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Fascial Counterstain / Craniosacral / Clinical Massage

Facial Counterstrain  

Very gentle osteopathic manual therapy. The treatment decreases pain, improves mobility and restores function. It addresses system specific dysfunctions (nerves, vascular, visceral, musculoskeletal) by reducing inflammation.

 

Assessment is done by palpating the head, then on other areas of the body, to identify areas of restrictions and rigidities. Techniques used include specific positioning of the body and/or soft tissue manipulation such as gliding, compression and traction. (Fascial Counterstain was developed by Brian Tuckey PT, OCS, JSCCI based on the Strain - Counterstain treatment system developed by Lawrence H. Jones, Doctor of Osteopathy)  

 

Conditions that may benefit from this modality: 

  • Migraine Headaches

  • Chronic Pain

  • Motor-Coordination Impairments

  • Colic

  • Central Nervous System Disorders

  • Orthopedic Problems

  • Traumatic Brain Injury (in stable state)

  • Spinal Cord Injuries (in stable state)

  • Scoliosis

  • Chronic Fatigue

  • Stress and Tension-Related Problems

  • Fibromyalgia (Connective-Tissue Disorders)

  • Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome (TMJ)

  • Neurovascular Disorders 

  • Immune Disorders / Autoimmune disease (Multiple Sclerosis)

  • Post-Surgical Dysfunction

  • Autonomic Nervous System Disorder  (MS) 

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                                                          Contraindications:

  • Bone cancer                                                                          

  • Aneurysm, cerebral hemorrhage, or other pre-existing severe bleeding disorders that could be affected by small intracranial pressure changes    

  • Localized infection  

  • Any bone or joint infection (osteomyelitis)                                                    

  • Inflammatory skin conditions                                                       

  • Unhealed fractures                                                                

  • Severe prolapsed disks                                                                        

  • Fibromyalgia in an inflammatory state                                

  • Advanced diabetes 

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Craniosacral Therapy 

It is an osteopathic manual therapy. The work may seem very subtle but it has profoundly positive effects and brings deep relaxation. Its main focus is the health of central nervous system (CNS) and its supporting membranes and soft tissue, and Cerebral Spinal Fluid (CSF) circulation. 

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Assessment is done through touching several key locations on the body to identify restricted areas.  The techniques are very gentle and non-invasive myofascial and soft tissue release. (Craniosacral Therapy I studied was developed by Dr. John E. Upledger, of Upledger Institute International)

 

Conditions that may benefit from this modality:

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Contraindications:

  • Recent concussion

  • Cerebral swelling

  • Structural defects in the cerebellum such as Arnold-Chiari malformation

  • Brain aneurysm

  • Recent traumatic brain injury

  • Blood clots

  • Any disorder that causes instability of cerebral fluid pressure, flow or build-up

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Craniosacral Therapy “Mouth Work”

Fingers are used (with gloves on, of course!) to very gently manipulate cranial bones that are accessible only from inside the mouth cavity.

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Conditions that may benefit from this modality:

  • TMJ tension and general Jaw tension / dysfunctions

  • Jaw clenching

  • Teeth grinding

  • Status-Post extensive dental work

  • Headaches from Jaw / TMJ problems

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                                                       Clinical Massage                                                   T.  

Depending on what pain and discomfort you are experiencing, various techniques from Trigger Points Release, Myofascial Release, Shiatsu are used to relieve the muscular / myofascial tension.

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Dragonfly Bodywork     3873 Piedmont Ave, Oakland, CA 94611  (202) 340-0404

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