Definition Time

Ok class, since I skipped an entry for the month of June (Hey, I needed a vacation - so sue me), I'm sending myself to summer school and taking all of you with me. I rarely get to flex my teaching skills in the field of massage, so this entry is going to be all about attempting to explain a few terms that people may run into when researching the various forms of massage that are out there. Massage terminology is often used by therapists when advertising their businesses or explaining their specialties. Unfortunately, to the layman who only has a sore shoulder, many of these terms go right over their heads and leave the poor aching soul reaching for a bottle of aspirin instead of scheduling a massage. Some terms are industry-used to describe specific massage strokes, some define various types of massage, some are known by a broader term or certain classifications, some are just misunderstood. So I'll now attempt to break down some of the terms that are bouncing around in massage therapy-land. Hopefully, it will help to both educate and aid in more understanding about the massage world.

Swedish Massage - This is usually the most common, basic form of massage found in the United States. Unless advertised as something different, when someone sees a simple, "Full Body", or "Basic" massage, it is usually a Swedish massage. This type of massage usually consists of a combination of long, gliding strokes and kneading movements with percussion or friction-type movements depending on what the therapist is trying to do. It is a very versatile type of massage that can be both claming and gentle, or deep and effective for unwinding tight tissue or getting rid of annoying knots. Whatever the purpose of the massage, or whatever types of strokes are being used, Swedish Massage is almost always characterized by strokes that are directed toward the heart. The purpose of this is to enhance blood flow, lymph drainage, and filter out toxins and waste by sending everything to the heart. Just because I saw it happen firsthand while I was in school, I must state that Swedish Massage is NOT the "Sex Kind" of massage - as was asked by someone who called our school's clinic asking what kind of massage we offered. Our instructor (thankfully) answered the phone and told him that the basic massage we did was Swedish Massage, to which he responded, "That's the sex kind, right?" WRONG - just for the record, I'm only mentioning it like I said, because I was standing next to the instructor when this phone call was happening. For people that have never had massage before, this is one on the best types of massage to use as an introduction to the benefits of massage therapy.
Deep Tissue Massage - This type of massage is a general term used to cover any type of massage that targets deeper tissues than just the surface muscles. Deep Tissue Massage can work on the fascia - or connective tissue that covers all muscles and bones, or the deepest layers of muscle. Most people when they ask for a "Deep Tisue Massage" are really looking for just a very deep pressure massage that gets rid of tension or knots, which is also how some therapists advertise it. Some use the term Deep Tissue to differentiate between a relaxing, gentle, stress-relieving massage and a more therapeutic massage that tackles deeper issues or problems. There are certain techniques to an official Deep Tissue Massage, so if that is what you are looking for, double check with your therapist as to what they consider a Deep Tissue Massage.
Trigger Point Work - Trigger Points are nasty little points that lie in the muscle tissue that, when touched or pressed, can cause extreme and radiating pain. They are often difficult to find because the pain that is felt is often referred pain - meaning it is felt in another place than where the problem actually lies. There is officially much debate as to what exactly a trigger point is and what it is made of, but all you really need to know is that if you have one, it hurts. Also getting rid of them hurts. When a trigger point is found, the only way to get rid of it is through direct pressure onto the trigger point itself. This takes the pain away from the remote site where the original pain was felt, and puts all of it, amplified, onto the one spot where the trigger point exists. It can be painful at times, but once the trigger point is found and eliminated, the pain is greatly lessened.
Myofascial Release - Pronounced [my-o-fash-al] was a type of massage that my husband discouraged me from putting onto my advertising because it "sounded dirty". In fact it is a form of massage practiced not only by massage therapists, but also chiropracters and physical therapists. It is a form of unwinding and relaxing fascia, which I discussed earlier is the connective tissue that surrounds muscles, bones, and organs. Connective tissue doesn't stretch, but it can contract or get stiff, especially if there was once an injury and scar tissue has formed. If connective tissue - the covering of the muscles - gets too tight or stiff, it can restrict the way the muscles move or function. By unwinding or releasing this tissue, allows the muscles to work better on a deeper level. Myofascial Release is done by what feels like a deep, focused, localized stretch that is held or sustained for at least 2 minutes at a time. It can seem like nothing is happening because the strokes are held for so long, but the difference can be dramatic.
Lymph Drainage / Lymphatic Massage - This type of massage is also slow and through and serves to speed or aid the flow of lymph through the body. Lymph is fluid made from red blood cells and helps nourish cells throughout the body as well as remove toxins such as lactic acid from the body by shuttling the bad stuff to a place where it can be filtered out. Unfortunately if the lymphatic system gets clogged or flows slowly, swelling or a buildup of waste can occur. A lymphatic massage can help the lymph flow more easily and helps push unwanted or extra fluid into the lymph nodes which then filter the lymph and getthe system working better once again. Many of the strokes seem the same as a Swedish Massage, just done much, much slower. The reason for the slowness is that the hands have to move at the same speed as the lymph as it normally moves. It can seem like a slow, redundant form of massage, but the results can greatly decrease the amount to swelling or inflammation found in th ebody part being worked on.
Rolfing* - This is a form of Deep Tissue Massage that was developped by Ida Rolf in the 1930s. It is a very deep form of fascial work that restructures and realigns the entire body. Unlike most massage forms which only focus on muscles and tissues, Rolfing* also works on restructuring the fascia around the skeleton and organs, causing the entire body to become realigned and working on a smooth, easy level. Rolfing* is not your average form of massage, and should only be done by a qualified, trained, and certified Rolfing* specialist. It has been described as a very deep and intense type of massage, usually done in 10 one-hour sessions. *The reason for this little asterisk is that Rolfing is a registered trademark, and I can't figure out how to make that little R with a circle around it beside the word, and I really don't want to get sued.

