Energy Work and Massage Work

Did you know that many massage therapists engage in some form of ‘energy work’ during a massage session?  Some therapists say prayers, some ask for guidance, some may just pray to get through the day.  I have watched therapists clearing auras, charging chakras, using aromatherapy oils to cleanse and clear and it makes me wonder:

Does the client realize they are being “cleansed?”

In my studies of energy work, the first rule of etiquette is that one is never to perform energy work of any kind without expressed permission from the receiver.  Having many (sometimes heated) conversations with other body workers over this issue, here is what is said:

“The client understands that this is what we do.”

Really?

“They gave me permission by letting me work on them”

Hmmm….I haven’t seen that on an intake form.

In all, I agree that working with a person’s energy field is inevitable when using a therapy that involves touch, but it made me stop and wonder if people really know and understand what it’s all about. 

Touching someone is perhaps the most poignant and powerful action anyone can do or share with another.  In one moment of touch, a thousand thoughts are shared, emotions transferred, intentions are known beyond a doubt.  One touch can bring a smile, tear down or build up walls, or even cause a river of tears to break free, all from a brief moment of contact.

Massage involves an extended period of continuous contact, and most massage therapy schools drill the importance of having pure intentions, a focused mind, and an aware touch.  High levels of trust are placed upon a therapist; sometimes, more trust than they would give people they know well.  It’s a place they can go and release whatever is in them, whatever is on their minds, and open up to healing. 

A therapist has the responsibility to remember all of this, at all times.

So I am left with the question,

“Did they really give me permission to cleanse their energy field, or did they just want a sore neck worked out?”

Tomorrow I am going to remember to check with them on that.

Reducing Cellulite with Massage

Massage is an artform, and part of this art is in the effects of shaping and molding the body.  Soft tissues are maleable, and responsive to proper manipulations, including the reduction in the appearance of cellulite.

Cellulite, presenting as a dimpling of  skin around fatty deposits, is the target of many a woman’s woes.  Expensive creams, products and surgery are all available to alleviate this bothersome malady, yet access to or affording such treatments can be challenging.

So, why is it that mostly women are plagued with this? Men’s bodies store the fat in a single continuous layer under the skin, keeping the appearance relatively smooth. Women, on the other hand, store our fatty deposits in pieces, like filling the holes in a sponge, and the dimpling is the space between the fat, skin, and muscle.

So what to do?  As we exit our shower is the perfect time to provide ourselves with some self massage.  Watch a video from Boris Prilutsky about techniques, and do your best at home. 

Self massage is very free of charge! Take the 30 minutes each day for at least 10days to achieve initial results, and repeat whenever you feel it’s necessary.  The procedure is a bit uncomfortable, but certainly effective and worth it!

Namaste

Massage Solutions LV

Migraine Headaches??

After several clients contacting me who suffer from migraine headaches and just cannot handle anymore tests, medicines, poking and prodding by well meaning doctors only to continue in agony day after day, I must reply!

Today, a client came in, informing me of a very, VERY expensive medication prescribed that really did nothing for the migraine, but the nauseous side effects were bad enough to distract from the pain in the head (at least).  One hour later, after administering Trigger Point Therapy to the deep neck muscles, jaw muscles, and cranial area, this client sat up and exclaimed “OMG I can move my head again!”  Feedback during the session revealed that the pain of trigger therapy did NOT trigger a migraine (usually when the client would rub the temple region at home, a migraine ensued).  In fact, the attitude of ‘I don’t want to experience pain’ became one of ‘there’s one! Let’s get it!’ (hurts in a good way). 

So, there we are. 

What are some good indications triggers may be wreaking havoc with your head?  Well, do you experience “tooth pain?”  Shooting pains along the temples, neck, backside of the arms?  Do your fingers go numb and/or tingle, particularly the thumb, index and middle?  Pressure under your tongue? Aching or pulling along the side of your neck that makes you want to crack or stretch it? Vertigo or blurred vision?

These are all indicators you have triggers.  There’s more, but these are the most common.

