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Can Massages Make You Lose Weight?

brett January 7, 2017 Massage Therapy 0
When something sounds too good to be true, it usually is, and this applies to any massage that promote weight loss. Massages simply knead your skin, muscles and other bodily tissue, which can benefit you in a number of different ways, such as releasing stress, relaxing injured tissue, increasing flexibility and even stimulating endorphins. Reducing fat, however, is another story.

The Benefits of Massage

Besides relaxation, the only potential benefit of a massage is to improve your blood circulation, according to Patricia Floyd, author of “Personal Health: Perspectives and Lifestyles.” Massages do nothing to change the way in which your body metabolizes food, so you’re not experiencing any increase in calories burned. Since calories are key to weight loss, a massage isn’t able to minimize the size of your waist, thighs or buttocks.

Caloric Deficit Dilemma

The only possible way to lose weight is by generating what’s known as a caloric deficit. It takes a deficit of 3,500 calories to lose 1 pound of fat. Massaging a certain part of the body doesn’t help you reach this deficit. Your options are to reduce your caloric intake or increase your level of physical activity. If you cut and burn enough calories to hit a deficit of 500 calories a day, you can expect to lose 1 pound of weight each week. A daily deficit of 750 calories provides a weight loss of 1 ½ pounds a week.

Massage: A Temporary Cellulite Fix

If you’re looking to lose cellulite, on the other hand, a massage may help to reduce its appearance. Vigorous massages combined with laser energy or radio waves can improve blood circulation as well as stimulate the movement of lymphatic fluids within the treated area. This may reduce the dimpled appearance of the skin associated with cellulite, but results are only short-lived, reports CNN Health. Typically, cellulite returns in about six month after treatment. Subsequent sessions are necessary to maintain the improved appearance.

Can Massage Influence Fat Loss Reduction?

Any improvement in cellulite shouldn’t be linked to a loss of fat. The massage isn’t doing anything to break up the fatty deposit or reduce your body fat percentage. Like the idea of spot-reduction, you can’t target fat. Massaging a certain area of the body may help to improve the contour for short period of time, but it’s not doing anything to stimulate fat loss. The only way you can do this is by a caloric deficit.

by DANA SEVERSON

Online Source: http://www.livestrong.com/article/300069-stomach-massage-for-weight-loss/

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Benefits of Massage After Car Accidents

brett December 10, 2016 Massage Therapy 0

By Cecilia Comperatore LMT-Florida MA 54038

Many people wait for an injury in their life to seek out massage therapy. Those that have car accidents are a typical example, wanting relief from whiplash and other accident related injuries.

Massage therapy is an excellent choice to assist you in healing from a car accident. After an accident, people are most likely to feel like they have the flu or describe the symptoms as feeling like they got hit by a car. Weakness in the neck may also be felt due to whiplash. Whiplash is the sudden jerking of the head, backward and forward, that is felt during impact of the vehicle. The symptoms: pain and aching to the neck and/or back, pain in the shoulders, pins and needles to the extremities (arms and legs), and headaches. The symptoms may be felt immediately or not show up for several days. The precise mechanism of whiplash is not known but it is thought to be caused by stretching and possibly tearing of the ligaments of the spine.

Massage can be very beneficial in treatment of this injury. Often times, clients are referred to a therapist by a chiropractor or other medical provider for a certain number of massage therapy sessions. A safe environment for auto accident clients is extremely important. Sometimes their life is turned upside down by this injury and they are unable to live their life as normal, which in itself can be quite stressful.

A therapist who attends to a client with any type of accident related injuries will assess the areas of injury for range of motion, elasticity and pain tolerance. The therapist should always be aware of the restrictions in their movements and also the tenderness of the areas to be massaged. This is where the communication factor comes in. They will constantly check to ensure that they are within your comfort boundaries. Communication from the client is also paramount to the success of the massage.

Massage helps with these types of injuries due to the fact that it increases circulation (blood supply) to an area thereby giving it the nutrients it needs to heal properly and rids the area of waste products. It can also increase range of motion, reduce sprain and swelling, reduce stress, and may help to prevent scar tissue. It can help your body regain its balance from the stress of the accident by balancing your autonomic nervous system, thereby reducing stress. I have been on both sides of the “table” so to speak as a therapist and a car accident victim. I was in a car that was rear ended in 2005 and had whiplash which resulted in devastating headaches. I also had lower back pain and referred shoulder and arm pain.

I immediately began a regiment of chiropractic adjustments as well as 2 visits to a massage therapist per week. I had a wonderful therapist and she was always very empathetic as well as patient with me during our time together. She was always careful to ask about my pain level in each and every area that she touched. I was unsure of massage as I had never had it when I was in a healthy state. Needless to say, I was a bit skeptical of being touched in an injured state. It was one of the most wonderful experiences that I have gone through to date. There’s something about a caring person with amazing skills and a gentle touch to soothe an injured, stressed muscle. Gradually I began to see results and looked forward to my sessions with my therapist. No wonder the ancient Chinese, Egyptians, Greeks and Romans included massage in their daily life!

