What Treatment is Right for You?

• Massage and Bodywork, like most therapeutic modalities, is not a one-size-fits-all treatment. Different approaches and techniques are effective for addressing different complaints. If you have pain and discomfort but aren't sure which bodywork technique will be best for you, it is always a good idea to begin with a FREE Consultation or a Consultation and Try Out (C&T) Session. Consultations and Consultations & Try-Out Sessions are the best way to ensure you receive the most effective treatment with greater and longer-lasting results.
• Consultation & Try-Out (C&T) Session$45.00
  Are you a new client? Do you know that you'd like to get treatment as soon as possible, but you're still not sure what to do? Then a Consultation & Try-Out (C&T) might be a good choice for you! The total appointment length lasts no more than 45 minutes.

• Ready to Book?
  Call 407-704-8867 and ask for a Consultation and Try-Out Session with any of our therapists. You can also book online by visiting www.BalanceOrlandoSchedule.info. All of Balance's therapists offer C&Ts! If you don't know who you want to see, you can explain your condition or complaint to our receptionists and they can point you in the right direction. If you're not particular, any therapist you see will be able to talk to you about your condition, treat you, and refer you to a different therapist if necessary.

What We Treat

• We specialize in resolving chronic pain. Located in the downtown Orlando neighborhood of College Park, (Orlando, Florida 32804) we're right on Edgewater Drive, close to exit 84 off I-4. We have over 100 years of combined experience in treating patients and clients who've come to us as a last resort. We offer Advanced Therapeutic Massage and Rolfing Structural Integration. Our independent therapists have a supportive environment that takes care of administration and scheduling and gives them easy access to a team of highly educated colleagues for referrals and advice. Together, we aim for the best possible holistic health care. Studies show that good quality massage therapy has hardly any risks and shows great results in treating pain and tension and can be helpful for the following conditions:
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
  Massage for CTS is characterized by frequent massage of the hand, the anterior musculature, the forearm flexors and the wrist.

• Frozen Shoulder Syndrome
  Massage techniques such as trigger point therapy, swedish, and deep tissue, work to increase blood flow to the area, promoting healing and reducing stiffness.

• Low Back Pain
  You can speak with any of Balance's talented therapists about trigger point therapy, deep tissue massage , stretching or the many other ways they can help you.

• Lymphedema
  Manual Lymphatic Drainage is a light-touch massage treatment that has also been proven to be an effective treatment for Lymphedema. Lymphatic Drainage moves lymph fluid out of the congested area and back into circulation in the center of the body, reducing swelling and congestion.

• Scoliosis
  Instead of using methods that "force" the body back into alignment but do nothing for pain, such as bracing or surgery, Rolfing® Structural Integration works with the body's natural alignment. Lengthening through the soft tissues allows the body to restructure itself, coming back into positive relationship with gravity, returning to its natural, healthy, pain-free state.

• Hyper-Lordosis
  Hyperlordosis can be treated with myofascial release and targeted exercises, and studies since 1988 have shown that Rolfing® Structural Integration is especially useful in lengthening the lower back.

• Sciatica
  If you already have your diagnosis and would like us to assess your specific situation and devise a treatment plan, it may be best to book a "First Visit" consultation and treatment with Lu Mueller-Kaul. If you're seeking immediate treatment, you may find relief through a session with any of our therapists, all of whom have experience in dealing with sciatic pain.

• TMJ Disorder
  Because the approach to treatment depends on the cause of the disorder, it is important to get a thorough evaluation first. We offer a Consultation and Tryout session and can refer you to Dr. Anne Reid, of Mills Park Dental, for further evaluation and treatment.

• Migraine
  Specific modalities of massage therapy can offer relief to migraine sufferers in different ways. Each person experiences migraines differently, and may find one or more specific modalities suit them best. Craniosacral Therapy can rebalance the cerebrospinal fluid, Trigger Point Therapy helps against muscular tension, Structural Integration helps realign the body's structure.

• Insomnia
  Specific massage modalities such as craniosacral therapy and acupressure are often helpful techniques for resolving insomnia. That being said, any massage whether it is swedish or deep tissue, will yield beneficial results if you find it to be relaxing in mind and body.

Massage Treatments

• Sports Massage
  For individuals who workout frequently, train for marathons, or just lead generally active lives, sports massage can be an important part of your wellness routine. Receiving regular sports massage can reduce fatigue, relieve muscle swelling and tension, and help prevent injury due to muscle over extension and overuse. One of the most common complaints experienced by athletes is Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness, or DOMS. DOMS is the soreness that can occur several hours postexercise, especially after exercises that are unfamiliar to you. Frequent exercise also has the tendency to reduce a muscle's ability to relax, which can result in chronically tight muscles, loss of flexibility, and poor blood flow. Sports massage can help reduce and prevent the effects of DOMS as you develop a new workout routine, as well as promote blood circulation and aid in relaxation.

