Phalange Forum

I surrender!

2012-02-07T13:27:00.000-05:00

For those that know me, know that I heartily dislike running. If you can do it safely, wonderful. Good for you! But I cannot do it. I don't like it and I never felt good about it. If I am running it is b/c there is a ball being kicked in front of me, or a masked gunman is chasing me thru the park. It was nighttime after a long stressful day and I had my workout looming ahead of me. I had the urge to just go somewhere, anywhere. So I decided to put on my sneakers and hightail it outta there at 9pm. I jogged on and off for about 30 minutes. I felt amazing for about 10 minutes, then I felt old and hurt all over the rest of the night. I was so confused: How come I can do Insanity and P90X just fine and not this?

The next day I woke up and felt amazing. You know that chronic back pain I told you about last week? It was 100% gone the next day. There is no way it can be from running. So I tried it again a few days later. I did not feel like I drank half a bottle of red wine afterwards and the next day my back felt amazing!

There are 2 reasons for this:
1. Since I am not used to this type of workout, I am sure I am stretching a lot more afterwards than I usually do.
2. I think the running motion is actually stretching and loosening up some of those hard to reach back muscles.

I will continue to try running here and there for the above reasons and let's face it, We could all use a little more aerobic activity. Here's to trying something new!!

I Get It.

2012-02-01T13:18:00.000-05:00

All my clients think I float thru life without an ache nor pain. That I simply could not understand what they are going thru. But I do. I don't usually like to talk about it as I thought it was bad for business. Though now I think it is important that you know that I do understand how you feel and do know what it is like. I tore muscular attachments and sprained some muscles 2 years ago, all in the lower back area. With raising a bigger child and the work I do, there is simply no time to rest. I do all of the important core exercises, stretch whenever I can and of course utilize proper body mechanics as much as possible. There are some days it is just not enough or.... I forget. Yes, even I sometimes forget these things as well.

So you buck up, do your acute anti-inflammatory regime and move on. I just wanted you to know that I do understand where you are coming from and hopefully that comes across in my delivery of advice.

Spa Wages

2012-01-01T14:20:00.000-05:00

I recently found out that some spas pay their massage therapist an hourly wage. Some may think this is a good idea, as there are slow days where a comission based pay would leave the MT empty handed. An hourly wage is very uncommon in the massage industry. It is because it is a service based industry. You get paid for the actual service you provide. There are 2 things wrong with this. The most obvious one is total income. An hourly pay is good if the MT has a slow day and hardly works. They at least know they are getting something for their time. What happens when they have a busy day and provide 5 massages at over a $100 each? Then the MT is working quite hard and making small fraction of what the spa is receiving. The other problem is quality. if a MT is not getting paid for the service they provide, they don't need to work as hard, as well nor worry about retention. If they are not getting paid for what they do, why do it well? So not only are they not getting paid fairly, but the type of MT's drawn to this structure are interns, those right out of school, or slackers (every profession has them). There are exceptions to the rule. There are some MT's that work in spas that are decent and some spas pay alright, just know what you are actually paying for. An expensive massage at a spa is most likely a swedish massage but with a nice robe, tea, munchies, and a beautiful lounge to wait in. It's the ambiance you are paying for, not the quality of massage work.

Resolutions?

2011-12-31T11:06:00.000-05:00

Why not? My resolution has been the same for the last 3 years. Diet? Certainly not. Exercise? No Stress less? Kinda.... For the last 3 years I have resolved to watch movies and not question them. Movies are for entertainment, they are not real. So none of this:
She would never do that.
That would never happen.
That is impossible with the laws of physics.
He would not get THAT girl
How did that happen?
Wait, I don;t get it. That detail must have been left in the pages of the book.

You get it...... Just sit back, watch the movie, and enjoy. not only do I get a better cinematic experience, but my husband does as well. :)

Factory Massage Therapists

2011-11-15T15:01:00.000-05:00

I am becoming more and more aware of the quality of massage therapists that the local schools are turning out. Granted, I went to school in Pittsburgh with a completely different focus. But one should still expect quality. I hear way too many stories of MT's that do a basic Swedish massage with zero focus on any needs of the client. No specific work is being done, and no clients are feeling better. This upsets me b/c A. People pay a lot of money for massages. B. When you pay for a service you should receive it. Most importantly, C. It makes us all look bad. Too many clients come in with an accusatory laundry list of items to address before I even get to speak. This is from unsatisfactory past massages. Whether a massage's pressure is light or deep, it is to be therapeutic. If the population is not getting this, then something needs to be done about the quality of education these students are receiving.

t 's a shame for you as the consumer, but I guess it is good for my business. I love what I do, I am good at it, and I know exactly what I am doing and what I can do for you. This makes for a good massage.

Do You Know What You Are Doing?

2011-11-01T14:54:00.001-04:00

Of course!!! It's my job! Yes, I know where all of your muscles are. Yes, I can tell if they are tight or not. Yes, I can tell if the are relaxing. These are, in fact, my basic job requirements. I am amazed by how many people wonder this! I can only assume it is from previous massages where the therapist was not knowledgeable. If a massage therapist cannot talk to you about your muscles, stop, get off the table, and leave without paying. Too many clients are impressed by my education level and understanding of the muscular-skeletal system. This disturbs me as it is the fundamental information ALL massage therapists should have. Yes, I am more into troubleshooting massage so this makes me more focused on the specifics. This does not, however, give another MT who doe snot do this type of work the excuse to not know what they are doing.

Where Do I Go?

2011-10-20T14:50:00.001-04:00

I constantly get asked what my address is and where one should go. My address is 1740 Wisconsin Ave, 2nd Floor. Under the name 'Georgetown Wellness Center'. I also receive many inquiries that get my info from my website that lists my contact info right under my address. I still get this questions. I am not trying to fool or confuse anyone. My office address is my location where I see all of my clients and are all appointments are held.

Vaccinations & Massage

2011-10-13T18:39:00.000-04:00

With flu season right around the corner, it is important that you do not receive a vaccination the day of your massage appointment. When one gets vaccinated, some form of th eillness is injected into the body for our immune system to build antibodies and further recognize it in the future. When you get a massage, your body has to repair and maintain itself from the work we did. Having both on the same day is quite a burden for your body. This means means there is more of a chance of your muscles getting sore or having vaccination side effects.

Please keep in mind my 24 hour cancellation policy.

Chilly Temps Effecting Your Muscles?

2011-10-01T18:33:00.000-04:00

Did you ever notice that when you are chilly for awhile, you tend to get a headache or shoulder/neck pain the next day? This is because our brain regulates our temperature by tensing or shivering. In this process our muscles contract and expand in speedy bursts producing warmth and burning calories. No, this doe snot count as exercise. ;) This does overwork the muscles and can cause muscle pain and discomfort later on. Remedy: dress appropriately, don't sit or slep under vents, drink something warm, and stretch out. If you do wake up in pain or discomfort, come get a massage and I will work it out for you!

Schedule

2011-09-25T10:09:00.000-04:00

I am considering hiring a massage therapist to work for me. Would any of you be interested in receiving sessions on days other than I am scheduled?? As you all know, I have limited availability and cannot work on days other than what I am scheduled for. Would you be interested in having appts. on Fridays or Sundays??? I will of course make sure the massage therapist is of highest quality.

Let me know: melissa@dcdeeptissuemassage.com

The Common Cold & Massage

2011-09-15T18:44:00.000-04:00

If you have a cold or are getting sick, please stay home and cancel your appointment. Your body is already working hard to fight off whatever it is you have and receiving a massage will only over-burdeb you. If you think you may be coming down with something, please stay home. Massage has the possibility of exacerbating your illness and make it com eon quicker and stronger. Besides a massage making you fell worse, I would rather not have the illness spread throughout my office, nor my family. SO stay home, drink your fluids. Rechedule when you feel better and we can get rid of those kinks form when you were on the couch all day.

Massage & Sleep

2011-08-10T19:28:00.000-04:00

Studies show getting a massage is 3 times more effective at fighting fatigue than actual sleep!! This is because we get a place to relax, not do anything, not think of anything, and the massage itself has numerous healing effects on the body. Massage can prevent insomnia. How many times have you had a massage and that night went to bed early, slept well, and woke up refreshed? The combination of the physical massage, extra water, added meditation time and better breathing will all contribute to a better night's sleep. During a session most people meditate in some way. This action helps the body as well as the mind to relax, rest, and restore. Massage and meditation are both proven ways at reducing stress and the body's effects on stress.

Lifestyle Changes & Massage

2011-07-30T19:16:00.000-04:00

One of the hardest steps in any lifestyle change is the first one. That single moment in time when you actually physically begin what you set out to do. The next hardest step is making it a routine. Once you have that down it should be smooth sailing to a newer and better you, or is it?
Every change can be difficult. Change can also be painful. When we alter an activity or behaviour that our body is used to, there can be an adjustment period when our bodies get achey and sore. This is due to our muscles being used differently. This is the perfect time to get a massage to set you off into the right direction again. With massage, you can reduce the length and discomfort of this adjustment period and be able to continue on your new path.

Client Ratio; Men:Women

2011-07-10T19:11:00.000-04:00

50:50

Massage is considered a form of physical therapy as well as a way to get and remain well. Men are just as concerned with their health and longevity as women. Even if there was nothign to troubleshoot, men deserve a little R7R as well! These days we all have stress and massage is a very healthy and scientifically proven way to relieve what is being held in our musculature.

Appt. Frequence: Does It Matter?

2011-06-30T18:54:00.000-04:00

Yes. If we are working on a specific muscular issue, it will take tome for it to dissapate. Think of how long it took for the tightness to accumulate; it will most likely take more than 1 session to work it out. The frequency also depends on how diligent you are with self care and making some lifestyle adjustments. It really is a team effort to get our bodies back to functioning properly. Also, as muscles loosen up the discomfort can move around your body as it habituates to working differently. Massage will also aid in this "reconfiguration" process.

How Often Should You Schedule

2011-06-20T18:49:00.000-04:00

I gets asked this question all the time. If you have ever asked this, you will know my answer is, "It depends on your goals and how aggressive you want to be at attaining them." If a muscle group is causing so much pain and discomfort that it is affecting your lifestyle, you should come once every 7-10 days. Then when it starts to feel better, we wean you down to more time between our appointments. Something nagging you? I'd say it is good to come in every 2-3 weeks. As far as maintenance, once every 4-6 weeks should suffice. For those recovering from an injury, training for a sport's event or someone that needs to come regularly, there are multiple plans that we can apply to make it more feasible or time efficient. For instance we can do less time every once and awhile on a specific muscle group and then longer for the full tune up. I also have various discounts and packages one can apply.

