 |
Frequently Asked
Questions
To help
deepen your understanding before our first session together,
I recommend that you review my Public
Policy and Client Bill of Rights.
How
can therapeutic massage help me?
What
is a massage like?
How
does therapeutic massage relieve stress?
Q.
How does massage help with stress?
A. Massage can provide you with more energy. More energy
can improve your way of thinking, or outlook on life, thus
making you happier. It can also relieve the symptoms that
cause stress, such as muscle tension, anxieties over asthma
or insomnia, and other stress. It also gives you a break to
focus on you, and how you're feeling. After a while, massage
helps you realize the signs and symptoms of stress so that
you can stop it before it gets to far. Because massage has
been known to relieve stress, it is great for people in psychological
counseling or treatment for an addiction.
Q. How does massage help my painful and
tight muscles.
A. Massage can help relieve many muscle tensions from
a stiff neck to sore wrist form typing all day to a clenched
jaw. By using Stretching or kneading strokes, tension is often
released. Sometimes less directive approaches are done, but
are just as powerful by stimulating the nervous system to
relax.
Q. Can massage help to relieve soreness
after I workout?
A. Yes That muscle soreness is called DOMS—Delayed
onset Muscles Soreness. After you workout vigorously, waste
tends to build up in your muscles, This is called lactic acid
build up. This build up can leave your body feeling tired
and sore. Massage can increase the circulation, which brings
nutrients to the sore spots and removes the build up, leaving
you refreshed and ready to go.
Q. What about the pain and tingling in
my arms and legs?
A. Often our muscles can get so overly contracted that
they can push on our nerves. This sends a painful tingle down
our arms or legs. With a couple of sessions to loosen the
muscle up you should be fine.
Q. I was recently injured. What can massage
do?
A. Massage can usually help heal things like tendonitis,
strains or sprains. Massage reduces the inflammation in the
area and increases circulation, flushing the toxins out and
bringing in nutrients. Massage can also be helpful for disk
injuries as well, but you must first consult a doctor before
pursuing treatment. Massage has been known to help increase
range of motion in a joint after an injury has occurred as
well, like Frozen Shoulder Syndrome. Certain massage techniques
can actually limit the amount of scar tissue formed and can
break down existing scar, tissue making it more pliable.
Q. What about secondary pain?
A. Some times after doing something for a long time our
bodies start to over compensate leaving a secondary pain such
as a headache from staring at a computer screen or low back
ache from pregnancy or strain from favoring a specific muscle
group. Massage can help relieve these symptoms too.
Q. Can massage prevent new Injuries from
occurring?
A. BY reducing chronic tension, there is less chance of
muscles being injured. If they aren’t strained and relaxed
they are less likely to be injured.
Q. My joints don’t seem to be as string
as before. Can massage get my range of motion back?
A. Yes. Beside working the muscles around the joint, many
therapists work on the joint itself, stretching and putting
it through range of motion, as well as stimulating circulation
to that area, providing a natural lubricant for your joint.
It may also help relieve pain of osteoarthritis.
Q. I have terrible posture. Can massage
help?
A. Yes. By getting tension out of strained muscle and
joint and surrounding fascia, your body can return to a more
natural posture. Massage may also relieve contracted muscle
and pain caused by abnormal curvatures such as scoliosis.
Q. I see a chiropractor once a week, do
I really need a massage therapist too?
A. Chiropractors are skilled at realigning your skeletal
structure. A massage therapist is skilled at dealing with
the muscles that hold your skeleton in place. If your bones
aren’t where they should be it’s very possible that
the muscles are too tight and are pulling them that way. Massage
therapists and chiropractors usually work hand in hand. They
do the bones we do the muscles. Massage can actually help
you keep your chiropractic treatments longer.
Q. I recently was hurt and unable to do
regular activities. Now I’m weak and unable to do anything.
How can massage help me?
A. Sometimes life throws huge turns and we are unable
to do usual activities. In other words, we’re forced
to a life without activity. Massage again can relieve the
aches and pains, increasing circulation to skin and muscles.
Many times a therapist can help you go through range of motion
so that you retain at least some muscle. Overall massage can
provide you with relaxation during this time of hurt and recuperation.
Q. I have a problem with fluid retention.
What can massage do?
A. Massage increases circulation which can drain the body
of unwanted fluid such as in an injury or pregnancy. There
is also a massage technique called lymphatic drainage that
assists the lymph system of getting rid of unwanted toxins
from the system.
Q.
What are some types of massage?
A. Massage is in high demand and has been used for years.
There are many types. The ones I specifically do are relaxation,
trigger point, sports, deep tissue, prenatal-postnatal. See
the section on my Services for
more complete descriptions of each. In the future I hope to
add craniosacral work—light work that helps balance the
spinal fluid through your body. I also plan to add myofascial
release, and neuromuscular work. Both deal with reeducating
the body to be in balance.
