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.
Showing posts with label Massage Therapy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Massage Therapy. Show all posts
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Monday, October 27, 2008
Ask Your Questions Here!
Do you have a question about massage therapy?
If you have you never tried it but are curious and would like to know more, this is your opportunity to ask questions. Don't worry, your questions are not silly! If you are thinking of them, someone else is probably wondering the same thing, too. Do both of you a favor and go ahead and ask!
Are you an existing massage client who has questions? Please ask! I'd love to try to answer them.
Are you a beginning massage therapist who would like some input from an experienced therapist? We all start out with a lot of questions, from how to handle specific conditions to client/therapist relationships to getting those pesky oil stains out of the sheets. I've been practicing for seventeen years and would love to share the benefit of my training and experience with you.
Are you an experienced therapist who has some specific questions and would like another therapist's input? We never quit having questions and it's wonderful to have other experienced therapists to talk to. Get another experienced therapist's point of view.
Whoever you are, you are invited to submit any questions you may have. I'll do my best to answer them and be honest when I can't.
I look forward to hearing from you.
If you have you never tried it but are curious and would like to know more, this is your opportunity to ask questions. Don't worry, your questions are not silly! If you are thinking of them, someone else is probably wondering the same thing, too. Do both of you a favor and go ahead and ask!
Are you an existing massage client who has questions? Please ask! I'd love to try to answer them.
Are you a beginning massage therapist who would like some input from an experienced therapist? We all start out with a lot of questions, from how to handle specific conditions to client/therapist relationships to getting those pesky oil stains out of the sheets. I've been practicing for seventeen years and would love to share the benefit of my training and experience with you.
Are you an experienced therapist who has some specific questions and would like another therapist's input? We never quit having questions and it's wonderful to have other experienced therapists to talk to. Get another experienced therapist's point of view.
Whoever you are, you are invited to submit any questions you may have. I'll do my best to answer them and be honest when I can't.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Russian Massage Protocol for Fibromyalgia
Please note: Ask The Massage Therapist has moved to http://www.massage-stlouis.com
You can follow us on Twitter at massagestl
Russian Massage is unique in that it is a system of massage entirely based on physiology. Developed in the former Soviet Union as a medical massage, sports massage, and part of their physical therapy, it is supported by over 150 years of serious scientific research. What this means is that they have investigated the various strokes and examined exactly what physiological changes each of these strokes, when done in various ways, produces in the body.
In Russian Massage, the approach taken towards fibromyalgia is to calm the central nervous system (CNS). The idea is that when the central nervous system is normalized, everything in the body functions better. This systemic approach is also used for chronic fatigue syndrome; I have also used it successfully on a client with sarcoidosis.
Russian researchers have found that the central nervous system responds best to shorter and more frequent treatments. Too long of a treatment can backfire and too infrequent is ineffective. The more severe the symptoms of fibromylagia, the shorter and more frequent the treatments should be. They have also found that the CNS responds best to regularity and so, ideally, the treatments are best given at evenly spaced intervals, preferably at the same time of the day.
Since the goal is to soothe the CNS, Russian Massage for fibromyalgia uses only very soothing strokes. Continuous effleurage and vibration on the back and the back of the legs is done for twenty to thirty minutes. This gentle, rhythmic treatment is very relaxing and causes absolutely no pain to the client. The client enters a deep state of relaxation and, since the treatment is relatively short, rises relaxed but regains alertness quickly.
Treatment sessions are usually 20 to 30 minutes each, twice a week. If the client is particularly flared up, treatments are shortened to no more than 20 minutes and increased to three times a week. Treatments are repeated for 12 to 15 sessions and then interrupted for two weeks. This repetition followed by an interruption in treatment allows the body to become accustomed to being more relaxed but not dependent on the treatments. It also prevents the body from becoming so accustomed to the treatments that it no longer responds to them.
