Here you can ask questions about massage therapy.
Leave you question in the comment box below or you can e-mail me if you do not want your post public.
- Different Modalities
- A Specific Issue
- How can massage help you?
- Pain Management, etc.
Welcome to Massage Therapy 411.com! Here you will find information about massage therapy, diet tips and health related information.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Ask The Therapist
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Hot Stone Massage
Hot Stone Therapy involves using various sizes of heated volcanic basalt stones to enhance the effects of your massage. Used in conjuction with the massage treatment best suited for your needs, the heated stones are used as tools on specific muscles, knotts or trigger points. The heat penetrates into the muscle enhancing deeper relaxation, a sense of well being and less stress to the muscle being relaxed. Deep tissue massage may be achieved because of the soothing sedative effect heat has on the muscle fibers. Especially for those who do not like or can't tollerate alot of pressure in thier massage treatment. Hot Stone Massage invoves using the stones on all muscles of the body. A deeper relaxation is achieved with hot stone massage due to the heats vasodilation (expansion) of blood vessels in the body. Cardiac activity slows down, decreasing the amount of blood pumped resulting in slower breathing. Hot stone massage may lower blood pressure and may be contraindicated for those sensitive to heat, have irregular blood pressure or are recovering from a heart attack.
Because hot stones run between 125-140 degrees, they have the ability to raise the internal temperature of the body which can artificially induce a fever. This increases the metabolic rate stimulates our waste removal and detoxification process. By bringing more blood to the cells, we bring more nutrients; bringing more oxygen and oxygen brings healing! Studies have shown that many diseases can not survive in an oxygen rich, alkaline environment. Benefits of Hot Stone Massage
- Heat increases more circulation vs. traditional massage.
- Deeper sense of relaxation.
- Heat helps loosen fascia, the connective tissue surrounding muscles.
- Offers more relief to fibromyalgia sufferers.
- Soothes arthritis pain, joint pain, menstral cramps, and sciatic pain.
- Allows for deeper penetration of therapeutic oils into the skin.
- Soothes tight, achy muscles during cold winter months.
- Creates a warm, safe, comfort bringing a sense of peace to the body.
- Increased metabolic rate.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
On Site Chair Massage
Many companies now provide wellness programs to help their employees stay healthy and satisfied with their jobs. After all, it's no secret that the healthier and happier an employee is, the more productive they are.
Many companies offer on-site chair massage as an integral part of the preventive and rehabilitative aspects of a wellness program. These have been shown to reduce worker's compensation claims, reduce time off from work, increase productivity, and increase job satisfaction.
On-site chair massage is also a great success at the workplace for the following reasons:
Many companies offer on-site chair massage as an integral part of the preventive and rehabilitative aspects of a wellness program. These have been shown to reduce worker's compensation claims, reduce time off from work, increase productivity, and increase job satisfaction.
BENEFITS OF ON-SITE MASSAGE
Additionally, massage improves flexibility, increases circulation, enhances self-esteem, and relieves tired, sore, aching muscles. It addresses the three most common causes of absenteeism: headaches, chronic pain, and hypertension. It enhances the immune system and creates an overall sense of well being and relaxation.On-site chair massage is also a great success at the workplace for the following reasons:
- The recipient is fully dressed.
- No oils or lotions are necessary.
- Minimal space is required.
- It addresses common stresses and problems in the workplace.
- Privacy is not necessary.
- It takes less time than full-body massage; usually less than 15 minutes.
- It focuses on the head, neck, shoulders, back, arms and hands.
- It is cost-effective.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Got a health TIP?
Got an inside scoop on a healthy resaurant, exercise program, grocery store, organic produce/meat, social groups or anything related? Please e-mail me and I will check it out and possibly add it to this site. Are you a health conscious business or offer natural products? Get on here! You may e-mail me an article you wrote in word format, a logo, coupon, business hours, location, web link and contact information and I will gladly post it for you here! Be a guest writters to add content reguarding healthy Springfield!