So, there you go for your first lesson. Here are a few different types of massage that are out there. There are many more, which, frankly I'm too tired to list and define here. So I'll have to continue it at another time. So until next time, class dismissed!

Next Time .....

The Power of Touch

In The Who’s Tommy, the main character repeatedly sings the line, “Hear me, Feel me; Touch me, Heal me.” Touch can be a very powerful thing. For something so simple and almost trivial in our daily lives, a simple touch can have a world of meanings. It can be used to get someone’s attention, it can be used to steer in a direction, it can be reassuring, it can be frightening. It can be used to hurt, it can also be used to heal. Touch can exist when nothing else exists, and can make a huge difference to the one being touched. When all is said and done, massage is little more than this simple thing – it is touch. It is a touch meant for healing and helping, and despite all the various forms, modalities, styles, and purposes of massage that exists, everything boils down to the simple act of a touch. So instead of discussing once again about how massage is good for you, how massage can help you, I would like to talk about massage’s bare, simplified form and how powerful is the simple touch.

As we saw in an earlier article about how a mother’s touch can soothe a crying child almost magically, mothers and children are not the only ones who benefit from touch. Babies don’t know much. Of all five senses, sights, smells, sounds, and tastes all are unfamiliar and confusing. Touch is the only sense that is fully developed, so babies know and trust it. Touch means that someone who cares for us is nearby, we will get what we need, we are not alone. (Yes, I’m repeating myself from the other article, but it works here too.) As we grow, this innate sense that touch is good and safe sticks with us. If a child cries, a hug can usually stop it. If a child is unsure or scared, holding a hand can vanquish all demons. Children sleep with teddy bears and toys so that they are constantly touching something and can sleep in peace. Even after childhood, touch is a major factor. A pat on the back when a good job is done, a congratulatory handshake, athletes tapping or patting each other with equipment to wish luck, a shoulder squeeze for encouragement – all simple forms of touch that stick with us as we grow. Even in advanced age, as the senses fail, touch remains and can make a difference so powerful that we don’t even realize.

I try to keep my own personal stories out of these articles, but I would like to share three experiences I’ve had with just how much a difference touch can make.

My first experience occurred well before I had ever dreamed I would be involved with massage therapy. I was pursuing my dream of dancing professionally. Now dancers have their own conceptions about touch – it’s a VERY good thing, because if your partner is touching you, you probably aren’t going to hit the floor. Nonetheless, this isn’t about actually dancing. My company often provided outreach classes and activities for various school classes and groups. Once day we were working with a group of special needs children ranging in age from 7-12 years old. We never knew what we were in for with special needs classes, so we usually had a ton of activities planned, never knowing what the state of the children would be and how much they could participate.

Well this particular day when the children came out, they were introduced to us and among them were two twin sisters who had cerebral palsy. Both were strapped in wheelchairs and showed no sign that they were even aware of where they were or what was going on. They couldn’t talk, couldn’t move, and even their eyes stayed fixed and motionless. Even their hands were strapped down. The only movement they showed was their labored breathing. My first though was “What on earth am I going to do with them?” We took the class through the first few activities which basically consisted of manipulated stretches and moving arms, legs, feet, and hands. We manipulated the girls’ feet and legs with zero reaction. Then we led the group in a parade around the gymnasium with the able students dancing and the wheelchair students in tow, spinning the chairs and changing directions. The kids were having a blast, but the twins still showed no sign of anything. Finally we broke out the props and started activities using balls, silk scarves, and various other toys.

