Dorn Spine & Joint Therapy

Dorn Spine and Joint Therapy is a holistic manual therapy and true self help method for the gentle and safe correction of misalignments in the spine and other joints. The vertebra is gently pushed back in place while the patent moves the surrounding muscles to facilitate the correction. It is useful in treating illnesses directly or indirectly connected to the spinal column. Dorn Spinal Therapy is free of dangerous side effects, completely safe and yet very effective.

Ortho-Bionomy

Ortho-Bionomy is a gentle, non-forceful body techniques, osteopathic-based form of body therapy to stimulate awareness and relaxation. It’s highly effective in working with chronic stress, injuries and pains or problems associated with postural and structural imbalances and stress-related symptoms.

The practitioner uses gentle movements and positions of the body to stimulate our natural, self-corrective reflex ability with comfortable positions, gentle movements, subtle joint compression and timing to change stress and pain patterns in the body. There are no rapid adjustments, painful contortions, or deep muscle probing.

The client and practitioner work together to find these areas, thereby verifying the discomfort. Then through preferred gentle positioning or movement techniques done with the practitioner, the client can experience the release of these painful spots. The release is accompanied by structural realignment and re-education of muscles and nerves.

Trigger Point Therapy

A trigger point (TPs) is simply a small contraction knot in the muscle. These nodules can be as small as a pin head or as big as a thumb, and are a common cause of local pain and sometimes distant referred pain. TPs may cause numbness, tingling, weakness, or lack of normal range of movement. TPs can also cause earaches, dizziness, sinus congestion, nausea, heartburn, and false heart pain.

Compression of a trigger point may elicit a local twitch response. These trigger points in muscles and in the thin wrapping around each muscle [called fascia] are called myofascial trigger points, to distinguish them from trigger points which can occur in other soft tissues such as skin, ligaments and tendons, and also in scar tissue.

Trigger point practitioners can use various methods to eliminate Trigger points. These can be static finger pressure, specific trigger point massage, Dry Needling with acupuncture needles, Cupping, use of a cold spray or cold pack whilst activating or stretching the muscle. Self-treatment of TPs 6 to 12 times a day with deep breathe and consciously relax between each cycle will speed up your recovery and help you get rid of your own pain.

It is important to realize that the TPs themselves do not hurt, [other than when you are actually pressing firmly on them.] Most patients are surprised when I locate a very painful tight spot in a muscle well away from where they tell me their pain is. They were usually completely unaware that this painful tight spot even existed, let alone that such a small spot could be the cause of all their pain.

Unfortunately, many general practitioners and orthopaedic surgeons do not know about TPs, and as TPs do not show on XRays or scans, the patient may be told there is nothing wrong with them or that there is nothing that can be done to help fix their pain.

Onsen Muscle Therapy

OnsenÒ is an incredible technique that can help people with pain to achieve long term relief, quickly and painlessly. This technique uses Muscle Energy Technique (MET) to increase the range of motion in your joints, correct the spine and reduce neuromusculoskeletal pain.

The nervous system receives pain signals from a variety of sources. Structural stresses placed on bones, joint capsules, fascia, nerves bursae, cartilage, ligaments, tendons and muscles by deviations, contribute enormously to patients pain. OnsenÒ can help balance your posture and correct your structural alignment.

In short, if you have pain anywhere in the muscles, spine, nerves or joints OnsenÒ will help to get you out of pain.

Sports Massage

Sports massage should play an important part in the life of any sportsman or woman whether they are injured or not. It is an effective therapy to maintain the body generally in better condition, releasing muscle tension and prevent injuries. It will restore mobility to injured muscle tissue, boost performance and extend the overall life of your sporting career.

Myofascial Release

Myofascial Release is a sustained pressure and kneading manipulation that gently stretches you. It is a very effective technique that provides sustained pressure into area requiring treatment which helps to restore motion and eliminate pain. This stretch is held for a couple of minutes until a softening or release is felt. It gives the benefits of a deep tissue massage without the pain of hard pressure. This therapy utilizes kneading manipulation that gently stretches tissue found along the direction of the muscle fibers, it softens, lengthens and realigns fascia.

The theory of Myofascial Release requires an understanding of the fascial system (or connective tissue). Fascia resembles a body stocking that is very densely woven, covering and interpenetrating every muscle, bone, nerve, artery and vein as well as all of our internal organs including the heart, lungs, brain and spinal cord.

