Too much

So it was my good intention to do this blog and keep up with it day by day. I have found that this task has become a bit overwhelming for me since I cannot adequately manage my time between being a mom, a massage therapist, a wife and a school volunteer. Although I do love my job, I cannot do this part of my job right now... so for now I am abandoning my blog... since I don't think anyone reads it, I find I am at peace with my decision. If someone is reading this, I apologize profusely but when the time is right again, I will be back.

~Sandy

Healer...

I don't believe I personally am a healer... I help facilitate what the body is capable of doing--- healing itself. Often times it just takes a touch to help the body heal faster. Some therapist will call themselves a healer of sorts, I am not one of those therapists.
Now, I am a Christian... which means that when God created humans, He made their bodies capable of healing itself. When the body gets stuck, I am there to help what God created the body to do, facilitate healing.
I get tickled when I hear that I have helped someone... that is why I got into massage therapy but I don't heal people... I just help them ;)

Pregnancy Massage

Pregnancy Massage has a lot of benefits. Here are some just to name a few:

Benefits that a mother may experience:

• Reduces swelling in hands, feet and ankles
• Lessens sciatic pain
• Eases muscular discomforts in areas like the low back & neck, calf cramps, it also helps with tension and tightening that can be experienced throughout the body
• Tones lose muscles relaxes tense muscles and can help increase flexibility.
• Helps with relaxation which in turn can decrease insomnia
• Increases blood and lymph flow which can help increase the elimination of toxins through the circulatory and lymphatic systems, this can also help with fatigue.
• Increases oxygen in the blood, sometimes on up to 10-15% after a massage.
• Strengthens the immune system
• Stimulates the release of endorphins, the body's natural pain killers, into the brain and nervous system.
• Helps relieve anxiety or depression
• Helps increase blood circulation, which in turn delivers more oxygen and nutrients to the mother and baby.
• Can be used during the birth as well as after making both experiences easier and more comfortable
• Eases stress mothers often feel after the birth

(taken from website: http://www.pregnancy.org/article/benefits-pregnancy-massage)

The most important thing to remember is that a pregnancy massage is only recommended to be done during or after your 14 week gestation. But just as there are many benefits to pregnancy massage, there are some contraindications as well. Talk to your therapist to find out what those are.

Headaches

Did you know that you have 8 little muscles located at the base of your skull and one of them is actually connected to the dura mater around your brain. This muscle (which I cannot remember the name of off the top of my head) is the one that  more than likely causes headaches--- a tension headache because when it contracts, it pulls at your brain.  This type of headache, of course, can be treated with massage.
The trick is trying to determine what type of headache you have at the time:

• tension headache
• migraine
• cluster headache
• mixed headache
• sinus headache
• headache due to dehydration

Perhaps in the next post, I will post the symptoms of each... but this is it for now!

The term -itis

So you've been to the doctor and they told you that you have tendonitis or bursitis or some other -itis...
all that means is that you have an inflammation of whatever. The best course of action for this is ice... yep water frozen in the freezer to make ice.
Sometimes I don't think docs know exactly what is wrong with a person and they just throw that diagnoses on someone when they present with pain somewhere. {This is totally my opinion}
Well I hope this explains that... I get people who present with this (when I am out and about) and now here is a solution.

Rhomboids

If you are like me, you spend some time on the computer or worse, you have a computer desk job. When this happens, your posture gets more out of whack than it already is. Your shoulders are more rounded inward and your neck is jutting forward. This over stretches your rhomboid muscles. So when a therapist massages your back (especially the area in between your shoulder blades) you are like "that is so tight in there."  When in fact, it isn't tight, it is over stretched and MAD!!! So I have given you a website that shows you different strengthening exercises:

http://www.physioadvisor.com.au/8292950/rhomboids-exercises-rhomboid-strengthening-exerc.htm

Strengthening is different than stretching because after all they are already over stretched. You want to strengthen them and your posture will greatly improve!

