I am now into my third year in massage. I have worked on numerous people with the same common ailments...stress and muscular pain. It boggles my mind that I am able, in most cases, to feel where the pain places are. It even amazes some of my clients. :-) They ask me "you can feel that?"
When I was first starting massage school and beginning the technique section, I was so worried that the tight bands of muscle would elude me. I just knew that my hands were too old and not sensitive enough to feel where the problems were. I still sometimes ask myself how do I do this. If I had to give an answer to that question, I would have to say it is some power higher than I am. I believe that I am purposely guided to the spots.
I don't know if I deserve that guidance, but I don't believe I do this on my own. There has to be help for the fixes I have seen in my clients. I can't fix everything, but the ones that work are such a blessing. When my skills are used to take away pain from the clients in my care, I still get tears of joy in my eyes.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Sunday, July 6, 2008
The Same But Different
We are all under enormous stress from our environment, our political atmosphere, our jobs, sometimes our loved ones, rising prices of everything from gasoline to food, bosses who nit pick everything we do, co-workers who sometimes have their own agendas, and many times, self induced stress caused from worrying about things we have zero control of.
All that stress and the way we deal with it can take a toll on our bodies and cause even more stress. The aches in our lower back, the burning between our shoulder blades, the tired feet, the sore knees, the tingly hands, the tossing and turning in what should be a good bed, the irritability, the fatigue, could all be caused from that stress.
Stress causes disease. It may be emotional stress, physical stress, toxic stress, nutritional stress and whatever other factors that stress our bodies and cause it to not function properly.
WE NEED A BREAK!!!!!!!!!!
Thankfully, there is help. It comes in the form of proper nutrition, vitamin supplements, stress buster activities such as exercise and fun activities, support groups, giving to others, and yes even massage.
Massage is such a wonderful tool to deal with stress. Very often it can take away aches and pains. It can cause deep relaxation and aid sleep. It can make our feelings of well being shine out. It can stimulate our immune systems. It can help tone our skin. It can help us move easier. It can increase our circulation. There are so many benefits.
In my massage practice I have seen...felt...knots in muscles disappear. I have had clients get so relaxed they actually started snoring. The man who taught me has, in his practice, actually had people cry because releasing the pain they thought they would have for a long time was so emotional.
I personally have had people get up from my table talking about how their headache was gone. They have been able to turn a before stiff neck and gained more range of motion in shoulders. Many who were keyed up before they came, walked out yawning and relaxed.
Getting rid of some of their stress from aches and pains can actually help them deal with other stress factors easier.
I would love to be able to help all the people in the world with stress and aches and pains, but of course I am only one person. If you are in my area, I would love to work with you to help you with stress relief. If not, please think seriously about massage somewhere. Ask the therapist for references.
Being touched is a basic human need from birth. Because there are people out in our world who are not very nice we start trying harder and harder to not be touched, but we still need it. Touch from a qualified, caring massage therapist is not only safe, nonthreatening, and nonsexual, but it is so good for us.
I hope you will consider these words and if you don't agree or if you have any questions, please leave comments and let me address them, or go to my website http://www.myotechnics.com/ and send me an email with your concerns about getting massage.
All that stress and the way we deal with it can take a toll on our bodies and cause even more stress. The aches in our lower back, the burning between our shoulder blades, the tired feet, the sore knees, the tingly hands, the tossing and turning in what should be a good bed, the irritability, the fatigue, could all be caused from that stress.
Stress causes disease. It may be emotional stress, physical stress, toxic stress, nutritional stress and whatever other factors that stress our bodies and cause it to not function properly.
WE NEED A BREAK!!!!!!!!!!
Thankfully, there is help. It comes in the form of proper nutrition, vitamin supplements, stress buster activities such as exercise and fun activities, support groups, giving to others, and yes even massage.
Massage is such a wonderful tool to deal with stress. Very often it can take away aches and pains. It can cause deep relaxation and aid sleep. It can make our feelings of well being shine out. It can stimulate our immune systems. It can help tone our skin. It can help us move easier. It can increase our circulation. There are so many benefits.
In my massage practice I have seen...felt...knots in muscles disappear. I have had clients get so relaxed they actually started snoring. The man who taught me has, in his practice, actually had people cry because releasing the pain they thought they would have for a long time was so emotional.
I personally have had people get up from my table talking about how their headache was gone. They have been able to turn a before stiff neck and gained more range of motion in shoulders. Many who were keyed up before they came, walked out yawning and relaxed.
Getting rid of some of their stress from aches and pains can actually help them deal with other stress factors easier.
