Technique Guide

Myofascial Release (MFR)  is a holistic, therapeutic approach to manual therapy. This technique is designed to release restrictions such a trigger points, muscle tightness, and dysfunctions in soft tissue called fascia that may cause pain and limit motion in all parts of the body. By targeting specific areas of the fascial system, MFR therapy can help prepare a person for more aggressive forms of strengthening, or provide pain relief with restricted flexibility and movement, thus allowing a person to return to normal movement and greater function.

WHAT TO EXPECT:  The majority of MFR work consists of gentle pressure and breathing techniques. Sometimes the motion is very fluid, and at other times your limbs may be held in a light stretch.You may experience some slight discomfort as your tissues release tension. While many patients leave a MFR session feeling very relaxed, it’s not uncommon for there to be some residual muscle soreness. The soreness is thought to result from postural and alignment changes or from the techniques themselves.

Benefits:

• Head injuries

• Birth trauma

• Scoliosis

• Neurological dysfunction

• Movement dysfunction

• Trauma

• Headaches

• Constipation

• Sleep difficulties

• Joint pain and limited joint movement

• Back strain

• Chronic back pain, low back pain, thoracic back pain

• Carpal tunnel syndrome

• Complex pain complaints

• Vertigo

• Fibromyalgia

• Fibrositis

• Myofascial pain dysfunction

• Plantar fasciitis

• Post polio symptoms

• Thoracic outlet syndrome

• Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction

• Trigger points

• Tender points

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Trigger point release: is a soft tissue technique that works to release painful, tension in muscles and fascia that you would usually experience as “a knot” in the muscle. Manual trigger point therapy is specifically designed to alleviate the source of the pain through cycles of isolated pressure and release. The results and benefits of trigger point therapy are releasing constricted areas in the muscles thus alleviating pain. You can experience a significant decrease in pain after just one treatment. 

WHAT TO EXPECT:  The trigger point is eliminated by applying direct pressure and sedating the point. Once the pain is reduced, soft tissue work which may include cupping and scrapping can be applied to restore circulation to the area and remove the waste products. There are many different approaches to trigger point therapy including soft tissue work, deep tissue massage, and ischemic pressure.

Benefits:

• Sciatica

• Carpal tunnel syndrome

• Medial and lateral epicondylitis (golfer’s elbow and tennis elbow, respectively)

• Whiplash

• Osteoarthritis

• Adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder)

• Headaches and migraines

• Neck pain

• Back pain

• Thoracic outlet syndrome

• Temporo-Mandibular Joint (TMJ) disorder​

MAT techniques help to restore function in the skeletal system through muscular work. The technique involves restive stretching, Muscle-balancing techniques with joint-mobilization maneuvers. These maneuvers help to quickly identify and correct dysfunction before they become pain patterns.Myoskeletal Alignment Therapy (MAT) focuses on  lengthening tight muscles to allow for improved movement, posture and function. 

WHAT TO EXPECT: A session of Myoskeletal Alignment Therapy will integrate assisted stretching, Golgi tendon release, muscle spindle relaxation, and facet work, contract and relax techniques are used for toning of weak muscles and stretching tight muscles, as well as guided movements to increase range of motion.

Benefits:

• Relieves chronic pain contributing to weak posture.

• Releases trapped nerves from tight muscles, joints & ligaments.

• Corrects atrophy, weakness and muscle amnesia in head-forward postures.

• Lessens pain sensitivity through graded exposure assisted stretching.

• Eliminates protective muscle guarding due to joint dysfunction.

• Improves sleep by lowering sympathetic nervous system tone.

• Creates dynamic, confident posture with innovative restorative techniques.

• Corrects sports-related tendon and joint injuries.

• Enhances athletic performance through hands-on proprioceptive training.

• Changes the brain’s mind about pain through targeted exercise advice.

• Prevents chronic neck & back pain due to tension, trauma & weak posture.

CST involves gentle manipulation of the bones in the neck, back, and skull to reduce pain and promote healing. It is a non-invasive, hands-on therapy that aims to enhance the body’s own healing capabilities. CST uses a touch of under 5 grams to release restrictions in the craniosacral system to improve the functioning of the central nervous system. This light touch affects the pressure and circulation of cerebrospinal fluid, which is the fluid around the brain and spinal cord.

WHAT TO EXPECT: the client lies quietly, fully clothed, while the practitioner makes light contact at selected points around the head, torso, knees, and feet. This light contact consists of gentle finger pressure.

Benefits:

• Alzheimer’s disease

• Autism

• Back pain

• Brain injury

• Central nervous system disorders

• Chronic fatigue

• Colic

• Concussion

• Dementia

• Fibromyalgia

• Immune disorders

• Learning disabilities

• Migraines

• Neck pain

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

• Scoliosis

• Spinal cord injury

• Stress

Discover the proven techniques that work specifically for you.

