Modalities & Techniques

The Tools I May Use During Your Session

At Truly Heal Wellness, no single technique is used for every client or every session. Depending on the service you book, your goals, comfort, and individual needs, I may incorporate different hands-on techniques, stretching methods, movement strategies, or therapeutic tools.

You do not need to choose these modalities when booking. They are tools I may incorporate when appropriate as part of your session, and there are no additional modality fees unless specifically noted.

Below is a closer look at some of the techniques and tools you may experience during your care.

Therapeutic Massage

Therapeutic massage is individualized hands-on soft-tissue work that can vary in pressure, pace, and focus depending on your needs.

Rather than following the same full-body routine every time, I can spend more time on specific muscular areas while adjusting the techniques and pressure based on your comfort and goals.

Deep Tissue Techniques

Deep tissue work uses slower, more focused pressure to work with deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue.

Deep pressure is not automatically necessary or better. I incorporate deeper techniques selectively when they are appropriate and comfortable rather than treating every client with maximum pressure.

Trigger Point Techniques

Trigger points are sensitive areas within muscle tissue that may be associated with localized tenderness or discomfort felt in another area.

Trigger point techniques use focused pressure and other hands-on methods to work with these sensitive muscular areas.

The amount of pressure and time spent on an area is adjusted according to your comfort and how the tissue responds.

Myofascial Techniques

Fascia is connective tissue associated with muscles and other structures throughout the body.

Myofascial techniques use sustained pressure, directional movement, tissue engagement, skin rolling, or other hands-on methods to work with areas that feel restricted.

These techniques may be incorporated alongside massage and other soft-tissue approaches rather than treated as a completely separate service.

Cupping

Cupping uses specialized cups to create suction against the skin, providing a different mechanical approach to working with soft tissue than traditional massage.

I may use two primary approaches:

Dynamic Cupping involves moving cups across an area while maintaining suction.

Static Cupping involves leaving cups positioned over selected areas for a period of time.

Cupping isn't necessary for every client or every session. When I use it, it is incorporated because it makes sense within the overall approach to your session.

Temporary circular marks or skin discoloration can occur following cupping.

IASTM

Instrument-Assisted Soft-Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) uses specialized handheld tools to apply controlled pressure and movement to soft tissue.

You may also hear instrument-assisted techniques associated with the Graston Technique or sometimes simply referred to as “scraping.”

I use these tools selectively as another way of working with appropriate muscular and soft-tissue areas.

IASTM does not replace hands-on massage. It is simply another tool available when appropriate.

Assisted Stretch Therapy

Assisted stretching allows me to guide the body through stretches and mobility work that may be difficult to perform independently.

Your stretching is adapted to your available range of motion, comfort, activity level, and goals rather than following the same stretching routine for every client.

Several different stretching methods may be incorporated.

PNF Stretching

Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) uses combinations of stretching and muscular contraction.

Rather than simply holding a passive stretch, PNF techniques may incorporate a contract-relax approach as part of assisted flexibility and mobility work.

Active Isolated Stretching

Active Isolated Stretching (AIS) uses controlled, repeated stretches held for relatively short periods rather than relying exclusively on prolonged static stretching.

I may incorporate AIS when it fits the mobility goals of the session.

Reciprocal Inhibition

Reciprocal inhibition describes the relationship between opposing muscle groups during movement.

Certain stretching and movement techniques can use this relationship by actively engaging one muscle group while working with the opposing muscles.

It is one of several principles I may use during assisted stretching and mobility work.

Muscle Energy Techniques

Muscle Energy Techniques involve active participation from you rather than being completely passive.

You may be asked to gently contract specific muscles against controlled resistance before relaxing or moving into a different position.

These techniques can be incorporated as part of stretching, mobility, or movement-focused work.

FST-Style Stretching & Mobility

Fascial Stretch Therapy-style techniques use practitioner-assisted movement and stretching through comfortable ranges of motion.

I may incorporate FST-style concepts as part of broader assisted stretching and mobility work when appropriate.

Mobility & Range-of-Motion Work

Not every movement limitation requires more stretching.

Mobility work may involve controlled movement, joint-focused movement, active range of motion, or other strategies selected according to what you're trying to accomplish.

This is especially useful when stretching needs to be paired with active movement rather than treated as an isolated technique.

Corrective Movement & Exercise

Corrective movement and exercise may be used to complement hands-on bodywork by giving you active strategies to work with movement, mobility, stability, or strength.

Depending on your needs, this may include:

• Mobility exercises

• Controlled movement

• Stability-focused exercises

• Strength or movement progressions

• At-home stretching or mobility recommendations

These strategies may also become part of your individualized programming when enrolled in a structured Care Plan.

Kinesiology Taping

Kinesiology tape is a flexible elastic tape applied to the skin without rigidly immobilizing an area.

I may use taping as a temporary supportive tool alongside bodywork, movement, or athletic recovery when appropriate.

Skin sensitivity, the area being taped, and the purpose of the application are considered before taping is used.

Percussion & Mechanical Massage Tools

Percussion devices, such as a Theragun-style mechanical massager, may occasionally be incorporated into a session.

These devices provide rapid mechanical pressure to muscular areas and can be useful when appropriately incorporated into a broader hands-on session.

They are tools, not replacements for individualized hands-on care.

You Don't Need to Choose a Modality

This is the most important part of this page.

You aren't expected to know whether you need trigger point work, cupping, IASTM, PNF stretching, myofascial techniques, or another modality before you book.

Book the service that best matches what you're looking for and tell me what's going on,

I'll determine which appropriate techniques and tools may fit within that session.

Your body isn't one-size-fits-all. Your care shouldn't be either.