Weeds are not the only pain in the butt

2011-06-04T18:09:00.001-04:00

Whether you consider yourself a master gardener or just occasionally pull weeds, tending to any size garden is hard work. I am a gardener myself and I know how hard it can be on the body. I have 3 large flower gardens and 1 vegetable garden, and I am exhausted by the time I am done doing whatever. If you plan on spending a long period of time out in the gardens, try purchasing a garden stool to give yourself a break. You can also purchase gardening pads to kneel on if you have knee issues. Try squatting here and there to give your back a break. Not only will it relax the low back muscles, but you will get a good core and thigh workout in. Tools are important as well. Make sure you have the right tools for the right job as well as an appropriate sized shovel for what you are doing. This way you are working smarter not harder. And of course..... warm up, stretch, protect yourself from the sun and stay hydrated!

Sunday Drivers Beware

2011-05-28T19:04:00.002-04:00

There is no better way to spend a warm, sunny afternoon in the spring then to pack u everyone in the car and drive somewhere, anywhere. But what happens when we eventually get home and a few hours realize that we are now sore? Besides calling me for an appt, there are ways to prevent this from occurring in the first place. Think of all the muscles we use while driving a car. The shoulders get held in isometric contractions, while the rotator cuffs are working in small repetitive motions. There is lack of lumbar support while the right leg an dhip is overworked pressing on the pedals and going back and forth. Before you get in the car warm up by walking around the block or going up and down the stairs herding your passengers. Ar eyou stopping for a tastey treat on your adventure? Take a few minutes and stretch out your body. Try putting a small pillow behind you if you do not have enough lumbar support.

Keep only your memories, not a pain in the glutes.

It's Official!!

2011-05-25T06:28:00.002-04:00

If you are following my blog, you know that my 15 month old has never really "liked" my massages..... He loooves it when my husband massages his moisturizer on after his bath. Me, not so much, my baby acts like he tolerates it. Well, last night Zack only wanted his mommy, so I led the whole bath/bedtime routine. (This is usually Daddy time by the way) I really want him to like my massages so I am working hard at making it nice. My husband commented that I was giving him too much of a real massage and that was silly. I replied that Zack works hard toddling and climbing all day. So I start talking to my son about bedtime etc. Then I say, "See Zack, Mommy knows what she is doing. Do you like Mommy's massages now?" Zack looks me right in the eye and starts shaking his head "No". Mind you he does know what 'No' means and he has been shaking his head 'No' appropriately for a few days....... I guess it is official, my son does does not like my massages!!! Does he not know people pay me a lot of money to do this?!?

Shoes To Shrink My Thighs & Hips??

2011-05-23T18:00:00.002-04:00

Many shoe companies are now selling shoes that supposedly tone your glutes and thighs simply by walking in them. How do they work? They don't. Every client of mine that owns them complains of mysterious low back pain. What is not so mysterious is why. These sneakers (yes, I am from the northeast so they are called sneakers) adjust the height of your heel at certain spots. There is a yoga pose that they are trying to emulate. Will this pose work in toning and strengthening these areas? Sure! Should we be moving continuously in this position for a length of time? Of course not! Myself, personal trainers, physical therapists, kineasologists, physiologists and rehab specialists all agree that these shoes do more harm than good. Our bodies are a very intricately engineered machine. If you mess with its foundation, you mess with the functioning of the whole machine.

My advice: If you want to tone and strengthen your hips and legs, stick with what actually works. Squats, lunges, weights, aerobics, walking, running, etc.

When To Arrive For Your Appt.

2011-03-10T09:57:00.000-05:00

You call or email for an appointment... The day arrives, the time creeps up and you show up for our 4pm massage. Where is the clock? Are you on time? Do you need to prepare? Will you need to fill out paperwork?

If it is your first visit, please arrive at the very least 5 minutes prior to your appt time to fill out paperwork. This includes your health history, some contact info, and a review of my late/cancellation policy. You may even want to show up more than 5 minutes early to use the restroom etc.

If you have seen me before, please still arrive about 5 minutes prior to your appt.

I do prefer to begin the actual massage at the appointment time. So if you have a 4 pm appointment, please show up at least 3:55pm. This gives you enough time to use the restroom, get some water, and for us to chat about what your goals are and how we will accomplish them. There are times when I run a bit late and that will of course not reflect in your massage time. Every single massage had buffer time booked into it. This way I can chat with you about ergonomics, stretching, thoroughly understand what is going on with your body, or just what is new with you.

Point being: If you are a new client and show up exactly at your appt time or later, this will reflect in you time on the massage table. If you are a repeat client, please do not come late. :)

Gift Certificate Policies

2011-03-06T09:25:00.004-05:00

A gift certificate it is a fantabulous gift! You give someone the wonderful gift of a massage when it is convenient for them. Unfortunately, every once and awhile the envelope will get stashed away to the bottom of the drawer only to be discovered after it has expired. Will I honor it? No.

You have 1 full year to redeem the massage. Most often than not, the GC was purchased with a holiday discount. I cannot honor an expired GC for multiple reasons. A. It is not fair for those that saw it had expired and did not try to use it. B. It is not fair for me to honor a discounted, expired GC when my rates had maybe gone up as well. C. If I let one person I have to let everyone. D. That is not how any other business works so don't expect mine to be any different. I would like to see someone try to bring an expired GC to Macy's, or Babies R Us, or any other store and expect them to honor it. They won't no matter how hard you plead. I am not trying to swindle anyone out of a massage or money, I just ask that people respect me as a business and business owner.

Like I said, you have 1 full year to redeem a Gift Certificate.

When to alternate between Ice and Heat.

2011-02-28T12:18:00.000-05:00

In my newsletter I will discuss when it is appropriate to use heat versus ice. It is also quite beneficial to alternate between the two. It is confusing, but also effective.

First you have to prevent epidermis injury. Make sure not to burn nor freeze yourself. Apply the next therapy after the skin has somewhat visibly recovered from the previous an. Each application only lasting a max of about 10-20 minutes each.

Second, this alternating therapy is used between an injury being acute and chronic. The first 48 hours of an injury you want to apply ice, ice massage, cold bath, etc. Then this is when you alternate between ice and heat. This stage lasts around 48-72 hours. Then you would move on to heat. With ice applications when necessary. ALWAYS END WITH ICE. This is to prevent any type of further swelling or inflammation.

Third, why....... When alternating you are keeping the swelling down, but at the same time promoting circulation. Ice causes vasoconstriction (closing of small blood vessels) and heat causes vasodilation (opening of small blood vessels). Using both produces a stronger pump for your blood to bring in more nutrients and to take away swelling, inflammation, and built up metabolic waste from the injury.

Preventative Health

2011-01-31T08:02:00.002-05:00

Receiving massages on a regular basis helps to prevent tightness and dis-ease from occurring. Obviously with regular massage you are getting loosened up often enough to help prevent too much tension from building up. There is another huge way massage works with prevention; that is education. If I had a nickel for every time a client noticed a new area of tension during the massage, I could retire. When receiving a massage, we can really feel what areas of our body are tight or sore and in turn, we can go back to our lives and work on that group. Did you not realize your back was tight prior to the session? Now you know to go back and work on your low back, core, and hips in your life. Meaning, what am I doing to cause this? How can I adjust my habits to prevent this? Where can I add in more stretch time? When you realize these areas of hidden tightness you can then work at preventing dysfunction of your muscular-skeletal system. Why do you want to prevent something like this if you are receiving massages regularly anyways? Well, who wants to be in pain or discomfort? Also, our bodies work much better if we are using them in a way they are designed to function. With a little teamwork, we can live a bit more smoothly and pain-free.

Black Swan

2011-01-02T16:49:00.002-05:00

Multiple clients have been asking me about the diaphragm work done in The Black Swan so I went to see it. Plus, it gave me an excuse to spend the afternoon with my girlfriends. First thing's first, I really enjoyed this movie. Now, back to massage. I do diaphragm work and though my technique is different, there is only one way to get that muscle. It looks painful in the movie, but in reality it isn't so bad. I have always had tight abdominal muscles so I have personally had massage done in this area a lot. It is helpful if you need it. It won't feel great like getting your shoulder worked on, but it will feel fabulous when it is loosened up.

Since my newsletter was about change and how massage assists with change I thought I could tie this in with it. We all have goals, whether they are professional or personal, and we all have obstacles we have to get over along the way. The Black Swan really exemplified how we can all be our own worst enemy and nay-sayer. Many times, our biggest obstacle is ourself.

Massage and My Baby

2010-12-27T19:51:00.003-05:00

If you recall, I posted awhile ago that my baby son did not really like my massages. Well, Zack is 10 months and he still prefers my husband. When My husband massages him prior to naps or bedtime, he lies still and relaxes. When I do it, he wriggles and tries to escape. Does he not know I am a professional??

Do I take medication?

2010-12-10T15:01:00.000-05:00

I sure do! When times are tough, why not? I do promote going without if possible and I follow that myself. If something hurts, I figure out why. What is the cause? How can I adjust or eradicate the cause to relieve myself of the symptoms? After I figure that out, I usually wait and see how it goes. Most times this is all I need. If I injured myself or I can tell if something is inflamed, I will surely use ice or Biofreeze over taking an anti-inflammatory. If the pain is not going away or I am about to go to a playgroup with 6 infants, then it is time to consult the medicine cabinet.

During allergy season... I certainly will take a decongestant. Do you really want to hear me sniffling throughout your massage??

Ahhhhh

2010-12-07T09:28:00.002-05:00

I used to get a 90 minute massage every week. However, with running a business and taking care of a baby on the move it has slipped a bit. I am on an intense workout program so I should be more vigilant than ever, but life takes over sometimes.... I had my massage this morning and I have no words besides a big long . How does a massage make me feel? Like myself again. Yes, I feel looser, pain free and more relaxed but it goes deeper than that. My body feels like it is functioning how it is supposed to. My parts are moving smoothly with a wide range of motion, I can breathe better, I feel lighter..... I just feel like a free woman on the move and nothing can stop me. You simply cannot bottle that feeling.

Sleep

2010-11-23T08:22:00.002-05:00

My upcoming newsletter is on sleep. I have always been a strong advocate on sleeping and slothing when appropriate. This is why I love Sundays; I never feel guilty about laying around and being lazy. Of course the definition of lazy is different when you are running around after a baby and trying to loose 5 pounds/month. Nonetheless, I find a way. ;) The medical field suggests everyone should get about 8-9 hours of sleep per night. Though my husband lives happily on 6-7. I know many people that survive on much less. I say survive, b/c our bodies really need sleep to function properly. I myself need at least 8 hours to feel normal. 9 hours and I feel like Snow White waking up to the animals singing in the forest. Do I get my 8 hours? Yes. I make it a priority. I am more of a morning person so my productivity level at night is zero. I know that I will be running on empty for a good part of the day if I don't get 8 hours so I make it happen. If I go to bed on time, I can wake up naturally on my own, feel good, and am ready to tackle the day. And I do! If I get 30 minutes less, forget it. I am pretty useless. I owe it to myself, my family, and my clients to get the right amount of sleep so I can function at my highest ability. Another reason sleep is so important to me..... I am allergic to caffeine.

How long should I schedule for?

