Therapies Offered

Here a few of the types of therapy offered at Trikinetic - click to find out more about the therapy:

• Craniosacral Massage therapy
• Hydrotherapy
• Myofascial Release Massage Therapy
• Muscle Energy Massage Therapy
• Neuromuscular Massage Therapy
• Stretching / Strengthening Home Care
• Swedish Massage Therapy
• Trigger point Massage Therapy
• Visceral Manipulation massage Therapy
• Pre-Natal Massage Therapy

Craniosacral Massage Therapy

When RMTs talk about the craniosacral system, they are referring to the environment in which your brain and spinal cord develops and functions. The bones of the skull, spine and sacrum all attach to membranes that enclose the cerebrospinal fluid. The cerebrospinal fluid creates a pulse, similar to the beat of your heart or the rhythm of your breath, and this can be used to aid healing. When using craniosacral therapy an RMT uses a gentle, hands-on method that tests and evaluates problems affecting this complex, core and highly important system. This technique is excellent for those recovering from injuries sustained due to a motor vehicle accident as these often create hyper-activity throughout the whole nervous system. Craniosacral therapy calms the whole system enough to enable healing to begin. Because of its gentle nature, this technique works well for areas of the body that are very sensitive to touch. Don’t be fooled by the “gentle” nature of the work . . . it is powerful! (back)

Hydrotherapy

Hydrotherapy involves the therapeutic use of water (in any of its forms) for pain relief in almost any area of the body. This amazingly diverse form of therapy can involve hot & cold water in all its form, water jets, plunges, steams, mineral baths & salts scrubs, and the application of mud, clay or salt. At home, soaking muscles in contrast baths of hot and cold water in order to soothe sore muscles or increase circulation can prove helpful. As well, abdominal washes or drinking glasses of hot and cold water alternatively to help maintain a balanced digestive system. These ideas are just a small sample of how hydrotherapy can be used. While in treatment at Trikinetic, your therapist might apply cold packs or heat to various parts of your body in order to alleviate pain or headaches and increase or decrease circulation. At Trikinetic, we may recommend several variations of hydrotherapy for homecare to enhance your clinic treatment. (back)

Myofascial Release Massage Therapy

Myofascial Release Therapy works through sustained pressure within myofascial restrictions, eliminating pain and restoring motion. This technique is useful for almost any type of injury or physical problem. Arthritis, headaches, low back pain, tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, swimmer’s shoulder, frozen shoulder, sciatica, strains, sprains, and whiplash injuries are just a few examples. (back)

Muscle Energy Massage Therapy

Muscle Energy Therapy (or MET) is derived from the study of the musculoskeletal system, called Osteopathics.  The theory suggests that if a joint isn’t used to its full range of motion, its function will lessen and it will be at risk of suffering strains and injuries.

The goal of MET is to lengthen shortened muscles, improved weakened ligaments, muscle strength, and range of motion.  Patients will be asked to contract a muscle against an anti-force applied by the therapist. The muscle contraction is performed 2-3 times in a row in hopes to stretch the muscle further each time.

This is a system of diagnosis and treatment in which the patient voluntarily moves the body as specifically directed by the therapist. This directed patient action is from a precisely controlled position, against a defined resistance by the therapist. (back)

Neuromuscular Massage Therapy

Neuromuscular therapy involves applying pressure to the skin with the aim of stimulating specific hypertoned areas of skeletal muscle, called trigger points. Trigger points are painful points located within taut bands of muscle, and are treated primarily with the application of sustained, usually static pressure. This can vary from very light to heavy depending on the stage of development of the trigger point. Through the softening of trigger points, NMT aims to reduce chronic pain, increase range of motion, and correct postural distortions. (back)

Swedish Massage Therapy

Swedish massage is the most popular and well-known form of therapy in North America, and forms the basis of all massage therapy training in BC. It consists of five basic types of stroke: effleurage, petrissage, frictions, tapotement and deep transverse frictions, which are usually applied to the body with lubricating oil or lotion. Swedish Massage is used for almost every type of problem we incur. Some of the most common treatments include post-workout muscle pain, repetitive strain disorder, headaches, low back pain, stress-induced muscle pain, pregnancy issues, motor vehicle accident injuries, post-surgical recovery, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis and plantar fasciitis. We also treat many other types of specific, and general, pains and disorders with this technique. (back)

Stretching and Homecare

After a treatment the therapist will often recommend a variety of stretches to help maintain the effect of the treatment and increase your quality of life. These stretches are recommended specifically for you and your unique body. Many of our therapists practice Yoga and use this as a jumping off point for homecare stretches. Other homecare techniques that we recommend to patients include hydrotherapy techniques, self-care with “spiky” balls or tennis balls, and applications of heat to allow for better stretching, and ice to reduce inflammation. (back)

Trigger Point Massage Therapy

A myofascial trigger point is a hyperirritable spot, usually within a taut band of skeletal muscle or on the muscle’s fascia, which is painful on compression. Trigger points often give rise to characteristic referred pain, “jump signs”, point tenderness and other physical symptoms such as sweating, itchiness or tingling. Trigger point therapy applies progressively increasing pressure on a trigger point in order to eliminate the point’s tenderness. Typical applications for this technique include computer shoulder and elbow, golfer’s and tennis elbow, post-surgery wrist pain due to IV problems, arm weakness/tiredness, and sciatica. (Reference: Myofascial Pain & Dysfunction by Janet Travell, M.D. and David Simons, M.D., 1983.) (back)

Visceral Manipulation Massage Therapy

Visceral manipulation is the process of massaging and manipulating deep tissue to improve the functioning of the various organs in the abdominal cavity. There are several reasons that people choose to engage in this type of bodywork. Visceral manipulation is believed to increase circulation to the affected body parts and it is also used to remove adhesions that may restrict movement and cause discomfort. These adhesions often result in an increase in tension in the affected area of the body. Massaging the visceral organs is also believed to help relieve physical and mental stress, and help strengthen the body’s resistance to disease. (back)

Pre-Natal Massage Therapy

Pregnancy is a tumultuous period for a womans mind and body. Any woman who has been pregnant can sympathize with the mental and physical fatigue associated with being pregnant. Not only does a woman experience physical changes, she also experiences mental changes as well.

Massage has been known to calm many of the aches and pains associated with pregnancy such as sciatica, swelling, back and neck pain, and stomach upset. Prenatal massage has also been shown to improve physical discomforts by encouraging circulation and by stretching the muscles and joints to their full range of motion to improve skin elasticity and body tone. Studies show that pregnant women who receive regular prenatal massages are more at ease – furthermore relaxing the fetus inside their womb. (back)