Mind your belt line

No, I am not talking about losing weight... I am talking about wearing a belt in general. Did you know that tight belts cause pinched nerves which then causes numbness in your leg (meralgia paresthetica)?
This past week I have noticed clients having really tight QL's (Quadratus Lumborum muscle) [lower back area or kidney area]... here's the low down on that... wearing a belt or having a tight pants on causes you to overflow your pants... the "overflow" muscles/fat tightens up when you sit in that position for a long period of time. This of course causes low back pain. I found a website that will show you how to stretch that area:
http://www.floota.com/QuadratusLumborumStretch1.html


That "overflow" will pinch muscles which in return pinch nerves. When that happens the condition is called meralgia paresthetica-- when you have numbness on the outer side of your thigh.


So before you tighten up your belt or try to squeeze into those pants... give your muscles a break and go for those elastic waist pants ;)

Cancellation

As luck would have it, I neglected my blog... but I did have one thing that I wanted to talk about and that is cancellation.
If you have an appointment, please give an adequate notice... like 24 hrs. I know life happens but I have a life too and my time is money. If you give a short notice to cancel, I don't have the ability to replace the time slot with someone else and that is rude! It is much more than an inconvenience, it is outright rude folks! I lose money because you cancelled late... and not only that, I have a sitter who does not like to be called off at the last minute either... this affects much more than you when you cancel. Of course, if you don't show and I have your address (after you signed the consent form) you will be billed the amount for the session...
OK ranting done... treat others the way you want to be treated!

Stretching

Yes folks, stretching is important for your muscle health!! I have read articles about how stretching at the beginning of your workout will NOT prevent injuries... but what I want to emphasize is stretch AFTER your workout... why? Because all your muscles are warmed up and can be stretched. You CANNOT stretch a cold muscle--- go ahead and try, it ain't gonna work.
I have only come across one person who doesn't believe in stretching at all... either before or after-- was thought of as "nonsense". Well that person was in really good shape... some of us aren't blessed like that. IF we sit at our desk for too long or our car or don't stretch after our workout, our muscles will let us know by the pain.
I have also come across clients who always, always stretch before their workout but never after. Those are the ones who are in the military and of course, when they are done with their PT (Physical Training) they are done and are ready to shower and get ready for work.
Not stretching gives me of course, job stability but it also brings pain to my hands because I am working that much more harder to relieve those muscles before you get off my table when you appointment ends. Massage is a process... things won't be "all better" in one 1 hour session... it can happen but more than likely it won't. More often is better--- especially if you are one of those people who don't stretch after your workout BUT again I won't recommend that to you.
So please stretch, stretch, stretch after your workout--- evening grocery shopping in our lovely commissary for an hour warrants stretching those calves after you get home!!! Seriously!! :)

Massage

When you hear massage... what is the first thing that pops into your head? Is it relaxation? Does your muscles begin to melt at the sound of the word?

I honestly can tell you that when I hear the word massage, I kind of cringe. Why? Because since I moved to Europe, I have had my fair share of crappy massages. I don't think of relaxation, I think of how much my body is in pain and the "therapist" will once again neglect it. Of course when I talk to people about massage, I think of MY work as a massage therapist and I get happy talking about what I have been able to do for my clients. I also become envious of my clients because I don't have anyone to massage me like I do, lol!
I thought about this because I get mixed responses when I tell people I am a massage therapist. I get people who smile and ask for my number... then I have those that are like "oh well, okay."
It's hard to get away from introducing myself as a massage therapist... I would like to say something like:
"Hi, my name is Sandy Black. I work with muscles therapeutically to reduce tension and contractions using various techniques such as hot stones and deep pressure."
Something like that, lol!
I hope that my clients think those happy thoughts when they tell others about me and my work--- and if you haven't seen me, maybe you should!!

Oops I did it again...

I went to post the other day and realized that I already posted and now just realized that I went again another couple of days without posting.

