massage techniques Archives - Back Doctor Chiropractic Clinic

Active Release Technique

Steve — Sat, 11 Mar 2017 13:34:16 +0000

Introduction
Standard Massage Techniques
Deep Tissue Massage/Remedial Massage
Sports Massage
Trigger Point Therapy
Active Release Technique (ART)
Myofascial Release
Positional Release (Strain Counterstrain)
Visceral Manipulation

What is Active Release Technique?

Active Release Technique (ART) was developed by Dr. P. Michael Leahy and is a soft tissue management technique. Some of his patients presented symptoms relating to changes in their soft tissues. Most of all Dr Leahy observed that he could affect change by using his hands . In addition, he was able to resolve his patients’ problems by noticing how the muscles and ligaments, the nerves and tendons, and fascia all respond to different techniques.

Active Release Technique is a massage technique based on the soft tissues and movement. Furthermore it can effectively treat the muscles and ligaments, tendons and fascia, including the nerves.

Active Release Technique treats many common problems caused by muscle overuse. These problems include:

Back pain
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Headaches
Knee problems
Neck pain
Plantar fasciitis
Sciatica
Shin splints
Shoulder pain
Tennis elbow

How does muscle overuse happen?

Muscles that are overused and other soft tissues tend to change in three different ways: such as when acute conditions like pulls and tears occur or when there is a build up of microtrauma (small tears of the muscle tissues). Also when these tissues do not get adequate oxygen supply (tissue hypoxia).

Over a period of time these factors result in scar tissue production in the area affected. This build up of scar tissue will tighten all the other tissues therefore restricting their free movement. The muscles become shorter and weaker and will eventually result in nerve entrapment and tendonitis. This will cause the patient to experience a decreased range of motion, additional pain and reduced muscle strength. So if nerve entrapment occurs, the patient is most likely to experience weakness, numbness, and tingling.

How is ART treatment carried out?

Active Release Therapy is carried out by an ART therapist using their hands to assess the tightness, texture, and movement of the muscles including the ligaments, tendons, fascia, and nerves. The affected tissues can be treated by using a combination of specific muscle movements as well as applying specific and direct pressures. An example of this may be when a chiropractor presses into the muscle at the top of the patients arm whilst gently moving the arm at the same time.

Myofascial Release

Steve — Sat, 11 Mar 2017 12:36:52 +0000

What is Myofascial Release?

Myofascial release is a massage technique that is carried out to treat recurring pain resulting from injuries. It has been used for over a hundred years and is proven to be effective. It is a hands-on therapy that can greatly improve the condition of the fascia. The goals of this massage technique are to re-establish proper posture and to loosen up the myofascia and the muscle. It releases tightness throughout the body and relieves pain.

Myofascial release technique is used to relax the deep tissue of the body and restore the health of the fascia. It is very effective in providing long term relief to the patient.

What is Myofascia?

The myofascia is a dense tissue that covers and enfolds the muscles and bones in the whole body from the head to the toes. The fascia or the outer covering is tough and flexible if it is in a healthy state. This outer covering presents a web-like appearance when it’s examined under a microscope. Any damage to an area of the myofascia can greatly affect remote parts of the body even years after the damage has occurred.

The myofascia, if healthy, is relaxed, supple, and flexible. It can stretch and/or move without limitations which also helps to maintain proper posture and good range of motion. It keeps the muscles strong and protects the body from injuries and stress.

When a person experiences inflammation or any physical trauma such as whiplash, the myofascia loses its flexibility and as a result becomes stuck and hardened. It could cause tension and restriction in motion throughout the body. Other factors such as surgery and poor posture can also affect the myofascia over time. Sitting in one position for too long can also result in myofascial pain.

Damage to the myofascia can result in the following problems:

hronic neck and back pain
Decreased flexibility
Difficulty breathing
Headaches
Muscle aches
Muscle spasms
Numbness
Pins-and-needles sensation
Poor posture
Recurrent injuries
Sciatica

What can a patient expect from a Myofascial Release treatment?

Myofascial release treatments usually last from 15 minutes to more than an hour. Depending on the patient’s condition, the pressure may range from mild, gentle pressure to deep. This technique is perfectly safe; however, there are instances where the patient may feel a very light, burning sensation on the skin. This is normal and will pass quickly.

Myofascial Release can effectively treat rigid fascial tissue by re-organizing and releasing it, making it more relaxed, flexible, and soft. Myofascial release helps restore and maintain the movement and health of the tissue. It enables the body to move without pain.

Visceral Manipulation

Steve — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 13:20:04 +0000

What is Visceral Manipulation?

Visceral manipulation is a massage technique developed by Jean-Pierre Barral, a French osteopath. He wanted to know the connection between the internal organs of the body and the musculoskeletal system, and how one affects the other. This hands-on therapy works on many parts of the body though more specifically on the internal organs or the visceral system.