I would love to be able to help all the people in the world with stress and aches and pains, but of course I am only one person. If you are in my area, I would love to work with you to help you with stress relief. If not, please think seriously about massage somewhere. Ask the therapist for references.
Being touched is a basic human need from birth. Because there are people out in our world who are not very nice we start trying harder and harder to not be touched, but we still need it. Touch from a qualified, caring massage therapist is not only safe, nonthreatening, and nonsexual, but it is so good for us.
I hope you will consider these words and if you don't agree or if you have any questions, please leave comments and let me address them, or go to my website http://www.myotechnics.com/ and send me an email with your concerns about getting massage.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Trigger point massage: What is it? - Saugus, MA - Saugus Advertiser
"Trigger Points are accumulations of waste products around a nerve receptor. Often times they feel like nodules or taut bands of fibers within the soft tissues. Trigger points form in muscles which have been overused or injured due to an accident or surgery.
Common characteristics are increased muscle tension and muscle shortening. Increased muscle tension is the primary side effect of trigger points and pain is the most common secondary effect. Trigger points can present themselves as referred patterns of sensation such as sharp pain, dull ache, tingling, pins and needles, hot or cold, as well as can create symptoms such as nausea, ear ache, equilibrium disturbance, or blurred vision.
Trigger points can exist in two states, either active or latent. Active trigger points are those which cause discomfort. Latent trigger points wait silently in the muscle for a future stress to activate them. Aches and pains which began in the past become more frequent and severe in intensity as we age. It is common to attribute this discomfort to arthritis instead of our tight muscles which harbor trigger points.
Trigger points are not visible with traditional medical testing such as MRI or X-ray. 80 percent of the trigger point locations are common with acupuncture treatment locations. When trigger points are not treated, they will create satellite trigger points in the affected area. For instance, a trigger point in the trapezius may cause a trigger point to appear in the temple. The trigger point in the temple then may cause a trigger point to appear in the jaw and can contribute to a case of TMJ."
"A trigger point may feel like a hard lump, knot or band in the muscle. Or you may experience broad muscle soreness. Applying pressure to the muscle almost always alleviates pain, even though the pressure itself can be somewhat uncomfortable when applied. If you do not experience immediate results, try applying deeper pressure for a longer time and to the muscles surrounding the most affected area.
To diffuse a trigger point, static compression (pressure) is applied for 10 seconds, released, then pressure applied for 10 more seconds in a pumping action while the client breathes deeply. This action flushes the toxins and calms the nerves. (see pictures on right showing treatment of a stiff neck and as part of a Sports Massage for a runner). Releasing trigger points releases endorphins so the result is elimination of discomfort as well as being energized.
Trigger point massage is not a relaxing, 'fluff and buff' technique. It requires the participation of the client to communicate the presence and intensity of pain and discomfort. The therapist and client work together as a team to maximize the effectiveness of the treatment."
Common characteristics are increased muscle tension and muscle shortening. Increased muscle tension is the primary side effect of trigger points and pain is the most common secondary effect. Trigger points can present themselves as referred patterns of sensation such as sharp pain, dull ache, tingling, pins and needles, hot or cold, as well as can create symptoms such as nausea, ear ache, equilibrium disturbance, or blurred vision.
Trigger points can exist in two states, either active or latent. Active trigger points are those which cause discomfort. Latent trigger points wait silently in the muscle for a future stress to activate them. Aches and pains which began in the past become more frequent and severe in intensity as we age. It is common to attribute this discomfort to arthritis instead of our tight muscles which harbor trigger points.
Trigger points are not visible with traditional medical testing such as MRI or X-ray. 80 percent of the trigger point locations are common with acupuncture treatment locations. When trigger points are not treated, they will create satellite trigger points in the affected area. For instance, a trigger point in the trapezius may cause a trigger point to appear in the temple. The trigger point in the temple then may cause a trigger point to appear in the jaw and can contribute to a case of TMJ."
"A trigger point may feel like a hard lump, knot or band in the muscle. Or you may experience broad muscle soreness. Applying pressure to the muscle almost always alleviates pain, even though the pressure itself can be somewhat uncomfortable when applied. If you do not experience immediate results, try applying deeper pressure for a longer time and to the muscles surrounding the most affected area.
To diffuse a trigger point, static compression (pressure) is applied for 10 seconds, released, then pressure applied for 10 more seconds in a pumping action while the client breathes deeply. This action flushes the toxins and calms the nerves. (see pictures on right showing treatment of a stiff neck and as part of a Sports Massage for a runner). Releasing trigger points releases endorphins so the result is elimination of discomfort as well as being energized.
Trigger point massage is not a relaxing, 'fluff and buff' technique. It requires the participation of the client to communicate the presence and intensity of pain and discomfort. The therapist and client work together as a team to maximize the effectiveness of the treatment."
