MASSAGE THERAPY and BODYWORK at Aletris Center in Scottsdale, AZ
Each massage at ALETRIS is a luxurious and theraputic treat. We use only the best organic massage creams and oils during our treatments. The products do not contain sodium laurel sulfates (SLS), propylene glycol or parabens, so they are nourishing for your skin and are never detrimental to your health.
Your therapists are non-smoking, health-conscious, bodywork professionals who are thoroughly educated in alternative medicine and are dedicated to your health and wellness.
In recent years, massage therapy has received medical recognition as a form of preventative medicine. Massage has been shown to relieve insomnia, reduce muscle tension, improve flexibility, manage blood pressure, relieve headaches, strengthen the immune system, improve surgery outcomes, manage chronic pain conditions, reduce PMS symptoms, aid in detoxifying the body, as well as improve mental health.
Stress management is a cornerstone for any preventative medicine or wellness program. Keeping the body healthy will always entail balancing the increased stress we receive from our modern day lifestyle. ALETRIS clients may choose many forms of stress relief including acupuncture, facials, or massage. Taking one to several hours out of the week for the simple pleasure of engaging in relaxation therapies lowers levels of the stress hormones cortisol, adrenaline, and noradrenaline. Lowering these hormone levels is useful for keeping healthy, extending lifespan, and minimizing illness.
Our massage therapist specializes in a unique technique called Pfrimmer, one of the fastest growing techniques in the country.
What is Pfrimmer technique? Pfrimmer massage therapy is a system of corrective treatment designed to restore damaged muscles and soft tissues in the body. It uses a specific series of specialized movements which concentrate of all layers of the muscle. Essentially, it is deep tissue massage without pain or soreness.
Pfrimmer technique involves circulating lymph fluid in and around muscles, in order to move out toxins and congestion that may have accumulated in the soft tissue. Its goal is to reduce swelling and inflammation, reduce pain, and promote healing.
Why is lymph circulation important?
Most everyone is familiar with the tissue: blood. Blood supplies nutrients and oxygen to cells that exist in the tissue space. As blood moves into the smallest vessels, called capillaries, the movement of nutrients and oxygen flows from the capillary to the cell based on principles of diffusion. Once the cell has used the nutrients and oxygen provided by blood it produces waste products (one of which is carbon dioxide). These diffuse into two sets of vessels: veins and lymph vessels. About 10 to 20 percent of the waste flows into lymph vessels. The rest is transported in veins.Lymph vessels are very weak, meaning that they do not have muscular walls that can pump the fluid against gravity. Their destination is back into the blood circulation where the waste products are transported to the liver and kidney, ultimately detoxified out of the body. Oftentimes, this waste fluid which is lymph fluid stagnates, causing inflammation, pain, and damage to nearby issues. The goal of massage is to manually circulate the lymph fluid back into circulation where it can be removed from the body.
FAQs
Q: Is PDMT just another massage technique?
A: No. Rather than being another technique of massage, Pfrimmer is a specialty unto itself; it is a comprehensive system of corrective movements designed to aid in the restoration of damaged soft tissue in the entire body. Pfrimmer is the foundation upon which other trouble shooting techniques may be added. Pfrimmer therapists are viewed by doctors as specialists in the field of muscle therapy.Q: Why is Pfrimmer considered the foundation for trouble shooting & corrective massage?
A: Because it stimulates corrective changes on the cellular level. Once the body begins to heal itself, it responds well to additional trouble-shooting such as myofascial release, positional release, other types of massage or body work, and trigger point work.Q: What is the difference between Pfrimmer and regular massage?
A: Massage manipulations work with the superficial layers of muscle and move body fluids. PDMT releases adherent and fibrous muscle conditions existing in deep layers of muscle; essentially, it works in deep as well as superficial tissues. PDMT actually corrects muscles and other tissues which have become damaged.Q: Can Pfrimmer be incorporated into Swedish massage?
A: No. Mixing the two in the same session would nullify the corrective system of Pfrimmer thereby canceling potential results. The two differ dramatically in concept and execution of technique. Swedish massage is designed to flush fluids toward the heart -PDMT to bring them into the cell. Swedish is designed for relaxation; Pfrimmer for correction.Q: Is PDMT the same as Deep Muscle Therapy or other forms of deep tissue work?
A: No. Deep Muscle Massage follows the principles of Swedish massage and is basically the same technique done more deeply.Q: Does PDMT combine well with chiropractic and osteopathic treatments?
