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We are creative beings and pride ourselves on providing professional and unique healing sessions. Thanks to decades of research by osteopaths, doctors, shaman and holistic healers, we have been gifted several modalities that, when combined or used alone, act as a powerful force on restoring and healing the body. It is with the utmost gratitude to these pioneers that we discuss just a few of these transformational modalities.
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Freedom Healers
(561) 254-7367
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Therapeutic Modalities
- Deep Tissue
- Myofascial Release
- Neuromuscular Therapy
- Pilates
- Qi-Gong
- Shiatsu
- Swedish Massage
- Vedic Thai Bodywork
- Yoga
If you are struggling with a chronic pain in the neck, and we’re not talking about grid lock traffic, than a Deep Tissue session may be just what you need. This powerful art form focuses on realigning deeper layers of muscles and connective tissue. The movements are typically slower and the pressure is deeper, giving your tense & painful muscles a chance to release.
When there is chronic muscle tension or injury, there are usually adhesions (bands of painful, rigid tissue) in muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Adhesions can block circulation and cause pain, limited movement, and inflammation. Deep tissue massage works by physically breaking down these adhesions to relieve pain and restore normal movement. To do this, the therapist often uses direct deep pressure or friction applied across the grain of the muscles.
No Pain No Gain? Well, not necessarily! We admit that at certain points during a deep tissue session, you may experience some discomfort and pain. It is of the utmost importance that you communicate with us when things get too intense, especially if it is out of YOUR comfort range. While DT is designed to relieve the more “stubborn” knots, by no means do you need to experience extreme discomfort. Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither was your pain in the neck!
Myo-fascial Release is an effective hands-on technique that uses sustained pressure to reduce restrictions in the connective tissue system. This method is effectively used to eliminate pain, restore motion and change shape and structure of soft tissue. The theory of Myo-fascial Release requires an understanding of the fascial system (or connective tissue). The fascia is a specialized system of the body tissue that creates shape and structure of soft tissue. Fascia is the packaging system of the body that surrounds and interweaves every muscle, bone, nerve, artery and vein as well as all of our internal organs including the heart, lungs, brain and spinal cord. The most interesting aspect of the fascial system is that it is not just a system of separate coverings. It is actually one structure that exists from head to foot without interruption. In this way you can begin to see that each part of the entire body is connected to every other part by the fascia, like the yarn in a sweater.
In a normal healthy state, fascia has a flexible, elastic configuration. It has the ability to stretch and move without restriction. When you experience physical trauma, scarring, or inflammation, fascia loses its pliability. It becomes tight, restricted and a source of tension to the rest of the body. Traumas, such as a fall, whiplash, surgery or just habitual poor posture over time and repetitive stress injuries have cumulative effects on the fascial system. Tight or restrictive fascia can exert excessive pressure, producing pain or restriction of motion. This may affect flexibility and stability, and is a determining factor in your ability to withstand stress and strain. There are many flavors of Myo-fascial release work that you may come across in your exploration of body work. Without going into further detail some names you may have heard of are Myo-fascial Release, Rolfing, Hellerwork, and aspects of Neuromuscular Therapy.
In a normal healthy state, fascia has a flexible, elastic configuration. It has the ability to stretch and move without restriction. When you experience physical trauma, scarring, or inflammation, fascia loses its pliability. It becomes tight, restricted and a source of tension to the rest of the body. Traumas, such as a fall, whiplash, surgery or just habitual poor posture over time and repetitive stress injuries have cumulative effects on the fascial system. Tight or restrictive fascia can exert excessive pressure, producing pain or restriction of motion. This may affect flexibility and stability, and is a determining factor in your ability to withstand stress and strain. There are many flavors of Myo-fascial release work that you may come across in your exploration of body work. Without going into further detail some names you may have heard of are Myo-fascial Release, Rolfing, Hellerwork, and aspects of Neuromuscular Therapy.
Neuromuscular Therapy (NMT) addresses soft tissue dysfunction through analysis of postural distortion, biomechanical dysfunction and soft tissue causes of patterns presenting pain conditions. This bodywork deals with four systems of soft tissue: the muscular system, the connective tissue system (fascia), the nervous system, and the lymphatic system. NMT incorporates various techniques such as myo-fascial release, manual lymphatic drainage, linear and cross fiber friction and trigger point therapy to assess and treat areas of pain, restricted range of motion and inflammation. NMT could best be described as the integration of each of these treatment methods combined with bio-mechanical analysis and effective rehabilitation exercises. NMT sessions typically have a specific treatment goal focused on pain remediation, increased range of motion or structural change.
We typically interweave NMT techniques into a session, especially if we are focusing on a specific area of treatment. If you are struggling with a specific injury, we recommend following a specific protocol of rehabilitation. This practice usually involves assessment, treatment, stretching, and strengthening. We believe the healing process should also be an educational process, so we work to teach you about your health, structure, biomechanics, and anything else that may be influencing your pain condition.
