FALL 2008

Deep Tissue Massage Intensive


Fundamentals of Deep Tissue Massage – Level 1

November 1, 2 & 8, 9  2008  9:00am-6:00pm

$625.00 ($575.00 if $50.00 deposit is received by September 15th)

Prerequisite: Some form of massage training or experience

To register, call Touchstone Healing Arts at 802 658-7715

Knowledge of Deep Tissue Massage can dramatically change your approach to massage and bodywork, greatly expanding the scope of your practice. This four-day, 32-hour intensive will provide a solid foundation in the principles and techniques of Deep Tissue Massage. You will significantly refine your palpation skills, learn how to work deeply and safely into the body’s tissue layers, and cultivate an efficient use of energy through proper biomechanics, client positioning, and sophisticated hands-on methods. These new skills will provide maximum benefit to your clients including the alleviation of pain, better posture, more flexibility, and more fluid movement.
For both the Level 1 and Level 2 Deep Tissue Intensives we will use as our textbook Art Rigg’s excellent book, Deep Tissue Massage: A Visual Guide to Techniques.

In the Level 1 intensive, you will learn:

• Palpating layers of tissue depth
• Differentiating levels of tension
• Freeing muscles from entrapment
• Separating adhered muscle compartments
• Joint mobilization and unwinding
• Efficient use of energy through proper biomechanics, cultivation of palpation sensitivity, working safely, and proper use of fingers, knuckles, the fist, the forearm, and elbow
• Body Reading
• Working confidently around areas of caution such as the thoracic outlet, the femoral triangle, and the sciatic nerve
• Vectors of strain on pelvic stability
• Specific strategies for the torso, hips, neck, & the extremities

*PLEASE NOTE:
For those who have taken Stephen O’Dwyer’s Neuromuscular Master Classes, this Deep Tissue training will provide an excellent contrast and complement. See below for the differences between Deep Tissue Massage and Neuromuscular Therapy.
What’s the difference between Deep Tissue Massage and Neuromuscular Therapy?

They are two quite different techniques.

In Neuromuscular Technique the goal is to calm both the nervous system and the muscular system. This is first accomplished by putting a spastic or ischemic muscle in the most slack or relaxed position. Then lotion is applied and detailed, repeated strokes are administered to the muscle belly, origin, and insertion. If trigger points are discovered, gentle static compression is used to release them. In Neuromuscular work, the emphasis is on relieving chronic pain by identifying ischemic muscles and trigger points and then treating with repeated, moderately paced strokes. This calms both the nervous system and the muscular system. Rather like stroking a child’s head or a cat’s back to calm them down.

Deep Tissue Massage, on the other hand, has a very different focus and style of application. The goal of Deep Tissue work is to lengthen shortened tissues and to separate adhered muscle compartments. Instead of putting soft tissue in a slack position, tissues are put on a stretch. Then, with little or no lotion, the practitioner utilizes the hard surfaces of their hands and arms — surfaces such as fingers, knuckles, forearms, and elbows — and employs a very slow, sustained type of stroke. With no lotion or oil to cause sliding, it becomes possible to fully get a hold of the shortened fascia; this is necessary in order to lengthen it. Also, it becomes possible to separate adhered muscle compartments. The fascial sheaths that surround two or more adjacent muscles can become stuck to one another. This can result in distorted joint movement, pain, and the inability of the involved muscles to lengthen and shorten properly in normal movement. Slow, sustained strokes are what can change this tissue from a short, hardened state to a lengthened, fluid state. The process is not unlike stretching salt water taffy. You've got to get a hold of it, warm it up, and work it very slowly.




SPRING 2009

Advanced Deep Tissue Massage – Level 2
Dates and times TBA

In the Spring of 2009, a Level 2 Deep Tissue Intensive will continue where Level 1 course leaves off. It will be a five-day, 40-hour intensive which will delve more deeply into strategies for specific problems, troubleshooting, and working with injuries.