2010-11-15T14:52:00.000-05:00

I offer 30, 60, 75 and 90 minute sessions. Here is a breakdown of what you should make an appointment for.
30 Minute Massage - 30 minutes is only enough time to work on one muscle group. Have a kink in your neck? Did your hamstrings pull out your low back? This length session is good for working out a specific muscle problem in one grouping of muscles. Or... if you simply want to relax and don't want too much deep work done, I can do your whole back or multiple muscle groups.
60 Minute Massage - This is the most popular length session. I can do a full body massage and focus on a few specific muscular issues. Or I can spend the hour in one area and be real specific and get real deep in with the massage work. For example - I often will work on clients' back, shoulders, arms and neck only for the full hour if they sit at a desk and need a lot of therapeutic work done.
75 Minute Massage - 75 minutes is good if 60 minutes is not quite enough. I have time to do more specific work on more muscle groups, or I can so something like the example above then work on your hips and legs real quick with deeper Swedish techniques.
90 Minute Massage - 90 minutes is good if you have a laundry list you want me to work on. especially if they are larger muscle groups. For instance, you are a runner and sit at the computer all day. You will most likely need extra deep work on multiple larger muscle groups. Nothing less than 90 minutes will do.

How did I become a MT?

2010-10-31T16:50:00.000-04:00

When did I become a massage therapist? After college.

I went to the University of Pittsburgh to study forensic psychology in hopes if becoming an FBI profiler. Yes, it's a bit of a different vocation. Pitt has wonderful opportunities for every student and I worked on various research projects (working with juvenile sex offenders) as well as many interesting internships (city police department, homicide detectives, etc) While this was all very interesting and educational, I also learned that I would most likely not be happy in this profession. I had already seen too much and had answered all of my questions regarding my professional curiosities.

I was thinking of going on to become a chiropractor, but let's face it. After 4 years of college I was not looking forward to 4 more. So I decided to go into massage therapy school, get into the field and go from there. At least I was doing something with my life! Well, 7 years later.... I love what I do. I love going to work every day. I love taking continuing education courses to add to my specialities. Most of all... I love my boss!

I am just like you!

2010-10-30T12:37:00.002-04:00

Clients always assume I eat great, work out great, stretch etc. For the most part I do exactly as I preach. For those that don't know I have an 8 month baby which takes up the majority of my time and prevents me from being as healthy as I was and should be. Since it is getting cooler out, I don't fit into my slacks, and I refuse to buy newer and bigger ones.... It is time to make time. So many of you are on a journey to getting well; whether it is posture, stretching, working out, relaxing... I am here to tell you that I am now joining you. I have a goal of 5 pounds per month until Zack's birthday which is the end of February. You recall all of those lectures I give on body mechanics, warming up, stretching ??? I am now at a place where these things are really essential.

Befriend me on Facebook and follow me thru my journey back to me.

Running

2010-10-18T09:27:00.002-04:00

So many people run and so many people have muscular issues from running. Is running bad? Of course not! People simply need to educate themselves on how to run safely. If you can do it without hurting yourself I think it is a fabulous way to stay healthy. You can burn calories, get some air, see sights, nature etc. As with any sport, it is important to have the right equipment and body mechanics. Runners also need to remember the importance of warming up, cooling down and stretching.

Do I run?? No. I wish I could..... I am quite the clutz and have sprained both my ankles and have broken some bones in my feet over the years. This results in me getting shin splints way too easily. I even get them if I have to drive in rush hour too much in a week's time. I have attempted to strengthen my calves and started to train, but to no avail. I prefer more goal oriented sports anyways. Yes, I am aware that running does have very concrete goals. However, you will not find me running a couple of miles unless a hooded man with a knife is after me.

To See or Not To See

2010-09-29T07:00:00.002-04:00

Have you ever looked up or to the side at me and noticed that I was not looking at you?? I may be looking at the art in the room, the flicker of the candle, fresh flowers, or simply nothing at all with my eyes closed. The reason for this is that I don't have to look at you. In fact, I don't want to look at you. ;) When I adjust the draping I do a quick glance over to see if there are any cuts, bruises, rashes, strange moles etc. Then, my sense of touch takes over. To do my job correctly, I feel around the muscles and fibers and dig in where I need to. Sight is not going to assist me in this. In massage school the teachers would blindfold us while we were practicing our technique. The reasoning is so that we would get a greater understanding of the human anatomy and how to work with it. This skill helps me to do my job in the best way I know how. So if you see me not seeing you, know that you are still my primary focus.

Silly Faces

2010-09-12T03:22:00.002-04:00

Have you ever looked up or to the side at me while receiving a massage and noticed I had a peculiar expression?? There are 3 possibilities:
1. Breathing. I have always despised it when a massage therapist breathes on me. So if I am working on or near your head, I am directing my breather so the exhalation does not go into your face.
2. I am holding in a sneeze. Over the years I have learned how to hold in a sneeze. It works 100% of the time, but the process causes me to make a very strange face.
3. My nose tickles/itches. I obviously cannot touch my face during the massage for multiple reasons, but sometimes I simply cannot ignore that stubborn itch on my cheek or nose. Hence the silly expression.
Next time you see me making an odd expression, know there is nothing wrong, I am simply trying to make your massage the best one ever!

Yabba Dabba Do

2010-08-27T09:38:00.002-04:00

A new running fad was brought to my attention. Some are running in bare-feet. The thought behind this is that humans were made to locomote without shoes and therefor will be efficient without. There is a lot of research out there that essentially proves this. The researchers study the runners' gait as well as where their feet strike the ground. The evidence is very interesting and even has me sold....... almost. Humans were designed to run without shoes, but humans were not designed to run marathons, triathlons, etc. It did not take 26.21875 miles to hunt down the mammoth. Also, our muscular and skin tissue was not designed to run on cement, pavement, gravel, asphalt or dirty city streets. Plus, as we develope our bodies are conditioned to run with footwear. So going bare-feet will have a tremendous maleffect on the whole body. A runner could possibly achieve a better time, in theory, but I am not sure it's worth the consequences. I asked an ultra runner their opinion on this topic. (an ultra run is a 50 mile race, so you can just imagine the kind of training this person goes thru) His thoughts were that this was just the newest craze in the runner's world and that runners need to troubleshoot their handicaps without finding an easy way out that could hamper their sport. Interesting.

Rate Increase

2010-06-30T08:23:00.003-04:00

Some of you may be wondering why I have increased my rates by $5. It is to stay competitive in the area. Most places in DC charge well above what I do for less quality work (to be perfectly honest). I have always tried to keep my rates at a reasonable level, because I think it is more important that people can afford to get and remain well. I do have multiple discounts available, including packages. All of these are listed on my website at www.dcdeeptissuemassage.com/Pricing.

I have recently moved my office to a new location with many new amenities. This is NOT the reason for the rate increase. I just thought that with a fresh a start this would be a good time to do it. Looking in the past, I have not raised my rates in 4 years so we are due.

I appreciate your business and really do love working with you in maintaining your healthful life!

2010-06-28T21:04:00.001-04:00

My new office will be under the name "Georgetown Wellness group".
it is at 1740 Wisconsin Ave, which is at a traffic light where S T-s into Wisconosn. I am located above a nail salon named Harmony Spa.

2010-05-31T10:34:00.003-04:00

Every few years a shoe company comes out with a shoe that allegedly tones and strengthens your glutes and thighs while you simply walk in them. How does this work? Supposedly, by increasing the height at a specific point in the shoe. Myself, and other body professionals (chiropractors, personal trainers, PT's and kineosologists) all agree: they do more harm than good. The theory behind the shoes is that they mock a certain yoga position that is used to tone and strengthen the legs and hips. The problem is that our bodies were not meant to function and locomote for a period of time in this position. Every single person that walks thru my door that has purchased these shoes have complained of hip and low back pain that is effecting their quality of life. Not to mention a nice dent in their wallet with no results. Our bodies are a very precisely engineered machine. If you adjust the foundation it will not function properly. My advice? If you want to work on your hips and legs stick with what really works: squats, lunges, weights, walking, running, etc. Unfortunately, there is no such thing as the easy way out in exercising.

Isn't it Ironic

2010-05-01T07:00:00.002-04:00

I obviously spend a lot of time with my chosen career. I am constantly continuing my education, blogging, reading, and simply enjoying each day at work. The funny thing: My 8 week old son prefers my husband massaging his feet and not me. When I do it, he could care less. When my husband, Ryan does it, Zack smiles, squirms, and coos. Ryan can also soothe the loudest cry with his foot massages. Me? Nothing, he simply gives me this looks that I know translates into, "Mom, you're doing it all wrong. That's not how Daddy does it..." ;)

Sciatica

2010-04-16T15:57:00.003-04:00

So many people say that they have Sciatica, but they don't. Actual sciatica refers to a herniated disc in your back that presses on the sciatic nerve. This obviously needs to be examined and diagnosed by a Dr. This condition causes pain in the low back that refers down thru the hip and into the back of the though all the way down your leg. A lot of people experience this type of pain but do not actually have nerve compression between L5 and S1. Often this painful syndrome is caused by tight hip muscles. The sciatic never comes out of the back and runs between a posterior hip muscles called the Piriformis. If this muscle is tight, it can impinge the nerve and cause the same symptoms as actual sciatic compression in the spine. Also, there are a few other hip muscles (like the gluteus medius, gluteus minimus, other deep hip rotators) that when they are tight and consist of Trigger Points, the referral pain pattern will mock sciatica. This is where I come in. I can get in their (usually with my elbow) and release the Trigger Points in these muscles and manipulate the soft tissue so that you can have some relief. It is especially important to have a massage therapist work on these muscles as we will know where all of the structures and attachments are. Plus, we will be able to work on the related muscle groups to alleviate the tightness from the domino affect of everything be connected.

If you have sciatic type pain from these tight muscles, you can prevent by avoiding prolonged standing or leaning, not sitting on a thick wallet, making sure you are properly warmed up for sports events and especially walking uphill as well as stretching your hip out afterwards, proper foot support, and using cruise control on your car when appropriate.

Plantar Fasciitis

2010-04-02T15:39:00.004-04:00

Plantar Fasciitis is an umbrella term for the inflammation of the connective tissue on the plantar (bottom) surface of the foot connecting on your heel and up towards the toes. It can range from being mildy uncomfortable to excruciatingly painful. Anyone can acquire it, but mostly it occurs to athletes, people standing on their feet for long periods of time, pregnant women, and those with inadequate support. How do you know if you have it? Easy. Does the bottom of your feet hurt when you wake up in the morning? Does the pain return if you've been standing or when you get up from sitting for awhile? If you answered yes, you more than likely have plantar fasciitis. Of course you would need to see a doctor to diagnose this.

For those that have suffered from this condition know that it is quite painful and seems to take forever to heal, but there are a few things that you can do to avoid it:

Avoid walking in barefeet (In shoe-less households try having house-shoes or wearing slippers)
Make sure you have appropriate support in your footwear.
Wear orthotics if necessary
When standing for long periods, take a break and stretch and sit with your feet up.
Have someone you live with massage your feet at the end of the day.