What are Triggers?  These are the ‘knots’ that you can feel in the muscle.  Technically speaking, sarcomeres (segments in the muscle fibres) go into contraction and fail to release.  It takes concentrated (and yes, painful) manual manipulation to signal a release.  Over time, buildup of excess toxins from the fibres, due to reduced circulation and excess exertion, can cause additional pain in the area.  Most pain caused by a trigger is actually experienced in an area other than the location, and the main reason why the pain is mistaken for other maladies.

***It is important to note that to stretch the area will agitate the trigger.

Seek a therapist trained in Trigger Point Therapy is the best advice I know for those who suffer Migraine Headaches.  Though they may not be the main cause, further tension which always results can be reduced and/or eliminated.  Focus on Sternocleidomastoid, scalenes, occipitals, rotatores, buccinator, pterygoids, digastric, capitus groups, traps, rhomboids, deltoids, teres major and minor, platysma, to give a good start.

good luck, and feel free to leave a comment or question, I answer all of them!

Namaste.

www.massagesolutionslv.com

Throat Massage for Health

Massage Solutions LV
This could be perhaps the strangest thing you may ever do if you are unaccustomed to having your throat touched. Some of the guidelines to follow when doing this are:
Stay relaxed and comfortable.
Hum or talk to distract you from tension.
Use caution, be slow in your movements until you are comfortable.

You are your own best guide, and can tell if it hurts wrong or hurts right. If you are undergoing any chiropractic care, discuss this with them before beginning, show them the video, too. There are dozens upon dozens of miniscule muscles within the cervial column all controling finite movement of the head, neck and shoulders. Sufferers of Migraines, tension or stress headaches, vertigo, jaw pain (TMJ) are just a few who can benefit from doing self massage for the throat.

Techniques applied by a therapist are quite different, as we must beware of the vascular and nervous systems while working the area. You, however, can feel your way in, safely and slowly, until you are completely comfortable doing this. Seek the guidance of your personal massage therapist to enhance the results.

Take Care of Your Self, Always…
Massage Solutions LV

I am a Massage Therapist

Have you ever touched someone? Truly?  I have.

How could you say you did?  Was it your breathing?  In time with my partner, breathing smooth, long and controlled breaths, gathering energy that pushes me along the path, controlling the depth of my hands as they glide over the flesh.  I hear a misty sound, resonate sighs of release; years even, of pent up frustration escaping with the breath, the body letting go as it sails into nothingness.  The limbs grow heavy, then soften, becoming pliable under my fingers.

The mind at rest in another place.

In this state, the body waits.

Whatever shall I say?

Quality Touch

A Best Massage Solution in Las Vegas

702-281-5649

What is a Quality Touch?  Well, when you are angry, touch someone’s hand or arm, and see the reaction you will get; usually, the recipient will pull away, face scowled and eyebrows furrowed!  The invisible protective shield we have is thrown up!  People instinctively know about the power of touch to connect us all, and even the energy of thought transferred through it, too.  Whether we want to admit it, or continue to profess the ludicrous notion of such an idea, a person’s reaction says it all.  Touch worth a thousand words!

Quality Touch, in my field of Massage Therapy, refers to the presence of mind before, during, and after a session of the therapist.  The client can be where ever they wish to be, yet the therapist is obligated, even trusted, to maintain a level of thought, feeling, and touch that is as pure and clean as possible.  Therapists who are thinking of bills, banks, cars, grocery lists, things to do during a session will convey the tension and stresses upon the client, who came there to release their own, not pick up more baggage!  Everyone can tell when the therapist has failed, leaving the session with a mind just as chaotic as when they came in!

How can you tell if your therapist is centered?  You will feel it in the massage strokes: are the hands finding your aches and pains, and when they are found, does the ache dissipate with the strokes, or does it seem like just hitting a glancing blow across a bruise?  When focused, the therapist will stop at those achy places and work a little more without you having to verbally indicate that’s a sore spot.  Should the hands just glide over and around it, and never actually settle in an injured area, then the therapist’s mind is somewhere else, or at minimal, failing to see into the work at hand. 

Technique is taught, Intuition is within.  I have heard over and over how difficult it can be to locate and keep a good therapist, and I agree!  Hopefully this will help you with some hints to help you find your perfect therapist!

