Massage Therapy Techniques

Rood’s Techniques are based on known physiological facts concerning the way the nervous system and muscular system interact with one another.  They consist of a number modalities aimed at either sedating or stimulating muscular tissue and the corresponding nerves.  Rood’s techniques seek to reduce spasticity or muscle spasm, stimulate flaccid muscles, increase soft tissue ranges, to help provoke normal postural reactions, and to improve or prevent a decline in gross motor functions.

Stimulating Rood’s techniques include the following:

• Quick Stretch – the massage therapist rapidly taps over the muscle belly or tendons with or without active participation of the patient
• Resistance – the massage therapist applies isometric or isotonic resistance to a patients given movement
• Approximation or Compression – the massage therapist applies pressure to a correctly aligned joint to facilitate extension
• Traction or Distraction – the massage therapist applies a slow distraction force to facilitate flexion
• Vibration – the massage therapist applies vibrations from the most distal to proximal portion of the intended muscle group
• Brushing – the massage therapist applies brisk cutaneous brushing from the most distal to proximal portion of the intended muscle group

Sedating Rood’s techniques include the following:

• Prolonged Stretch – the massage therapist applies firm pressure and gradual stretch to a tendon or deep muscle and holds it for approximately 5 minutes
• Brushing – the massage therapist applies smooth cutaneous brushing from the most proximal to distal portion of the intended muscle group
• Neutral Warmth – the massage therapist applies a source of constant, gentle heat
• Slow Stroking – the massage therapist applies slow, even, rhythmic stroking from the most proximal to distal portion of the intended muscle group

While Rood’s Techniques are specifically indicated for the treatment for neurological disorders they may also be successful in the therapeutic treatment of a number of different conditions including Arthritis, Soft Tissue Injuries, and Muscle Spasms.

Muscle Energy Techniques (MET) are used to treat somatic dysfunctions, to increase ranges of motion and muscle tone, and to help reduce pain. During MET, the patient’s muscles are actively used in a specific direction from a precisely controlled position against the therapist’s counterforce.  MET is a direct and active technique where the patient’s participation is required for maximal effect. As the patient contracts a muscle against counterforce, it results in a direct inhibition of the agonist muscles while a reciprocal inhibition occurs at the antagonist muscles. As the patient relaxes, both groups of muscles also relax and this allows the joint to be moved through further ranges of motion.

Historically, MET is an osteopathic approach to treating tissue dysfunction.  Muscle Energy is beneficial in treating reduced ranges of motion & pain associated with Sprains, Strains, Arthritis, Degenerative Disc Disease, Scoliosis, Spinal Curvature including Hyperkyphosis and Hyperlordosis, up-slips or rotation of the hip, sacral torsiona, and many other conditions!

A number of techniques are known as Trigger Point Release, the most commonly thought of is Ischemic Compression or Trigger Point Pressure Release (TPPR).  In order to perform TPPR the therapist will gradually warm the tissues with strokes or kneading before attempting to locate the trigger point. Once found, the therapist will hold a sustained amount of pressure directly on it.  This can be a much deeper more intense technique applied directly to an already-tender area. While the pain or discomfort experienced by the patient is monitored, the therapist waits for the patient to feel it give or reduce in intensity. The therapist will then apply more pressure attempting to once again antagonize or aggravate the area and when this is achieved, the pressure will be relaxed before it is once again sustained and held for the process to be repeated until the trigger point is no longer antagonized by further pressure.

For more information on Trigger Points and our understanding of them, please click here.

A myofascial release session focuses on soft tissue stretching and the separating of connective tissue (or fascia) that surrounds every cell and every structure within the human body. Fascia does not stretch or soften akin to muscular tissue but instead requires a slower, more intended approach.  Both direct (against tissue resistance) and indirect (in the direction of the least resistance), deep and superficial techniques are used to mobilize adhesive tissues.  Myofascial release can cause an unwinding of tissues that may or may not induce an emotional release.

Myofascial Release is beneficial for treating symptoms associated with Stress, Musculoskeletal Immobility and Pain, Circulation Restrictions, Post-Surgical or other Scar Tissue.

