Dear Readers,
This blog was my first venture into online communication. It was a fun and easy way to venture onto the internet. Thanks to everyone who has given encouragement and support and to the readers who have submitted questions.
Since I began this blog, I started a FaceBook page. I'll be posting there whenever I write a new blog article. I hope you'll become a FaceBook fan of Massage St. Louis.
In April of this year I was finally dragged into the 21st century and got a website. My web master, Jean Probert, did an excellent job and I'm very excited about the new web site. Please check out www.massage-stlouis.com.
Ask The Massage Therapist will be moving to the new website. All the old material from this blog is available at the new location and new material will be posted there from now on. You can still Ask The Massage Therapist your questions about massage therapy.
We look forward to hearing from you. Tell your friends to stop by and visit. And remember, if you have any questions about massage therapy, please feel free to Ask The Massage Therapist. We'll try to answer as best we can.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
A Reader Asks About Swelling After A Massage
A reader asks:
I received a great massage about a week ago but the next day my lower back was swollen. Why would this happen? The massage was perfect pressure and she never hurt me at all. Can you please help me understand this?
Without having been there or being able to ask follow-up questions, I can't give a definitive answer to your question. However, I'll take an educated guess.
It may have seemed that the pressure was perfect but it's possible that your body did not think the pressure was perfect. It may have been too much pressure. That's one possibility.
Another is that your back may have been overtreated. Massage therapists sometimes spend a long period of time in one area, thinking that every single tight fiber and sore spot must be relieved before they move on. It can even feel good to do it at the time but it may not be a good thing to do.
Massage sets a process in motion that continues after the session is over. Too much massage in one area can cause congestion, inflammation, and tightening of the muscles. A therapist should not work more than about ten minutes on one specific area. It is better to work a little, give the area a rest for two days, and then come back to it. It is always better to do too little than too much. Too little will do no harm but too much can cause irritation.
Did she put heat on the area after working on it? Massage will draw blood to the area. Adding heat will draw even more fluid to the area and cause congestion. Heat to warm the area before working on it can be good, but heat after an area has been thoroughly massaged can be too much.
Finally, it's quite possible that the swelling had nothing to do with the massage and was a coincidence. Perhaps something else occurred that you may not have been aware of. These things happen.
I've never had the experience of a client getting swelling after massage, but I did have an experience of too much massage creating congestion. I was in Latvia with my Russian Massage teacher Zhenya Kurashova Wine. We were at a clinic learning how massage was used in a clinic setting and we ourselves received treatment. Since we were foreigners and there for a limited time, we were getting more treatment than would have been normal. My arms were bothering me from overuse so I welcomed the opportunity to have them treated.
By the fourth day they began to feel congested. The therapist did not use a lot of pressure but the massage brought a lot of blood to the muscles. Zhenya always told us that muscles should be massaged like this only every other day, not every day, because it was too much. You bring the blood to the area and then leave it alone for a day to give the body a chance to do its work. When I told Zhenya my arms were feeling a little congested, she instructed me to skip treatment for a day. My arms began to feel better. I learned myself that more is not always better.
Yours is an uncommon response and so I don't know exactly why you had that experience. However, these may be some possible reasons why you had some swelling after your massage. Should this happen again, you might try putting ice on the affected area and ask your therapist to work more gently for less time on the area.
Thanks for your question
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
What Is The Right Kind Of Massage?
Massage is an ancient healing art that has been practiced in every culture. Captain Cook once described how his back pain was successfully treated with massage by the native people of Hawaii during his stay in the islands. Massage has evolved and taken many paths and continues to evolve during these modern times. With so many names and philosophies, how does a client know which is the right kind of massage for them? And how does the therapist know what is the right kind of massage for the client?
Sports massage, Swedish massage, Russian massage, accupressure, deep tissue massage . . . there are so many different kinds of massage. I'll discuss some general categories in another article but for now I want to talk specifically about what I mean when I say that the right kind of massage can be very effective, while the wrong kind of massage will, at the very least, be ineffective and, at worst, cause symptoms to worsen.