In many cases, if the client is taking sufficient care of themselves outside of the treatments, they will start to experience a reduction in the severity of their symptoms within four or five treatments. Significant reductions in symptoms are often experienced by the end of the 12 - 15 treatments. If further progress is desired, another cycle of treatments may resume after the two week break. This cycle of 12 to 15 treatments with a two week break may be repeated as often as necessary until the desired results are achieved. As symptoms are reduced and the client begins to feel better, treatments should be tapered off. Intervals between treatments may be increased. Eventually, treatments can be reduced to once a month to help maintain improvement. At the first sign of flare-up, the client should resume more frequent treatments. If this is done before symptoms have seriously increased, return to a more normal state is often achieved more quickly.
Outside of the massage treatments, it is imperative that the client do everything they can to support their physical and mental health. A relatively healthy diet is a must. Alcohol, cigarettes, and caffeine should be kept to a minimum. Clients must maintain regular sleep habits and get adequate sleep. Unnecessary stress needs to be reduced or eliminated. Exercise is important. It is often recommended that patients with fibromyalgia exercise three times a week. However, one doctor has found that his patients who exercise every day get the best results and if they miss even one day, they feel worse for the next two or three days. It is not necessary to exercise the painful muscles to benefit. The effects seem to come from the overall hormonal effects of the exercise.
Over the years, almost every one of my clients with fibromyalgia who has followed this protocol has reported good to excellent improvement. The exceptions have had complications from other conditions.
As with any medical condition, massage therapy is not a substitute for proper medical attention. Massage therapy, however, can support other therapies and be a powerful adjunct.
One client, whose symptoms had gotten severe enough that she did not think she could continue working, told me after two months of treatment, "This has allowed me to stay in my job."
I firmly believe, based on my own experience and validated by investigations at the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami Medical School, that the right kind of massage therapy could provide safe, natural relief to many who suffer from fibromyalgia. It is certainly worth giving it a try.
You can follow us on Twitter at massagestl
Russian Massage is unique in that it is a system of massage entirely based on physiology. Developed in the former Soviet Union as a medical massage, sports massage, and part of their physical therapy, it is supported by over 150 years of serious scientific research. What this means is that they have investigated the various strokes and examined exactly what physiological changes each of these strokes, when done in various ways, produces in the body.
In Russian Massage, the approach taken towards fibromyalgia is to calm the central nervous system (CNS). The idea is that when the central nervous system is normalized, everything in the body functions better. This systemic approach is also used for chronic fatigue syndrome; I have also used it successfully on a client with sarcoidosis.
Russian researchers have found that the central nervous system responds best to shorter and more frequent treatments. Too long of a treatment can backfire and too infrequent is ineffective. The more severe the symptoms of fibromylagia, the shorter and more frequent the treatments should be. They have also found that the CNS responds best to regularity and so, ideally, the treatments are best given at evenly spaced intervals, preferably at the same time of the day.
Since the goal is to soothe the CNS, Russian Massage for fibromyalgia uses only very soothing strokes. Continuous effleurage and vibration on the back and the back of the legs is done for twenty to thirty minutes. This gentle, rhythmic treatment is very relaxing and causes absolutely no pain to the client. The client enters a deep state of relaxation and, since the treatment is relatively short, rises relaxed but regains alertness quickly.
Treatment sessions are usually 20 to 30 minutes each, twice a week. If the client is particularly flared up, treatments are shortened to no more than 20 minutes and increased to three times a week. Treatments are repeated for 12 to 15 sessions and then interrupted for two weeks. This repetition followed by an interruption in treatment allows the body to become accustomed to being more relaxed but not dependent on the treatments. It also prevents the body from becoming so accustomed to the treatments that it no longer responds to them.
In many cases, if the client is taking sufficient care of themselves outside of the treatments, they will start to experience a reduction in the severity of their symptoms within four or five treatments. Significant reductions in symptoms are often experienced by the end of the 12 - 15 treatments. If further progress is desired, another cycle of treatments may resume after the two week break. This cycle of 12 to 15 treatments with a two week break may be repeated as often as necessary until the desired results are achieved. As symptoms are reduced and the client begins to feel better, treatments should be tapered off. Intervals between treatments may be increased. Eventually, treatments can be reduced to once a month to help maintain improvement. At the first sign of flare-up, the client should resume more frequent treatments. If this is done before symptoms have seriously increased, return to a more normal state is often achieved more quickly.
