What is Integrative Manual Therapy?
The focus of Integrative Manual Therapy treatment is on removing mechanical strains from every tissue in the body in order to get each part of the body working the right way. This is all done using techniques that are in the category of “manual therapy," and are performed by a therapist's hands.
Structure dictates function. This means that when any part of the body is having a functional problem (pain, decreased movement, etc,) there has to be some mechanical/anatomical issue. There is always a structure responsible for any functional issue. There are techniques for every single structure in the body, from muscle to ligament to tendon to organ. IMT is a collection of over 20,000 techniques that have been shown to be effective (through clinical and published research) for individual tissues. The following are techniques I use to help your body move the way it is supposed to:
Orthopedic Massage
Orthopedic Massage is focused on treating the cause of complicated pain patterns, rather than focusing on the symptoms. For example, "tendonitis" (tendon pain around a joint) is usually caused by opposing muscle groups being out of balance. It starts out as tendon tension because one group of muscles is short and tight, (think biceps) while the opposite muscle group becomes weak and inhibited (think triceps). This sets off a domino-effect of muscular, facial (connective tissue) and nervous system responses that presents itself as pain. Often times, simply balancing out opposing muscle groups around a joint will eliminate the majority of tendon pain. Other pain could be post-surgical pain, pain from an acute injury, or pain from overuse strain due to a repetitive motion from an activity like typing, continuous lifting and moving objects (like children), prolonged standing or sitting, or other repetitive motions. Whatever the cause of the muscle damage, the intent of the orthopedic massage is to lengthen and soften the muscles and ligaments, permitting better range of motion of the affected joints.
Microcurrent Point Stimulation (MPS)
I use microcurrent point stimulation (MPS therapy) to treat chronic and acute soft tissue pain and scars in an all-natural, drug-free way. This is done by applying DC (Direct Current) microcurrent impulses to trigger acupuncture points, providing quick and effective pain relief for a number of medical conditions. Your body produces the same electricity, DC microcurrents, to send and receive signals throughout the body. By replicating this 0.000001 amp of direct current, we can send signals through acupuncture points in the body to “turn off” the Sympathetic Nervous System (fight or flight) that floods our bodies with adrenaline and cortisol, and jump-start the Parasympathetic Nervous System (rest and recovery), allowing your body to heal more effectively.
I perform MPS therapy with the Dolphin Neurostim™ portable pain relief unit. MPS is the world’s first integrative therapy developed exclusively to calm the Autonomic Nervous System and fight chronic pain. The theoretical underpinnings of MPS Therapy are based on combining the “therapeutic” effects of acupuncture, osteopathy, and neural therapy with modern neurology. If you would like to learn more, go here: https://www.dolphinmps.com/
Scar Tissue Release
Often, scars result in a tightening of the surrounding tissue that can restrict movement or function in the body. These restrictions not only affect the joint, limb or surrounding area, but they can affect the underlying organs, too. This is because scar tissue has the potential to spread in any direction, including internally, throughout the body. Fortunately, relaxing the contracted, tightened, and/or inflexible scar tissue can yield powerful results, which can improve mobility, diminish complications and decrease pain often associated with deep scars.
I use the Dolphin Neurostim™ to release scars and connective tissue adhesions, and it is especially effective in treating large, deep, painful scars. Coupled with manual release work (a specialized type of massage), MPS Scar/Adhesion Release Therapy significantly reduces the restrictions of scar tissue.
In general, this treatment is completely painless. The use of the microcurrent probes on the tissue surrounding the scar creates a healing response as well as repolarizing the scar tissue. Dead cells and scar tissue are broken down by the body, circulation is increased to the area, and the lymphatic system "takes out the cellular trash.". You will see visible changes in the appearance of the scar and gradually will notice a reduction in the tightness and restriction felt at the site of the scar. The duration of treatment will depend on how long you’ve had the scar, how deep it is, the size and numbers of scars, and the severity of any pain you may be having. There is no expiration date on scar release.
Since the body’s fascial system is interconnected, a scar or adhesion in one area will often affect other areas and result in compensation patterns and pain. When a scar has been released there is no longer a restriction in the flow of electricity (nerve signals), blood circulation and lymph drainage. The body can then complete the healing process.
