The hands are one of the most powerful tools a human can possess. They can create, destroy, and heal all with intention. The human body craves to be touched. We literally need it to be whole. By getting regular manual therapy sessions it can minimize the risk of injury, disease, depression, anxiety, and so much more. The hands can feel what’s happening beneath the skin to break it up and push it out. It can find blockages from injury or trauma. This trauma can be a physical one or even emotional. The scars of the past can be addressed on both a physical, internal, and emotional level. The willingness to heal comes from within but the work to get there is both an inner and outer body experience. Manual therapies are performed by licensed massage therapists and licensed acupuncturists here at Eastern Acupuncture & Wellness. Our practitioners use their hands to manipulate muscle tissues and joints to alleviate pain and promote healing.
Types of Strokes in Massage Therapy
There are five types of basic strokes in manual and massage therapy. These are used to promote relaxation, relieve tension, and promote healing. Each stroke is used differently to get the best results. These are:
Effleurage
Effleurage is the most used stroke. It’s designed to relax the body. The therapist will use things such as a flat palm, knuckles, forearm, or elbows to provide long gliding movement down or up the muscles. As the muscles are warmed up the pressure usually intensifies.
Petrissage
Petrissage is commonly used, like the other strokes, to increase blood flow. One modality it works best for is lymphatic drainage. Petrissage is a wringing, rolling, or kneading of the tissue. This is done with the therapist's thumbs and knuckles and with an almost pinching method. This is usually used on areas of the body such as the trapezius, gastrocnemius of the calf, and hamstrings.
Friction
Friction is commonly used when a person has a buildup of lactic acid known as a knot. In order to generate warmth below the skin the therapist will rub both hands very fast along a part of the body that they are treating. By creating this warmth, it helps the muscles release making it easier to work out the buildup. A common area for this to be done is on the back around the scapula’s.
Tapotement
Tapotement is a tapping of the skin and muscles. This is done using the fingers, hands, knuckles, and even fists. What this does is stimulate the muscle nerves to release and create circulation. This is used sparingly in a session usually in the beginning or towards the end to wake up those nerve endings and prepare the body for long lasting healing.
Vibration
Vibration is done by the therapist using the heal of the hand or the tips of their fingers. By using a speeded up, back, and forth motion it can trick the muscle into relaxing with as little pressure as possible. This is done on flat areas of the body such as the back.
By using a combination of these strokes your manual therapist can achieve great results with each session. When being treated a difference is made with every visit. The second you step off one of our tables you’ll be able to say you feel better whether it be an alleviation in pain or just feeling lighter than you did when you walked through the doors.
What To Expect During Manual Therapy
Every visit is different depending on the goal of the treatment. One thing that will always remain the same is the quality of care. Each session will start with an evaluation of where you are right now and the goals of where you want to be. Our practitioners will assess and review your medical history to provide you with exactly what you need to get there. After the assessment is over the therapist will give you instructions of how to get on the table and where to put your things before excusing themselves to give the privacy that is necessary. Manual therapists have the gift of not only feeling but hearing with their hands what the body needs. This includes pressure of the strokes. Our therapist will always communicate and adjust the pressure accordingly. Each session can last anywhere from 50 to 90 minutes. Every person is different but a manual therapy session for overall well-being is recommended at least once a month.
What Are the Different Modalities of Manual Therapy?
There are several modalities in the manual therapy world. Not all of them are right for everyone which is why an individual assessment is done on every patient. This doesn’t go for just new patients but for every single patient on every visit. It’s also true that each session can consist of a variety of techniques from each modality. Different ones used here at Eastern Acupuncture & Wellness include:
Neuromuscular Therapy
Focuses on specific problems in the body and providing pain relief.
Myofascial Release
A manual therapy technique that focuses on pain relief that stems from the myofascial tissues.
Reflexology
A modality that applies different amounts of pressure to areas on the hands and feet that correlate to different areas, organs, and systems in the body.
Prenatal Therapy
Therapy given during pregnancy, safe, and effectively – after the first trimester – to help the mother get through the aches and pains of a changing body.
Orthopedic Therapy
A therapy focused on rehabilitation from injury as well as treatment and prevention of musculoskeletal dysfunction and pain.
Shiatsu
A therapeutic bodywork that was developed in japan that utilizes the use of acupressure and unique stretches to open up the channels in the body.
Deep Tissue Therapy
Therapy specialized in using techniques that treat sprains, sports injuries, long term stress build up, musculoskeletal issues, etc.
Stretch Therapy
A therapy used to target specific muscle groups to lengthen and stretch the body.
Final Thoughts
By giving us a call to schedule a consultation you’ll be able to speak with one of our trained practitioners to find out exactly what you need to get your body balanced. On top of the restorative healing, you’ll get here with us. Your therapist can also send you home with tools to get you through until your next treatment. Don’t miss out on the benefits of the power of touch.
