Learn more about the techniques…

MANUAL LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE

Manual lymphatic massage is directed at moving the fluid layer of the body. Like water, it is both gentle and rhythmic, but results in deep relaxation while triggering a powerful detox of the system. Many clients feel calmed by the treatment, and express a renewed sense of vitality and clarity.

Vodder-based manual lymphatic drainage technique is designed to restore a congested lymphatic system to its natural flow. Deeply relaxing, this gentle but powerful modality exercises the small atrophied muscles of the lymph system. It stimulates a detoxification as it re-establishes the free flow of lymph throughout the body, which allows the body to restore and maintain health and balance in its systems. Additional use of Lymphstar sound and light vibrational technologies break up lymphatic congestion at the molecular level, optimizing results of manual therapy.

Due to the detoxifying/restorative nature of this modality, lymphatic therapy is a powerful adjunct to seasonal cleanses and detox protocol. Used before or after most surgeries, it improves hastens healing and recovery. Some choose Lymphatic Drainage as their massage of choice because it is relaxing as well as cleansing.

Lymphatic Drainage was pioneered in Austria by Emil Vodder in the 1930s, while working to clear severe sinus congestion with his patients. It developed into a whole-body therapy which stimulated lymphatic action (our natural detox system), thereby increasing the body’s restorative and healing capacity. This therapy drains stagnant lymph and restores it to function on its own. Today, it is the fourth most recommended therapy by European doctors for both preventative and post-surgical healing.

MYOFASCIAL RELEASE

Myofascial Release is an effective hands-on technique that involves applying gentle sustained pressure into connective tissue restrictions to eliminate pain and restore range of motion. This technique is gentle and has many facets as it is designed to address the effects of trauma in the body. Trauma (physical and/or emotional), inflammatory responses, and surgical procedures create myofascial restrictions. 

I have been studying Myofascial Release with Dr. John Barnes since 2010. Myofascial Release is a natural complement to Manual Lymphatic Drainage. Fascia is a 3-dimensional webbing that runs throughout the body, sheathing around muscle, tendon, bone, even cells.

When the fascia is healthy, it is like a wet loofah, porous and pliable, with fluid easily moving throughout the various layers and body systems. Imagine that running through these porous spaces are also your nerve, lymph, and blood capillaries. When the fascia has been traumatized, it is like a loofah sponge that has been wrung out and dried in a twisted, tight position. Not only does this effect our nervous system, contributing to pain patterns in the body, but it also impedes circulatory and lymphatic flow.

The added benefit of this technique offers significant opening to the fluid layer of the body, and also reveals and alleviates many long-standing pain patterns related to trauma and congestion in the body.

CUPPING THERAPY

Cupping Therapy is an ancient form of medicine in which a local suction is created on the skin to promote blood flow and healing.

Through either heat or suction, the skin is gently drawn upwards by creating a vacuum in a cup over the target area of the skin. The cup stays in place for five to fifteen minutes. It is done to help treat pain, deep scar tissue in the muscle and connective tissue, muscle knots, and swelling.

Cupping therapy decompresses connective tissue and draws stagnant blood and toxins to the surface so that they can be moved out of the lymphatic system. Used in various places on the body, it dramatically reduces pressure in the connective tissue, as well as improves circulation. Glass cupping on the face helps to de-congest the lymph, thereby reducing toxins and puffiness that contribute to aging.  When applied to the abdomen, cupping helps to stimulate digestion and circulation and lymphatic flow in the intestines and internal organs, thereby assisting with cleanses and detoxes.

LymphStar TECHNOLOGY

Use of the LET LymphStar technology is offered during treatments. The LymphStar LET wands are sonar-vibrational devices which enhance the effects of manual lymphatic drainage by breaking apart random molecular bonds formed by toxins in the lymph nodes. It is painless and subtle. When used it helps to stimulate microcirculation and the lymph nodes to optimize manual treatments. It is painless and used briefly before manual work on various sections of the body.

At our first session, we will have an in-depth discussion about you. Through an assessment of your diet, lifestyle, and digestion we will learn about your constitutional uniqueness, its needs and tendencies. We will also explore what factors might be contributing to your symptoms and underlying imbalances. We will then discuss causal factors and adjustments that will empower you to feel your best and restore balance.

Suggestions include, but are not limited to adjustments to diet, lifestyle, exercise, mindfulness, herbs (optional), and bodywork. I will give you time to implement the suggestions and then over the course of the next months we will have 2 follow-up visits to assess progress, address changes or questions, and shift our methods as needed.