A Caring Touch: Massage Therapy

Thursday, December 14, 2006

The Wisest Gift

The holiday season approaches. A simple statement that can send the chills of fear and dread into the hearts of the sturdiest souls. Once again we are faced with the seemingly unending task of finding the perfect gifts for everyone on your list. Seems easy enough. You survived last year, this year should be a breeze, right? But this year, people's tastes have changed-kids have grown another size-what was cool last year isn't cool anymore-the electronics from last year don't fit the accessories made this year- and how did you end up with more people on your list than you did last year, and where did these people come from?!?

Ok, maybe the holidays aren't the easiest of times. With so much going on, it is easy to loose sight of what this whole gift-giving thing is about. So many people get caught up in what is newer, smaller, and trendier than last year. It is easy to forget why we deal with this whole gift-giving thing to begin with. Most people give gifts to show love, appreciation, friendship, charity, and care to others. The main reason we should give gifts is because we want to, and not because we feel duty-bound and obligated to outspend the next person. So putting aside the beeping, blinking, exploding, and shiny things out there, what is something that you can give to someone that really means something? Something that says you really care about them and their well-being? A gift that can help someone body. mind, and soul? How about Massage?

(Hey, what did you expect? This is a Massage Therapy Blog. Did you really think I was going to sing the praises of Ipods and PS3s? You want things with batteries, go check the Sears Catalog. I'm here to teach you about the benefits of Massage Therapy. )

So yes, Massage Therapy has been helping people for centuries. The benefits range from simple stress-reduction and pampering to healing old injuries and maintaining health. What better gift could you give someone that has the benefits of multiple gifts in one? Perhaps you know someone who has an old sports injury that just can't quite make the pain go away. Maybe your best friend has been working overtime hours all month and dealing with kids with colds home from school and is really stressed out. The gift of Massage Therapy can be just the thing that the most difficult giftee needs. It's a gift that isn't flashy, but it sure is smart. It's actually a gift that can truly keep on giving. (Yes, it's a cliche - but this time it is true.)

Many massage therapists offer gift certificates for the various therapy services they offer. They can range from simple services to extensive day-long treatments. To decide what gift to give, consider the person you're gifting: Does this person have pain, are they a weekend warrior who plays sports on the weekends? They might want a sports-based massage or time focused just on the areas they tend to injure. Is the person in need of some relaxation or special treatment? A long massage with spa treatments may be just the ticket. If you know how much you love massage and want to share that knowledge with someone who isn't too sure about it, they might benefit from something simpler and shorter like a chair massage. As always, don't be afraid to ask you therapist what they would recommend for your particular gift-giving needs. The perfect gift(s) are out there, and simpler to find than you may expect.

During all this crazy hustle and bustle of doing all that perfect gift-searching, don't forget about yourself. You still need to keep stress and pain free, otherwise all your hard work will be for naught when on the big morning, you are sore, stressed, and miserable while your family and friends are perky and happy. Perhaps you could squeeze in a quick chair massage in between stores, or get that shoulder worked on where your shopping bags were too heavy. Or, maybe someone is waiting for you to drop a hint for the perfect gift you want or need.

So during this crazy season where priorities can be forgotten and mixed up, don't forget about the true meaning of gifts. Think about why you give gifts and how your gifts can do the most good. Don't get too suckered in by finding the most expensive, the flashiest, or trendiest gift. Consider instead to give the wisest gift.

Happy Holidays from A Caring Touch: Massage Therapy!!

Coming Next Time....... Exercise Repair

Wednesday, November 29, 2006

A Stone's Throw From Paradise

The air is cold, the wind is howling. It is now getting dark so early, you feel like you never see the sun. You huddle up against the wind and the cold pierces right through your coat, making the pain in your back even worse. Then you step into a room that has light - dim, but it is light. The warm air has mixed scents that are all at once sweet, spicy, and welcoming. You lie down, comfortably, the first time you've stopped moving all day. Then comes the heat. The cold outdoors completely melts away as a warm sensation flows up your back, the heat penetrating your deepest muscles and relaxing away every ounce of tightness, pain, and stress in your body. It is no longer a cold, dark, and blustery day outside, and you no longer have worked a seemingly endless day with an aching back, sore shoulders, and enough stress to make you choke. You are relaxed, you are warm. For you, at this moment, are in paradise; and it's all because of a pair of stones.

