Integrative Clinical and Massage Therapy Services

Fascial Link Therapy^tm

Fascial Link Therapy^TM is a method of releasing tight or restricted muscles, connective tissues, and ligaments along Fascial Link^TM lines.  It is a form of pain-relieving neuromuscular therapy that includes balancing posture thru working closely with fascia, tendons, and related energy systems.   Fascial Link Therapy uses more than one point at a time in order to release painful or tight tissues.  This dual-release method reduces client discomfort and pain during the treatment and achieves a faster release of pain patterns than treating each area separately.  Fascial link charts show where the dual release technique is applied.

Read more:

• What is Fascial Link Therapy?

• What our patients say about Fascial Link Therapy

• Fascial Link Courses

• Schedule and Appointment Online in our Clinic

Exactly what is involved? 
 

Fascial Link Therapy is a hands-on therapy used by massage, physical and occupational therapists, chiropractors, and other health professionals to address muscles and tendons along nerve pathways that talk to each other.   During the treatment, muscles are warmed up to increase circulation and prepare tissues for more specific work.  As the Dual Release Technique and other Fascial Link Therapy techniques are applied, neuromuscular response patterns such as pain, numbness, tingling, or referred sensations are closely monitored and addressed.  These neuromuscular responses guide a Fascial Link Therapy session. 

A Fascial Link Therapy practitioner will look for compensation patterns throughout the body, and address the body's natural tendency to tighten additional muscles or fascia to balance posture.  These compensation patterns are laid out in Fascial Link lines. (Learn more with our Fascial Link Charts.) As the nervous system makes adjustments, the Fascial Link therapist adjusts as well.  In this way, therapist treats cause and compensation patterns quickly and effectively, matching the neuromuscular responses of each client to restore balance.

Massage Therapy for Stress Reduction & Self-Care

Swedish massage (the most commonly taught type of massage in the U.S.) and Acupressure (based in techniques from China) may be used to create a relaxing, rejuvenating experience.  The focuses here are to flush and drain the body - increasing circulation to the skin, muscles, and organs, and to relieve minor discomforts.  Sometimes, hot packs or lightly scented oils may be used.   Suggestions for healthy habits and stretching packets for the individual are often included.

• Read about the Costs of Stress.  We also offer workshops for stress reduction.

• Schedule and Appointment Online in our Clinic

Massage Therapy for Injury Treatment and Prevention

Neuromuscular, Myofascial Release, and Trigger Point therapies are oriented toward pain relief, postural balancing, and reducing tension.  They may be used in simple pain relief cases, or in the long-term pain relief of conditions like:  

• Carpal Tunnel
• Tendonitis
• TMJ
• Whiplash
• Stress & Migraine Headaches
• Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia
• Post-Surgical Rehabilitation
• and other muscle related problems.

How long the problem has been there, and what type of prior care it's had may affect recovery time.  Please ask about the timeline involved in eradicating or limiting your muscle problem.  Some conditions heal very quickly.  Others take more time.  Some may be covered by insurance.   

More Information:

• Recommendations for Handling Insurance Reimbursement for Massage Therapy. 
• My Hips Are Doing What?  for more information about muscle balancing and postural imbalances.
• About Postural Analysis Info Sheet An explanation of postural normalities, and factors that affect posture.  Jul 07 pdf
• What our patients say about our massage therapy services
• Scientific Studies on the Effects of Massage Therapy, scroll down to Pain Treatment
• Complementary and Alternative Medicine Research by the US Government National Institute of Health
• Schedule and Appointment Online in our Clinic

Manual Lymphatic Drainage

This is a gentle and relaxing lymphatic drainage technique used to reduce swelling.  It may be used for chronic lymphedema, or for periods following surgery or injury to improve circulation of lymph and speed healing significantly.

 Discover the Benefits of Lymphatic Drainage!  Lymphatic drainage can be used for many valuable purposes, including:

• Recovery from injuries or surgeries, as it speeds healing through improved removal of wastes, increased nutritional flow to cells, and better joint lubrication.

• Improved sports recovery and performance, by improving flow of joint fluid, speeding removal of water and lactic acids, increasing nutrition to cells and joints

• Sinus and cold/flu relief through improved flow of the fluid that helps fight allergies, viral and bacterial infection, and other common sinus problems.

• Recovery from breast cancer surgery, other cancers or chemotherapy.  (Physician clearance required.)

• Relief from menstrual discomforts - enjoy less cramping and better overall energy with lymphatic drainage therapy just before or during a period.

• Detoxification.  Some clients report that they have less discomfort during menstrual cycles when lymph drainage therapy is performed just before or during this natural detoxification process that women experience about once a month.

For more information:  For useful lymphatic drainage information, you may want to review

• our NEW article What is Manual Lymphatic Drainage and What to Expect After a Lymphatic Drainage Session. 
• We've recently updated our Key Ways to Amplify the Benefits of Lymphatic Drainage.  
• We also have an easy reference sheet called Did you Know...These Conditions are Helped by Lymphatic Drainage?
• View the National Lymphedema Network resources
• What our patients say about our therapy & fitness services
• Schedule and Appointment Online in our Clinic

Massage Therapy for Pregnancy

Coping with stress and fatigue, easing aches and pains, and learning self-care techniques is healthful and enjoyable during a normal pregnancy.  Massage therapy for the childbearing year is a wonderful way to relax, increase energy, and relieve discomfort. 

• For more information: Scientific Studies on the Effects of Massage Therapy, scroll down to pregnancy
• Schedule and Appointment Online in our Clinic

Sports Massage Therapy

Sports massage can increase an athlete's rate of recovery (approximately 30%, some figures show), improve performance, improve mental focus, and decrease risk of injury.  It may address conditions such as low back pain, golfer's or tennis elbow, sprains, and strains.  Orientation is toward maintaining health and performing at your best. 

For more information: 

• What our patients say about our therapy & fitness services
• Schedule and Appointment Online in our Clinic

Energy Therapy Services

Energy therapies at Ishman BodyCare Center & Institute are meridian-centered therapies, using a highly accurate eastern healthcare model that has been around for thousands of years.  This work involves an awareness of your own lifestyle choices, stressors, choices and assumptions we all make each day.  

Based on the work of Donna Eden, this therapy can help you to use your body's energies to:

• Strengthen your immune system
• Sharpen your mind
• Address pain, physical illness and emotional or mental disorders
• Achieve a balanced lifestyle with an understanding of your own natural rhythms and lifestyle choices
• Improve your health, joy and vitality
• Energy Medicine is both a complement to other approaches to medical care and a complete system for self-care.

Learn More

• Energy Therapy Services Page
• Energy Systems ArticleThis article discusses how Fascial Link Therapists here work with energy systems as they affect fascia and muscle. Jun 07 pdf
• Meridian Emotions & Balancers  A useful chart about the different emotions associated with each of the 12 (or 14...) meridians.  Excellent resource for understanding the basis of traditional Chinese medicine. rev 03/04 pdf
• What our patients say about our therapy & fitness services
• Schedule and Appointment Online in our Clinic

Massage and clinical therapy services are provided by therapists licensed in the State of Illinois.