I'll be teaching another Massage For Couples class at Forest Park Community College on Saturday, July 18, 2009. If you'd like to learn how to do massage on each other at home, this is the class for you. A "couple" can be any two people, but you must register in pairs. Spouses, family members, teammates, all "couples" are welcome. Please note that if you register online, you will have to register one at a time for the class. Refer to the Continuing Education catalog for what to bring to class.
For more detailed information about the class, see the blog entry for January 22, 2009.
Hope to see you there!
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Monday, April 13, 2009
Improved Performance: One Athlete's Story
Many years ago I worked with a long distance runner whose goal was to qualify for the Olympic trials. He was the most serious athlete with whom I've worked the most consistently over the longest period of time. I saw him at least once a week for 2 1/2 years. After about six months of regular massage therapy, he commented one day that he'd just gone the longest period he'd ever had without a pulled muscle. I asked him to elaborate.
Don (not his real name) was a serious runner who did everything he could to maximize his performance. He stretched religiously and paid careful attention to nutrition. Still, every few months he'd pull a muscle and have to take some time off from running. Now that he was getting weekly sports massage, his muscles were not getting tight and he was not experiencing the pulled muscles that he'd gotten previously. When he first came for massage, he was running 60 to 80 miles a week. He was now running 80 to 100 miles a week and was running with more ease. In addition he'd shaved two minutes off his 10K time. His recovery time after a marathon had decreased dramatically. He was quite pleased with the results of his weekly massages.
During the 2 1/2 years I worked with Don, he got two minor hamstring pulls from which he recovered quickly. He never missed a race because of a problem with his muscles. Because he was constantly measuring himself, Don could easily see the difference that regular massage had made in his performance.
Don moved away but I asked him to call me if he qualified for the Olympic trials. One day I got a phone call from him. Normally he was a person I'd describe as somewhat serious, but he was giggling like a kid. He'd just reached his goal and had qualified for the Olympic trials. I was elated and felt proud to have been part of his "team".
Whether you are a serious runner like Don or more casual about your physical activity, the right kind of sports massage can help keep your muscles functioning at their best. Less tightness means that you are less likely to pull a muscle, that your muscles will have their maximum power and range of motion, that you will fatigue less quickly, and recover more quickly. If you are a competitive athlete, regular sports massage can give you that competitive edge.
Don (not his real name) was a serious runner who did everything he could to maximize his performance. He stretched religiously and paid careful attention to nutrition. Still, every few months he'd pull a muscle and have to take some time off from running. Now that he was getting weekly sports massage, his muscles were not getting tight and he was not experiencing the pulled muscles that he'd gotten previously. When he first came for massage, he was running 60 to 80 miles a week. He was now running 80 to 100 miles a week and was running with more ease. In addition he'd shaved two minutes off his 10K time. His recovery time after a marathon had decreased dramatically. He was quite pleased with the results of his weekly massages.
During the 2 1/2 years I worked with Don, he got two minor hamstring pulls from which he recovered quickly. He never missed a race because of a problem with his muscles. Because he was constantly measuring himself, Don could easily see the difference that regular massage had made in his performance.
Don moved away but I asked him to call me if he qualified for the Olympic trials. One day I got a phone call from him. Normally he was a person I'd describe as somewhat serious, but he was giggling like a kid. He'd just reached his goal and had qualified for the Olympic trials. I was elated and felt proud to have been part of his "team".
Whether you are a serious runner like Don or more casual about your physical activity, the right kind of sports massage can help keep your muscles functioning at their best. Less tightness means that you are less likely to pull a muscle, that your muscles will have their maximum power and range of motion, that you will fatigue less quickly, and recover more quickly. If you are a competitive athlete, regular sports massage can give you that competitive edge.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Posture, Leg Length Differences, and Chronic Pain
I'm back! Yes, I've been gone for awhile. Those who know me personally will know that on 1/30/09 there was a fire at my office building. Fortunately, no one was hurt and my office didn't burn, but my room was devastated by smoke and water damage. After a month of scrambling to make do in the wake of the fire, I moved into a new office with a former office mate, Anne Thomasson. Anne, who was also displaced by the fire, practices massage and also teaches a form of therapeutic exercise called Gyrotonics. She now has a large, beautiful studio and I love walking into such a light, open space every day. We're both settling into our new spaces.
We recently attended the Missouri State Chapter meeting of the American Massage Therapy Association at Lake of the Ozarks. This was the 50th Anniversary of our state chapter and 230 massage therapists attended. There were a number of presenters. Anne and I chose the workshops presented by Paul St. John.