Namaste from Massage SolutionsLas Vegas!

Aromatherapy Tricks for Kids

Parents can be driven to the brink over and over by excited, hyper kids that just won’t go to sleep or calm down!  There is hope!!! Aromatherapy can help us all.  How?

Light bulb diffusers-These are rings that go around a light bulb and the heat disperses the oil into the room.  A subtle and sneaky approach to scenting a child’s room.  Any parent can attest to the “kid smell” in their rooms, no matter how often the sheets are washed!

The Stuffed Animal Spray- Use the Pillow Sprays found in the Bath and Body Works style shops, or any health and wellness shop.  At night, spray this on the pillows, sheets, and even the favorite stuffed animal they hug in the night.  Made with an evaporating alcohol base, these will usually disperse by morning, and won’t leave a “residue” stench on the sheets or toys.  My kids love to spray this themselves, and I give them a “sleep” mixture of lavendar and vanilla, or the “stress relief” of eucalyptus and spearmint.

Remember the Clothes- Dressers and closets are full of clothes that can be scented by sprays or even incense.  Light a stick of incense and place in in the closed closet, allowing the smoke to penetrate the clothing inside.  Of course, use a burner and keep it clear to prevent fire! My favorite to use is Nag Champa in my closet.   The old fashion “potpourri” packs that lay inside drawers still work!  Make your own with a cheescloth tied closed, and change often. 

Hope this sends you on your way to some fresh ideas!  My kids have reacted beautifully to this, and introduces them to the world of scent, and how it can effect the human disposition!

Namaste from Massage Solutions LV!

Massage in the Workplace

Most people already know when the chairs and therapists arrive at work, you gotta get in line fast!  Those seats are hotter than the sidelines at the Western Conference! As far as I’m concerned, far more valuable than any sporting event. Oh, sorry sports fans, but I rarely see relaxation and contentment on those sidelines! 

In fact, just having 15 minutes of chair massage on a break at work reduces fatigue, increases workplace productivity (not to mention morale), reduces tension between co-workers (i.e. less bickering!), can eliminate headaches, eyestrain, reduces worker call outs (sick calls), increases focus, lessens the need for prescription pain killers for everyday stresses, and much more…

Anyone out there need to call in for Migraine Headaches?  Most medical doctors will give extensive reasons and treatment for this, including prescriptions, yet I have found that most headaches and migraines can be relieved through the release of trigger points within the occipital muscles, temporal muscles, and scalenes. All of this can be done in a massage chair in about 20 minutes.  No drugs or doctor visits!  Company Managers out there, take notice of this! A team member with a headache will accomplish tasks at about a 65% rate, as compared to one who is energetic and pain free!   

How about those computer workers? Got neck and shoulder knots?  Mouse Wrist? Huched over a computer all day inputing data will deteriorate the cervical spine over time, leading to debilitating conditions such as deteriorating discs, rotator cuff problems, carpal tunnel, tendonitis, elbow pain, numbness and tingling along the arms and hands…I could go on and on about this one! 

Low Back problems stem from standing or sitting for extended periods, hunching, improper lifting, reaching up or down, slouching, etc.  Sitting in meetings with those uncomfortable chairs certainly causes aches and pains in the back!  I have yet to hear of the company that invests in ergonomically correct chairs for every meeting place or conference room!

In Las Vegas, Massage Solutions provides chair massage on-site, and it is worth considering starting a program to arrange chair massage on a regular basis.  The most common way is for a company to pay the fees, workers love free stuff!

If the company refuses to cough it up, then workers can usually schedule a therapist to arrive for 90 minutes, and everyone can get 15 minute chair massage during lunch breaks, and split the cost amongst themselves. Five people splitting 100 bucks makes it easy to bear! Though it sounds like such a short time, even 10 minutes has a tremendous impact for the day.

Managers….give it a try just once, and watch your employees SMILE when they see the therapists!  They will also ask for more!

Namaste Workplace!!!

