HOFFA MASSAGE SYSTEM

 

Fascia is  a band or sheet of connective tissue, primarily collagen, beneath the skin that attaches, stabilizes, encloses, and separates muscles and other internal organs.

Fascia is made up of fibrous connective tissue containing closely packed bundles of collagen fibers oriented in a wavy pattern parallel to the direction of pull. Similar to hair, fascia can become “tangled” or shortened due to an increased contraction of muscle tissue. Fascia is consequently flexible and able to resist great unidirectional tension forces until the wavy pattern of fibers has been straightened out by the pulling force.

The HOFFA MASSAGE SYSTEM  was a technique  developed by Albert Hoffa (31 March 1859 – 31 December 1907) , a German surgeon, orthopedist and physiotherapist and is widely used in many German rehab hospitals today. The HOFFA technique is used to help treat various conditions such as Fibromyalgia , Myofascial pain syndrome, lateral/medial epicondylitis, frozen shoulder/shoulder pain, Headaches, Migraines, Radiculopathy, Soft tissue and nerve pain, etc.

Due to the repetitiveness and overuse of muscle tissue during Daily Activities or muscle imbalances, FASCIA can become shortened causing a decrease in blood flow and compression to  the underlying muscle tissue, nerves ( tingling/numbness), arteries , and capillaries. This shortening of fascia can also cause a decrease in range of motion not allowing muscles to fully elongate and move at it’s best ability.

When performed and applied correctly the HOFFA massage technique can help to decrease the shortening of fascia and increase proper ROM and function. The technique uses a specific method where the practitioner lifts, wrings, and rolls the fascia/muscle, activating stretch receptors thus allowing the fascia  to elongate and muscles to relax.  The Technique also allows the practitioner to treat both fascia and muscle during the same treatment without using any heavy down pressure, creating a true “deep tissue” treatment. Although the technique can be slightly uncomfortable at first,  after a few treatment sessions your fascia and muscle tissue  will become accustomed to the specific technique that is being applied. Our goal is to decrease pain and increase proper muscle/joint movement AFTER treatment.

We here at HI-MED Therapeutic Massage & Wellness clinic have been certified and trained to perform the technique properly by Physiotherapist/LMT Martin Gieselman , who FIRST introduced the technique to Hawaii over 15 years ago.