Get help to understand a healthy approach to movement, pain, range of motion. Learn mobilization techniques, and simple models breaking down complex human movement, and restoring natural ranges and employ techniques to improve the way your body moves and feels.

This non-invasive therapy offers a unique healing experience through the vibrations of sound energy.  What makes it unique is the subtle, yet powerful effect it has on a physiological, emotional, and spiritual level. ‍Tuning forks allows the resonant frequency to “tune” the part of the body which may be suffering with disharmony. This shift in resonance calms the nervous system and creates inner harmony.

WHAT TO EXPECT:  Tuning forks are methodically applied in a sound treatment on or over acupuncture points, trigger points, chakras, or points of pain. Similar to the application of needles in acupuncture to balance the flow of qi – tuning forks are applied to these same points, or energy gates, but in a non-invasive and further reaching manner. Sound Treatments. Sound treatments are individually tailored to each patient, and the whole of the patient is observed, diagnosed, and treated holistically. 

Benefits:

• Treat stress and anxiety

• Lymph Drainage

• Pain

• Inflammation

• Circulatory issues

• Sinus congestion

• Strengthens the Immune System

• Emotional balancing

VM is a gentle, hands-on manual therapy used to help your internal organs (viscera) glide smoothly within your body. VM helps to release mobility restrictions and restore the organ’s mobility and motility. When an organ does not have normal movement it can be a cause of pain and impede the organ’s normal physiological functions. Organs may lose their normal mobility or motility after trauma, surgery, birth, or infection. Visceral manipulation helps to gain space around the organ and within an organ that may be compressed, restricted or adhered to another structure.

WHAT TO EXPECT:  Visceral manipulation is a gentle compression that can feel like a stretch or mild pressure in the abdomen. This stretching and compression may result in some mild warmth or tingling to the area due to increased blood flow. 

Benefits:

• Digestive disorders (nausea, constipation, bloating)

• Headaches, migraines;

• Joint and neck pain;

• Anxiety issues, depression, PTSD​

MLD is a form of gentle massage that encourages the drainage of lymph nodes and the movement of lymph fluids around the body.The fluid in the lymphatic system helps remove waste and toxins from body tissues.  It helps regulate inflammation and the immune response, and removes waste and toxins from the body. Certain health conditions can interrupt the normal flow of lymph, causing a buildup in certain areas - also known as lymphedema. Examples include swollen ankles after a long-haul flight, or a swollen arm after breast cancer treatment.

WHAT TO EXPECT: MLD is a light, skin-stretching massage that helps promote the movement of lymphatic fluid out of the swollen limb. It should not be confused with a traditional massage. MLD is specifically focused on the lymph vessels to help the flow of lymphatic fluid. Therapy is applied to your unaffected areas first, making it possible for the fluid to move out of the affected area, or “decongest” the region. MLD helps open the remaining functioning lymph collectors and move protein and fluid into them, as well as to help speed up lymph fluid flow through the lymphatics.Deep breathing techniques called diaphragmatic breathing are usually done at the beginning and end of a therapy session to help open the deep lymphatic pathways. It’s not only relaxing, but it helps increase movement of fluid toward the heart.

Benefits:

Post-surgical swelling

Edema

Lymphedema

Sinus congestion

Rheumatoid arthritis

Lipedema

Fibromyalgia

Chronic venous insufficiency

Corrective Exercises are active techniques which are supported by research as an effective tool to help improve function, mobility, and strength while reducing pain and preventing injuries. That include targeted movements, stretches, strengthening and exercises designed to help in recovery from issues such as pain, injury, or chronic conditions. 

The Arvigo Techniques of Maya Abdominal Therapy® are based on the ancient Maya techniques of abdominal massage. This therapy is an external, gentle manipulation that helps to reposition internal organs of the digestive and reproductive system. By effectively alleviating tissue congestion and organ constriction, these techniques improve the vital flows of energy, blood, lymph and nerves in the abdomen. It can release emotional and energetic tension which could be causing unnecessary stress on your body. As a result, The Arvigo Techniques of Maya Abdominal Therapy® assist in preventing the progression of chronic diseases whilst improving the body’s ability to self-repair and re-balance. 

WHAT TO EXPECT:  Abdominal massage is performed first to gently align pelvic and abdominal organs to their optimal positions. The treatment continues with lower back and sacral massage, as well as lymphatic strokes over the rest of the body. The benefits of Arvigo® Therapy are enhanced through home practice. The session includes instruction in self administered abdominal massage. Home remedies are also incorporated into the session and home care instruction. 

Benefits:

• Aids Digestion

• Regulates Menstruation

• Enhance Fertility

• Support Postpartum Recovery 

• Optimizes Gynecological/Pelvic Health

• Prevents organ prolapse 

• Minimizes Menopausal or Peri-Menopausal  Symptoms​