Massage so fascinated me that I went to massage school and became a therapist. Now I not only have the benefit of getting massages but also giving them. I enjoy seeing the progress that my clients make as a result of our work together.

The bottom line is that if you have had an injury of any type; please seek out a qualified massage therapist so that together you can regain your balance. If you don’t know of one, ask your medical provider or your friends and neighbors who have had massages. The calm and healing that it will have on your body will be most beneficial to both your mind and your body.

Online Source: http://techfeatured.com/automotive/1421/benefits-of-massage-after-car-accidents

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Massage for Pain Relief

brett December 1, 2016 Massage Therapy 0

By Chris Woolston

From an early age, we learn that the touch of a hand can ease pain. When a toddler bangs his knee in a tricycle accident, he’ll instinctively rub the sore spot. Likewise, an office worker with stiff shoulders will probably try to knead them. And if a dancer can’t shake the throbbing pain in her back, she just might schedule an appointment with a massage therapist.

The healing power of a well-placed hand is so apparent that just about every culture in history has used massage to relieve pain. Massage faded into the background with the arrival of modern medicine, but a growing number of people are turning (or returning) to hands-on relief. According to a 2008 survey by the American Massage Therapy Association, about 21 percent of adults had a massage at least once in the last year, and almost 25 percent have used massage therapy at least once for pain relief.

It may be an “alternative treatment,” but massage already has the respect of the medical community. As reported in Rheumatology, more than 70 percent of doctors say that they have referred their patients to massage therapists.

If you’re suffering from pain — brief or chronic — you may want to give massage a try. Minor aches and pains aside, you should have a doctor evaluate you to rule out other causes of pain (especially persistent or acute pain for which there’s no apparent cause); in some cases pain can signal a serious condition, such as cancer or scoliosis. Also, before you climb into the massage chair or lie down on the table, you’ll probably want answers to a few questions.

How does massage ease pain?

Massage seems to ease pain in several different ways. For starters, it can increase blood flow to sore, stiff joints and muscles, which are warmed by the extra circulation. As reported by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, animal studies have found that massage also triggers the release of natural painkillers called opioids in the brain. (The report doesn’t explain how scientists massage the animals.) Animal studies also suggest that massage speeds up the flow of oxytocin, a hormone that relaxes muscles and encourages feelings of calmness and contentment. As an aside, oxytocin happens to be the same hormone that flows through women before labor. It relaxes the uterus and helps cement the bond between mother and infant, earning it the nickname “love hormone.” Massage may also change the way the brain senses pain. As Stanford neuroscientist Robert Sapolsky has said, the short, sharp sensations of a good massage can temporarily make the brain forget about other aches.

How effective is massage for pain relief?

There’s little doubt that a good rub-down can ease pain and tightness in stressed, overworked muscles. Now there’s growing evidence that it can also help relieve chronic (long-lasting) pain, especially the lower-back variety. A study of 262 patients published in the Archives of Internal Medicine found that massage was far superior to acupuncture or patient education for relieving back pain. After 10 weeks, 74 percent of patients said massage was “very helpful.” Only 46 percent for those who received acupuncture and about 17 percent of those who read a self-help book had the same response. Massage patients were also four times less likely than other patients to report being bedridden with pain. The authors concluded that “massage might be an effective alternative to conventional medical care for persistent back pain.”

In a true test of its value, massage has even been shown to ease the chronic pain and other miseries suffered by cancer patients. A study of more than 1,200 patients at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center published in the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management found that massage reduces symptoms such as anxiety, nausea, and pain by about 50 percent.

Is massage safe?

Massage is very safe, especially when performed by an experienced, licensed professional. It’s not entirely risk-free, however. A study published in the journal Rheumatology found 16 separate cases where massage caused serious injuries, including nerve damage and, in one instance, a bruised liver. The study concluded that such complications are “true rarities” that are most likely to occur at the hands of laypeople, or the use of more forceful techniques such as shiatsu.

According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, massage can be hazardous for anyone with deep vein thrombosis, burns, skin infections, eczema, open wounds, broken bones, or advanced osteoporosis. Cancer patients should consult with their oncologists about the safety of massage therapy as there may be a greater risk of certain adverse effects, such as internal hemorrhage or the dislodging of blood clots. They can also ask for a referral to a massage therapist who has a certification in oncology massage, and works in conjunction with a medical school or cancer treatment program.