A: Yes. Since the skeletal and, muscular systems function together, combining PDMT with chiropractic and osteopathic techniques creates a synergistic relationship. Treatment of damaged muscles aids chiropractic & osteopathic adjustments to the skeletal system, allowing them to "hold" longer and better. Skeletal misalignments are often caused by damaged or impaired muscles. PDMT can give help at the source of many structural problems.Q: Does PDMT combine well with physical therapy?
A: Yes. The detailed handwork "inside" the muscle bundles performed with PDMT works toward restoring the health of the muscles, thus contributing to positive results in physical therapy.Q: Does "deep" mean painful?
A: No. Most people say that "it hurts good." In other words, if you have a problem area, it will hurt to some degree to have it worked on, but it feels "right" to have the problem addressed. Also, "deep" doesn't necessarily mean "hard." With the proper technique, muscles deep in your body can be reached with a minimum of pressure.Q: What kind of background would a Pfrimmer Therapist likely have?
A: Therese Pfrimmer preferred to teach her technique to doctors, nurses, and physical therapists. However, the high academic standards set by the AMTA (American Massage Therapy Association) schools have now made it possible to train qualified massage therapists in the Pfrimmer profession. Because of their excellent training in hand techniques and palpation, they can readily master Pfrimmer techniques. Any potential Pfrimmer Therapist must care about people and have an inquiring mind.Q: What are the educational prerequisites for studying to become a Pfrimmer Therapist?
A: A minimum of 500 hours of formal, in-class schooling in anatomy, physiology, pathology and body work is required; or a degree in the healing arts such as held by a medical doctor, osteopath, chiropractor, nurse or physical therapist.Q: Why would a doctor, nurse or physical therapist want to study PDMT?
A: Professionals in the healing arts have found a study of PDMT an enhancement to their professional abilities. Pfrimmer massage increases their comprehension of the muscular system, palpation skills and the role soft tissue plays in the overall health. For some, it has been a rewarding career change.Q: When should a doctor consider referring their patient for this type of massage?
A: Referral may be warranted for conditions involving the skeletal, muscular, neurological, circulatory or respiratory systems, or in cases where any inflammatory conditions or entrapment of nerves has occurred. PDMT is indicated for the prevention as well as the correction of many health threatening problems. This type of massage is also beneficial for people desiring to maintain a healthy physical state.Q: What should I know prior to my first massage?
A: Before beginning the session, your therapist will ask you to alert them if, at any time during the session, a technique or stroke he or she is using is uncomfortable or undesired. You will also need to come several minutes early to your massage appointment to fill out our necessary paperwork.Depending on your specific needs or requests, your massage therapist will either perform a customized full-body massage or focus on the specific parts of your body that you have requested. You will discuss your treatment options with the therapist beforehand. ALETRIS Center uses only the highest quality hypo-allergenic massage creams and lotions during your treatment, but please alert us to any allergies or sensitivities you might have.
You will always be draped with a top sheet during your massage session and an additional blanket is available at your request, if you are feeling cold. Your massage therapist will only uncover the part of the body they are working on, ensuring that your modesty is respected at all moments.
You can expect a tranquil and comfortable environment during your massage. The massage table is padded and you may be using a face cradle during part of your treatment. There will be relaxing music playing, unless you request otherwise, and the room should be quiet, with no outside distractions.
We also may use essential oils during your treatment, if you desire. You may wish to talk about essential oil benefits with your massage therapist prior to your massage at ALETRIS.
Source: www.pfrimmer.com
Pfrimmer massage has specifically been shown to improve outcomes in these conditions:
- ALS
- Brain Injury
- Bell’s palsy
- Fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome
- Lupus
- Memory loss
- Multiple sclerosis
- Neuralgia
- Muscular dystrophy
- Stroke
- TMJ
- Parkinson’s disease
- Polio
- Low back pain
- Trauma and car accidents
- Arthritis
- Joint pain
- Sports injuries, bursitits, muscle sprains and strains
- Sciatica
- Headaches
- Constipation
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
At ALETRIS Center, we do not just offer Pfrimmer massage. Our specialization in Pfrimmer massage does make us unique, however.
Several other types of massages we provide include:
- Hot stone
- Swedish
- Sports Medicine
- Pfrimmer
- Relaxation
- Trigger Point
- Reflexology