At this point the handlers left the wheelchair-bound twins and went to assist other students, leaving me with one of the twins. I talked to her, using her name, but no reaction. Finally I asked her if she wanted to dance with the scarf, and I took one of the silk scarves and ran it over her hands. Suddenly her face completely lit up. There was no change in expression, no movement in her face, just a radiant light that filled her whole tiny frame. I couldn’t believe it. I started speaking to her more and doing more with the scarf. I rubbed her hands and arms with it, I swirled it across her hands and around her face and head. Finally I tucked it in under her hands and swung her chair around, causing it to flow and flutter in the breeze. One of the handlers saw what we were doing and commented, “Wow, she is having a blast!” Still with no change of expression, no acknowledgement, it was clear from her bare energy that she knew what was going on, and was enjoying the scarf. Soon another dancer saw our progress and started the same work with the other twin. When I commented about the experience to one of the teachers at the end, I was assured that even though we don’t think they know what’s going on around them, the twins are very aware, but it is just a matter of reaching them to get a reaction– and touch was the best way to reach them. We had found they key to working with the twins. From then on, I was one of the only dancers who would work with the severely disabled kids because I knew how to use touch to get through to them.
**************************************************
My next example came while I was training in massage therapy. I did a small internship at a nursing home. Basically a group of therapists sat in a big room and the orderlies brought in the residents who were going to receive massage. None of the patients were mobile, they were all either in wheelchairs or movable beds. We worked on moving limbs of stroke patients, rubbing shoulders of people sick of their chairs, and calmly rubbing arms and legs of end-of-life patients to make them more comfortable. I was working away zipping through patients, chatting with them and having as good a time as I could, when I finished up with someone and she was taken away, then the orderlies wheeled in and handed “Rosie” to me.

"Rosie” was pretty much in a coma. She was laying in the bed, no sign of movement, barely even breathing, completely unconscious. Now I was used to getting a patient and asking what they wanted work on, but obviously this wasn’t happening this time. I looked over at my teacher with an expression that said, “You’ve got to be kidding me!” She simply waved me off saying, “Therapeutic Touch works well on her.” I shrugged and took her hand. I considered Therapeutic Touch an insult to massage therapists because it didn’t involve anything – just laying down your hands on something and sitting there. Nonetheless I tried it. I held her hand, then put my hands on her arm, and slowly moved up and down her arms, legs, and shoulders. As I was sitting there, I thought I’d get really bored, but I found myself really paying attention to her face. Remembering my cerebral palsy twin, I waited for her face to light up, but that never happened, there was still no change. However after a while, I found myself feeling very, very calm. I had been stressed out about school, annoyed at getting a patient that I thought I couldn’t help, plus a zillion other things, but they all melted away, and I felt like I was totally relaxed when I was done. When “Rosie” was taken away, my teacher asked how I felt. When I told her I felt really relaxed, she laughed and said that I had done my job. Somehow when “Rosie” got her massages, she has a way of projecting how she felt onto her therapists if they were helping her. I did nothing more than lay my hands on her – no rubbing, no kneading, no nothing. I was simply there, and my touch let her know that, so she was able to relax and rest easy.
*******************************************
My final example hits very close to my heart because it is very recent. Just this past month, I was able to visit my 84-year old grandfather for the last time before he succumbed to complications of Parkinson’s Disease. While he sat propped up in his favorite chair, he could no longer speak, couldn’t move, and could barely recognize anyone. He simply mumbled, the only audible words told us he was speaking to his long-deceased sister. We knew the end was very near, and I was warned before I got there that he wouldn’t recognize me, and he was unable to talk to me, so I was supposed to not get upset or frustrated with him. When I went to his side I greeted him and told him who I was, then I realized, duh, he always wore a hearing aid, he probably couldn’t hear me anyway. Nonetheless I took his hand, and sat down to talk to him. It was evening, and his condition was worse as the day progressed. As I took his hand, he looked over at me. His eyes showed a brief flicker of recognition, then they glazed over and he fell into incoherent mumbling and gazing off into space. I talked and rubbed his hands, then stood and gave him a hug. Once again, his eyes cleared up and he moved as if he was trying to say something to me, but he fell out of it quickly. One of my cousins was there and he got much of the same reactions that I did. We felt that we was recognizing us, and he knew we were there, but he was unable to communicate with us, and knowing our grandfather, that was frustrating him beyond belief, and probably ultimately making the situation worse.

