Question from Becca Goocher via Facebook

Q: Does massage help with posture?


Your posture is a reflection of many different things - from your physical habits as well as your emotional and stress patterns.
Your posture is more than just sitting up straight or using correct posture when sitting all day at the computer (or doing whatever it is that you do most.) You ability to sit up straight has more to do with the tension in your muscles. Muscle Tension causes the muscles to be weak because the tension actually is making the fibers in your muscles stick together so the overall ability for the muscle to contract is reduced.
When someone instructs you to sit properly at the computer or stand up straight, you may not be able to because of the tension that is restricting your posture.
And just like the tires on your car need to be aligned, so does your body. When your posture is out of alignment it causes excess wear and tear on some part of your body - usually a joint such as the hip or foot (causing hip or foot pain).
Working to release the tension in the muscles requires establishing new patterns of movement after a bodywork session. Learning to become aware of your body occurs during massage sessions. As your muscles are touched and worked on in whatever manner, the tension is released and a new awareness can occur. After a bodywork session it is always good to notice how different you feel - how your feet touch the floor, how your arms swing more freely when you walk, how you feel lighter and more grounded.
Pain is often caused as a result of mis-alignments in posture. You are more likely to become injured when participating in sports when your posture is out of alignment. Even if you are in a car accident or fall, the resulting injuries are influence by your alignment.
Participating in regular activities such as working out, yoga, running or some sports activity will increase the wear and tear on the joints and muscles involved when you start these activities with a higher state of tension in your body or when your body is out of alignment.
Sitting at desks all day in front of computers has also created poor habits in posture resulting in an increase of problems related to work and stress. Sitting for long periods working on projects without being aware of the tension in your body can create even more tension problems.
Once people discover the many joys and benefits of massage, a common question arises — "How often should I schedule my massage sessions?" Of course, there is no set answer, but studies indicate that regular massage is most beneficial to your overall health. I tend to recommend every 4-6 weeks unless a problem/or injury that needs to be addressed.

The next time you hear someone say that massage is only a luxury, you’ll know that massage is really a tool that can help improve a body’s ability to regain and maintain proper function. Massage can be a powerful tool to help your body best perform its countless functions in its goal to maintain a healthy balance.

Your well-being is so very important, so make 'your self' a high priority. When you feel your best, you are in a much better condition to deal with all of life’s challenges and demands.

Massage Therapy… & How it can help you!
Why do we need Massage?
For many of us, pain or restricted movement can limit our lifestyles. Causes range from sports injuries, accidents, repetitive action, or simply the stress and tension of every day living. Quite often our emotional stresses take up residence in our bodies, and massage can be an excellent and lasting form of relief.

How does Massage reduce stress?
Massage improves the body's circulation, eases muscle pain & tension, assists our body's immune system and promotes a feeling of well-being. All these physical factors combine to reduce our emotional and mental stress levels, which in turn give us more energy and reduces the chance of injury and illness.

How does Massage help muscle pain?
Massage works directly on the muscles, stretching and kneading actions stimulate the nervous system, causing muscles to relax and relieve tightness. Massage also assists the muscles to flush out any built-up toxins that can be stored after exercise, which eases pain and tightness.

How does Massage help injuries?
Massage releases tight muscles and loosens scar tissue, it increases range of movement in the body's joints especially after injury. This promotes flexibility and strength, and stimulates production of natural joint lubrication. This all combines to help prevent further injury.

Did you know Massage improves Posture?
Massage relieves muscle tension and promotes flexibility in our muscles, joints and connective tissues; it assists our bodies to return to a freer and more natural posture.
Massage relieves muscle contractions and pain caused by spinal abnormalities such as scoliosis & kyphosis. Sitting at a Computer every day changes your posture too and massage can help improve it.

How does Massage help with fluid retention?
Massage really does improve our body's circulation and assists our waste system to flush toxins and residual fluids from the body.
Because of this benefit massage is a fantastic form of relief for those suffering from fluid retention caused by surgery, inflammation, injury, hormonal imbalances or pregnancy.

What will a Massage feel like?
Therapeutic massage is always a very pleasant, relaxing sensation. Remedial massage is different and when working on areas of recent injury or chronic pain, you may notice some discomfort initially which will usually lessen noticeably in the first few minutes as the muscle tension begins to ease.
Massage Therapist's are trained to work within each client's comfort zone; communication is the key factor to ensure the treatment is right for you.

Making Massage work for you!
On your first visit you will be asked a number of questions regarding your general health and any conditions or problems you have.

This assists your therapist to assess any problem areas (they may do special tests and check for restricted movement, muscular and joint pain, muscle tenderness and posture), and this assessment will assist in structuring the best treatment plan specifically for you and your body.

Is massage right for you?
Always let your Doctor know you have regular massages, there are certain conditions where massage is contra indicated, so advise your therapist if you are being treated for anything, communication with your doctor may be necessary.

What's best to do after a massage?
Drink plenty of water to help flush out the debris and toxins that have been broken up. It is good to walk for 5 minutes after a massage so the body stays in balance.
You may feel lethargic or fatigued, so rest and relax, try not to drink alcohol; it may have a stronger effect.

How can you help yourself?
Self-Massage is simple and free of charge. Learn some techniques of your Massage therapist so you can use them outside of your massage treatment.

Techniques include breathing, relaxing, stretching and gentle exercise. This will help relieve tension between treatments.

For more information you can also check out...
http://www.massagetherapy.com/articles/index.php/article_id/1108/The-Importance-of-Proper-Posture

I get naked at the spa...the musical!

If you read my previous blog post, I address the question about how much clothing to remove. Just found this via Twitter....enjoy! :-)

http://www.spaweekblog.com/category/featured-spas/

Question from @sunjammers via Twitter

QUESTION:

When a massage therapist tells you to undress to your comfort level, what exactly does this mean?

ANSWER:

Most people feel most comfortable leaving on their underwear for a massage, but some enjoy going completely nude. Just know that to most therapist if you leave your underwear on, they will not work your gluts (i.e. butt region). I do most of my glut work through the sheet anyways, so having underwear on doesn't matter to me. Some therapist will request that you go nude. This would be your judgement call. Some spas will give you a robe especially if you have more than one service, so you don't have to keep undressing and dressing. Again, it's your choice how far to undress. I do have a few female clients that leave their bras on (especially if they are nursing moms) and that's fine with me. It's really easy to work around it or just unhook it and re-hook it when done.

A former coworker of mine said that when she got massaged in the Midwest, the therapist would move her underwear in order to work her gluts, but my opinion is that this is extremely unprofessional and unsanitary. Thai massage, chair massage and some reflexology massages allow the client to remain completely clothed if you don't feel comfortable enough to undress. Don't ever worry or be self conscious about your body while getting a massage. Your licensed and certified massage therapist has seen hundreds of different clients and body shapes/sizes. Professional draping will allow for an enjoyable, relaxing massage with your modesty in consideration and just communicate to your therapist the areas that you want to be worked on.