"How is Structural Bodywork (SB) different than massage? The goals for massage and SB are often very different. Massage is usually about relaxation; SB is about aligning structure and improving long-term function, alleviating pain, and returning the body to it's naturally flexible and mobile state. Both modalities are valuable and one does not exclude the other."
Here are brief explanations of some modalities used in our clinic:
Structural Integration is a type of bodywork that focuses on the connective tissue, or fascia of the body. Fascia surrounds muscles, groups of muscles, blood vessels, organs, and nerves, binding some structures together while permitting others to slide smoothly over each other.
Nerve pain commonly originates from pinched nerves at the spine's exit points. However, numerous other sites of entrapment can contribute to your symptoms. Identifying and treating all these sites can significantly soothe your entire nervous system, leading to reduced pain and stiffness.
Japanese acupuncture is a traditional healing practice rooted in ancient Japanese medicine. It focuses on gentle needling techniques, often using thinner and finer needles than traditional Chinese acupuncture. Japanese acupuncture emphasizes palpation to locate subtle imbalances in the body's energy, known as "ki" or "qi," and aims to restore harmony and promote natural healing processes.
Gua sha is a traditional Chinese therapy that involves scraping the skin with a smooth-edged tool to stimulate blood flow, reduce inflammation, and relieve pain. It's believed to release stagnant energy and promote healing.
Cupping therapy uses suction cups on the skin to create a vacuum, drawing blood to the surface and promoting circulation. It's used for pain relief, relaxation, and to address conditions like muscle tension and respiratory issues.
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction can cause pain, stiffness and discomfort. Manual therapy techniques, such as soft tissue mobilization and joint mobilization, can be effective in relieving TMJ symptoms. Specifically, addressing the pterygoid muscles, which are involved in jaw closure and jaw protrusion, can help reduce tension and improve function. These manual therapy techniques aim to restore proper alignment and resetting the entire jaw structure and alleviating the pain and inflammatory issues associated with TMJ.
Myofascial release is focused on releasing the muscle tissue ("myo-") and correcting imbalances in the connective tissue ("fascia"). The muscle and the connective tissue combined as a unit is called myofascia.
Neuromuscular Therapy (NMT) is a treatment that utilizes specific massage therapy, flexibility, stretching and home care to eliminate the causes of most neuromuscular pain patterns. This specific and scientific approach to muscular pain relief brings about balance between the musculo-skeletal system and the nervous system.
The general aim of rehabilitation is to return the injured athlete to the field of play, restore peak performance and prevent re-injury of the same site. The speed of managing an injury correctly using the most suitable techniques may greatly reduce the rehabilitation time for the athlete.
Orthopaedic Sports Massage is of benefit to people who engage in regular physical activity. This form of massage assists in correcting problems and imbalances in soft tissue. It is also beneficial as part of preparations for sporting activities.
Myofascial Release is a highly specialized stretching technique used by therapists to treat patients with a variety of soft tissue problems. 'Myo' simply means muscle but 'fascia' is a thin tissue that covers all the muscles and organs of the body. In the normal healthy state, the fascia is relaxed and wavy in configuration. It has the ability to stretch and move without restriction. The technique is administered simply by applying and maintaining a pressure or 'locking into the relevant tissues whilst simultaneously stretching away aligning fibres.
Trigger points are typically a source of pain and are located around joints and near the muscle attachments. These are fibres of the muscle that aren’t functioning as they should be and form what most people know as ‘knots’ in the tissue.
Rock tape can be used to treat a huge amount of aliments and injuries from chronic pain to swelling. The rock tape mimics the qualities of our skin. Rock tape can be used before, during and after activities and worn for up to three days without harming skin.