About AMR

AMR or Advanced Muscle Reconditioning is a method of massage that employs a repeated, refined stroke in one direction, usually cross-fiber to muscle and soft tissue.  Strokes are repeated in the same line again and again to smooth out areas of spasm.

 

Spasms can sometimes feel like corrugation or little ‘speed bumps’ where the muscle and soft tissue have bunched up.  A simplistic comparison is that healthy muscle and tissue are soft and pliable like raw bacon.  With age, repetitive use, dehydration, and injury, muscles can develop spasms and feel like cooked bacon, hardened and rippled.  The idea is to treat the spasm (or cooked bacon) until it releases and resembles the soft, supple tissues of a healthy body.

 

People often say ‘I have a “knot” in my neck’, or ‘I feel like there is a ball of tension in my back’

These areas that feel like knots or balls are often areas of spasm, or tight muscle, fascia, tendon, and other soft tissue.  AMR is very effective at locating and treating those areas of spasm. 

 

Be aware that the source of the pain you are feeling can sometimes be coming from another part of the body that you are unaware is injured.  For example, neck pain can be caused by spasms in the shoulder blades.  Headaches can be caused by spasms in the jaw or neck.  Back pain can be caused by spasms in the gluteus or quad muscles.  AMR can be used to find and treat the source.

 

AMR treatments can be uncomfortable as we are targeting flared-up areas of spasm.  It is important that the client and practitioner are in constant communication about finding relevant lines to work on while maintaining a level of pressure that is effective while not being overly painful.  If your entire body is clenched up while we are working to release spasms, we are doing you a disservice.  The idea is to be as relaxed as possible while working an effective line.  I encourage open and honest discussion during treatments for you to get the most out of AMR.  It is common for patients to feel soreness for 2-3 days following an AMR treatment.  It means we’ve found some “good lines” and are breaking down muscle spasms!  

 

AMR is for both chronic and acute pain.  Back pain; head, neck, and jaw pain; hip, glute, and  leg pain; foot and ankle pain; sports injuries both old and new can all benefit from AMR.