Let me give an example taken from my own practice. Years ago, when I was first beginning to learn Russian massage, a woman called and booked an hour appointment. Upon arrival, she told me she had Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. She'd had experience with massage before, liked it, and wanted a fairly vigorous one hour massage. I had recently begun to study with the renowned Russian Massage therapist Zhenya Kurashova Wine and knew from Zhenya that a vigorous one hour massage would not be the best choice for her and that, in fact, a gentle 20 - 30 minute treatment would be better. I explained this to the client. She was willing to consider it for a future visit but at that moment, she really had her heart set on a one hour vigorous massage. Against my better judgement, I complied. At the end of the appointment she said that she liked the massage very much and booked another appointment for the following week to try the alternative treatment I'd suggested.
When she came the following week, I asked how she felt after her first massage. She said she'd felt better for the rest of the day and then went home, crashed, and could barely get out of bed the following two days. I proceeded to do the very gentle 30 minute treatment that I do for CFS and fibromyalgia. The client came in the following week and, again, I asked how she felt after the last massage. She reported that she'd gone home, took a 20 minute nap, and then felt really good for the next three days.
Two different massage treatments, two entirely different reactions.
Zhenya would tell us that massage is like medicine. First, you have to have the correct diagnosis. If you don't know exactly what is the problem, you are not going to know what is the correct solution. Then, as with medicine, you have to know what is the right medicine and what is the right dose. How much? How often?
In Russian massage we study the specific effects that each stroke has on the physiological processes of the body. How is the treatment for nerve irritation different from treatment for muscle pain? How is treatment for an acute situation different for a chronic condition? How would one approach a systemic disorder? A client with congestive heart failure? Stroke?
As you can see with my client, the wrong kind of massage felt good at the time but really did not help her. The right kind of massage got much better results.
A good therapist will understand exactly how her touch affects the body at many levels. She will listen carefully to the client's needs and adjust accordingly. By understanding the client's condition at that point in time and understanding how we affect the body, we can deliver just the right kind of massage and achieve greater results.
Sports massage, Swedish massage, Russian massage, accupressure, deep tissue massage . . . there are so many different kinds of massage. I'll discuss some general categories in another article but for now I want to talk specifically about what I mean when I say that the right kind of massage can be very effective, while the wrong kind of massage will, at the very least, be ineffective and, at worst, cause symptoms to worsen.
Let me give an example taken from my own practice. Years ago, when I was first beginning to learn Russian massage, a woman called and booked an hour appointment. Upon arrival, she told me she had Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. She'd had experience with massage before, liked it, and wanted a fairly vigorous one hour massage. I had recently begun to study with the renowned Russian Massage therapist Zhenya Kurashova Wine and knew from Zhenya that a vigorous one hour massage would not be the best choice for her and that, in fact, a gentle 20 - 30 minute treatment would be better. I explained this to the client. She was willing to consider it for a future visit but at that moment, she really had her heart set on a one hour vigorous massage. Against my better judgement, I complied. At the end of the appointment she said that she liked the massage very much and booked another appointment for the following week to try the alternative treatment I'd suggested.
When she came the following week, I asked how she felt after her first massage. She said she'd felt better for the rest of the day and then went home, crashed, and could barely get out of bed the following two days. I proceeded to do the very gentle 30 minute treatment that I do for CFS and fibromyalgia. The client came in the following week and, again, I asked how she felt after the last massage. She reported that she'd gone home, took a 20 minute nap, and then felt really good for the next three days.
Two different massage treatments, two entirely different reactions.
Zhenya would tell us that massage is like medicine. First, you have to have the correct diagnosis. If you don't know exactly what is the problem, you are not going to know what is the correct solution. Then, as with medicine, you have to know what is the right medicine and what is the right dose. How much? How often?
In Russian massage we study the specific effects that each stroke has on the physiological processes of the body. How is the treatment for nerve irritation different from treatment for muscle pain? How is treatment for an acute situation different for a chronic condition? How would one approach a systemic disorder? A client with congestive heart failure? Stroke?
As you can see with my client, the wrong kind of massage felt good at the time but really did not help her. The right kind of massage got much better results.
A good therapist will understand exactly how her touch affects the body at many levels. She will listen carefully to the client's needs and adjust accordingly. By understanding the client's condition at that point in time and understanding how we affect the body, we can deliver just the right kind of massage and achieve greater results.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Benefits of Massage Therapy
If you've ever had a massage, you know that you can start to feel better within minutes. We are biologically wired to respond to welcome human touch. The massage therapist begins to spread oil over your back. Skilled hands begin to massage tight muscles. Right away, you feel better and begin to slip into a state of relaxation. That alone is worth the price of admission. But there's more!
