Manual Therapy Modalities

This method is used to treat musculoskeletal disorders, chronic pain, and mobility issues by restoring the fascia’s natural function and improving the overall biomechanics of the body.

This technique targets the fascia and muscle connection at key points throughout the body. By releasing these specific areas, it enhances the muscle’s full potential. Many muscles work in tandem, functioning as a unit. Manipulating these muscles through various trigger points helps release those that are closely layered or “sandwiched” together.

Craniosacral therapy (CST) is a gentle, hands-on technique that works with the body’s craniosacral system, which includes the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord. By applying light pressure, CST helps release tension and restrictions in this system, promoting the body’s natural healing processes. It is used to relieve a wide range of issues, such as headaches, migraines, chronic pain, stress, and trauma. CST aims to enhance overall well-being by improving nervous system function, reducing stress, and supporting physical and emotional balance. This manual therapy modality is incorporated into my massage therapy practice.

Craniosacral can help with chronic pain, headaches, migraines, restless legs, stress, tension, trauma recovery, sleep disturbances, post surgical recovery and managing neurological conditions.

For your initial consultation and assessment, you will be asked to wear comfortable clothing — Craniosacral Therapy is performed while you are fully clothed. CST involves very light touch, generally no more than the weight of a nickel (around 5 grams of pressure). The therapist will place their hands on various parts of your body, typically starting with the head, neck, and spine.

Gentle manipulation to specific areas, such as the skull, sacrum, or spine, to release restrictions in the craniosacral system. You may experience various sensations, such as warmth, tingling, gentle pulsations, or subtle shifts in your body.

Craniosacral Therapy can sometimes trigger an emotional release, as stored trauma or stress is processed. You may feel a sense of relief, calm, or even unexpected emotions like tears, laughter, or a feeling of letting go. Many clients report feeling deeply relaxed, almost in a meditative or dream-like state during the session. A typical CST session lasts between 45 to 60 minutes, though this may vary depending on the therapist and your individual needs. Each session is uniquely tailored to the individual, providing a holistic and deeply restorative experience.

Muscle energy technique is a manual therapy modality commonly used in Osteopathy. It employs the muscle’s own energy through gentle isometric contractions to relax and lengthen the muscle by means of autogenic or reciprocal inhibition. It’s a different way of working with the muscle to relax it, and allows the body to reach a relaxed state. In addition, muscle energy technique helps the body restore to its natural balance through deeper relaxation of the nervous system.

Muscle Energy Technique is a manual therapy modality that helps restore normal joint mobility by relaxing tight muscles and releasing tension. By activating and then relaxing muscles through contraction and release, MET can effectively reduce muscle spasms and tension, it works to reset neuromuscular patterns, helping to strengthen weak muscles and balance opposing muscle groups.In addition it reduces pain and discomfort, it enhances circulation and healing, its safe and gentle for a wide range of people and its effective for chronic and acute conditions.

MET is commonly used to treat chronic or acute pain in the lower back and neck. It helps release tight muscles and improve the alignment of the spine and pelvis. Conditions like: Sciatica, herniated discs, facet joint dysfunction, cervical and lumber strain, tendonitis, rotator cuff, plantar fasciitis, sacroiliac joint dysfunction to name a few.

Visceral Manipulation is a manual therapy modality that uses gentle, precisely applied forces to restore normal mobility, tone, and natural movement of the internal organs (viscera), muscles and their connective tissues, where normal physiological motion has been restricted. In many cases visceral manipulation is used to restore the natural movement of fascia, organs and muscles back to their natural movement, I incorporate these techniques into my massage therapy practice.

Visceral Manipulation can potentially alleviate symptoms such as back or neck pain, pelvic pain, nerve issues, anxiety, depression, and gastrointestinal problems.