Massage Therapy at Advanced Chiropractic & Rehab

Meet Our Therapist

Lisa Switzenberg, CMT has been in practice for more than five years. Lisa’s distinctive massage style blends techniques from Swedish, Deep Tissue, and Myofacial Release. She is focused and fluid with an acute attention to injuries and a profound understanding of anatomy. Lisa received her massage training at the Baltimore School of Massage - York. She is a member of Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals.

Massage as a healing tool has been around for thousands of years in many cultures. Touching is a natural human reaction to pain and stress, and for conveying compassion and support. Think of the last time you bumped your head or had a sore calf. What did you do? Rubbed it, right? The same was true of our earliest ancestors. Healers throughout time and throughout the world have instinctually and independently developed a wide range of therapeutic techniques using touch. Many are still in use today, and with good reason. We now have scientific proof of the benefits of massage - benefits ranging from treating chronic diseases and injuries to alleviating the growing tensions of our modern lifestyles. Having a massage does more than just relax your body and mind - there are specific physiological and psychological changes which occur, even more so when massage is utilized as a preventative, frequent therapy and not simply mere luxury. Massage not only feels good, but it can cure what ails you.

Call our office at 898-8900 to find our current fee schedule.  We think you will find that our fees are reasonable and comparable to other therapy offices.  If you have been in an auto accident or work-related injury, therapeutic massage is generally a covered service.  (Call office for details) Massage appointments can be scheduled in a variety of time-increments, from as little as a 15 minute massage to as long as 2 hours or more.

Techniques Available At Our Office

Deep Tissue Massage
 Techniques that utilize deep tissue/deep muscle massage are administered to affect the sub layer of musculature and fascia. These techniques require more advanced training and a more thorough understanding of anatomy and physiology. The muscles must be relaxed in order to effectively perform deep tissue massage, otherwise tight surface muscles prevent the practitioner from reaching deeper muscles. It helps with chronic muscular pain and injury rehabilitation and reduces inflammation related pain caused by arthritis and tendonitis.

Swedish Massage
 The most common massage primarily used to relax the muscles and ease aches and pains. This is not deep work and is used for relaxation. Swedish massage uses five styles of long, flowing strokes to massage. Swedish massage has shown to be helpful in reducing pain, joint stiffness, and improving function in patients with osteoarthritis. It has also been shown to be helpful in individuals with poor circulation and high blood pressure.

Myofacial Release
 Myofacial release is the three dimensional application of sustained pressure and movement into the fascial system in order to eliminate fascial restrictions. Myofascial release is an effective therapeutic approach in the relief of cervical pain, back pain, fibromyalgia, scoliosis, and neurological dysfunction, restriction of motion, chronic pain and headaches.

Benefits of Massage

In an age of technical and, at times, impersonal medicine, massage offers a drug-free, non-invasive and humanistic approach based on the body's natural ability to heal itself. So what exactly are the benefits to receiving regular massage and/or bodywork treatments?

- Increases circulation, allowing the body to pump more oxygen and nutrients into tissues and vital organs.

- Stimulates the flow of lymph, the body's natural defense system, against toxic invaders. For example, in breast cancer patients, massage has been shown to increase the cells that fight cancer.

- Increased circulation of blood and lymph systems improves the condition of the body's largest organ - the skin.

- Relaxes and softens injured and overused muscles

- Reduces spasms and cramping

- Increases joint flexibility.

- Reduces recovery time, helps prepare for strenuous workouts and eliminates subsequent pains of the athlete at any level.

- Releases endorphins - the body's natural painkiller - and is being used in chronic illness, injury and recovery from surgery to control and relieve pain.

- Reduces post-surgery adhesions and edema and can be used to reduce and realign scar tissue after healing has occurred.

- Improves range-of-motion and decreases discomfort for patients with low back pain.

- Relieves pain for migraine sufferers and decreases the need for medication.

- Provides exercise and stretching for atrophied muscles and reduces shortening of the muscles for those with restricted range of motion.

- Assists with shorter labor for expectant mothers, as well as less need for medication, less depression and anxiety, and shorter hospital stays

Frequently Asked Questions

What Will Massage Do For Me?
·  Overall benefits of massage therapy are general relaxation, relief of stress and muscular tension and improvement of circulation. Benefits for more specific health conditions or injuries can be discussed with a therapist upon initial consultation.
Do I Have to Take My Clothes Off?
·  Because many people have some level of apprehension about their body type, size or condition, having a suitable answer to this question is important. Most massage sessions are performed with a client disrobed either entirely or partially to access the skin directly. The client is left to disrobe in privacy and is adequately draped with a sheet or towel at all times once on the massage table. Only the body part being massaged is exposed.
What Do I Have to Do?
·  In general, a client will be asked to breathe naturally and attempt to let thoughts drift in and out of the mind without trying to control them. A massage therapist may, at times, ask the client to take a deep breath during a specific technique or to move into a new position.
How Will I Feel During the Session?
·  How a client feels during the massage is subjective to the goals for the session and the type of massage they are receiving. Although I am a fairly aggressive therapist all work is done to your level of comfort.
How Often Should I Get Massage?
·  In some countries, massage is part of the daily routine. The benefits of massage increase with regular use, which may depend on factors such as time management or financial ability to pay for massage. Those who prefer frequent bodywork may use the service once a week, while others choose every two weeks or once a month.