Healing Touch Massage Center
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Hands Up!

“It’s wonderful working with someone who is knowledgeable in this technique. Clare seems confident and explains everything as we go along. 

I feel safe and look forward to my sessions.”                 - Mary H.


































































































Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly is Myofascial Release?
What is connective tissue or fascia?
What is Myofascial Rebounding?
What is Myofasical Unwinding?

Can this technique help my problem? How does it work?
I’m used to a regular massage? Is this similar?
Who can practice Myofascial Release?
What should I look for in a Myofascial Release Therapist?
How many times should I receive treatment?
What are Healing Touch Massage Center’s hours?
Do you have gift certificates available?
What is Manual Lymph Drainage?

What exactly is Myofascial Release?

Myofascial Release is a safe and effective hands-on technique that uses gentle sustained pressures applied to the connective tissue or fascia that is throughout the body. This in turn eases the restrictions that limit our movement and function.

Trauma, injury, stress, and/or surgical procedures create myofascial restrictions that can produce tensile pressures of approximately 2,000 pounds per square inch on pain sensitive structures that typically do not show up in many of the standard tests used today such as x-rays, myelograms, CAT scans, etc.

The use of Myofascial Release allows us to look at each client as a unique individual. At Healing Touch Massage Center, sessions are hands-on treatments during which we use a multitude of Myofascial Release techniques. This involves three main techniques; sustained fascial releases (waiting for the melt), rebounding (waves of release), and unwinding (untangling the knots).


When medicine, surgery, or traditional therapy or massage does not produce the desired results, Myofascial Release will safely and gently release the entire myofascial complex for lasting and comprehensive results for true, authentic healing. This gentle technique can have a profound effect upon your body.  

What is connective tissue or fascia?
 

Fascia is a specialized system of the body that has an appearance similar to a spider's web.  Think of fascia as a scaffolding type of tissue, or a matrix. It is very densely woven, fluid-like, and is wrapped around, through, and part of every other tissue in our body including muscle, bone, nerve, vessel, as well as, all of our internal organs including the heart, lungs, brain and spinal cord.

It is not just a system of separate coverings, but one continuous structure that exists from head to toe without interruption. Everything is held together and in place by fascia. In this way you can begin to see that each part of the entire body is connected to every other part.

Because fascia is very strong and very connected, when one area gets tugged, pulled, or injured, the effects trickle throughout the body. This is why we may have pain in our knee that has nothing to do with a knee injury, but everything to do with a back injury. The natural fluid state of the fascia has been traumatized, which causes it to harden and tighten. 


What is Myofascial Rebounding?

Do you remember getting rocked as a child, feeling safe and secure?  Have you recently been on a porch swing? It has a calming, soothing effect, doesn’t it? We are up to 75% water/fluid, and when rocked, an internal wave of motion begins to form and move through our body. 

When the rocking continues gently as with Myofascial Rebounding, this motion continues the softening, reaching into the hardened and solidified tissues in our body.  With Rebounding, every cell of your body can be reached, even dense structures such as bone.

Myofascial Rebounding can also help to unlock bracing or guarding patterns that we’ve developed over our lifetime (whether we meant to or not) as a result of facing injury, trauma, or stressful moments. Our bodies go into a “defensive” mode to protect injured areas, or brace against stress. 

As the injury heals, or the stress is eased, we should return to normal movement. But for so many of us, we hang on to these established patterns of tensions.  Rebounding can help reset the body, and restore the natural fluidity of the tissues, as it should be.

What is Myofascial Unwinding?

Myofascial unwinding is the spontaneous and enlightened movement of your body that usually occurs when you feel safe. Did you ever wake up and move/stretch/contort your body to begin your day? Ah, didn’t that feel good?  That is unwinding in its simplest form.  We all have that innate ability to self-correct the tensions, imbalances, and restrictions in our body through intuitive movement. 

With the help of your properly trained therapist to support your body and minimize the effects of gravity within the safe environment of a treatment session, your body can let go of control. This can then allow your subconscious mind to release the pattern of trauma that is trapped. Unwinding connects us with our true self and can allow for authentic healing.

Can this technique help my problem? How does it work?

Myofascial Release decreases tightness and eliminates fascial tissue restrictions throughout the body to decrease pain and restore mobility.   This can help to re-gain optimal flexibility, improve energy levels, restore normal sleeping patterns, and resolve pain.

It works by improving the movement of the fascia, which in turn improves the movement of all other tissues in the body.  

So, the answer is a definite, YES!  Myofascial Release can help you with your problem.
This includes the following (but not limited to):
•    Back Pain
•    Headaches
•    Whiplash
•    Pelvic Pain
•    Neck Pain
•    Sports Injuries
•    Chronic Pain
•    Disc Problems
•    Migraines
•    Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
•    Neurological Dysfunction
•    Fibromyalgia
•    Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
•    Adhesions
•    Carpal Tunnel
•    Jaw Pain (TMJ)
•    Painful Scars
•    Scoliosis
•    Sciatica
•    Myofascial Pain Syndrome
•    Women's Health Issues

I’m used to a regular massage? Is this similar?

Each Myofascial Release Treatment session is performed directly on skin without oils, creams or machinery. This enables the therapist to accurately detect fascial restrictions and apply the appropriate amount of sustained pressure to facilitate release of the fascia.  There is no rush, no forcing the tissue.  This time spent waiting for the “melt” of the tissue is what allows the change in the tissues.

Who can practice Myofascial Release?

Many different types of health professionals can provide Myofascial Release therapy. This can include massage therapists, osteopathic physicians, nurses, physical or occupational therapists, chiropractors, and others.

They are eligible to practice MFR, once they receive proper training.  But beware, there are other forms of Myofascial Release that don’t follow John F. Barnes’ guidelines. These other forms tend to force and rush the tissue.  Ask your professional how he/she was trained.  

 
What should I look for in a Myofascial Release Therapist?

Ask what courses or training they have received. Ideally, a person who is trained in John F. Barnes’ Myofascial Release Approach is specially trained to read the body, find the fascial restrictions and treat accordingly.  All courses involve hands-on training and guidance to help the clinician become more confident in using this technique.

Ultimately, look for a practitioner who has experience with a variety of conditions, knowledge through advanced coursework, and of course, is someone that you can feel comfortable and safe with.


How many times should I receive treatment?

Everyone is different, so it depends.  Many people have great results in 5 - 8 sessions.  Others need additional treatments to correct more complex, long-standing restrictions.  Then, most people continue with follow-up sessions, such as once every few months, to continue with the healing process, “tune-ups” to promote health and well-being.

What are Healing Touch Massage Center’s hours?

I see clients by appointment only.  Hours vary depending on day.
Typically, morning appointments are available on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday. 

Afternoon appointments on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday.
Evening appointments on Thursday.
Contact me if you have specific needs.

Do you have gift certificates available?


Yes, I do have gift certificates.  I can provide those to you in person, or if you contact me, I can make arrangements to have them mailed to you or to your recipient.

What is Manual Lymph Drainage?

Manual Lymph Drainage is a technique that addresses swelling that occurs when the lymphatic vessels and/or lymph nodes are damaged, inadequate, or nonfunctional. There are many causes, but the most common is cancer treatment.

Clare is a nationally Certified Lymphedema Therapist. Receiving full and extensive manual lymph drainage massage by a person with this training can complement your overall care and ensure long-term successful management of your condition.

Manual Lymph Drainage is also helpful for those people dealing with Lyme Disease, and surgeries that may impact the lymphatic system, such as liposuction.


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