The Techniques

Craniosacral Therapy

Craniosacral Therapy is a gentle noninvasive method of evaluating and enhancing the function of a physiological body arrangement called the craniosacral system. Developed by John E. Upledger, D.O., O.M.M., this manual therapy enhance the body's natural healing processes and has proven effective in treating a wide range of medical problems associated with pain and dysfunction.

The craniosacral system consists of the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord.

The Craniosacral therapy practitioner uses a light touch to assist the natural movement of fluid within the craniosacral system. Since the system influences the development and function of the brain and the spinal cord, any imbalance or dysfunction in the cranioscral system could cause sensory, motor, or neurological disabilities.

Deep-Tissue Massage

Techniques that utilize deep-tissue/deep-muscle massage are administered to affect the sub-layer of musculature and fascia. These techniques require more advanced training and a more thorough understanding of anatomy and physiology. The muscles must relax in order to effectively perform deep-tissue massage, otherwise tight surface muscles prevent the practitioner from reaching deeper musculature. Deep tissue helps with chronic muscular pain and injury rehabilitation and reduces inflammation-related pain caused by arthritis and tendonitis. It does generally integrate with other massage techniques.

Fascial Mobilization

The fascial system is one continuous, laminated, connective-tissue sheath that spreads without interruption throughout the entire body in a three-dimensional web. Fascial restrictions in the fascial system that are causing asymmetries, postural misalignments, abnormal tensions, and pressures that can lead to pain and dysfunction. The goal of fascial mobilization is to produce a well-balanced, symmetrical, and mobile body within the skeletal, soft-tissue, and craniosacral system.

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Guided Imagery

Also known as visualization, guided imagery is a relaxation system, creative thought process, an in-body experience, used to help improve one's physical, mental, emotional, spiritual health. It can help to explore your body from the inside out.

Lymph Drainage Therapy

Lymph Drainage Therapy is unique in that healthcare professionals to stimulate the lymphatic flow. It is beneficial in helping edema and inflammation, and may also help stimulate the immune system.

Matrix Energetics

Matrix Energetics® is a complete system of transformation that produces observable and verifiable changes which can be taught to anyone. Matrix Energetics encompasses a new state of being, a new way of experiencing the world we live in, and a more expansive way of accessing new possibilities - a consciousness shift.

Muscle Energy Technique

Muscle energy is a direct, noninvasive manual therapy used to normalize joint dysfunction and range of motion. The practitioner evaluates the primary areas of dysfunction or restriction; in order place the affected joints in precise positions than ask the client to perform gentle isometric contractions. These directed movements help correct neuromuscular and joint difficulties.

Myofascial Release

Myofascial release is a whole-body, hands on approach for the evaluation and treatment of the human structure. It is a three-dimensional application of sustained pressure and movement into the fascial system in order to eliminate fascial restrictions and facilitate the emergence of the emotional patterns and belief system that are no longer relevant or are impending progress. The goal is to remove fascial restrictions and restore the body's equilibrium.

From the functional point of view, the body fascia may be regarded as a continuous laminated sheet of connective tissue that extends without interruption from the top of the head to the tip of the toes. It surrounds and invades every other tissue and organ of the body, including nerves, vessels, muscles, and bone. Fascial is more dense in some areas than others. Physical trauma, an inflammatory or infectious process, or structure imbalance from dental malocclusion, osseous restrictions, leg length discrepancy, and pelvic rotation all may create inappropriate fascial strain.

Fascia, an embryologic tissue, reorganizes along the lines of tension imposed on the body, adding support to misalignment and contracting to protect the individual from further trauma (real or imagined). This has the potential to alter organ and tissue physiology significantly. Fascial strains can slowly tighten, causing the body to lose its physiologic adaptive capacity. Over time, the tightness spreads like a pull in a sweater or stocking. Flexibility and spontaneity of movement are lost, setting the body up for more trauma, pain, and limitation of movement. These powerful fascial restrictions begin to pull the body out of its three-dimensional alignment with the vertical gravitation axis, causing biomechanical inefficiency, highly energy-consuming movement and posture. The myofascial skeletal system, with its combined ability to provide both comprehensive forces by hydrostatic pressure and tensile strength, creates a space truss system that realistically replaces the post and lintel or lever model. The goal is to remove fascial restrictions and restore the body's equilibrium.

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Reiki Healing

Reiki healing is a hands-on energy healing art. It was originated in Japan in the early 20th century by Mikao Usui, who had a life-changing experience of light and energy that he recognized as Reiki – sacred life energy – and that awakened his innate healing abilities. He developed a system of practices that enable others to become effective healers. When Reiki is used the practitioner serves as a channel for the life force (ki or chi). It is used to help increase the flow of energy which helps restore health and balance.

St. John's Neuromuscular Therapy

St. John' neuromuscular therapy seeks out the cause of pain, focusing a balance between the muscular and nervous systems. This bodywork focuses on five basic principles – biomechanics, ischemis, trigger points, postural distortion, and nerve entrapment and compression – that are important factors in the body's physical homeostasis. Also, attention is given to hormone balance, nutrition, and elimination of toxins. This therapy is used to treat soft-tissue pain throughout most of the body.

Shen Therapy

Shen is the acronym for Specific Human Energy Nexus. Developed by American scientist Richard Pavek, it is a scientifically researched form of energy healing. Shen aims to release emotions trapped in the body, leading to freedom from pain and tension. Shen teaches that most emotions are held in the torso, at four main sites: the heart, the solar plexus, the kath (below the navel), and the root (the perineum). The practitioner places hands in paired positions on the fully clothed client who's lying on the table. The practitioner ascertains the locations of somatically held emotions and determines an appropriate physio-emtional release plan. A naturally occurring energy flows from the practitioner's hands through the emotional centers of the client's body in a precise way to discharge debilitating emotions.

Soul Awareness Healing

Soul Awareness Healing is a process by which the Practitioner, through a state of focused awareness, assists an individual in the energetic healing process by engaging the power of their Soul for the purpose of transformation and healing. Along with a variety of interdisciplinary healing techniques, SAH Practitioners are trained to work with the seven primary energy centers of the body, identified and known in Eastern medical healing practices as the Chakras.

Swedish Massage

One of the most commonly taught and well known messages techniques; Swedish message is a vigorous system of treatment designed to energize the body by stimulating circulation. Five basic strokes, all leading toward the heart, are used to manipulate the soft tissue of the body. The disrobed client is covered in sheet, with only the area being worked on exposed. Therapists use a combination of kneading, rolling, vibration, percussive, and trapping movements, with the application of oil, to reduce friction on the skin. The many benefits of Swedish message may include generalized and improved circulation, which may speed healing and reduce swelling from injury.

Visceral Manipulation

Visceral manipulation enhances the normal mobility and tissue motion of the organs of the visceral system. Hypertonicity, displacement, and adhesions can all cause organs to work against each other, creating chronic irritations and fixed, abnormal points of tension. The visceral organs are dependent on their ability to move freely in the visceral cavity to work correctly and efficiently. When they are pulled out of their effective positions, they cease to function properly. By freeing each organ to work compatibly with the others, a therapist can potentially alter and improve the structure and functioning of the entire body.

Yoga

The word yoga describes a variety of Hindu practices developed in ancient India to unify the body and mind with universal spirit, thereby encouraging physical and mental well being. Yoga most commonly involves a series of stretching postures (called asanas), breathing exercises, and meditative practices. Diet is also considered important to this discipline. Yoga increases flexibility, improves muscle tone, and is helpful in the reduction of stress.

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