If you think you have plantar fasciitis, make an appt. with your doctor so that you can start to heal as quickly as possible. Your recovery might include new shoes, orthotics, stretches, exercises, massage, anti-inflammatories, and/or a special boot from your Dr. it is very important to treat this as soon as possible as it can get worse and start to effect the rest of your body. If your foundation is off, it is going to reverberate up your whole body and effect the muscles in your legs, hips and back.

Massage can tremendously help to alleviate the pain and discomfort of plantar fasciitis. During the day (and while you sleep) fluid builds up in your feet. Massage geared towards this condition will assist the body in circulating the fluids back up as well stretching the fascia, tendons and ligaments. With your feet in pain, you are most likely walking differently. This is going to effect the muscles all the way up to your back. To prevent or troubleshoot this chain reaction, a deep tissue massage is your best bet.

Yoga and Self-Care Stretching

2010-03-19T10:27:00.002-04:00

You all know my lectures on daily stretching so I won't go into that. What you don't know is that yoga is not sufficient for self-care. I have had enough clients report this as to make me want to inform you that you need more. Yes, yoga does stretch out your body and make you more flexible and resilient. What it does not do is replace the need for you to stretch out your overworked, muscles from daily wear and tear. Yoga in of itself is a strength training workout. That is why in class the teachers warm you up and stretch you out during the session. I think yoga is a wonderful thing for your body, but it does not replace a daily stretching routine.

Common Thread

2010-02-19T15:11:00.003-05:00

Is it your imagination, or does every single blog and newsletter article go back to you using your body correctly and applying workout principles to everyday activities? NO, it is not.

I obviously cannot stress this point enough. The body is a very intricately designed piece of machinery whose parts were made to function in a certain way. When we use them incorrectly, the parts do not work as well and will end up having some signs of wear and tear. I am clearly an advocate of prevention and good health so I try to always emphasize that you have the power and responsibility to avoid many everyday muscular injuries. One might say it is adventagous of me to keep proclaiming this, after all, don't I want people to be in pain so they will make more appts?? No; I see myself as a medical health professional so I want and strive for you to be well. I see myself as a coach. I am here for support and to help guide you in your health, and when that is not enough I can troubleshoot the problem for you so you are 3 steps ahead than where you were before.

Insurance & Massage

2010-02-05T13:38:00.003-05:00

Insurance companies have been covering massages for quite awhile now. Some of them cover the full cost, some partial. Some need a Dr.'s a note saying that you need them and some you can just pay out of your pre-tax account. Either way, this is always good news. To some of your dismay I do not accept insurance. I will provide you with a receipt, and excel chart of your appts, and/or a write up of the work we did, anything for you to be able to get reimbursed. Why don't I just accept your insurance and be done with it? My dad is a dentist and I grew up listening to him and all of his friends gripe about the insurance companies. Problems such as cost and care control or the driving factors. I cant have someone telling me I can only provide a 15 minute massage for someone that needs a full hour etc. I went into private practice for a multitude of reasons, a top one being control issues. I love what I do for a living and I prefer to do it all on my own terms. One simply cannot do that when they are chained to an insurance company. It may be a slight pain in the rear for you, but in the end you really get the most benefit in the current scenario.

Winter Sports

2010-01-22T13:24:00.003-05:00

No one is a bigger kid than me; my favorite holiday is Halloween, I can't resist jumping in a pile of leaves and winter is definitely my time of year. The snow ball fights, sledding, building a snowman, nothing is more fun than playing in the snow knowing at any time I will be able to smush snow in my husband's face without any repercussions.

OK, so let's bring this around to your body and massage. Think of all the other winter pastimes: sledding, skiing, even shoveling. These are all body intensive activities. it is truly imperative that you treat all of these as workouts. You must warm-up, stretch, and make sure you are using proper form. Not only are your muscles working hard to perform the action, but you also have to add the element of keeping balanced, trying to see etc. Without recognizing these are workouts, you could put yourself in a position where you wake up the next day sore and in a lot of pain. To make sure you remain well and can get up early the next day for something else fun, treat these winter activities as workouts. Warm up and stretch with winter sports. Stretching does not include lifting a glass of hot cocoa or Irish coffee, so make sure you get it in before. When performing a snowy clean-up task, remember to warm-up and lift from your legs. If you keep bending over with all the weight of the snow you will most likely hurt your back. Lift with your legs and not only will you avoid the later pain, but you will get an amazing leg and glute workout in the meantime!

Ice & Your Low Back

2010-01-08T13:13:00.003-05:00

There are multiple muscles that are used in keeping balance; spinalis group, quadratus lombardum, gluteus group, IT etc. These are just the major and larger muscles that assist in this action. All of these large muscles also have a few common boney attachments which leads to a lot of pulling and tugging in the same area in different directions. This can lead to a lot of lower back pain and discomfort.

When we are walking our muscles are functioning in a certain way to provide you with that bipedal action. If we slip on the ice, snow or slush, these muscles are jerked in one direction or another quite quickly. It is not to the degree of a whiplash, but enough of a stretch for a comparison.

So be careful when walking in the winter. Try to wear boots of some sort to keep you stable. if you do fall or slip and are i n pain, of course call me and we can work that out. ;)

Maternity Leave

2010-01-05T01:15:00.000-05:00

As a reminder, my maternity leave is February thru March. I will be completely connected at this time so please feel free to call or email me with any questions or concerns you may have. Also, you may schedule an appt. for when I return so you do not have to wait for your care. My returning schedule is as follows:

April - I will be back to work on Saturdays from 8am-5pm
May - Along with Saturdays, I am adding my Monday and Thursday evenings where I will be seeing clients in the 5:20, 6:40 and 8pm appt. slots.
June - I plan on being back to on full schedule with Mondays and Thursdays from 9-9 and Saturdays 8-5.

This is the plan. I really love what I do and take a lot of pride in the practice I have developed. I do plan on sticking with this return-to-work schedule.

Thank you for understanding and I look forward to seeing you soon!

Chilled thru your Muscles

2009-12-25T12:59:00.002-05:00

We can get chilled to the core, but what about a few layers up? Being cold, especially to the point of shivering has a strong impact on our muscles.

When we get cold or are chilled, we scrunch our upper body inwards (yes, scrunch is the technical term) and sometimes curl our lower body in. These isometric contractions are keeping our muscles in constant flexion or extension. One can definitely become sore as if they took a hard yoga class and did not stretch. Picture walking around with your arms straight up in the air; same concept.

Shivering is a reflex response to keep our internal organs warm. when we shiver, we burn calories and produce the byproduct of heat. When we shiver, our muscle are obviously contracting over and over again. Again - overworked. Not to mention, if you are shivering you are putting your health at risk by not keeping your body warm enough.

You can prevent muscular discomfort by dressing appropriately, not sitting or sleeping under an air vent, or staying outside longer than you should.

Why does Spa = $$$

2009-12-11T12:43:00.002-05:00

Well, in most cases it is not the quality of the massage therapist you are paying for... Spas are notorious for employing mediocre massage therapists. Why? Well, that is a different topic for a different day. Nor is it the length of the session... Most spas offer 25, 50, and 75 minute sessions instead of the usual 30, 60 and 90. If they say the service is 30, 60, or 90 minutes, they usually tell you that 10-15 minutes of that time is used on your initial interview and changing time. I don't know about you, but it does not take me 10 minutes to take undress and get on a massage table. So why are the massages so much more money at a spa then with a private practitioner? It is all about the ambiance and experience. You pay more money for less time and less quality, buuuut you get to change into a comfy robe in a locker room where you lock all of your electronics away. Then you shuffle in your terry clothe slippers into a lounge where you may lay on a comfy sofa with your choice of beverage: a variety of teas, citrus water, juice, or sparkling cider. Perhaps a cookie, brownie or fresh fruit will be provided. You can enjoy these treats while you relax to the peaceful new age music and possibly watch a screen of fish swimming in the ocean. Then the therapist will take you back to their assigned room and offer a selection of oils that can be personalized by their aromatherapy (for an extra fee of course). After your OK massage where you still feel the tightness, but are content nonetheless, you shuffle back to the lounge and relax before re-entering the real world again. It takes multiple employees much more time to make sure all of this is enjoyable enough so you don't care that you still have that crook in your neck. This is why it costs so much more.

Not Just the Turkey Suffers

2009-11-25T11:33:00.004-05:00

Thanksgiving is a day of giving thanks and appreciating all that you have, yaddi yaddi yah....

It's also a day of pain, aggravation and stress. Some thing to remember for Thanksgiving so you are not left feeling with anything more than a little bloating from the food.

Stress - The planning, the organizing, the family politics... Do you feel it yet? Form previous blogs you are ware that stress does effect the body and our muscles. To avoid this, take some time to write a few lists so everything is in order. Try to make time for yourself this day by reading a book, listening to your favorite album, or going for a walk.

Cooking & Cleaning - Our kitchen counters are not set up ergonomically correct for bodies. So what? Well, with all of the slight bending and twisting, you could be in store for a lot of lower back pain. Think of this prolonged activity like a workout. Warm-up before you begin and stretch out afterwards. Try to cook and clean in intervals instead of all at once so your body gets a break. Also, ask friends and family to help (even if it is your mother-in-law) Your guests might appreciate getting up and doing something and you can keep each other company in the meantime.

The Danger w/ Using TENS Machines

2009-11-12T11:13:00.004-05:00

Sometimes clients come in with a very specific pain issue that they comment that their TENS machine did not work. Also, some clients visit a Dr. or chiropractor where this machine was hooked up to them and again, come back to me as there was no change in their discomfort. The problem with owning your own personal TENS machine, is that most people do not educate themselves as to when to actually use it. So in many cases, it results in worse spasms and more intense pain.

The usage of a TENS machine is based on the Gate Theory. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gate_control_theory_of_pain
In layman terms, the appliance works by "tricking" your brain into not feeling the pain, just the pulsing sensation of the electrode. OK, this makes sense, I rub my toe when I stub it on the coffee table... So why would it not work with a muscle spasm? With most muscle spasms, their occurrence stems from being over-worked or used incorrectly. When you electrically stimulate your muscle, you are actually making it worse by perpetuating the cause of the pain! There may be better applications for the TENS, but I am from the school of thought where you solve a problem by eradicating the cause of it. Not trying to mask it for a period of time. So what are you supposed to do instead? Of course, come see me and get a massage (that's a Captain Obvious) but you can also try stretching it out, work with heat and ice application or rolling a lacrosse ball or foam roller on the area.

Toe-mato, Tomah-to

2009-10-29T08:30:00.002-04:00

Did you ever wonder why I always refer to myself as a "Massage Therapist" then you may hear people occasionally say "Masseuse"? Is there a difference?? YES!

