Mike Wilson RMT TSCC - treatment modalities:

Active/Passive Release Therapy - can effectively treat soft-tissue restrictions, injuries and chronic pain, by altering the tissue structures by breaking up the restrictive cross-fiber adhesions (which cause adjacent tissues to stick together) and restores normal function to the soft-tissue areas. Treatment is performed with firm, but gentle pressure being applied over site of lesion over length of muscle, while active or passive movement is performed by the patient or therapist.

Crossfiber Friction Massage - is one of the early forms of deep muscle massage. It uses strong strokes across the muscle fiber rather than along the length of the fibers. This technique frees adhesions, improves circulation, both lymphatic and vascular, and causes corrective changes in the muscle on a cellular level. Working to correct and prevent serious muscular conditions, it also alleviates sports injuries, trauma, tension, and stress.

Deep Tissue Massage - is designed to reach the deep portions of thick muscles, specifically the individual muscle fibers. Using deep muscle compression and friction along the grain of the muscle, its purpose is to unstick the fibers of the muscles and release both toxins and deeply held patterns of tension.

Joint Mobilization - is a technique used to increase the range of motion of an injured limb. It is also used to align the articulating surfaces of a joint and to reduce joint play.

Muscle energy - in this modality, the client uses a percent of his/her strength to resist the actions of the therapist. He or She then relaxes the muscle to allow the therapist to stretch the muscle.  This is usually done three consecutive times, followed by the client contracting the antagonist (opposite muscle).

Myofascial release - this modality involves the therapist turning or pressing the fascia (connective tissue that covers muscle) in a direction that causes the therapist to feel either increases or decreases resistance.

Sport Massage - this special form of massage is typically used before, during, and after athletic events to prepare the athlete for peak performance, to drain away fatigue, to relieve swelling, to reduce muscle tension, to promote flexibility and to prevent injuries. Depending on the needs of the athlete, a variety of techniques are used including classic Swedish strokes, cross-fiber friction, pressure-point work, and joint mobilization.

Trigger Point Release - trigger points are tight, contracted, focal spots of hyperirritability in muscles that can refer pain, tingling, or numbness to distant areas. Pressure is applied to trigger points, for a short time (between about 7 to 10 seconds per point), which can be momentarily painful but is greatly relieving. It is common to hit the same trigger points several times during a session, but you won't be leaning into a sore spot for several minutes.