Medical Massage

Massage Therapy to a patient by Nicole Longwell available in Dunedin, Clearwater, Safety Harbor, Ozona, Florida

What is Massage Therapy and what can it do for you?

Massage therapy (soft tissue work) is a hands-on manipulation of soft tissue of the body; soft tissues include muscle, skin, tendons, ligaments, and other associated fascia, as well as joint capsules. Massage has many diverse physiological effects, which are primarily due to the therapist's hands moving over/on the body.

The different movements can lengthen/release muscles, ligaments, tendons, and fascia, encourage circulation through the tissues, inhibit muscular spasms, and either sedate or stimulate the nervous system. The therapeutic use of massage by a licensed massage therapist affects all systems of the body - in particular, the muscular, circulatory, lymphatic, and nervous systems, but can be helpful with digestion, respiratory and immune systems.

Longwell Massage Therapy offers medical, or more outcome-based massage and bodywork therapy, combined with FSM/Microcurrent therapy which is designed to work more specifically to treat persons with injuries, surgery, chronic conditions, and other medical and/or non-medical conditions toward patient goals, in Dunedin, Clearwater, Palm Harbor, Safety Harbor, Tarpon Springs, Ozona areas.

Nicole's hands providing massage therapy to a patient in Florida

Based on many studies, Massage Therapy/Soft Tissue Manipulation may benefit you in a variety of ways:

Help to alleviate acute and chronic pain and tension.

Improve joint flexibility, enhance range of motion and mobility

Relieve musculoskeletal problems

Help to improve posture

Improve blood and lymph circulation, helping to remove metabolic waste from the body, while strengthening your immune system

Reduce swelling or fluid retention

Ease stress and promote an overall feeling of deep relaxation

Help to reduce or alleviate anxiety and/or depression, allowing you to better handle “life’s speed bumps”

Enhance respiratory (breathing) function

Increase endorphins (your body’s natural painkillers)

Encourage healing and recovery from injuries (work, trauma, accidents, or sports-related), surgeries, burns, and wounds, also help to reduce scarring

MIOFASCIAL RELEASE (MFR)

Fascia is the connective tissue that extends throughout the entire body. Restrictions in the fascia can increase pressure to the circulatory, neuromuscular, and musculoskeletal systems as well as various organs. MFR opens and releases fascial restrictions, which can also cause or be caused by inflammation and/or scar tissue. Can be done using Cupping Technique or manually. Nicole also offers a mixture of MFR methods, including the John Barnes method of Myofascial Release therapy (Level 1).

CRANIO-SACRAL THERAPY (CST) (CRANIOSACRAL)

This a gentle, non-invasive technique which detects and corrects cerebral and spinal imbalances. It releases tensions deep in the body to relieve pain and dysfunction, and improves whole-body health and performance.

Learn more

Neuromuscular Therapy, Trigger point therapy icon

NEUROMUSCULAR THERAPY/ TRIGGER POINT THERAPY (NMT)

Applies very precise pressure to alleviate chronic tension, muscle spasms, and pain, thereby restoring structural integrity to muscles. (May also be done with Cupping Technique or manually.)

MANUAL LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE

A precise and gentle massage that increases the flow of lymphatic fluid. This is key to cleansing the body of inflammatory materials and toxins. In addition, it enhances the activity of the immune system, reduces pain, and lowers the activity of the sympathetic nervous system.