According to Jean-Pierre Barral, “We must catch the rhythm of the tissue; each person has their own special rhythm. We must feel first and think after – otherwise we are lost!”

Each organ in the body is surrounded by a kind of connective tissue called the fascia. In a normal state of health, the organs should be able to move in their own physiological motion. Moreover, if there is a restriction in the fascia then it can affect the fascia that surrounds other areas too. The fascia needs to be flexible for the organs to move properly.

There are a number of factors that can affect the fascia and the organs, including infections, injuries, surgeries, and physical and emotional trauma.

We often use visceral manipulation at our clinics in Chester and St Asaph, North Wales.

How Does Visceral Manipulation Work?

This is a non-invasive, gentle massage therapy done by a trained practitioner. It is a collection of different techniques and rhythmic motions with its main goal being to improve the function, tone, and mobility of the viscera. It can also be used to restore flexibility to the fascia.

Visceral manipulation is a very effective way to heal numerous conditions including those caused by accidents, surgeries, and trauma. It can be particularly useful for digestive problems as well as tension headaches, and other physical pain. Furthermore it helps to alleviate and relieve any irregular tension points around the body.

While more recent injuries heal faster using visceral manipulation there are others such as older traumas may require further sessions before any improvement is noticed.

Strain-Counterstrain (Positional Release)

Steve — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 15:38:40 +0000

What is strain-counterstrain?

Strain-counterstrain is a massage technique developed by Lawrence Jones in 1955. It was originally called “positional release technique” and is designed to alleviate chronic muscle spasms and other orthopaedic conditions. Every muscle in our body has muscle spindles. These tiny receptors are responsible for how loose or tight the muscle is when at rest. Any unanticipated movement that stretches or strains the muscle can cause the muscle spindles to stay in an overactive/protective mode, which makes the muscle contract. As a result, the muscle tightens and the joints become misaligned. This is how spasms start.

This technique is commonly used by chiropractors and we regularly use it as part of our treatment programme at our clinics in Chester and St Asaph

How does strain-counterstrain help?

Strain-counterstrain fixes the muscle spindles by passively moving the affected muscle and joints and taking the tension out of the muscle spindles. This allows the muscle spindles to rearrange themselves. It relaxes and puts the muscles at ease and the helps the joints restore their normal mobility. Strain-counterstrain is a manual therapy that relieves muscle spasms by moving the affected area towards a comfortable position.

The strain-counterstrain technique is used to treat different types of orthopaedic conditions such as acute trauma caused by sports injuries, vehicular accidents, and certain surgeries. It is particularly effective in treating chronic conditions such as fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, as well as headaches. This massage technique is so gentle and painless that it is safe and effective when used on infants and the elderly.

Strain-counterstrain is also effective in treating the following conditions:

Any pain caused by hypermobility
Osteoporosis
Pelvic pain
Postoperative pain
Stress fractures
Torticollis for infants

Standard Chiropractic Massage Technique

Steve — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 08:02:58 +0000

The three main massage techniques

Massage has three main techniques: Effleurage, petrissage, and frictions. I always use these massage techniques on all our patients as part of standard treatment. They help to increase lymphatic and venous flow. To do this, I make sure that the main pressure is aimed towards the heart.

If the purpose of the massage is to stretch muscle fibres, the direction of the massage is not as important. This massage technique uses shorter strokes so there is no risk of pressure being building up.

Effleurage

Effleurage is a massage technique that aims to warm up the tissues, improve blood flow, stimulate the peripheral nerves, relax the muscles, and palpate the tissues. I always perform effleurage at the start of massage to introduce the patient to touch.

Effleurage involves a wide range of stroking movements, usually done using the fingers and the whole palm of the hand. The pressure applied should depend on the purpose of the massage.

Effleurage should be done in a relaxed, rhythmical manner, starting with a light touch. The pressure should gradually increase during the session with slower movements in order to improve the circulation and stretch the tissues. Effleurage is also used as the last technique of a massage with light strokes to help relax the patient at the end of the session.

Petrissage (kneading)

Petrissage is used to mobilise fluids, stretch muscle fibres, and encourage muscle relaxation. Basic movements involve compressing, picking up, and releasing the soft tissues. Alternate movements between compressing and releasing of the tissues help stimulate the circulation, relieving the pain any muscular disorders may cause. Generally, this massage technique is used if the patient wants a deeper effect than effleurage.

Frictions

We use frictions for exploratory purposes. It may be used to separate muscle fibres or to break down recent scar tissue. It may also be used to break down any knots or adhesions that build up in the body of the muscle. When frictions are performed for exploratory purposes, the chiropractor must use the sensory pad of his thumb to palpate any trigger points in the tissue. This allows the chiropractor to discover abnormalities in the tissues.

Frictions must be done very carefully and not for a long time as it may irritate the tissue and cause inflammation.