People come to massage for a variety of reasons. Many come primarily for relaxation and wellness. Experts estimate that at least 80% of doctor office visits are for health problems that are caused or aggravated by stress. Headaches, backaches, and many other of life's most common complaints are aggravated by stress. Anything we can do to counteract and alleviate the effect of stress is going to have a beneficial effect on our health. In The End of Stress As We Know It, author Bruce McEwen describes the effects that chronic exposure to stress hormones have on the body. Among other things, continued elevated levels of these hormones lead to higher cholesterol, a higher incidence of Type II diabetes, and increased accumulation of belly fat.
Sore muscles from overexertion respond quickly to the right kind of massage. Chronic muscle aches can often be alleviated by the right kind of massage. Athletes find that regular massage can help to naturally improve their performance and minimize injuries by eliminating unnecessary tightness in muscles.
The Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami Medical School has conducted over a hundred studies documenting the beneficial effects of massage. TRI has found that massage therapy improves weight gain in premature infants, enhances attentiveness, alleviates depressive symptoms, reduces pain, reduces stress hormones, and improves immune system function. In fact, Dr. Tiffany Field of TRI has said that in every study they've undertaken, massage has been shown to be beneficial. That's amazing.
We don't need to wait for scientists to confirm what we already know from our own experience. Massage feels good and it's good for you.
People come to massage for a variety of reasons. Many come primarily for relaxation and wellness. Experts estimate that at least 80% of doctor office visits are for health problems that are caused or aggravated by stress. Headaches, backaches, and many other of life's most common complaints are aggravated by stress. Anything we can do to counteract and alleviate the effect of stress is going to have a beneficial effect on our health. In The End of Stress As We Know It, author Bruce McEwen describes the effects that chronic exposure to stress hormones have on the body. Among other things, continued elevated levels of these hormones lead to higher cholesterol, a higher incidence of Type II diabetes, and increased accumulation of belly fat.
Sore muscles from overexertion respond quickly to the right kind of massage. Chronic muscle aches can often be alleviated by the right kind of massage. Athletes find that regular massage can help to naturally improve their performance and minimize injuries by eliminating unnecessary tightness in muscles.
The Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami Medical School has conducted over a hundred studies documenting the beneficial effects of massage. TRI has found that massage therapy improves weight gain in premature infants, enhances attentiveness, alleviates depressive symptoms, reduces pain, reduces stress hormones, and improves immune system function. In fact, Dr. Tiffany Field of TRI has said that in every study they've undertaken, massage has been shown to be beneficial. That's amazing.
We don't need to wait for scientists to confirm what we already know from our own experience. Massage feels good and it's good for you.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Massage For Couples Class: 6/12/10 & 7/10/10
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 one of the Massage for Couples classes I'll be teaching at Forest Park Community College on June 12 and July 10.
This one day, 5 1/2 hour class is meant to give nonprofessionals the basic skills to do massage for relaxation 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 strain 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 so that 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 only $29 per person. To register, go to the website for Forest Park Community College and look for Continuing Education. The class is listed as "Couples Massage" in the catalog and is in the Health section. (HEAL:704) Alternatively, you can register by calling 314-984-7777. Students have often said the online registration is a little frustrating and have a better experience registering over the phone. Participants should bring a bag lunch, since we only have a half hour lunch break and options for eating out are limited. 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 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 two Saturdays, June 12 and July 10. If you're interested but can't make it this time, don't despair. The class is offered twice each 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 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 strain 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 so that 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 only $29 per person. To register, go to the website for Forest Park Community College and look for Continuing Education. The class is listed as "Couples Massage" in the catalog and is in the Health section. (HEAL:704) Alternatively, you can register by calling 314-984-7777. Students have often said the online registration is a little frustrating and have a better experience registering over the phone. Participants should bring a bag lunch, since we only have a half hour lunch break and options for eating out are limited. 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 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 two Saturdays, June 12 and July 10. If you're interested but can't make it this time, don't despair. The class is offered twice each 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!
Remembering Dr. David Simons, Co-Author of The Trigger Point Manual
It is with great sadness that the massage community received the news that Dr. David Simons recently passed away at the age of 87. Dr. Simons co-authored Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction: The Trigger Point Manual with Dr. Janet Travell, the physician who helped President John F. Kennedy with his back pain.