The most interesting aspect of the fascial system is that it is not just a system of separate coverings. It is actually one structure that exists from head to foot without interruption. In this way you can begin to see that each part of the entire body is connected to every other part by the fascia, like the yarn in a sweater. Any trauma, be it physical, emotional, mental or even spiritual will cause a distortion in the form of this fabric.

Remedial Therapy

Remedial Therapy uses massage, stretching and exercise to stretch muscles, inhibits muscle spasm, increases flexibility and helps break down scar tissue to address a wide range of soft tissue problems. It helps to treat and prevent musculoskeletal problems and promotes the body's own healing systems. The aim is to reduce pain and tension by releasing pressure of muscles in spasm, and to address tendon and ligament complaints.

Reiki

The word Reiki is made of two Japanese words - Rei which means "God's Wisdom or the Higher Power" and Ki which is "life force energy". So Reiki is actually "spiritually guided life force energy."

Reiki is a technique for stress reduction that also promotes healing. It is administered by "laying on hands" and is based on the idea that an unseen "life force energy" flows through us and is what causes us to be alive. If one's "life force energy" is low, then we are more likely to get sick or feel stress, and if it is high, we are more capable of being happy and healthy.

Reiki helps to heal body, mind and spirit. It does this by accelerating the body’s own ability to heal itself physically and by opening the mind to the emotional and spiritual causes of disease and pain. The flow of energy is experienced mostly as heat by both the person channeling the energy and those receiving, but it may also be experienced as a fine tingling, a tremor, and in cases of extreme need a deep chill. Most people having a Reiki treatment become aware of tension dropping away while the ever chattering mind becomes still. This gives rise to a deep sense of relaxation and an overall sense of well being.

The ability to use Reiki is not taught in the usual sense, but is transferred to the student during a Reiki class. A practitioner is initiated by a series of attunements, given by a Reiki master. The attunements open the flow of universal healing energy. Reiki practitioners also use the Reiki Sacred symbols

Reiki is a simple, natural and safe method of spiritual healing and self-improvement that everyone can use. It also works in conjunction with all other medical or therapeutic techniques to relieve side effects and promote recovery.

Breuss Massage

Breuss Massage was developed by the late Austrian Healer Rudolf Breuss. It is a perfect supplement to Dorn Spinal Therapy but also as individual healing technique very beneficial. The Breuss Massage can in many cases help with Back Pains, Energy Blockages and Nervous Problems. It helps to rejuvenate our intervertebral discs in a relaxing and Pain-Free way!

For basic understanding: Our Spine is like any other living organism, it is in a constant state of ‘stress and relief’, needs nourishment, rest but also the right amount of ‘stress’ in a sense in form of active movements to maintain its strength and function. During the day our Spine and especially our ‘discs’ are stressed and they need to fulfill their duty as shock-absorbers whenever we stand, walk or sit. Because of that the discs are squeezed, some of the liquid within gets out and the discs gets thinner. We are actually a little shorter in the evening compared to the morning after standing up! During sleep the Spine relaxes and stretches out and the discs somewhat can regenerate by ‘sucking’ the liquid they lost during the day back in, almost like a dry sponge placed in water. This mechanism is altered in a negative way when our metabolism is not in a balance or impaired for many different reasons.

The Breuss Massage is actively replacing in a sense a whole and healthy full night sleep by stretching the Spine and Using natural Oil in the Process the discs are nourished like the sponge given water. In this relaxed state the Spine also can be safely and painless re-aligned.

Neck Injuries (Cervical OrthoBionomy)

Do you have pain in your neck? Do you have a sensitive neck or had whiplash. Then this therapy is for you. It is a gentle and non-forceful therapy which promotes a spontaneous self-correction. It helps the nervous system to release dysfunctional holding patterns, thus increasing blood and oxygen to muscles and allowing for an increased comfortable range of motion.

TMJ Reset (Jaw realignment)

Is your jaw misaligned? Do you grind your teeth at night? Have you had dental work that has left your jaw sore for days. TMJ Reset is a homeopathic, biofeedback technique that looks at the patterns that exist within the body. It’s similar to the principals of Cervical OrthoBionomy where it promotes a spontaneous self-correction without using force.

