What is massage therapy?
Massage therapy is a health and wellness option that positively effects the body in a variety of ways. Massage is used to relieve pain, soreness, and stiffness that can be caused by tension, injury, stress, or other related conditions. Massage is associated to benefit muscles, tendons, ligament tissue with respect to managing pain, and helping in the recovery of physical injuries while also decreasing stress levels.
There is a core set of techniques in which all RMTs have been trained, but each massage therapist at Gateway to Healing uses an individual style and set of techniques which vary in pressure, depth, style, and post graduate training.
Massage Therapy Techniques
Below is an outline of our range of massage therapy techniques that ensure our clients receive the best care possible.
Swedish Massage Therapy
Swedish Massage is a system of long strokes, kneading, and friction techniques on the more superficial layers of muscles, combined with active and passive movements of joints to increase general body awareness, relaxation, and blood circulation. It is often used initially to warm up tissues in order to perform deeper work.
Neuromuscular Technique
Neuromuscular Technique treats “trigger points” or specific areas of neural activity to break cycles of spasm and pain. The goal is balance between the nervous system and the musculoskeletal system through treatment of dysfunctional biomechanics, postural distortion, lack of blood flow, trigger points, and nerve compression.
Sports Massage Therapy
Sports Massage utilizes specific strokes and stretches to help obtain maximum performance and physical conditioning with less chance of injury and pain. It increases endurance and flexibility both before and after events or workouts. It often involves deep tissue massage, targeted specifically at the muscles used in athletic activities. It can combine classical Swedish style with trigger point release, compression, and neuromuscular techniques to reduce soreness.
Myo-Fascial Release Therapy
Myo-Fascial Release is a therapy which releases restrictions, adhesions, and lines of tension in the connective tissue layer. Connective tissue connects every muscle, tendon, ligament, bone, and organ in our entire body, and can store memories of physical trauma. Releasing these restrictions and adhesions allows the client to discharge recurring physical, and, when present, energetic and trauma-based pain. Both cranial sacral therapy and visceral manipulation tie in strongly with myo-fascial release.
Craniosacral Therapy
Craniosacral Therapy is a specialized fascial technique which works to free the connective tissue surrounding brain, spinal cord, and surrounding membranes and bones, from restrictions. Fascial (connective tissue) restrictions in the central nervous system, and surrounding structures, that develop from injury or compensation, can be at the core of perpetuating pain and misalignment in the body.