The contribution that Travell and Simons made to the world of pain management cannot be underestimated. At first met with skepticism, the concept of trigger points and their importance in the treatment of musculoskeletal pain eventually came to be accepted and embraced by practitioners in every area of pain relief and pain management. Massage therapists, physical therapists, medical doctors, and chiropractic physicians all look to The Trigger Point Manual as an important resource for understanding and treating many common pain problems. Until Travell and Simons, muscular pain was not taken seriously by doctors and very little research was done about how to relieve it. Travell and Simons began investigations into the causes and treatment of muscle pain and, in particular, the phenomenon that they came to name "trigger points." They mapped the most common locations of trigger points and their most common referral patterns which eventually led to the practice now commonly known as "trigger point therapy."
I've known a number of massage therapists, chiropractors, and medical doctors who have had contact with Travell and Simons over the years and they all remark at their incredible generosity. They had a genuine interest in relieving pain and were enthusiastic that so many practitioners used their work to great effect.
It is with a deep sense of gratitude for the work of Dr. Simons that I take a few moments to remember the important contribution he made towards relieving pain and suffering. Thank you, Dr. Simons. You will be missed.
The contribution that Travell and Simons made to the world of pain management cannot be underestimated. At first met with skepticism, the concept of trigger points and their importance in the treatment of musculoskeletal pain eventually came to be accepted and embraced by practitioners in every area of pain relief and pain management. Massage therapists, physical therapists, medical doctors, and chiropractic physicians all look to The Trigger Point Manual as an important resource for understanding and treating many common pain problems. Until Travell and Simons, muscular pain was not taken seriously by doctors and very little research was done about how to relieve it. Travell and Simons began investigations into the causes and treatment of muscle pain and, in particular, the phenomenon that they came to name "trigger points." They mapped the most common locations of trigger points and their most common referral patterns which eventually led to the practice now commonly known as "trigger point therapy."
I've known a number of massage therapists, chiropractors, and medical doctors who have had contact with Travell and Simons over the years and they all remark at their incredible generosity. They had a genuine interest in relieving pain and were enthusiastic that so many practitioners used their work to great effect.
It is with a deep sense of gratitude for the work of Dr. Simons that I take a few moments to remember the important contribution he made towards relieving pain and suffering. Thank you, Dr. Simons. You will be missed.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Check Out My New Web Site: Massage-StLouis.com!
Yes, this semi-Luddite has finally been dragged into the 21st century. Check out my new Web site at www.massage-stlouis.com. Make sure you include the dash and skip the period in stlouis or you'll get directed somewhere else.
More and more people are turning to the internet to find goods and services and my clients are no exception. Many new people find me through the internet and it's important to have at least a minimum of Web presence. I finally turned to Jean Probert, illustrator-designer, to help create a Web site for my business.
Jean has been the creative force behind those beautiful business cards, magnets, and postcards that many of you have admired during the last ten years. She is highly skilled, creative, and knows me well enough that the end results are a good reflection of who I am and what I want to convey. She patiently walked me through the steps of creating a Web site, kept me on task, and contributed helpful suggestions along the way. She was not only Web designer but editor and proof reader, too.
I am very pleased with the results. She did a beautiful job and the site functions well. You'll find an introduction on the home page with additional information on inside pages. There are brief descriptions of the types of massage in which I specialize, details about my training and experience, and articles from my blog, as well as contact information, rates, etc.
New blog articles will still show up on my FaceBook page, Massage St. Louis. And in case you are wondering, Massage St. Louis is my Web site and FaceBook page name but I still conduct business under my own name.
I hope you'll take a few minutes to check out the new Web site and let me know what you think. If you run into problems, let me know and we'll do what we can to fix them. If you aren't already a fan of my FaceBook page, I invite you to become one. I promise I won't inundate you with posts and you will be notified of classes, promotions, and anything else that comes up that you might want to know about. In the future, I may post links to helpful sites and products that people often ask about.
Thanks to Jean for her work and her patience guiding me through the process. If you'd like to see more of her work, check it out at jeanprobert.com.
More and more people are turning to the internet to find goods and services and my clients are no exception. Many new people find me through the internet and it's important to have at least a minimum of Web presence. I finally turned to Jean Probert, illustrator-designer, to help create a Web site for my business.
Jean has been the creative force behind those beautiful business cards, magnets, and postcards that many of you have admired during the last ten years. She is highly skilled, creative, and knows me well enough that the end results are a good reflection of who I am and what I want to convey. She patiently walked me through the steps of creating a Web site, kept me on task, and contributed helpful suggestions along the way. She was not only Web designer but editor and proof reader, too.