At one point, my grandmother even came in and told me to touch his face when I spoke to him so that he knew I was there. I tried that, then stared talking about my dance students and a recent concert we had just had. As I talked about my dancers, I rubbed his legs. Suddenly his legs jumped to life and he started kicking his legs and wiggling his feet. I was so excited because I knew he was trying to tell me that he recognized me and knew that it was me – he was moving his feet because I was always his little dancer, and this was the only way he could communicate with me. I was jumping up and down with excitement when his health care worker came in and commented that the leg shaking was from the Parkinson’s (The disease had attacked his legs from the start). Perhaps it was true, but I believed that truly, I had once again gotten through to him, and he in turn had gotten through to me. So I put my hands on his feet and tapped them in the rhythm as they kicked and shook, and then I finally got what I hadn’t gotten in any other experience – a weak, but visible, smile. I was communicating with him for what I knew would be the last time, and he was finally able to communicate with me, which in turn eased his frustrations, even if it was only for a short time.

The next day I saw him for the very last time. It was early in the morning, so he was more lucid than the day before. My dad gave him a kiss on the head and pop-pop acknowledged him by name, then I hugged him and told him that I loved him, he clearly squeaked out, “Love you, too” – so everyone in the room heard. A week and two days later he passed away, surrounded by his wife and 7 surviving children. At the funeral, we all came together – 7 children, 25 grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter plus respective spouses. There were a lot of tears, and a lot of hugging. After my brother helped move our grandfather’s coffin from the funeral home to the waiting hearse, he walked over to me, tried to mention something about the wood the coffin was made of, but instead collapsed into my arms, sobbing. At the church, people walked up and down the aisle holding hands, friends reached out and patted family members on the shoulders or arms as they walked past. Even at the grave site, one of our more “jokester” cousins completely broke down into tears, resulting in what very well may go down as the largest family group hug in history. In the end, touch was there for our grandfather, and touch was there for us when he was gone.

Touch was the first step of our healing process, as it is for many people who have suffered a loss. It can be there when words are at a loss, or when nothing else seems to work. It is a way to communicate, a way to help, and a way to heal. It is always there, and always can be. Take even the case of Helen Keller, who was blind, deaf, and mute, yet she went on to lead an incredible life through a system started by touch. It can make a huge difference in someone’s life, either for a short time, or for eternity. Maybe Tommy wasn’t too far off asking to “Touch me, Heal me”, it worked him, and has worked for people for centuries. It has a power all of its own that is at the same time both mystical and tangible. The power of touch, it’s a curious thing – and quite powerful.

Coming Next Time…. Definition Time

Massage for the Bride

Spring springs. As the sun shines warmer, the days get longer, trees bud, flowers open, and the world is bathed in a hundred shades of green and brilliant, vibrant colors. In the midst of all this beauty that nature provides, few can argue that nothing is more beautiful than a bride on her wedding day. She could almost be like something found in nature; pink cheeks, rosy lips, not a hair out of place, breezing through the best day of her life with an air of calm and confidence, the whole time beaming with a radiant glow.

Little does anyone know that only a short time earlier, this perfect, delicate flower of a woman was stressed out, barely sleeping, hardly eating, no time to let a brush near her hair, and snapping at every little thing. Yes, the dark reality of any wedding is that planning one is no walk in the park. Between all the deadlines, appointments, and decisions, a bride can find that her last concern is how she looks, and even worse, how she feels. Stress can cause many health problems. Tight shoulders, sore neck, stomach problems, insomnia, anxiety, and pain are all the last things a busy bride-to-be wants to deal with. Even if she gets through all of the planning and arrangements unscathed, she still needs to treat herself so that she can be her best for her big day. Among all the must-dos that must be done before a wedding, one often overlooked must for the bride-to-be is a simple massage.