Outside of the massage treatments, it is imperative that the client do everything they can to support their physical and mental health. A relatively healthy diet is a must. Alcohol, cigarettes, and caffeine should be kept to a minimum. Clients must maintain regular sleep habits and get adequate sleep. Unnecessary stress needs to be reduced or eliminated. Exercise is important. It is often recommended that patients with fibromyalgia exercise three times a week. However, one doctor has found that his patients who exercise every day get the best results and if they miss even one day, they feel worse for the next two or three days. It is not necessary to exercise the painful muscles to benefit. The effects seem to come from the overall hormonal effects of the exercise.
Over the years, almost every one of my clients with fibromyalgia who has followed this protocol has reported good to excellent improvement. The exceptions have had complications from other conditions.
As with any medical condition, massage therapy is not a substitute for proper medical attention. Massage therapy, however, can support other therapies and be a powerful adjunct.
One client, whose symptoms had gotten severe enough that she did not think she could continue working, told me after two months of treatment, "This has allowed me to stay in my job."
I firmly believe, based on my own experience and validated by investigations at the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami Medical School, that the right kind of massage therapy could provide safe, natural relief to many who suffer from fibromyalgia. It is certainly worth giving it a try.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Natural Relief for Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia (FM) is a poorly understood chronic pain condition that primarily afflicts women. Patients with fibromyalgia complain that they feel fatigued and ache all over as if they have the flu. They are generally otherwise healthy women and there seems no obvious reason for their pain. Many were very productive before they became afflicted. Symptoms can range from mild to severe but will persist for years. There is no known cause and there is no known cure. I once asked a pain management specialist what treatment conventional medicine had to offer fibromyalgia patients and his response was, "Not much." More recently, a new drug has been introduced that may offer relief to patients with fibromyalgia.
When I first began to practice massage seventeen years ago, it was difficult to find information about fibromyalgia. What information was available was often vague, confusing, and conflicting. At least half of all rheumatologists did not recognize fibromyalgia as a diagnosis and many sufferers went years before being diagnosed. Women often told me they hesitated to see a doctor because, as one put it, "I don't want them to tell me it's all in my head." When they were finally diagnosed, they were often told there was nothing to be done about it. What was a person with fibromyalgia to do? What was a massage therapist with fibromyalgia clients to do?
In my experience, the pendulum seems to have swung in the opposite direction. In recent years, a woman in pain is often told she has fibromyalgia whether she fits the profile for a diagnosis of fibromyalgia or not. I even had one healthy young woman, who had no pain, fatigue, or other symptoms, report that she was told by a doctor (who had never seen her before and was a sub for her regular doctor) that she had fibromyalgia. Two other female clients, who were later diagnosed with and treated successfully for frozen shoulder, were initially told that they had fibromyalgia. What's going on here?
Unfortunately, musculoskeletal pain is not well understood by many doctors. Overworked physicians who are under pressure to see too many patients in a day often do not feel they have the time to thoroughly investigate their patient's pains, pains which may be vague, not easily diagnosed, and do not seem life threatening. It's easy to dismiss them with a diagnosis of fibromyalgia. When these clients come to my office, I do what I can to relieve their muscular pain and help them to determine what perpetuating factors may exist in their daily lives. When it is clear that they need additional help, I direct them towards doctors, chiropractors, and physical therapists who I know will take the time to help them resolve their pain.
But what about the clients who truly have symptoms of fibromyalgia? Can massage therapy help? And, more importantly, what kind of massage therapy?
Fortunately, I met a Russian Massage teacher, the well known Zhenya Kurashova Wine. Russian massage, developed in the former Soviet Union, is supported by over 150 years of serious scientific research into the physiological effects of massage on the body. They can tell you, with evidence to support it, exactly how a particular stroke done in a particular manner will affect the physiology of the body.