I am very pleased with the results. She did a beautiful job and the site functions well. You'll find an introduction on the home page with additional information on inside pages. There are brief descriptions of the types of massage in which I specialize, details about my training and experience, and articles from my blog, as well as contact information, rates, etc.
New blog articles will still show up on my FaceBook page, Massage St. Louis. And in case you are wondering, Massage St. Louis is my Web site and FaceBook page name but I still conduct business under my own name.
I hope you'll take a few minutes to check out the new Web site and let me know what you think. If you run into problems, let me know and we'll do what we can to fix them. If you aren't already a fan of my FaceBook page, I invite you to become one. I promise I won't inundate you with posts and you will be notified of classes, promotions, and anything else that comes up that you might want to know about. In the future, I may post links to helpful sites and products that people often ask about.
Thanks to Jean for her work and her patience guiding me through the process. If you'd like to see more of her work, check it out at jeanprobert.com.
Monday, April 12, 2010
"That Was Awesome!"
"That was awesome!" This was the comment most frequently heard during the two hours I was doing minimassages on a constant stream of girls ranging in age from 5 years to around 12 years old. A couple of adults and teens snuck unto the line, too.
The event was called Girls In The Know and, in its first year, had 500 little girls and their moms sign up in advance.
I've worked many events over the years: the Working Women's Survival Show, Earth Day, the Muscular Dystrophy Telethon, and numerous health fairs, to name a few. When I walked into this event, though, and saw a sea of little girls, I thought, "Oh my goodness, this is going to be different!" To be honest, I was a little intimidated at first. I'm accustomed to working with adults at these events; what was it going to be like having scores of very young girls line up at my table? Well, I'm always up for an adventure.
What was it like? It was a blast! The first little girl, a young gymnast, was so ticklish I could hardly touch her. However, I have some techniques to overcome ticklishness and she responded well to them. She said her neck was always tight and no one could touch it, but I was able to massage her neck. She really liked it a lot and when she got up off the table, she exclaimed, "That was awesome!" Her best friend, also a gymnast, was next in line. I told them both how I worked with the gymnasts of Cirque du Soleil. They liked that. The second girl told me her mom massages her. I invited her mom to come to the office and I could teach her some specific techniques that would help her work effectively with her daughter.
The rest of the day became an endless series of little girls hopping onto and off of my table. Each one of them was adorable. They all dressed so colorfully and many had had their hair fixed with fancy braids. I loved their glittery little shoes and their smiling, bouncy energy. They were all so darn cute!
One mom took a photo of her daughter getting a massage. I hope she'll send it to me. If she does, I'll post it on my FaceBook page: Massage St. Louis.
By the end of the day, I was exhausted but very happy. The girls all looked like they were having a good time and they all loved the massage. From the first to the last, they all agreed, "That was awesome!"
The event was called Girls In The Know and, in its first year, had 500 little girls and their moms sign up in advance.
I've worked many events over the years: the Working Women's Survival Show, Earth Day, the Muscular Dystrophy Telethon, and numerous health fairs, to name a few. When I walked into this event, though, and saw a sea of little girls, I thought, "Oh my goodness, this is going to be different!" To be honest, I was a little intimidated at first. I'm accustomed to working with adults at these events; what was it going to be like having scores of very young girls line up at my table? Well, I'm always up for an adventure.
What was it like? It was a blast! The first little girl, a young gymnast, was so ticklish I could hardly touch her. However, I have some techniques to overcome ticklishness and she responded well to them. She said her neck was always tight and no one could touch it, but I was able to massage her neck. She really liked it a lot and when she got up off the table, she exclaimed, "That was awesome!" Her best friend, also a gymnast, was next in line. I told them both how I worked with the gymnasts of Cirque du Soleil. They liked that. The second girl told me her mom massages her. I invited her mom to come to the office and I could teach her some specific techniques that would help her work effectively with her daughter.
The rest of the day became an endless series of little girls hopping onto and off of my table. Each one of them was adorable. They all dressed so colorfully and many had had their hair fixed with fancy braids. I loved their glittery little shoes and their smiling, bouncy energy. They were all so darn cute!
One mom took a photo of her daughter getting a massage. I hope she'll send it to me. If she does, I'll post it on my FaceBook page: Massage St. Louis.
By the end of the day, I was exhausted but very happy. The girls all looked like they were having a good time and they all loved the massage. From the first to the last, they all agreed, "That was awesome!"