In the past 2 decades there has been a lot of advancement in the filed of massage therapy. Research on its efficacy as well as application have been performed and massage as been proven to be an asset in the medical community. 'Massage Therapist' is a title given to a medical professional that has the proper education and has obtained the legal licensing required by the state to legally and safely perform massage. Along with having the right education to obtain the license, one has to go adhere to strict continuing education requirements to uphold the license. This process is regulated on a state, not federal level. There are a few states where there is no licensing and anyone can say they are a massage therapist and I suppose can legally do so. These people may or may not have any education on anatomy to know where parts or, nor pathology to know not to hurt someone. This is very dangerous for a client to receive as well as damaging to the rest of us that have the medical training and background to work with injuries etc. These people are referred to as a "Masseuse". Also, when some states began their licensing they grandfathered in masseuses that have been practicing a certain length of time without requiring the appropriate education.

So as you can see, there is clearly a difference between a 'Massage Therapist' and a 'Masseuse'. In the states of Maryland, DC and VA there are licensing laws, so make sure anyone that works on you is a licensed Massage Therapist. And don't forget, try not to call your MT a masseuse, it's will make them cringe.

Running & Rub Downs

2009-10-15T13:15:00.002-04:00

There are a good 4 months from the spring thru the summer when I get many calls from runners or those training for marathons or triathlons. Massage is an incredible tool for those training for any athletic event. A real athlete spends a lot of time training, strengthening, stretching and preparing. This is pretty intense work. Massage is an excellent way to facilitate you staying with your training schedule.

If you overwork yourself one day, I can go in there and help repair the related muscle tissue and prepare them to getting back to work. Along those lines, I can also help reduce tightness and discomfort related to an already injured muscle group that is being exacerbated from the training. If an athlete is doing well and not having any problems, massage can work as a preventative measure. Massage will keep your muscles loose, speed up your recovery after training sessions, and help to flush out the built up metabolic waste as well deliver more oxygen and nutrients to your tired muscles.

I cannot stress the importance of massage during any atheletes career; whether it be a constant sport or training for a specific personal event.

Master List

2009-10-01T08:13:00.002-04:00

For those of you who like easy lists, here is your master list of massage benefits:

Reduces......
pain
stress
tension
muscle pain and tension
stiffness and soreness of overused muscles
mental strain
mild high blood pressure
adhesions and constrictions from injuries
side effects from cancer treatments
dead skin cells
softens scars
certain types of edema

Improves......
circulation
lymphatic flow
digestion and elimination
facial muscle tone
joint mobility and flexibility
fascia pliability
productivity
mental clarity
healing
sleep quality'
confidence and self control
recovery time after sporting events
muscle relaxation
liver function
breathing patterns
amount of nutrients to your body's systems

Relieves.....
mental and physical fatigue
headaches
some sinus issues
bronchial congestion

MASSAGE IS THE NEXT BEST THING TO EXERCISE AND REST!

Psychological Benefits

2009-09-18T09:07:00.002-04:00

Massage has some interesting psychological effects. The obvious is stress reduction. Massage promotes relaxation, deeper sleep, and provides a place for people to let go and not do anything. Regular massage makes people pay more attention to their bodies and therefor practicing better health. This in turn makes us feel more youthful and better energized. This awareness also helps one recognize muscular issues before they normally would. Being able to address this and take care of it gives people a more responsible and empowered view of their health. Especially if they listen to my lectures!! ;) Massage has also been proven to improve self-esteem and body image. Many doctors refer patients who are recovering addicts and those with eating disorders so that they may get used to feeling good in their bodies. Also, psychiatrists sometimes send abuse and trauma survivors to a massage therapist in order to feel what safe touch is again.

I am sure you have heard of companies providing chair massage for their employees... Besides the obvious reduction in workplace injuries, massage has been proven to reduce fatigue, anxiety, and absenteeism. It also has been proven to increase productivity, problem solving skills, alertness, speed, accuracy, and job satisfaction. No wonder most of the fortune 500 companies provide massage for their employees!

Other than the above, massage can make people feel invigorated, energetic, relaxed, happier, peaceful, and healthier. What more could you ask for?

Other Physiological Benefits

2009-09-04T08:52:00.000-04:00

Massage effects a number of other body systems besides the muscular.

Nervous System - Specific massage techniques can either stimulate or relax the nervous system. So if you need to come down from a hectic day, there are ways to provide a sedative effect and calm your body's reflexes down.

Circulatory System - I provided some examples last blog, but there are other quite interesting results from massage. It can stimulate blood flow through the deeper veins and arteries, increases the amount of blood stored in one's muscles, and overall improves the system which means less work for your heart. With massage, the whole blood-making process improves resulting in increased red and white blood cells.

Digestive System - Massage definitely gets "things" moving along. If you have ever expelled gas during a massage, fear not. You were not the first and will not be the last. Massage assists peristalsis in your intestines and helps speed up the elimination process. Having issues in this department? Let me know; some gentle abdominal techniques can be applied to assist peristalsis even more and having you moving your bowels in no time!

Immune System - Massage has been clinically studied to prove that it does assist in the healing process. it is well documented to aid in arthritis, recover from surgeries, lesson effects of chemotherapy, eliminate toxins and germs from the body etc. There are so many diseases that massage can assuage the side effects of the medication and/or the actual illness itself. i will be more specific when I do my list. A huge way this works is by massage relaxing people. When people are stressed, there is a whole chain reaction of hormones and change sin the body to cope with this fight or flight instinctual feeling. When we can get relaxed the effects of those changes are reduced. Also, we all know massage helps us sleep. Whether it is catching some z's during the session or finally achieving that good night's rest the following evening. When we sleep, our bodies are hard at work recovering from the day and repairing our body. So more sleep= feeling better.

Benefits

2009-08-21T08:39:00.002-04:00

This blog is the first of 4 installments in the "Benefits of Massage" series. It will cover the obvious physiological and the not-so obvious physiological and psychological. Then the 4th blog will be a nice easy reference list.

Primarily, massage stimulates the circulatory system. You cannot see this, but it is quite obvious to me . During the massage there can be slight reddening and warming of the skin called hyperemia. What is this increased circulation doing? it is bringing more oxygen and nutrients to your muscles and organs and taking away more lactic acid and other metabolic waste products. Also, it aids the lymphatic system in "flushing" out the toxins and free radicals in your body.

Massage helps to prevent and relieve muscle spasms and cramps. Therefor, it is an excellent technique for pain management and prevention. Regular massage causes muscles to become firmer and more elastic, at the same time relaxed. Muscles that are fatigued from exercise or over-use will restore much quicker via massage than with passive rest. Post injury, specific techniques can reduce and help to prevent build-up of scar tissue and lesions.

So whether you have muscle pain or discomfort from chronic pain, old injury, new injury, or an amped up workout, you can greatly benefit from receiving a massage.

Massage & Weight Loss

2009-08-07T08:06:00.002-04:00

I have had some clients ask if massage will help them loose weight, look thinner, or reduce cellulite. If this was a direct cause and effect independent of proper diet and exercise, I would probably be able to retire by now. Massage can assist with weight loss behaviors in promoting the above.

I am only going to discuss healhty weightloss as that is the only kind I will promote. When combined with proper nutrition and exercise, massage can aid in the weightloss process.

When increasing your frequency and load in the gym, it's very important to increase your recovery and self-care. Most don't. You need to have your muscles relaxed and elastic to be able to get the most out of your workout. If you're tight, the body is not functioning as well and it is going to affect your form and the amount you can get out of the workout. Massage will make sure that you do not accumulate too many knots, trigger points, or tight bands of muscle fiber.

Massage also stimulates the circulatory and lymphatic systems. While you are working out and eating healthier, massage will aid in delivering more oxygen and nutrients to your muscles and organs, as well as eliminating more lactic acid and other metabolic waste products. This is how it cleans out the "toxins".

Massage will, over time, make your muscles and skin more supple, elastic, and tone. By no means is it a magic wand..... So if you pair regular massage with a proper diet and exercise regime that you actually follow, than massage can aid in having a healthier looking body.

"I think I am going to be sick...."

2009-07-24T16:56:00.002-04:00

How many times have you said or thought that phrase in times of stress or anxiety? People do internalize stress and we do feel those emotions in our muscles. Keeping with the above statement. some people hold stress in and shows up physically in stomach aches, nausea, etc. Others when stressed voluntarily tighten their muscles. Some common ones are to hold your shoulders upward, or pull your shoulders in an interior position, or tightening up your abs so your torso curls in. Some people even tighten up their hip muscles (Freud knew a few things). This is a normal and common reaction to emotional stress. As a muscle specialist this makes me wince. As if we do not have enough ways to lock up our muscles, we have to worry about worrying? I am not doctor (I know my undergrad psych degree holds zero credit here) but if we could simply find another outlet, maybe our muscles won't be the whipping boy for our brains and hearts... Some things I do to relieve stress to avoid tightening up are: reading, blogging ;), working out, listening to my favorite music while doing absolutely nothing else, gardening, playing a board game with my husband and yes, even journal. I know you are thinking, gee when do I have time for that? I say even just 10-15 minutes of an activity like the above could help your body find another outlet for the stress so that it does not translate into your muscles.

Ergo, My back!

2009-07-10T16:25:00.002-04:00

Sometimes I wonder if my clients feel like teenagers. I have a lecture prepared for everything... whether it's about the importance of hydrating, stretching, posture, or exercising. It is for your own good. Wait, did I say that to a client or was that a flashback from my youth?? I tell you these things because I want you to free your muscles and free your life. Think about how nice life would be if you didn't wake up with a stiff neck or back, if you could run that extra mile, or you could spend longer outside planting flowers with your kids??? Massage only gives you the jump start into the right direction. It is then up to you focus and adjust your self care to really prevent the muscles from tightening up in the first place.

One way you can do this is to take a look at the ergonomics in your life. Having something set up ergonomically correct supports you maintaining proper posture and, in turn, using your body in a way it was designed to function. The reason I decided to take classes on how to advise clients with this, is that I can give sound advice. Instead of just showing you how to sit, I can now give sound and numerically ways to adjust your station. I am sure you read in my last newsletter that I pair this service with massages. It is not a money-making gimmick. It is because I genuinely care about each and every client and want each and everyone of them to eventually not need me. Yes, I want you all to keep seeing me, but I strive those visits to turn into something that you want to do for maintanance and general healthcare. Not because you are in pain and discomfort or cannot move. Since most of us spend a huge portion of our lives at the computer (myself included) I thought it was the perfect way to really be able to assist you in your journey to wellness.

So please, if you are interested in chaning your lot, try my service out! I promise I won't lecture or judge. I will simply list the adjustments to make and how to achieve them.

http://www.dcdeeptissuemassage.com/Ergonomics.html

Facia......

