A fusion of Eastern and Western techniques that can be refined according to individual needs is the most effective and efficient way to help you move with ease and be pain free.
Chronic pain conditions are often more complex than just tissue damage. A thorough clinical assessment is led by you and takes in to consideration a wide range of physical, emotional and social factors involved in your pain. We’ll look at any history of injuries/pains that you may have, palpate areas of tightness, complete an orthopedic assessment, and discuss what you’re trying to achieve with massage and rehab. This will inform the treatment plan and give an indication as to the length of massage therapy required. The ultimate aim is to get you moving with ease and pain free in the most efficient manner, we are happy to refer to other trusted healthcare professionals to ensure the best course of action for you if required.
These preparatory techniques help to ease the body into a relaxed state before beginning any deeper tissue work. Drawing inspiration from table shiatsu the deep compression work can be done over the drape to stimulate meridian channels. Holding acupressure points helps to calm and tap in to the parasympathetic nervous system where the body can begin its own healing processes.
Stones are used to efficiently warm the muscle tissues as well as for their relaxing effect. Again, anything that helps the client to relax first will make for deeper and more effective bodywork. The stones can also be used therapeutically to treat stubborn Trigger points as well as for Cryotherapy (cold) in treating acute injuries where there may be swelling.
Muscles do not, as we previously thought, just attach to bones as single units but connect from head to toe in a series of longitundinal myofascial continuities. Fascia is 'constitutive tissue. It is the frame in which the parts of the body are developed, providing form, communication, and electrical tone to the entire organism.' It is therefore logical that tension in one part of the system may cause pain, lack of mobility or another dysfunction elsewhere. Myofascial techniques require traction on the skin as tissues are slowly and gently pulled, pushed and stretched and therefore minimal wax is used. Fascial restrictions can take time to release and so patience is required, this is an ideal opportunity for clients to tune in to the subtle sensations during this process and so develop their interoceptive awareness.
Read more about Fascia
Highly effective in relaxation and remedial massage, the Jing approach to deep tissue work results in more effect for less effort. The therapist can achieve depth and pressure to relieve chronic tension of soft tissue, reduce the impact of previous injuries and the resulting scar tissue or inelasticity that may be impacting on your body’s ability to heal or move properly. Generally we use minimal wax/oil for maximum grip and control to affect the deeper layers of tissue.
Extensive research into Trigger points shows that pain has a characteristic referred pain pattern, meaning that the site of your pain is usually NOT the primary source. With knowledge of Janet Travell's Pain Maps the therapist treats the full length of all the muscles around the affected joint for trigger points.
Communication is absolutely key to finding and releasing the specific trigger points contributing to your pain. Although these techniques can be intense they should never be painful as this could cause further trauma to the already dysfunctional muscles. Using a pain scale of 1-10 the therapist always works below the client's pain threshold using static compression to release trigger points. Some are certainly to be more stubborn than others so a series of treatments is usually required for lasting results.
Identify which muscles are indicated in your pain
Assisted stretching techniques are a useful tool to help clients become more capable of movement because its outcomes contribute to better mobility.
Active stretching can be used to:
Reduce the limiting effects of soft tissue restrictions
Improve neuromuscular control of muscle at end range
Restore functional ROM
PNF stretching; Active isolated stretching
Passive techniques can be used to:
Gradually reduce the stress of the muscle at length
Down regulate facilitated muscles
Improve flexibility
Static stretching
‘The ability to move a joint through a full, non-restricted, pain-free range of motion’ is part of creating lasting changes but stretching alone won’t improve mobility for the long run.. For those ready to achieve physical optimisation I create and deliver a 12 week program to uncover and address mobility deficits so that you can perform at your best.