OK, I have one. Please, Please PLEASE don't call me a masseuse. I am not a masseuse--- I am a massage therapist. Yes, masseuse is french for massage "woman who practices massage", but I will let Julie explain it:

"The words masseuse and masseur were once valid terms for describing a person who does massage on people for a profession. More recently the words are more associated with people doing massage out of a massage parlor which also was once a valid term for a place of massage.

These words are now more associated with people who are engaging in prostitution or other illegal acts.

Massage Therapist more accurately describes a professional massage therapist who does massage for relaxation along with doing massage for injuries, athletes and others. Massage Therapists are usually trained in the art and science of massage."

http://thebodyworker.com/massage_blog/masseusemasseur-vs-massage-therapist/

From Julie Onofrio's website

OK, so there is my post for today... something you may not have known about massage ;)

Massage???

So another couple of days have passed since I posted, I remembered last night as I was drifting off to sleep that I forgot to post AGAIN! Since I don't think anyone reads my post, I guess I don't feel like I am letting anyone down but if I am, please let me know!! So again I am stuck as to what to post. OH, it just came to me!
PLEASE be sure that the therapist you have working on you is licensed and has had schooling. Being in Europe currently, I know that "massage therapists" are generally beauticians who have been trained to do the basic minimum in massage--- in other words, they are only going to rub lotion on you, period! I can't say this about all massage therapist because currently I know of ONE yes ONE massage therapist who is licensed and certified like me... and of course she is American as well and works on post... so her training was extensive... and while I am on the subject of massage, let me just touch on the subject of "DEEP TISSUE"
For everyone who wants a deep tissue massage... a deep tissue massage isn't what you think it is.
What you think deep tissue is and what I think deep tissue is is two different definitions.
What you think deep tissue is: a very firm perhaps painful massage
What I think deep tissue is: very specific work on a muscle group NOT on the whole body
So if you want a deep pressure massage, please specify that when you come... I will let you know that I don't subscribe to any one modality in my massage... I take several modalities and use them so that when you leave my room, you feel different. I haven't had any complaints (at least not to my face) about what I do. I love what I do and I believe I do it well. Well that is my 2 cents for the day... hopefully I can remember to do this tomorrow :]

OK

So I had a brain fart and forgot all about posting on my blog... life happens. I have been so busy sending out reminders for clients and trying to book empty spots in my week AND getting ready for my husband to go TDY for a month that I absolutely forgot to post on my blog! [But I did manage to get my CEU classes in and turn in my re-certification application]
I have been thinking what to post next... I have been racking my brain trying to figure out exactly what I want to educate my clients on... and right now I am coming up blank.
OK...
So let's talk about water intake... It is highly recommended that you drink water and lots of it after a massage... I have gotten comments from several of my clients how they didn't and got sick. So please, please, please drink water.
Water is always provided after one of my services... it's welcomed by most-- others forget that it's there. In any event, take it or leave it--- but please don't ask me if wine or beer is appropriate afterwards--- the answer will be a "no."

Massage Therapy

So quite often I get asked, what is my recommendation for how often should one get a massage.
My answer is quite simple: whenever.
I will probably never make a million dollars doing massages with an answer like that but I cannot also bring myself to "recommend" someone to come to me because ultimately my client may feel that I am money motivated.
Ideally, a person should get massaged at least once a week--- why? Because for 1 hour (or more) you are stress free-- no worries about the children, the work, the spouse--- NOTHING!! While all the stress of the week has taken years off your life {because stress does cause health problems}--- the one hour massage (or more) starts to bring years back to your life. Now that is ideal-- a massage once a week but it may NOT be realistic for some, why? Because finances play a important role in how often one can afford such a service.
As a massage therapist, I cannot afford massages on a weekly basis... and NO I will NOT do a trade-- I am VERY picky about who touches me. I will NOT give a great massage only to receive a poor one in return, blame me? And besides, I would rather give massages than to receive one.
So back to when to get a massage--- although ideally once a week would be good... if you can't than get it as often as you can. I have clients who come once a week, biweekly, once a month or even once every couple of months. {Time is also a factor when scheduling a massage, usually self gets put on the back burner} I will say that I cannot "fix you" in an hour, massage is a process to work out the muscles... you may have to come often at first and then can come on a maintenance basis.  Massage therapy is also preventative medicine... having massages often can help prevent injuries even help boost your immune system!
So don't just sit there, go book your massage today!!!