2009-06-30T08:19:00.003-04:00

For a visual, Fascia is the white filmy "stuff" you see when you prepare chicken. I like to refer to it as the wrapping paper of the body. Fascia is conenctive tissue that warps around your muscles and bones and keeps everything together in a nice not always tidy package. The reason why it is important to work on the fascis is that it is what connects all of our muscles together and is sometimes the tissue that connects the muscles on to their boney insertion. For example, the IT band. Everyone has heard of this structure, but I find most clients have bo idea what it actually is. The IT band is a strip of thick fascia that runs between and around and connects with muscles in the hip (2 muscle groups with 10 muscles), thigh (3 muscle groups with 14 muscles). This thick band of fascia then inserts on to the femur on the lateral side of the thigh.
http://www.paulmanley.co.uk/hip/itband2.jpg
Why is it so sensitive? it is essentially the insertion area of over 2 dozen of the bodies largest muscles!! If your IT is tight, work on loosneing up all of the hip and thigh muscles. Fascia generally works similar to this throught the body. In most circles (including massage therapists, anatomists, physiologists, etc) the tissue of fascia is just as important to work out and loosen up as is the muscles. I am doing this usually when you feel be doing slow long deep strokes (usually with the forarm).

Working out with your massage.

2009-06-19T08:02:00.002-04:00

Can you workout before a massage? Sure!
Can you workout after a massage? Why not?

But......

Massage is an excellent way to warm up before a good workout. You will most likely achieve more and repair quicker. There are 2 reasons to be very cautious while work out after a massage session. 1. That pesky reorganization period. Your muscles are reconfiguring to function slightly different than they were before the session. So when you are doing your exercises be quite conscious of your body mechanics and make sure you are doing everything properly. 2. You are so warmed up, you may have the tendency to overdue it. You may feel like you can go faster, push harder, lift more. Don't. Most likely you had a deep tissue massage with trigger point work. Your muscles do have to repair from this work. Adding an intense workout on top of that brings up the possibility that you will wake up quite sore the next day. So just take it easy with your workout. So stay hydrated and simply listen to your body.

Working out before a massage is great way to warm up for me! I will most likely be able to get deeper faster and easier leading to more work being accomplished. Again, you run the risk of being slightly sore; avoid this by staying hydrated and keep stretching!

Twice a week? Perhaps.

2009-06-05T07:46:00.000-04:00

Some people have requested to come in twice, sometimes 3 times a week to tackle a very specific issue. I usually do not allow this. There are some instances in where coming twice a week is suitable for the work we are doing. But this entails extremely specific and deep work.

The reason it is not necessary or even the best idea to make sessions so close, is that your body needs to adjust to the work we just finished. Like I said before, when our muscles are tight, the fibers are in constant contraction and therefor shorter. When this happens, the muscles are not able to function up to par and this is when other muscles help compensate the motions and you get a chain reaction of tightness and tension. During a massage, I work on loosening up the muscle fibers and releasing the Trigger Points. This will relax the muscle and therefor elongate the fibers, hopefully back to homeostasis. At this point, the muscles go thru what I like to call a "reorganization period". Basically, the original tight muscle is letting the other muscles know that it can do its job without any help. During this time your body has to adjust functioning differently in it motions. I like to give the body a few days to do this. Plus, I would like your body to get used to its new posture and being stretched more often. (Hopefully you are listening to my lectures and implementing them).

That being said, there are always exceptions to the rule. If you feel you need more constant work to keep up with a life-altering muscle issue, then we will discuss it and come up with a treatment plan.

Policy

2009-05-23T15:17:00.004-04:00

Along with a health intake, every new client signs a sheet listing my policies. It's posted on my website as well as framed in my office. Some of the policies I am quite strict, and some not so much. I fully support the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have done to you. I have specific policies so you know where I stand. Yes, I expect you to be on time and call in advance if you have a scheduling conflict, but you can also expect me to be there for you. I am always on time for you and you can depend on that. I thought I would go into each one explaining my reasoning for them and why they are so important.

Time - My policy is that if you are late, there may be an adjustment in time without an adjustment in payment. I am making a commitment to you by guaranteeing your appointment time and refusing all other requests once you have made the appointment. I appreciate your respect of my valuable time which has been saved just for you. Not only do you pay for my service, you are paying for my time. I am there to create a place just for you during that time. It takes time to do that, and it takes time to make sure you are properly educated in what is going on with your body and to answer all of your questions. My time is just as valuable as yours. Just as you expect me to be there for you at the time of your appt, I expect you to be there as well. If your appt. is at 3:30pm, I would ideally like you at my office a few moments prior to 3:30 so that you are on the table only a few minutes after 3:30. Of course, there are always exceptions and I do make them on occasion. It also depends on how late you are and if anyone is after you. If you are 5-15 minutes late and I have a break after you, no big deal, you'll most likely get the full amount of time. If you are later than 15 minutes, I won't give you any extra time on matter of principle. Also, if someone is right after you, it's not fair to make them late.

Cancelling an Appt - Please call me on my cell phone if you have to reschedule. I don't always have the opportunity to check my email during the day and my cell is not always reliable with keeping up. I know that sometimes you cannot make an appt. or you have to cancel. I do require at least 24 hours notice otherwise a 30% fee is charged. This is b/c I usually have a waiting list every day and if you cancel at the last minute, not only do I lose a portion of my salary for that day, but most importantly, someone else could be getting the care that they need. Again, exceptions are very occasionally made, but please call me as soon as you know and we will work it out. If I have time to fill the slot there will of course be no penalty. If you cannot make your appt. at the last minute, is there a friend or coworker that may benefit from the session? Have them take your place!

These policies may seem a bit strict, but I think it is important to be on the same page and have a mutual respect. I do have certian expectations of my clients, but you can have those same expectations of me. If I am sick I will get in touch the very moment I know it is too much to be able to work on someone.

You can always depend on me to be on time and waiting for you with a smile.

Massage Guilt

2009-05-09T15:05:00.001-04:00

Too often, a client announces that they have not done anything strenuous, or have laxed with their workouts and end up feeling guilty coming for a massage. OR they are in no pain or discomfort and are not sure why they are on my table. This massage guilt that they bring up actually makes me happy. If the client expresses that they do not have anything in particular to work on, this makes me believe that they actually listen to me and just might be implementing some of the adjustments I recommend.

Massage is an excellent way to assist in eradicating your aches and pains. It is also a wonderful tool in healthy body maintenance! If you come in with pain, it is too late and we both have to work extra hard to make you feel better. If you are already feeling great, then your tightness is much more manageable and we can then prevent it from getting to a point where it interferes with your life.

I understand that some like to use their massage sessions as part of a reward system for working out, meeting with a trainer, getting work done, etc. If you feel guilty getting the massage but not working out, think about this: Massage is the next best thing to working out. It aids in circulation of blood and lymph and helps remove the metabolic waste just as if you worked out. If you didn't finish that project, but you still came to your session, no worries. Massage has a number of psychologically boosting benefits. Chair massage in the workplace has had numerous studies showing that massage increases productiveness, alertness, motivation, etc. So after you get the massage and chill for a bit, you may be ready to tackle that project even better than before!

So please, don't ever feel guilty about coming in to see me. Your body and mind will greatly benefit from the session one way or another.

Epson Salts

2009-04-28T07:30:00.004-04:00

Epsom Salts ware originally from the waters of Epsom, England and named for the mineral compostition of Magnesium Sulfate Heptahydrate. Everyone wonders why Epsom Salts are always so highly recomended by doctors and alternative healthcare providers.... It is a natural way to feel better, and it is backed up by scientific facts. Epsom salts have been documented to reduce aching muscles, reduce infections, heal cuts, reduce colds and congestion, detox metals out of the body, and creates feelings of calm and relaxtion.

Quick facts on Magnesium:
~ second-most abundant element in our cells
~ fourth-most important positively charged ion in the body
~ regulates the activity of more than 325 enzymes
~ is needed for muscle control, electrical impulses, energy production, and elimination of harmful toxins
~ natural stress reliever - necessary for the body to bind adequate amounts of serotonin, a mood-elevating chemical within the brain that creates a feeling of calm and relaxation

Quick facts on Sulfates:
~ brain tissue formation
~ joins proteinsin the digestive tract
~ stimulates pancreas to help detox the body

I was recently critisized for not personalizing my blogs.... I have a huge container of Epsom Salts in my bathroom closet. The first time I used the salts in a soak was when I aquired an infection in a cut-too-short nail. My family Dr. gave me some antibiotics and told me to soak my finger in Epsom Salts. I thought he was crazy, but tried it anyways. My finger did feel better; the inflammation and soreness went down away. Since then, I pour a little into my baths when I want to relax. My tired feet wake up and my muscle aches slip away.

These minerals are hard to find and consume, but luckily, our skin can absorb them. So draw a nice warm bath, light a few candles, put on some soothing tunes and soak up!

Post Partum Massage

2009-04-14T07:30:00.001-04:00

Out of all the people I work on, there is one job that stands out. Motherhood. Not just being a mother, but more specifically, being a new mother. Caring for a baby is the most physically demanding job. Construction workers? Delivery people? Furniture moves? None come close...... The list of contorted positions a mother has to put herself in is endless. There is no ergonomic way to breastfeed, change diapers, lift your child, and place in and out of the car. Not to mention that all this is being done with a 15 pound infant. New mothers can acquire excruciating lower back pain from all of the lifting and turning, usually at the same time. This pain comes from low back muscles like the spinalis group (along the spine), quadratus laborum, and all of the many hip muscles. More common are upper body spasms in the shoulder, neck and arms. I have had clients flare up their Thoracic Outlet Syndrome while caring for their newborn (see blog on 2/3/09 for details on TOS).

Obviously massage can help alleviate all of the pain and discomfort due to these spasming muscles. Massage can also assuage the mother's emotions. Women go thru a whole gamete of feelings post partum and having the time and space to just be with oneself can help to relax and ground her during this time.

Session Lengths

2009-03-31T12:18:00.000-04:00

30, 60, 90 minutes. These are the typical lengths of a massage. Each 30 minute increment completely alters the type of massage one receives. 30 minutes is only enough time to work on 1 muscle group. This type of appt. is for someone that does not have the time for a full massage, but still needs work done. It's also a good alternative for those that need/want bodywork but do not want spend as much money. 60 minutes is the standard length of a massage session. There are a number of things we can do in an hour. We can do a full body and work on everything and also be able to focus on one area. I can focus on more than 1 area in the hour, however it depends on the muscle groups. 1 hour is not enough time to focus on the shoulder AND legs. There are 2 other options when receiving a 60 minute massage. 1. You can delete muscle groups to spend more time on others. For instance, if you are a desk worker and a runner, you may opt for me to not do your arms so I can apply that time on your legs. 2. We can spend the whole hour on one group. I do recommend this to some clients that need a lot of work done let's say on their upper body. If I spend the full hour on their shoulder, back, and neck, I can achieve more from deeper and more specific work. 90 minute sessions are for people that need/want a lot of deep work done on multiple muscle groups. You know that desk worker/runner I mentioned? They may not want delete any muscle groups from the session, in fact they may want deep work done on every group. 90 minutes is perfect for that. You do not have to be an athlete for 90 minutes, it is about what kind of work you want done and how detailed you want me to get at it. I have recently added a 75 minute session to the options. This is for somoene that needs a little more time than an hour but they don't want to spend the time or money on the full 90 minutes. This is an excellent way to get a little more work done without the lengthy commitment. Everyone always wants to know what I do. I get 90 minutes, always. Besides being a full time massage therapist, I work out a lot and also spend quite a number of hours on the computer doing work for my practice. I need/want deep and specific work done on all the muscle groups and I am not willing to give up any of them; 90 minutes it is.

