MUSCLE THERAPY MECHANICS
restorative muscle therapy

About the Therapies

Connective Tissue Massage (CTM)

Connective Tissue is the network that surrounds, protects, supports, and connects all the structures of the body. Fascia is a specific type of connective tissue that provides structural support for the skeleton, tendons, and muscles. The fascia can tighten due to injury, illness, and stress, resulting in stiffness, discomfort, inflexibility, or pain. Once the muscle and fascia (myofascia) become chronically tight they cannot relax on their own.

Connective Tissue Massage (CTM) is a dynamic solution to pain relief. It works by releasing restrictions in the superficial net-like layer of fascia more effectively and efficiently than any other massage technique available.

CTM is the most direct way to restore length and flexibility throughout the entire muscular system, normalizing the tissue and bringing greater health to the fascial network. CTM provides immediate relief without using excessive force.

Myofascial Trigger Point Therapy(MTPT)

A trigger point (tp) is a highly irritable spot in the muscle.  These spots are laid down in muscle throughout life, beginning at birth.  Any number of things can “fire” a tp – stress, accident, injury, illness.  The muscle fibers go from resting length to knots and shorten the muscle which, in turn, signals the surrounding muscle fibers in a given area to tighten.  A spasm-pain-spasm cycle begins.  Pain goes away, spasm stays.  The cycle resumes as causes happen. 

Myofascial Trigger Point Therapy applies direct pressure to irritated trigger points along a muscle to inactivate the pain and restore function.

The therapist (or you) can use a knuckle, an elbow or a Backnobber to create compression on these spots for seven seconds, followed by release, massage and stretch.  The spasm-pain-spasm cycle is broken and muscle fibers learn a better behavior, which is kept in place through take-home exercises.

Informationional links:
Trigger Point Therapy
Myotherapy

Reiki

Reiki is a method of hands on healing which originated at the turn of the 20th century. The Japanese word, Reiki, comes from two words – Rei and Ki.  It infers a union with the Universal Spirit and Life Force energy. Utilizing the methods within the Reiki system, the Reiki practitioner transfers healing energy via the hands to another. 

The practitioner’s hands are placed on or near the body in various positions around the head, shoulders, stomach and feet.  Some people feel a warm glowing radiance that flows through the body, the energy goes where it is needed and is probably one of the most non-invasive, low-impact and safest healing methods available.  It also has a calming effect on the mind and emotions.