Massage

Longfellow Holistic Health Center’s massage therapists can perform deep tissue, trigger point, Shiatsu, Myofascial and other therapeutic massage techniques. These techniques can be incorporated into your customized program to help manage chronic pain, soft-tissue injuries or improve daily activities.

Massage Therapy for Pain

Massage therapy has many benefits. They include:  increased blood flow, increased circulation, muscle relaxation that subsequently improves range and motion, increased endorphin levels and improved sleep. Below is a quick overview of the various types of massages that we utilize.

Neuromuscular Massage Therapy

The neuromuscular massage therapy (NMT) is essentially a type of medical massage therapy. This is a highly-specialized, focused treatment method. NMT targets muscle spasms to alleviate chronic stiffness and pain.

This type of massage therapy was first developed in Europe in the 1930s. It was developed by Stanley Lief, Boris Chaitow and focuses on the use of palpation to access sensitive soft tissue. Between the 1940s and 1950s, neuromuscular massage therapy was first introduced in the United States. Janet Travell rose to the top as the main neuromuscular therapist. She became the president’s personal physician when President John F. Kennedy required trigger point palpation for stress relief and back pain.

As new techniques for neuromuscular massage therapy are discovered, the field has changed significantly since the 1990s. The American Academy of Pain Management acknowledges that this massage technique is effective in treating soft tissue injuries, particularly the back. These clinics are easily accessible in many places thanks to the development of technology and courses. There are usually many providers who practice in your local area.

Deep tissue massage and neuromuscular massage are similar.. Both massages go deep into the back and relieve pain. Deep tissue massage, on the other hand, targets troubled areas, stiff muscles, tendons, and tissues deep under your skin. Neuromuscular massage is focused on hitting the nerve. Deep tissue massage is sometimes used as a therapy, while providers may use neuromuscular therapy to treat the entire body. The main purpose of neuromuscular massage therapy is to reduce tension and relieve back pain.

Because neuromuscular therapy targets pain’s main source, therapists must be able to identify the location of the muscles, their flow, posture, stress, and how they work together. You will experience less pain and have a better experience with a technician.

What are the benefits of Neuromuscular Massage?

There are many benefits to neuromuscular massage therapy. It reduces or relieves muscle pain

Another advantage to this method of massage therapy? It allows for greater flexibility. The muscles that contract or become tight can cause limited movement. These muscles lack blood flow, oxygen, and nutrients. Certain neuromuscular massage techniques help break down these knotted areas and give your muscles better circulation and oxygenation. Neuromuscular therapy also has other benefits, such as:

• Increase in energy
• Improved blood circulation
• Balanced nervous and musculoskeletal systems
• Lower levels of body toxin
• Better posture
• Increased energy levels

You may also feel more relaxed and less tension after a session. Patients who have received neuromuscular massage tend to be happier and less stressed.

Deep Tissue Massage

Deep tissue massage is a form of intense massage therapy that addresses musculoskeletal problems. This technique is designed to ease muscle pains and aches by using slow, deep strokes of pressure and maintaining pressure. Deep tissue massage sessions may begin with a lighter Swedish massage to warm the muscles, before moving on to more intense massage.

What are the benefits of Deep Tissue Massage?

Deep tissue massage is an effective method of treating pain and dysfunction. Other benefits include:

• Improved circulation
• Reduced connective tissue restriction
• Improved body alignment and flexibility
• Reduction of toxins and lymphatic blockage

Trigger Point Massage

Trigger points, also known as knots or sores in the muscles, are painful and sore areas. These knots can be painful and sensitive. When pressure is applied to them, they cause pain in another part of the body. Trigger point massages can be used to relieve these knots and decrease the pain.

Trigger points may be more common in certain areas of the body, such as:

• Your upper trapezius muscles, located just above your shoulders on each side of your neck
• Your low back quadratus lumborum muscles
• Your hamstrings
• Your calf muscles

What are the benefits of Trigger Point Massage?

The benefits of trigger point therapy are numerous. It can be effective in reducing headaches and muscle tension, it can also improve range of motion and flexibility. Patients have found it successful in improving their posture and relieving pain.

Shiatsu Massage

Traditional Chinese medicine is where the shiatsu massage got its roots. It was then developed in Japan, where it was officially recognized by the Health ministry as a medical treatment in 1955. Its Chinese roots are responsible for the theory that energy fluxes (meridians), intertwine throughout the human body. Japanese influences have made it easier to understand physiological and anatomical concepts than the Western vision.

What are the benefits of Shiatsu Massage?

Shiatsu massage can be used for therapeutic, preventive, or relaxing purposes. According to the Eastern perspective, illness and disease are caused by poor energy flow through meridians and associated organs. Shiatsu massage could therefore restore the body’s natural defense systems, balance the body, and calm the mind as it unblocks energy flow in the meridians.

This technique is a good option for physical problems. It is a more gentle approach to treating soft tissue restriction than previously mentioned forms of massage; deep tissue massage and trigger point release. However, Shiatsu still can effectively reduce joint and muscle pain, increase muscle flexibility, and stimulate blood flow and lymphatic drainage throughout the body.

Myofascial Massage

Myofascial Release works on pain, function or body alignment by treating the connective tissue network that interconnects your muscles, nerves and organ systems through the fascia.

Many issues, such as chronic pain, physical and emotional trauma, disease processes, even alterations in body alignment such as scoliosis can negatively impact your fascia and connective tissue. MFR uses gentle pressure to ease restrictions of fascia that can develop. This helps to relieve pain and restore normal muscle function.

What are the benefits of Myofascial Release?

There are several benefits to myofascial release:

• Reduce pain
• Release knots/trigger points.
• Improve movement and flexibility.
• Improve muscle function
• Enhance circulation by breaking up the tight areas where blood flow may become restricted.
• Promote better body alignment by releasing connective tissue tightness

Prenatal or Pregnancy Massage

Prenatal massage is a wonderful tool for the health and wellness of a pregnant woman. These techniques are tailored to the many changes that a pregnant woman experiences during pregnancy. Many of the techniques safe and effective for prenatal massage are consistent with those for the non-pregnant. The position(s) for massage are modified and special adaptive cushions are used to keep mother and baby safe for the duration of the treatment. Other adaptations are employed to facilitate circulation, improve relaxation and address common musculoskeletal issues faced by many pregnant women, such as thoracic outlet syndrome, carpal tunnel and sciatica. Since many drug interventions and many therapeutic modalities are not safe in pregnancy, massage can offer needed relief from these conditions.

What are the benefits to Prenatal Massage?

Prenatal massage therapy has been shown to:

• Reduce anxiety
• Lower depression symptoms
• Ease muscle aches and joint pains
• improve labor outcomes

Call Longfellow Holistic Health Center today if you would like input on which massage intervention would be best suited for you.