I am dedicated to making this site an access point of great health information in Springfield and surrounding areas. As a recent relocatee it was quite a painstaking process to ask everyone I came in contact with where to get organic chicken, veggies, a healthy lunch, natual skin care, and massage. So as new people come to town, new business arise or people that just want to know where to find natural products locally, they can find it here. I would love to promote your business, build mine, and help Springfields obvious movement towards health and happiness!
Thank you healthy Springfield!
I am dedicated to making this site an access point of great health information in Springfield and surrounding areas. As a recent relocatee it was quite a painstaking process to ask everyone I came in contact with where to get organic chicken, veggies, a healthy lunch, natual skin care, and massage. So as new people come to town, new business arise or people that just want to know where to find natural products locally, they can find it here. I would love to promote your business, build mine, and help Springfields obvious movement towards health and happiness!
Thank you healthy Springfield!
Trigger Point Therapy
Myofascial Trigger Points are extremely common and become a painful part of nearly everyone's life at one time or another, from your youth to your later years. The severity of symptoms range from the agonizing incapacitating pain caused by very active trigger points to the painless restriction of movement and distortion of posture that are so commonly overlooked with inactive trigger points. Trigger point therapy is a highly effective technique used to alleviate chronic pain and disfunction. It can be used alone such as during a clothed chair massage or incorporated into any other therapy.
A brief history
The research on myofascial pain has been ongoing throughout the last century. The terms to describe the condition and the muscular findings have evolved to what we now call "Myofascial Trigger Points."
Research on trigger points is more about finding out what they are not and studying what other conditions are related. Research as far back as 1843 by Froriep, a 20th century author, found tender, tight cords or bands in the muscles and named them "muscle calluses" and discovered that treating them would bring much relief to the patient. In 1900, an American named Alder used the English term, "muscle rheumatism" and talked about radiating pain from tender spots in the muscle. Four English researchers from 1904 to 1915 introduced a new term for the same condition and symptoms "fibrositis." In 1919, a researcher by the name of Schade reported that even when a patient is under deep anesthesia or after death prior to rigor mortis, the hardness and ropiness in the muscle remained. This research supports the theory that it is not the nervous system causing muscular contraction resulting in the hard knot, but a contraction of the sarcomeres causing the hard knot or "trigger point" as it is now termed.
The most recent and well-respected research is from Janet G. Travell M.D. and David G. Simons M.D. Dr. Janet Travell worked in cardiology, pulmonary and general medicine and her main complaint received from patients was of pain. The pain was more of a concern to the patient than the terminal illness or serious illness being treated. Over the years, Dr. Travell dedicated her studies to myofascial pain syndromes and bringing relief to her patients. With the success of Dr. Travell's care, she acquired the position of White House Pysician under the president John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson. Dr. Travell, with the assistance of Dr. Simmons, put together two volumes of the accurate and in-depth information about trigger points, their causes and treatments. Dr. Travell passed away in 1997 at the age of 95.
-Utah College of Massage Therapy-
Trigger points have many activating factors ranging from automobile accidents, birth trauma, acute illness, new shoes or terrain, emotionally charged events (illness, death, divorce, loss of job, etc.), to starting a new exercise program or job with different demands on the body. The continued stress and patterns of activity, which aggravate the muscle and reignite the trigger point repeatedly. This is where it is important to not only find the trigger point causing the disfunction, treating the trigger point to alleviate symptoms but to identify it's cause and make changes to avoid further activation of these nasty little buggers. Perpetuating factors include things like ergonomically-incorrect work stations, broken-down shoes, stressful environments, mental or emotional, poor diet, lack of sleep, dehydration, mineral deficiency, and postural distortions or imbalances.
A brief history
The research on myofascial pain has been ongoing throughout the last century. The terms to describe the condition and the muscular findings have evolved to what we now call "Myofascial Trigger Points."
