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The Story on the Deep Tissue Massage

April 20, 2011 By

massage

“Deep tissue” might be the most misunderstood modality. Most clients that request deep tissue more than likely want a “very firm” Swedish massage. Deep tissue is more of a therapy and is used to release chronic muscle triggers (trigger points are areas of tenderness or “knots” that are pinpoint specific and often refer pain to other areas of your body) using VERY SLOW direct deep pressure with the grain of the muscle.  Oils and lotions are not commonly used for deep tissue as the gliding restricts the therapist ability to stay gripped or connected with the myofacial tissue beneath the skin.

Deep tissue modality very gradually eases the therapist fingers and possibly elbows into the deep myofacial tissues of your body allowing connective tissues to soften. Deep tissue focuses on very specific areas of concern and cannot be utilized over the entire body in one treatment. Many times our triggers start to form during emotionally stressful times, and when the trigger starts to unwind we experience an emotional release during or soon after a treatment. This is a good thing, let it go.

The “no pain, no gain” concept does not apply for this or any modality of massage. On a scale of 1-7 you should never experience discomfort above a five. If the goal is to allow the muscle to relax, pain will cause your muscles to constrict and not allow the therapist entry to the trigger. You will most likely experience some soreness during or right after the treatment but the relief of pain and tenderness from these trigger points can restore more comfortable movement and function throughout your entire body. It is imperative that you drink a lot of water after any massage.

Contraindications to receiving deep tissue massage:

  • Not in the area of a broken bone
  • Clients with peripheral neuropathy will not be able to properly judge depth and pain
  • Deep vein thrombosis (where there is a blood clot in the veins of the leg) if working on legs
  • Pregnant women, their body releases a hormone called relaxin, that causes ligaments and tendons to loosen up in preparation for delivery, and any deep tissue work could cause injury.
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What Exactly is a Swedish Massage?

April 13, 2011 By

swedish massage

When most of us schedule a massage and we want to relax, an appointment will most likely be for a Swedish massage. As ancient as massage is… this style of massage was only developed and named in Stockholm by a Swedish physiologist in the early 1800’s and is the most common and best-known type of bodywork performed today.

The goal is to relax the entire body and this is accomplished by massaging the muscles with long gliding strokes in the direction of blood returning to the heart. Additional techniques include circular pressure applied by the hands and palms, firm kneading, bending and stretching.  Lotion or oil is used to reduce friction and moisturize the skin.

Though today Swedish massage is a loosely used term that is synonymous with “Relaxing Massage” and that is exactly what it is:

  • Deep relaxation calms the nervous system while easing tension and stress
  • Assist in removing toxins from the muscles speeding up the removal of lactic acid, uric acid, and other metabolic waste, blood circulation carries the toxins away from the tissues to organs such as the kidneys and lungs where they are expelled from the body.
  • Improves circulation thus increasing the level of oxygen in the blood the brings nourishment to the cells

Contraindications to receiving Swedish massage: The biggest concern for Swedish massage is working on an injured area with inflammation or person with a high fever. Always tell your therapist of any medical conditions that you have. Your therapist will know if this is a condition that can be worked around or must simply be avoided.

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Is your Massage Therapist Certified and Insured??

April 7, 2011 By

massage therapy

California Law and Insurance Requirements  for Massage Therapist

The California Massage Therapy Council (CAMTC) was created to implement a statewide certification process with clear standards of preparation and education enabling massage professionals to obtain one of two certification levels:

  • Certified Massage Therapist (CMT) are required to complete at least 500 hours of massage education and training at an approved massage therapy school.
  • Certified Massage Practitioner (CMP) are required to complete at least 250 hours of education and training.
  • CMPs and CMTs also must undergo background checks, including fingerprinting and other identification verification procedures.