Pregnancy Massage

Studies indicate that massage therapy performed during pregnancy can:

  • Reduced back pain
  • Reduced joint pain
  • Improved circulation
  • Reduced swelling of joints (edema)
  • Reduced muscle tension and headaches
  • Reduced stress and anxiety
  • Improved oxygenation of soft tissues and muscles
  • Better sleep
  • Help hormone levels
  • Relieves sciatica
  • Improve labor outcomes and newborn health

Studies done in the past 10 years have shown that massage helps hormone levels associated with relaxation and stress are significantly altered, leading to mood regulation and improved cardiovascular health. Hormones such as norepinephrine and cortisol (stress hormones) were reduced and dopamine and serotonin levels (low levels of these hormones are associated with depression) were increased in women who received bi-weekly massages for only five weeks. These changes in hormone levels also led to fewer complications during birth and fewer instances of newborn complications, such as low birth weight. The evidence points strongly to maternal and newborn health benefits when relaxing, therapeutic massage is incorporated into regular prenatal care.

Reduction of swelling

Edema, or swelling of the joints during pregnancy, is often caused by reduced circulation and increased pressure on the major blood vessels by the heavy uterus. Massage helps to stimulate soft tissues to reduce collection of fluids in swollen joints, which also improves the removal of tissue waste, carried by the bodys lymph system.

Improvement of nerve pain

Sciatic nerve pain is experienced by many women in late pregnancy as the uterus rests on muscles of the pelvic floor and lower back. The pressure of the uterus spreads tension to the muscles of the upper and lower leg, causing them to swell and put pressure on nearby nerves. Massage therapy addresses the inflamed nerves by helping to release the tension on nearby muscles. Many women have experienced significant reduction in sciatic nerve pain during pregnancy through regular massage.

 

Bowen Therapy

Bowen therapy is a gentle non invasive technique that has few contraindications and is safe to use on almost everyone. The practitioner performs a series of small moves on specific parts of the patient’s body to achieve cross fiber muscle release. These moves are interrupted by two-minute waiting periods that are essential to the treatment. Bowen therapy employs a holistic approach, and aims at curing an ailment by treating the cause as well as by regarding the body as a whole.

Bowen therapy is designed to treat a wide range of problems as well as injuries. It addresses internal systems as well as the musculoskeletal system. Bowen Therapy technique empowers the body’s own healing response. It helps reset the body, enabling it to repair, eliminate dysfunctional debris and re-pattern energy fields. Being holistic in nature, this therapeutic and deeply relaxing technique enhances a person’s sense of wellbeing, physically, emotionally and mentally.

Conditions Bowen Therapy can be helpful for:

  • Arthritic Symptoms
  • Back pain
  • Breast Pain
  • Bunions
  • Bronchial Symptoms
  • Colic in infants
  • Frozen Shoulder
  • Hay Fever
  • Headaches
  • Joint Injuries
  • Menstrual Irregularities
  • Migraines
  • Neck Restrictions
  • RSI
  • Sciatica
  • Sinus Congestion
  • Sporting Injuries
  • Sprains/Strains
  • Stress/ Tension
  • Tendonitis

Cupping

Cupping or Suction Cup Therapy has been around for more than 5000 years - invented before acupuncture and originally Water Buffalo horns were used. This ancient method of alternative medicine is a time-honoured treatment that remains favoured by millions of people worldwide because it's safe, comfortable and remarkably effective for most health disorders.

Cupping is a mild vacuum inside glass or plastic cup that is placed on the skin. The vacuum effect of the cups creates suction that softens tissues and increases the circulation of chi, blood, and fluids. By stimulating the skin and underlying muscles, it helps release stubborn knots and area-specific toxins that have accumulated and encourages circulation of both blood and lymph vessels.

Cupping has also been found to affect the body up to four inches into the tissues, causing tissues to release toxins, activate the lymphatic system, clear colon blockages, help activate and clear the veins, arteries and capillaries, activate the skin, clear stretch marks and improve varicose veins. Cupping, the technique, is very useful and very safe.

After your treatment, you will immediately feel the results. You will feel a lot looser and the muscular pain will be relieved quite considerably or eliminated completely. The feeling of sore, aching muscles will be replaced with a deep feeling of relaxation and well-being.

