Massage
I categorize my massage practice into two modalities: Swedish and connective tissue. But each modality includes techniques from all the modalities in which I’ve been trained. Depending upon your needs, my Swedish massage may include cranio-sacral, polarity, connective tissue, acupressure, etc. Same could be said for my connective tissue massage. As to which one I would use is determined by your complaints. If you sought me out because of acute pain with limited range of motion, then I would suggest a connective tissue session. On the other hand, if your complaints were global, perhaps a result of stress, I would advocate a Swedish massage.
Modalities:
Connective Tissue Massage
This type of massage is often referred to as deep tissue massage. Deep is
a misnomer. One may think of such work as using a lot of pressure and strength. But deep refers
more to the intent of the practitioner. They may be intending to work with structures deep within
the body or deep within the skin layers or deep within the cellular levels of the muscles, but
to do that often doesn’t involve a lot of pressure.
Connective tissue work tends to address ligaments, tendons and fascia. The work is slow with constant pressure. The amount of pressure and the length of time are determined by the change which I feel within the connective tissue matrix which runs from the skin to cellular level of every type of tissue: nerve, muscle, and organ.
My connective tissue work tends to address acute pain situations. I use this type of work to “fix” problems.
Swedish Massage
Swedish massage is the most common and familiar type of massage. The purpose of Swedish massage is to increase
the blood flow into muscles and assist venous and lymphatic systems in removing metabolic waste.
For the most part the strokes in Swedish go towards the heart. Oil or lotion is used to facilitate
the strokes. My Swedish massage tends to be eclectic. I will often include trigger point work,
cross fiber friction, cranio sacral work and polarity. My Swedish massage clients are draped
with towels.
I use Swedish massage to help clients maintain their well being and to address problems that seem more global than localized in their bodies.
Massage FAQ's
Connective tissue work differs from the above type primarily by addressing a localized part of the body where there is a certain problem, usually acute pain and lack of mobility.
BENEFITS:
Connective Tissue Massage
- Decreases pain
- Decreases muscle and tendon strain
- Restores range of motion
- Improves blood flow
- Decreases nerve irritation
Swedish Massage
- Calms
- Decreases pain
- Improves recovery time
- Maintains health of muscles, skin,and lymphatic system
- Shortens recovery time
David McQueen
I graduated from the New Mexico School of Natural Therapeutics in Albuquerque
New Mexico in 1984. The school was a six month residential program providing a thousand hours
of education.read more >>