There are two ways to find out if your massage practitioner is CAMTC certified:

  • Visit www.camtc.org and check by name, city or certificate number.
  • Ask to see their CMT or CMP certificate or ID card.
  • Visit www.abmp.com for required Insurance.
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You Can Manage Stress…one massage at a time.

March 31, 2011 By

OMGosh I am so excited that Jennifer asked me to participate with NAFBM.  I have never written a blog before but I am passionate about massage and learning to manage stress.  I am always energized to share what I have learned on this amazing life journey. I am really eager to hear your experiences and questions. Let’s get the party started.

I am Tammy Carlos. I am married to Frankalicious (term of endearment). We have an eclectic blended family of seven kids and four grandkids. We live in Aliso Viejo, CA and the rest of the FAM is all over the country and some serving in the armed forces. I married Frank about a year and a half ago; I was a single mom for twelve years and spent the better part of twenty years as a Property Manager in the apartment industry and later with homeowners associations.

All I’m saying……………it was stressful.

About four years ago I started feeling really ill, many symptoms of stress and it got so bad that the Doctor thought I might have Cushing (a benign tumor on your pituitary gland). Remember the little girl on Kindergarten Cop, “It’s not a tumor”. I was diagnosed with di-stress  due to excessive Cortisol. The good Doc did offer a plethora of anti-anxiety, MAO and sleeping RX.  An excellent long term solution.  His advice… manage your stress, really? It still makes me laugh, because how do you do that?

When I couldn’t take one more day of dreading my day, I surrendered. I was sitting in my office and thought “what is the most relaxing thing I do”? GET A MASSAGE! So, I went online and found Healing Hands School of Massage Therapy. I called and registered for the first class I could and wrote my letter of resignation. So, off of the suite and on with the yoga pants. I found passion and the gift of healing. I shared my days with others seeking peace. I found my center and today I perceive myself as a facilitator of healing.

Ok let’s break it down. What is stress and how do you manage it?

The human body is designed to experience and react to stress, it is normal. It keeps us alert and ready to avoid danger like a dinosaur hanging out at the entrance to your cave. Stress becomes a negative when there is no break between physical or emotional challenges.

Acute stress produces a huge rush of adrenaline and gets you ready to fight and run (day after Thanksgiving sale and Nordstrom Rack). This is good. Chronic prolonged stress increases catecholamines and cortisol steroid hormones that raise the heart rate and blood pressure, causes sleep deprivation and suppress the immune system making us vulnerable to illness and disease. This is bad.

Stress is pandemic and these statistics are crazy!

43% of all adults suffer from the adverse health effects of stress.

90% of all doctors office visits are for stress related ailments and complaints.

Work related stress cost $300 billion annually to lost sick days and disability.

While it is impossible to get rid of stress, it is possible to control the deadly effects of stress on the body to some extent. How stress affects the immune system is definitely dependent on your ability to handle stress or MOST importantly your ability to relax. I know that very few folks have the option of walking away from a stress filled career or relationship, but taking action every day to manage stress is not an option if you want to maintain your health.

One solution may be relatively simple, even ancient. TOUCH!

woman-massage

The Chinese have been using touch or pressure massage for centuries. Massage connects the energy of the client with the therapist, allowing a flow of life-force energy in the body to balance and harmonize as well as to support all types of healing. Empowering yourself to take control of your health and well-being. Massage activates the parasympathetic nervous system allowing your body to move into an alpha state where you rejuvenate and restores balance. Massage allows you to apply the brakes to the stress train. Massage also assist the Lymphatic system to carry away toxins, improves circulation, relieves pain, fatigue and stress.

Inquire with your massage therapist or doctor if massage is ok if you have an existing medical conditional. There are a few contra indications for massage.

  • A high fever
  • Infection
  • Over indulging with alcohol
  • Receiving chemo therapy
  • In the first three months of pregnancy.

Over the next few weeks I will talk about different styles of massage and why it feels so good. Thanks for reading. Have a great week and remember “I got your back!”

Tammy

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