Spa Bodywork

You already know a great deal about muscle structure and function from anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology classes. Important here is the basic structure of skeletal muscles. In skeletal muscles, thousands of long, cylinder-shaped fibers called myofibers (muscle fibers) lie parallel to one another. Myofibers are made up of very fine fibers called myofibrils that run […]

In the following lessons, we’ll explore massage techniques, often called myofascial release, which work directly with fascia to promote pain-free movement and postural balance. The effects of myofascial techniques on the body are described along with general assessment techniques for identification of myofascial restrictions, guidelines for the application of myofascial techniques, specific techniques for reducing

Having completed this lesson, you will be able to: List five methods commonly used in myofascial approaches (e.g., crossed-hand stretch, fascial spreading, fascial torqueing, fascial cutting, fascial bowing, arm and leg pulling, etc.). Match myofascial methods to previously learned application method categories (e.g., crossed-hands stretch is an elongation method, fascial torqueing is a torsion method,

Having completed this lesson, you will be able to: List two goals of application methods used in a myofascial therapeutic paradigm (e.g., to reduce myofascial restrictions and promote postural balance and pain-free movement, etc.). List two primary benefits or effects of myofascial massage/bodywork for clients (e.g., “melt” and “stir” ground substance to improve fascia health,

Having completed this lesson, you will be able to: List two assessment methods used in the myofascial therapeutic paradigm (e.g., fascial gliding, skin rolling, and passive range of motion might be used in addition to health forms and client interviews to identify fascial restrictions, etc.) Before you can assess your client’s fascia, play with it

Having completed this lesson, you will be able to: List three general guidelines for the application of myofascial approaches (e.g., limited use of lubricant or no lubricant, take out the slack in fascia, work fascia in all directions, work slowly and wait for the tissue to unwind, let the tissue guide you, etc.). Different authorities

Often, therapists integrate myofascial techniques with Swedish massage or other massage systems like deep tissue massage, neuromuscular massage, and trigger point therapy. Myofascial techniques call for the absence of lubricant and are therefore applied first. Next Swedish techniques are used, and finally the area is passively stretched. For example, on the posterior legs you might

Having completed this lesson, you will be able to: List three anatomical “tools” massage therapists use to palpate tissue (e.g., fingertips, palms, knuckles, forearms, elbows, etc.). The tools used to palpate the client’s tissue include the fingertips, palms, knuckles, forearms, elbows, and even the feet (in massage systems that use the feet to apply strokes).

Having completed this lesson, you will be able to: Outline a specific step-by-step approach to the palpation of a region (e.g., the school or instructor should determine the approach students are expected to take when palpating structures in a region; in a general example one approach might be to (a) review the anatomical structures present

Having completed this lesson, you will be able to: List three general goals of palpation (e.g., detect irregularity in tissue textures, detect irregularity in tissue tone, sense differences in tissue temperature, notice variations in tissue hydration, spot structural asymmetry, identify restrictions that are causing a reduction in range of motion, recognize areas that are painful,