Pain Management

Pain Management

Manual Therapy for Pain Relief 

At Transformational Techniques, Lisa provides hands-on pain-relieving techniques that restore your body’s ideal function and posture. Her customized treatment plans address your unique needs and help you regain function and improve your quality of life. Manual therapy promotes circulation, improves function, increases flexibility, and reduces inflammation. Lisa’s goal is to align your body and mind by improving your flexibility, mobility, and mental well-being.

She performs thorough evaluations and assessments to identify the root cause of your pain or dysfunction. She uses various techniques, including soft tissue mobilization, joint mobilization, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, deep tissue, visceral manipulation, and cranial osteopathy (craniosacral therapy) to relieve pain and improve mobility. Lisa takes a holistic approach to treating pain and dysfunction, addressing not only your physical symptoms but also the underlying emotional and psychological factors.

Contact her to schedule an appointment and discover how manual therapy can help you live pain-free and improve your quality of life.

Manual therapy is a hands-on approach to treating musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction. It involves the skilled manipulation and mobilization of soft tissues and joints in the body to reduce pain, increase mobility, and improve function.

Manual therapy is typically performed by a licensed healthcare professional such as a physical therapist, chiropractor, or massage therapist. During a manual therapy session, the therapist uses various techniques to treat specific areas of the body such as muscles, joints, and fascia. These techniques can include massage, joint mobilization, myofascial release, and trigger point therapy, among many others.

Massage involves the manipulation of soft tissues to promote circulation, increase flexibility, and reduce inflammation. Joint mobilization involves the gentle movement of joints to help reduce pain and improve joint function. Myofascial release involves applying sustained pressure to the fascia –a connective tissue that covers muscles and other structures throughout the body– to help release tension, increase function, and improve mobility. Trigger point therapy involves applying pressure to specific points on the body to help relieve pain and improve mobility.

Manual therapy is a non-invasive and drug-free approach to treating pain and is often used in conjunction with other treatments such as exercise, stretching, and pain medication. It is particularly effective for treating musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction caused by injury, surgery, poor posture, repetitive movements, or chronic conditions such as arthritis or fibromyalgia.

Manual therapy is also useful for promoting relaxation and reducing stress. It can help to release tension and promote a sense of well-being. It is a safe and effective form of treatment that can be used to treat people of all ages and fitness levels.

Overall, manual therapy is an effective treatment option for musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction. It can help to improve mobility, reduce pain, and promote a sense of well-being.

If you are experiencing pain or mobility issues, consider scheduling an appointment with Lisa today.

Massage and manual therapy share some similarities, but they are not the same thing.

Massage is a term used to describe the manipulation of soft tissue, typically muscles and connective tissue, using hands-on techniques. It is often used for relaxation, stress reduction, and to relieve muscle tension and soreness. Massage therapists may use various techniques like kneading, stroking, and stretching to provide relief to clients.

Manual therapy, on the other hand, is a broader term that includes various hands-on techniques that are used to treat musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction. It can be used to address joint restrictions, soft tissue adhesions, and other musculoskeletal issues. Manual therapy may include techniques like joint mobilization, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, and more. Manual therapy may be performed by a variety of healthcare providers, including physical therapists, chiropractors, osteopaths, and massage therapists who have received additional training in manual therapy techniques.

While massage can be a type of manual therapy, not all manual therapy is massage. Manual therapy is often used to address specific musculoskeletal issues and is a more targeted and goal-oriented approach to treatment.  Please contact Lisa if you have any questions.

Manual therapy can be beneficial during pregnancy and postpartum to alleviate pain and discomfort, improve mobility, and promote relaxation. During pregnancy, a woman’s body undergoes significant changes to accommodate the growing fetus, which can result in musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction. Manual therapy techniques, such as soft tissue mobilization and joint mobilization, can help alleviate pain in areas such as the lower back, hips, and pelvis.

Additionally, manual therapy can help prepare the body for labor and delivery by promoting relaxation, reducing tension, and aligning the muscles, joints, and soft tissues. After childbirth, manual therapy can help the body recover by improving mobility, reducing pain, and addressing any musculoskeletal issues that may have arisen during pregnancy and childbirth. Manual therapy is a safe and effective way to support the body during the prenatal and postpartum periods.

Lisa offers packages that include manual therapy and doula services. Manual therapy is available with or without a doula service package.

Please click here to learn more about doula offerings.

Pelvic balancing is a manual therapy technique that aims to restore proper alignment and function of the pelvis. Through gentle manipulation and mobilization of the pelvic bones, muscles, and surrounding tissues, a therapist can help alleviate pain and discomfort in the lower back, hips, and pelvic region. Pelvic balancing can also improve posture, increase range of motion, and promote overall pelvic health. This technique is often used in conjunction with other manual therapy techniques to address a variety of conditions, such as pelvic pain, sciatica, painful menstruation, and postpartum recovery.

Visceral manipulation is a hands-on technique that involves the therapist using their hands to apply pressure to your abdomen and other parts of your body to help release any restrictions or tension that may be affecting your internal organs. It aims to restore the proper movement and function of your organs, which can lead to improved digestion, reduced pain, better circulation, and overall health. The technique is based on the idea that our organs are not just individual structures but are interconnected and can affect each other’s functions.

By releasing any tension or adhesions in one organ, the therapist can help to improve the function of surrounding organs and tissues. Visceral manipulation is often used to treat digestive issues, pelvic pain, lower back pain, and other conditions related to the internal organs. It is a non-invasive technique that can help to restore balance and improve your overall well-being.

Cranial osteopathy is a specialized form of osteopathic manual therapy that focuses on the skull and its contents, including the brain, spinal cord, and cerebrospinal fluid. The treatment is based on the premise that the bones of the skull can move slightly in response to changes in cerebrospinal fluid pressure and that restrictions in this movement can cause a variety of health issues.

During a cranial osteopathy session, the practitioner uses gentle, non-invasive techniques to release restrictions in the skull and promote the flow of cerebrospinal fluid. These techniques may include light touch, palpation, and gentle manipulation of the bones and tissues of the head, neck, spine, and within the mouth. Cranial osteopathy is often used to address a wide range of conditions, including headaches, migraines, TMJ disorders, neck and back pain, and digestive issues. It is a safe and effective treatment that can be used on people of all ages, from infants to the elderly.

Lisa is trained in both craniosacral therapy and cranial osteopathy. 

Craniosacral therapy and cranial osteopathy are both forms of manual therapy that focus on the cranial bones, the spine, and the central nervous system to promote healing and overall wellness.

The main difference between the two is their origins and scope of practice. Cranial osteopathy was developed by Dr. Andrew Taylor Still, the founder of osteopathy, in the late 1800s. It is a branch of osteopathy that incorporates the principles of osteopathy, including the belief that the body has an innate ability to heal itself, and the use of manipulative techniques to promote health.

On the other hand, craniosacral therapy was developed by Dr. John Upledger, an osteopathic physician, in the 1970s. It is a manual therapy that focuses on the craniosacral system, which includes the bones of the skull, the spine, and the sacrum, as well as the cerebrospinal fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord.

While both craniosacral therapy and cranial osteopathy use gentle touch to manipulate the bones and tissues of the head and spine, craniosacral therapy tends to have a more subtle touch and is often used to address a wider range of conditions, including emotional and psychological issues, whereas cranial osteopathy tends to be more specific in its focus and is primarily used to address physical ailments.