And although massage has been found useful for relieving the aches and stiffness that show up during pregnancy, some experts recommend waiting until the second trimester to receive prenatal massage. Also, check with your doctor or midwife before undergoing massage or any other new procedure. If he or she signs off on prenatal massage, look for a certified massage therapist who has an additional certification in prenatal massage.

Finally, the University of Washington Department of Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine warns against massaging joints that are swollen or extremely painful. The university offers this advice: If massage causes pain, stop.

If you feel pain during a therapy session, tell your massage therapist immediately. You’re the expert on whether the treatment is helping or worsening your pain.

How do I find a massage therapist?

Get a recommendation from people you trust most, including friends, family, coworkers, or your doctor’s office. The American Massage Therapy Association and the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork also have handy locators on their Web sites for therapists in your area.

Once you do find a therapist, you can include the following questions:

Are you licensed to practice massage?

Are you a member of the American Massage Therapy Association?

Where did you receive your massage therapy training?

Are you Nationally Certified in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork? (Certification involves 500 hours of training and a written exam.)

Not all states, however, require professional massage therapists to get a license.

Which type of massage works best?

There’s no clear evidence that one form of massage works better than any other. A 2006 review of back pain studies found that acupressure or pressure point massage may be slightly more effective than the classic “Swedish” method of rubbing and kneading.

The most important thing to consider when choosing a massage technique is the quality of the therapist. Not only are experienced practitioners safer, they’re also more effective. The 2006 study of back pain found that the “greatest benefit came from trained massage therapists who had many years of experience.”

There’s only one amateur that should have your complete trust: yourself. As reported by the University of Washington, you can give yourself an effective massage. Just put a little oil or lotion on your hands and glide them over the sore spots. You’ll be in the perfect position to know what helps and what hurts.

Further Resources

National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) 1901 S. Meyers Rd., Ste. 240. Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181-5243 800-296-0664 http://www.ncbtmb.org/

American Massage Therapy Association 877-905-2700 http://www.amtamassage.org/consumers.html

References

Corbin L. Safety and efficacy of massage therapy for patients with cancer. Cancer Control. July 2005. 12(3): 158-164.

Ernst E. The safety of massage therapy. Rheumatology. 2003. 42: 1101-1106.

National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Manipulative and body-based practices: An overview. December 2004.

University of Washington Department of Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine. Managing arthritis pain: Other pain management techniques. January 2005. http://www.orthop.washington.edu/uw/livingwith/tabID__3376/ItemID__96/PageID__136/Articles/Default.aspx

Furlan AD et al. Massage for low-back pain. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2006. http://www.cochrane.org/reviews/en/ab001929.html

Cherkin DC et al. Randomized trial comparing traditional Chinese medical acupuncture, therapeutic massage and self-care education for chronic low back pain. Archives of Internal Medicine. April 23, 2001. 161(8): 1081-1088.

Cassilbeth BR and AJ Vickers. Massage therapy for symptom control: outcome study at a major cancer center. Journal of Pain and Symptoms Management. September 2004. 28(3): 244-249.

Waring B. A cuddle a day keeps the doctor away. NIH Record. February 24, 2006. http://www.nih.gov/nihrecord/02_24_2006/story03.htm

American Massage Therapy Association. Massage therapy: facts for physicians. http://www.amtamassage.org/pdf/FactsForPhysicians.pdf

American Massage Therapy Association. What every consumer needs to know before visiting a massage therapist. http://www.amtamassage.org/news/beforevisit.html

National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork. Applicant’s corner. http://www.ncbtmb.com/applicants_corner.htm#application

American Massage Therapy Association. 2008 Massage Therapy Industry Fact Sheet. http://www.amtamassage.org/pdf/2008IndustryFactSheet.pdf

American Massage Therapy Association. 2009 Massage Therapy Industry Fact Sheet. http://www.amtamassage.org/news/MTIndustryFactSheet.html

Last Updated: Jan 20, 2016

Holistic Medicine Health Library Copyright ©2016 LimeHealth. All Rights Reserved.

Online Source: https://consumer.healthday.com/encyclopedia/holistic-medicine-25/mis-alternative-medicine-news-19/massage-for-pain-relief-645793.html

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Benefits of Massage Therapy on Multiple Sclerosis

brett November 17, 2016 Massage Therapy 0

By Lia Stannard

Overview

Patients with multiple sclerosis have problems with their immune systems attacking their nerves, resulting in nerve damage. MedlinePlus explains that multiple sclerosis affects the brain and spinal cord, causing pain, movement problems and other symptoms. While the treatment for multiple sclerosis often involves medication to control symptoms, some patients may opt to include massage therapy as part of their treatment program.