The Level 2 Course will include advanced techniques for:

• Vertebral Mobilization
• Freeing Fixed Breathing Patterns
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
• Achilles Tendonitis
• Foot and Ankle Injuries
• Knee Pain and Patellar Dysfunction
• Sciatica
• Rotator Cuff Issues
• Tennis Elbow and Wrist Complaints
• Thoracic Outlet Problems
• Piriformis Syndrome

• Many additional strategies will also be covered, such as working off the massage table in seated and standing postures, and suggestions for rehabilitative home programs of strengthening and stretching for your clients.


DATES TBA (Listed dates are from past classes)

 Neuromuscular Therapy Master Classes
Level 1 and Level 2 Neuromuscular Therapy Master Classes and a 1-day intensive will be taught by Stephen O’Dwyer, CNMT.

 These classes are designed for:

1) Massage therapists and bodyworkers who desire to increase their hands-on and evaluative skills toward the goal of being able to treat more complex chronic pain problems.

2) Massage therapists and bodyworkers who wish to acquire new advanced techniques and skills to greatly improve the effectiveness of their existing massage routines.

LEVEL 1 CLASSES

Pain Mechanisms of the Lower Back — Level 1 (12 CEUs)
FEB. 21 - MAR. 14, Wednesdays, 6 - 9 PM  (4 weeks)
Prerequisite: Some form of massage training or experience
In order to effectively treat one of the most common maladies of the modern world — lower back pain — it's crucial to understand the pelvis and to correct pelvic imbalance. In this class we will learn to evaluate the most common torsional imbalances of the pelvis, and to treat the compensatory muscular patterns caused by such imbalance. We will learn very specific and gentle methods for treating many structures which exert a profound influence on the lower back including: the hip flexors (psoas & iliacus muscles), the quadratus lumborum, the lumbar fascia, the erector spinae, the gluteal muscles, and others. Also, we will utilize Hanna Somatic Movement to both evaluate and treat certain structural problems. You cannot effectively treat chronic lower back pain without improving the body's overall balance. And that balance begins with the pelvis. This class is an essential starting point for all structural bodywork.
$225.    Class fee includes workbook  (Or $600. when registering for all three Pain Mechanisms classes. See details below.)

Pain Mechanisms of the Shoulder — Level 1  (12 CEUs)
 MAR. 21 - APR. 11, Wednesdays, 6 - 9 PM  (4 weeks)
Prerequisite: Some form of massage training or experience
This class will focus on treatment of the muscles and fascia of the shoulder girdle and the specific structural problems associated with many kinds of chronic shoulder pain. We will examine the position of the ribcage, clavicle, and scapula as they relate to issues such as rotator cuff problems, restricted mobility, structural imbalances, and common trigger points which can refer sensation down the arm. We will learn sophisticated treatment techniques for the deltoid, the supraprinatus, the infraspinatus, the teres muscles, the subscapularis, the serratus anterior, and others. This class is essential for understanding and providing relief for chronic shoulder pain that seems to defy treatment.
$225.    Class fee includes workbook  (Or $600. when registering for all three Pain Mechanisms classes. See details below.)

Pain Mechanisms of the Neck — Level 1  (12 CEUs)
 APR. 18 - MAY 9, Wednesdays, 6 - 9 PM  (4 weeks)
 Prerequisite: Some form of massage training or experience
The neck is an amazing and complex structure, and it's vital to understand how to treat it thoroughly. I once had a teacher who said: “If you really need to energetically balance someone, treat the neck.” This class will focus on detailed treatment of the superficial and deep muscles of the neck, including the posterior muscles of the lamina groove, the posterior suboccipitals, the scalenes, the SCM, the trapezius, and others. We will learn how to identify cervical torsion, “military neck,” and other common problems. We will explore the frequent causes of chronic neck pain and will learn to assess and treat the most common musculoskeletal issues which mimic the symptoms of migraine headaches. This class is an essential lead-in to dealing with whiplash and other hard-to-treat neck problems.
$225.    Class fee includes workbook  (Or $600. when registering for all three Pain Mechanisms classes. See details below.)

