Massage Techniques

What is Massage Therapy?

Massage therapy is the assessment of the body’s soft tissues and joints, and the treatment and prevention of dysfunction, injury, pain and physical disorders of the soft tissues and joints.

There are many different techniques used in massage therapy. All of our therapists are Registered through the College of Massage Therapy of British Columbia (CMTBC), and have met or exceeded the mandatory requirements. CMTBC is the regulatory body for registered massage therapists in the province of British Columbia.  It acts on the behalf of all British Columbians to ensure that registered massage therapists always deliver safe and effective treatments.

Here is a list that describes techniques and modalities used in our clinic, which are, but are not limited to:

Craniosacral  Therapy (CST) - (Also known as cranial sacral therapy) CST is used to treat mental stress, neck and back pain, migranes, TMJD, and for chronic pain conditions such as fibromyalgia. CST is a non-invasive, gentle form of massage that addresses the bones of the head, spinal column and sacrum.

Muscle Energy Technique  - Muscle energy technique is used in osteopathic medicine and physical therapy to treat somatic dysfunction presenting as loss of range of motion secondary to muscular inhibition. There are several distinct techniques which may be called muscle energy techniques including reciprocal inhibition, and post-isometric relaxation.

Muscle Energy is an Active (requires patient utilization of force) Direct (engages the barrier) technique that promotes muscle relaxation by activating the golgi tendon reflex. It has also been proposed that temporary muscle fatigue blocks reflex-contraction thus allowing for an increase of range of motion to beyond the barrier.

Purpose is to gain motion that is limited by restrictions of neuromuscular structures.

Reciprocal inhibition - Reciprocal inhibition uses the body’s antagonist-inhibition reflex to induce relaxation of a “tight” muscle. For example, when the biceps (in this case the agonist) is flexed, a reflexive inhibition of the triceps (here the antagonist) is induced. Thus loss of range of motion in the triceps can be incrementally restored by flexion of the biceps.

Post-Isometric relaxation - Immediately after isometric contraction, the neuro-muscular apparatus becomes briefly refractory, or unable to respond to further excitation. Thus, stretching a muscle immediately following its isometric contraction may incrementally restore range of motion.

Pre- and Post-Natal Care - See our blogs about massage, acupuncture and chiropractic care in regards to pregnancies. 

• Are you pregnant or trying to conceive?
• Pregnancy and Massage Therapy Q & A
• Acupuncture and Fertility
• Chiropractic Care and Pregnancy

Temple Mandibular Joint Disorder (TMJD) - TMJD and other TMJ associated pain can be addressed by massage therapy, especially relaxation, trigger point therapy and focused work on the muscles of the mastication. Hydrotherapy (heat applied to the affected muscles, and cold gel packs if inflammation is present) is often used in treatment plans for TMJD.

Myofascial Trigger Point Release - A trigger point is a way to describe muscles that are tight or taut and are typically painful. The massage therapist may treat using a variety of techniques such as skin rolling, repetitive muscle stripping, ischemic compression, percussion and stretch, and post-isometric relaxation, etc. to the trigger points, and muscles related to the affected trigger point location.

Soft Tissue Release - Soft tissue release is a dynamic, highly effective technique that has an immediate and powerful effect on muscle and connective tissue. It is a combination of techniques such as myofascial release, therapuetic massage and active assisted stretching. The technique involves

Soft Tissue Release (STR) is a dynamic, highly effective technique that has an immediate and powerful effect on muscle and connective tissue. STR is a combination of Myofascial Release, Therapeutic Massage, and Active Assisted Stretching. The technique involves applying precise pressure during a specific stretch performed in multiple planes of movement. The goal is to appeal to the autonomic nervous system in a way that leads to spontaneous release of the injured muscle, thus regaining the original resting length of that muscle. The result: fast and permanent reorganization of scar tissue, the targeted muscle(s) return to the proper resting length, muscle imbalances are corrected, associated pain is decreased or eliminated altogether, and muscle performance is improved. Results are often obtained quickly and permanently. These techniques can be applied to soft tissue injuries in both acute and chronic situations. 

Active Release Techniques (ART)

ART is a patented, soft tissue system that treats problems with muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia and nerves. Headaches, back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, shin splints, shoulder pain, sciatica, plantar fasciitis, knee problems, and tennis elbow are just a few of the many conditions that can be resolved with ART. Visit this website to learn more about ART: 

http://www.activerelease.com/what_patients.asp

Deep Tissue - The purpose of a deep tissue massage is to relieve sever tension in the muscles and the connective tissue of fascia, and focuses on the muscles located below the surface of the top muscles. This type of massage is often recommended for those who experience frequent and consistent pain, those who endure a heavy physical exertion (such an hard labourers, and athletes) and patients who have sustained a physical injury. Some patients just prefer a 'deeper' or heavy pressure massage.

Swedish Massage - The term "Swedish massage" is a variety of massage techniques used to relax muscles and increase oxygen flow in the blood to release toxins from the muscles such as lactic acid, uric acid, and other metabolic waste. Swedish massage relaxes muscles by applying pressure to them against deeper muscles and bones, and by rubbing in long gliding strokes in the direction of the blood returning to the heart.  There are 6 main components to Swedish massage:

1. Effleurage: Gliding strokes with the palms, thumbs, and/or fingertips.
2. Petrissage:  Kneading movements with the hands, thumbs, and/or fingers.
3. Friction: Circular pressures with the palms of hands, thumbs, and/or fingers.
4. Vibration:  Oscillatory movements that shake or vibrate the body.
5. Percussion: Brisk hacking or tapping.
6. Passive and Active movements: Bending and stretching.

Cryotherapy - Cryotherapy comes from the greek word cryo-meaning cold, and therapy- meaning cure.  In massage therapy, cryotherapy is applied by using ice and/or cold gel packs to a local or general area to decrease inflammation, pain and spasms, and to promote vasoconstriction.

Neuromuscular Therapy - From Wikipedia:

"Neuromuscular therapy (NMT) is a form of soft tissue manual therapy. It is distinguished from other types of massage in that a quasi-static pressure is applied to the skin with the aim of stimulating specific areas of skeletal muscle. Often these areas of muscle are myofascial trigger points. NMT is a comprehensive program of soft tissue manipulation techniques that balance the central nervous system (brain, spinal column and nerves) with the structure and form of the musculoskeletal system. NMT is based on neurological laws that explain how the central nervous system maintains homeostatic balance.

The application of NMT is dependent on several key factors:

• The location of myofascial trigger points
• Force has to be applied perpendicular to the skin surface if muscle is to be stimulated.^[1]"

You can also view our website for other definitions of terms used in our clinic and on our website:

http://www.newleafwellness.net/services/definitions/