Whether from injury or surgery, scar tissue can been significantly improved and softened and circulation and function can be greatly improved with MPS Scar/Adhesion Release Therapy. https://www.dolphinmps.com/mps-scar-release-therapy/
Vagus Nerve Stimulation
First, a short biology review: The autonomic nervous system (ANS) has two components, the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS). The sympathetic nervous system functions like a gas pedal in a car. It triggers the fight-or-flight response, providing the body with a burst of energy so that it can respond to perceived dangers. The parasympathetic nervous system acts like a brake. It promotes the "rest and recovery" response that calms the body down after the danger has passed. Normally our bodies can recover from those stress responses, whether it is through meditation/prayer, controlled breathing, or getting a solid 8 to 9 hours of sleep per night. Chronic stress keeps the SNS activated, much like a motor that is idling too high for too long. After a while, this has an effect on the body that contributes to the health problems associated with chronic stress such as fatigue, anxiety, headaches, muscle tension, insomnia, indigestion/acid reflux, decreased immune system function, weight gain, high blood pressure, heart palpitations, stroke, and more.
The Vagus Nerve functions as the "brakes" of our nervous system and controls 80% of our parasympathetic responses and is responsible for the regulation of internal organ functions, such as digestion, heart rate, and respiratory rate, blood pressure, immune response, and more.
Vagal Nerve Stimulation helps to give the Vagus nerve a boost, increasing the PNS ability to help our bodies "rest and recover," reversing the effects of chronic stress. Implanted VNS devices have been approved by the US FDA for epilepsy, depression, and stroke recovery. The Dolphin Neurostim™ microcurrent device is a non-invasive way to improve vagal tone and restore balance to an over-stimulated nervous system. For all the science stuff, go here: https://www.dolphinmps.com/what-is-vagus-nerve/
Vacuum Therapy (commonly called Cupping Therapy)
Cupping is a form of therapy which decompresses soft tissues using vacuum suction, unlike other forms of massage that compresses soft tissues. During cupping, the cup gently adheres to your skin and lifts underlying soft tissue into the cup. It is very relaxing and generally not painful. The sensation that is experienced is a pulling of the skin as the cup is moved in a rolling fashion. Redness or a feeling of warmth is usually experienced after the release of the cup due to increase blood flow to the area.
Some cupping benefits are as follows:
Reduction in muscle tension
Reduction in painful trigger points
Improvement in blood and lymph circulation
Relief of pain
Increase in mobility and range of motion
Neuromuscular Therapy
Neuromuscular therapy is a type of massage that highly specializes in treating soft tissues of the body. Neuromuscular therapy provides the balance of the nervous system with the muscular and skeletal systems. This helps to naturally bring the body back into alignment.
Neuromuscular therapy focuses on providing relief from pain and dysfunction originating from specific areas of soft tissues and trigger points. This type of massage therapy can also help alleviate chronic pain.
Hot Stone Massage
There is not much that is more relaxing than a hot stone massage. It is a method for relieving soreness and relaxing tension in the muscles of the body. It allows intense muscle relaxation which enables the massage therapist to actually work very deeply, without the same pressure that they would need to apply in a deep tissue massage.
Heat is a well-known natural pain reliever. If tension is behind an ache or pain, then heat can be enormously effective at releasing the tension and thus easing the pain. This is believed to be because when heat is applied to an area, the blood flow to that region increases. It can help alleviate spasms and enable a joint or muscles to be gently flexed and regain movement and mobility.
Ice Therapy
"Heat feels good. Ice sucks, but it works." ~ Me
Cryotherapy, also known as ice application, is the simplest and oldest way to treat injuries. Ice is believed to control pain by instigating local numbing, decreasing fluid buildup, nerve conduction velocities, cellular metabolism and local blood flow. Cryotherapy has been utilized specifically for treating injuries that involve acute inflammation, chronic pain or postsurgical swelling or discomfort. This is why ice massage has been recommended for anyone who has experienced musculoskeletal injuries, such as severe bruises, sprains or fractures, as the ice reduces sensation and blood flow while the gentle rotating movement helps mobilize the soft tissue.
I use CRYODERM® cryotherapy products because they provide fast-acting, deep-penetrating, long-lasting pain-relieving cold therapy. Clinically proven CRYODERM® is ideal for soft tissue injuries, muscle strains, sprained ligaments, neurological conditions, arthritic bone and joint conditions, tendonitis, neuritis, bursitis, neuropathy, neuromas, and plantar fasciitis. CRYODERM® helps to “turn off” the nervous system’s protective response, allowing tissue manipulation without pain and subconscious muscle guarding.
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is the practice of using essential oils for therapeutic benefit. Aromatherapy is normally used through inhalation or as a topical application. When inhaled, the scent molecules in essential oils travel from the olfactory nerves directly to the brain and especially impact the amygdala, the emotional center of the brain. As the molecules reach the brain, they affect the limbic system, which is linked to emotions, heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, memory, stress, and hormone balance. In this way, essential oils can have a subtle, yet holistic effect on the body.
Essential oils can also be absorbed by the skin. Some oils can have pain relieving or muscle calming effects, and may be used diluted in a massage cream or oil.
It is very important that we discuss any allergies you may have before we implement aromatherapy.