Therapeutic bodywork and rehabilitative techniques are used when soft tissues of the body are causing pain and/or dysfunction. The focus of the session is to address the soft tissue pain and dysfunction. The client often feels more relaxed after the therapy due to elimination or diminishment of pain. Before the hands-on part of a rehabilitative session begins, a careful assessment of soft tissue problems is needed.

 

Discussion between the client and me will help identify which treatments are needed. This part of the session frequently takes longer than the assessment phase of a relaxation session. Therapeutic bodywork also differs from relaxation massage in several other ways:



One important difference is the amount of verbal exchange between the client and me. During a rehabilitative session, verbal exchange is essential to assist me in providing the most beneficial treatment. This verbal exchange may be information relayed by the client about changes in tissue discomfort. Good communication is also needed during change of client position that is often needed to address a particular problem. I may also request the client to use the muscle being treated in a very specific way.

 

It is a common misconception thattherapeutic bodywork means relaxation massage applied with more pressure.  This is not the case. Rather, there are precise protocols applied in specific ways to address particular dysfunctions.

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Therapeutic bodywork techniques are not painful to receive. I am trained to monitor the reactions of the client and modify techniques accordingly. The therapy does not have to hurt to help.