• » Myofascial Release
• » Swedish Massage
• » Deep Tissue Massage
• » Sports Massage
• » Trigger Point Therapy
• » Medical Massage
• » Shiatsu Massage
• » Assisted Active Isolated Stretch

Myofascial release is a form of soft tissue therapy intended to eliminate pain, increase range of motion, and rebalance the entire body. It does this by using massage techniques to stretch the fascia and release adhesions that exist between the layers of fascia. Fascia is the connective tissue that connects and incases all the muscle fibers, blood vessels, nerves, organs, and skeletal structures of the body. Direct myofascial release is sometimes known as deep tissue work, indirect release applies light pressure and gently stretches the fascia; when applied to areas where the facia is restricting range of motion it allows for increased blood circulation, increased movement, and relief from the muscle tension that was compensating for that motion deficit.

Swedish Massage is a very relaxing and therapeutic style of bodywork. It combines oils or lotion with an array of strokes such as rolling, kneading, and percussion to help the body improve its circulation. The benefits of this type of bodywork are wide-ranging and include relief from aches and pains, decreased stress levels in the body, enhanced mental clarity, improved appearance, and greater flexibility.

Who employs this technique:  All.  Swedish Massage is usually the foundation for integration of our various approaches. 

Deep Tissue Massage is a form of bodywork that aims to relieve tension in the deeper layers of tissue in the body. Deep Tissue Massage is a highly effective method for releasing chronic stress areas due to misalignment, repetitive motions, and past lingering injuries. Due to the nature of the deep tissue work, open communication during the session is crucial to make sure you don’t get too uncomfortable. Keep in mind that soreness is pretty common after the treatment, and that plenty of water should be ingested to aid with the flushing and removal of toxins that will have been released from the deep tissue during the session.

Who employs this technique:  All, when indicated. 

Sports Massage is a type of massage designed for highly active people who engage in athletics.  Engaging in sports can be harsh on the body and can lead to injuries in both the short and long term.  Sports Massage enhances performance and prolongs a sports career by helping to prevent injury, reduce pains and swelling in the body, relax the mind, increase flexibility, and dramatically improve recovery rates.  Sports Massage is also highly effective in aiding the rapid recovery of an athlete from an injury by encouraging greater kinesthetic awareness and in turn promoting the body’s natural immune function.

Who employs this technique:  All.

Trigger Point Therapy is a style of bodywork that focuses on stimulating and releasing “trigger points” in your body.  Trigger points are tender areas of tension similar to acupressure points, except they occur in the belly of the muscle tissue rather than along the energy pathways of the body.  These ‘knots’ are built up throughout a person’s life due to physical, mental, and/or emotional stress.  During a session, focused pressure is applied through a variety of techniques order to release your trigger points.  This process can be a bit painful at times, yet the effects are lasting and profoundly transformative.  All our Trigger Point Sessions feature a careful and considerate approach to pain and muscular guarding.  We specialize in close communication with patients, making sure not to exceed tolerance levels as we carefully coax your body back to full functionality and fluidity of movement.

Who employs this technique:  All, when indicated. 

Medical Massage differs from regular Massage and Bodywork in that the treatment is specifically directed to resolve conditions diagnosed by a medical doctor. We may use a variety of modalities or techniques during the treatment, but the focus of the treatment  is on the specific areas of the body related to the diagnosis.  This enhances the body’s natural self-healing process and reduces the needed recovery time from injury.

Who is trained to perform Medical Massage:  All. 

Shiatsu Massage is a Japanese form of massage. The word Shiatsu comes from two Japanese words - "shi" (finger) and "atsu" (pressure). In addition to the direct stimulation of pressure points along the energy pathways of your body, gentle stretching techniques are applied over a wider area of the body to integrate the point work and encourage the flow of Qi (energy) throughout the body. Shiatsu is a meditative healing art that honors the body, mind and spirit.

Who employs this Technique:  Tom Harvey, L.M.P.

   Assisted Active Isolated Stretching, or AAIS, is one of the most comprehensive stretching protocols ever developed. It is remarkably effective in restoring pain free movement, range of motion, postural balance, and strength for both acute and chronic soft tissue conditions. Because AAIS is infinitly adjustable in it's application it is an appropriate therapy for individuals of any level of fitness or conditioning.
    Some of the characteristics of AAIS are; each stretch is held for only 1 1/2 to 2 seconds so as to avoid initiating the stretch reflex which would tighten the muscle being stretched; stretches are designed to include oblique and longitudinal fibers to treat the whole muscle; AAIS uses contraction of the muscle in opposition to the stretched muscle to cause reciprocal inhibition or relaxation of the stretched muscle; repetition of brief stretches serves to increase range of motion with out injury, to pump fresh blood and lymph fluids into the stretched tissue, and to nueromuscularly re-enforce a new movement pattern. Another great advantage of AAIS is that it can be self administered and, once learned, it can be used to maintain health for a lifetime.