Massage has had many perceptions over time. Some think that it is only good for relaxation and pampering while some others believe it is a harsh and rough therapy used to treat injuries. In actuality, it is both and more. Massage can allow someone to calm down, clear their mind, and unwind tight, stressed out muscles, plus it feels good enough to be used as a treat. Most massage therapy practices will offer a simple, basic, “Swedish” or “Relaxation” Massage. These are usually simple, straightforward massages designed to simply allow the body to relax and feel good. There isn’t usually any complicated, intricate or extremely deep work, just long gliding stroked and gentle kneading movements that relax muscles in spasm and release troublesome knots. For a stressed out or busy bride, a simple massage like this is all she would need to put a fine closure on her busy running around before she slows down to enjoy the fruits of her labor.

However, to further enhance her massage experience, the bride-to-be may want o upgrade her simple massage with day spa treatments. Many places that offer massage also may offer day spa services such as facials, pedicures, aromatherapy treatments, glazes, and body wraps. These enhancements not only make the massage more of a treat, they can also have health benefits as well. A facial can leave the face with a radiant glow by drawing out oils and dirt which can cause blemishes. Foot treatments can sand down calluses and make feet soft and pretty to be shown off in those open-toed shoes. Body wraps and glazes serve to soften and detoxify the skin so that the whole body has a smooth, healthy, radiance.

Now with all these fun and beneficial options, there is no reason to keep them all for the bride alone. The whole bridal party can also benefit. A Massage or Spa Party is a great way to have fun with all the bridesmaids, and just about anyone else. Some massage practices or spas will have accommodations and special rates for an entire bridal party to receive massages all at once, or a Massage Therapist provide simpler individual massages in conjunction with another even such as the shower or bachlorette party in the location of the party’s choice. Spa Parties are also growing in popularity. There are three main ways that a Spa Party usually happens. First, a spa may reserve a block of space or time for a whole group to go in and receive treatments all at once. Next, a therapist can come to a home or other location bringing their treatments with them so that the group doesn’t have to worry about travel. The final option is for the hostess(es) to purchase spa products for the guests, and everyone does treatments themselves. The thing to watch out for with this option is to be careful about the quality of the products purchased and make sure that those doing the treatments know what they are doing otherwise the treatments could potentially do more harm than good. Every Spa Party will vary as far as services done, products used, where it is done, and how much it costs, Sometimes the price is determined per person, sometimes a group rate is given. What is best depends on what the group wants.

Massage is very mainstream and can be beneficial for everyone, however when it comes to brides, there are a couple of precautions that should be taken. A bride wants to be relaxed on her wedding day, so she may consider getting her massage either the day before or the day of the wedding. This is not a good idea. If someone isn’t used to having regular massage, and even if they are, massage can sometimes leave her either a little sore or as limp as a wet noodle – something no bride wants to feel like while standing at the altar. The massage appointment should be made at least a week before the wedding to make sure there is time to recover from any residual effects and she can feel like herself. Spa services are the same. Even with the best products and the best technicians, those facials which make your face glow so brilliantly may also cause a mild breakout. Plucked or waxed eyebrows could take a few days to de-sensitize and loose their redness. Even if things like this has never happened in the past, remember that there are other factors such as stress and possibly an altered diet involved, so the body is more likely to do something unusual at this time. To be safe, all spa treatments, with the possible exception of manicures and pedicures should be done a minimum of a week to 2 weeks before the wedding. Leaving the extra time for these services ensures that if any small thing adverse were to happen, there is time to fix it or let it heal before the bride needs to look her best.

Indeed, planning a wedding is stressful and can cause a bride to become uncomfortable, sore, and miserable which adds to her stress and creates a downward spiral which will make her exhausted on the big day and less likely to enjoy herself. A bride does her best to ensure that her special day is perfect in every way. She makes sure her guests will be happy, the music will be enjoyable, the food tasty, and the flowers colorful and vibrant. With all that she does to create the perfect day, she needs to be rewarded for her hard work. So despite her busy schedule, a bride needs to take some time out for herself in order to make her as perfect as the perfection that surrounds her.

Coming Next Time......The Power of Touch

Babies Are People, Too

Imagine a sweet little child playing in a yard on a warm spring day. In the midst of the frolicking and laughing, suddenly the little one hits a damp patch of grass, slips, and falls flat. Almost instantly those big eyes that were laughing a split second before are filled with tears and the shrieking cry that only rivals a banshee starts. Mom, (who has been diligently watching her child like the good, responsible mother that she is) quickly rushes to calm her child. After a quick inspection, the child doesn't have a scratch and is really more shaken up than anything, but is still howling enough to clear out the wildlife for a 3-block radius. So what is mom to do? With barely a word, she wraps her arms around the child and simply doesn't move. The child feels the embrace and suddenly - as if by magic - quiets down. The shrieking lowers to muffled sobs and then comes down to sniffles and hiccups. Within a few moments, the child has stopped crying, forgotten about the fall, and is happily back to playing. While every young child may believe that mom is magic and can fix everything without anything, the real magic lies in something quite real and everyday - The simple act of a mother's touch has more power than a hundred magic wands.

