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Tag: Deep tissue massage

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Massage: Best Treatment for Back Pain

deep tissue massage for back pain
Massage for Back Pain

Back pain is one of the most common ailments among Americans.

It is estimated that nearly 85 percent of our population experiences back pain some time in their lives. It is also the most frequent cause of limited activity in people under the age of 45. Those that prefer not to use standard medical treatments, such as pharmaceuticals, find that massage therapy is the best treatment for this painful condition. Massage modalities that are effective treatments for back pain include deep tissue massage, neuromuscular therapy, myofascial release, and structural integration.

Deep Tissue Massage

This modality is very effective for contracted muscle groups. The treatment includes slow and deep movements that concentrate on the areas of pain. Adhesions are broken up, circulation is increased, and stiff and sore muscles are released.

Neuromuscular Therapy

This therapy, also known as trigger point therapy,  addresses tight muscle with restricted blood flow, myofascial trigger points that cause referred pain, and nerve entrapment. The massage therapist applies varying pressure with fingers, knuckles, or the elbow to eliminate chronic pain, increase blood flow, and increase range of motion.

Myofascial Release

This is an effective technique using gentle sustained pressure to remove soft tissue restrictions, help eliminate pain, and restore function. The massage therapist assists the client with body mechanics, movement, and postural awareness.

Structural Integration

This type of bodywork focuses on the connective tissue that surrounds muscles, blood vessels, organs and nerves. When fascia becomes bunched and tightened, it tends to pull our muscles and bones out of alignment, causing pain and fatigue. Structural integration is used to lengthen and soften tissue, align the body in gravity, and restore functional ease.

Each of these modalities is effective for treatment of chronic and acute back pain, and they are often combined in a session as part of an integrative massage.

Note: The ABMP is a great resource for locating a massage therapist that has achieved proper certification and/or licensing requirements and follows a code of ethics.

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Deep Tissue Massage Helps Relieve Muscle Soreness

Snow shoveling can lead to body aches and pains. Here are some tips to help alleviate some of these issues.

1. Try warming up your muscles a bit before going out to shovel.

2. Stretch before and after.

3. Lift heavy snow using your knees… not your shoulders and back.

4. Take breaks if there’s a lot of shoveling to be done… this will help to avoid strain.

5. Take a hot shower or bath or apply moist heat to those sore areas.

And, if this doesn’t alleviate your soreness and/or pain, consult a certified massage therapist at Living Arts Wellnesssnowshoveling

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Deep tissue massage concentrates on the deep layers of muscle and fascia

Deep Tissue Massage…

Reduces Chronic Pain

Improves Blood Pressure

Breaks Up Scar Tissue

Rehabilitates Injured Muscles

Because deep tissue massage increases the flow of blood through the body, it helps reduce the inflammation that causes pain, and it can also help alleviate muscle tension that is often a cause or side effect of chronic pain by loosening the tight muscle fibers.

Over time, it can help break up and may erase scar tissue and can be an effective treatment for injured muscles.

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Salt Glow With Sea Salt and Essential Oils

salt glow

A salt glow combining sea salt and essential oils can leave your skin feeling soft, fragrant and renewed!
 
We have three exfoliating, relaxing, and detoxifying options:
 

UPLIFTING SCRUB:  Regenerate, stimulate lymphatic flow, and tone your pores…

Rosemary Verbenon – Traditionally used for cellular regeneration, wrinkled, aging, burned, scarred or sundamaged skin, the treatment of oily skin and scalp, and dandruff. French authorities say that it can help balance the nervous system, support the liver and gall bladder, that it is an endocrine regulator, and useful for respiratory infections.

Peppermint – Traditionally used for stimulating lymphatic flow, cooling in low dilutions, warming in high dilutions. Mentally, it clears the brain, helps concentration, is a restorative in cases of mental fatigue, and is a mental stimulant.

Lemongrass – Traditionally considered an excellent overall physical tonic. An effective skin toner that can open pores. It is said to boost the parasympathetic nervous system which hastens recovery from illness. The essential oil is stimulating and invigorating, It is helpful for treating symptoms of jet lag, clearing the head and relieving fatigue.

DETOXIFYING SCRUB:  Eliminate toxins and smooth your skin…

Ravensara – Traditionally used for cases of edema, it stimulates the drainage of toxins. Recommended as an immune stimulant. Ravensara is used as both a tonic for the nerves, and as a remedy for physical, nervous and mental fatigue. Strongly antiviral. There is no more useful essential oil for combating the flu. 

Palma Rosa – Traditionally, Palma Rosa is very effective in blends for treating various skin conditions as it helps balance production of sebum, thus being useful for both extremely dry and oily skin. A strongly anti-infectious oil, as well as being anti-fungal. It is said to aid in the release of anger and grief.

Patchouli – Traditionally used to tone and tighten the skin, and is used in many anti-wrinkle products. Regulates oily skin and dandruff. It is known to be useful in combating cellulite. Patchouli is an effective anti-inflammatory for the skin, helpful in healing cracked or inflamed skin, acne, dermatitis, and eczema.

CALMING SCRUB:  Relieve stress, restore your skin tone, and balance your spirit… 

Roman Chamomile – Traditionally used for its sedative and pain-relieving properties. Wonderfully calming and stress-relieving. Useful for combating menstrual cramps. Effective for insomnia and headaches brought about by stress and tension. Helpful for inflamed joints and muscle and joint pain.

