Archive for the ‘Massage Therapy’ Category

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Continuing my Education

Monday, June 7th, 2010

There are many different styles of massage.  You could say that massage is unique to the massage therapist and while each massage therapist identifies with certain schools of thought regarding technique and intention, the variations and possibilities are endless.    There’s no one style that can be absolute best.

This weekend I had the opportunity to take a 27 training in a practice called, Mana Lomi with Barbara Heard.    You may have heard of Lomi Lomi, a Hawaiia modality that is often described as a dance of rhythmic waves along the body.   Mana Lomi was developed by Dr. Maka’ala Yates D.C. who studied with Auntie Margaret, one of the pioneers of teaching this ancient art to contemporary practitioners, and further developed this art form into a deep massage modality.

The Mana Lomi technique is based on Hawaiian concepts of working with the”mana” of the body, mind, and soul of the individual(that’s you).     This holistic approach is what I really identify with, and more importantly the aspect of body awareness.    In both my yoga teaching and my massage practice, I try to get clients in tune with themselves.  Whether its an awareness of breathing patterns, eating habits, or even thought processes, awareness is key to getting to the root of things and initiating healthy change.

I am so glad that I found this modality and cannot wait to share it with massage clients.    A typical session is about an hour and a half, using both massage and motion to achieve a truly deep massage experience.   The massage client is key to the process so proper draping and pressure that suits the client is followed at all times.

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Posted in Massage Therapy, Pain Management | No Comments »

The Essentials of Massage Oils

Wednesday, May 12th, 2010

I recently met a therapist who uses EVOO in their massage practice.   Really? EVOO?!   That’s what I said.   When it comes to massage the possibilities for reducing friction in skin on skin contact(bare bones that’s what the oil is for)   are endless.   The massage therapist is looking to basically reduce drag with the fringe benefits being the properties of the oils themsselves.   In our work we can use anything from apricot kernel oil to Shea butter.    The oil, or cream in some cases, is typically a carrier oil with other good stuff like Vitamin E, aloe, and/or essential oils mixed in.   A carrier oil is the base, and is typically a natural oil derived from a plant or even a nut.   It’s important to ask your massage therapist if you know you have allergies.   The massage therapist typically bases their decision of which oil to use on how it performs when they work, and what kind of shelf-life it has.    Old oil can be a bad thing, rancid oil often reacts with the skin, not to mention smelling just plain rancid.    The massage therapist should be aware of how long they’ve been using their oil and often disposes of it entirely before it gets into the massage room.

Some massage therapists add to their oil themselves, or use blends that come from good sources.    When making blends, a massage therapist can put anything from arnica to wheat germ oil.    The blend is typically based on client goals.   Often lavender and bergamot are used for soothing and stress relief while arnica and peppermint are good for sports massage.   Peppermint?  Yes, peppermint has great qualities and while on it’s own peppermint essential oil can be a bit much for the skin to handle, a few drops in a carrier oil can help the muscles.(Click the sports massage link for a great blend.)    Be warned though, while essential oils are the essence of natural botanicals, this concentration makes them extremely potent and dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing.

The intent behind massage oil is two-fold, assisting the massage therapist in their work and assisting the massage client in feeling great.

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Posted in Massage Therapy, Stress & Relaxation | 1 Comment »

Meditation during Massage

Wednesday, April 21st, 2010

I’ve had a few clients recount experiences with other practitioners.  They felt a bit uncomfortable when during the massage, the practitioner chose to chant or in some cases even sing.   Talking is one thing; in my viewpoint the option should always be with the client and not the massage therapist.  Chanting or singing should never be something that is put into a session without the client being made aware of it first.  I for one would opt out.

However, I do find that massage can be very meditative for both the massage therapist and the massage client.   For some, it’s the only time and space where there is no requirement to talk.  I often tell clients, “Your only job on the table is to breathe.”    Often, their amazement at this statement brings me such great joy.   We are all so busy these days, and checking in and talking and discussing, texting, many people find themselves tethered to communication devices (ie phones, smartphones, computers) that being allowed space and even invited not to communicate brings relief.

The mind is allowed to wander, as in savasana, a yoga practice that is a favorite of many yogis.  In savasana you lie on the floor, ankles about mat width apart (yoga mat of course, about two feet),palms turned up toward the ceiling with hands a few inches from the hips.     This is to relax all muscles after class, and also serves as a time where the mind and body are allowed tobe separate.

Let Go during your massage.  Give yourself the space to relax and be open to what the mind brings.  Feel free to share with your massage therapist, we hear quite a lot.   I tell my massage clients, “It’s you, me and the four walls.”   The massage therapist is there to give you space.   Allow yourself that space and see what happens.