LEVEL 2 CLASSES

Pain Mechanisms of the Lower Back — Level 2  (12 CEUs)
 FEB. 23 - MAR. 16, Fridays, 10 AM-1 PM  (4 weeks)
 *Prerequisite: Pain Mechanisms of the Lower Back - Level 1
The Level 2 class for the lower back builds on the structural foundation of the Level 1 class, yet with greater emphasis on the intricacies of the sacrum including: evaluation of the sacroiliac joint, the influence of the piriformis on sacral position, treatment of the sacroiliac ligament and fascia, and sacral unwinding. Utilizing specific myofascial release techniques and other methods, we will also learn to treat other contributors to back pain such as the latissimus dorsi, multifidus, and serratus posterior inferior muscles. Secondary and satellite trigger points, segmental vertebral mobilization, and pelvic mobilization will also be covered.
$225.    Class fee includes workbook  (Or $600. when registering for all three Pain Mechanisms classes. See details below.)

Pain Mechanisms of the Shoulder — Level 2  (12 CEUs)
 MAR. 23 - APR. 13, Fridays, 10 AM-1 PM  (4 weeks)
 *Prerequisite: Pain Mechanisms of the Shoulder - Level 1
The Level 2 class for the shoulder builds on the repertoire of techniques learned in the level 1 class. In this level greater focus is placed on the anterior shoulder, including the thoracic inlet. Neuromuscular and trigger point treatment for the following muscles will covered: pectoralis major and minor, biceps and biceps tendons, brachialis, serratus anterior, subclavius, coracobrachialis, triceps. Also, side-lying work will be emphasized, especially for deep treatment of the subscapularis and fascial release of the torso. Additionally, we will cover secondary and satellite trigger points, muscle energy technique, and joint mobilization.
$225.    Class fee includes workbook  (Or $600. when registering for all three Pain Mechanisms classes. See details below.)

Pain Mechanisms of the Neck — Level 2  (12 CEUs)
 APR. 20 - MAY 11, Fridays, 10 AM-1 PM  (4 weeks)
 *Prerequisite: Pain Mechanisms of the Neck - Level 1
 The Level 2 class for the neck turns its attention to the anterior neck. Treatment of many neck problems, especially whiplash injuries, is often incomplete without release of the anterior neck. It is often impossible to relieve neck pain and chronic headaches without releasing the deep anterior neck muscles. This class will cover myofascial release for the anterior neck and unwinding, treatment of the hyoids, longus colli and capitis, rectus capitis anterior, and rectus capitis lateralis. Also, we will learn muscle energy and mobilization techniques, as well as segmental correction of rotated vertebrae.
$225.    Class fee includes workbook  (Or $600. when registering for all three Pain Mechanisms classes. See details below.)

 

$75. Discount Offered

Register for all three Pain Mechanisms Classes for $600. This a $75 savings over taking each class individually.

To receive the $75. discount:
For Level 1 classes, register and pay in full by FEB 21, 2007.
For Level 2 classes, register and pay in full by FEB 23, 2007.

ONE-DAY INTENSIVE

Introduction to Deep Tissue Massage (One-day intensive) (5 CEUs)
 FEB. 3, Saturday, 10 AM - 4 PM
Prerequisite: Some form of massage training or experience

We will learn to give a complete and rejuvenating full-body massage without grasping with our hands or pressing with our thumbs. Utilizing the soft fist, the forearm, and the elbow for virtually every part of the body, we will learn to work deeply but without an unnecessary expenditure of strength and energy. This class is an excellent introduction to deep tissue work. It's also a must for all therapists whose hands are ailing, as well as any practitioner who just wants to use less effort!

$75.


To Register for Classes

Call Touchstone Healing Arts at:

(802) 658-7715


All classes will be held at:

Touchstone Healing Arts
205 Dorset St.
South Burlington, VT 05403
(802) 658-7715
Email:  info@touchstonehealingarts.com

For specific questions about class content, email the instructor at:
 vermontbodywork@gmail.com