Massage at Absolute Balance

Loren O’Neil

I have always been fascinated with human body movement so I decided to pursue a career in movement therapies. I wanted to infuse all theories and ideas about how to correct abnormal movement patterns. I first went to college for Massage Therapy and am currently licensed in New York, Florida, and Iowa. After I finished school I wanted to go further with my education and became a Registered Istha Yoga Teacher, a Personal Trainer, and Strength Coach. I then took two similar courses the first was Active Release Technique letting me be one of the few Massage Therapists to pass the course. The Second course was Active Isolated Stretching and Strengthening which I achieved and Advanced Certification in. When I was finished, I was invited to apprentice with the creator of A.I.S., Aaron Mattes in his clinic in Florida where I spent an additional 1000 hours studying the clinical applications . I currently reside in Iowa to take my next big step and receive my Doctorate in Chiropractic at Palmer College.

As my list of accomplishments go I am licensed and certified in Massage Therapy, Personal Training, Yoga, Strength Coaching, A.R.T., Advanced A.I.S., Amma Therapy (acupressure), Lymphatic Drainage, Thai Massage, Hot Stone, Pre and Post Pregnancy, Deep Tissue, Neuromuscular Therapy, and I am a Chiropractic Assistant.

Deidra Dunbar

After receiving my schooling at Daytona College in Ormond Beach Florida I started my career employed by a local chiropractor. It was then I realized the benefit of chiropractic and massage therapy combined. Once my family relocated to Iowa I was blessed to meet Dr. Knight. Since I have worked at Absolute Balance Chiropractic I have expanded my education and passions toward rewarding work such as; post mastectomy massage, Thai yoga massage, pre and post natal massage and I am still growing. I have always strived to make a difference. Aiding others with a healthier lifestyle is a wonderful way to do so. I consider myself a lucky person to be in a profession that allows me to heal someone's pain, reduce their stress and see them renewed and refreshed. I know from first-hand experience that my massage services can benefit my clients whether it is for reduction of scared tissue for post mastectomy patients, greater range of motion and release of muscle tension or just overall relaxation. I find it deeply rewarding to be able to offer my talents full heartedly to everyone I work with.

Health Benefits From Massage Therapy

There are many health benefits achieved through massage therapy.

• Enhanced immune system- by stimulating lymph flow (the body's natural defense system)
• Pump oxygen and nutrients into tissues and vital organs improving circulation
• Relaxing and softening injured, tired and overused muscles
• Helps athletes of any level prepare for, and recover from, strenuous workouts and competitions
• Increases range of motion in injured muscles and joints
• Promotes tissue regeneration, reducing scared tissue
• Decreased anxiety and stress
• Enhanced sleep quality
• Greater energy levels
• Improved concentration
• Reduced fatigue
• Arthritis sufferers note fewer aches and less stiffness and pain
• High blood pressure patients demonstrate lower diastolic blood pressure, anxiety, and stress hormones.

Massage Service Descriptions:

Reposition Therapy: Improve your overall performance, decrease pain and increase flexibility and range of motion by scheduling an hour session. AIS a method of holding a two second stretch, elongates the muscle more effectively than traditional methods of stretching. Holds are assisted by an AIS therapist to help muscle memorization. The muscle is then relaxed before repeating the stretch.

Chair Massage: This type of massage is short in time, anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes, performed through the clothing. It focuses on key tension areas in the back, neck, shoulders and arms. It is performed in a specially designed ergonomic massage chair. This can be convenient for anyone to fit into their schedule.

Relaxation Massage: This massage is specifically given to relax the body and promote wellness. Movements at a slower pace and use lighter pressure. Concentration will be on softening the muscles and renewing and refreshing the body. Substantial health benefits to a relaxation massage are calming the nervous system, to reducing stress and promoting a sense of well-being, improving blood circulation and stimulating the body's lymphatic system.

Therapeutic Massage: This involves more focused manipulation of the muscle and/or surrounding fascia. Its intent is to relieve pain and restricted movement. It includes focused therapeutic goals (e.g., releasing muscle spasms, strengthening or stretching specific muscles and remodeling fascia). Techniques which utilize deep tissue/deep muscle massage are administered to affect the sub-layer of musculature and fascia. These deep tissue techniques require thorough understanding of anatomy and physiology. Therapeutic massage helps with chronic muscular pain and injury rehabilitation, and reduces inflammation-related pain caused by arthritis and tendinitis.

Thai Yoga Massage: Thai Yoga massage is performed through the clothing with client laying on a mat on the floor. Thai massage involves gentle stretching and a thumbing to clear along energy lines, improve range of motion, pain relief and enhance energy levels. All stretching is within the each client's comfort zone- you DO NOT have to be flexible.

Clinical Thai Yoga Massage: Clinical Thai Yoga Massage is performed through the clothing with client on a massage table. It is a modality based on traditional Thai Massage that allows the therapist to address aches and pains, restore flexibility and enhance a state of balance in the body with a focus on a specific muscle groups and works on specific pain conditions using Thai massage in conjunction with other disciplines.

Advanced Manual Therapy of The Shoulder Girdle For Post Mastectomy Patients: Breast cancer treatment often leads to chronic upper limb dysfunction and pain. Rocking, movement of the joints and myofacial release will help work through the scared tissue to increase mobility and drainage of the arms. Our therapist is trained in evidence-based treatment for post-surgical cancer care. Benefits can include increase in range of motion and decrease in pain. This technique will break up scared tissue and promote circulation and drainage. Specific work on scared tissue can improve scar quality and reduce pulling by softening the tissue.

What to expect on your first visit: You will be asked to fill out a confidential health history form and our therapist may ask you questions to better understand your goals for the treatment. Open communication is a must in our healing process. You can always ask any questions, share thoughts and concerns at any time.