We typically interweave NMT techniques into a session, especially if we are focusing on a specific area of treatment. If you are struggling with a specific injury, we recommend following a specific protocol of rehabilitation. This practice usually involves assessment, treatment, stretching, and strengthening. We believe the healing process should also be an educational process, so we work to teach you about your health, structure, biomechanics, and anything else that may be influencing your pain condition.
Over the years we have discovered wonderful protocols that uncover the potential of a pain-free body. Integrating Pilates and Massage strengthens & connects the body, mind and spirit. This dynamic duo corrects postural imbalances and releases tight muscles, while teaching body awareness and muscle control. Pilates, a complete mind-body method of physical conditioning developed by and named for Joseph Pilates, focuses on the core, or "powerhouse," of the body - the abdominal muscles, lower back, hips and buttocks - and incorporates deep-breathing techniques that help improve concentration and control while reducing stress and anxiety. We invite you to check out our Links Page for more information on Pilates instruction.
Qigong is a powerful system of healing and energy medicine from China. It is the art and science of using breathing techniques, gentle movement, and meditation to cleanse, strengthen, and circulate the life energy (Qi). In turn, Qi circulates the blood through the body, improving circulation to the brain, digestive & endocrine systems. Dedicated Qigong practice increases your immune system and vitality, reduces the effects of ageing and promotes a tranquil state of mind. As you learn to cultivate your Qi, you may begin to feel the energy actually pulsating between your hands, like a magnetic field, as you practice.
Shiatsu is a form of Asian bodywork that uses thumb or finger pressure on meridian pathways to balance the body's energy system. In many places, shiatsu is considered a form of energy work. Shiatsu moves stagnant energy, removes blockages and creates balance in the body's energy systems. By applying firm pressure to energy points, the chi or life force is restored. Shiatsu sessions can facilitate this change. The body then begins to heal itself. All major systems begin to improve: digestion, respiration, circulation, elimination, immune system. So over time, the body feels rejuvenated, calm and energized. The session is performed on a comfortable cotton futon floor mat, providing the receiver and practitioner comfort and ease of movement. The client wears loose-fitting or stretchy clothes.
Swedish massage is considered the foundation for most table massage techniques. It is characterized by the use of lotion or oil to allow gliding strokes over the skin. Most strokes are done toward your heart with the goal of improving blood and lymphatic circulation. Swedish technique consists of five basic strokes: effleurage (stroking), petrissage (kneading), friction, tapotement (percussion), and vibration, though all of these strokes are not used on every part of the body. In general, it is the manipulation of the body's soft tissue (i.e. the skin, muscles, tendons, ligaments and fascia) using the hands in a gentle, flowing massage technique. Varying degrees of pressure and stretching movements are incorporated. It is most commonly used for relaxation and improving well-being.
Our revered Vedic teacher, Mukti, has taught us that Thai bodywork is a healing art form that transforms the emotional, spiritual and physical body. During a typical 2 hour session, we don’t just use the power of our hands and fingers. We use our hands, our fingers, our palms, arms, knees, and feet, along with the receiver’s body weight and their resistance to provide a deeply moving experience. This mystical treatment allows us, as practitioners, to enter into a meditative awareness so that each stretch and technique is adapted to your exact needs, whether soft or strong. As the receiver, you can give yourself permission to breathe, relax and enjoy the tremendous healing benefits of Thai-Bodywork. Thai-Yoga Bodywork is traditionally performed on a large comfortable cotton futon floor mat which gives the receiver both comfort and full-body support. Working on the floor also allows the therapist to move freely around and above you, making for effective use of the therapist's bodyweight and mechanics. The therapist can also work with the receiver in a variety of positions, including prone, supine, side-lying, and seated.
In a Thai-Yoga Bodywork session you will wear loose-fitting or stretchy clothing that allows your body to move. No oils are needed. The techniques used work far beneath the surface of the body, effecting the deeper layers of the muscles and skeleton.
Treatments are routinely modified to include sensitivities addressing acute and chronic conditions, including: herniated disks, subluxations, muscle strain, joint replacements, surgeries, and pregnancy.
The word yoga means "union" in Sanskrit, the language of ancient India where yoga originated. We can think of the union occurring between the mind, body and spirit. What is commonly referred to as "yoga" can be more accurately described by the Sanskrit word asana, which refers to the practice of physical postures or poses. Asana is only one of the eight "limbs" of yoga, the majority of which are more concerned with mental and spiritual well being than physical activity. In the West, however, the words asana and yoga are often used interchangeably. We have discovered such joy in a regular yoga practice and deeply appreciate its strengthening and balancing effect it has on the body. We often encourage our clients to seek out classes that are appropriate to their fitness level and emotional/spiritual needs.