Rose Geranium – Traditionally used for bruises, cuts, ulcers, broken capillaries, dermatitis, and its anti-inflammatory properties. It is believed to balance sebum (making it the oil of choice for combination skin) and to keep the skin smooth and  supple. Thought to bring an overall sense of balance when used in aromatherapy. Used to alleviate problems with menopause and menstruation. 

High Altitude Bulgarian Lavender – Traditionally used for its anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and, possibly, anti-viral properties. Lavender functions as an adaptogen, aiding in restoring the body and the spirit to balance. This particular variety of lavender has a heady, floral aroma, with much less of the bright green and camphorous smell of lesser-quality varieties.

$75 for a 60 minute treatment
Combine with oxygenated sauna for $110

 

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TMJ and Massage Therapy

If you’re experiencing TMJ symptoms (such as jaw stiffness, pain, soreness, clicking, and popping), you may want to consider massage therapy. Studies have tested massage’s effects on TMJ pain and have shown that receiving work on the lateral pterygoid muscle (involved in opening the jaw) helps ease pain, reduce joint clicking, and allows better mouth-opening. Acupuncture and biofeedback therapy also show to be promising treatments for TMJ issues.

 

 

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Massage Therapy Reduces and May Even Eliminate the Effects of Stress

“The Consequences of Stress… Experts estimate that 80 percent to 90 percent of disease is stress-related. Massage and bodywork is there to combat that frightening number by helping us remember what it means to relax. The physical changes massage brings to your body can have a positive effect in many areas of your life. Besides increasing relaxation and decreasing anxiety, massage lowers your blood pressure, increases circulation, improves recovery from injury, helps you to sleep better and can increase your concentration. It reduces fatigue and gives you more energy to handle stressful situations. Massage is a perfect elixir for good health, but it can also provide an integration of body and mind. By producing a meditative state or heightened awareness of living in the present moment, massage can provide emotional and spiritual balance, bringing with it true relaxation and peace.The incredible benefits of massage are doubly powerful if taken in regular “doses.” Dr. Maria Hernandez-Reif, from the Touch Research Institute (TRI) at the University of Miami, is known for her massage research, along with colleague Tiffany Field. Together, they and other researchers have done outstanding work proving the value of massage. While their studies have shown we can benefit from massage even in small doses (15 minutes of chair massage or a half-hour table session), Hernandez-Reif says they know from their research that receiving bodywork 2-3 times a week is highly beneficial. And if we lived in a fantasy world, Hernandez-Reif has the answer. “I feel a daily massage is optimal.”It’s undoubtedly a wonderful thing when your therapist begins unwinding those stress-tightened muscles, and your day’s troubles begin to fade away. But it’s the cherry on top to know this “medicine” only gets better with frequency.”

 
This excerpt is taken from an article written by Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals. To read more about the benefits of massage, go to http://www.massagetherapy.com/articles/index.php?article_id=468

 
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What Happens During Sports Massage?

Sports massage is a type of deep Swedish massage that aims at increasing circulation and the flow of lymphatic fluids. Sports massage also focuses on breaking up adhesions and increasing joint range of motion.

When would you get a sports massage?

  1. *Before a sports event to stimulate circulation and prepare for the event
  2. *After a sports event to help normalize tissues and reduce inflammation
  3. *During training to assist the athlete with training and avoiding injury
  4. *At any time to aid in rehabilitating an injury
Always check in with your massage therapist so they know your needs and expectations for the massage.
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What type of massage do I need?

What type of massage do I need ?

Have you ever wondered just what to ask for when scheduling a massage therapy session?

Here are some descriptions of common massage techniques:

Swedish Massage

Swedish massage involves soft, long, kneading strokes, as well as light, rhythmic, tapping strokes, on topmost layers of muscles. This is also combined with movement of the joints and can be relaxing or energizing . Swedish massage may also help after an injury.

The four common strokes of Swedish massage are:

  • Effleurage: a smooth, gliding stroke used to relax soft tissue
  • Petrissage: the squeezing, rolling, or kneading that follows effleurage
  • Friction: deep, circular movements that cause layers of tissue to rub against each other, helping to increase blood flow and break down scar tissue
  • Tapotement: a short, alternating tap done with cupped hands, fingers, or the edge of the hand

Neuromuscular Therapy Massage

Trigger points are painful points located within taut bands of muscle, hypertonicity, and are treated primarily with the application of sustained, usually static pressure. These points can create pain locally and in a referred pattern. For example, a trigger point in the muscles of the cervical region might refer pain into the shoulder, arm or head.

Through the softening of trigger points, NMT aims to reduce chronic, referred pain, increase range of motion, and correct postural distortions.

Deep Tissue Massage

Deep tissue massage is best for giving attention to certain painful, stiff “trouble spots” in your body and generally focuses on a particular region such as the back or shoulders. The massage therapist uses slow, deliberate strokes that focus pressure on layers of muscle. ligament, tendon and fascia. Though less rhythmic than Swedish massage, deep tissue massage can be quite therapeutic — relieving chronic patterns of tension and helping with muscle injuries and strains.

At Living Arts Wellness, we often use a combination of techniques (Integrative Massage), designing a specific session for your specific needs.

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