I'd been taught to use deep tissue massage on clients with muscle pain but I quickly noticed this made clients with FM only worse. I'd started to lighten up but was afraid I wouldn't be effective. When I began to study with Zhenya, she taught me very specifically how to work with clients with fibromyalgia. As soon as I began to take her advice, I began to get much better results. And when my clients with fibromyalgia followed the suggested protocol, they reported a significant decrease in the severity of their symptoms and the frequency and intensity of flare-ups.
Tomorrow I'll describe the Russian Massage protocol for fibromyalgia and also mention some other conditions for which it has worked well.
When I first began to practice massage seventeen years ago, it was difficult to find information about fibromyalgia. What information was available was often vague, confusing, and conflicting. At least half of all rheumatologists did not recognize fibromyalgia as a diagnosis and many sufferers went years before being diagnosed. Women often told me they hesitated to see a doctor because, as one put it, "I don't want them to tell me it's all in my head." When they were finally diagnosed, they were often told there was nothing to be done about it. What was a person with fibromyalgia to do? What was a massage therapist with fibromyalgia clients to do?
In my experience, the pendulum seems to have swung in the opposite direction. In recent years, a woman in pain is often told she has fibromyalgia whether she fits the profile for a diagnosis of fibromyalgia or not. I even had one healthy young woman, who had no pain, fatigue, or other symptoms, report that she was told by a doctor (who had never seen her before and was a sub for her regular doctor) that she had fibromyalgia. Two other female clients, who were later diagnosed with and treated successfully for frozen shoulder, were initially told that they had fibromyalgia. What's going on here?
Unfortunately, musculoskeletal pain is not well understood by many doctors. Overworked physicians who are under pressure to see too many patients in a day often do not feel they have the time to thoroughly investigate their patient's pains, pains which may be vague, not easily diagnosed, and do not seem life threatening. It's easy to dismiss them with a diagnosis of fibromyalgia. When these clients come to my office, I do what I can to relieve their muscular pain and help them to determine what perpetuating factors may exist in their daily lives. When it is clear that they need additional help, I direct them towards doctors, chiropractors, and physical therapists who I know will take the time to help them resolve their pain.
But what about the clients who truly have symptoms of fibromyalgia? Can massage therapy help? And, more importantly, what kind of massage therapy?
Fortunately, I met a Russian Massage teacher, the well known Zhenya Kurashova Wine. Russian massage, developed in the former Soviet Union, is supported by over 150 years of serious scientific research into the physiological effects of massage on the body. They can tell you, with evidence to support it, exactly how a particular stroke done in a particular manner will affect the physiology of the body.
I'd been taught to use deep tissue massage on clients with muscle pain but I quickly noticed this made clients with FM only worse. I'd started to lighten up but was afraid I wouldn't be effective. When I began to study with Zhenya, she taught me very specifically how to work with clients with fibromyalgia. As soon as I began to take her advice, I began to get much better results. And when my clients with fibromyalgia followed the suggested protocol, they reported a significant decrease in the severity of their symptoms and the frequency and intensity of flare-ups.
Tomorrow I'll describe the Russian Massage protocol for fibromyalgia and also mention some other conditions for which it has worked well.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Living Without Pain
So many people live with unnecessary pain. Are you one of them? I'm astounded and dismayed at the number of people who believe that they have to live with their aches and pains, pains that could be alleviated, often quickly and easily. They seem to believe that there's nothing to be done. They say, "I guess I'm just getting old." Are you one of them?
Is that really true? Is pain an inevitable part of life at 40? 50? 60? If you feel that badly now, what will you feel like ten years from now? Do you really want to spend the rest of your life in pain when it isn't necessary? What kind of life is that?
How do I know that you can feel better now? Quickly, easily, and naturally? Because I've seen it happen hundreds of times and I've experienced it myself.
I am not going to tell you that all your aches and pains will vanish in an hour massage. It simply isn't true. However, what I can tell you is that the vast majority of clients get up from my table feeling significantly better than they did when they first lay down. In almost every case where pain relief is the goal, they experience at least some immediate reduction in pain.
There is no magic bullet for chronic pain. But if there were a magic bullet, massage would be pretty darn close to being it. I'll estimate that at least 90% of my clients say they "feel a lot better" when they get up from my table. Massage can work wonders. And I'm not talking about any massage. I'm talking about the right kind of massage.
