What do you think of when someone says to you "go get a massage"? Do you think of an island retreat with someone rubbing your back with delicious smelling oils melting stress away? Or do you think of the spartan massage table you hop on right after a big grime-filled race to work on your plantar fasciaitis? Perhaps your mind is on being in a clinical setting with your therapist stretching out muscles to balance your hips and improve your posture? Well surprise!! All of these are massages.
With so much misleading media, many people think that the first vision is the only valid kind of massage. How wrong they are! The massage profession has made many positive advancements over the years being recognized by the medical community and the public as a beneficial addition to a person's health habits, and as a respected form of healing. But how can you choose the right kind of massage for you?
Massage is, unlike most medical treatments, offered in a variety of settings like a clinical doctor's office, a field outdoors next to an athletic event, a spare room in a person's home, or even a lavish spa.
Thankfully the kind of massage you get has a lot of bearing on where you are getting the massage. Each of these places represent a generalization of the main focus in common types of massage.
Doctor's office - clinical and medical massage for injuries, surgeries, medical conditions, muscular & joint correction
Athletic environment - sports massage for maintenance, injuries, and soreness
Spare room/retail massage - general relaxation, circulation, sports maintenance, energy work, some varying spa treatments
Lavish spa/beauty shop - routine based Swedish massage (occasional routine deep tissue labeled massage), wraps, scrubs, hot towel, hot stone, basic aromatherapy (blends or small selection of individual oils)
Massage therapists gravitate to a place that offers the type of massage that they specialize in and feel most strongly about. These fields do overlap some and you may on occasion find a sports therapist working in a spa but most likely you will find them, if they overlap, in a doctor's office.
You wouldn't expect your manicurist to fix a broken finger or treat arthritis or carpel tunnel syndrome, and by that same token, you can't expect the massage therapist in the spa to rehab an injury or correct a joint disfunction. Spas specialize in feel-good relaxation in all their services.
Spas offering massage have strict guidelines as to how the massage will be performed so that all customers have the same experience and each time a patron returns, they get the same quality of massage no matter who the therapist is. These rules apply also to 'deep tissue' labeled massage, thus making it not a true form of deep tissue massage.
Spare room and retail massage establishments offer general forms of massage, but have more freedom to customize. They run a middle ground, primarily focusing on relaxation and feel-good techniques, but will occasionally offer snippets of advanced techniques mixed in with general massage. Random routines are designed by the individual therapist primarily based on what the therapist would like in a massage on themselves. Many customers will find a particular therapist that they are fond of and will go to them on a regular basis. Deep tissue massage in these environments also follow a random routine designed by the individual therapist which also makes it not a true form of deep tissue massage.
Sports massage is focused on the athlete and their sport of choice. Maintenance is done with general massage while injury work is done with advanced forms of massage. Runners generally don't usually receive lots of work on their hands, and swimmers don't receive lots of work on their feet. True advanced forms of massage are specialized to the individual, not the therapist. Deep tissue, done on an injured joint or limb, is mostly true deep tissue massage in sports massage. Sports massage maintenance can be relaxing, but it's primary goal is circulation to reduce soreness and promote muscle growth and healing.
Doctor's office environments or clinics focus on health maintenance, improving injury healing, and working medical conditions. They primarily use advanced massage techniques. The massage is tailored to the individual and their condition, and in holistic centers, how that condition relates to the entire structure.
This is not the place to request a feel-good, fluffy, couples massage or a mani- pedi- combo. Swedish and relaxation techniques may be employed here for calming, anxiety reduction, and stress relief, but they are not usually a large part in every massage. Deep tissue massage is done only where needed on the body to facilitate correction and speed healing for that individual. The whole body isn't worked in the same way as a spa or retail establishment. In western theory clinics, an individual with carpel tunnel syndrome in the right wrist will result in only the right arm being worked on. In eastern theory clinics the same individual will experience the right arm, spine and hips being worked on.
