Active Release is a technique for releasing scar tissue which can bind up tissues, restricting movement and resulting in reduced range of motion, loss of strength, and pain. If a nerve is trapped, one may also feel tingling, numbness and weakness. The therapist uses her hands to evaluate the texture, tightness and movement of muscles, fascia, tendons, ligaments and nerves. Abnormal tissues are treated by combining precisely directed tension with very specific patient movements.

Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Massage (Ashi means foot and atsu means pressure) is an adaptation of an ancient form of barefoot massage, where the therapist uses deep compression gliding strokes over the body to facilitate relaxation, stimulate the lymphatic system, and, if necessary, bring about a structural change in chronic soft tissue dysfunction or damage. Bars are used over the therapist's head for balance.

Deep Tissue Massage uses patterns of strokes and deep finger pressure on parts of the body where muscles are tight or knotted, focusing on layers of muscle deep under the skin to "unhook" locked muscle cells which have developed knots or bands of rigor resulting in dysfunctional muscles which may be causing pain.

Muscle Energy Technique is used to treat loss of range of motion. The technique requires the client to push against a barrier, then relax. The muscles are lengthened, thus decreasing tension in the tendons.

Myofascial Release uses sustained pressure and movement into the fascial system in order to eliminate fascial restrictions, adhesions and internal scar tissue. Fascia is a thin fibrous network of connective tissue that surrounds every muscle, every muscle bundle, every muscle fiber and every muscle cell. Nerves, muscles and other soft tissue, entrapped by fascia, may cause pain. In some people, myofascial release has been effective in facilitating the emergence of emotional patterns and belief systems that are no longer relevant or are impeding progress.

Orthopedic Massage employs a broad spectrum of massage and soft-tissue manipulations to treat soft-tissue dysfunction, often integrating trigger point therapy, deep tissue massage, myofascial approaches and muscle energy techniques, as well as others. Matching the physiology of the injury with the physiological effects of the treatment technique is the art of orthopedic massage.

Post-Isometric Relaxation Technique begins by placing the muscle in a stretched position. Then a contraction is exerted against minimal resistance. Relaxation and then gentle stretch follow as the muscle releases, increasing range of motion.

Swedish Massage employs long strokes, kneading and friction on the muscles, moving the joints to aid flexibility. At Fine Art Massage, Swedish is used for relief between more intense methods. "Fluff and Buff" massage is nothing but Swedish massage.

Trigger Point Massage, also called pressure point massage, involves a variety of strokes, but applies deeper, more focused pressure on myofascial trigger points - "knots" that can form in the muscles, painful when pressed, and which cause symptoms elsewhere in the body as well.

Benefits

Massage as a health care treatment was a traditional medical practice in many cultures. With the rise of the pharmaceutical industry, massage virtually disappeared from Western medical practice in the early 20th century. But massage is in the middle of a resurgence – a time in which we see a renewed interest in the use of manual therapies for treatment of soft tissue injuries, as well as the alleviation of stress, which is linked to many illnesses plaguing Western lifestyles.

The Touch Research Institute, a division of the University of Miami’s School of Medicine, has conducted over 100 studies on the positive effects of massage therapy on many functions and medical conditions in many different age groups. Among the significant research findings are enhanced growth (e.g. in preterm infants), diminished pain (e.g. fibromyalgia), decreased autoimmune problems (e.g., increased pulmonary function in asthma and decreased glucose levels in diabetes), enhanced immune function (e.g., increased natural killer cells in HIV and cancer), and enhanced alertness and performance (e.g., EEG pattern of alertness and better performance on math computations).

Orthopedic conditions that respond favorably to massage include: Back & Neck Pain; Carpal Tunnel Syndrome; Pronator Teres Syndrome; De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis; Ankle Sprains; Plantar Faciitis; Shin Splints; Knee Pain; Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive capsulitis); Iliotibial Band Syndrome; Tendinitis/Tendinosis; Muscle Strain; Sciatica; Priformis Syndrome; Sacroiliac (SI) Joint Dysfunction; Bursitis; Herniated disks; Thoracic Outlet Syndrome; Scoliosis; Spasmodic Torticollis; and Whiplash.

Why Fine Art Massage?

Musculoskeletal pain and injury conditions are an increasingly common reason for individuals to seek medical care worldwide. These problems are the second most common reason for seeing a family practice physician; infectious diseases are the most common reason. (Craton & Matheson, 1993; Kelsey, 1982) Many of these problems fall under the category of Cumulative Trauma Disorders (CTDs), which may account for as much as 56% of all occupational injuries in the United States. (Melhorn, 1998)