Articles

October 31, 2024

The Science Behind Fascia Release in Physical Therapy: What You Need to Know
Fascia is much more than just "packing material" for the body—it’s a vital structure that influences everything from movement efficiency to pain levels. As physical therapists, understanding and utilizing fascia release techniques can make a world of difference in our clients’ outcomes.
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March 4, 2024

Massage Gels: The Ultimate Glide?
Massage gel provides a very appealing glide across the skin. Although gels tend to have plant oils as their primary ingredient, they tend not to be greasy feeling. Rather, they have a consistency that is pleasant for both the client and therapist, and they can be used in very controlled quantities because they absorb into the skin more slowly.
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February 3, 2024

Friction Massage: A Matter of Movement
Friction massage is a massage technique that involves applying pressure and friction to soft tissues, such as muscles, tendons, and ligaments. This technique aims to break down adhesions and increase blood flow to the affected area, promoting healing and reducing muscle tension. Friction massage typically involves circular or cross-fiber movements with the fingers, thumbs, or palms.
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September 18, 2023

Pressing the Point: The Benefits of Reflexology
The concept of working with the feet to influence health dates back thousands of years. Reflexology-like practices can be found in ancient Egyptian and Chinese cultures, where it was believed that applying pressure to certain points on the feet could affect different parts of the body.
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September 7, 2023

Getting Table Height Right
Physical therapy is a physical business after all. The therapist must strive to be constantly aware of their own body mechanics, particularly in relation to the patient. Awkwardly bent wrists, leaning or reaching too far over the table, and lack of support to the therapist's head and neck can all cause complications.
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July 26, 2023

Shiatsu - the Art of Finger Pressure
Both Shiatsu and Swedish massage have their own merits and can be valuable in different contexts and for different individuals. Choosing between the two depends on personal preferences, treatment goals, and the expertise of the massage practitioner.
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May 3, 2023

The Rhythmic Therapeutic Healing of Tapotement
Tapotement is a massage technique that involves rhythmic tapping or percussive movements on the client's muscles. It is a popular technique used in Swedish massage and other forms of massage therapy. The history of tapotement dates back centuries, with evidence of similar techniques being used in ancient Chinese and Egyptian medicine.
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February 26, 2023

Association Listings for Registered Therapists
It may seem like an afterthought, but nearly all professional therapist associations provide listings for their members on so-called "therapist finders." In fact, these listings are a fantastic way to quietly market your business, whether you operate on your own or from a shared clinic.
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December 9, 2022

Petrissage - The Kneading Touch in Massage Therapy
Six essential motions combine to define petrissage. Wringing, kneading, knuckling, scissoring, skin rolling, and pick-up-and-squeeze are the key movements. All of these techniques are therapeutic — performed with varying degrees of intensity and vigour, according to the patient’s comfort.
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