Isolated Stretching Techniques are stretching techniques focused on using the intrinsic and extrinsic relationships of a taut muscle and its opposing muscle(s) to help relax and sedate hypertoned tissues.  They are based on the principles of reciprocal inhibition and stretch reflexes. Reciprocal Inhibition is the process of muscles on one side of a joint relaxing to accommodate contraction on the other side of that joint. Joints are controlled by two opposing sets of muscles.  The Stretch Reflex is a muscle contraction in response to stretching within the muscle.

Active Isolated Stretching are techniques where the patient is asked to actively participate in the treatment.  The therapist may hold or pin a specific muscle and ask the patient to move through a precise range of motion, or the therapist may apply a force in a precise direction and ask the patient to resist the movement.

Passive Isolated Stretching are techniques where the patient is passive while therapist may pin or hold a specific tissue or muscle group with or without moving the surrounding tissues and joints through specific ranges of motion.  Passive Isolated Release may also be applied to tendons and fibrous bands of fascia (like the IT band) using techniques known as C-bowing or S-bowing.  The tendons are held in for a prolonged time in a C or S shape in order to activate the stretch reflex.

Active & Passive Isolated Stretching Techniques are beneficial in treating reduced ranges of motion & pain associated with hyptertoned tissues as symptoms of Sprains, Strains, Arthritis, Degenerative Disc Disease, Scoliosis, Spinal Curvature including Hyperkyphosis and Hyperlordosis, and many other conditions!

Joint Mobilizations are also known as Joint Manipulations or Joint Play, specifically address altered mechanics of a joint due to pain, muscle guarding, joint effusion, and contracture or adhesion of the joint capsule and the supporting ligaments.  They are performed by using normal joint mechanics while minimizing abnormal compressive stresses on the joint cartilage.

Joint Mobilization techniques involve bringing the joint into a specific position and applying oscillations or sustained distractions and glides of various grades.  Massage Therapists may perform all grades of Joint Mobilization with the exception High Velocity Thrusts (otherwise known as Chiropractic Adjustments), which are reserved for Chiropractors.

Joint Mobilizations are used to modulate pain and treat joint dysfunctions that lead to reduced ranges of motion. Conditions that may benefit from Joint Mobilizations include Frozen Shoulder, Joint Effusions, Scared Joint Capsules, Postural Dysfunction and Joint Stiffness causing Reduced Ranges of Motion.

Manual Lymph Drainage (MLD) is a series of techniques used by therapists who have been educated and certified by Dr. Vodder School International to perform Dr. Vodder Manual Lymph Drainage techniques. MLD techniques are extremely light (feather-weight touch), rhythmic and very specifically aimed at enhancing the lymphatic flow.  I have completed and been certified in the Basic Course and I am able to use these techniques to help with reducing swelling and edema.

The lymphatic system is a part of the circulatory system that carries a clear fluid (called lymph) containing blood cells from the tissues back into the venous system. Lymphatic organs and lymph nodes (including the spleen, thymus and bone marrow) are compromised of lymphatic tissue and contain lymphocytes (white blood cells) and other support cells that play an important role in the immune system and function.

MLD techniques can be used by fully certified therapists to treat lymphedema and pathologies. It is one of my goals to continue my manual lymph drainage post-graduate education in order to eventually treat various conditions and pathologies using these techniques.

Hydrotherapy is the use of water (hot, cold, steam or ice) to relieve discomfort and promote physical well being. At Aspect Health & Registered Massage Therapy, we use a number of hydrotherapy tools and techniques to help us achieve our goals. From the most basic of tools, such as ice and iced clothes used to help reduce inflammation and pain or perhaps used preemptively after some deeper more intense massage treatments, to the use of a high caliber jade stone infrared table warmer, paraffin wax applications and an infrared sauna used to help reduce muscle tension, decrease sympathetic nervous system firing, and reduce pain & stress, we use some of the most advanced forms of hydrotherapy throughout our treatment plan to help ensure you are receiving the most optimal care in all aspects of your massage therapy treatment.

While the infrared table warmer and/or ice applications may be included in all treatments free of charge, additional fees are applicable for pre-treatment sauna use and/or in-treatment paraffin wax applications. Please see our booking page for more details.

I am known to have a deeper touch. For an in depth look at what deep tissue release is and is not in a clinical setting, please click here.