Massage Modalities

In each massage session:

You will be asked a focus- what you want today- of primarily chronic pain or stress relief

*note- each massage address both- I like to know whats most important for today.*

Each session- the modalities will be picked according to the result the client wants and how Rachel feels she can best meet these needs. You get to consent to each type of modality.

When massage is being done, the massage pressure will be adjusted to you. It should always be pleasurable--feel good. It's ok if it "hurts good", but it should never be painful. This is because you need to be relaxed in order for your brain to have beneficial musculature release.

Always speak up if it goes over a 7 in discomfort.

Contrary to popular belief that the muscles responds to the literal "beating or kneading" like a dead piece of meat--bodies are a mysterious neurological masterpiece. Massage IS very effective, but it is because of the increased neural stimulation into areas (such as brain awareness coming to areas of pain, or the "good" pain as a trigger point is dug into). The increased neural input causes a big spike in neural impulse, which taken away (the removal of stress) causes a reciprocal reduction in tension in the muscle...

You cause (good) pain, then take it away. The body loves it. This is especially effective with client's pain cycle has a faulty loop. Pain itself is not an indication of how "broken" you are, but how your body perceives the many signals it is getting. This includes how it perceives messages. Working on the pain being less stressful (and that the body has solutions to this pain) is very important in breaking faulty pain loops--especially when there is no known reason for the pain to continue. The body is out of danger...

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Modalities used in Massage Sessions

in addition to massage and with your consent

Glide Cupping

a fascia treatment

Cupping is a form of negative pressure mobilization. While massage pushes--cupping uses a vacuum in a glass cup to "pull".

This creates SPACE to massage's COMPRESSION...

What does glide cupping do?

Cupping treats your muscles, nervous system and fascia. People get it for many purposes, including to help with pain, inflammation, blood flow, relaxation and well-being, and as a type of deep tissue massage.

How does cupping work?

The space created by cupping supports your nerves... studies have shown that just the feeling of touch promotes the release of Nerve Growth Factor in the brain. The release of NGF in a learning environment will facilitate nerve net growth in response to the learned task in both the central and peripheral nervous system, resulting in improved proprioceptive feedback and motor patterning.

Will I get cupping marks?

Not likely though it is possible! If it happens, I'll tell you and it is likely to be petechiae, tiny pinpointed red speckled spots.

Note: I usually cup people's backs and SCM. I sometimes cup calves. (This can be uncomfortable and adjusted accordingly.) It can also be a treatement all on its own.

Active Massage

Being Stretched during the massage

While most people think of massage as passive (lying there are receiving massage), there are a lot of benefits to active massage- being activly stretched and massaged at the same time.

This makes a significant change in tissue length- but it is less "relaxing". It needs your participation and awareness.

My particular expertise is a pelvic alignment series I do of active work at the beginning of the massage while you are dressed still. This is done if you have chronic pain and you present with pelvic misalignment. (You need a level base)

Most of the other more active stretching can be done seamlessly in a massage with less particpation by client. (Dominant flexor muscles like the pectorals, calves, SCM)
There is also a growing trend of simply being stretched. I have the ability to do this as well BUT- I always focus on a solution to your issues.

Microcurrent

A relative of a tens unit- but MUCH less electricity.

Microcurrent is an aesthetic add-on for scar work, vagal nerve stimulation

Types used: Dolphin Neurostim, 7E Wellness, Avazia Evolution

Our bodies are electric, and microcurrent can be used to help heal. Microcurrent uses very small amounts of electricity to influence our bodies currents. (And its truly small- a millionth of an amp vs a Tens Unit is a thousandth of an amp)

I have training in vagal nerve protocols, scar protocols, concussion protocols, fascia protocols and lymphatic support in microcurrent.

How its used in massage:

-Vagal nerve stim- if you come in with chronic stress and anxiety, sleeping issues, immune issues, or just trouble recovering from anything but especially a recent illness...

-Scar work treatment- increase healing and soften both scar and nearby tissue

-Back pain protocol (especially with radiculopathy-visibly seen neuro issues in back)

-General Chronic pain

*You should not use electricity on the body if you have epilepsy or are pregnant. Implanted electrical devices might also be a contraindication.*

Rocktape

Support or influence the neurological system

Rocktape (a type of kinesiotape) is an amazing tool which is used to influence the neurological system to up-regulate, down-regulate and provide support. Since I work with reducing pain I use it to down-regulate and support ideal posture.

While massage can be very helpful for releasing tissue, the brain wants to get you back to neutral. (which is where you were before the release of tissue.) Applying Rocktape after a massage can help calm the nervous system and remind it that its OK to stay (released and in ideal posture).

The company of Rocktape is an education based company that teaches about how the tools work to influence the nervous system- so I use RockBlades (graston-like scraping tools) and RockPods (a type of silicone cupping) to also influence the nervous system.