Cupping Massage

Massage Cupping is a Negative Pressure Massage and is a combination of massage movements and negative pressure with the use of a suction device on the skin. A cup is positioned at the area to be treated and, depending on the type of cups being used; a vacuum is created within the cup to draw the skin and underlying tissue into the cup. The produced vacuum creates a suction effect that increases blood and lymphatic circulation systemically and to the local area, relaxes muscle tissue and support, draws stagnation, pathogenic factors and toxins out of the body and releases a myriad of pain causing factors.

The intended suction can range from light to heavy. This, along with the movements performed and areas treated by the therapist will produce stimulating (toning) or sedating (draining) effects. Cupping massage applies negative pressure, rather than tissue compression for superior bodywork. Suction cups rapidly facilitate rigid soft tissue release, loosens & lifts connective tissue, breaks up and drains stagnation while increasing blood & lymph flow to skin & muscles in ways not possible using compression.

Another benefit of Negative Pressure Massage is that it really feels great. The pulling action engages the parasympathetic nervous system, thus allowing a deep relaxation to move through the entire body. It is not unusual to fall asleep when receiving this treatment. Clients are surprised at how relaxed, warm and light they feel – hours... sometimes even days afterwards.

Emmett Technique

The Emmett Technique involves the application of light pressure at particular points on the body. These are done in a sequence that enables the gentle physical release of muscles groups that desensitise these areas and unlock muscle memory. This activation gives the brain the opportunity to re-evaluate the neuromuscular problem for the client.

The treatment can be done fully clothed and is very relaxing. The technique can be used as an effective adjunct to enhance the treatment value of other types of muscle release and neuro-musculoskeletal therapy, or may be used as an effective therapy on its own.

Finch Therapy

Finch Therapy is a holistic and gentle style of structural balancing that does not subject you to pain. It aims at identifying and eliminating the potential cause of your pain and to prevent accelerated wear and tear on your body. Finch Therapy is a revolutionary discovery and a missing link in effective treatment of chronic musculoskeletal pain.

Some of the common conditions treated with Finch Therapy are:

  • Sciatica
  • Dizziness
  • Meniereís Disease
  • Plantar Fasciitis
  • Severs Disease
  • Back, Neck & Shoulder Pain
  • Tennis & Golfers Elbow
  • Headaches/migraines
  • Knee, hip & ankle pain
  • Osgood-Schlatter
  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Finch Therapy balances the muscles throughout your body, activating your body’s natural healing abilities giving you long-term pain relief.

It is working on the lines of pull all the way through the body. The therapist does a series of orthopaedic assessments to find the primary muscle(s) causing the pain. They then prescribe small but precise exercises to activate the affected muscle(s). This evenly distributes the load throughout the body like a chain reaction, taking the stress off other muscles and joints and restoring your body’s natural balance.

Physical dysfunctions require a physical solution. They are the direct result of a muscle or group of muscles overpowering the opposing muscles, what we call "muscle imbalances". Think of it as a Tug-of-War.

You need to reprogram the body’s muscle memory patterns by doing these exercises daily until your next structural assessment. If you don’t do the exercises this therapy will not work for you.

If you have been in pain for some time, it’s important to realise that your body has been undergoing physical changes for a long time. The longer these imbalances are left untreated the more your body can become unbalanced and the possibility of you experiencing spinal misalignment. This can interference with nerve signals to your organs and brain which; in-turn, can cause an array of other physical and mental ailments.

Even though Finch Therapy is working on structural alignment for pain relief, people notice improvements with other health areas. For example; sleeping disorders; digestive problems; breathing difficulties; irritable bowel and increased energy.

It is very important that you don’t miss your next appointment while we are reprogramming your muscles to pull your structure straight. If you can’t make your next appointment for any reason it is important that you speak to your therapist to get directions on what to do.

Visit www.finchtherapy.com.au for more details on Finch Therapy and how it may help you.

Hot Stones Massage

Hot Stones Massage is a profoundly powerful and relaxing massage using warm basalt stones (Lava stone) produced from volcanic eruptions. Being massaged with warm smooth stones is like a heat pack in motion, where the heat warms and relaxes the muscles, calms the nervous system, and improves circulation more quickly than in traditional massage. What you will feel is a luxuriously relaxing massage while getting the benefits of a deep tissue massage. Andrea has been doing Hot Stones Massage for years and her clients have often commented that they have found the warmth of the hot stones to be very comforting and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

The benefits of this type of massage include people suffering from Fibromylagia or sensitive to pain as well as those that have muscle tension but prefer a lighter massage. The heat from the stones relaxes the muscles thus allowing the therapist to work the muscles without needing to use deep pressure. As a bonus, due to their incredible thermal characteristics, basalt stones help to remove toxic waste products from the muscles. The stones can also be used to rebalance the body and mind by being placed on the meridians (energy pathways) of the body. The massage therapist always holds the stones first before touching them to your body, which ensures that the temperature will not be too warm. Everyone, however, has their own comfort range. Be sure to speak up if the stones are too warm for you.