• Craniosacral Therapy
  CST, or Craniosacral Therapy (also known as Cranial-Sacral Therapy), is a gentle, soft-touch type of therapy that taps into the body's innate ability to heal itself when possible. Using specifically designed, light pressure, techniques CST releases restrictions and compression in the Craniosacral system.

• Trigger Points Therapy
  Trigger points are essentially small, localized muscle cramps, usually confined to only one or two of the small fibers that comprise the main muscle body. These palpable knots respond excessively to even small amounts of stimuli and are a common source of chronic pain and discomfort. The hypersensitivity of these nodules can also cause the discomfort to radiate outward referring (or "triggering") pain, tenderness, tingling, and even numbness to other areas of the body.

• Reflexology
  Reflexology deals with the principle that there are reflex areas in the feet and hands which correspond to all of the glands, organs and parts of the body. Properly stimulating these reflexes may help many health problems in a natural way as a type of preventative maintenance. Reflexology is used primarily for relaxing tension, as well as improving nerve function and blood supply, and normalizing the body's natural systems.

• Prenatal Massage
  Carrying a baby inside you changes your center of gravity and puts a lot of stress on your back, neck, abdominal muscles, and shoulders. Pregnancy also relaxes your ligaments, so that your pelvic joints are less stable, and changes your posture, pulling your pelvis forward. Add to that the extra weight you're carrying and you may find you've got an aching lower back.

• Manual Lymphatic Drainage
  Manual Lymphatic Drainage Massage is a type of massage intended to stimulate the lymphatic system by releasing blockages and assisting the natural circulation required for the elimination of metabolic waste, excess fluids, and bacteria from the body. Consisting of gentle, rhythmic, circular movements, the therapy activates the muscle cells in the walls of the lymph vessels and the surrounding skeletal muscles necessary to propel the lymph through the system.

• Myofascial Release
  Myofascial release is a form of soft tissue therapy used to treat somatic dysfunction: the impaired or altered function of the musculo-skeletal system. This system is made up of the body's bones, muscles, cartilage, tendons, ligaments, joints, and the connective tissue that holds it all in place, the fascial web.

• Gua Sha Scraping
  Gua Sha is a healing technique used by practitioners of Oriental Medicine. It involves palpation and cutaneous stimulation where the skin is pressured, in strokes, by a round-edged instrument; that results in the appearance of small red petechiae called 'sha', that will fade in 2 to 3 days.

About Rolfing

• Chronic pain? Try Rolfing!
  Rolfing is not directly aimed at pain relief, but at achieving effortless grace in posture and movement. Pain relief is a great side effect, and the main reason a lot of people look for a Rolfer. Clients frequently report the complete disappearance of headaches, sciatic discomfort, leg cramps, tendonitis, plantar fasciitis, and a host of other chronic pains they had previously treated with little to no success. As Rolfing is directed at the connective tissues rather than the joints or the muscles, it can even resolve problems that still occur after years of chiropractic care.

• How Does Rolfing Work?
  Humans, like all creatures, have a body structure that works most efficiently when properly aligned to its original specifications. However, because of work and life's routines, we put our bodies through repetitive motions on a daily basis that distort that proper alignment, or we spend too much time in the same position. The hands-on treatment during a Rolfing session loosens restrictions in the soft tissues and leads to more mobility. Better range of motion is typically permanent! What makes Rolfing unique among other approaches is the additional education of posture and movement patterns. Clients gain a lot of detailed awareness of how they orient themselves in space due to the sensory feedback during the hands-on work, but also because they feel different afterward. Because of this combination of movement education and myofascial bodywork, Rolfing clients improve their overall state of wellbeing, move better and more effectively, and find it easy to have good posture without strain. The biggest benefit of working with a Certified Rolfer through a series of treatments (typically ten with a couple of follow-ups), is that clients improve themselves for years after, without any further treatments.

• Pricing
  Full Rolfing sessions take about 60 minutes and cost $145 (through 2018) with Certified Rolfer Arthur Gillespie, LMT. If you're not sure whether Rolfing is right for you, you can schedule a Consultation & Tryout appointment with Arthur for just $45. That gives you time to talk to Arthur, learn more about his style of work, and receive a short test treatment.

Assisted Stretching

• What is Assisted Stretching?
  Assisted Stretching, also known as partner stretching, is a type of stretching where another person, or partner, is used to help further stretch the muscles. The second person can apply additional force to deepen the stretch.

• Can I Get Hurt?
  Due to the greater force applied to the muscles this form of stretching can be slightly more hazardous. That is why it's important to consult a licensed massage or physical therapist trained in Assisted Stretching when you begin. If you do not have a trusted exercise partner, you can continue to work with your therapist to keep Assisted Stretching as part of your program.

