Living Massage Blog

'Spring Showers' Promotion in April!

2010-03-23T01:03:42Z

Next month, Living Massage is showering all new and existing clients with thanks and gratitude. Everyone can enjoy a variety of gifts, services and coupons during the entire month. Read further to hear the details of this 'Spring Showers' promotion! The requirement for receiving these gifts, is only to reserve an appointment during the month of April so consider doing so in advance!

There will be three different parts to the Spring Showers promotion. The first, will be the Bouquet of Gifts, the second will be complimentary services, and the third will be gift cards for friends and family.

The Bouquet of Gifts

At the end of your visit in April, choose one random gift from the gift bouquet. The bouquet will have:

(1) 60 minute Gift Certificate?
(3) 30 minute Gift Certificates
(5) $10.00 Gift Certificates
(10) $5.00 Gift Certificates
(5) $5.00 Starbucks Coffee Cards
.... and more!

Complimentary Services

On Fridays and Saturdays, there will be complimentary Hot Stone Therapy available during each session. This is an opportunity to experience Hot Stone Therapy for the first time, treat a specific area therapeutically, or just add something extra to your appointment.

Gift Cards for Friends and Family

Each client can take home up to (3) $15.00 Gift Certificates for friends and family members of their choosing. Do you have a sister, or parent who has headaches? Do you know someone in training for a marathon? If so, this is a good opportunity to bring them in!

Of course, limited appointments are available so please reserve your appointment in advance.

Yours in Service,
-Danielle

A Review of Ecosoft Table Cover

2010-02-11T03:02:19Z

Oh, Ecosoft recycled massage table cover how I love thee. When I needed a new cover for my massage table, you gave me one of the more satisfying purchase experiences I’ve had since, well… ever! The product I’m reviewing is the Ecosoft Massage Table Cover. This product is made of recycled plastic bottles for the polyester fibers. Made from recycled fibers?! (Insert warm fuzzy feeling here). This table cover fits just right, and is more comfortable than I would have expected a table cover to be. Let’s take a look at the fit of the table cover, the cost and and cons it, and weather or not this product would be recommended.

The Fit

The table cover comes with the typical four point elastic strapping system. However, unlike some straps, these are thick and placed 3-4 inches from the corner, which make for a more secure fit. The straps themselves are at least 1.25” thick and don’t twist or bunch after using. When I placed the table cover over my table warmer, there was no sense of the fit being too tight, or too loose. Some table covers have a tendency to come undone at the corners if the straps are not sewed at the right areas, however, the designers of the Ecosoft seem to have gotten it right!

When put on the table, the cover comes over the edges by about .5” all around. This makes for a most comfortable experience when draping arms prone at a 90-degree angle. You cannot feel the vinyl of the table anywhere along the edges when lying on the table. This includes laying arms forward over the top of the table (next to the head). Conveniently, this also seems to extend the table by even the smallest amount in width, which is more comfortable for both client and therapist.

The Cost

The Ecosoft was $79.99 without tax and didn’t include the face rest cover. Based on the options from Massage Warehouse, this was the only massage table cover that didn’t come with the other accessories like table warmer, fleece blanket, sheet set and laundry detergent. There are many sets for around the $50-$70 range that will get you many more bundled products. However, on Dreamsoftbedware.com, the Ecosoft fell into the least expensive category when compared to other options in the $170.00 range which for me, made it the right choice.

Vendor

Massage Warehouse had my product there within 5 business days. Of course the box was too large and was mostly air bubbles, (why can’t we use a box that is the size of the product?!) but that aside, the experience from purchasing from Massage Warehouse was A-. I only say A- because I would have liked more options and a smaller box.

Recommendable

This product is absolutely recommended for the professional wishing to add a little something extra to the massage table or for somebody looking to create a custom table set-up without buying in bundles.

The Cons

The only con may be that it is too comfortable. Yes, this may not be ideal for some. The cover is so very plush its possible that a therapeutic, or sports therapist may find it too ‘soft’ and feel that it is not providing enough support for active treatment work. However, I’d highly recommend trying it out first before making such an assumption. Therapeutic and treatment work need not be done at the expense of your client’s comfort.

Yours in Service,
Danielle

Shoulder Pain and Massage Therapy

2010-01-05T04:01:03Z

It is true that there are many reasons that can contribute to shoulder pain. Some causes are relatively serious and require the medical expertise of neurologists, surgeons and the like. This quick article pertains not to those causes of shoulder pain, but instead to the more common contributing cause of shoulder pain: musculoskeletal imbalance.

Musculoskeletal imbalance is a complicated way to say poor muscle balances. Most of our shoulder muscles work in pairs. In fact, most of the muscles of the body do as well. For example, for each muscle that helps you to raise your arm above your head to reach for a cup, there is another muscle that allows you to bring your arm down and lay it by your side. “Well that’s not right because gravity brings your arm down by itself” you might say. However, imagine yourself laying on your back doing a snow angel perhaps. When you bring your arms up and down, it is not gravity that assists you. The movement requires both opposing muscle groups of your shoulder.