Massage for Neck-Pre Surgery LV,NV

Presented here is a video from Massage Solutions showing the pre-surgical massage being performed for a client with bulging/leaking discs.  The goal is to keep the muscles flexible and healthy for the procedure, in which muscle tissues are sliced through and moved in ways not intended by design!  When undergoing any surgery like this, you must take every precaution to care for yourself, your injury, and of course, your recovery. 

The last thing anyone wants is to be “laid up” for an extended period of time, or to experience any type of lingering after effects from surgery.   Massage benefits by restoring muscle elasticity where pain has locked it up tight, keeping toxins to a minimum, releasing the Trigger Points, preventing the formation of excessive scarring, and helping to reduce the overall pain levels of the sufferer.

As an example of the differences, imagine a partially dry piece of Playdough, then cut through it with a knife.  Edges crumble apart, right?  How well will a fresh piece of Playdough be cut?  It will stay together, and can easily be reformed again without any telltale signs of having been torn apart, after some kneading of course!  (I have kids, so Playdough is my example!)

The tissues of the body react in a similar manner.  A hardened muscle full of waste products from constant contraction will have a difficult time reforming afterwards from fibers that were “frayed” and “crumbled” when cut.  The only way for them to re-attatch is to form extra scar tissue to fill in the gaps. Scar tissue is hard, tough, usually asthetically undesirable, and difficult to re-shape. 

First is a warm-up, generally Swedish techniques, and pressure is kept about medium.

Next is some neck-release work, front and back.  Neck trouble can cause masses of Trigger Points within the deepest neck muscles.  The most troublesome are the Scalenes, Levators, Upper Traps, Sternocleidomastoid, Platysma, and many more miniscule muscles you probably never realized were there. Myofascial stripping means that the muscle (myo) is separated from the fascia, and done because the continuous tension produced by the experience of pain caused toxin build-up and formation of scar tissue (extra fascia) which causes the rigidity (stiff neck), resulting in loss of motion.

The last bit incorporates Swedish with some stretching and effleurage to empty out the toxins that have been released from the fibers.

Though far from exciting, this video will give you an idea of what is needed to help with pre-surgery.  I encourage anyone who is looking at a undergoing surgery of any kind to seek a qualified therapist to help you prepare.  

Keep in mind that what you see in this video is a painful experience for the recipient, yet the end result is less pain, more flexibility, enhanced sleep, fewer instances of vertigo, reduction of fatigue, less cramping, and will reduce recovery time for the patient post surgery, a plus for everyone.

Thank You and Namaste!

Massage Solutions Las Vegas 

Don’t Forget Your Feet!!!

How many times a day do you wonder if your feet are ok? Probably not often.  After finishing Reflexology with a client experiencine particularly painful soles, it reminds me that many out there take their feet for granted.  Either there are too many other aches, pains and worries that crowd out the cry of feet in need, or we simply go on not knowing what can be done.

An experienced Reflexologist, Sports Therapist, or deep tissue therapist can and will work these pains out.  Be aware, thought that foot pain is among the highest levels to endure.  I would say worse than giving birth!  Yes, and I have three kids, so I know!

There are many tools out there, promoted as self help “reflexology” tools, and though they feel pretty cool,  I have found nothing is better than a “knobber” you can use to really dig in.  hand held or placed on the floor, these handy items can be found in a Back Care Store (click to see the pic),  massage supply, Body Shop, Bath and Body Works, or any other store that caters to spa and beauty. Stand on these, rotate, press in and strip out the feet!!!

Never confuse pain on the bottom as different from pain in the top.  In fact, you may not even realize the tops hurt!  The pain is THROUGH the feet, as the muscles and facia that are in need of attention exist between the tarsals, and the pain that radiates seems to come from one side or the other, but is really connected through.

Practice with this handy tool, which fits inside your backpacks and purses to use almost anywhere you can remove your shoes. Cost should be about $6 to $10.  Optimal goal is to be able to literally stand on it without pain.  Use it on your hands as well for repetitive motion injuries, or even to help prevent them.

Want to go further?  Print out a picture of the muscles of the hands and feet and look at it while you work.  Nothing better than a picture to guide you!

Of all the things we ask of our feet, lets repay them with a bit of pampering, and they will keep us moving for years to come!

Namaste!