Paul St. John has been a leader in the field of massage therapy since at least the mid 80s. He is a dynamic speaker and his approach is very structural and rational. This particular weekend he focussed on mobilizing the sacro-iliac joint, where the base of the spine meets the hip bone, and the cervical spine where it meets the skull. There was considerable discussion about postural distortion and how it can lead to chronic pain. Paul drew a lot of attention to assessing for uneven leg lengths, which he believes is an underdiagnosed and often an unrecognized factor contributing to many people's postural distortion and pain.
Techniques were taught to mobilize the sacro-iliac joint and the cervical spine where it meets the skull. After the four hour car ride home, I was amazed that I did not feel as stiff as I usually do, something I'm convinced was a result of the SI joint work I'd received that morning in class.
I'm looking forward to becoming more adept at the skills that were taught and incorporating them into my work. I had a great time seeing old acquaintances and meeting new people. The AMTA conference was, I believe, a great success all around.
We recently attended the Missouri State Chapter meeting of the American Massage Therapy Association at Lake of the Ozarks. This was the 50th Anniversary of our state chapter and 230 massage therapists attended. There were a number of presenters. Anne and I chose the workshops presented by Paul St. John.
Paul St. John has been a leader in the field of massage therapy since at least the mid 80s. He is a dynamic speaker and his approach is very structural and rational. This particular weekend he focussed on mobilizing the sacro-iliac joint, where the base of the spine meets the hip bone, and the cervical spine where it meets the skull. There was considerable discussion about postural distortion and how it can lead to chronic pain. Paul drew a lot of attention to assessing for uneven leg lengths, which he believes is an underdiagnosed and often an unrecognized factor contributing to many people's postural distortion and pain.
Techniques were taught to mobilize the sacro-iliac joint and the cervical spine where it meets the skull. After the four hour car ride home, I was amazed that I did not feel as stiff as I usually do, something I'm convinced was a result of the SI joint work I'd received that morning in class.
I'm looking forward to becoming more adept at the skills that were taught and incorporating them into my work. I had a great time seeing old acquaintances and meeting new people. The AMTA conference was, I believe, a great success all around.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
A Reader's Question: Are Massage Therapists Fat Friendly?
A reader asks:
That's a good question and I'm glad you asked. I'm going to ask some massage therapists and see what they have to say about it. I can't speak for "most" massage therapists. Strangely, I don't recall it coming up in conversation so I don't know what other massage therapists would say. However, speaking for myself, I welcome anyone and everyone that I'm capable of accommodating. It pains me when I occasionally hear someone say that they'd like to get a massage but they are reluctant because of their weight. I want people to feel that my office is one place where they can feel good about themselves and accepted just at they are.
It can present some challenges for the massage therapist and some of this depends on the type of massage that you are doing. If you are focusing on relaxation, there should not really be a problem since the work is more general rather than specific. However, if you are trying to work with a specific pain problem, can be more difficult for the therapist to palpate bony landmarks and to directly affect the muscles below. If the therapist knows their anatomy well, they can compensate for this diminished ability to feel the tissues by their understanding of anatomy. Further, since the nerves that serve the muscles also serve the skin directly over the muscles, we can have an effect on deeper tissues even if we cannot touch them directly. My personal experience is that if I focus, I can sometimes eventually palpate more than than I initially realized. So yes, can be more challenging but it is certainly possible.
As for the effectiveness, this is going to vary with the individual client and is hard to predict. My suggestion would be for a person to try it and see if they find it effective.
As long as my table can safely support a person, they are always welcome in my office. If my table could not support an interested client, I would find a therapist whose table could support them. I would hope that other therapists would feel the same. If they do not, then perhaps they should seek another profession.
Are most massage therapists fat-friendly? Is it more difficult to do work on a fat person, and is it as effective for the client?
Thanks, Alice!
That's a good question and I'm glad you asked. I'm going to ask some massage therapists and see what they have to say about it. I can't speak for "most" massage therapists. Strangely, I don't recall it coming up in conversation so I don't know what other massage therapists would say. However, speaking for myself, I welcome anyone and everyone that I'm capable of accommodating. It pains me when I occasionally hear someone say that they'd like to get a massage but they are reluctant because of their weight. I want people to feel that my office is one place where they can feel good about themselves and accepted just at they are.
It can present some challenges for the massage therapist and some of this depends on the type of massage that you are doing. If you are focusing on relaxation, there should not really be a problem since the work is more general rather than specific. However, if you are trying to work with a specific pain problem, can be more difficult for the therapist to palpate bony landmarks and to directly affect the muscles below. If the therapist knows their anatomy well, they can compensate for this diminished ability to feel the tissues by their understanding of anatomy. Further, since the nerves that serve the muscles also serve the skin directly over the muscles, we can have an effect on deeper tissues even if we cannot touch them directly. My personal experience is that if I focus, I can sometimes eventually palpate more than than I initially realized. So yes, can be more challenging but it is certainly possible.
