Manual Release Therapy Massage - Relax and Revitalize

One of James’ signature treatment modalities is his manual release therapy, which is his expression and combination of all that he has learned based on strong feedback and excellent clinical results. While this has undergone refinement over the years, it is now time to give it a name. By addressing both the areas of issue and their underlying causes, this therapy can provide benefits not only in the short term but also in the long term.

Manual release therapy combines various massage techniques with muscular and neurological reflex release from osteopathic-style massage, whole-body reflexology, and acupuncture points. It is often performed either solely as massage or as a combination of acupuncture and massage. Initially, the therapist assesses and identifies the areas of the body causing the issue, which are often not where the pain is felt.

The treatment, while occasionally painful, is not intended to be so. Instead, it encourages the release of tension through gentle pressing, lifting, shaking, and vibrational movements. These techniques can penetrate fairly deeply using gentle but firm pressure, without the intense poking sensation often associated with sports massage or therapists pressing as hard as they can. This may target local points or be applied distally, focusing on identifying knots and areas causing misalignments. The principle is that while realigning bones and structures may provide temporary relief, releasing the soft tissue that tightens and pulls things out of alignment allows the body to self-adjust and find its new alignment. While 'cracking' may occur, high-velocity thrust techniques commonly used by chiropractors are not employed.

Another aspect of these sessions is their effectiveness in addressing physiological issues, similar to other forms of reflexology that utilize neurological reflexes. Organs are encased in muscle tissue, akin to nerves, lymphatic vessels, and blood vessels. Therefore, tense muscles can impact these areas, restricting nutrients and their ability to function properly. Releasing muscles and reflexes that promote relaxation chains to deeper muscles can be beneficial. This is analogous to how tension in one area can transmit to adjacent areas, whereas relaxation works inversely, leading to a cascade of relaxation through kinetic chains.

Furthermore, these sessions can be emotionally releasing, as emotions are often stored within muscle knots. This can lead to the expression and release of emotions during treatment. Some individuals may prefer to talk through their experiences during the massage, while others may prefer to process silently. Guided relaxation techniques may also be employed to help individuals relax further during treatments, although it is understood that this approach may not be suitable for everyone and may not be included in every session.