Techniques:
As a PT Assistant and a Licensed Massage Therapist, I have been trained in conventional
Physical Therapy and Massage techniques. Those areas where I’ve
taken a specific interest or that I specialize in are listed below.
This is not a comprehensive list. With over 22 years experience, I’ve
taken many additional trainings and even helped develop a couple of
techniques - sometimes in conjunction with other therapists.
CranioSacral Therapy (CST)
CranioSacral Therapy was developed by
Dr. John Upledger, DO OMM after he noticed a
previously unexplained rhythm while assisting
neuro-surgery in the early 1970's.
With further investigation, Dr. Upledger found that the
CranioSacral system, since it encompasses the central
nervous system, has a profound effect on the entire body.
Dysfunction in the CranioSacral system can cause
pressure on sensitive tissues such as blood vessels and
nerves which can cause pain, disease and limit mobility.
He developed the profoundly effective treatment
technique that we now know as CranioSacral Therapy, a
gentle hands-on method that works with the systems of
the body to facilitate the body's natural healing.
It is a whole body treatment approach that treats
dysfunction by addressing restrictions wherever they are
located. The key to success is treating each person as the
individual that they are, as opposed to treating people as
only a diagnosis.
Lymph Drainage Therapy (LDT)
First please let me emphasize that Lymphatic Therapy is GENTLE!
I have seen too many reports online about people receiving “lymph massage”
that was painful – it should NEVER be. In normal tissue, the
lymph system can generally tolerate “deep tissue” types
of therapy, when done correctly. However, if there is lymphedema the
lymph system can be damaged. PLEASE, Lymph Drainage Therapy should
ALWAYS be gentle and comfortable. Also, should you have a compromised
lymphatic system and get injured in a “related” area, you
may be wise to see a therapist who is at least aware of the lymphatic
system to help ensure that your needs are taken care of.
I am trained and assist teaching Chikly method of Lymph Drainage Therapy through
the intermediate levels. I originally started taking Dr Chikly’s
trainings because they were taught through the Upledger Institute and
I have found them to be an ideal addition to the CranioSacral
Training both in philosophy and technique. In people with compromised
lymphatic systems, instead of dictating where the lymph should
redirect to, Dr Chikly teaches how to feel where the fluids are
naturally attempting to drain to and assisting them to redirect along
those new pathways. Working with the body instead of attempting to
impose a set of beliefs on it is a wonderful way to assist the
healing process.
Everyone can benefit from lymph drainage
therapy to help recover from injury, even people who do not have
compromised lymph systems. When we are injured, we often get
interstitial swelling as our body works to heal itself. Lymph
drainage therapy can assist that process and help in recovery.
Myofascial Release (MFR)
MFR is a treatment technique that specifically addresses the fascia,
a 3-dimensional tissue that runs uninterrupted throughout your body
to support, separate and protect your different body parts.
When it is injured, as will happen in most traumas, fascia will
thicken and form cross fibers, slowly decreasing your ability to
move freely and without pain.
Left untreated, these restrictions have a tendency to become
thicker and pull you out of alignment. When this happens you
cannot perform optimally and can experience pain, weakness
and loss of mobility.
Through MFR these restrictions are identified and gently
released to allow your body to return to its natural grace and
fluidity of movement.
Mobilization with Movement
Brian Mulligan's Mobilization with Movement is a very effective technique that helps quickly restore pain-free motion. It is a gentle, painfree method of working with the tissue around a joint while the client performs functional movements. In this way we can assist in the restoration of painfree functional motion. These techniques, when indicated, can be a wonderful addition to CranioSacral and other manual therapies..