• How Does Assisted Stretching Differ From Other Stretches?
  In Static Stretching one places the body into a position that engages the stretch as they "relax into it," whereas Active Stretching requires the active use of other muscles to engage the stretch. With the additional force applied by the second person, Assisted Stretching allows for what cannot be obtained through self stretching: maximal resistance.

• Why Assisted Stretching?
  Shortened muscles become fragile and weakadding unnecessary pressure on tendons and pulling bones out of their natural alignment. This can result in muscle, joint and back pain, as well as related injuries. One of the biggest benefits of regular stretching is to lengthen the muscles, thereby reducing the stress and pressure on the tendons and joints. Other benefits of stretching include: Enhanced Muscular Coordination, Increased Circulation, Increased Energy, Increased Range of Motion, Reduced Muscle Tension.

Frequently Asked Questions

• The following are some of the most frequently asked questions we hear at Balance. If you have a question you don't see addressed here, please drop us a line with your question at info@balanceorlando.com, or call our office at 407-704-8867.
• Where should I start?
  All of Balance's therapists offer Consultation & Try-Out Sessions. This will give you a chance to meet your therapist, talk to them about your condition, and get an idea of what a treatment from them will feel like.

• How is Lu different from other Rolfers?
  Most importantly, she believes pain is not necessary to get results from Rolfing! Although the media may sometimes portray Rolfing as a painful treatment, a session with Lu will not be that way. Most Rolfers recommend the standard 10-series. In some cases, Lu may suggest this, but if she honestly does not believe that you need 10 appointments, she will tell you it is not necessary. She offers short sessions that are 20-minutes long for tune-ups and specific issues, most Rolfers do not. She regularly does 60-minute sessions, which is what her 10-series is composed of. Many rolfers suggest 90-minutes, but with Lu, that time is usually not necessary because she is efficient enough to give you more than enough work in an hour. Lu does offer 90-minute sessions, but this is really only for people who want more time on the table and is often more time than is necessarily required. Lu prefers that her 10-series clients come in once a week. This is different from the once-monthly treatment that most Rolfers suggest. By getting Rolfed once a week, you are more likely to retain knowledge about re-movement and postural education and help prevent yourself from falling back into old, unhealthy habits. You will also be done with the 10-series more quickly, and are therefore more likely to see longer lasting, more permanent results in a shorter amount of time. Lu was a naturopathic physician in Germany and therefore her training goes far beyond just Rolfing. Her education in naturopathy has helped her develop a more efficient and educated approach to Rolfing.

• I have never had a massage before!
  We're happy to be your first! The following questions should help you find the perfect massage for your needs: Are you just looking to relax? If so, 60-minute Swedish should do the trick. Any of Balance's therapists can give you a great Swedish massage. Do you prefer more pressure and deeper work? A deep-tissue massage would be right for you. Any of Balance's therapists can give you an excellent deep tissue massage to work out those knots. Are you sore from athletics or working out or have an athletic-related injury? A deep tissue, myofascial and assisted stretching, or sports massage should help out! Have you been feeling especially stressed, fatigued, experiencing migraines, or just mentally out-of-whack? Craniosacral therapy can be very helpful for that, as well as lymphatic drainage. Ask for Sarah if you're looking for a Craniosacral treatment. If lymphatic drainage is what you want, ask for Sarah or Lesliayn. Are you recovering post-surgery? Lymphatic drainage can speed up the recovery process. Ask for Sarah! Are you pregnant? Prenatal massage is most appropriate for you. Ask for Sarah or Lesliayn. Do you have postural issues, chronic back pain, scoliosis, or similar pain? We offer Consultation & Try-Out Treatments ($45) for new clients.

• What is your cancellation policy?
  Unlike many other places, we won't charge you the full appointment cost for same-day cancellations, but we do charge $25 to compensate your therapist for their time. Calling us at least one day before your scheduled appointment avoids this fee.

• What should I wear to a massage?
  In most cases, you will be asked to remove as much clothing as you feel comfortable with. Many people remove everything except for underwear, which is preferable. You will be draped and covered appropriately at all times during your session. However, it is up to you and your comfort level. If you are still unsure, do not hesitate to ask your therapist about this at the time of your appointment.

• What should I wear to Rolfing?
  Somewhat loose-fitting, athletic clothes are the best option. In order to properly analyze your posture, Lu may ask that you remove your shirt, so ladies should wear a sports bra or a bra they are comfortable being seen in. Rolfing may be done with clothes on or with some clothes removed; it depends on the work being done. A good rule of thumb would be to go as minimally dressed as your comfort level will allow.

• Do you offer prenatal massage?
  Yes. Sarah and Lesliayn are fully qualified in prenatal massage.

• Do you offer couple's massage?
  No. It is often possible to schedule you and your partner with separate therapists, in different treatment rooms, in the same time frame. However, we do not do couple's massages that take place the same room.