Hot Stone Massage today is found in many spas and even individual therapists have begun integrating stones into their own practices. Despite its current popularity, Hot Stone Massage is not new. This form of massage is quite ancient and has been used by cultures such as the Scandinavians, Japanese, and Native Americans. Stones and heat are two easy to find and naturally occurring substances, which make them ideal for use as a healing system.

Stone are heavy - at least heavier than a normal human hand, so when used to do a massage, the stones deliver more effective pressure without necessarily using deeper pressure. Heat is one of the most effective treatments for tight and sore muscles because it helps relax the overly tight muscle fibers. In addition, the stones deliver moist heat to the muscles as opposed to dry heat. Dry heat is achieved with a heating pad, or some other form of heat pack - it heats up the surface of the skin and maybe the first layer of muscle. Moist heat is (as its name suggests) heat involving moisture or water. Moist heat is more effective than dry heat because since our skin is porous, the heated moisture is drawn into our skin and then pulled down deeper into the muscles, therefore delivering more effective heat treatments into deep muscles.

So what exactly is a Hot Stone Massage? Like many forms of massage, it has many stereotypes both good and bad. Hot Stone Massage is very simply a regular massage that involves the placement and use of hot basalt stones. The stones are heated in a specially designed stone warmer in which the stones are immersed in water that is heated to 130 degrees Fahrenheit. The porous stones absorb the heated water and are thoroughly heated completely through. The stones are then either placed on various spots on the body such as along the spine or across the chest and shoulders, or the stones are used in the therapist's hands to actually execute the massage. The stones, when handles properly, can be used to perform almost every massage stroke that can be done with bare hands. The stones themselves are smooth and can aid the therapist in providing accurate and effective pressure, plus directed heat treatments straight to the muscles' most troubled areas.

Whenever heat is involved in anything from treatments to cooking, there is always a concern about burning. Stones heated in 130 degree water are capable of inflicting a slight burn to the surface of the skin. There are several schools of thought as to how to prevent this situation. Some therapists lay stones directly onto the bare skin and prevent burns by simply not heating the stones up to as high a temperature as 130 degrees, creating lukewarm stones instead of hot stones. An alternative (and the method that I learned and currently practice) is to go by the rule: No stone should touch the skin directly unless it is moving; if a stone is applied to the skin and isn't actively moved, a barrier should be put down between the stones and the skin. I personally have performed Hot Stone Massages both ways, and the barrier method is not only safer for all involved, my clients actually prefer it because they are not in any danger of getting burned by a hot stone, and since the stones can be heated up to 130 degrees, the warmer stones and moisture can still be effectively felt through a simple towel barrier. If the stones are moving along the skin instead of being placed, the stones are rapidly cooling off while moving, and the heat is being dispersed across a larger area, so there is less likelihood that a burn will occur.

because Hot Stone Massage has this minor added risk, like all massage, you should always check that the therapist performing the massage is fully certified in Hot Stone Massage Therapy. This is the absolute best way to ensure that you are getting a safe and fully effective massage. Many massage therapy insurance companies are now requiring that therapists who perform Hot Stone Massage are fully certified to prevent unnecessary burns. If you are unsure about your therapist's certifications, just ask. Never be afraid to ask if your therapist is certified in Hot Stone Massage and how they handle and apply the stones. If they don't use a barrier method, ask how they keep the stones from burning you. As in any kind of massage, you will get the best treatment if you trust and are comfortable with your therapist.

Now, one shouldn't allow my last two paragraphs to discourage receiving a Hot Stone Massage. Any massage in any form has minor risks that are virtually eliminated by a skilled and educated therapist and Hot Stone Massage is no exception. Hot Stone Massage is probably one of the most body-relaxing, stress-eliminating, muscle-unwinding, mind-clearing massages that you will ever receive. So consider how you would feel after a long, tiring day to suddenly be caressed in heat with a massage as smooth as satin that puts your mind at ease, your body at rest, and send your spirit far away from your everyday cares. --Sounds a lot like paradise to me.