There has developed an industry standard that has really disturbed me. There are places that do not give the full amount of time, in fact, that is their policy. Let's say you book a 60 minute massage. There are places that will refer to the session as 60 minutes, but fail to mention that the time includes your interview with the therapist as well as getting on and off the table. This can reduce the table time to 45-50 minutes!! This is not enough time to do a good job, nor is it ethical. This is done mostly in spas and chiropractor offices. I will give some spas credit, for they sometime mention in their brochures and sites that one's massage time includes what I have listed above, or they simply refer to a 60 minute massage as a 50 minute massage. At least you know what you will be getting... For the chiropractors I believe they shorten the time b/c of a different mindset. They see it as being in a doctor's office, so you are paying for 60 minutes with the therapist, not a 60 minute massage. In this circumstance, you are pretty much at the discretion of the therapist and what they seem as fit for your time. I strongly disagree with this practice. When I book a 60 minute massage, you better believe that I expect 60 minutes on the table getting work done. That is what I booked, that is what I am paying for, that should be what I get. If a place stipulates otherwise, that is fine, you are aware. But for those that just charge for the full time and cut it, that's false advertising and unethical.

In my office, if you book a 60 minute massage, you will be on my table receiving bodywork for a full 60 minutes. The time it takes for me to discuss your session and you getting on and off the table is booked into the appt. as extra time. I book a full 20 minutes extra w/ each appt. and 30 minutes for new clients. This is really how it's typically done and any deviation of this is poor service if you ask me. if you are late for your appt, depending on my schedule and how late you are, I may be able to give you the full time but chances are I won't. This will be specifically discussed before you get on the table so you are aware of what you will be receiving.

What I want you to take away from this is to be an educated consumer. If you pay for a certain service, you should receive it. If you are not sure, ask.

Have a cold? Cancel your appt. & call me in the morning.

2009-03-17T07:30:00.000-04:00

If you have a cold, are sick, just had a vaccination, or have an infection of any kind, please cancel your appointment!!

Regular massages can have a dramatic affect on the body and it's functions. Primarily, your circulatory system is going to get a boost during the massage and after. If you have any of the above, the massage could exacerbate it. So if you walk in my office feeling kinda crappy, you may wake up the next morning feeling much worse. This is the main reason why I will not work on you. Even if you decide you are OK with this type of reaction, morally I will not do that. Two other good reasons for you to stay at home; 1. I do not want the germs spreading to me nor my clients. 2. You will most likely not be comfortable or enjoy your massage anyways.

Easy reference checklist. If any of the below apply, please cancel your massage appt.:
~ taking antibiotics
~ cannot breathe through your nose
~ cannot stop coughing
~ you have a fever or a virus reducing your body temperature below normal
~ received a vaccination the day of appt.
~ any flu-like symptoms

So for you health, please stay home and rest.

Is that Normal??

2009-03-03T10:34:00.005-05:00

50% of clients ask me if what they are experiencing is normal. Like most of my replies, the answer is yes and No. ;)

It is always normal to feel what is going on in your body. That is why we have our nervous system; to give us warnings when something is off. Now let's focus more on muscles... With each muscular action we perform, there are a number of muscles that become engaged, so when 1 goes out it does effect many others. So you are not alone when your posterior shoulders (b/w shoulder blades etc) are tight, you will experience discomfort on your anterior shoulders (pectoralis muscles) when I work on them. People also want to know if particular pattern of muscle pain and tightness is "normal". It definitely is! Most of us have similar muscular makeup as well as similar types of jobs. Most of us these days have a job where we sit at a desk for hours and hours. it is quite "normal" for those people to experience problems with their shoulders, neck, and arms. it is common for people that have standing job to experience patterns of tightness in their low back, hips, and hamstrings. You are not alone in your discomfort and pain and the patterns they fall into. In fact, these patterns are heavily researched.

Now, here's the flip side. If you are experiencing pain or discomfort, this is your body's way of telling you that something wrong or "abnormal" is going on. Our bodies are constantly trying to remain in homeostasis or balance. They cannot function in a way they were designed to if something anywhere is out of balance. So when you start experiencing pain or discomfort in your muscles, it is your bodies way of telling you that they are tight and it is time you need to do something about it.

So in conclusion, you are like the rest of the population when you feel certain types of discomfort and pain patterns, however, this is not normal for the body.

Non Smoking Section

2009-02-19T18:44:00.003-05:00

It's hard to believe that with all of the research, people still smoke. Then again, I still consume my ice cream sundaes on a regular basis, and my thighs definitely prove the research on trans-fat and high glucose corn syrup.

We all have our vices that we know are bad, but need to continue anyways. I would never tell you what to put in your body, nor judge you on it. That is, just as long as it does not effect me or my practice. I hold every one of you with the highest esteem. When you are in my room, you are the only I thing I care about at that time. I do my best to come up with ways to make your massage session not only therapeutic, but also a relaxing retreat.

To ensure the best experience for all, please do not smoke or drink before your session. No cocktails with lunch or dinner and please no smoking within an hour of your appointment. Smokers and drinkers (even just one recent glass of wine) exude a smell. The chemicals from the substance comes out thru the pores and fills the room. Since I am a non-smoker, I really do not want to spend the next hour in a room that smells like we sat down and shared a smoke. Nor do I want the next client to think I am a smoker or attempt to relax in a room that smells of stale alcohol or cigarettes. Plus, massing someone under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal.

So enjoy life and by all means, enjoy your vices; but please don't share them with me. :)

TMJ

2009-02-16T13:51:00.002-05:00

TMJ, Temporomandubular Joint Disorder. SO many people suffer from TMJ pain and have no idea what actually causes it! The most common cause of TMJ discomfort is from grinding and clenching the teeth. This is most commonly done at night while we sleep, but can also occur throughout the day when we are stressed. One of the most popular treatments is the purchase of a mouthguard from one's dentist. This apparatus is extremely important on many levels. First of all, it protects the enamal of your teeth. With constant grinding and clenching, the tooth itself can wear aware quite fast; leading to tooth loss, nerve damage, etc. Second, the mouthguard helps to reduce the habit. Our brain gets a feeling of satisfaction from feeling the 2 layers of teeth together. This is why this behavior increases during times of stress. The mouthguard places a layer of material between the teeth so that brain cannot get that stress relief it is looking for. Over time, our brain will find another outlet. I know they are expensive, but it is worth it. I wear a mouthguard and can feel a major difference if I skip a few nights. I have tried the ones from a regular drugstore and there is no comparison. I chewed right thru it within a few days. I have had my current mouthguard for 5 years now.

So what does a massage therapist have to do with a disorder that effects the teeth? Plenty!! if you suffer from this, you know about the headaches and neck pain. off the top of my head the list of muscles TMJ effects are the temporalis, masseters, pterygoid group, sternocliedomastoid, scalenes, splenius group, occipitals, etc. The referral pain from these muscles can lead to various types of headaches, neck pain, muscle stiffness, clicking and popping of the jaw, tinnitus (ear ringing), mock sinus infections, dizziness, blurred vision, etc. Trigger point work in the superior shoulder, neck, scalp, and face can make a world of difference if you suffer from TMJ. It helps to reduce the pain and over time, eradicate it.

Some other tips to help alleviate the pain is in prevention. It helps to not chew gum, avoid chewy dough (like on thick pizzas or hoagies), nail biting, etc.

Check out this blog to learn some TMJ self massage. The video is pretty good. I recommend NOT opening and closing your mouth during the massage like the therapist says. http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=7196758

Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

2009-02-03T12:00:00.004-05:00

Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS) is an umbrella term for multipe disorders arising from entrapment of the brachial plexus or the subclavian artery and/or vein. The brachial plexus is the webbing of nerves that goes down into your arm affecting your neck, shoulder and arms. TOS can be identified by pain in the neck, shoulder and/or arm, muscle spasms, headaches, numbness and tingling of the fingers, weakness in the arm and hand.

The most common people to suffer from this condition are those that have obtained neck injuries in car accidents, but more often are those that sit at a non-ergonmically set up desk. Why the desk workers? Typically the average computer worker does not sit with proper posture, nor has their work station set up ergonomically. The repetitive motions and behaviors from this starting position over-work and tighten muscles that can entrap these nerves and blood vessels.

You can do a lot to prevent TOS from occuring or from getting worse. Those of you that have been to my office know the lecture well; watch your posture and stretch. One's posture is so importnant!! if you sit down and are automatically slunched over or extending your neck, you are then moving from an incoorect starting position. It is impossible for any other movement to be ergonomic after that. Also, while you are in that incoorect body position, your muscles are isometrically contracting and are going to get over-worked and subsequently tighten up and spasm. I cannot stress enough the importance of proper posture at your workstation.

I tell all of my clients to treat their job as if it were a workout. Warm up and stretch. That's it; it is that easy. If you were to play tennis for 8/9 hours straight, I would hope you would warm up your body prior, and take frequent breaks to stretch out related muscles. The same goes for your job. if you are going to sit at your desk all day, warm up before hand. This means do some shoulder rolls or close the door to your office and do some kickboxing punches. it is also quite important that you stretch constantly throughout the day. if you cannot remember, pair it with another behavior. For instance, every time you get up to use the restroom, strecth before you sit back down. You can also program your computer to remind, like it does for meetings and appts.

As a Neuromscular Massage Therapist I can go into the related muscles (scalenes, levator scapula, pec major and minor, etc) and work out the Trigger Points associated with TOS to assist relaxing and lengthening the muscle tissue. With massage, posture, stretching and sometimes physical therapy Thoracic Outlet Syndrome can be alleviated and can be eradicated. But it is hard work and you have to do your part in the healing process as well as prevention.

Why Are You Working On My Neck When My Thumb Hurts?

2009-01-20T13:24:00.001-05:00

The term 'Trigger Point' is thrown around a lot in my office. Most clients are confused as to what exactly one is and is it the same as a knot.

Yes and No.

Yes - They both are pretty much the same physiologically. Get ready for the anatomy lesson; A sarcomere is a microscopic unit of tissue that is part of a muscle fiber that is responsible for contracting. Contraction occurs in a sarcomere when its two layers come together and interlock. Millions of sarcomeres have to contract in order for a particular muscle to move in the slightest. A trigger point and/or knot occurs when sarcomeres are chemically prevented from releasing from their interlocked state. Typically, a muscle works by its sarcomeres acting like tiny pumps, contracting and relaxing to circulate blood and nutrients, as well as getting rid of waste products. When a sarcomere holds their contraction, blood flow halts in the immediate area. The resulting oxygen starvation and accumulation of the waste products of metabolism aggravates the TP/knot and begins a painful cycle of pain and energy crisis in the cells.

This occurs from over use (repetitive motions or strenuous workout), under use (laying on the couch sick for a week), or improper use (poor posture and ergonomics).

