What ailments can fascial counterstrain help?
Must I be completely undressed?
Will the practitioner be present when I disrobe?
Will I be covered during the session?
What parts of my body will be massaged?
What will the massage or bodywork feel like?
Are there different kinds of massage and bodywork?
What should I do during the massage or bodywork session?
How will I feel after the massage or bodywork session?
What are the benefits of massage and bodywork?
Are there any medical conditions that would make massage or bodywork inadvisable?
What ailments can Fascial Counterstrain help?
Fascial Counterstrain can have a powerful positive impact on many conditions including:
- neck pain - disc herniations, arthritis, whiplash, torticolis, pinched nerves, disc degenerations
- back pain - disc herniations, arthritis, pinched nerves, disc degenerations
- sacral pain - sciatica, arthritis, sacral torsions
- hip pain - cartilage degeneration, arthritis, hip torsions, leg length discrepancy
- leg pain - cramping, PAD (peripheral artery disease), lymph edema
- knee pain - cartilage degeneration, arthritis, bakers cysts
- foot pain - bunions, hammertoes, neuromas, plantar fasciitis, neuropathy
- shoulder pain - Impingements, cartilage degeneration, arthritis, Thoracic outlet and inlet
- elbow pain - medial and lateral epicondylitis, arthritis
- wrist pain - carpal tunnel, arthritis
- hand pain - arthritis, duputryns contracture, de quervain tensynovitis, heberdens nodes, neuropathy, Raynauds
- vision problems - eye strain, strabismus
- headaches - migraines, sinusitis, TMJ,
- balance problems - vertigo, dizziness, nausea
- nervous system disorders - PTSD, anxiety, insomnia, fatigue
- circulation problems - high blood pressure, edema, lymphedema, slow and non-healing wounds
- digestion Issues - IBS, Colitis, Crohns, Constipation, diarrhea
Must I be completely undressed?
For Fascial Counterstrain the client is fully clothed preferably with sports attire or loose fitting soft clothing. Deep tissue & Swedish massage techniques are traditionally performed with the client unclothed; however, it is entirely up to you what you want to wear. You should undress to your level of comfort. You will be properly draped and covered during the entire session.
Will the practitioner be present when I disrobe?
The practitioner will leave the room while you undress, relax onto the table, and cover yourself with a clean sheet and blanket.
Will I be covered during the session?
You will be properly draped at all times to keep you warm and comfortable. Only the area being worked on will be exposed.
What parts of my body will be massaged?
A typical full-body massage session will include work on your back, arms, legs, feet, hands, head, neck, and shoulders. The Fascial Counterstrain sessions address every part of the body, which is why the client is fully clothed. For personal areas a rolled towel will be used. The client always has the right to decline any treatments that makes them uncomfortable and their wishes are respected and honored at all times.
What will the massage or bodywork feel like?
A relaxing Swedish massage is often a baseline for clients. In a general Swedish massage, your session may start with broad, flowing strokes that will help calm your nervous system and relax exterior muscle tension. As your body becomes relaxed, pressure will gradually be increased to relax specific areas and relieve areas of muscular tension. Often, a light oil or lotion is used to allow your muscles to be massaged without causing excessive friction to the skin. The oil also helps hydrate your skin. You should communicate immediately if you feel any discomfort so that another approach may be taken. Massage and bodywork are most effective when your body is not resisting.
Fascial Counterstrain involves alot of scalp palpation. The scalp is used as a map for the rest of the body telling the therapist where the worst areas of the body are and what structure is causing the problem - artery, vein, nerve, bone, ligament, etc. After the structure is identified the body is place in a position that releases the fascia around that specific structure. The release positions are not painful and as the release occurs the client can feel the pain in the area melt away.
Are there different kinds of massage and bodywork?
There are numerous types of massage and bodywork; various techniques utilize different strokes, including basic rubbing strokes, rocking movement, posture and movement re-education, application of pressure to specific points, and more. We can discuss which methods may be most appropriate for you.
What should I do during the massage or bodywork session?
Prior to the massage, feel free to ask the practitioner any questions about the technique or the upcoming session. During the massage, make yourself comfortable. The practitioner will either gently move you or tell you what is needed throughout the session (such as lifting your arm). Many people just close their eyes and completely relax, communicating if/when they need more or less pressure, another blanket, or anything else relevant to the session. If you have any questions regarding the session or about the particular technique you are receiving, feel free to ask.
How will I feel after the massage or bodywork session?
From traditional massage most people feel very relaxed. Some experience freedom from long-term aches and pains developed from tension or repetitive activity. After an initial period of feeling slowed down, people often experience increased energy, heightened awareness, and greater productivity which can last for days
From fascial counterstrain clients often feel very relaxed as well. The areas that are released remain released unless the client reinjures themselves. However, other painful areas that the client's body had been able to ignore may resurface when the more serious areas are released. For example a client may come in for shoulder pain and after a session or 2 an old knee injury that they thought had healed may flare up terribly. Also, because these releases drain inflammation that may have been trapped for long amounts of time, the client may feel flu-like symptoms a couple days after the session. All clients are advised to drink ALOT of water to flush bacteria from stagnant trapped inflammation out of the body after their session. Usually clients under 50 years old have no flu-like symptoms, but the older clients have the symptoms much more commonly. It is advisable for older clients to take immune boosting supplements the morning of their session and for a few days afterward in addition to drinking ALOT of water.
What are the benefits of massage and bodywork?
Massage and bodywork can help release chronic muscular tension and pain, improve circulation, increase joint flexibility, reduce mental and physical fatigue and stress, promote faster healing of injured muscular tissue, improve posture, and reduce blood pressure. Massage and bodywork is also known to promote better sleep, improve concentration, reduce anxiety and create an overall sense of well-being.
Are there any medical conditions that would make massage or bodywork inadvisable?
Yes. That's why it's imperative that, before you begin your session, the practitioner asks general health questions. It is very important that you inform the practitioner of any health problems or medications you are taking as well as any surgeries you have had in the past. If you are under a doctor's care, it is strongly advised that you receive a written recommendation for massage or bodywork prior to any session. Depending on the condition, approval from your doctor may be required.