Saturday, May 31, 2008
I Don't Understand
Most of my career life, I was exposed to computers. I honestly believed I would spend the rest of my life doing just that. Little did I know I would go from $50,000 a year to nothing over night.
It has been a bit of a culture shock.
I still have to pinch myself now and then to see if it really happened. I discovered a new me at 58 years old. Well I guess I realized a dormant calling from my youth and answered it. I wanted to be a doctor, but didn't have the umph to go the years of college at that age so I knuckled down and went to massage school.
I hadn't studied anything seriously for over 40 years. When they started throwing anatomy and physiology at me I started to back pedal, but I knew in my heart that massage was my calling so I stuck it out.
Not only did I do a massage class, but I did extra study to get a clinical massage certificate.
Wow, the things I have experienced in the past two years since starting school. I have been moved to tears on more than one occasion when my work actually took someone's pain away.
Why not massage is the question I want to pose to those of you who have yet to experience the grand relief from pain or stress that therapeutic massage can bring to your life.
There are so many benefits to massage and many have to do with well being and health.
Massage can be a benefit to romance. It can be a source of the touch we all need.
I plan to give you information about massage that will hopefully help you realize that it can be totally non threatening. It can be comforting. It can be relaxing. It can sometimes give you a release from emotions that have clogged up your sense of well being.
Massage is truly glorious given by a therapist who has a passion for helping people. That type of therapist will care for you through his or her touch and will be dedicated to making your massage worth the money you pay for it.
It has been a bit of a culture shock.
I still have to pinch myself now and then to see if it really happened. I discovered a new me at 58 years old. Well I guess I realized a dormant calling from my youth and answered it. I wanted to be a doctor, but didn't have the umph to go the years of college at that age so I knuckled down and went to massage school.
I hadn't studied anything seriously for over 40 years. When they started throwing anatomy and physiology at me I started to back pedal, but I knew in my heart that massage was my calling so I stuck it out.
Not only did I do a massage class, but I did extra study to get a clinical massage certificate.
Wow, the things I have experienced in the past two years since starting school. I have been moved to tears on more than one occasion when my work actually took someone's pain away.
Why not massage is the question I want to pose to those of you who have yet to experience the grand relief from pain or stress that therapeutic massage can bring to your life.
There are so many benefits to massage and many have to do with well being and health.
Massage can be a benefit to romance. It can be a source of the touch we all need.
I plan to give you information about massage that will hopefully help you realize that it can be totally non threatening. It can be comforting. It can be relaxing. It can sometimes give you a release from emotions that have clogged up your sense of well being.
Massage is truly glorious given by a therapist who has a passion for helping people. That type of therapist will care for you through his or her touch and will be dedicated to making your massage worth the money you pay for it.
Treat for The Body
I have done several different types of massage.
Relaxation massage is basically strokes done lightly on the skin with the main purpose of soothing and relaxing the body. This type of massage lends itself to putting the clients in a restful state, sometimes giving way to snoring.
Snoring is truly a compliment to a massage therapist. You are showing that you trust them, that they are making you relax, that you feel good enough to sleep. I love that so much.
Deep Tissue massage uses many of the same strokes as relaxation, but they have a more therapeutic nature. Knots that plague much of the population because of stress, because of overused muscles, because of bad posture, because of computer use, or even because of sleeping wrong can all be made more comfortable or even fixed by Deep Tissue massage.
I have felt knots melt away under my touch and it makes me so very happy to know I helped another human being get better than they were before they came to see me.
Triggerpoint massage makes stubborn knots easier to disperse.
I will be explaining the methodology behind these types of strokes later.
When will American's come to massage? I wish I knew.
Stay tuned.
Relaxation massage is basically strokes done lightly on the skin with the main purpose of soothing and relaxing the body. This type of massage lends itself to putting the clients in a restful state, sometimes giving way to snoring.
Snoring is truly a compliment to a massage therapist. You are showing that you trust them, that they are making you relax, that you feel good enough to sleep. I love that so much.
Deep Tissue massage uses many of the same strokes as relaxation, but they have a more therapeutic nature. Knots that plague much of the population because of stress, because of overused muscles, because of bad posture, because of computer use, or even because of sleeping wrong can all be made more comfortable or even fixed by Deep Tissue massage.
I have felt knots melt away under my touch and it makes me so very happy to know I helped another human being get better than they were before they came to see me.
Triggerpoint massage makes stubborn knots easier to disperse.
I will be explaining the methodology behind these types of strokes later.
When will American's come to massage? I wish I knew.
Stay tuned.
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