Research on trigger points is more about finding out what they are not and studying what other conditions are related. Research as far back as 1843 by Froriep, a 20th century author, found tender, tight cords or bands in the muscles and named them "muscle calluses" and discovered that treating them would bring much relief to the patient. In 1900, an American named Alder used the English term, "muscle rheumatism" and talked about radiating pain from tender spots in the muscle. Four English researchers from 1904 to 1915 introduced a new term for the same condition and symptoms "fibrositis." In 1919, a researcher by the name of Schade reported that even when a patient is under deep anesthesia or after death prior to rigor mortis, the hardness and ropiness in the muscle remained. This research supports the theory that it is not the nervous system causing muscular contraction resulting in the hard knot, but a contraction of the sarcomeres causing the hard knot or "trigger point" as it is now termed.
The most recent and well-respected research is from Janet G. Travell M.D. and David G. Simons M.D. Dr. Janet Travell worked in cardiology, pulmonary and general medicine and her main complaint received from patients was of pain. The pain was more of a concern to the patient than the terminal illness or serious illness being treated. Over the years, Dr. Travell dedicated her studies to myofascial pain syndromes and bringing relief to her patients. With the success of Dr. Travell's care, she acquired the position of White House Pysician under the president John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson. Dr. Travell, with the assistance of Dr. Simmons, put together two volumes of the accurate and in-depth information about trigger points, their causes and treatments. Dr. Travell passed away in 1997 at the age of 95.
-Utah College of Massage Therapy-
Trigger points have many activating factors ranging from automobile accidents, birth trauma, acute illness, new shoes or terrain, emotionally charged events (illness, death, divorce, loss of job, etc.), to starting a new exercise program or job with different demands on the body. The continued stress and patterns of activity, which aggravate the muscle and reignite the trigger point repeatedly. This is where it is important to not only find the trigger point causing the disfunction, treating the trigger point to alleviate symptoms but to identify it's cause and make changes to avoid further activation of these nasty little buggers. Perpetuating factors include things like ergonomically-incorrect work stations, broken-down shoes, stressful environments, mental or emotional, poor diet, lack of sleep, dehydration, mineral deficiency, and postural distortions or imbalances.
The worst part of an active trigger point is not just the knawing, aching it produces at the site but the referral pain it sends out to surrounding areas mimicing many other disorders.
Example:
Active trigger points (dots on the illistration) send "referral pain"(gray areas) into other parts of the arm mimicing numerous possibilities of a problems in the arm area.
Active Trigger Points can cause headaches, tooth pain, carpal tunnel symptoms, chest pain, elbow pain, interanal viceral pain, sciatic sensations, knee and foot pain, etc. They can arise in any muscle of the body and should be addressed by the therapist for long term pain relief.
For further, in depth reading on Trigger Points please visit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trigger_point
Russian Sports Massage
A brief overview
Russian massage therapy is very similar to traditional Swedish massage. During a session, the client lies on the table and the therapist stands above him to perform the strokes. The client is unclothed, and the massage is performed directly on the skin, with the aid of oil. The Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals notes that Russian massage can get deeper than the traditional Swedish variation and is considered a type of sports massage. Russian massage can be received for those suffering from an injury, have an illness, sore/stiff muscles with little or reduced mobility, or just want to promote general well-being.You don't need to be an "athlete" to receive the healing benefits of this modality. The Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine also notes that Russian massage can help to reduce muscle aches and pain associated with certain disorders used to soothe pain associated with arthritis, carpel tunnel issues, sprains, strains, rotator cuff, low back and other muscle injuries.
Un-like other massage therapies, Russian massage is based on the physiology of a dysfunction rather than on anatomy as the principal guideline for treatment.
There are three main phases to a Russian massage and these apply to all patients. Only the specifics of each massage will be different depending on the needs of the individual.
The first phase is the slow, gentle phase. The therapist applies gentle massage techniques (effleurage) to the body, preparing it for deeper work. This phase is important for the muscles to rest and the body be placed in a great state of relaxation. It decreases activity of the central nervous system, speeds blood flow and lymph, reduces edema, lowers heart rate, systolic blood pressure and lowers respiratory rate, etc.
The second phase involves faster, deeper, and harder movements to the body by the therapist. This is the part of the massage that has the most therapeutic effects. It is also the most active phase as it involves intense manipulation of the body muscles to relieve tension and pain. Deep, non-gliding petrissage incorporates pulling and pressing of muscle tissue which increases flexibility, range of motion and tone, speeds waste removal speeding tissue regeneration, just to name a few. It also raises body core temperature and metabolism.