Hydrotherapy

If you would like to have sort of a cleansing feeling, similar to what massage does try hydrotherapy!

DO NOT do this to a recent injury... within 24 hrs of an injury use ONLY ice--- real ice from the freezer. Ice keeps the swelling down... heat will bring more blood to the area and that will increase swelling.

So to do hydrotherapy, get into your shower--- of course you will get into a warm shower, wait a minute then turn the shower knob to cold, as cold as YOU can stand it... rotate your body allowing the cold water to run all over your body. Then turn the knob to hot, as hot as YOU can stand it and let the water run all over your body. Do this 6 times-- 3 times cold and 3 times hot and END with the hot. At this point you can continue on with your shower. When you get out of your shower, you can stretch your muscles.

This is good for pains like back discomfort or neck and shoulder discomfort. It also can help when you can't get in with your massage therapist right away ;)

New leaf

So I have decided that I would at least post a little something every day from now on.  Today I am posting a link to an article I read about losing weight with 2 exercises...

http://www.thepostgame.com/blog/training-day/201108/lose-fat-2-exercises

I will try to gear my posts more towards massage therapy in the future but from time to time you will find a link to something else, just to shake things up a bit ;)

~Sandy

Benefits of Massage

You know how good it feels, now read what other benefits you get from getting massages!

http://www.massagetherapy.com/learnmore/benefits.php

Why NOT to wear high heels...

Often times I have clients that come in who wear high heel shoes... here's an article about the cons of wearing high heels:

http://foothealth.about.com/od/shoessocks/a/HighHeelsBad.htm


Also I must add that the calf muscle is the heartbeat of our lower extremity. It is the reason blood shoots up back into our body to recirculate. If your calf muscle does not work properly (which is often the case because wearing heels causes tightening of the calf muscle) the blood cannot recirculate which then causes blood to pool in the lower extremity. Pooling blood = blood clots and if one of those blood clots become dislodged it could mean an embolus (traveling thrombi) which is life threatening. (This condition is called Deep Vein Thrombosis)
If the thrombi is caught which often times it is because your leg becomes discolored, you will spend approximately 9 months on blood thinners to dissolve the clot... does this sound like a good time?

I have personally had 2 clients whom were on blood thinners for blood clots. Both clients were chronic heel wearers. I must admit, heels are cute but I will leave them in the store... I dislike needles even more!!

Benefits of the toe shoes

In case you ever wondered why I love my funny toe shoes... here are the benefits and explaination:

http://birthdayshoes.com/why-toe-shoes

~Sandy

5 myths of stretching

http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/5_myths_of_stretching

Here's a link on stretching dos and don'ts and the myths!

Advice from Jillian Michaels about stretching...

This was posted on her facebook page and thought I would share, it's great stuff!

"Static stretching after workouts & on off days can help improve your strength & performance.This is because longer muscle fibers permit faster contraction speeds,which can result in greater power.One caveat-do not do static stretching before you lift.It has been shown to decrease power of your contraction and thus the intensity of your workout. Dynamic stretching & cardio as a warm up.Static stretching to cool down."


I continue to remind my clients that stretching is so very important to muscle health... don't forget to stretch AFTER your workout!!

I LOVE my job!

I had the very awesome opportunity to do back massages at the WCSC luncheon yesterday and I must say I had a blast. I haven't done seated massages in a LONG time because honestly I prefer doing full body massages (that is when my true talent comes out!) but I had fun. I didn't realize that I would have back to back to back massages but I did steal a few minutes for a drink and a little break! The best part was I got 5 NEW clients! So I am booking up pretty quickly and I like that because I LOVE my job!!
Here's to a prosperous new year!