Schedule

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

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

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

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

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?

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

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

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

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!!

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??

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.