Coming Next Time ...... The Wisest Gift

Tuesday, October 24, 2006

The Importance of Maintenance

Fill in the blank time...
Your body is a _________
A. Vehicle
B. House
C. Source of life and well-being
D. All of the above

The correct answer is D. Your body is a vehicle in that it transports you from place to place, task to task. Your body houses your organs, fluids, bones, and everything else that helps you function. As for your body being a source of life and well-being (which seems like the most obvious answer) well, you wouldn't have much of a life or any well-being without a properly functioning body would you?

Each of these things; vehicle, house, source of wellness; have something in common. They all need to be taken care of. Your car needs regular work in the form of tune-ups, oil changes, and tire rotations. Your house needs regular cleanings, occasional repairs to the windows, and the driveway resealed. To keep your well-being in a good place, you need a release from stress and a time to relax and rejuvenate. Each of these individual things have one major thing in common: Maintenance.

Maintenance is a regular form of work done to keep something working at its best and to prevent damage, and for your body, Maintenance Massage is one of the best ways of keeping your body at its best. Most people only think of seeing a massage therapist when they are hurting or extremely stressed out. Very few realize that just like a car, if you wait until something is actually wrong, it takes longer to fix. Even if nothing is actually wrong, small problems can still develop at any time and keeping the small problems in check can keep bigger problems from developing.

A short, regular massage can get rid of the minor aches, tightness, and stress that accumulate through everyday life. As these small, minor aches and soreness accumulate over months and years, they can become major problems like chronic pain which will then result in a bad downward spiral consisting of either your taking loads of pain killers (and eventually ruining your stomach and other systems) or seeing multiple doctors and specialists who inevitably will stick you in Physical Therapy costing you your time, money, and sanity. Why put off something so simple that in the end can help you in so many ways?

Maintenance massage doesn't have to be long or elaborate. Many therapists offer a short simple massage that is perfect for keeping away those little aches and sore spots. Usually a 15 or 30-minute massage focused on your most troubled areas once a month or every three weeks is enough to keep you in great shape and can fend off many developing major issues.

To make the most of the short focused massage, think about which areas need the most maintenance based on the individual. If you sit at a computer all day, you might want a quick untangling of the knots in the neck and shoulders. Golfers, bikers, or weekend athletes might want their shoulders or legs kept loose so they don't injure themselves each time they play. If you have a demanding boss and many stressful deadlines, you may need to clear your mind and relax to keep your sanity and stay focused on work.

No matter how active or inactive a person is, regular maintenance and care keeps the overall body in the best shape it can be. Just because you feel like you aren't in excrutiating pain, doesn't mean that deep under the surface, little issues are slowly uniting to someday become bigger issues. One short massage once a month is a simple and effective way to ensure that your body keeps moving, functioning, and keeping you well.


Coming Next Time......A Stone's Throw From Paradise

Sunday, September 03, 2006

Know Your Therapist

Everybody is unique and each person's reason for receiving Massage Therapy is unique. In order to get the most effective therapeutic benefits from your massage, you need to be comfortable with your therapist.

The first time you see a new massage therapist for a specific problem, you want to make sure that they have the proper credentials for your state, or even some form of training at all. Every state has different regulations regarding how much training a massage therapist should have to legally work in the state. Some states require a certain number of training hours, perhaps a state license or certification, or maybe even a National Certification - and some states have no regulations at all. For example, in the state of Pennsylvania, where I practice, there currently is no regulation for massage therapy - that means that one doesn't currently need any type of training in massage therapy to become a professional massage therapist in this state. (Side note: This doesn't mean that I have no training, I actually hold over 1280 hours of training, and a Certification as well as several Continuing Education Units, or CEUs which means I have continued my studies beyond my original training program. I am actually severely over-qualified to work in this state, but I consider that an advantage to my clients.) Whatever the regulations are for your state, make sure your therapist has those qualifications.