As for the effectiveness, this is going to vary with the individual client and is hard to predict. My suggestion would be for a person to try it and see if they find it effective.
As long as my table can safely support a person, they are always welcome in my office. If my table could not support an interested client, I would find a therapist whose table could support them. I would hope that other therapists would feel the same. If they do not, then perhaps they should seek another profession.
Massage For Couples Class at Forest Park
Have you ever wanted to do massage at home with your partner but didn't know where to start? Do you try doing massage but get tired quickly? Are you wondering how to please your partner, who keeps asking for "harder," without hurting yourself? If so, you need to take the Massage for Couples class I'll be teaching at Forest Park Community College on Feb. 21 and Feb. 28.
This one day, 5 1/2 hour class is meant to give nonprofessionals the basic skills to do massage for relaxation on each other at home. While we can't teach you to be a massage therapist in one day, you should leave the class feeling confident that you and your partner can begin to enjoy sharing massage with each other at home. "Couples" can be any two individuals, not just spouses, but you must register for the class in pairs. Friends, roommates, teammates, and family members are welcome to participate.
The class begins with some introductory information on massage theory so that participants can understand the "why" behind what they are doing. Precautions are covered so that it is clearly understood how to work in a manner that does no harm to either the giver or the recipient. Most of the class is "hands-on." Particular attention is paid to making sure the "giver" works in a way that will not hurt them. A variety of strokes are taught that allow for maximum flexibility. Participants learn strokes that are light but still effective and also more vigorous strokes that can affect deeper tissues.
Class size is limited so that participants get plenty of individual attention and many personal concerns and interests can be addressed. The class is relaxed and friendly. Participants have ranged in age from their early 20s to their 70s and come from many walks of life. It's a lot of fun.
Cost of the class is very modest. To register, go to the website for Forest Park Community College and look for Continuing Education. The class is listed as "Massage for Couples" in the catalog and is in the Health section. Participants should bring a bag lunch, since we only have a half hour lunch break and there is no fast food easily available. Participants also need to bring a set of sheets and a pillow or bolster. Oil will be provided. Sometimes the room is cold so a blanket is highly recommended. Also highly recommended is a yoga mat or heavy bath towel. Since we have to use hard top regular classroom tables, something to make the surface a little more comfortable is desirable. Wear comfortable, loose fitting clothing. You should wear a bathing suit or other clothing that allows maximum access to your skin under your street clothes.
This semester, the class will be offered on Feb. 21 and Feb. 28. If you're interested but can't make it this time, don't despair. The class is offered twice each semester, including the summer semester.
If you've got any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me. If you have questions about registration, call the Continuing Education department at Forest Park Community College.
Hope to see you there! And tell your friends!
This one day, 5 1/2 hour class is meant to give nonprofessionals the basic skills to do massage for relaxation on each other at home. While we can't teach you to be a massage therapist in one day, you should leave the class feeling confident that you and your partner can begin to enjoy sharing massage with each other at home. "Couples" can be any two individuals, not just spouses, but you must register for the class in pairs. Friends, roommates, teammates, and family members are welcome to participate.
The class begins with some introductory information on massage theory so that participants can understand the "why" behind what they are doing. Precautions are covered so that it is clearly understood how to work in a manner that does no harm to either the giver or the recipient. Most of the class is "hands-on." Particular attention is paid to making sure the "giver" works in a way that will not hurt them. A variety of strokes are taught that allow for maximum flexibility. Participants learn strokes that are light but still effective and also more vigorous strokes that can affect deeper tissues.
Class size is limited so that participants get plenty of individual attention and many personal concerns and interests can be addressed. The class is relaxed and friendly. Participants have ranged in age from their early 20s to their 70s and come from many walks of life. It's a lot of fun.
Cost of the class is very modest. To register, go to the website for Forest Park Community College and look for Continuing Education. The class is listed as "Massage for Couples" in the catalog and is in the Health section. Participants should bring a bag lunch, since we only have a half hour lunch break and there is no fast food easily available. Participants also need to bring a set of sheets and a pillow or bolster. Oil will be provided. Sometimes the room is cold so a blanket is highly recommended. Also highly recommended is a yoga mat or heavy bath towel. Since we have to use hard top regular classroom tables, something to make the surface a little more comfortable is desirable. Wear comfortable, loose fitting clothing. You should wear a bathing suit or other clothing that allows maximum access to your skin under your street clothes.
This semester, the class will be offered on Feb. 21 and Feb. 28. If you're interested but can't make it this time, don't despair. The class is offered twice each semester, including the summer semester.
If you've got any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me. If you have questions about registration, call the Continuing Education department at Forest Park Community College.
Hope to see you there! And tell your friends!
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