ADVANCED BODY THERAPY PRACTICE

MASSAGE THERAPY

I have been a Massage Therapist since 2003, utilizing a variety of techniques that are well established in massage. Massage therapy is the treating of the soft tissues of the body in order to normalize those tissues, and consists of different manual techniques that involve applying fixed or movable pressure, holding, and/or causing movement of, or to, the body.

Massage has a time-honored history in medicine that stretches back to ancient times: Hippocrates was an early advocate of massage, and recommended them on a daily basis to help ease pain and prevent stiffness. Massages are intended to relax the body (and mind), mobilize stiff joints, reduce muscular tension, alleviate pain, improve the flow of blood and lymph, help reduce swelling and inflammation, and to lower tension and stress.

Massage may also help to integrate the mind and body, improve skin tone, increase the flow of energy through the nervous system, and enhance all the body systems.

CRANIOSACRAL THERAPY

I am an experienced practitioner of Craniosacral Therapy, a holistic practice from an Osteopathic tradition that uses very light and gentle touch to help balance the craniosacral system in the body, which includes the bones, fluids, nerves, and connective tissues.

This system addresses the continuous membrane of connective tissues (fascia) located throughout all layers of the body, including the dura mater. The dura mater encloses the brain as well as the spinal cord.

Craniosacral therapy is well suited for many ailments, including headaches, pain, chronic middle ear infection, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and general health maintenance. It is also recommended for fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, heart disease, pneumonia, chronic sinus infections, and gastroenteritis.

In addition, Craniosacral practitioners have reported other health benefits, including helping with motor coordination difficulties, eye dysfunction, dyslexia, depression, colic, asthma in babies, whiplash, cerebral palsy, and other central nervous system disorders.

NEUROMUSCULAR THERAPY (NMT)

I am a Certified Neuromuscular Massage Therapist, skilled in the integrative system of bodywork which is designed to incorporate neurologic responses with myofascial tissue states. Neuromuscular therapy addresses trigger points, hypertonicity in muscles, and postural compensation patterns with the aim of improving range of motion, as well as reducing musculoskeletal pain.

Neuromuscular therapy also assists with balancing the nervous and musculoskeletal systems, helping to treat back, neck, and shoulder pain, TMJ pain, post-traumatic pain, headaches, migraines, whiplash-related pain, and pain due to poor posture. Techniques also address biomechanics, trigger points, nerve entrapment and compression, and postural distortion.

SHIATSU

Shiatsu is a clothed treatment that focuses on the meridian system in the body. Originating in Japan, this treatment involves applying pressure to points on the meridian system which helps to balance and harmonize the qi of the body in order to maintain physical and mental well being, help alleviate discomfort, and to treat disease.

Shiatsu is considered holistic because it attempts to treat the whole person rather than a specific medical complaint. In addition to pain relief, shiatsu also can reduce stress, relieve nausea, improve circulation, boost the immune system, help with migraines, arthritis, and depression. Shiatsu can also be used to help alleviate muscular pain and tension, including the back and neck. In a broad sense, shiatsu can enhance overall physical vitality and emotional well being.

MANUAL LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE (MLD)

Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) is a type of gentle massage therapy which encourages the natural drainage of the lymph, which carries various wastes away from the body tissues. This type of massage helps to increase metabolism, promote a healthy immune system, increase recovery time, and to remove cellular waste and debris.

Manual Lymphatic Drainage uses a specific amount of light pressure (less than 9 ounces per square inch) and circular, rhythmic movements to stimulate lymph flow. An MLD session can last between 30 minutes to two hours long, and can occur on consecutive days, depending on whether only one specific area of the body is targeted, or the entire body.

BRAINWAVE TRAINING

The Sound and Light Machine, a small device that you connect to headphones and LED glasses, can help produce a number of positive overall health benefits: greater focus, deeper relaxation, sleep inducement, enhanced creativity, accelerated learning, and stress reduction.

Everyday stress is eased and released as brainwaves begin synchronizing breath and heart rate bringing about a state of coherence. The frequencies that are perceived using the programs on the Sound and Light Machine are alpha (creativity), beta (focus), delta (deep rest) and theta (relaxation).

These frequencies mimic those found in meditation, dreaming, and deeply focused concentration, and you experience and feel them as the brainwaves synchronize to the light and sound.

Check out www.mindplace.com for more info.