Pain Reduction

Many multiple sclerosis patients experience pain when the disorder affects their sensory nerves. MedlinePlus notes that patients can have facial pain or a burning sensation in their limbs. The pain from multiple sclerosis may impact other functions. For example, if a multiple sclerosis patient has pain in her legs, she may have difficulty walking. Massage therapy can help reduce this pain. When performing the massage, the masseuse puts pressure on the areas where the pain occurs. The United States Department of Veterans Affairs suggests that multiple sclerosis patients consider massage therapy and other physical treatments, like physical therapy, when they start experiencing pain.

Increased Flexibility

Patients with multiple sclerosis can have problems with movement. MedlinePlus notes that patients can have many muscle problems, such as muscle spams, problems walking and loss of balance and coordination. Multiple sclerosis patients may have problems moving their arms and doing fine motor movements, such as picking up small objects with their hands. Weakness and tremors can also occur in patients’ arms and legs. The University of Maryland Medical Center explains that massage therapy can help patients with these muscle problems. For example, massaging the legs can help reduce spasticity, in which the muscles contract and become tight. In addition, massage therapy helps with flexibility, which improves patients’ mobility.

Stress Reduction

As part of the multiple sclerosis treatment, patients need to keep their stress levels low. MedlinePlus explains that with multiple sclerosis, stress can worsen the symptoms or trigger them. For example, if a patient has a remission, in which he does not currently have symptoms, but becomes very stressed, his multiple sclerosis symptoms can start up again. Massage therapy can reduce the amount of stress multiple sclerosis patients have, and can help keep them calm. Besides the physical calming of a massage, the environment during a massage session can reduce stress. For example, if a massage therapy session uses calming music, the patient may feel more relaxed. The University of Maryland Medical Center adds that massage therapy improves patients’ well-being.

Online Source: http://www.livestrong.com/article/138420-benefits-massage-therapy-multiple-sclerosis/

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10 Reasons Why You Can’t Afford to Not Get Massages

brett November 10, 2016 Massage Therapy 0

When you think of massage, odds are you think of an hour of relaxation – a little “me” time. Massage certainly offers a great way to escape from the stresses of our everyday lives, but more and more studies are showing that regular massage gives you so much more: a range of emotional and physical benefits. Here are the top 10 reasons to incorporate more massage in your life.

  1. Massage reduces stress – A single massage can lower your heart rate, cortisol and insulin levels, all of which are tied to how stressed you feel.
  2. Massage helps you relax – Long after your massage is over, you will still benefit from a host of brain chemistry responses that encourage feelings of relaxation, lowered stress and improved mood.
  3. Massage improves posture – Massage helps your body to reinforce healthy and natural movements, which will help correct any posture problems you may have.
  4. Massage improves circulation – The pressure from massage moves oxygen-rich blood through the body to damaged, tense muscles so they can heal, while removing lactic acid and other metabolic waste.
  5. Massage lowers blood pressure – Studies have shown that massage can lower both diastolic and systolic blood pressure.
  6. Massage relaxes muscles – Sitting causes a lot of chronic back pain and massage can help with persistent pain by relaxing those tense muscles.
  7. Massage improves flexibility – Sedentary lifestyles and age can make joints less flexible. Massage helps improve fluidity and range of motion in your joints and connective tissues.
  8. Massage helps you breathe better – Massage can relax muscles in the upper body, which, if they become too tight, can constrict breathing.
  9. Massage relieves headaches – Regular massage reduces your chance of developing a headache in the first place by relaxing muscle spasms and trigger points. Already have a headache? It can decrease the pain.
  10. Massage strengthens the immune system – Studies have shown that regular massage can improve your body’s overall immune functioning.

 

With all of these benefits, it’s no wonder today’s consumer is beginning to see massage as an integral part of their well-being journey. As we all re-examine our wellness choices, massage therapy is shedding the stereotype of being an occasional indulgence. Instead, it’s become a highly integral body maintenance experience that offers any number of health benefits when consistently incorporated with other total body care actions.

Online Source: https://www.news-journal.com/news/2016/oct/18/10-reasons-why-you-cant-afford-not-get-massages/

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Relieve TMJ Pain with Massage

brett November 3, 2016 Massage Therapy 0

The jaw or temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a major target for an array of joint disorders. Disorders of the jaw are typically referred to by the same name, TMJ. The temporomandibular joint connects the mandible to the skull’s temporal bone and contributes to the acts of biting, chewing, swallowing, speaking and making facial expressions. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) states over 10 million people in the United States suffer from TMJ problems.