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Musicians: Small Muscle Athletes
I once read an article about musculoskeletal pain among professional musicians. A survey of several thousand symphony musicians revealed that approximately 80% of them suffered from either chronic or intermittent pain directly related to their profession. The highest incidence was reported among the violinists. This was not surprising since they not only hold their instrument in a position that is challenging to the muscles, but they spend more time playing than any other instrument in an orchestra. Other instruments often get breaks or play only intermittently but in most orchestral pieces, the violins play most of the time.
Musicians are small muscle athletes. Their profession requires endurance, strength, and precision. The right kind of massage can help them play with less pain and more agility.
When muscles are tight, movement is inhibited. When muscles are in pain, they become tense, there is less control, and they fatigue more quickly. Maintaining maximum range of motion and eliminating pain allows a musician to play in comfort and can improve performance.
I've worked with a number of musicians over the years and they fascinate me. Those of us sitting in the audience marvel at their skill, but we seldom think of the endurance required to play for hours without a break. I once worked with a couple of conductors and, until that experience, never thought about what it must be like to stand with your arms raised in the air for a couple of hours. Try it, especially while making short, quick, precise movements. It's not easy.
Each instrument has their own challenges. Horn players can get spasms in the muscles of their cheeks and lips. Violinists suffer from neck and shoulder ache. Guitarists, banjoists, and mandolin players will get pain in their forearms or elbows.
A good massage therapist who understands these problems can go quickly to the source of the pain and begin to dissipate the tension and discomfort. They not only can help to relieve the acute pain, they can help a musician continue to play pain free in the future.
Regular massage therapy should be a part of every professional musician's life. It will improve their performance, help them to play with comfort and ease, and extend the length of their career.
Musicians are small muscle athletes. Their profession requires endurance, strength, and precision. The right kind of massage can help them play with less pain and more agility.
When muscles are tight, movement is inhibited. When muscles are in pain, they become tense, there is less control, and they fatigue more quickly. Maintaining maximum range of motion and eliminating pain allows a musician to play in comfort and can improve performance.
I've worked with a number of musicians over the years and they fascinate me. Those of us sitting in the audience marvel at their skill, but we seldom think of the endurance required to play for hours without a break. I once worked with a couple of conductors and, until that experience, never thought about what it must be like to stand with your arms raised in the air for a couple of hours. Try it, especially while making short, quick, precise movements. It's not easy.
Each instrument has their own challenges. Horn players can get spasms in the muscles of their cheeks and lips. Violinists suffer from neck and shoulder ache. Guitarists, banjoists, and mandolin players will get pain in their forearms or elbows.
A good massage therapist who understands these problems can go quickly to the source of the pain and begin to dissipate the tension and discomfort. They not only can help to relieve the acute pain, they can help a musician continue to play pain free in the future.
Regular massage therapy should be a part of every professional musician's life. It will improve their performance, help them to play with comfort and ease, and extend the length of their career.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Cirque du Soleil
No doubt about it, the best job I've ever had has been working with Cirque du Soleil. Four times.
People are often impressed that I have worked with Cirque du Soleil. I tell them don't be impressed that they hired me the first time. After all, the first time they didn't know what they were getting. Be impressed that they hired me the second. And the third. And the fourth time.
What is it like working with Cirque du Soleil? It's definitely different. First of all, the sessions are usually for 20 minutes, not the usual hour in the office. This means that you need to get right to the point quickly. Secondly, these are world class performers who put incredible demands on their bodies and need to stay in top shape to perform. They need massage that is effective and efficient.
The combination of Russian Massage and Neuromuscular Therapy, my primary modalities, coupled with years of experience, works well for them. I love the challenge of trying to meet their needs in such a short time and they really appreciate my expertise.
I'd had considerable experience with elite athletes and performing artists before Cirque du Soleil, but my first day with them was an adjustment. Most of the performers are gymnasts of one sort or another. They are muscular but small and lean, very different from the generally larger athletes I was accustomed to. In addition, many did not speak English! My first client spoke only a few words of English. Fortunately, I've traveled in a number of foreign countries and have had experience in communicating with people whose language I do not speak. I learned about eight words of Chinese and relied on hand gestures, pantomime, drawings, etc., to determine exactly what each person wanted and needed.
I loved being able to work the way I've been trained to work. Working quickly and working in a very results-oriented manner is something I excel at. It was very satisfying to be able to meet their needs.