There has been much debate on children. They are "small adults", they are "completely unique people nothing like adults". Nobody can seem to agree completely on what that is good for adults is also good for children, and if it is good for children, which children? When it comes to bodily benefits, adults and children are very different. They shouldn't exercise the same way, they shouldn't eat the same way. Usually there are many things that children need that adults can do without, or the other way around. There is one thing that adults and children share to help with their well-being and that is massage therapy. (Bet you saw that coming a mile away!)

Massage for a young child may not seem like a completely normal thing. Massage is thought of as being used for old injuries, or for pampering and relaxation - none of which a child could need. But massage therapy is much more than that. A massage should be tailored to the person receiving the massage and a child's reasons for needing massage are very different that an adult's reasons. Massage for children can be used for many reasons to aid and help them. An overly hyperactive child can be calmed by a soothing massage on their arms and legs. A young child with an earache may benefit from a gentle massage on the face, head, and neck. Babies especially can benefit from massage for conditions such as calming colic or fussiness, and aiding digestion. It is simple, non-invasive, requires no foreign drugs or medications, and allows the small developing body to work with itself, not how an outside force would make it work.

We've often heard or discussed how resilient children are. It always seems like they can bounce back almost instantly from just about anything. Children's bodies are impressive because they are in a constant state of change, adapting, and learning. This is probably one reason why they "bounce back" so easily from injury or illness. Their bodies are always taking everything that happens to them and working with it to make the body better. Massage fits into this very easily because the body learns that it can use itself to heal and make the body better.

Touch is very important to children. When babies are born, not all of their senses develop at the same time. Vision, hearing, taste, and smell all take time to stabilize and figure themselves out. Touch is one of the only ones that is instantly known and recognized by a newborn baby. After spending nine months surrounded and enclosed, then suddenly be popped out into a big, wide world with nothing close around, touch allows the child to know that someone or something is there with it - it isn't alone, and since someone is there, it will be safe. Medical journals have done countless research studies on premature infants. In some tests, premature babies were separated into two groups, then one group was touched or held every day while the other group was simply cared for medically with no human contact. In every study like this, the group of babies that were touched significantly gained weight and their health improved more quickly than the group that had no touch contact. Certain types of massage therapy have also been used to help young children who have been victims of various kinds of abuse. In this case, very specialized therapists use this "good touch" to re-train children to trust adults, heal their damaged senses and re-learn to trust their most basic sense which at one time seems to have betrayed them. Massage can truly be used as a healing art for the hardiest child, or the most fragile.

We need touch, we need contact. Sometimes after a long hard, frustrating day, a good solid hug can seem to solve anything. Children are no different. Touch is recognized, known, and understood. It has so many medical benefits for adults, why shouldn't it help children too? It doesn't put strain on a young body like certain kinds of adult exercising, and it doesn't deprive children of what they need nutritionally like adult diets, plus it doesn't have harmful side effects like prescription drugs. It is all-natural, safe, and perfect for children as well as adults. After all, while there are many many varied differences between adults and children, when it all comes down to it, you can break it down to adults - teenagers - children - babies. When all classifications are said and done, no matter the age, they are all the same thing - People.

Coming next time ....... Massage For the Bride

Double Up

February is the month where people think about (or try not to think about) couples. Valentine's Day, cold snowy days cuddled up by a roaring fire, it is a month where people come together. Massage is also a way to bring people together - and no, in not the way many think (stop snickering).

Massage has gotten a bad rap as something usually associated with seedy sexual activity. While many ancient cultures did integrate some forms of massage into lovemaking and sexual acts as part of ceremonies, religion, or tradition, it really never developed the reputation as being something "disturbing" and "improper" until the Puritan Movement Spread through Europe and just about everything was considered "disturbing" and "improper". The thought of someone being in a state of undress while being touched over the whole body by another person - not always a spouse, was unheard of and denounced as being sinful, disgusting, and wrong. These views were echoed in part throughout the reigns of various monarchs who tried to keep a sense of peace and propriety throughout their kingdoms. But as with all things, the more someone restricts something, the more people do it anyway, and take it to extremes.
Approximately around the time of Queen Victoria in England, "Massage Parlors" began opening. International travel and influences was steadily becoming greater, so things seen as normal or proper in other countries, seemed exotic and interesting, and were usually adapted with little actual knowledge what it was all about to begin with. Massage used for medicinal or therapeutic purposes was seen as "get naked and have a girl rub you all over". So then began the underbelly of the massage world, which still exists strongly to this day.

