Most of the bodywork I do is a combination of myofascial release (the strongest influence), visceral manipulation, craniosacral therapy, muscle energy techniques, and deep tissue massage/soft tissue mobilization. I have found that combination can get amazing therapeutic results! You can read a description of these techniques below.
After nearly two decades of practice, my bodywork perspective is one of balancing and aligning physical structure, listening intuitively and compassionately with all my senses, encouraging my clients to trust their body wisdom, and supporting their bodies in their natural path toward health.
The most important thing to me in working with clients is that when they leave I know I did my very best to serve them. As with all the roles I play, I treat my bodywork clients from the perspective that everything is connected.
The majority of my clients have tried lots of other ways to feel better – often traditional western approaches – which have failed to give them relief. The second group I treat is people who simply need nurturing or a combination thereof.
Myofascial Release
Myofascial release is a profoundly effective therapeutic bodywork approach that involves gentle stretching, pulling, compression/decompression, and soft tissue techniques to balance physical structure. It is a gentle way of treating the fascia, the connective tissue that holds the body together, differentiates and interconnects it, and gives it its shape and posture. Fascia is like a three-dimensional web from head to toe. It not only allows for fluid movement, but restrictions from trauma can often cause imbalance that result in physical symptoms. Fascial restrictions cannot be seen by modern diagnostic equipment. Medical science is just beginning to understand the importance of this physiological system that myofascial release treats so effectively. In most cases, the cause of pain is rarely where the symptoms are, and this puzzle is often solved with skillful evaluation and treatment of the fascial system.
Rebounding
Rebounding is a therapeutic technique used to compliment myofascial release or any bodywork technique. The tissue is rocked or “rebounded”, which creates a more fluid state in the body; freeing tight joints, softening hardened, knotty areas, improving lymph flow, and creating a more relaxed state. Rebounding is especially helpful for freeing the ground substance or matrix of fascia, which is the direct environment of every cell of the body. In its healthy state, the matrix is gelatinous, but when restricted it hardens and solidifies causing rigidity, restricted movement, inflammation, and pain.
Myofascial Unwinding
Myofascial unwinding is a movement therapy used to compliment structural myofascial release or other bodywork or psychological approaches. Unwinding can be thought of as the movement of the mind. When a client feels safe, with the facilitation of a skilled therapist he or she may allow their body wisdom to move them into positions in space that free tension and create inner space. Sometimes the results are perceived as a physical loosening; in other situations, it can release trapped memories, emotions, and belief systems.
Craniosacral Therapy
Craniosacral therapy is a very gentle bodywork approach that treats imbalances of the cranial bones and the connective tissue that lines and protects the brain and spinal cord via a body rhythm called the craniosacral rhythm. It has proven to be highly effective for many people with chronic pain, vertigo, tinnitus, and many others.
Visceral (Organ) Manipulation
Visceral Manipulation is a gentle approach to restoring freedom and function to the internal organs (viscera). This is done by releasing visceral-fascial specific restrictions through skilled palpation and knowledge of the organs, specifically their mobility or movement influenced by outside forces like breathing and voluntary movement, and motility or the inherent movement of the organs themselves. It is thought by its developers that 90% of musculoskeletal restrictions have a visceral component. Therefore, this approach not only aids in the functioning of organs, by also joints, muscles, and areas throughout the body that might seem unrelated.
Deep Tissue and Sports Massage
These two techniques work well together to decrease or eliminate muscular pain and tension and restore normal movement by using moderate to deep pressure, massage, and range of motion techniques. While Chad is versed in using his elbows, it is his belief that effective bodywork should never be more than a “good hurt.” A good way he measures that is if the person has to hold his or her breath, the technique is not therapeutic.
Muscle Energy Techniques
Muscle energy techniques are a therapeutic approach designed to mobilize restricted joints, alleviate tension patterns, and to strengthen weak links of the body’s kinetic chain. The therapist facilitates the client mobilizing his or her muscles from a controlled position in a specific direction against a counterforce.
Lymph Drainage Therapy
The lymph system regulates and distributes fluid throughout the body and plays a key role in our immune response. Lymph drainage therapy is a gentle and systematic method of moving fluid in the body that gets trapped due to inflammatory responses from injuries, infections, surgeries, and various illnesses. It seems to have a positive effect on the immune system.
Swedish Massage
This is the type of massage often associated with spas. It is generally lighter in pressure and aimed at creating relaxation and calmness. It can be helpful for circulation. As with all bodywork, Swedish massage can release endorphins, the “feel good hormones.” Though Swedish massage is not Chad’s passion, there are times he will include some of this with most people he works on; as a little nurturing can often go a long way in transforming mood. And he will gladly serve you in the way that you deem best for you.
Therapeutic Touch
Where deep tissue massage is a technique noted for pressure, therapeutic touch is quite the opposite, with the hands only lightly physically touching the body, if at all. This is a form of energy work, intended to balance the body’s energy flow, dubbed such names as meridians, chakras, chi, aura, and others. While Chad rarely uses energy work for a large portion of a session, he has found that it can be helpful in certain situations, and that it is an excellent tool for locating areas of imbalance and trauma.
Reiki
Reiki is another form of energy work similar to therapeutic touch, which is used to balance the body’s energy through intention and light touch to off the body techniques. Some practitioners use this subtle and gentle approach to help people with severe pain and terminal illness.