No - A knot is merely multiple sarcomeres locked up in the muscle tissue causing acute discomfort. Trigger Points are more complex. Not only is acute discomfort possible, but also referred pain into other areas of the body, tenderness, muscle weakness, motor dysfunction, and autonomic phenomena (sweating, ticklish, ear ringing, burning, numbess, etc.)

As a neuromuscular therapist, I primarily focus on TP's and their tested patterns to facilitate you feeling better. This is why I ask so many questions and require working on multiple muscle groups in order to troubleshoot your complaint.

Run, Tight Boy, Run!

2009-01-06T12:00:00.002-05:00

I don't know about you, but as soon as my MT leaves the room I rush to remove my clothes and make a mad dash for the table. What if they knock and I am not done yet? What if they come in and I am in the middle of the room with no clothes on? These are fears I have before and after the session. I should know better.....

For those of you that have are scared of the same, I assure you this will never happen. After our initial interview, I slowly walk to the restroom to wash my hands and sometimes to use the facilities (there are no bathroom breaks for massage therapists!). When I meander back, I quietly listen at the door. Do I hear movement? Were those footsteps over to the table. How long will they wrestle with the draping until they are comfortable? When all of these sounds have disappeared and I hear a long loud sigh, I knock and wait for your response. Then and only then will I walk into the room.

After the massage is a different story. I wait until you get off the table, get dressed, and decide to open the door yourself. I must wash my hands and arms after the massage, so when I say, "Take your time." I really mean it. Just don't take too long.... ;)

Need a New Mattress? Try This First.

2008-12-23T13:57:00.000-05:00

I know I am part of the minority, but I am a sleeper. I can fall asleep anywhere. I get a good 8/9 hours of sleep every night, and wake up ready to take on the world. This is why those 8am Saturday appts. are always the best ones to get!

Being that I sleep long, I know that I have to make sure I am positioned appropriately, or I will have hell to pay the next day. When we medical professionals give advice on sleeping positions, it is usually to get you into the most anatomical position.

Think about it; when you stand, there is space between your legs. So when you sleep on your side, place a pillow between your knees. This will keep that space there and relieve pressure off of your low back. Again with the knees… when you lay on your back, put that pillow under your knees, just like the bolster in a massage treatment.

If you sleep on your side and tend to have shoulder issues, try “hugging” a pillow. If you notice while you lay there, your shoulders get scrunched inward. “Hugging” a pillow will pull your shoulders back and keep you from rolling them in.

Notice how I did not mention stomach sleeping. This is because it is the worst position to sleep in. It can wreak havoc on your neck and especially the lower back/hips. I know this is comfy, so if you must, try putting a pillow under your ankles. That will at least relieve some low back pressure and prevent you from pulling your leg up and knotting up your hips.

I sleep with a pillow to move around with my knees and one next to the bed for when I roll onto my side. For my neck, I use a memory foam contour pillow. I do not like to endorse any products, but I have had success from this pillow. Before you ask, I bought it at Kohl’s on sale (of course) for less than $15.

If Only I Could Afford it Everyday......

2008-12-09T13:56:00.000-05:00

I know wonder how often they should receive a massage. It is really particular to your goals and how aggressive you want to accomplish them.

When your session is over, I will ask if you have any questions and see how you feel. Then we can discuss together the appropriate treatment plan for you. If your goal is to alleviate chronic pain, reduce discomfort/pain from an old or recent injury, then the sessions need to be much closer together. Some people come once a week for an hour, every other week for an hour, every other week for 90 minutes, or twice a week for 30 minutes each. Again, we will have to see how your body reacts to the session to decide which is best. A one hour session per month is usually used as a maintenance plan, after the “kinks” have been worked out. If you are coming for relaxation purposes, then it is only necessary when you feel the need.

I try to get a 90 minute massage every week. I see massage as a way of living well and as healthy maintenance. Just like working out and brushing my teeth regularly, I need bodywork. In reality w/ life and scheduling, it usually ends up being every other week.

To Remove or Not To Remove, That Is The Question.

2008-11-25T13:53:00.000-05:00

Modesty. Some have more than others. I have a lot. There are also laws regarding exposure and draping during a massage session.

When you get a massage you will be under a sheet and blanket/duvet the whole time. When I work on your arm, I will pull it out and expose your arm up to your anterior shoulder. When I work on your leg, I will remove the draping from your feet to your thigh, work on the leg, and then replace the draping to go on to the next muscle group. For those that have serious hip issues, I will expose the glutes to do some myofascial forearm lengthening. In this instance the draping will be removed from the foot to the hips on the same leg, making sure to tuck everything in and not to expose anything that shouldn’t be. Including the gluteal cleft.
So if you are wondering what to wear or not to wear during a massage session, it is simple. Do what you are comfortable with. You have the info above and can decide to leave on or take off your underwear.

As you read above, it doesn’t matter unless we discuss major hip work prior to starting the session. For women, it is of course essential to remove your upper undergarments so that I can properly work on your back and posterior shoulders. If you are ever uncomfortable, please just let your therapist know and we are always happy to do what we can to change that.

1 Step Back, 3 Steps Forward

2008-11-11T13:51:00.000-05:00

The last entry I wrote about pain during a massage; what about after?
When your muscles are tight, the fibers are shorter b/c some of the fibers are stuck in constant contracture. When this happens, the muscles are not able to function at its maximum capacity. That is when other muscles come in to help out and compensate. After you get a massage that loosens thing up, your muscles let go and therefore elongate. At this stage, your body has to what I like to call reorganize. The tight muscles let the other ones know they don’t need help anymore and move towards functioning on their own. At this time, some people experience a little bit of pain or discomfort. It can happen the next day or right when you stand up from the table. This is why I always encourage you to take a moment before getting up, when you do, act very slowly.
Another reason is inflammation. Many times my clients come in with tightness and discomfort due to overworked muscles. Since I am predominately a NMT, my sessions can pretty deep and intense. This can cause some inflammation after the massage as well. If you tell me that you tend to get sore afterwards, I can apply Biofreeze (a topical anti-inflammatory gel) after I am finished with a particular muscle group. Also, taking Advil or the like afterwards helps. It is important to not take pain medicine prior to the massage, as your nociceptors are not acting as they should and will not be able to give me appropriate pressure feedback. And the number 1 thing you can do to help prevent soreness….. Make sure you drink plenty of water before and after your massage!

Music

2008-10-28T13:47:00.000-04:00

Speaking of speaking; or not….. What do I do for a whole hour if we are not talking?!?
Well, one thing is to relax and listen to the music. Music is such an important part of your massage session. It can totally affect and alter your mood at any given moment. Like I said before, this is your massage not mine. If you do not like the music I have playing, tell me. I have about 10 different playlists on my IPod that contain any genre of relaxing music you can think of. If you have a preference for a composer or genre, tell me, I most likely have it. Also, I can fit any size IPod in my speaker system, so I am more than happy to plug yours in! My office has a CD player as well, so if you have a favorite album, please feel free to bring it if you want to listen to that during your session.

It's my party and I will talk if I want to.

2008-10-14T13:34:00.000-04:00

Every once and awhile someone asks me if it is alright to talk during the massage. I say it is your massage, talk if you want. If it makes you more comfortable chit-chatting in the beginning then tapering off, please do. If you want silence, that works too.
When you come in for an appt, I will ask how you are etc, and I really do want to know. I am an incredibly friendly person and am happy to hear about what is going on with you and your life if you feel like sharing. However, once we get on the table….. I WILL NOT TALK TO YOU UNLESS YOU TALK FIRST AND IT REQUIRES A RESPONSE. Of course, I will need to ask about pressure a few times, but that only requires 1 sentence by me and a few words by you.
So please do not feel obligated to talk to me or to remain in absolute silence. It is your massage and your time, speak if you must…

No Pain No Gain

2008-09-29T23:49:00.000-04:00

One of my all-time favorite bands is U2. A very powerful line from Mysterious Ways is “To touch is to heal, to hurt is to steal…”
“If it doesn’t hurt, I feel like it is not really doing anything.”
“The pressure is perfect.”
“No pain, no gain, right?”
WRONG
A huge misconception with massage is that it has to hurt. It doesn’t have to hurt, but it can hurt in a good way. Let me explain. ;)
I like to call it ‘exquisite pain’. This is what we feel when a therapist is working out a particular stubborn “knot”. It is kinda painful, but not really, it feels oh so good, and just a liiiiitle bit longer and it will all be gone; the pressure as well as the discomfort from before. If you regularly receive deep tissue or neuromuscular massage, you are used to this and know what I am talking about. Like everything in life, there are levels. It is OK to feel a bit of discomfort, but I do not want you uncomfortable on my table. I have various levels of deep pressure that work at different speeds. I can easily adjust my technique so that you can get deep therapeutic work without hurting. If it just plain hurts, you will mostly likely get anxious and tense up. When this happens, your muscles will tighten up and I am not getting any work accomplished. It is counterproductive.
I don’t normally look at a client while I massage them, but if I am working on a Trigger Point, I will look down to make sure you are still breathing and not wincing. The first I can easily remind you to keep taking deep breathes. The latter, I will back off slightly until your face looks serene again. At this point, the client will sigh or take a deep breath and I know we are back to working together.
There is nothing wrong with asking, me to adjust pressure at any time during your session. I am there 100% for you and am more than happy to adjust the pressure for you; after all it is your massage! Even if you would like it adjusted form one muscle group to the next, which is fine. I’d rather you let me know then be disappointed later.

I have also had a few men ask what level of pressure I am using comparatively. It is not more masculine if you can take more pressure, especially since women can take much more pressure than any male counterpart!

More H2O

2008-09-16T13:04:00.000-04:00

This is my first blog and I am very excited to get back into writing. What better way than to communicate with my clients and others searching for answers.

If you have ever had an appt. with me you know that I strongly urge you to drink plenty of water after your session. I see some of you gulping down your glass before you leave, while others roll their eyes at me like I am their nagging mother. Either response is fine, as long as 2-3 extra glasses on top of what you normally drink is imbibed.

Many massage therapists explain that “it flushes out the toxins”. What the heck are toxins and doesn’t my body naturally do that anyways? Your body does flush out the “toxins” on its own, but there are other forces at work during a massage. Number 1, your circulatory system is being amped up regardless of what technique you are receiving. Keeping this in mind, know that your blood is carrying more oxygen and nutrients to your muscles as well as taking away excess lactic acid and other cellular waste products. On another level, the “gunk” in your body is moving faster, hopefully to metabolize as waste. This includes all the chemicals in your food and the pollution in the air. Keeping hydrated helps your body cope with all of this…

On a side note: beer, wine, and anything alcoholic does not count. I have been asked this many times, mostly in jest. Alcohol dehydrates the body which is the exact opposite of what we are trying to accomplish. It has been noted that receiving a massage prior to drinking alcohol can increase its effects. This why it is best to have someone else drive if you are going to go out and have a few glasses the day of a massage.

So going back to what I always say, “Please remember to drink plenty of water today.”