The friction techniques used during the session will help to break up scar tissue and adhesions that limit mobility. FACT: Each increase of 2 degrees F increases local metabolism by 13% and cellular oxygen uptake by 20%!
Finally, there is the third stage during which the therapist switches back to the gentler, slower techniques. The slow movements are used to complete the session and to promote relaxation once again.
All three stages are very important for the effectiveness of the massage. If the body is not warmed-up and relaxed before the deep manipulation of the muscle tissue, it will not produce healing results as well. Just the same, if the body is not relaxed after the massage has been performed, then it won’t accept the therapy as well and may become tense or sore.
The actual massage techniques used throughout the three stages include stretching, gliding/non-gliding, kneading, pressing/pulling, vibration, friction and percussion. The amount of pressure applied during these techniques depends on the patient’s body state and comfort level. The application of techniques will differ from person to person and the depth of the pressure ranges from light, to medium, to deep.
Russian massage techniques are wonderful for rehabilitating the body back to a healthy stage. More movement, less pain with long term benefits. You'll love russian massage!
Russian massage therapy is very similar to traditional Swedish massage. During a session, the client lies on the table and the therapist stands above him to perform the strokes. The client is unclothed, and the massage is performed directly on the skin, with the aid of oil. The Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals notes that Russian massage can get deeper than the traditional Swedish variation and is considered a type of sports massage. Russian massage can be received for those suffering from an injury, have an illness, sore/stiff muscles with little or reduced mobility, or just want to promote general well-being.You don't need to be an "athlete" to receive the healing benefits of this modality. The Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine also notes that Russian massage can help to reduce muscle aches and pain associated with certain disorders used to soothe pain associated with arthritis, carpel tunnel issues, sprains, strains, rotator cuff, low back and other muscle injuries.
Un-like other massage therapies, Russian massage is based on the physiology of a dysfunction rather than on anatomy as the principal guideline for treatment.
There are three main phases to a Russian massage and these apply to all patients. Only the specifics of each massage will be different depending on the needs of the individual.
The first phase is the slow, gentle phase. The therapist applies gentle massage techniques (effleurage) to the body, preparing it for deeper work. This phase is important for the muscles to rest and the body be placed in a great state of relaxation. It decreases activity of the central nervous system, speeds blood flow and lymph, reduces edema, lowers heart rate, systolic blood pressure and lowers respiratory rate, etc.
The second phase involves faster, deeper, and harder movements to the body by the therapist. This is the part of the massage that has the most therapeutic effects. It is also the most active phase as it involves intense manipulation of the body muscles to relieve tension and pain. Deep, non-gliding petrissage incorporates pulling and pressing of muscle tissue which increases flexibility, range of motion and tone, speeds waste removal speeding tissue regeneration, just to name a few. It also raises body core temperature and metabolism.
The friction techniques used during the session will help to break up scar tissue and adhesions that limit mobility. FACT: Each increase of 2 degrees F increases local metabolism by 13% and cellular oxygen uptake by 20%!
Finally, there is the third stage during which the therapist switches back to the gentler, slower techniques. The slow movements are used to complete the session and to promote relaxation once again.
All three stages are very important for the effectiveness of the massage. If the body is not warmed-up and relaxed before the deep manipulation of the muscle tissue, it will not produce healing results as well. Just the same, if the body is not relaxed after the massage has been performed, then it won’t accept the therapy as well and may become tense or sore.
The actual massage techniques used throughout the three stages include stretching, gliding/non-gliding, kneading, pressing/pulling, vibration, friction and percussion. The amount of pressure applied during these techniques depends on the patient’s body state and comfort level. The application of techniques will differ from person to person and the depth of the pressure ranges from light, to medium, to deep.
Russian massage techniques are wonderful for rehabilitating the body back to a healthy stage. More movement, less pain with long term benefits. You'll love russian massage!
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Deep Tissue Massage - "Is it right for me?"