Performers for Cirque come from all over the world. They are a fun and interesting population to work with. It's a joy to be able to work so creatively and to be part of such a creative endeavor.
If you've ever seen them, you know that they perform amazing feats and do it with a grace and artistry that's like nothing else you've ever seen. After working so closely with their bodies, I had even more of an appreciation for their strength and skills when I would watch them perform.
I had the privilege of working twice with one show so I was familiar with about half the performers when they returned a year after their first visit to St. Louis. It made me feel good when two African brothers walked in and greeted me in their beautiful West African French accents, "Ah, Alice, we are so glad to see you again! You are the best of them all!" I feel the same way about them, too.
People are often impressed that I have worked with Cirque du Soleil. I tell them don't be impressed that they hired me the first time. After all, the first time they didn't know what they were getting. Be impressed that they hired me the second. And the third. And the fourth time.
What is it like working with Cirque du Soleil? It's definitely different. First of all, the sessions are usually for 20 minutes, not the usual hour in the office. This means that you need to get right to the point quickly. Secondly, these are world class performers who put incredible demands on their bodies and need to stay in top shape to perform. They need massage that is effective and efficient.
The combination of Russian Massage and Neuromuscular Therapy, my primary modalities, coupled with years of experience, works well for them. I love the challenge of trying to meet their needs in such a short time and they really appreciate my expertise.
I'd had considerable experience with elite athletes and performing artists before Cirque du Soleil, but my first day with them was an adjustment. Most of the performers are gymnasts of one sort or another. They are muscular but small and lean, very different from the generally larger athletes I was accustomed to. In addition, many did not speak English! My first client spoke only a few words of English. Fortunately, I've traveled in a number of foreign countries and have had experience in communicating with people whose language I do not speak. I learned about eight words of Chinese and relied on hand gestures, pantomime, drawings, etc., to determine exactly what each person wanted and needed.
I loved being able to work the way I've been trained to work. Working quickly and working in a very results-oriented manner is something I excel at. It was very satisfying to be able to meet their needs.
Performers for Cirque come from all over the world. They are a fun and interesting population to work with. It's a joy to be able to work so creatively and to be part of such a creative endeavor.
If you've ever seen them, you know that they perform amazing feats and do it with a grace and artistry that's like nothing else you've ever seen. After working so closely with their bodies, I had even more of an appreciation for their strength and skills when I would watch them perform.
I had the privilege of working twice with one show so I was familiar with about half the performers when they returned a year after their first visit to St. Louis. It made me feel good when two African brothers walked in and greeted me in their beautiful West African French accents, "Ah, Alice, we are so glad to see you again! You are the best of them all!" I feel the same way about them, too.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome during Pregnancy
I got a phone call from a client whose wife developed Carpal Tunnel Syndrome six months into her pregnancy as a result of swelling from water retention. The condition became so painful she would wake up at night in tears. Her doctor was not helpful. "It will go away after you deliver," was the only suggestion he had to offer. Not wanting his wife to have to endure this for another three months, my client asked if I could help. I'd never dealt with such a situation but I do know how to reduce swelling so I thought it was worth a try. I worked on her arms and asked her to call me the next day to see if it helped. I told her that we might have to try it a few times before we saw any results and that I couldn't guarantee results, that we were engaging in an experiment. Her husband called the next day to say she had her first painless night in several weeks. This was good news. Now the question was how long would this effect last? The next night it started to return but was not as bad as it had been before we started. By the third evening the symptoms were almost back to where they had been originally. I told the husband she probably should be treated every evening before she went to bed. He was willing to do this for his wife so I taught him how to do the treatment, which only took ten minutes, and he treated her every night. She was able to get through the rest of her pregnancy without pain.
Recently I heard about another woman who had CTS during her pregnancy, induced by water retention. I'm wondering how common is this condition? A quick google of the subject turns up a number of references. Suggested treatment was a cortisone shot. I'm wondering how many women could be helped by a simple, natural treatment that can be done at home? I don't know for certain that other women's pain could be relieved. Just because it worked for one does not mean it will work for others. However, it is reasonable to think it might and certainly worth a try. Have you had CTS during your pregnancy or do you know someone who has? Are you a doctor who sees pregnant women with CTS? How can I get the word out? I hate to see these women suffer what may be unnecessary pain when such a simple solution may be available.
Your thoughts and comments are welcome.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