In conclusion, the world of massage therapy is much like a swiss-army knife tool. It helps many problems but you have to pick the right tool for the job. If you need a relaxation massage, spas and retail franchise massage places might be the best place to look for those. And likewise, if you need actual therapy for chronic pain or injuries, look to more clinical settings using advanced massage techniques to find the relief you need. Using the wrong tool for your problem will eventually lead to greater dissatisfaction or disability depending on your situation.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Friday, August 20, 2010
Intellegent Massage
Massage has many facets and aims. Often different techniques have vastly different aims. For example, Swedish is primarily for circulation but it also has a relaxing effect, Rolfing is for working on emotional energy trapped in muscle tissue but it also works structure to a lesser degree, and various forms of deep tissue are primarily used for muscular structure rebalancing with a pain relieving side effect.
Using any technique for other than its intended purpose can be more than ineffective, it can be extremely dangerous. Just as you shouldn't share prescription medications, not all forms of massage are safe to be used on everyone.
A massage therapist trained only in Swedish massage can not use the same philosophy to do a Deep Tissue, or Sports massage. Deep tissue is not meant to be used as a circulatory technique. In fact, using excess pressure over the majority of the body will increase muscular imbalance which will increase pain and increase the risk of injury. Trigger point therapy when used without regard to the client's activities and structure will perpetuate any issues.
Correctly used deep tissue techniques will always result in improved posture, muscular balance, and range of movement. Regular treatments will steadily return the body back to good posture. With outside maintenance and awareness, the recovery of good posture is excelerated.
Using any technique for other than its intended purpose can be more than ineffective, it can be extremely dangerous. Just as you shouldn't share prescription medications, not all forms of massage are safe to be used on everyone.
A massage therapist trained only in Swedish massage can not use the same philosophy to do a Deep Tissue, or Sports massage. Deep tissue is not meant to be used as a circulatory technique. In fact, using excess pressure over the majority of the body will increase muscular imbalance which will increase pain and increase the risk of injury. Trigger point therapy when used without regard to the client's activities and structure will perpetuate any issues.
Correctly used deep tissue techniques will always result in improved posture, muscular balance, and range of movement. Regular treatments will steadily return the body back to good posture. With outside maintenance and awareness, the recovery of good posture is excelerated.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
A Strong Opinion Stretched Thin (part one)
Stretching is more than just a chore taught in elementary school and middle school. Stretching is good muscle maintenance, but the majority of people in western and modern cultures don't know how to stretch or what to stretch.
Stretching is vital to maintain strength, joint health, and mental health.
Strength
Activities that are repetitious in short motions will shorten muscle fibers. Activities that are common in everyday life include working in a seated position, for women carrying a purse on the forearm or hand resting on a purse carried over the shoulder, weight lifting with either free weights or most machines, driving, sitting, and many more. When a muscle is shortened it appears to be weaker than a muscle that is not shortened. For example, if you bend your arm at the elbow and bring your hand to your shoulder then try to lift a heavy object towards your shoulder, it will feel weaker than if you begin with your arm unbent. Bulky muscle, while impressive, is usually more cumbersome and less effective than lean muscle. Often body builders lose function and flexibility and this can cause pain in both the short term and long term. Body builders are often see with their arms hanging away from their sides because the muscles in their shoulders is shortened across the top of the shoulders lifting the arms outward. The same condition is seen when overweight people sit and use arm rests while working on computers, and they too cannot put their arms close into their torso without discomfort.
Joint Health
Our bodies continuously heal and regenerate. When we sustain continuous damage, or excessive damage, we can not heal quickly enough to keep up, and loss of cartilage, wear on bones, and inflammation occur. When we move, the muscles on both sides of the joint engage and bring the bones together so that the friction is increased, and we can bend at the joint with a smooth controlled motion. If the muscles do not relax in between movements or when at rest, the friction does not decrease enough to allow healing, or will cause damage in amounts that our bodies can not keep up with.
Mental Health
Happiness is as much a body movement and posture as it is an emotion. Many studies over several decades have shown that bouncing and hopping improve mood and bring a feeling of happiness. It is nearly impossible to cry while bouncing, and is often employed when carrying babies.
Stretching is vital to maintain strength, joint health, and mental health.
