519 NE 165th Street, Shoreline, WA 98155
206.365.0110 - Tim ~~206.639.9115 - Anne
Techniques
We use five osteopathic techniques, relying on finesse and skill rather than brute force. These gentle techniques are designed to restore motion to joints, release muscle and fascia restrictions, and balance the nervous system.
Muscle Energy Technique
This technique helps us find where your spine, ribs and pelvis have specific restrictions. Once the exact problem is found, Muscle Energy uses gentle positions and muscle contraction to restore joint motion. It was first developed by Fred Mitchell, Sr, DO.
Strain Counterstrain
Strain Counterstrain finds tender points associated with particular joints in your spine, skull, pelvis, and extremities. Careful positioning “turns off” the tender point, which is held for 90 seconds, restoring motion to that joint. People are often surprised at the location of these points and how they can be released so gently. Strain Counterstrain was developed by Lawrence Jones, DO.
Myofascial Release
This technique allows us to treat shortened and tight muscles and fascia. Fascia is the network of fibrous tissue that connects and supports all the parts of the body. Myofascial release frees places where nerves and blood vessels get stuck, which helps with circulation and neurological control. It also helps with the ease of movement.
Cranial Techniques
The skull is not solid, but made of 22 bones, all of which move slightly. Cranial techniques address restrictions between these bones to improve the circulation and nerve function of this “control center of the body.” Cranial techniques were first developed by William Sutherland, D.O.
Visceral Techniques
Viscera means organ. Through nerve reflexes, the bones and muscles can affect the internal organs and the organs can affect the muscles and joints. Two systems of reflex techniques we use are Chapman’s Reflexes which affect the lympathic drainage of organs and Bennett Reflexes, which affect the blood flow to organs. We also look at how the organs move in their support tissue, or fascia.