Swedish Massage:

Rhythmic massage using light, flowing, long strokes to connect you from top of your head to soles of your feet.  It is a relaxing massage for the superficial layers of your body.  Swedish Massage can reduce stress and increase circulation.  Think of it as a sabbatical for your mind and body.  Gentle, deliberate range of motion for joints can also be a part of Swedish Massage.

Integrative Reflexology®:

Integrative Reflexology® was developed by Claire Marie Miller, a Massage Therapist in Chapel Hill North Carolina.
There are reflex areas in the feet and hands that correspond to every part of the body including organs and glands.  The areas can be affected by stimulating the appropriate reflex point with finger or thumb compression to promote energy flow.   Reflexology is based on the four theories of Structural Alignment, Zones, Meridians, and Psychoneuroimmunology.  Working with the structural alignment of the feet can improve function the body by freeing the fascia that is holding tension.  Working with Chinese meridians is done to achieve greater balance in the system.   Working on the different zones can improve function within each cavity of the body. And psychoneuroimmunology is the mind-body connection that works on the interactions between the brain (psycho), the nervous system (neuro), and the immune system (immunology).

Cupping: 

Suction therapy using cups (I use plastic & silicon but glass is also common) to create negative pressure, also known as myofascial decompression.  Cupping creates space and separation in the tissues to reduce stagnation and promote circulation.  Cups are either left in place for five to fifteen minutes(static) or they are slid across the skin (dynamic).  Once removed, you may have discolored cup marks which could last up to seven days.

CDt Lymphedema therapy:

Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT) is the gold standard for treating lymphedema and consists of a decongestion phase, followed by a maintenance phase. Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT) aims to reduce your swelling, improve the condition of your skin and increase your mobility. The first step of CDT, Decongestion, is to reduce the swelling as much as possible and improve your limb shape and skin condition. This intensive treatment phase usually lasts for about 2 – 4 weeks. Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) is a gentle technique that improves the function of the lymphatic system by rerouting lymphatic fluid around blocked areas of the body. MLD combines gentle stretching of the skin, slow, rhythmic massage, and deep breathing to stimulate the healthy areas of your lymphatic system, and move fluid from the blocked areas back into the rest of the body. These are the four elements to both phases: Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD), Compression Therapy, Skin Care, & Exercise.

Trigger Point:

Cycles of isolated direct pressure and release are used to work on trigger points. A trigger point is a small area of tightly contracted muscle, a micro-cramp afflicting a tiny patch of muscle tissue.  This small patch of muscle chokes off its own blood supply, which irritates it even more, creating a vicious cycle. Trigger Points are usually very tender, causing “referral” pain and restrictions to other parts of the body.