Strength
Activities that are repetitious in short motions will shorten muscle fibers. Activities that are common in everyday life include working in a seated position, for women carrying a purse on the forearm or hand resting on a purse carried over the shoulder, weight lifting with either free weights or most machines, driving, sitting, and many more. When a muscle is shortened it appears to be weaker than a muscle that is not shortened. For example, if you bend your arm at the elbow and bring your hand to your shoulder then try to lift a heavy object towards your shoulder, it will feel weaker than if you begin with your arm unbent. Bulky muscle, while impressive, is usually more cumbersome and less effective than lean muscle. Often body builders lose function and flexibility and this can cause pain in both the short term and long term. Body builders are often see with their arms hanging away from their sides because the muscles in their shoulders is shortened across the top of the shoulders lifting the arms outward. The same condition is seen when overweight people sit and use arm rests while working on computers, and they too cannot put their arms close into their torso without discomfort.
Joint Health
Our bodies continuously heal and regenerate. When we sustain continuous damage, or excessive damage, we can not heal quickly enough to keep up, and loss of cartilage, wear on bones, and inflammation occur. When we move, the muscles on both sides of the joint engage and bring the bones together so that the friction is increased, and we can bend at the joint with a smooth controlled motion. If the muscles do not relax in between movements or when at rest, the friction does not decrease enough to allow healing, or will cause damage in amounts that our bodies can not keep up with.
Mental Health
Happiness is as much a body movement and posture as it is an emotion. Many studies over several decades have shown that bouncing and hopping improve mood and bring a feeling of happiness. It is nearly impossible to cry while bouncing, and is often employed when carrying babies.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Swedish Massage Equals Circulation and Motion
The most well known type of western massage is Swedish Massage. This is a staple of all massage therapy schools and one of the first techniques taught. It is a wonderful, relaxing therapy with many benefits.
Swedish Massage involves long broad strokes with medium pressure, kneading strokes, gentle shaking/jostling of tissues and limbs, and joint movements called Range-of-Motion. The pressure of the technique is light to medium firm.
Caution: Excessive pressure can cause damage to tissues or overwhelm the heart by increasing blood pressure. There is no "Deep-Swedish Massage" technique. "Deep-pressure" techniques are always used in motions opposite to Swedish Massage and away from the heart (example starting at the shoulder and ending at the elbow or wrist).
The long strokes promote circulation throughout the body by gently pushing blood back towards the heart. The increase of circulation carries nutrients and much needed oxygen to all cells within the body while returning the blood back to the organs from the limbs to remove cell waste and carbon dioxide.
The kneading strokes pump blood through the muscle tissues which can free up stagnant fluids that may be contained or trapped within the muscles. The squish and release of the muscles mimics the use of the muscles as they squish and release arteries and veins and pushes blood through the arteries and veins. The arteries and veins contain one way valves to help move the blood in one continuous loop through the body and keep the blood from flowing backwards.
Shaking and jostling relax the muscle tissues by over stimulating sensory cells within the muscles, and Range-of-Motion relax the joints and allow the synovial fluid that surrounds each joint to flow between the cartilage that covers the bones. This synovial fluid carries both nutrients and oxygen to the cells contained in each joint.
Increase of nutrients and oxygen to each cell in the body helps strengthen the immune system and repair injuries.
These techniques are safe for almost everyone with very few exceptions.
Pregnant women may receive Swedish Massage but should not lie on their stomach even and especially in the first trimester without special bolsters or pregnancy pillows that keep pressure off of the abdomen.
People with high or low blood pressure should be cautious and must inform the therapist prior to the session. People with blood clots should have the area with the blood clot avoided and all areas further from the heart from the blood clot avoided and must inform the therapist prior to the session.
People on Coumadin should not receive Swedish Massage.
Swedish Massage involves long broad strokes with medium pressure, kneading strokes, gentle shaking/jostling of tissues and limbs, and joint movements called Range-of-Motion. The pressure of the technique is light to medium firm.
Caution: Excessive pressure can cause damage to tissues or overwhelm the heart by increasing blood pressure. There is no "Deep-Swedish Massage" technique. "Deep-pressure" techniques are always used in motions opposite to Swedish Massage and away from the heart (example starting at the shoulder and ending at the elbow or wrist).
