PREMIUM MASSAGE SERVICES
While AMI traditionally has kept one price for all modalities, some of our services have an increased cost for training and materials. These highly skilled therapists will work with you to develop a specialized treatment plan to help you find relief from a wide range of conditions.
Lymph Drainage Therapy
Lymph Drainage Therapy (LDT) was created by French physician Bruno Chikly in order to manually stimulate and cleanse the lymphatic system. Lymphatic fluid (lymph) carries many important substances, such as immune cells, hormones, and toxins so that they can be processed in the lymph nodes. The system depends upon the contraction of muscles to move the lymph, but fatigue, stress, infection, swelling, inactivity, and other factors can hinder this muscular action, causing significant damage to cellular functioning. The therapist trained in LDT uses exceedingly light manual movements both to detect and to direct lymphatic flow. According to Dr. Chikly, the results can be, among others, reduction in swelling, detoxification, relief of inflammation, reduction in symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia, and can bring about deep relaxation, which in turn is an aid to many conditions, such as insomnia, depression, and muscular pain. Lymphatic Drainage Therapy is also useful in the treatment of cellulite tissue.
FOR FURTHER READING:
Therapists who offer Lymph Drainage Therapy:
Darla Goddard • Teneisha Coursey • Ayumi Bucher
Post Surgery Recovery Massage
(POST-LIPOSUCTION LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE)
After liposuction there may be more fluid than your lymphatic system can easily handle. Your doctor may recommend that you have lymphatic drainage massage therapy. This Recovery lymphatic drainage assists in your healing by reducing swelling and inflammation and promotes circulation. The Recovery Massage helps to maintain flexibility and also reduces or prevents the hard/firm places and uneven appearance of fibrosis.
Please note: We DO NOT push fluids out of incisions.
Therapists who offer Recovery Massage:
Darla Goddard • Marc Parsont
CranioSacral Therapy (CST)
CranioSacral Therapy (CST) is founded on the work of an innovative osteopathic physician of the last century, Dr. William Sutherland, and has been given its name and modern form by John Upledger, D.O., founder of the Upledger Institute in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
Dr. Upledger performed research at Michigan State University in the 1970s and confirmed that the cranial bones, once thought immobile, do actually move, not with the breath or the heart-beat, but with their own, unique pulse, the craniosacral rhythm. This rhythm can be felt anywhere on the body. Ideally paired bones move in synchrony: the base of the cranium, or occiput, moves with the sacrum, which is the base of the spine, and if all is well, the spinal cord slides freely inside its bony casing.
Any trauma can disrupt the craniosacral rhythm: injury during delivery either to mother or infant, falls on the coccyx, blows to the head, are common examples. Trained therapists, using a very light touch, listen to the client’s body to determine the locations of connective tissue restrictions that can distort the craniosacral rhythm, and, using a variety of very gentle techniques, relax, free, or “unravel” these restrictions.
During a CST session, most clients experience a feeling of profound relaxation and peace. Some notice and become familiar with their own craniosacral rhythm, and feel they are being introduced to another dimension of their being. One does not need to have a specific problem to solve. Being “tuned-up” by a session can provide both the serenity and the extra energetic edge needed to face the challenges of everyday life. But this therapy also helps a host of pathological conditions. According to the Upledger Institute, the following are some of the conditions that respond favorably to the work they teach: migraine headaches, chronic neck and back pain, colic, autism, central nervous system disorders, traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries, scoliosis, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, TMJ syndrome, stress-related problems, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
FOR FURTHER READING:
Therapists who offer CranioSacral Therapy:
Biodynamic CranioSacral Therapy
Biodyanamic CranioSacral Therapy (BCST) is a branch of CranioSacral work that is gentle and subtle and offers the space for the body’s own self-healing capabilities to activate. BCST accesses slow rhythms in the nervous system, heart, and body and can help bring a sense of wholeness and relaxation. BCST is done clothed on a massage table and light touch is used on various areas of the body, including feet, hands, shoulders, and head. It is suitable for anyone wishing to reduce stress, alleviate pain, etc. and is especially wonderful in pregnancy to support the mother.
FOR FURTHER READING:
https://www.craniosacraltherapy.org/what-is-bcst
https://www.craniosacral.co.uk/craniosacral-therapy
Therapist who offer BCST:
Structural Integration
Structural Integration is a manual therapy focusing on the connective tissue that runs throughout our bodies, surrounding muscles, organs, nerves, etc. This connected tissues, also called “fascia,” helps create our structure, but injury and the physical stresses of daily life can lead to fascial adhesions that restrict free movement and can bring pain.
Structural Integration (also called “Rolfing,” after its founder Ida Rolf) applies pressure to the stuck, shortened places, opening up restricted areas to allow greater balance, alignment, and ease in daily movement. Asymmetrical patterns are reduced, removing excess pressure on our joints.
Structural Integration can help people with chronic pain, older injuries that still bring discomfort, athletes wishing to enhance performance, or anyone interested in feeling more dynamically ‘at home’ in their bodies.
FOR FURTHER READING:
https://www.rolf.org/rolfing.php
https://www.rolfguild.org/structural-integration
Therapists who offer Structural Integration:
Modern Cupping
Modern Cupping Therapy is a technique where cups made of glass, silicone or plastic are placed on the skin to create suction to stimulate blood flow to the area to promote healing. This technique can assist in accessing the superficial layers of tissue as well. Cups may be left in place for several minutes or moved along the body to help relax the muscles, reduce pain and improve circulation.
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FOR FURTHER READING:
Physio-pedia: Modern Cupping from a Clinical Approach
Therapists who offer Modern Cupping: