Services
Swedish Massage techniques form the basic repertoire of all Registered Massage Therapists. What I've outlined below are some of the additional services I offer, or skills I've become proficient in, beyond the typical scope of practice. I like to think of these areas as my specialties, and they're what sets me apart from other therapists.
Kinesio Taping
Kinesio tape is a stretchy, flexible tape that's applied for a variety of purposes. It can promote drainage and circulation in areas of swelling, support weak or injured joints, or help activate weak muscles so they can be strengthened.
Typically I apply a taping treatment at the end of a massage, it's left on for 5-7 days, taken off to rest for a few days, and then I re-evaluate whether additional taping treatments would be beneficial.
Tape can also be used easily, and with great results on horses and short haired dogs. Taping a longer haired animal such as a husky would require shaving, and I would really have to feel that it's important to the recovery from an acute injury to recommend it.
Myofascial Release
Fascia is the collective term for various types of connective tissue that surround each muscle, joint, bone and organ and coat the underside of our skin. This tissue can be compared to cling wrap. In healthy tissues, the layers are well lubricated and won't stick together. When the area becomes injured, stressed, strained or dehydrated however, these dry bits of "cling wrap" start to stick to one another and get matted down, causing pain, tightness and decreased range of motion.
Myofascial release, what I commonly refer to as fascial work, is a technique done without oil or lotion, which helps stretch and free the fascia of the muscles from the surrounding connective tissues it's become adhered to.
Often therapists will warn that this technique can be "uncomfortable" or "may burn". I don't feel that pain or discomfort need to be a part of the process at all, my treatments should never hurt.
Canine and Equine Massage
And hey, I've been known to treat the odd feline as well, though generally they're much less agreeable clients. Quadruped anatomy is fascinating in both it's similarities and differences to human anatomy, and I feel my passion for exploring those connections makes me better at treating both.
Dog owners often seek treatment to help their pets recover from traumatic injuries or surgeries. Massage can also help maintain function and mobility in dogs plagued by arthritis and other degenerative conditions like hip dysplasia.
The benefit for horses is similar, but massage can also help improve their performance in nearly any discipline, relax nervous, skittish horses, and prolong their usable life. Massage for animals is often overlooked, but I think it's a vital part of any health and wellness plan.