Symptoms

Pain is the most common TMJ symptom. The pain is often described as a transient, dull ache in the jaw joint and nearby areas, including the ear. Instead of pain, some sufferers only have problems in the use of their jaws. Additional symptoms of TMJ can include:

  • Inability to open the mouth comfortably
  • Clicking, popping or grating sounds in the jaw joint
  • Locking of the jaw when attempting to open the mouth
  • Headaches
  • A bite that feels uncomfortable or “off”
  • Neck, shoulder and back pain
  • Swelling on the side of the face
  • Tinnitus or ear pain
  • Dizziness

TMJ symptoms often improve without treatment in a matter of weeks to months. However, some individuals experience an increase in symptom severity, and may develop long-term chronic jaw pain.

Cause

TMJ can be caused by a number of factors, including:

  • Local injury
  • Dental work/oral surgery
  • Whiplash
  • Arthritis
  • Widespread joint pain from another condition
  • Sinus or ear infections
  • Headaches
  • Bruxism (teeth grinding and clenching)
  • Stress

Although teeth grinding and stress are not the leading causes of TMJ, difficulty relaxing may be a common cause many sufferers are unaware of. Holding the body tout, including the jaw, is a common response to stress. Whether metaphorical for “keeping one’s mouth shut”, a result of the incredible strength and control we have over the mandible, or due to another reason, emotional tension can easily be reflected in the temporomandibular joint.

Treatment

Many types of healthcare professionals can be involved in TMJ treatment. This spectrum includes, but is not limited to, physicians, pain specialists, chiropractors, physical therapists, acupuncturists, dentists and bodyworkers. In certain cases, a splint or mouth guard is crafted specifically for the individual to prevent the TMJ from slipping out of place. Reconstructive jaw surgery is rarely employed for TMJ and is typically the very last resort. Some self-help suggestions to offer clients suffering with a painful jaw include:

  • Maintain good posture while working at a computer, watching TV and reading. Pause frequently to change position, rest hands and arms, and relieve stressed muscles.
  • Make a habit of relaxing the facial and jaw muscles throughout the day.
  • Avoid chewing gum and eating hard foods.
  • Apply moist heat to increase the circulation around tense jaw muscles.
  • Use relaxation techniques to reduce overall stress and muscle tension in the entire body.

Bodywork is an ideal modality to relieve the pain of TMJ. According to medical massage proponent Boris Prilutsky, “Massage therapy should be focused toward the reduction of tension in the masticatory muscles, releasing tension in fascia, and elimination of trigger points. Post-isometric relaxation is an extremely important tool for the restoration of the range of motion.”

Training in the following five modalities is particularly valuable when treating jaw pain:

  1. Neuromuscular Therapy – The application of ischemic pressure to trigger points in the jaw muscles (temporalis, masseter, lateral pterygoid, and medial pterygoid) can help relieve their spasms.
  2. Cranial-Sacral Therapy – In addition to activating the classic stillpoint, adjustments to the mastoid, temporal, zygomatic and sphenoid bones can provide enormous TMJ relief.
  3. Post-Isometric Relaxation – Using isometric contraction to actively stretch tensed muscle fibers, adding minimal resistance for a further stretch, followed by relaxation allows for enhanced relief of the targeted muscle. This technique can restore the range of motion that typically regresses with TMJ disorders.
  4. Acupressure – Massaging the meridians, both distally and locally, that wind around the jaw can bring increased circulation and thus relief to TMJ. The primary meridians to the jaw are Gallbladder, Stomach, Large Intestine and Triple Warmer.
  5. Swedish Massage – The relaxation that results from a full-body Swedish massage should not be underestimated. Since stress is a major contributor to TMJ disorders, initiation of the relaxation response can have a significant impact in reducing tension held in the jaw.

For bodyworkers, TMJ is no mystery. Many clients present jaw pain as their primary complaint, or as a secondary nuisance. Approaching TMJ pain by utilizing techniques from the described five modalities provides an inclusive, holistic and effective treatment.

Recommended Study:

Neuromuscular Therapy, Cranial-Sacral Therapy, Swedish Massage

References:

Lewit, K, DG Simons DG., Myofascial pain: relief by post-isometric relaxation, Arch Phys Med Rehabil., 1984 Aug;65(8):452-6.

Prilutsky, Boris, Medical Massage for Jaw-Joint (TMJ) Disorders, Massage Today, 12/04.

www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus, TMJ Disorders, A.S.A.M., Inc, 2005.

www.tmj.org, Basics, TMJ Association, Ltd., 10/31/05.

Nicole Cutler L.Ac. – May 31st, 2006

Online Source: http://www.integrativehealthcare.org/mt/archives/2006/05/relieving_tmj_p.html

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15 Things You Need To Know Before Having A Massage

brett October 27, 2016 Massage Therapy 0

Nothing beats a professional massage. It can soothe your body, mind and spirit by improving immunity, circulation and anxiety. You’ll even sleep better. But before you head off for your massage, there are some things you need to know. Avoid awkward moments, wasted cash and potential pain with these 15 tips.

