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Additional information.

Below you‘ll find more information for you about the methods I use at my practice, Athena Therapeutic Massage

Marnitz Therapy

Marnitz Therapy treats the Myofascial Cause-Effect Chain which includes the “Reflex Arc”. Pain in the back is not just back pain, it involves peripheral areas or “key zones” like legs, shoulders, hips, etc. These different areas communicate with each other about stress/stimuli and react to them. By treating key zones the entire motor segment (reflex arc) is affected resulting in reduced discomfort and increased movement to the whole body.

 

Marnitz Therapy was developed by Dr. Harry Marnitz in Germany during the 1950s. Dr. Marnitz developed the “knowledge of neurophysiogical chains of action in manual treatment and integrated them into a holistic, condition-oriented therapy concept” which is now called “Myofascial Cause-Effect Chain”. This orthopedic therapy is widely used in Europe. My training was with Johanna Blumenschein, MSc who studied directly with Dr. Marnitz. I am one of nine USA trained therapists.

Athena Logo Massage Therapy in Sheboygan, WI
Marnitz Therapy is a "deep tissue" technique for the muscles, tendons, ligaments and nervous system.
Precision Neuromuscular Therapy (PNMT) is an approach to musculoskeletal pain that focuses on treating precise areas.

Precision Neuromuscular Therapy (PNMT)

“We teach therapists to think critically about the treatment choices they make. While we show you extremely thorough ways to treat various muscles, we also show you assessment approaches to be very clear about why you think any particular muscle is responsible for your client's presenting symptoms. Rather than being married to one treatment approach, we demonstrate many. Why? The answer is that all of the PNMT Instructors are also clinicians. Great clinicians are always prepared with other options when their ‘go-to’ strategy doesn't work.”

Doug Nelson, Founder Precision Neuromuscular Therapy, Champagne, IL

https://www.pnmt.org/

Cranio Sacral Therapy

The Cranial Sacral system is a semi-closed hydraulic system compromised of the brain and the spinal cord. These parts are surrounded by a tough membrane called the dura mater. The function of the cranial sacral system is to produce, circulate and reabsorb the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). CSF maintains the physiological environment in which your brain and nervous system develop, live and function. As a semi-closed hydraulic system, the cranial sacral system expands and contracts with the pressure fluctuations or “pulses” of the CSF. It moves to its own rhythm, separate from the heart and respiratory “pulse”. As the CSF pulses, the bones of the body articulate in flexion and extension in very small, visually imperceptible increments. If the body is healthy with no dysfunction the articulations are smooth and even. When the body has dysfunction the physical restrictions change the pressure which is reflected in the bones/body as wobbles, halts, weakness, etc. The practitioner, with hands are on the client, feels the pulse and body articulations and assesses the symmetry, quality, amplitude (SQAR) and rate of the pulse to determine where restrictions are in the body. With over 400 joints in the body and 63 in the head, the potential for pain and dysfunction is very high.

Cranial Sacral uses light pressure to work with the central nervous system.
Medi Cupping™ gives you a renewed blood flow to undernourished and dehydrated tissues.

Medi Cupping™

Medi Cupping is great for:

  • Scars—despite age or keloid aspect

  • Pre and post surgery area mobilization

  • Deep Tissue and structural issues—old injuries and chronic movement patterns

  • Arthritis, tendonitis, bursitis

  • Loose skin and old deposits from weight loss

  • Lymphadema

  • Migraines and tension headaches

  • TMJ dysfunction

  • Fibromyalgia

  • Sports—injuries and post-event conditions

  • Cellulite

  • Plantar Fasciitis

  • COPD

  • Parkinson’s disease

  • IBS

Medi Cupping can comfortably:

  • Decrease or relieve pain and inflammation from injury or chronic conditions. 

  • Relieve deep muscular issues and reduces muscle spasms. 

  • Release and soften scar tissue and loosen post-surgery adhesions. 

  • Lift and stretch soft tissue to separate fascia and restrictions. 

  • Increase range of movement and flexibility in joints. 

  • Promote healthy circulation of blood and lymph. 

  • Move stagnation and enable normal lymphatic flow. 

  • Enhance any athletic training program to improve performance. 

Source: www.medicupping.com)

CANCER/MASTECTOMY/SURGERY Therapy offer greatly needed relief and enhance quality of life.

Cancer and Mastectomy Massage

I embrace the following when working with you:

 

Massage and bodywork…

Is a Team Effort—I work with your physician and other health care practitioners and will not interfere with your established treatment.

