Therapeutic Massage Therapy

Massage therapy is the manual manipulation of the body’s soft tissues—muscles, tendons, ligaments, and fascia—to promote relaxation, reduce pain, and support healing. It’s a time-honored practice used in many cultures around the world for physical and emotional wellbeing. At its core, massage therapy helps to release muscular tension, improve circulation, and calm the nervous system.

What modalities do we offer at Felek Acupuncture?

  • Tui Na (pronounced tway-nah) is a form of traditional Chinese medical massage that has been used for thousands of years to treat a wide range of health conditions. The name literally means "push and grasp," which refers to the two foundational hand techniques used in this practice. It’s often described as the physical therapy branch of Chinese medicine.

    Tui Na can be gentle or vigorous, depending on the condition being treated and the needs of the patient. It includes techniques like kneading, rolling, pressing, stretching, shaking, and acupressure to stimulate acupuncture points and release tension. It's especially effective for treating musculoskeletal pain, sports injuries, joint stiffness, tension headaches, digestive imbalances, and pediatric conditions.

  • Myofascial therapy is a hands-on treatment that targets the fascia, the connective tissue surrounding muscles and organs, to relieve pain and improve mobility. It involves applying gentle, sustained pressure to areas of tightness or restricted movement, helping to release tension and improve the function of muscles and joints. This therapy is particularly effective for chronic pain conditions like fibromyalgia, back pain, and headaches. By loosening tight fascia, myofascial therapy can enhance flexibility, reduce pain, and promote better posture and overall body alignment.

  • Deep tissue massage is a therapeutic technique that focuses on the deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue. It involves applying slow, firm pressure to target specific areas of tension and pain, helping to release chronic muscle tightness, improve circulation, and enhance flexibility. This type of massage can be particularly beneficial for those dealing with muscle injuries, stress, or conditions like arthritis, as it helps reduce pain, promote relaxation, and improve overall mobility. Deep tissue massage breaks up scar tissue and adhesions, and improves athletic recovery and performance.

  • TMJ therapy is a specialized approach to treating dysfunction and tension in the temporomandibular joint, the hinge that connects your jawbone to your skull. This area is often overlooked until it becomes painful—but it plays a crucial role in chewing, speaking, facial expression, and even posture.

    Many people experience TMJ disorders or discomfort due to stress, teeth grinding (bruxism), poor posture, dental misalignment, or trauma. Common symptoms include jaw pain, clicking or popping when opening the mouth, headaches, ear pain or pressure, tightness in the neck and shoulders, and even dizziness or fatigue.

    Intra-oral massage (performed with gloved hands) is especially effective for accessing deeper jaw muscles like the pterygoids, which are not reachable from the outside. Releasing these muscles can lead to significant relief from chronic clenching and pain.

  • Swedish massage is a popular relaxation technique that uses long, smooth strokes, kneading, and circular movements to promote overall relaxation and improve circulation. It is typically gentler than other types of massage, making it ideal for those seeking stress relief or a more soothing experience. Swedish massage helps to reduce muscle tension, increase flexibility, and boost the body’s natural healing processes. It can also improve mental clarity, lower stress levels, improve posture, release endorphins to improve mood, flush out metabolic byproducts, improve sleep and enhance overall well-being by promoting relaxation and calming the nervous system.

  • Assisted stretch therapy involves a trained therapist guiding a client through a series of stretching exercises to improve flexibility, mobility, and muscle function. The therapist helps position the body and applies gentle pressure to deepen the stretch, ensuring proper alignment and targeting specific muscle groups. This therapy can enhance range of motion, reduce muscle stiffness, and promote relaxation. It is particularly beneficial for athletes, individuals recovering from injuries, or anyone looking to relieve tension and improve their overall movement and flexibility. The benefits of assisted stretch therapy includes increased bodily awareness - allowing yourself to tap into and be present with your body through assisted movement, improved breath work, increased flexibility and fluidity of joint movement, improved activity performance, increased blood flow, decreased chronic or short term joint and muscle pain, and improved sleep and relaxation.