Deep Compressions, Positional Release Technique & Oscillation

1. Deep Compressions are a method of calming heightened receptors in a class called nociception which includes irritations to experiencing prick, jar, hot, cold, tickle, itch, rub and fine touch.  The result of Deep Compressions can be less pain and better circulation of blood and lymph.  2. Positional Release Technique (PRT) is a technique that impacts the way that our body processes the sensation of tension through many receptors that are the type called golgi tendon organ.  They are throughout our fascia (lining tissue), ligaments and tendons that monitor the amount of tension that is created when being lengthened. It helps them when they are in a heightened/sensitive state due to a past annoying experience.  It is done by holding the sensitive tissue into a position where it is short enough to have some slack and lessen tension – a position of ease that calms the sensitive receptor(s) making it easier to lengthen the tissue again.  3. Oscillation is a gentle rocking type motion done with the body’s rhythm is calming and freeing.  

These techniques bring a state of ease, less pain and stiffness and/or an increased freedom of movement, which can include more range of motion.  They are often an excellent preparation for Fascial Stretch Therapy.

Craniosacral, Visceral Manipulation, and Lymph Drainage Therapy

Sensitive touch therapies take skilled mentorship and practice to master.  Craniosacral therapy includes working with the tension in and gentle rocking of the cranial bones and the tension within the tissue inside, including dura.  Visceral Manipulation includes a similar approach to free tension in the tissues around our organs and their attachments to each other and our bones. 

Our lymphatic system is a network of vessels that carry lymph fluid and groups of lymph nodes that help process the lymph molecules including proteins and other molecules picked up to be recycled or disposed of.  Lymph Drainage Therapy (LDT) is an approach that involves feeling the flow of the lymph fluid and helping optimize its direction and freedom.  Once the lymph flow is felt using P-DTR where there is a blockage often will clear the irritation blocking or limiting the flow in an area. 

P-DTR

Our bodies only have so much energy to use and handle what is thrown at us.  When some tissues, including muscles, become too sensitive to the many different stimuli that we experience in life, they send stronger signals to the brain. This changes how the brain sends out signal(s) to muscle(s) and organs, ones that cause less efficient responses - making related muscle(s) weak or hypertonic (tight) and making related movements that require more than one muscle to be less coordinated.  P-DTR teaches how to tell when a muscle does and doesn’t contract well and how to use muscle responses to give information about our body’s experience and lessen annoyances to decrease pain and improve muscle function.

Fascial Stretch Therapy

Fascial Stretch Therapy TM (FSTTM) is a way optimize the elasticity of our body’s fascia – the elastic connective tissue that lines all parts of our body by:  Reducing guardedness with phases of shortening and contracting, loosening adhesions within and between its adjacent layers, and engaging it.  This gives muscles a greater ability to both lengthen and contract with greater ease.  This allows for greater range of motion, strength, power, muscle control and balance; and can help decrease pain and stiffness. 

Although not as effective, there are valuable self-stretching options that can be taught using FST principles.  This style of self-stretching is great for reducing stiffness and increasing movement quality and range of motion during a workout or athletic event, or as a mid-day stretch break at work.