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Is Special Care—Each person is special and will be honored with privacy and confidentiality. I will provide the best possible treatment using many bodywork modalities available in a gentle, caring, and soothing manner.

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Is Available—at the office, hospital or home with sessions of 30 minutes to an hour.

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Is Taught— to family members, friends and other caregivers. I am happy to teach others how to provide appropriate and compassionate touch.

Lymphatic & Lymphedema Therapies

Discovered in the 17th century as “milky veins” by an Italian physician during surgery an understanding of the importance of the lymph system has been brought through to the 21stcentury by numerous physicians and osteopaths like Andrew T. Still, Earl C. Miller, Emil Vodder, and Bruno Chikly.

The lymph system lies under your skin and is made up of the lymph capillaries, vessels and nodes. In the lymph vessels thousands of tiny muscular swinging, door-like units called (lymphangions) contract throughout the body to move and transport the lymph fluid and substances (proteins, toxins like bacteria and urea, lipids, minerals, enzymes, hormones, and lymphocytes or immune cells) to the lymph nodes to be processed before entering the heart.  

Lymphatic Drainage Therapy (LDT) is used by doctors, osteopaths, chiropractors, dentists, physical therapists, massage therapists, lymphedema specialists, and bodyworkers.  It is the hands-on technique of manually manipulating the lymph capillaries, vessels and nodes to attain and sustain a properly functioning lymph system which has been compromised or stopped by burns, surgery, trauma, infections, swelling, fatigue, inactivity, stress or age. 

 

Benefits of Lymphatic Massage

 

• Stimulates fluid circulation to reduces edema or swelling.

• Immune system stimulant for preventative and therapeutic health maintenance.

• Relieves chronic and subacute inflammation such as acne, eczema, allergies, sinusitis, brochitis, hay-fever and rhinitis.

• Encourages tissue regeneration (e.g., burns, wounds, stretch marks, and pre & post surgical scarring).

• Provides deep relaxation that can aid insomnia, depression, and stress.

• Reduces the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia.

• Relieves chronic and subacute pain, sprains, and strains (sports injuries) by stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system.

• Encourages flow and release of toxins from the body

Amethyst Richway BioMat®

When resting on the BioMat®, you are receiving a molecular level massage, increased blood & lymph circulation, maximized enzyme activity, superior detoxification and decreased acidity for more beneficial pH balance in the body. 

 

Benefits also include boosted immune function, rejuvenation of skin, reduction of stress, fatigue, pain & swelling, elevated energy & vitality, and increased deep delta state of relaxation.

Kinesio Taping®

K-Tape affects the 5 major physiological systems of your body: 

 

  1. Skin— affects the mechanoreceptors of your skin to either stimulate or inhibit.

  2. Fascia—promotes tissue mobility and helps to breakup adhesions

  3. Circulatory/lymphatic—lifts skin in increase interstitial lymphatic flow, creates channels of low pressure in congested areas which enhances fluid exchange within tissues, reduces edema and pain, and equalizes temperature.

  4. Muscles—reduces pain, increases range of motion, improves length/tension ratios, increases tissue recovery and reduces muscle fatigue.

  5. Joints—balances agonist and antagonist muscles of joint, reduces protective muscle guarding and pain, supports ligament and tendon function and enhances kinesthetic awareness.

 

K-Tape is applied using different amounts and directions of tension and is used to treat a variety of orthopedic, neuromuscular, neurological and medical conditions such as:

Joint pain, muscle pain, range of motion conditions

Achilles tendon

Thoracic outlet and carpal tunnel syndromes

Elbow, hip, etc. bursitis

Headaches

Edema and lymphadema

Constipation

Plantar fasciitis

Post surgery (liposuction, BBL, etc.)

 

 

K-Tape properties:

  • It is made of gentle cotton fiber.

  • It features a 100% medical-grade acrylic adhesive.

  • It is totally latex free.

  • It does not limit the wearer’s range of motion.

  • The distinctive wave-pattern weave moves with the wearer’s movements.

  • It allows for 3 to 5 day wear time to provide 24-hour results to the patient

  • Provides economical extension of treatment.  Areas that are taped feel as if your therapist is still working on you but you will not even know you have the tape on!

 

(Source: www.kinesiotaping.com

Aromatherapy

When applied to the body, the essential oils are absorbed into the skin and travel through the dermis levels into the interstitial fluids. Once in the lymphatic system they are helpful in fighting bacteria and viruses that travel through the body and improving the immune system.  The use of essential oils can have many benefits since it is a detoxifying process and may benefit the body for up to a week after the treatment.

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