Techniques

Joel’s Massage and Bodywork Bio:

  • Board Certified in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCTMB)
  • Certified Massage Therapist (Specialization in Sports Massage),
    Body Therapy Center
  • Certified, Orthopedic Massage,
    Orthopedic Massage Education & Research Institute (OMERI)
  • Certified, Active Release Techniques (ART); Full Body
  • Certified, Active Release Techniques (ART); Long-Tract Nerve Entrapments
  • Certified, Active Isolated Stretching (AIS)
  • Professional Member of ABMP
  • Former Sports Massage Instructor, Body Therapy Center, Palo Alto

These are some of the different techniques in Joel’s ‘massage toolkit’:

Active Release Techniques (ART)

What is ART?
ART is a series of hands-on techniques that treat injuries to soft tissues, including muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia, and nerves. The ART provider uses his hands to evaluate the texture, tightness, and movement of soft tissues in order to locate and treat abnormal inflammation and scar tissue adhesions.

What conditions does ART treat?
ART is especially effective with injuries due to overuse of muscles, also known as cumulative trauma or repetitive strain injury (RSI). ART can effectively treat many overuse conditions, including: back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, headache, knee problems, plantar fasciitis, sciatica, shin splints, shoulder pain, and tennis elbow.

Why is ART effective?
ART reduces pain and restores function by treating the underlying causes of overuse injuries: muscle imbalances and adhesions (scarring). When trauma occurs – whether from surgery, accident, habitual posture, or repetitive strain – the body’s natural response is the formation of scar tissue. Scarring causes tissues to adhere to themselves as well as to other related structures. These adhesions are responsible for pain, lack of flexibility, and loss of function.

  • Repetitive effort causes weak and tight muscles
  • Weak muscles lead to internal friction, tension, and inflammation
  • Chronic tension causes swelling and decreased circulation
  • Decreased circulation causes more inflammation and adhesions between tissues

Sports Massage

Sports massage is a results-based approach that uses techniques from many soft tissue disciplines that can improve performance, prevent injury, and speed recovery for athletes of all levels and abilities. It combines relaxing Swedish massage with specific techniques such as compression, trigger point therapy, and cross-fiber friction. Also, assisted stretching techniques such as Active Isolated Stretching (AIS) and Facilitated Stretching (PNF Stretching) are utilized to help normalize tissue and joint function. You’ll typically get homework to do on your own to after a sports massage session to help you to help yourself with your goals.

Orthopedic Massage

Orthopedic Massage is a research and outcome-based approach to massage therapy. It employs both established and cutting-edge techniques and methods for treating pain, injury and other conditions with massage. The phrase ‘orthopedic massage’ describes a comprehensive system, rather than a particular technique. It also may include various stretching approaches as well, from traditional “static” stretching, to Active Isolated Stretching (AIS) and Facilitated Stretching (also known as PNF stretching).

Orthopedic massage integrates a variety of massage’s most effective techniques in the treatment of soft-tissue dysfunctions, pain and injuries. Four component parts characterize the orthopedic massage system: orthopedic assessment, matching the physiology of the tissue injury with the physiological effects of treatment, treatment adaptability, and understanding the rehabilitation protocol.

Orthopedic massage is an effective new approach to the treatment of numerous pain and injury conditions previously treated only with conventional methods. Providing a comprehensive system of treatment that incorporates a wide variety of massage treatment techniques, orthopedic massage enables the practitioner to choose the most effective treatment for a particular condition. The orthopedic massage practitioner is knowledgeable and skilled in their understanding of pain and injury conditions and massage treatment techniques. This combination of expertise provides for the most effective treatment of soft tissue pain and injury conditions using massage therapy.

Active Isolated Stretching

Active Isolated Stretching (AIS) is often helpful for areas where traditional “static” stretching just doesn’t yield results. AIS has become one of the methods of stretching most used by today’s athletes, massage therapists, personal/athletic trainers, and professionals. Active Isolated Stretching allows the body to repair itself and also to prepare for daily activity. The Active Isolated Stretching technique involves actively moving through a very specific range of motion to best isolate the muscle one wants to stretch, then holding each stretch for only two seconds, and repeating seven to ten times. This method of stretching is known to work with the body’s natural physiological makeup to improve circulation and increase the elasticity of muscle, joints, and fascia. This method can be done with a practitioner, but also by one’s self, using a rope or yoga strap to help.

Facilitated Stretching

Facilitated Stretching (also known as PNF stretching) is another very effective alternative to standard “static” stretching. It is a safe and easy-to-use method that involves stretching the muscle, contracting it isometrically against resistance, then stretching it again to a new range of motion. It works with a couple of fundamental physiological principles that govern how muscles work to encourage them to a more normal length.

Visceral Manipulation

Visceral Manipulation is a gentle massage approach for the abdomen. It can help deal with scar tissue as the result of abdominal surgeries such as c-sections. Also, Visceral Manipulation can help improve digestive system function, and prevent small bowel obstructions that may occur due to scar tissue from abdominal surgeries.