There is a coupon on the web...search for Loomis Hall Massage Therapy in google and see what you can find...
4 Comments
On March 31st, 2011 one lucky Facebook fan will win a 60 minute massage at Loomis Hall Massage Therapy!
WHAT ARE KNOTS?
ADHESIONS, SCAR TISSUE, TRIGGER POINTS, AND TENDER POINTS Have you ever wondered what you are feeling when your massage therapist goes over a painful spot? Trigger points, tender points, and adhesions are frequently the cause of some of the pain and discomfort you feel in daily life and during the massage. They can be caused by things such as injury, chronic muscle tension, repetitive motion, and stress. Read below for more information. What are Adhesions?Adhesions are bands of painful, rigid tissue that are usually found in areas where there is chronic muscle tension or injury. They can also be found in areas where there is scar tissue (see below). Adhesions are usually felt as “knots” and are tender to the touch. They can block circulation, cause pain, impinge nerves, limit range of motion/movement, and cause inflammation. The massage therapist uses direct pressure or friction with or across the grain of the muscles to physically break down adhesions. Is Massage Beneficial for Scar Tissue?Yes. Scar tissue is more than skin deep. As scars are healing they can pull the deeper connective tissues and muscles into the scar causing adhesions (see above), restricting range of motion, impinging nerves, and causing pain. By gently massaging scar tissue the deeper scar tissue is broken down and the area can heal normally. The earlier and more consistently scar tissue is exercised, massaged and warmed the less the likelihood of adhesions to form. Massage can usually be done gently over scars as soon as they have healed and there is no inflammation and can assist in the recovery from surgery. What are Trigger Points?Trigger points are tight bands of tissue that have referred pain. Like adhesions, trigger points are often felt as “knots” but when the massage therapist goes over a trigger point there is usually a localized twitch response, referred pain to another area of the body, and an area of localized intense pain. When a trigger point is touched clients frequently report pain in another area of the body. For example, when the massage therapist applies pressure to a tight muscle in the neck of a client who has been complaining of tension headaches the pressure may cause localized pain as well as recreate the pain associated with the headache. By applying prolonged pressure to the trigger point the therapist is relieving the trigger point, which allows the muscle to relax. This helps to reduce localized pain in the area and the areas of referred pain. Trigger points often occur in muscles that are overused or on constant stretch like in the area between the shoulder blades on the upper back. What are Tender Points?Tender points are similar to trigger points but there is no referred pain. They frequently occur in the antagonist (opposite) muscle to where a person is feeling pain. So if you are feeling pain in your back and shoulder area there are frequently tender points in your chest muscles. Tender points are also frequently found in muscle attachment sites and tendons rather then in the belly of a muscle. Tender points are relieved in a similar way as trigger points by applying direct pressure. What is DEEP TISSUE MASSAGE?
Deep tissue massage is a type of massage therapy that focuses on realigning the deeper layers of muscles, connective tissue, and fascia. The massage therapist uses slow, concentrated deep pressure strokes on areas of tension and pain with the goals of improving range of motion, improving posture, reducing stress, reducing pain and assist in recovery from injury. Deep tissue massage is usually done over a localized area of the body. The term deep tissue massage is generally used to refer to specific treatment work on a localized area and is often confused with deep pressure massage, which is a full body massage using deep pressure. At Loomis Hall Massage Therapy we usually combine deep tissue with other massage modalities to provide specific treatment work and full body relaxation at the same time. Benefits of Deep Tissue Massage
A deep tissue massage does not have to hurt to be effective. There may be some discomfort or pain at some point during the massage, especially in localized areas surrounding the injury. It is important to tell the massage therapist if there is pain; especially if the pain is outside your comfort level. Remember, we are working with you to provide the best possible massage experience for you. We can adjust our pressure to give you more or less pressure depending on your preferences. Our goal is not to hurt you; it is to assist in your healing process! After a deep tissue massage there can be some stiffness, achiness, or soreness in a localized areas that lasts a day or two. It is highly recommended to apply ice after a deep tissue massage and any time you feel pain. Ice will assist in the recovery process and help your body heal. If the soreness lasts more than 48 hours please inform your massage therapist at the next session. It is also recommended to drink water before and after a massage. By keeping your body hydrated you will decrease the likelihood of muscle cramps and soreness. Swedish massage (also known as classic massage) is the basis for many of the massage techniques we use at Loomis Hall Massage Therapy. It is a massage modality that is based on the anatomy and physiology of the body and uses the following strokes: effleurage, petrissage, friction, Swedish gymnastics, vibration/jostling, and tapotement (see definitions below). It is usually a full body massage and incorporates a number of different types of massage strokes with the goal of achieving the following benefits:
Benefits of Swedish Massage
Swedish massage is attributed to Pehr Henrik Ling (1776-1839) who was a Swedish physiologist and gymnastics instructor. He developed a system that combined assisted stretching, passive range of motion, and massage techniques with the goal of improving circulation, relieving muscle tension, improving range of motion, and promoting general relaxation. A Dutch physician, Johann Mezger (1817-1893) added names to Ling’s Swedish massage techniques and promoted massage in the European medical profession as a beneficial treatment for injuries. In 1856 Swedish massage was introduced in the United States by George Henry Taylor and Charles Fayette Taylor. Swedish massage was a central component of the development of physical therapy and massage therapy in the United States. The Main Strokes Used in Swedish Massage Effleurage This is the most common Swedish massage stroke. It is a light or deep gliding stroke that contours the body over superficial tissue and is used to warm tissue, increase circulation, enhance relaxation, and apply massage lotion or oil. Petrissage Petrissage is a Swedish massage stroke that gently lifts muscles up and away from the bone by using a kneading or compression motion. This stroke stimulates circulation, creates space in the tissue, loosens and softens tissue, enhances nutrient exchange, improves skin and muscle tone, and prepares for deeper work. Friction The deepest massage stroke used in Swedish massage is friction and is a basis for deep tissue massage. During friction strokes the superficial tissue is pressed firmly into the underlying surfaces to a point of restriction/resistance. Friction strokes are used to break down adhesions (knots), relieve pain, improve flexibility, reduce fascial restrictions, enhance local fluid movement, and relieve trigger points. Swedish Gymnastics Swedish Gymnastics is done by the massage therapist moving joints though the available range of motion. The goal is to restore range of motion, reduce pain, maintain health, and stretch muscles. Vibration/Jostling Vibration or jostling is applied with hands or fingertips and is a rapid shaking, quivering, trembling or rocking motion. The purpose is release tension, release muscle guarding, loosen superficial tissue, redistribute synovial fluid in joints, and increase circulation. Tapotement Tapotement is a Swedish massage stroke that is done by alternately striking the tissue with an open hand, loose fist or fingertips with the goal of reducing congestion, increasing muscle tone, stimulating histamine release, and inducing relaxation or invigoration depending on the rhythm of the strokes. Massage is a wonderful way to reduce stress, rejuvenate, and relax. Regular massage enhances your physical, mental, and emotional well being. It is also a powerful way to reduce pain and recover from injury. During a massage session we frequently work with our clients on any pain or discomfort they may have, but the massage is doing much more for you than just working a localized area.
Some of the many benefits of regular massage are:
|
AuthorLoomis Hall Massage Therapy Archives
March 2014
Categories
All
|
Blaine Healing Arts Massage Therapy ~ 366 H Street ~ Blaine, WA 98230 ~ (360) 603-4120 ~ www.blainehealingarts.com