1. Be early, please…

Your massage therapist wants to work on you for your entire scheduled appointment. If you arrive 10 minutes early, this allows time for consultation and time for you to undress and get on the table by your scheduled start time. By choosing to arrive when your appointment is scheduled to start, puts us behind by 5-10 minutes and your time may be cut short to accommodate the next client. Remember, there is another client after you that deserves their full time as well. If you’re late, this causes a cascade effect which is not fair to your Therapist or the rest of the day’s clients.

2. It’s okay to get naked, but…

Wait until the Therapist leaves the room before taking off any clothing. As a trained professional I will always provide you with proper draping and only uncover the area I am working on. It is your choice to undress to the point where you feel comfortable and remember, you will be covered with sheets where needed.

That said, even if you are comfortable with nudity, that doesn’t mean your massage therapist wants to see everything. Remember that they are trained to properly drape your body to avoid being too close and personal. They may be comfortable with the sides of your glutes, but that doesn’t mean they want to see you fully exposed.

If you are going to receive stretching as a part of your massage, you may want to keep your underwear on for comfort.

3. It’s okay to ask for more or less pressure

Your massage therapist is happy to oblige your request for more or less pressure. They won’t take offense. In fact, they want you to tell them what you like and what you don’t like during the session. Having open communication with your Therapist during your session will help to achieve the best possible experience.

4. No perfume or aftershave

While your perfume or aftershave may smell wonderful to you, it may be a bit overwhelming to your massage therapist. Since he or she will be working closely for about an hour or longer, strong odors could be offensive. In addition, the client after you may be sensitive to strong odors.

5. No, it’s not supposed to hurt

Some pain is necessary, right? Well, not really. While there may be slight discomfort during a stretch or when a tight muscle is worked on, it should not overtake the experience. If too much force is put on a muscle, the muscle tightens up more. The result is even more pain, possibly bruising and muscle damage. That’s why it is imperative to let your therapist know if something hurts or you need less pressure.

6. Let them know what ails you

If you have a health concern or condition, let your therapist know. if you’ve had a change in your medical condition since your last massage, let your therapist know that too. Telling them halfway through a deep-tissue massage that you bruise easily because you are on blood thinners may be too late. Remember this applies to topical medication too. Whatever you put on your skin, your Therapist is also absorbing.

7. You don’t have to talk

The objective is to relax. That’s why you’re there. So don’t feel that you have to make conversation with your therapist. But, on the other hand, if you need to speak — do so. If you want to speak because that makes you feel more comfortable, then that’s okay too.

8. Remember to breathe

Sometimes, without realizing it, we tend to hold our breath. But during a massage, particularly when the therapist is working out a knot, it’s crucial to breathe. In fact, it’s important to breathe fully and deeply. It’s especially important to oxygenate the blood supply to aid tense muscles. Deep and slow breathing has even been reported as a complementary approach in the treatment of chronic pain.

9. Drink lots of water after your appointment

It’s particularly important to hydrate after your session. Like a workout, muscles become dehydrated after a massage. You have to replenish all that lost water by drinking more. Then there’s metabolic waste, which is produced by muscles. When your muscles are tight or you have a knot, it constricts circulation in those areas. That inhibits the body’s ability to flush out waste. Drinking water post-massage allows the kidneys to effectively eliminate the new waste.

10. Have a warm pre-massage shower

For the best massage, have a warm shower first. Relaxing in a long shower loosens the muscles and will help relieve tension during the massage. In addition, feeling clean will mean fewer body insecurities. Plus, the therapist will appreciate your cleanliness — for obvious reasons.

11. Workout before your massage, not after

Massage or workout, which comes first?  It is best to wait about 24 hours before or after working out. Worked-out and exercised muscles will be tired and benefit the most from a massage. Working out immediately after a massage is not a great idea since you’re likely to stress and strain the muscles that were just relaxed. Plus, you’ll run the risk of being too tired and injure yourself.  Allow your body to heal anytime you have been engaged in strenuous activity.

12. Time your massage appropriately

You should consider the best time for your schedule before booking an appointment. Some people feel invigorated after receiving a massage and prefer to make this the start of their day. Others use massage as a way to eliminate day-to-day stress, preferring to book at the end of a long day. You know your body better than a therapist, so trust your instincts.

13. Know that bodily functions may happen

While massages are sure to relax you, they can also improve digestion. That means an occasional stomach grumble or even flatulence. But don’t be embarrassed  — it happens to the best of us. In fact, it’s completely normal and happens a lot during massages. For you and your Therapist’s comfort, avoid having a full stomach and foods that cause stomach distress before your appointment. You may also want to use the restroom before your session.

Sneezing, coughing and needing to blow your nose is normal. Don’t be offended when your Therapist offers you Hand Sanitizer. This is to avoid spreading germs between you, your Therapist and the next client. It’s just a good sanitary practice.