"What?!" you say. The "right kind" of massage? What do you mean by that? Are you talking about "sports massage," "Swedish," "deep tissue"? Not exactly. What I'm talking about is this: does the massage therapist know exactly what to do, specifically what combination of strokes, will be most effective at relieving your specific problem? Do they know the difference between using massage for today's muscle strain and a chronic condition that has existed for years? Or do they do the same massage on everyone that walks in the door? You see, the right kind of massage can be very effective quickly. The wrong kind of massage at best will be ineffective and at worse may make you feel worse.
I'll be coming back to this topic of specifically what kind of massage will best help you and how it can make a difference. I'll be returning to this idea of living without pain. And I'll be reminding you again that you don't need to live in pain, that you can feel better naturally. But you must be willing to do what it takes.
I'm not going to tell you that I have the only answer to your pain. Chronic pain can have multiple sources and perpetuating factors. Finding them and addressing them can require persistence and a willingness to be investigative. Chiropractors, doctors, physical therapists, changes in habits may all be a part of the long-term answer. Part of my job is educating you, the client, how to take care of yourself outside of my office so that you can live a life that you love, free of unnecessary pain and stress.
Yes, pain and stress are an inevitable part of life and in some cases there are conditions that just aren't going to go away. Even in those cases, the severity of symptoms can often be reduced. Usually the condition can be managed in a way that at least some relief can be achieved. For most of us, though, the aches and pains that plague us can be reduced and often eliminated.
The choice is yours. Will you make the choice to live without pain? Or will you keep plodding along, burdened by life's stresses and strains? Which will you choose?
Is that really true? Is pain an inevitable part of life at 40? 50? 60? If you feel that badly now, what will you feel like ten years from now? Do you really want to spend the rest of your life in pain when it isn't necessary? What kind of life is that?
How do I know that you can feel better now? Quickly, easily, and naturally? Because I've seen it happen hundreds of times and I've experienced it myself.
I am not going to tell you that all your aches and pains will vanish in an hour massage. It simply isn't true. However, what I can tell you is that the vast majority of clients get up from my table feeling significantly better than they did when they first lay down. In almost every case where pain relief is the goal, they experience at least some immediate reduction in pain.
There is no magic bullet for chronic pain. But if there were a magic bullet, massage would be pretty darn close to being it. I'll estimate that at least 90% of my clients say they "feel a lot better" when they get up from my table. Massage can work wonders. And I'm not talking about any massage. I'm talking about the right kind of massage.
"What?!" you say. The "right kind" of massage? What do you mean by that? Are you talking about "sports massage," "Swedish," "deep tissue"? Not exactly. What I'm talking about is this: does the massage therapist know exactly what to do, specifically what combination of strokes, will be most effective at relieving your specific problem? Do they know the difference between using massage for today's muscle strain and a chronic condition that has existed for years? Or do they do the same massage on everyone that walks in the door? You see, the right kind of massage can be very effective quickly. The wrong kind of massage at best will be ineffective and at worse may make you feel worse.
I'll be coming back to this topic of specifically what kind of massage will best help you and how it can make a difference. I'll be returning to this idea of living without pain. And I'll be reminding you again that you don't need to live in pain, that you can feel better naturally. But you must be willing to do what it takes.
I'm not going to tell you that I have the only answer to your pain. Chronic pain can have multiple sources and perpetuating factors. Finding them and addressing them can require persistence and a willingness to be investigative. Chiropractors, doctors, physical therapists, changes in habits may all be a part of the long-term answer. Part of my job is educating you, the client, how to take care of yourself outside of my office so that you can live a life that you love, free of unnecessary pain and stress.
Yes, pain and stress are an inevitable part of life and in some cases there are conditions that just aren't going to go away. Even in those cases, the severity of symptoms can often be reduced. Usually the condition can be managed in a way that at least some relief can be achieved. For most of us, though, the aches and pains that plague us can be reduced and often eliminated.
The choice is yours. Will you make the choice to live without pain? Or will you keep plodding along, burdened by life's stresses and strains? Which will you choose?
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