What is Muscle Therapy?

 Muscle Therapy is the art and science of returning a tight, unhealthy muscle back to a relaxed and healthy state. This is done using a variety of techniques such as effleurage, petrissage, friction, trigger point therapy, deep tissue, muscle stripping and myofacial release. Your muscle therapist decides what technique she will use based on what your specific needs are and how your body responds. By using these techniques the therapist can reduce trigger points (also called knots) that cause pain and discomfort in your muscles.  Your muscles naturally produce lactic acid on a daily basis and if it does not get flushed out of the body it binds together to form a trigger point.  These trigger points can be painful and can limit your ability to perform certain activities.  Your massage therapist will break up the lactic acid and flush it out of the body reducing the pain and stiffness in the muscle.  It is usually after a trigger point becomes painful that most people resort to massage therapy.  It is very helpful however, to prevent trigger points with regular massage therapy as a part of your regular health maintenance. Along with the massage, it is recommended that you drink plenty of water to continue to flush out your system and keep lactic acid from building back up in the muscle.  Drinking water on a daily basis will also help prevent the trigger points from forming.
 Massage has profound effects on many aspects of your body and your health.  Research shows that with massage:
• Arthritis sufferers note fewer aches and less stiffness and pain.
• High blood pressure patients demonstrate lower diastolic blood pressure, anxiety and stress hormones.
• Premenstrual syndrome sufferers have decreased water retention and cramping.
• Asthmatic children show better lung function and increased peak air flow.

 The benefits of muscle therapy are compounded when massage is used regularly as a part of your health maintenance program.  The more you get, the more it improves your health.  Massage can help to:
• Alleviate low back pain and improve range of motion.
• Assist with shorter, easier labor for expectant mothers and shorten maternity hospital stays.
• Ease medication dependence.
• Exercise and stretch weak, tight or atrophied muscles.
• Help athletes of any level prepare for and recover from strenuous workouts.
• Increase joint flexibility.
• Lessen depression and anxiety.
• Promote tissue regeneration, reducing scar tissue and stretch marks.
• Pump oxygen and nutrients into tissues and vital organs, improving circulation.
• Reduce spasms and swelling.
• Relieve migraine pain.

 Furthermore, clients often report a sense of perspective and clarity after receiving a massage.  The emotional balance massage provides can often be just as vital and valuable as the more tangible physical benefits. 

 We, the doctors and staff at Horn Family Chiropractic invite you and your family to visit our office and experience the benefits of muscle therapy and chiropractic.  True healing is a holistic experience.