"The doctor said my only option was surgery. What a relief!" Sue
what is Medical Massage?

Herb Levin, founder of Medical Massage Practitioners of America, defines Medical Massage as result oriented and the treatment is specifically directed to resolve conditions that have been diagnosed by a physician. (However, you do not need a prescription to see me and my services are not typically covered by insurance.) The therapist may use a variety of modalities or procedures during the treatment, but will focus that treatment only on the areas of the body related to the diagnosis.
All forms of massage therapy can be therapeutic when applied by a skillful and knowledgeable therapist; therefore Medical Massage is not limited to any particular specific technique. We incorporate several approaches including, but not limited to, Muscle Testing, Neuromuscular Therapy, Myofascial Release, Positional Release, Trigger Point Therapy and Rehabilitative Stretching procedures.
All forms of massage therapy can be therapeutic when applied by a skillful and knowledgeable therapist; therefore Medical Massage is not limited to any particular specific technique. We incorporate several approaches including, but not limited to, Muscle Testing, Neuromuscular Therapy, Myofascial Release, Positional Release, Trigger Point Therapy and Rehabilitative Stretching procedures.
what is Deep Tissue Massage?

Art Riggs, author of Deep Tissue Massage, A Visual Guide to Techniques defines it as the understanding of the layers of the body, and the ability to work with tissue on these layers to relax, lengthen, and release holding patterns in the most effective and energy efficient way possible. There is no sharp distinction between a regular massage and deep tissue work and its practice may vary depending on therapist, setting and client. A deep massage is not a hard massage, which is simply the result of exerting more effort.
In Deep Tissue Massage there is less emphasis on pleasure as the primary goal and more emphasis on altering structure and muscle restrictions. This is not to say that the work is not pleasurable. Most clients, once they are accustomed to the benefits of deep tissue work, prefer the increased degree of relaxation, the alleviation of pain and the longer lasting benefits.
In Deep Tissue Massage there is less emphasis on pleasure as the primary goal and more emphasis on altering structure and muscle restrictions. This is not to say that the work is not pleasurable. Most clients, once they are accustomed to the benefits of deep tissue work, prefer the increased degree of relaxation, the alleviation of pain and the longer lasting benefits.
what are Trigger Points?

A trigger point is defined as a highly irritable localized spot of exquisite tenderness in a nodule in a palpable taut band of muscle tissue. The first part of the definition just means that a trigger point hurts like the devil when you push on it. The nodule is the trigger point itself. To your fingertips, it feels like a knot or small lump. Trigger points always hurt when pressed on there is never any question. Accessing trigger points often requires pressing deep into the layers of muscle/fascia.
The palpable taut band is a semihard strand of muscle that feels like a cord or cable. Taut means it is tightly stretched. Palpable means you can feel it with your fingers. Taut bands tend to restrict range of notion by limiting a muscles ability to lengthen. They can exist painlessly in muscles without trigger points.
A trigger point is a contraction in a small part of the muscle that stays stuck. It is irritable because the nerve fibers that pass through the taut tissue are stretched and get annoyed. Annoyed nerves hurt. Typically there is a pattern of trigger points in several muscles that are involved in restricting proper pain-free motion. Trigger points have a variety of causes, such as: holding an awkward position for an extended time, an accident or trauma, chronic tension, ongoing stress or repetitive motions.
Therapeutic treatment of trigger points releases the contractures so the muscle fibers can lengthen and reduce the nerve irritation, relieving painful symptoms and restoring ease of motion. This process also restores the proper flow of blood and other fluids to and through the area, which is important for maintaining healthy tissues.
The palpable taut band is a semihard strand of muscle that feels like a cord or cable. Taut means it is tightly stretched. Palpable means you can feel it with your fingers. Taut bands tend to restrict range of notion by limiting a muscles ability to lengthen. They can exist painlessly in muscles without trigger points.
A trigger point is a contraction in a small part of the muscle that stays stuck. It is irritable because the nerve fibers that pass through the taut tissue are stretched and get annoyed. Annoyed nerves hurt. Typically there is a pattern of trigger points in several muscles that are involved in restricting proper pain-free motion. Trigger points have a variety of causes, such as: holding an awkward position for an extended time, an accident or trauma, chronic tension, ongoing stress or repetitive motions.
Therapeutic treatment of trigger points releases the contractures so the muscle fibers can lengthen and reduce the nerve irritation, relieving painful symptoms and restoring ease of motion. This process also restores the proper flow of blood and other fluids to and through the area, which is important for maintaining healthy tissues.
what is Lymphatic Drainage?

Lymphatic drainage is a holistic approach to promoting a healthy lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is a complex network of vessels and ducts that move fluid throughout the body and is responsible for moving toxins away from healthy cells and carrying germ-fighting materials to cells when they are under attack by viruses. Though fluid moves through the lymphatic system, it does not have its own pumping mechanism. Lymphatic drainage is a type of therapy that is intended to help the body produce a free-flowing lymphatic system.
Lymphatic drainage therapy consists of a manual massage, performed by a lymphatic drainage therapist. A lymphatic drainage massage primarily focuses on specific lymph nodes and points of the body, as well as the natural flow of the lymphatic system.
Proponents of lymphatic drainage believe that the process will reduce blockages of the lymphatic system, which in turn promotes a healthier body.
When the lymphatic system becomes blocked, lymph nodes may become swollen. Further, the system fails to remove the body’s toxins and can even affect white blood cell counts. Lymphatic drainage is believed to reduce blockage, which promotes health in the lymphatic system as well as other bodily systems such as the circulatory, respiratory, muscular and endocrine systems. Some therapists believe that lymphatic drainage therapy can also reduce allergies, menstrual cramps, colds and other viruses. There are approximately 600 lymph glands (lymph nodes) in the body -- most are in the head and neck. Those that usually swell are those in the armpits, neck, or groin, or below the chin.
While lymphatic drainage is about preventative health care and is considered safe, physical symptoms, such as swollen glands, can indicate a problem with the lymphatic system and should be evaluated by a physician. In addition to lymphatic drainage therapy, there is research that indicates there are additional measures people can take to promote a free-flowing lymphatic system. Some of these measures include things as simple as avoiding tight-fitting undergarments such as bras, underwear and pantyhose, and other restrictive clothing.
Reducing stress can also help promote a healthy lymphatic system as well as regular exercise and a healthy diet.