indeed, the healing touch. Visit www.correctivemuscletherapy.abmp.com for more information.

Myofascial Release is a massage therapy technique that involves stretching and releasing of soft tissues in order to balance the body muscles. Fascia is the soft tissue portion that surrounds every part of the body. It plays a major role in maintaining normal metabolic process and providing the structural integrity of the body. It also protects the body cells from the invading pathogens. The main objective of myofascial release therapy is to manipulate the fascia for combating muscle pain, healing injury, managing stress, increasing flexibility and improving body posture. It mainly focuses on treating the trigger points that are located in the muscles. Hence, myofascial therapy is also known as myofascial trigger point therapy. There are various myofascial release techniques, each of which is intended for restoring the health of fascia.

Craniosacral therapy (also called CST and Craniosacral bodywork or therapy) is an alternative medicine therapy used by massage therapists and other practitioners. A craniosacral therapy session involves the therapist placing their hands on the patient, allowing them to tune into what they call the craniosacral system. The practitioner gently works with the spine and the skull and its cranial sutures, diaphragms, and fascia. In this way, the restrictions of nerve passages are reduced; the movement of cerebrospinal fluid through the spinal cord is optimized. Craniosacral therapists use the therapy to treat mental stress, neck and back pain, migraines, TMJ Syndrome, and for chronic pain conditions such as fibromyalgia.

Pre-Natal and Post-Natal Massage with the use of a variety of therapeutic massage techniques can ease the physical discomforts, stress, and anxiety many women experience during pregnancy. It can help reduce fluid retention in the extremities, improve circulation and reduce spasms in tight overworked muscles, improve posture and restful sleep, increase relaxation, and help women feel nurtured. Women who have utilized massage during pregnancy find that they are more aware and in-tune with their own bodies. They feel this increased awareness has improved their experience of labor and improved their ability to participate in the delivery process. Studies have shown that babies can also benefit from massage while still in the womb, with enhanced circulation and brain function after they are born which can lead to an overall healthier, happier baby and momma.

Rehabilitative Massage - In medicine, surgical procedures are many times the only way to achieve lasting relief, although, the surgery itself is just one step in making long term results successful. Many consider the most important component of a successful surgical procedure to be the post rehabilitation process. It is during this process that natural movement is re-learned, and freedom of movement is re-enforced. Massage plays an important role as a supplement to standard rehabilitation procedures. By increasing circulation and relaxing muscles, massage helps the body to pump more oxygen and nutrients into tissues and vital organs. This allows the rehabilitating areas to have more flexibility and range of motion and heal at an accelerated rate. Benefits include: Assists the body in pumping more oxygen and nutrients into tissues and vital organs and improves flexibility, accelerates and improves the rehabilitation process, aids in improving joint movement, flexibility, strength and function.

Trigger Point Therapy -Trigger Points exist throughout our muscles, but unless activated, they do not cause any problems. When a muscle is traumatized from an injury or physical or emotional stress, the Trigger Points become 'hot' or active. The belly of the muscle forms an adhesion within the muscle fibers in response to the trauma and creates a "knot." On the cellular level, the exchange of oxygen, fresh blood and the waste removal slows down and lactic acid builds up, causing decreased circulation, inflammation and pain in the area. Because your Trigger Points are full of toxins, they feel sore to the touch. A Trigger Point Therapist's job is to release the Trigger Points at the point of pain and to find and "erase" the Trigger Points at the origin. Erasing Trigger Points can be done in a variety of ways, but basically, the therapist applies pressure directly at the site of the Trigger Point for a short period of time, usually, several seconds. This breaks up the muscle fibers within the adhesion and releases the toxins that have built up. Once the muscle fibers are broken up, they begin to repair and eventually they return to their natural state, ultimately releasing the muscle memory associated with the injury and healing the pain.

SPORTS MASSAGE MODALITIES:

Facilitated Stretching - Facilitated stretching utilizes active motion and measured bodywork to enhance motor skills and increase flexibility. Involving the work of one muscle at a time, facilitated stretching is administered by gentle stretches that release the muscle before it has a chance to protectively contract. Originally developed for patients suffering from paralysis, facilitated stretching is more than just a typical exercise. With the therapist’s aid, this therapy helps to lengthen and contract specific muscles, relaxing and allowing movement around joint areas. Improving the body's potential to heal itself, this beneficial exercise enhances overall performance. For the novice or the expert athlete, facilitated stretching is beneficial in improving strength, increasing flexibility, and enhancing range of motion. In a typical session, the therapist gently stretches the limbs of the client while working with various muscle groups to achieve a desired goal. Facilitated stretching is often administered by a certified personal fitness trainer, physical therapist or experienced massage therapist, and is known to improve flexibility, range of motion, and to relieve muscle stiffness. As a general rule, stretches should not be painful, so this is a therapeutic session.

Maintenance - By zeroing in on particular muscle groups and working specific tissues, the therapist can help the athlete maintain or improve range of motion and muscle flexibility. The overall objective of a maintenance program is to help the athlete reach optimal performance
through injury free training.

Pre-Event Sports Massage - This should be performed within 4 hours preceding an event to improve performance and decrease injury. This is used in addition to the athlete’s warm-up to enhance circulation and reduce muscle and mental tension prior to competition. This improves tissue pliability readying you for top performance.

Post-Event Sports Massage - This massage is geared toward reducing muscle spasms and metabolic build-up that occurs with vigorous exercise. Recovery after competition involves not only tissue normalization and repair, but also relaxation and mental calming.

THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE MODALITIES:
Therapeutic Massage is an integration of different massage techniques promoting relaxation, improving circulation, enhancing overall skin tone and soothes muscle tension. Techniques may include Swedish, Deep Tissue, Reflexology, Neuromuscular Therapy, and Lymph drainage. Please inform your therapist of your specific needs at the time of booking to receive the most benefit from this treatment.

Swedish Massage – One of the most well known and popular types of massage, uses a variety of methods e.g. long flowing strokes, friction, kneading etc. to help the body experience detoxification, relaxation and rejuvenation.

Reflexology -promotes relaxation and well-being. This ancient therapy is known to promote the body's own healing powers. It is suitable for any age groups, from babies to seniors. Reflexology is more than a foot massage, it's a natural healing therapy, which is highly effective in dealing with many complaints. Reflexology is based on the principle that the foot, divided in reflex zones, is a mirror image of the body. Each reflex zone corresponds to a part of the body. Specific manipulation and pressure of these zones reduces and eliminates blockages in corresponding glands, organs and other parts of the body.

Add to your relaxation massage one of these detoxifying or rejuvenating enhanced services:

Exfoliating Sea Salt Glo – Exfoliates your skin, unclogs pores, rehydrates and brings new layers of skin to the surface. The application of the Sea Salt Glo is combined with relaxing Swedish Massage techniques. After the massage application you will shower off the salt, which when done will make your body tingle with a sense of euphoria and leave you feeling and looking like new. A robe and slippers will be provided. Approximately 90 min.

Black Baltic Mud Wrap – Detoxifies the most neglected organ of the body by drawing out impurities in the skin. Special mineral rich Baltic Mud will be applied to skin in combination with Swedish Massage techniques. The body then gets wrapped in linens to produce a gentle warming sensation while drawing out impurities of the skin. After the mud dries a shower will be taken. The combination of massage and detoxification will bring you back to a state of wholeness and reestablishing a sense of purity to your skin while reducing fatigue and stress. A robe and slippers will be provided. Approximately 90 min.