Active Isolated Stretching (A.I.S.)

A.I.S. is a set of precise stretch protocols developed by kinesiotherapist, Aaron Mattes. He has rehabilitated thousands of professional athletes using the principles of contracting the opposite muscle to stretch the opposite, but only for 2 seconds and then repeated 5-10 times. This does require active movement on the part of the client, but is assisted by the therapist. A.I.S is proven to restore range of motion, increase circulation and oxygen to tissues, and lengthen superficial/deep connective tissue to relieve pain/tightness, prevent injury, rehabilitate muscles, and improve performance. Clients should bring or wear a t-shirt and loose shorts or pants and will learn how to stretch themselves. The group of muscles stretched and length of the session will depend on the protocol your therapist recommends for you.

Deep Tissue Massage

This work can be used for specific work or full body. It is essentially, any technique applied deep enough to affect the muscles and connective tissue below the superficial ones. The therapist may apply deep finger or elbow pressure either going with or against the direction of tissue fibers to break up scar tissue. Deep, slow glides with the forearm on various areas of the body may also be used. The myth exists that deeper is better , but some people respond better to less pressure. The general rule of thumb is that the therapist should not go beyond 70% of your pain thresh hold. If deep pressure is applied and you cannot breathe through it, ask your therapist to ease up the pressure.


Preconception/ Prenatal / Post-partum Massage

Preconception massage focuses on cleansing, balancing and opening the women's body physically and energetically while relaxing her mind so she can be ready to receive and conceive. One Preconception massage or even regular sessions do not garantee conception, but the sessions are ideally done between menstruation and ovulation. Preconception massages include: Cranial and sacral holds,reflexology, abdominal massage, friction massage to pelvis and spine (can be done through sheet), and pelvic rocking.
Prenatal Massage is a blend of Swedish strokes and a few gentle stretches for areas of discomfort for Mommy, along with circular abdominal strokes for Baby (can be omitted). Usually done in side-lying position (after the first trimester) with lots of pillows for support.; Deeper work on the back and neck, gluteals and sacrum is allowed, especially if the client has received regular bodywork and does not have a "high-risk" pregnancy. Certain acupressure points and reproductive reflex areas are avoided. Trager bodywork is also a wonderful way to open and loosen tightness around the hips, glutes, low back and legs(read more below).
Post-partum massage is ideally done 3-10 days after birth. It focuses on relaxing the body, toning the uterus and bring the hips back together.

Reflexology

Reflexology is the science of working specific areas on the hands, feet, and ears to restore balance in corresponding areas and organs of the body. It is most commonly applied to the feet and the client remains clothed.
Reflexology is not massage, which rubs the skin and muscles. Reflexology affects areas below the skin with compression by the practitioner's thumb, stimulating the nervous system. This relieves pain experienced by the imbalance, improves circulation and hormonal function, and improves the function of all organs worked i.e. pituitary/pineal and thyroid glands, heart and lungs, adrenal glands, liver, pancreas, bladder, gall bladder, and large intestine, as well as inducing deep relaxation.

Shiatsu

Shiatsu is Japanese for "finger pressure". This technique is also called acupressure. Pressure is applied primarily with the therapist's thumb on points along the body's energy meridians along with stretches and movement of joints which also open up the meridians. Shiatsu is done on a cushioned mat and the clients wears comfortable clothing.

Sport Massage

Sport Massage can be any combination of techniques with either a maintenance or event focus. Regular maintenance sessions help the athlete reach optimal performance through injury-free training. A Pre-event session is used to enhance circulation and reduce muscular and mental tension as part of the athlete's warm-up. A Post-event session reduces lactic acid build-up and restores muscle tone and range of motion that can be inhibited after strenuous exercise.

Swedish

Swedish (also called European massage) is your typical relaxation massage. It is a combination of gliding strokes towards the heart, kneading and friction of muscles, and percussion-like hand/fist techniques which assist in relaxing and de-toxifying the muscles. The percussion part can be fast, to awaken the body, or slow, to leave it calm and quiet.

The Trager Approach

In Trager, practitioner and client co-create a freer state of being. Trager is movement re-education using rocking and passive joint movement on the table AND in excercises done before and/or after the session. Trager works three dimensionally through the body with waves of rocking and passive joint movement that overlap negative patterns such as:stuck tissue, lack of sensation or movement, and pain; with positive feelings of freer, softer movement. No lubricant is used. The client's feedback is very important and will be asked for during the session. Trager work is gentle and soft, but affects deep tissues. The Mentastics excercises give you simple, practical movements to practice in everyday life that help you move more freely and comfortably.
Trager work can help ease or manage many conditions, including: back and neck pain, limited range of motion, muscle spasms, headaches, poor posture, depression, physical or emotional trauma, multiple sclerosis, post-polio syndrome, Parkinson's disease, cerebral palsy, carpal tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue syndrome. It can be safely done during pregnancy and is a wonderful way to open and loosen tightness around the hips, glutes, low back and legs when normal stretches become difficult.

Is there a specific therapy or technique you'd like to know about? I may not post it here, but I'm happy to answer your questions via email. Please click the link below.