What is Neuromuscular Therapy?

NMT is a massage modality that uses specific massage techniques in an effort to release trigger points in muscle tissue. A trigger point is a small contraction knot found in the muscle fiber. It effects the muscle by keeping it tight and creating tension on the muscle's attachments. This constant tension makes movement restricted and painful. Over time this constant tension will decrease the circulation in the area resulting in a depleation of oxygen to the tissue and a build up of metabolic waste. When the tissue doesn't recieve the proper nutrients and oxygen needed for metabolism it starts to break down and a self sustaining cycle of pain begins. This cycle can be interrupted with various massage techniques that target trigger points and help restore the tissue to it's proper balanced health.

     The daily clinical experience of thousands of massage therapists, physical therapists and physicians strongly indicates that most of our common aches and pains-and many other puzzling physical complaints-are actually caused by trigger points, or small contraction knots, in the muscles of the body. Pain clinic doctors skilled at detecting and treating trigger points have found that they are the primary cause of pain in roughly 75% of the time and are at least a part of virtually every pain problem. Even fibromyalgia, which is known to effect millions of people, is thought in many instances to have it's beginning with trigger points. ( Travell and Simons 1999, 12-19; Gerwin 1995, 121;Fishbain et al. 1986, 181-197).

What Causes Trigger Points?

Muscles develop trigger points in reaction to stress. Stress can come in the form of trauma or injury to the body, overuse or repetitive use, nutritional deficiences, even hot or cold.

Trigger points cause pain and tenderness in our tissues. The pain may be local or referred to other points in the body. It can be a burning, sharp, numb,or tingling type of pain. Trigger points may cause headaches, back pain, joint pain and may mimic many types of symptoms of tendinosis/tendinitis, bursitis, arthritis, tennis elbow and carpel tunnel, sciatica, TMJ, or other ligament injuries. 

The good news is, if you have done the rounds-from doctors, physical therapy, medications, exercise, rest, even surgery and you still suffer from unresolved chronic pain  issues, Neuromuscular therapy may be for you.

"My hips hurt so much I could hardly get up from a chair and it killed to take a walk. I thought at best I had arthritis in my joints and at worst I was headed for hip replacement.

 After treatments with Teri, I have virtually no pain and I can walk and exercise better than ever. I can even sleep without constantly rolling around.

Jeanesse- May 2008

 

What is Relaxation Massage?

It is well known that a balanced life is essential to optimal health. Balance in nutrition, exercise, work, relationships and our spiritual life are all important for our mental well being.

In today's world, one of our greatest challenges is balancing the effects stress has on all these parts of our life. Stress can be the spice of life. The right amount keeps life interesting. Too much stress and especially stress that is unrelieved can have a negative impact on our health.  Stress accumulates over time and can lead to feelings of being tense, anxious, or "burned out". It is not surprising that many illnesses plaguing our society are directly related to, or greatly aggrivated by, too much stress.

Signs that your stress levels are being exceeded include chronic muscle tension (especially in neck and back), short temper, anxiety, excessive worry, insomnia, chronic fatigue, nervousness, feeling burned out or stressed out. These signs indicate our stress levels are high and in need of attention.

Sweedish massage is the simplist most effective massage for reducing tension. Long flowing strokes relax the body. Kneading and stroking increase circulation. All serve to deepen the breath, lower blood pressure, and release enkephalins (our body's natural painkillers). Just one session can reduce your stress and help you get a good nights sleep. Regular sessions make your muscles more supple, speed recovery, ease chronic pain, improve concentration and improve immune function. You'll get sick less and may even develope a happy outlook on life. 

What is Orthopedic Massage?

Orthopedic bodywork uses a wide range of soft tissue modalities in its aim to reduce the adaptive load the body is coping with, and enhance the self-regulating mechanisms the body already possesses, so it can better handle the work we ask it to.

This type of bodywork is specific, dynamic and not your usual "lie on the table and recieve" form of massage. First there is a wide range of tests used to determine where exactly the dysfunction may be coming from. Then a variety of soft tissue manipulation may be used- from active and passive movements, reduction of adhesions, deactivation of trigger points, increased lymphatic and venous draining, stretching and contraction, or thermotherapy. All these combine to bring about restored function and increased health of the body.