Nevertheless, even though massage was once regarded as something too disturbing to be spoken of in polite society, eventually cooler minds prevailed and through research and greater understanding of other cultures, the good aspects of massage were eventually seen. The recent trend towards alternative medicines acted as a sort of "rebirth" of massage therapy (note the additional word) as a form of healing, not as something scandalous. Even then, as massage started to get its reputation back, it was still offered mainly in spas or exotic locations that required a small fortune to get a simple massage. With the influx of education more readily available to a greater number of people, has allowed massage therapy to become much more mainstream and accessible to more people.

Despite the rebirth of massage therapy as a legitimate, health-based resource, there is still a very common perception that massage is nothing more than a "way to quick gratification". This is such a popular perception, that I can't even begin to tell the number of television shows, sitcoms, and radio shows in which massage is ONLY portrayed as having a sexual purpose. I can honestly say that I have never seen or heard a single example of massage therapy on a mainstream television or radio show portrayed as a healing art - and even if one character portrays the health benefits, the other characters are joking about what is "really going on". So mainstream society and media seem to have very little respect for the massage therapy profession, which further spurs on the illicit side of massage. Unfortunately, this is what people see and hear, and people in today's society are extremely influenced by what they are exposed to, and so take what they see or hear as law. This will probably never change or go away, so all that legitimate healing massage therapists can do is strive to educate people that there is another side of massage, and it is a good side.

So even though massage can have a reputation as being something illicit, people can come together because of massage, and it can help couples in a non-sexual, more legitimate way. If one person in a couple is familiar with massage and it's benefits while their partner isn't, the misunderstanding can often be a sticking point of tension between the two, but if the unfamiliar person is educated and made aware of why the other feels it is important, it can open new doors of understanding int he relationship, and give the partners insight to one another. For example; when I first started considering the idea of entering the field of massage therapy, my husband was mildly against it, although he didn't voice it. He grew up in a "scalpel and prescription" family where anything involving alternative medicine was considered, "Hippie" or "New Age" and it didn't really work. They believed women who were rich only got massages in spas and men only received massages after dark in seedy motels. His perception changed after I had been in an accident and had been prescribed massage therapy for my injury. He gave me a massage at a local massage clinic as a gift and then decided he'd give it a try too to see what it was all about. The clinic was accommodating enough to allow us a "couple's massage" where both people get their massages in the same room, side by side. It allowed him to see that there was nothing illicit going on, after all, if there was - would they allow a man and his wife to be in the same room while it was taking place? After the massage, he admitted that his original perceptions were wrong, and that he now saw that massage was a really good thing. He also had realized that going into a profession like that required a person to have certain qualities about their character, and he hadn't realized that I had those qualities before that time, but now he understood why I wanted to go into that field. It also helped him understand why I was so involved and dedicated to other activities such as my teaching. It also gave me insight to him in that I saw that he wasn't a immobile rock, and that if given the chance and proper instruction, his views could be swayed and he was much more open and understanding than I had thought him to be. It helped both of us realize things about each other and in a small way improved a small piece of our relationship. Despite his new understanding of the field, he then was brought crashing back to reality when he announced my new career choice to a group of his friends to which they responded, "You're letting her do that???" So much for enlightenment.

So this just goes to show that while many people still think of massage as only something sexual, there are benefits for two people sharing the experience of massage therapy. Many therapists if they are able can accommodate a couple's massage which makes a wonderful gift, an opportunity in our stressed out world to spend a little quiet time with your significant other, or just a chance for both of you to unwind at the same time. Stress can cause many problems in a relationship, especially if one partner handles or gets rid of stress more easily than the other. Massage is a wonderful level playing field where both people can benefit and strengthen themselves - and there's nothing illicit about that.


Coming Next Time ..... Babies are People Too

Exercise Repair

5...4...3...2...1...HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Almost as soon as those words are said and the champagne haze begins to wear away, comes the inevitable question: What is your New Year's Resolution? More than any other resolution the first thing people say is that they want to get in better shape, exercise more, stay fit, and take better care of themselves. This usually results in a huge January jump in gym memberships and surge in sales of workout machines, everything which is usually all but forgotten and discarded before the groundhog pokes his head out of his hole.

