Massage Therapy Treatments
Neuromuscular Therapy (NMT)
NMT is a form of therapy that manipulates aspects of the nervous system and the ways in which it interacts with muscle and soft tissue. Forms include:
- Trigger-Point (TrP) Therapy
- Positional Release
- Active-Engagement/Release Techniques
- Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF).
Myofascial Release (MFR)
MFR is a form of massage that uses steady, sustained pressure to release the upper layers of soft tissue known as fascia. Fascial restrictions also exist within the muscle tissue, and are addressed with this form of therapy. MFR is also an important step to allowing deeper work into the muscle tissue, but doing so with less discomfort.
Pelvic Stabilization
This is an approach dedicated to bringing balance to the muscles that surround and attach to the pelvic girdle (your hips). Dysfunction and tightness in any of these muscles can produce an enormous amount of pain, and create secondary (and tertiary, etc.) dysfunction elsewhere in the body.
Scar Tissue Mobilization
Scarring is a normal process of the body, and necessary for healing. How the scar heals however, can be improved with massage therapy and what we call "scar tissue mobilization." The goal is to help improve circulation and healing in the area by ensuring that the scar stays soft and does not adhere unnecessarily or excessively to the healthy surrounding tissue. Keep the good, break-up the bad.
Deep Tissue
Deep Tissue Massage refers to a set of techniques aimed at reaching the deeper fibers of the muscle to bring a sort of "top to bottom" renewal to the tissues. While this is sometimes offered as a different type of massage in spas and other massage settings, it will be incorporated into massage sessions based only off of customer preference and needs of the tissue.
Relaxation/Swedish
While the primary goal at Kin-Functional Massage is based around therapy and rehabilitation, stress-relief from gentle massage still has therapeutic value. Reduction in stress-hormones like cortisol can be achieved even after the session has ended, and frequent massage can have positive effects on blood pressure, the immune-system, mood-stabilization, energy levels, and sleep.
*EACH SESSION INCLUDES ONE OR ALL OF THESE FORMS OF THERAPY, AND AT NO ADDITIONAL COST.
Each session will likely be a hybrid of therapies, designed around your specific needs and goals.
Our brand of therapy
"Communication is key," may be a cliché , but that doesn't make it any less accurate. Therapy works best when both client and practitioner understand one another and the expectations for treatment are established. I want to learn what you want out of your sessions and what your personal goals are for therapy.
Goal examples:
- "I want to improve my run-time."
- "I want to get out of bed in the morning without horrendous back pain."
- "I just want to be able to chase my grandkids, so I would like to reduce stiffness in my hips."
- "I want to be able to touch my toes without tightness on the back of my legs stopping me."
- "I want to be able to make it a mile without my shin splints acting up."
These are all some realistic goals to address with therapeutic massage. In return, I will be open with what I have planned, and why. There will never be a treatment plan developed without a set of goals and time-frame in mind before reassessing . Let's get you back to doing what you love, or help you achieve it for the first time.
Meet the therapist
Marissa Fields, B.S., A.S., L.M.T.
Marissa Fields completed her Bachelor’s in Health Sciences degree at Cleveland State University. Her Associate of Science and Massage Therapy education took place at Cuyahoga Community College, where she also completed the coursework for Advanced Therapeutic Modalities. She is trained in Myofascial Release, Trigger-Point and Neuromuscular therapy, Joint Capsule Release, and Waslaski’s 12-Step approach for treatments of muscle strains and scar tissue. Outside of massage, she is a new but wholehearted lover of rock climbing, minimalist footwear enthusiast, and lifelong learner.
Massage faq's
Q: "I feel like I need work, but I am uncomfortable with having to undress; is there anything you can do if I stay clothed?"
A: Yes! Some of the most important portions of the pelvic-stabilization protocol can be performed fully-clothed, you just need to wear athletic/comfy ones so you can move-freely.
Q: "Will it hurt?"
A: Though much of what is offered is not relaxation massage, it does not mean that your massage will be painful. There are some treatments that can be mildly uncomfortable, but they are addressed carefully and slowly so that we don't enter into the realm of "pain." Even with a massage that ends up being completely pain-free however, some tenderness or soreness may be possible for a couple days, similar to post-workout soreness.
Q: Is medical insurance accepted?
A: Medical insurance is not accepted at this time, however if you bring in a prescription from a doctor for medical care, there will be no sales tax applied to your session.
Q: Is tipping required?
A: Massage therapy falls in between worlds still as a form of therapy and as a craft, so tipping is optional if you feel the service met or exceeded expectations, but unlike at a spa where they tell you that you don't need to tip but it's still expected, it is truly up to you here; please don't skip a massage just because you're worried about the tip!