SPORTS MASSAGE

Contrary to popular belief, sports isn’t a separate modality of massage, but a context within which a bodyworker uses all the tools at their disposal to help clients meet sports-related goals. Sports work is characterized more by knowledge about how and when to apply tools at different stages of an athlete’s workout schedule, rather than by a set of techniques. This is why sports LMTs often have large tool belts.

DEEP TISSUE

Blake got his start in the field under deep tissue mentors. This modality is often misunderstood—much more than simply deep pressure.

CUPPING

Blake is trained in soft moving cups, glass fire cupping, and Achedaway red light cupping. He applies these tools liberally during sessions for various purposes, and to achieve various outcomes depending on your goals. Most often, he uses them as a myofascial and lymphatic tool.

FASCIAL STRETCH THERAPY

Blake is trained in various stretching modalities, such as AIS, PNF, and FST. He holds a level II certification in FST—a modality characterized by passive table-based pain-free stretching involving traction and slight changes in the stretch angle. He regularly incorporates AIS for neuromuscular re-education, and PNF for reinforcing strength in the end range of movement.

MYOFASCIAL RELEASE

This work involves low emollient and high tissue stretch to affect the connective tissues surrounding both muscles and muscle fibers.

TRIGGER POINT THERAPY

Blake incorporates principles from Neuromuscular Therapy (trigger point therapy), as well as other pin and stretch modalities that use the principle of reciprocal inhibition to achieve relief from trigger points. The client is often active.

MANUAL LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE

This type of bodywork uses extremely light pressure with a global approach to stimulate the efficiency of the lymphatic system in order to assist with edema, pain, and inflammation. Great for swelling after an injury.

SOMATIC EXPERIENCING

Blake also practices a type of trauma therapy. This is a “bottom-up” intervention involving accessing trauma from sensations in the body. It’s often said in the training room that players “recover in their bodies before they recover in their minds.” Somatic Experiencing assists in bringing the athlete’s nervous system back into homeostasis after injury.

KINESIOTAPING

Blake is trained both in Kinesiotaping and Rock Tape methods. He most often uses kinesiotaping for neuromuscular re-education and lymphatic applications.

IASTM TOOLS

Sessions sometimes include various other soft tissue tools, such as, but not limited to, scraping, massage guns, compression therapies, heat therapies, and TENS therapy.