So what is it that makes this time-tested resolution fail? It is a very good resolution, something that one would think they'd benefit from sticking to. For as many times as this resolution is made and is broken, there are reasons for why this happens:
"I'm too busy"
"It's too hard"
"I'm not seeing results fast enough"
"I'm too far gone for it to work"
"I'm not good at it"
"I try it once and then I hurt for weeks"
Many times excuses are just that - excuses. A change in lifestyle means that some things have to change, whether it's the time you spend on certain activities, or a change in your routine. Change also means that you must accept that things may not be as you want them to be immediately when you want them to be (twist your brain around that one!). Nevertheless, change - especially change that effects your body, is difficult and can take many tries. Intangible excuses are plentiful and gaining in popularity as well as acceptance in mainstream society. Tangible excuses however, like pain, are quite valid - but shouldn't always be the ultimate reason to quit.

Very often, a gung-ho new exerciser will hop into the gym on the first day of their new membership and be very excited to get going. They run on the treadmill for 20 minutes, then they lift dumbbells, use the leg press machine, then take an aerobics class, and leave the gym 2 1/2 hours later feeling healthy, energized, and excited about doing it all again tomorrow. The tomorrow comes and they ache, hurt, can barely lift their arms, cringe in pain as they try to put on their shoes, then pop a bunch of aspirin, decide to take the day off from the gym, then inevitably never return because they have no desire to be in that much pain ever again. Sound Familiar????? With exercising, overdoing it the first time is very easy because the effects have a delayed reaction. The pain and exhaustion that comes after the first workout is inevitable and can be discouraging and disheartening. The best way to keep it from stopping you is to take care of yourself while you begin this big change to your body.

The reason that your arms and legs (and everything else for that matter) hurt after your work out is a nasty little something called lactic acid. Lactic Acid is the byproduct, or waste, created by your muscles moving. The more your muscles are used, the more lactic acid is created. When the excessive amount of lactic acid caused by working out sits or flows through your muscles, that is when your muscles feel like they are "burning". Now the acid can't really harm the muscles, but it is uncomfortable and makes it hard to use the muscles effectively. This is actually what makes the muscles hurt after working out and the longer you go without getting rid of the excess lactic acid, the longer you will be sore and less likely to work out again.

Lactic acid is inevitable - it comes with the way the body works. You can't prevent a lactic acid buildup if you work out, but you can take steps to prevent the soreness that comes afterwards. The first and easiest thing you can do is drink lots of water. This keeps the muscles healthy and hydrated and encourages your system to flush out any excess fluids floating around in it. The next thing you can do is not overdo it when you exercise. If you aren't a seasoned athlete, most likely any amount of working out is going to make you somewhat sore. To avoid getting overly bad, try reining in the enthusiasm and limit yourself to working on one or two things a day such as just the arms, only torso and back, just leg stuff, add short aerobic work (running, spinning, etc.) By spreading out your workout, you don't overload yourself completely and if the area you worked hurts, you have more areas that don't so you can focus on them the next day, therefore keeping you from missing a day and falling out of your routine.

Another way to keep lactic acid at bay is to get rid of it quicker. Here's where massage can be the cure for your exercise woes. Massage pushes fluids through your system and can effectively drain and push out the lactic acid that is accumulating in your muscles. Long-stroked massage styles like Swedish Massage and Lymphatic Drainage can push the fluids through your system to the areas that filter and destroy the troublesome stuff, therefore getting it out of your system faster, and easing your soreness sooner. You shouldn't go for a long or deep massage because your muscles are healing and you don't want to tire them out any more than they already are, but getting rid of the excessive toxins gently can help speed the recovery and allow your muscle to stay healthier.

Massage can also help you with your new exercise routine even if you don't get sore. Building muscle where there wasn't strong muscle before can make you tight and your muscles can feel bulky. Massage can help lengthen and smooth tight, bunchy muscles and allow your muscles to build more lean and clean giving you a less stocky, bulky look and give you instead long, slim, lean muscles which is a healthier and more attractive muscle to have. Plus, since you've decided to make these ultimate changes to your body, don't neglect rewarding yourself with a pampering massage if you reach your workout goals or are just pleased that you've succeeded in making a positive and healthy change. So while change isn't easy, and exercise can feel like it's tearing you apart, you can always turn to massage to repair whatever is going on as a result of these changes.

Coming Next Time..... Double Up