Time and time again the debate amongst therapist and the general public arises on "deep tissue" massage. What is deep tissue massage anyway?
The size of the therapist?
Not necessarily. A properly trained therapist that utilzes good body mechanics can exert plenty of pressure needed to accopmlish the goal at hand. The "average" pressure used from therapist to therapist also varies. My interpretation of deep may be very different from another therapist interpretation of deep. So don't let size fool you.
The modality?
There really is no "deep tissue" modality. Any modality can be deep or light depending on the pressure used by the therapist, the tool ie. elbow, thumb, or man made, and the density of the tissue being worked.
"I want to feel like I got a massage and expect to be sore"
Your body is the only determining factor when it comes to telling the therapist what it can and can't handle today. Our hormones change constantly so this months massage may feel deep and the next months may feel light even though the therapist is doing the exact same massage. Just because you don't "feel" sore the next day doesn't mean you didn't get a deep or good massage.
It's all in the layers.Most muscles lay in layers, overlaping each other to perform their designed function. "Deep tissue" literally means accessing the muscles under the top superficial layers. So in order to access these deeper layers we must relax the top layers first. You can't exactly til the soil under the sidewalk until the cement is dealt with first. If these top muscles won't relax they can become damaged, bruised or very sore the next day if the therapist is forcing through trying to access the deeper tissues. So again, your body is the determining factor as to how deep the therapist can go, she/he may not be able to do deep tissue.
"I need deep tissue"
Do you? We all know our bodies better than anyone on the planet, or I would sure hope we do. A 110 lb. body with 1" thick muscles on the back takes much less pressure and exertion than a 250 lb. body with 3" of solid muscle. Does the therapist need to access these deeper muscles for specific work? Sometimes we ask for deep tissue when we really just want heavier pressure and the deeper muscles don't require specific work. We work muscles that are causing the problem, they may be on top or way down deep.
There are endless sets of circumstances and confusion surrounding deep tissue massage. You and the therapist you are working with can determine whether deep tissue is right for you. Some therapist don't do deep tissue so it's always best to ask in advance in case that is something you may need.
The size of the therapist?
Not necessarily. A properly trained therapist that utilzes good body mechanics can exert plenty of pressure needed to accopmlish the goal at hand. The "average" pressure used from therapist to therapist also varies. My interpretation of deep may be very different from another therapist interpretation of deep. So don't let size fool you.
The modality?
There really is no "deep tissue" modality. Any modality can be deep or light depending on the pressure used by the therapist, the tool ie. elbow, thumb, or man made, and the density of the tissue being worked.
"I want to feel like I got a massage and expect to be sore"
Your body is the only determining factor when it comes to telling the therapist what it can and can't handle today. Our hormones change constantly so this months massage may feel deep and the next months may feel light even though the therapist is doing the exact same massage. Just because you don't "feel" sore the next day doesn't mean you didn't get a deep or good massage.
It's all in the layers.Most muscles lay in layers, overlaping each other to perform their designed function. "Deep tissue" literally means accessing the muscles under the top superficial layers. So in order to access these deeper layers we must relax the top layers first. You can't exactly til the soil under the sidewalk until the cement is dealt with first. If these top muscles won't relax they can become damaged, bruised or very sore the next day if the therapist is forcing through trying to access the deeper tissues. So again, your body is the determining factor as to how deep the therapist can go, she/he may not be able to do deep tissue.
"I need deep tissue"
Do you? We all know our bodies better than anyone on the planet, or I would sure hope we do. A 110 lb. body with 1" thick muscles on the back takes much less pressure and exertion than a 250 lb. body with 3" of solid muscle. Does the therapist need to access these deeper muscles for specific work? Sometimes we ask for deep tissue when we really just want heavier pressure and the deeper muscles don't require specific work. We work muscles that are causing the problem, they may be on top or way down deep.
There are endless sets of circumstances and confusion surrounding deep tissue massage. You and the therapist you are working with can determine whether deep tissue is right for you. Some therapist don't do deep tissue so it's always best to ask in advance in case that is something you may need.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)