14. Makeup…

Please remove all makeup, including but not limited to mascara, foundation and lipstick. These can smear on your face and stain the face cradle.  Some Therapists may choose to charge extra for the cost of having to replace linen for stains that don’t come out in the wash.

15. Caffeine

Limit your caffeine intake on the day of your massage. Caffeine can dehydrate you preventing your muscles from receiving the full benefit of massage. Drinking caffeine after your massage may cause your muscles to tense, undoing the relaxation you just received.

 

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Massage Therapy for a Better Night’s Sleep

brett October 20, 2016 Massage Therapy 0

By Kray Kibler, CFO, Massage Warehouse

May 23, 2014

Adequate sleep is necessary for healthy functioning, and quality sleep is vital to health and wellness. But an estimated 50 to 70 million Americans experience sleep issues that affect their health,1 often leading to low work performance, slowed reaction time, obesity, higher risk of long-term disease, and substance abuse.2

Chronic insomnia causes extreme fatigue and problems with concentration, and can adversely affect a person’s mood and well-being. For healthcare professionals, helping patients overcome insomnia is critical for fostering overall health and wellness.3 According to Ralph Pascualy, MD, medical director of the Swedish Sleep Medicine Institute (SSMI) in Seattle, both the quantity and quality of an individual’s sleep directly affect their health.4

Nutrition and exercise are often recommended as the foundation of good health, but research shows that quality sleep should also be part of any holistic treatment. Those who sleep less than 8 hours per night are experiencing “sleep debt,” which cannot be reversed by sleeping more on the weekend.4

According to the Mayo Clinic, studies have found massage to be beneficial for insomnia-related stress, as well as2:

  • Anxiety
  • Digestive disorders
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Headaches
  • Myofascial pain syndrome
  • Paresthesias and nerve pain
  • Soft tissue strains or injuries
  • Sports injuries
  • Temporomandibular joint pain

Benefits of Massage Therapy

The National Institutes of Health has advised that massage therapy can reduce fatigue and improve sleep5 and, based on research gathered by the American Massage Therapy Association, massage has been shown to improve sleep in infants, children, adults, and the elderly alike, as well as individuals with psychiatric disorders, fibromyalgia, cancer, heart disease, lower back pain, cerebral palsy, and breast disease.1

Anne Williams, director of education, Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals, and author of Spa Bodywork and Teaching Massage, says, “Massage helps people spend more time in deep sleep, the restorative stage in which the body barely moves, which reduces the neurotransmitter associated with pain.”

There are many different types of massage, including these common types2:

  • Swedish massage—This is a gentle form of massage that uses long strokes, kneading, deep circular movements, vibration, and tapping to help relax and energize.
  • Deep massage—This massage technique uses slower, more-forceful strokes to target the deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue, commonly to help with muscle damage from injuries.
  • Sports massage—This is similar to Swedish massage, but it’s geared toward people involved in sport activities to help prevent or treat injuries.
  • Trigger point massage—This massage focuses on areas of tight muscle fibers that can form in muscles after injuries or overuse.

The chemistry of sleep is relevant in relation to massage because it directly influences the body’s production of serotonin, which is essential for the production of melatonin. A study on back pain, published in the International Journal of Neuroscience, demonstrated that in addition to a decrease in long-term pain, subjects receiving massage experienced improved sleep and an increase in serotonin levels.3 Results were based on twice-weekly, 30-minute massages for 5 weeks, using these techniques:

  • Kneading and pressing the back muscles
  • Massaging both sides of the spine and hips
  • Gliding rubs to the legs
  • Kneading and pressing the thighs

In the supine position, participants received:

  • Gliding strokes to the neck and abdomen
  • Kneading of the rectus and oblique muscles that help bend the trunk of the body forward
  • Rubbing of the legs
  • Kneading of the anterior thighs
  • Flexing of the thighs and knees
  • Gentle pulling on both legs

In addition to other assessments, a sleep scale to measure quality of sleep and urine samples to measure levels of serotonin were used in the study.

Conclusion

Massage is a smart, healthy, and drug-free option that has helped many people overcome insomnia. Because melatonin influences the sleep stage of an individual’s circadian rhythm, a natural way of boosting serotonin is a positive sleep-inducing option. This connection calls for further research showing the direct effects massage therapy has on serotonin and sleep. In the meantime, the existing evidence is enough to recommend regular massages for sleepless patients.3

A growing number of healthcare professionals recognize the benefits of taking a multidisciplinary approach to patients in order to better identify the source of illness4—rather than simply treating the symptoms. At the same time, sleeping pills and pain killers should take a back seat to complementary and alternative forms of medicine, including massage therapy, for treating the whole person and improving outcomes.

