All bodywork modalities listed below are customized to your body’s specific needs and idiosyncratic “quirks,” and take into account your verbal feedback and your body’s non-verbal responses, creating a truly personalized approach to health and your overall sense of well-being. I invite you to explore all that BodyQuirks has to offer.
Amma
A form of acupressure and energy balancing. Am-ma literally means “push-pull.” Part of an ancient healing system rooted in the principles of traditional Chinese medicine, Amma is an extremely specialized form of bodywork. This highly skilled modality is only performed by a handful of local practitioners.
Energetic Alignment and Boundary Setting
These modalities explore the connections between the energy (electricity) that our entire body and brain work on and its connection with our emotional states. This is the mind/body (and spirit) connection is the cornerstone of all “good health.” This modality can encompass the use of tools from sound bowls, incense, and aromatherapy, to crystals, acupressure, and other chakra realignment and energy release techniques and can be done on its own or optimally in conjunction with other bodywork modalities.
Myofascial Release
These techniques are long, stretching strokes, gentle traction, pressure and positioning, used to coax muscles in spasm to relax and break the adhesions in the fascia. Fascia is a connective tissue, a complex supportive web, affecting all components of the musculoskeletal, nervous and organ systems. It surrounds groups of muscle fibers, and entire muscle groups and organs. This tissue, when constricted, through physical and emotional traumas, can cause chronic pain and physical dysfunction. As these fascia adhesions are broken down, blood flow returns to the muscles and tension is released that has long been stored in the fascia, allowing more functional flexibility and mobility of the muscles.
Myoskeletal Alignment Technique or MAT
A combination of modified therapeutic modalities, including myofascial release, Rolfing®, manipulative osteopathy, neuromuscular therapy, assisted stretching, and Dalton’s joint-capsule and receptor-recoil routines. The Myoskeletal Alignment Techniques (MAT) was developed as a tool to combat our nation’s escalating neck / back pain epidemic. By incorporating MAT’s muscle-balancing techniques with joint-mobilization maneuvers, therapists can quickly identify and correct dysfunctional strain patterns before they become chronic pain patterns.
Shiatsu
Based on the ancient theory that the vital energy force, or Ch’i, flows in connected channels, or meridians throughout the body. Each meridian is linked to an internal organ and blockages to the flow of energy can result in systemic dysfunction. Shiatsu massage uses pressure on the associated acupuncture points along the meridian affected to release the blockage and return the flow of energy. The client’s participation in breathing and stretching greatly facilitates the release of this stagnant energy.
Trigger Point Therapy
A pain relief technique to alleviate muscle spasms and cramping. The therapist locates and deactivates “trigger points”, which are often tender areas where muscles have been damaged or acquired a reoccurring spasm or kink that worsens painfully when aggravated. Pressure is applied to the trigger point for a short time, which can be momentarily painful but is greatly relieving. The muscles are then gently stretched to complete the relaxation process.