Health Conditions Treated With Hot Stones Massage:

  • Fibromylagia
  • Alleviates stress, anxiety and tension
  • Insomnia
  • Calms the psyche
  • Depression
  • Aching muscles and stiff joints
  • Back Pain
  • Osteoarthritis and arthritis pain
  • Releases toxins
  • Poor circulation
  • MS

A typical hot stones massage is between 60 and 120 minutes long, Andrea will be happy to answer any of your questions about hot stones massage.

Lymphatic Drainage Massage

Lymphatic Drainage Massage is a light technique designed to stimulate the removal of lymphatic wastes from all over the body, it is not a muscular massage. It works wonderfully on the nervous system and immune system. Some of the things lymphatic drainage massage is great for is detoxification, chronic fatigue, overweight, arthritis, neurological disorders, well being, pregnancy & pain, sore throats, colds, infections, excess fluids, low immunity, swollen node and also for the physically inactive.

The Lymph glands (at neck, armpits, groin, etc.) are connected by a broad network of vessels which transplant the fluid. The lymphatic system itself does not have a pump, as the blood does with the heart, only a system of passive one way valves, which relies on physical stimulation, either by gravity, movement or lymphatic massage. It is one of the five main elimination channels in your body along with skin, lungs, kidneys & bowels.

It is a major route for the absorption of nutrients from digestion into the tissues and it is also your bodies metabolic waste-disposal system. It clears toxins, unwanted proteins and waste which can not be removed by any other means from your tissues and cells. These are by-products of metabolic wastes, stress, dead cells, metals, in organic substances and other assorted debris which your cells cast off.

Myofascial Dry Needling

Myofascial Dry Needling is a treatment approach adapted from acupuncture that applies fine needles to the musculoskeletal system to deactivate trigger points. Myofascial dry needling is used in the treatment of chronic pain syndromes such as fibromyalgia and back pain. Some authors argue that myofascial dry needling is more effective in treating chronic back pain than commonly employed manual therapies. In my clinical experience, it often yields dramatic results where other manual methods have failed, but not always.

While myofascial dry needling employs the tools of acupuncture practice (acupuncture needles), the paradigms that underpin myofascial dry needling and acupuncture are completely different. In contrast, the acupuncture paradigm is based on thousands of years of clinical observation and involves a systemic approach to the diagnosis and treatment of disharmonies within the body.

Quantum Touch

Quantum-Touch is an energy healing modality that applies the principles of resonance and entrainment to facilitate healing.Practitioners learn to focus and amplify life-force energy (known as “chi” in Chinese and “prana” in Sanskrit) by combining various breathing and body awareness exercises. When the practitioner resonates at a high frequency, the client often entrains to, or matches, the higher frequency, thereby facilitating healing using the body's biological intelligence.

Life-force energy affects matter on the quantum, subatomic level and works its way up through atoms, molecules, cells, tissues, and structure. Quantum-Touch Enhances and Compliments Reiki Both Reiki and Quantum-Touch use Life Force Energy to accelerate the healing process. Reiki and Quantum-Touch when combined can compliment and enhance each other.

Quantum-Touch can amplify the Reiki attunements and symbols with the addition of simple breathing and body awareness techniques. These techniques allow the Quantum-Touch practitioner to powerfully focus life-force energy with concentration, body awareness, and breath. Reiki masters who have taken QT workshops have nicknamed Quantum-Touch, "Reiki empowerment" or "turbo charging the Reiki". Chiropractors, physical therapists, acupuncturists and osteopaths have been astounded to observe rapid structural realignment, reduction of inflammation, and other benefits. Quantum-Touch seamlessly combines with Reiki to improve the outcome of your sessions.

Swedish Relaxation Massage

A therapeutic relaxing massage to de-stress, relax and soothe the nerves. It help remove general aches and pains and revitalise you. Massage has a number of benefits physically, physiological and psychologically.

 

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