Online Source: http://www.sleepreviewmag.com/2014/05/massage-therapy-sleep/

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Massage Therapy and Parkinson’s Disease

brett October 13, 2016 Massage Therapy 0

By Susan Santi
Susan Santi is a certified massage therapist and owner of Ahhh Massage in Virginia, MN.
HTF Columnist

I have a client whose spouse has Parkinson’s and they passed along some information to me about the benefits of massage for those with Parkinson’s.

Parkinson’s disease can be debilitating, causing muscle rigidity, muscle cramps and inflexibility with body movement. Massage is known to help combat Parkinson symptoms, helping to bring improved flexibility and mobility to the body. It can bring much needed relief both mentally and physically to the body affected with this horrible disease.

According to Nicole Cutler, L. Ac., “Parkinsonism (Parkinson’s disease), results in a degeneration of dopamine producing nerve cells in the brain. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that stimulates motor neurons, the nerve cells that control muscles. When dopamine production is depleted, the motor system nerves are unable to control movement and coordination. People with Parkinson’s disease have lost 80% or more of their dopamine producing cells by the time symptoms appear. While symptoms may appear at any age, the average of onset is 60 years old.”

An article written by Dietrich Miesler explains how Parkinson’s affects the body. “The stresses put on the body of the person with Parkinson’s disease are similar to stresses endured as the result of sporting activities. The big difference, however, is that exhausting sporting events are typically followed by long periods of rest and relaxation, whereas the musculature of the Parkinson’s individual never has any rest period, suffering structural changes (stiffness and rigidity), which make it palpably different. Geriatric massage, with its manifold effects on the body, is the perfect medium to keep muscles soft and pliable. In five minutes, the long strokes of Swedish massage carry 10 times the amount of blood to the massaged muscle as arrives naturally during a 15-minute rest.”

A side note: Geriatric massage is designed to address the needs of the elderly, with a light and gentle application of the massage strokes/ techniques, helping the elderly to relieve stress level, achieve relaxation and basically improve the quality of their lives.

As time goes on and more studies are done, they all point to the validity of massage and how much it can help someone with Parkinson’s. Massage makes for a great escape from the stresses of having rigid, inflexible muscles by lowering the stress hormones cortisone and raising the serotonin and dopamine.

Do you or someone you know suffer from this awful disease? Maybe massage can be considered as an alternative to their therapy program.

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What are the benefits of a Paraffin Hand Dip?

brett October 6, 2016 Massage Therapy 0

Paraffin Hand Dips

The therapeutic and aesthetic values of paraffin can be traced to ancient civilizations. The Romans poured hot oil and waxes on the body as a heat-inducing prelude to massage.

The French brushed melted paraffin on wounds, while the British established paraffin as a modality for orthopedic disorders in the military hospitals of WWI. Today, the medical community, rehabilitation specialists, massage therapists and the spa industry embrace paraffin for its therapeutic qualities.

What are the benefits of a Paraffin Hand Dip?

Once a client has experienced a paraffin hand or foot treatment, they often comment, “This would be great on my face and entire body.” The process conditions your skin, cuticles and nails leaving your hands feeling great.

Also, doctors have long known that carefully applied heat is a great way to reduce muscle pain and speed healing. As heat is applied to the body, the blood vessels expand, allowing more blood to flow to the affected area and speed the healing process.

Paraffin therapy reduces pain and stiffness around joints by removing excess fluid from surrounding tissue while providing lubrication. Paraffin is especially beneficial in the treatment of arthritis, bursitis, tendentious, tennis elbow, overworked and fatigued muscle, scar tissue which restricts range of motion in joints and tendons, as well as being extremely beneficial for many types of sports injuries and medical conditions such as fibromyalgia.

Paraffin not only effectively heats the tissues and muscles to provide pain relief, it also leaves the skin hydrated, soft, supple and invitingly ready for massage. Paraffin can also provide relief from eczema, psoriasis and dehydrated skin. The medical community has acknowledged the benefits of paraffin in aiding the healing process mentally and physically. Now the massage industry is making paraffin its top service (in terms of industry growth) because of paraffin’s unsurpassed ability to help rejuvenate, hydrate, heal and increase circulation.

We offer treatments on the hands, feet, full body, or spot therapy treatments on specific body parts.

How do you do a Paraffin Hand Dip?

The area of concern will be thoroughly cleansed, then given a gentle massage along with the use of aromatherapy oils or lotion that releases tension. At this time the warm paraffin bath with added natural oils and nourishment is dipped, painted or poured over the area. This helps to seal the moisture and heat in the skin. Warm mittens are used for the hands or feet and are applied for 5-15 minutes to further increase the benefits. The paraffin easily slides off leaving you with moisture-rich soft skin and soothed muscles or joints.