Preventative Health

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

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

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?

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

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

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?

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?

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!

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

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

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.