You will also want to make sure that your therapist specializes in a type of massage that will help your problem. There are many different types of massage, so it may be difficult to know what kind of massage you need. You might look at a list of styles, or modalities, that a therapist offers and feel like you're reading a menu in a foreign country; "Why Swedish Massage? I'm in America!", "What is a Trigger Point?", "How do you pronounce Myofacial and what is it?" While the modalities sound complicated and confusing, they are all usually quite simple to understand and this is where another part of knowing your therapist comes in.

Your therapist should be willing to listen to what your issues are and be able to recommend the modality that is best for you. They should be willing to explain and describe any modalities they offer that you have questions about and educate you about which will work for your problem and why. You should be completely comfortable talking to your therapist and be confident that he or she will listen to your needs. This goes for during the massage as well as before it. If you can only tolerate light pressure, you may not want to go to a therapist who only specializes in Deep Tissue work, or if you do want to see this therapist, he or she should be willing to lighten up their pressure in they know you can't handle the deep stuff.

You should be comfortable with the communication between you and your therapist because this is the person that you will be trusting to help you get better. The main thing that should exist between you and your therapist is comfort. You are putting yourself into your therapist's hands (pun intended), and you should be completely comfortable with the person that will be touching you, otherwise, you will be too tense and on edge to enjoy the massage and have it do any good. In all, when selecting a therapist, you should consider their ability to help you, their willingness to help you, and how comfortable you are with them. A good amount of open communication with your massage therapist can benefit you in a therapeutic way, as well as mentally, which really opens all channels of healing and makes the therapy that much more effective.


Coming Next Time... The Importance of Maintenance

Sunday, August 13, 2006

Massage Therapy: Stereotypes Away!

What comes to your mind when you hear the word "Massage"? Some people think of soothing music by the edge of the sea where coconut oil is rubbed lightly over your body until you begin to melt with relaxation. Some people think of a large character speaking broken English rubbing you down until you are raw. Unfortunately others think of a seedy anonomyous midnight phone call and a dimly-lit motel room.

Massage has gotten some very unusual reputations, filled with unreasonable stereotypes. People unfamiliar with massage can imagine it being everything from the ultimate experience, to something sick and twisted. While in recent years, massage is being more recognized by many as a very good thing, sadly, massage in seedy dim motel rooms is still a very common perception of all that massage is. Those that engage in this kind of massage, on either end of the deal, perpetuate this stereotype as well as tarnish and destroy the reputation of good, professional, Massage Therapy.

Massage Therapy is just that - Therapy. Massage has been around for centuries and is one of the oldest and most basic forms of healing. Think of it this way: You bump your arm walking through a door. What is the first ting you do? Chances are you rub the area that was bumped. There you have it - basic instict of massage. Over time, many cultures have developped this simple concept to fit the needs of their societies and developped various techniques to help heal what they needed healed.

That is the essence of Masage Therapy: It heals the body, heals the mind, and heals the spirit. It takes away stress, aches, and pains, and replaces them with relief. There are so many bad stereotypes about massage therapy, many people still consider it very "iffy". Well consider this:
If your neck and shoulders hurt from sitting in front of a computer all day,
Massage Therapy can take away the tightness.
If you have deadlines looming, nothing is going right, and you are stressed to the breaking point,
Massage Therapy can help you relax and give your blood pressure a chance to drop.
If you tore your rotator cuff playing sports in high school and never quite got it to move the right way again,
Massage Therapy can loosen up the old damaged tissue creating better movement.

There are many good things about Massage Therapy. An open mind, plus a desire to heal, plus a skilled, professional, ethical therapist, can help you achieve a decrease in pain and discomfort, an increase in feeling good, and can eliminate a lot of those nasty stereotypes of massage. A little bit of Massage Therapy education can help you see that the next time you hear the word "Massage", you will someday picture "Relief".

Coming Next Time....Know Your Therapist

Thursday, July 20, 2006

Welcome

The goal of this site is to inform and educate about the value of Professional Massage Therapy Services, and its various aspects. I hope you will enjoy it and come away with a confident understanding of this valuble craft.