If you do encounter a massage therapist that seemingly demands conversation when you want quiet or chants and sings without telling you it’s part of their practice.   Let your next massage therapist know about your experience.   Massage is as individual to the practitioner as it is to the receiver.

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The Therapist Gets the Treatment

Tuesday, December 15th, 2009

My massage clients often ask me, “How often do you get massage?”  “As often as I can!,” I reply.  Many therapists I know make the effort to trade massage so that their body can stay in good condition for their clients.  This can sometimes be a tough task, fitting it into schedules, making time for ourselves.   These points may seem familiar to those seeking massage.    Making time for you is often a barrier for people who could really use a massage.    Those clients that receive massage regularly have made a commitment to themselves, as well as a commitment to those that rely on them, family, friends, work.
Everyone around you benefits when you receive massage, really,
you

  • sleep better
  • have better focus and concentration
  • are more creative
  • your mood is better
  • FEEL GREAT!

Me, My clients and the ones I love reap the benefits I receive from massage. So should you and your loved ones.

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Massage Parlors shut down, thanks

Thursday, November 5th, 2009

In Local news… Seven massage parlors were shut down for being unlicensed, four of those parlors are now facing prostitution charges.

Six local police departments — Longmeadow, Springfield, East Longmeadow, Hadley, Chicopee, and West Springfield — worked alongside U.S. Immigration Services to shut down illegal, unlicensed massage parlors across the area.

My thanks go out to all departments who worked on this, not only because these places give massage and real licensed massage therapists a bad reputation, but unfortunately the people working in these places are basically slave labor and doing such work because things in their own country are so bad.

Myself, I’ve only had one experience of a client requesting “more” in the three years I’ve been working as a massage therapist. However, the female massage therapists that I know go through such things more often than they’d like, once is too many really!

I let people know what I do, and sometimes when I say” I’m a massage therapist” occasionally a jokester will chime in, however, I am very specific about what I do and what the perception of massage should be as far as professional practice. IMHO the industry should take on a new name for it’s practice, something such as myotherapy, referring to the muscles which most of our work is about. However, this too could be considered somewhat exclusionary of more holistic massage practices not to mention other modalities which are massage but not necessarily muscular bodywork in practice.

I take what I do very seriously as do most licensed massage therapists, unfortunately for us, there are still those that are pushing the envelope as far as good ethics and moral character. I encourage everyone considering getting a massage to at least interview and check out the prospective therapist before working with them. I’ve written a few articles about choosing a massage therapist and what one should expect from a session. What makes a great massage session?
Interviewing a massage therapist

The best I can do is educate and make people more aware. If you have any questions you can e-mail or call anytime.
Full “massage parlor” story here, from 22news (WWLP.com)
Massage Parlors shut down

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Posted in Massage Therapy | 2 Comments »

LBP Massage Studies

Thursday, October 29th, 2009

Being a bit nerdy I find this kind of info regarding lower back pain and massage very interesting.   All abstracts and articles I have found seem to include “more studies are needed”    I’m looking into being a part of these studies,as a massage therapy provider rather than receiver, I think the line would be pretty long for “subjects”   I really would like it if Massage gained some ground credibility-wise.   It’s a battle though, but each person I can educate is one step closer to this goal.    It’s kind of hard to argue with a practice that goes back thousands of years IMHO.

But I digress,  the part that I find most interesting is that in these studies, as in most massage studies, side effects only include allergic reactions, and minimal at that.    Most people know they have allergies and if your massage therapist doesn’t ask you before the session, be certain to let them know.  The most prevalent allergens in massage oils/creams/lotions are nuts (literally, almond being the most often used).

Massage for Low Back Pain

Main Results

Thirteen randomized trials were included. Eight had a high risk and five had a low risk of bias. One study was published in German and the rest in English. Massage was compared to an inert therapy (sham treatment) in two studies that showed that massage was superior for pain and function on both short and long-term follow-ups. In eight studies, massage was compared to other active treatments. They showed that massage was similar to exercises, and massage was superior to joint mobilization, relaxation therapy, physical therapy, acupuncture and self-care education. One study showed that reflexology on the feet had no effect on pain and functioning. The beneficial effects of massage in patients with chronic low-back pain lasted at least one year after the end of the treatment. Two studies compared two different techniques of massage. One concluded that acupuncture massage produces better results than classic (Swedish) massage and another concluded that Thai massage produces similar results to classic (Swedish) massage.

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Posted in Massage Therapy | 2 Comments »

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