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Goetter Therapeutic Massage
Terri Goetter, LMTPA Offices: Alburtis • Collegeville • Franconia
267-664-5930
Info@GoetterMassage.com
Massage Services
Most legitimate massage therapists have taken college level human anatomy, physiology, and Swedish massage courses. They are also taught a basic understanding of adjunct therapies or specialties. These specialty therapies vary as widely as the ailments they treat.
Some people cannot take pressure, consequently, Myofascial Release Therapy might be used. Some people do not get relief unless Deep Tissue Therapy is applied. A person involved in a car accident might have whiplash or spinal injuries, in which case CranioSacral Therapy might be the best course of action because of the gentle tractioning of the spine.
Below are brief descriptions of the specialty massages I currently practice. Please contact me if you'd like to discuss your particular condition, to answer any questions or to schedule an appointment.
Swedish Massage
Swedish massage therapy is the most popular and familiar massage system being practiced today and has served as a foundation for many of the massage techniques developed over recent years. Swedish massage is a scientific system of manipulations on the muscles and connective tissue of the body for the purpose of relaxation, rehabilitation or health maintenance.
Deep Tissue Massage
Deep Tissue or Deep Muscle Therapy is an umbrella term for bodywork systems that work deeply into the muscles and connective tissue to release chronic aches and pains. The work is generally localized and the client must be relaxed to permit the practitioner to work deeply. The pressure starts lightly, but progresses to the deepest level the client can tolerate. It is believed that physical correction takes place at the discomfort level.
Deep tissue massage has been found to be effective in treating chronic pain, muscle adhesions (muscle fibers that stick together creating a knot or nodule), whiplash, lower back and neck pain, sciatica, and circulatory problems. It can be corrective or generally therapeutic.
Myofascial Release
Myofascial Release (MFR) is a mild and gentle form of stretching that evaluates and treats the FASCIAL system. Fascia is a tough connective tissue which spreads throughout the body in a 3-dimensional network from head to toe, without interruption. It’s denser in some areas than others, surrounds and infuses with tissues and organs including nerves, vessels, muscles and bones.
Fascia:
Dysfunction in these tissues can have far reaching effects. Myofascial Release relieves fascial restrictions all over the body, promoting strength, flexibility, full range of motion, aligning posture and fluid movement.
CranioSacral Therapy
The craniosacral system consists of the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord. It extends from the bones of the skull, face and mouth, which make up the cranium, down to the sacrum, or tailbone. Since this vital system influences the development and performance of the brain and spinal cord, an imbalance or restriction in it could potentially cause any number of sensory, motor or neurological disabilities.
CranioSacral Therapy is a gentle method of detection and correction that encourages your own natural healing mechanisms to dissipate these negative effects of stress on your nervous system. You also benefit from better health and resistance to disease. Because of it's positive effect on so many body functions, CranioSacral Therapy is practiced today by a wide variety of healthcare professionals. They include medical doctors, doctors of chiropractic, doctors of Oriental medicine, naturopathic physicians, nurses, psychiatric specialists, psychologists, dentists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, acupuncturists, massage therapists and other professional bodyworkers.
The CranioSacral Therapy practitioner uses a light touch — generally no more than the weight of a nickel — to test for restrictions in the craniosacral system. This is done by monitoring the rhythm of the cerebro-spinal fluid as it flows through the system. The therapist's light, hands-on approach simply assists the hydraulic forces inherent in the craniosacral system to improve your body's internal environment — and strengthen it's ability to heal itself. It helps alleviate a range of illnesses, pain and dysfunction, including:
Sports Massage
Sports massage is a specialized form of Swedish massage therapy focusing on enhancing athletic performance and facilitating post-event recovery from the professional or amateur athlete, dancer, and exercise enthusiast. In addition to the benefits derived from a general massage therapy treatment, sports massage keeps the whole body in optimum physical condition. It can prevent injuries by increasing flexibility and elasticity to the joints. It can elevate athletic performance and boost endurance. Sports massage promotes faster recovery to injured tissues and can be a major factor in extending an athletes career.
Neuromuscular Therapy
Neuromuscular Therapy (NMT) is a process of restoring balance between the nervous system and the musculoskeletal system, a Deep-Tissue technique that manipulates the soft tissue.
| Causes of Pain In Soft Tissue: |
|
| Ischmia | Lack of blood and oxygen caused by muscular hypertonicity (spasm) |
| Trigger Points | Areas of increased metabolic waste deposits which excite segments of the spinal cord and cause referred pain or sensations to other parts of the body |
| Nerve Entrapment and/or Compression | Pressure on nerves by soft tissue (muscle, tendon, ligament, fascia or skin) or by hard tissue (bone or disc) |
| Postural Distortion | When the body's alignment deviates from anatomically correct position in coronal, sagittal or horizontal planes |
| Nutrition | The intake of nutrients necessary for the cellular metabolism and exclusion of nutrients irritating and stimulating to the central nervous system |
| Emotional Well-Being |
Stress |
Lymphatic Drainage Therapy
Lymphatic drainage Massage, also known as manual lymph drainage, is a very light pressure connective tissue massage technique that accelerates the movement of lymphatic fluid. It reduces edema (fluid retention or swelling) and decongests all lymphatic pathways from the affected limb to the confluence of lymphatic and blood systems in the neck. This system enhances immune system function and toxin removal, reduces edema, increases tissue metabolism, improves nutrition to the tissues, promotes eliminative functions, establishes fluid balance in the tissues, reduces pain and induces deep relaxation. For those people who have healthy lymph vessels but have sustained an injury, undergone surgery or are experiencing chronic inflammation, manual lymph drainage is beneficial.
Reiki
Reiki is an ancient Japanese system of healing, stress reduction and relaxation. Two Japanese words make up the word Reiki: rei, meaning "God's wisdom or Higher power," and ki, meaning "life force energy." Unseen universal life force energy flows through everyone and everything. The premise is that if one's "life force energy" is low, then that person is more likely to get sick or feel stressed. If it is high, that person is more likely to be healthy and happy.
Reiki is administered with a light touch of the hands upon various parts of the client's body in a pattern that promotes optimum energy balancing. Generally, the client is in a reclining position during the treatment, which takes between 60 and 75 minutes. There is no need to disrobe, and soft music is usually played. Reiki is a simple, natural and safe method of pain relief and spiritual healing. This technique works in conjunction with all other medical and therapeutic treatments to relieve side effects and promote recovery. Many Oncology treatment centers are incorporating Reiki to help lessen pain and reduce the side effects of chemotherapy. The Reiki session is a time to release old issues, physical pain or illness, to find deep relaxation and tranquility.
Foot Reflexology
Reflexology uses various touch techniques on specific points of the feet, hands or ears to normalize body function, maintain optimum health and restore energy throughout the body. Points on the feet correspond to particular organs, glands or parts of the body. The goal is to break down crystal deposits in the feet and help restore homeostasis, or internal balance. It is presumably as old as acupuncture.
Effects of Reflexology:
Chair Massage
Chair massage is a way to provide massage, usually acupressure, to clients who are in a seated position. The massage is done through clothing so it does not require lubrication. These 20-minute massages leave the client feeling revitalized, relaxed and alert. Therapists use a specially designed chair to allow access to the client’s neck, shoulders, back arms hands and scalp. Many of the chairs are portable, which makes massage readily available to clients at the workplace.
