Prolonging the Benefits of Your Massage
A massage works in wonderful ways, easing stress and pain, calming the nervous system, increasing circulation, loosening tight muscles, stimulating internal organs, and enhancing skin. The multiplicity of physiological responses sends a simple, clear message to the mind: Massage feels good. Of course, you want to hold on to that just had a massage feeling -- total body relaxation, muscles relaxed and at ease, and fluid movement restored -- for as long as possible.
But how long that bliss lasts depends on the state of your body. If you're suffering from chronic pain or recovering from injury, then it may take more sessions and perhaps different modalities before optimal health is restored.
If massage is part of your regular health regimen, then it's more likely the effects will endure. In other words, the effects of massage are cumulative, like any healthy habit. The more often you get a massage, the greater and longer-lasting the benefits.
Posted by Angie Whaley at 10/5/2009 10:13 AM |
How often you receive massage depends on why you're seeking massage. In dealing with the general tension of everyday commutes, computer work, and time demands, a monthly massage may be enough to sustain you. On the other hand, if you're seeking massage for chronic pain, you may need regular treatments every week or two. Or if you're addressing an acute injury or dealing with high levels of stress, you may need more frequent sessions. Your situation will dictate the optimum time between treatments, and your practitioner will work with you to determine the best course of action.
One bit of advice you'll hear over and over again is to drink plenty of water after a massage. Massage -- no matter the particular modality -- releases toxins, such as lactic acid and carbonic acid, that need to be flushed from the body. Massage also promotes circulation, increasing blood flow and oxygen and stimulating the lymphatic system, which helps rid the body of pathogens. After-massage hydration supports these functions, helping to eliminate released impurities, sooner rather than later.
Posted by Angie Whaley at 9/09/2009 9:54 PM
If you sit at a desk all day, you may want extra time for your neck and shoulders when you get a massage. It may also help to take short breaks at work to relieve tension and prevent injury. Stretch frequently, flexing tight joints and shaking out tense limbs. Here are six stretches you can do at your desk.
For neck tension, let your head fall forward as you exhale. Inhale and very slowly roll your head to the right until your right ear is resting over your right shoulder. Exhale and roll your head to your chest. Inhale and roll your head to your left shoulder. Exhale and return to the chest. Continue these movements, slowly and easily, for one to five minutes. Important: never roll your head behind your shoulder.
To stretch your whole spine, raise your arms over your head. Stretch your right arm toward the ceiling, hold and relax. Then repeat with your left arm. Breathe slowly, exhaling completely as you stretch. Repeat several times. If you have high blood pressure, skip this one.
For joint mobility, sit on a chair and stretch one leg in front of you. Roll your ankle in circles, both directions. Repeat on the other side. Then, with your arms at your sides, roll your wrists one way, then the other.
As if you had a piece of tape stuck to your fingers, shake your arms and hands vigorously to get it off. Shake for 30 seconds and feel the energy move through your limbs.
For tension in your upper back, clasp your hands behind your head and stretch your elbows back. Exhale and very slowly twist your head and torso to the right. Hold for a moment, inhale and turn back to center. Then exhale, turn to the left, and return to center. Repeat 5 times each direction.
Posted by Angie Whaley at 8/03/2009 9:25 PM |
Deep Tissue massage focuses on the deeper layers of muscle tissue. The purpose is to release the chronic patterns of tension in the body through slower strokes and deeper hand or finger pressure on the contracted or restricted areas of muscle, tendon and fascia.
Our Deep Tissue Therapies are used to locate and release spasms and hyper contraction in the tissue, eliminate trigger points that cause referred pain, restore postural alignment, proper biomechanics and flexibility to the tissues, rebuild the strength of injured tissues, and assist venous and lymphatic flow. Our Deep Tissue Therapies provide a more effective therapeutic response by focusing on movement and technique to reshape and realign the muscles, connective tissue and releasing old, habitual patterns.
We strive to help clients achieve positive results, and carefully tailor each session to meet individual client's needs.
The purpose of Deep Tissue massage is to release the fibers of a muscle while reversing deeply-held patters of tension and dysfunction. In addition Deep Tissue massage assists the removal of metabolic waste from the muscles and relaxes and soothes the muscles. It is both corrective and therapeutic.
Deep Tissue massage is relaxing, but due to the very specific nature of the massage clients may experience some soreness during or after the massage. The massage therapists at BodyWorks Massage Group can tailor this massage to your individual needs. Each massage therapist has had advanced training in Deep Tissue techniques and will ask you during the massage where you have areas of tension or pain and how you feel about the pressure used during your massage. If at any time you wish to have the therapist use less pressure you should let her know. Do not hesitate to tell your therapist if you wish to have her use less pressure.
Many people want to relax during their massage, but also to have specific areas of tension released. BodyWorks Massage Group calls this type of massage our "Basic Deep Tissue Massage." In this treatment we blend components of simple relaxation massage with some of the more specific massage to address trouble areas. You determine how much Deep Tissue treatment is right for you.
Posted by Angie Whaley at 7/06/2009 4:25 AM |