The long strokes promote circulation throughout the body by gently pushing blood back towards the heart. The increase of circulation carries nutrients and much needed oxygen to all cells within the body while returning the blood back to the organs from the limbs to remove cell waste and carbon dioxide.
The kneading strokes pump blood through the muscle tissues which can free up stagnant fluids that may be contained or trapped within the muscles. The squish and release of the muscles mimics the use of the muscles as they squish and release arteries and veins and pushes blood through the arteries and veins. The arteries and veins contain one way valves to help move the blood in one continuous loop through the body and keep the blood from flowing backwards.
Shaking and jostling relax the muscle tissues by over stimulating sensory cells within the muscles, and Range-of-Motion relax the joints and allow the synovial fluid that surrounds each joint to flow between the cartilage that covers the bones. This synovial fluid carries both nutrients and oxygen to the cells contained in each joint.
Increase of nutrients and oxygen to each cell in the body helps strengthen the immune system and repair injuries.
These techniques are safe for almost everyone with very few exceptions.
Pregnant women may receive Swedish Massage but should not lie on their stomach even and especially in the first trimester without special bolsters or pregnancy pillows that keep pressure off of the abdomen.
People with high or low blood pressure should be cautious and must inform the therapist prior to the session. People with blood clots should have the area with the blood clot avoided and all areas further from the heart from the blood clot avoided and must inform the therapist prior to the session.
People on Coumadin should not receive Swedish Massage.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Happy Holidays
The greatest gift I have ever received was to become pain-free.
By 2006 I had been in 2 car accidents, in the first one I was hit by a drunk driver and the second accident 10 years later I was hit by an oncoming car at 70mph driven by a 17yr old who was talking on a cell phone, and had two on the job injuries while working at a major computer company. I was in constant pain.
I was at the hotel testing location to take the state test for my massage therapy license when I met Michael Critz. Mike was offering free demonstrations in the exhibition hall where massage products, tools and other continuing education demonstrations were going on.
After watching a few demonstrations, I volunteered to be on the table next. It was a different experience, the stretching, some pulling, repositioning, resistive stretching, but nothing he did caused me any pain. I had been to a chiropractor, doctors, physical therapy, triggerpoint massage, deep tissue massage, swedish massage, and sent home with pain pills and muscle relaxers, but I had never had lasting relief from my pain.
When the 10 or 15 minute demonstration was over, I stood up and I didn't hurt. I could remember where the pain had been, but it wasn't sore or hurting anymore.
Its been 5 years almost to the day, and my original pain has never re-occured. I've had another accident (rearended while in stop & go traffic), and I rebalanced myself, did my homework stretching, and I still have no pain.
I'm thrilled to have learned Critz Technique and I offer it at my own business now. There's no reason for people to continue to hurt.
My greatest gift that I give is to help someone else become pain-free.
By 2006 I had been in 2 car accidents, in the first one I was hit by a drunk driver and the second accident 10 years later I was hit by an oncoming car at 70mph driven by a 17yr old who was talking on a cell phone, and had two on the job injuries while working at a major computer company. I was in constant pain.
I was at the hotel testing location to take the state test for my massage therapy license when I met Michael Critz. Mike was offering free demonstrations in the exhibition hall where massage products, tools and other continuing education demonstrations were going on.
After watching a few demonstrations, I volunteered to be on the table next. It was a different experience, the stretching, some pulling, repositioning, resistive stretching, but nothing he did caused me any pain. I had been to a chiropractor, doctors, physical therapy, triggerpoint massage, deep tissue massage, swedish massage, and sent home with pain pills and muscle relaxers, but I had never had lasting relief from my pain.
When the 10 or 15 minute demonstration was over, I stood up and I didn't hurt. I could remember where the pain had been, but it wasn't sore or hurting anymore.
Its been 5 years almost to the day, and my original pain has never re-occured. I've had another accident (rearended while in stop & go traffic), and I rebalanced myself, did my homework stretching, and I still have no pain.
I'm thrilled to have learned Critz Technique and I offer it at my own business now. There's no reason for people to continue to hurt.
My greatest gift that I give is to help someone else become pain-free.
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