Q. What is a Massage Therapist, and is
a masseur the same thing?
A. A few years ago people who practiced massage were known
as masseuses or masseurs. However, that name nowadays is typecast
for people who do other things beside therapeutic massage.
(They are frequently in the field of prostitution.) A massage
therapist has completed a set number of hours of certified
training in a variety of bodywork areas, anatomy and physiology
courses, as well as the indications and contraindications
for massage. A growing number of states are now requiring
a license to practice massage. Minnesota currently does not.
However, in most cities a therapist must complete a certain
number of hours as well as send in an application to receive
a license. Some cities may require that the applicant pay
a fee, write an essay and pass an exam before receiving a
license. Ask your therapist about the background and training
they received and they will be more than happy to tell. (Read
about my own training in the Background
section of this site.) You can always ask the city about the
therapist if you have any questions. Don’t be afraid
to ask to see a certificate from your therapist.
Q. What is my first appointment like?
A. Usually you should come about 15 minutes early to fill
out health forms. This also gives you and the therapist time
to get to know each other and find the best method of treatment.
Sometimes the therapist may want to do some simple muscle
testing to see what may be causing the problems. Always be
open and honest about your medical history so your therapist
can provide you with the best quality of service.
Q. What do I wear?
A. Depending on the type of service you are receiving
you may or may not undress. For many massages techniques it
is advisable that you undress to your underwear, women removing
bras so that straps do not get in the way. The therapist will
drape you with a clean sheet and often a blanket. The part
of the body that is to be worked on will be the only part
exposed. Genitals are never exposed or massaged at any time.
You will relax on a padded table that may or may not have
other cushions supporting you. The room is generally softly
lit with relaxing music. For many of the techniques a lubricant
is used—oils or lotion that will absorb into your skin
making it soft and supple.
A massage
generally starts with light gliding strokes to warm the muscles
and calm the mind. As the massage progresses the stroke will
be deeper. If at any time during the massage the pressure
is not enough or too much, inform your therapist and they
will change to met your needs. Sometimes with deeper work
you may experience a “hurt so good" feeling. This
is not to be confused with pain. In order to break up some
adhesions there may need to be some slight discomfort, but
this just goes away after a short time. Inform the therapist
about what you are feeling. The phrase "no pain, no gain"
does NOT apply to massage.
Q. What should I do during the massage?
A. Make yourself comfortable. The massage therapist will
move whatever needs to be moved (arm or leg), or will instruct
you on what to do if necessary. Many people simply close their
eyes and relax. Some people like to talk. Do whatever makes
you comfortable. It at any time the room is too cold or hot,
the music isn’t right, or the lubricant irritates your
skin, let the therapist know. They are there to serve YOU!
Q. How does a massage feel?
A. Massaging a healthy tissue feels good. To most, It
allows the body to relax. Some people are surprised to find
that it isn’t ticklish. Sometimes an area may feel tender
and you didn’t even know it was sore. Other areas may
be ticklish. Again the phrase "no pain, no gain"
does NOT apply to massage. It should feel good, or maybe slightly
uncomfortable for a short period, but that should go away
quickly. If not, let the therapist know if the pressure is
too much or not enough.
Q. How long is a session?
A. Sessions usually run from an hour to an 1-1/2 hours.
There are also 1/2 hour sessions available as well. If it’s
your first massage a half hour can be a great treat.
Q. How often should I go?
A. Depending on what goals you want to accomplish, once
a week or twice a month is sufficient. Sometimes if you're
in chronic pain, twice a week for a couple of weeks, then
once a week for a couple of weeks, then twice a month. If
your schedule is very constricting, once a month at least.
Generally, whenever you can come is best.
Q. What should I expect afterwards?
A. When the massage is completed, always take your time
getting up. You may feel slightly dizzy. This will pass shortly.
Many people feel rejuvenated and ready to start their day
again. Some are tired and want to sleep. If really deep work
has been done, you may feel slightly sore but this will go
away and you will feel fine in an hour or two. You may not
feel anything until later in the day and suddenly feel free.
One thing
you should be aware of is to drink plenty of WATER for the
next day or two following a massage. Massage can increase
circulation by breaking up toxins in your body and restoring
it with nutrients. Your body needs to get rid of those toxins.
So don’t be surprised if you have some sniffles, sneezes
or slight flu-like symptoms. It’s your body's way for
healing itself to make you stronger.
Q. Is massage always safe?
A. No. There are certain things that need either special
attention or must be avoided at all times. Talk to your therapist
about what they can and cannot do. If they can’t help
you, they may be able to find someone who can. Always be open
and honest with your therapist about medical issues.
|
|