Okay, so now we have established that there are pairs of muscles in our shoulder. Shoulder pain, then can result when those pairs are not balanced. When the pairs of muscles are not sharing the same stresses, one of the pairs can become overworked, under worked, overstretched or under stretched. This is most often what a massage therapist assesses during your session. It is also why follow-up care at home known as ‘self-care’ is so important. More to come on 'self-care' in another article.

So which muscles are often affected? Well, its my belief that the rotators of the shoulder are put under an irregularly large amount of stress. As I type this article, my shoulders are rotated forward, my head is slightly forward and I’m slouching. (Nobody’s perfect). Now I’m surely not the only one who sits in this posture during the day. In fact, there are several things we do on a daily basis that encourage this kind of posture. Driving, reading, watching TV and unfortunately, typing of surfing on the computer also contribute to this posture. All of these activities can create a situation where the shoulder muscles are inadequately distributing the stress of the activity.

The most important thing one can do to decrease shoulder pain is participate in a variety of activities throughout the day. The easiest way to do this is through exercise of course, but by simply standing up and walking around every 20-30 minutes while watching tv, or working at a desk you can help keep movement through the shoulder joints. As always, try to see a health care professional to get a true assessment of your needs and remember that pain isn’t normal. Your body may be trying to tell you something.

Happy New Year!

Last Week Was a Success — Thanks to you!

2009-11-03T03:11:33Z

Last week, the professional organization the AMTA (American Massage Therapy Association) sponsored the annual National Massage Therapy Awareness Week. The week's focus was on raising awareness about massage therapy's benefits and igniting curiosity among new-comers to the massage profession.

Weather you are new or a seasoned veteran to massage therapy, there is always something new to learn or discover in your sessions. Basic information on the benefits of massage therapy can be found online. Here is a video the AMTA uploaded to explain some of the most common techniques in massage: Swedish, Deep Tissue, Pregnancy and Sports Massage. Also, this video is a presentation provided by the National Library of Medicine. Many of the points in this presentation were covered in a previous posting but you will still find lots of information.

So last week all services were discounted 10% and many of you chose to branch out and try new services! Some of you tried Hot Stone therapy for the first time. Some of you decided it was time to commit 90 minutes instead of 60 minutes to your session! I am so proud of you and encourage you to continue trying new techniques within massage therapy.

I am looking forward to challenging your views of massage therapy and how it effects your life. I'm going to leave you with these words. May they inspire you to re-invent yourself as a massage client and see massage as more than just the sum of its therapeutic parts.

"My massage appointments are my commitment to myself and my quality of life. It has immediate physical benefits, but also is a long term commitment to myself that how I feel and my quality of life are of value, both in the sense of time, effort and money." S. A. Seattle, WA

Thank you.

I'm new to massage therapy, what can I expect at my appointment?

2009-10-15T08:10:39Z

The first thing to remember when preparing for your first massage experience is that each office, and each practitioner is different. Although the techniques may be similar, the office environment and philosophy of each therapist will vary. With that being said, there are some basic similarities you can expect from your first massage appointment.

Scheduling

An estimated 65% of massage therapists are self employed. You can expect to leave a voicemail or send an email to schedule an appointment. Be sure to clearly say your name and phone number and the type of massage you are interested in. It may be useful at this point to state that you are new to massage, and new to their office.

Your first appointment

It is polite to show up 5-10 minutes early for your scheduled appointment to get checked in. This ensures that you receive the full amount of allotted massage time. After you fill out your paperwork, your therapist will probably want to talk with you about your goals for your session. This is where you can express why you thought massage would be a good treatment. You can also state what you hope to get out of your appointment i.e. more flexibility, decreased pain, increased relaxation, etc. Based on your discussion, and the information you provided in your paperwork, your therapist will create a treatment plan which may include a variety of techniques and styles to address your needs.

Disrobing and Draping

Eventually, your therapist will excuse themselves and you will need to prepare for you session. It is important to note that you are not required to remove any clothing for treatment. It is true that there are many techniques which are not as effective when done over clothing, but disrobing is completely optional during a massage. A few reasons people choose to disrobe is because it is more comfortable, and it keeps their clothes clean of massage oils which may stain or soil clothing. If you have questions about the disrobing policy, ask somebody to explain it to you. During your session, only the part of your body being worked on will be exposed at that time. For example, while the therapist is working on your back, only your back will be draped. When it is time to work on your left leg, your back will be covered again and then your left leg will be exposed.

After your session

Eventually, your therapist will indicate that your session is over. So, its time to get up! You can get dressed at this time and wait for your therapist to come back. Most therapists will want to check in with you to see how you are feeling and document any changes you describe from your session. For example, is the effected area less painful? Do you feel more relaxed, etc?

Water, Water, Water

It is important to stay hydrated before and after your massage therapy session. This is especially true if you are new to massage. You may have heard somebody describe soreness after their massage session. The level of soreness one can expect is related to the type of work the therapist has done, as well as the health of the soft tissue during the time of treatment. One way to increase the health of your soft tissue and decrease soreness from your massage is to hydrate the muscles before and after your sessions. This ensures that your body has one of the necessary ingredients for tissue repair and elasticity. It will keep your body functioning best so drink plenty of water before your appointment and absolutely after your appointment.

Remember, there are many different styles of massage therapy and in order to receive the full benefits of massage you should be sure to try different techniques. The end of October is a good time to try new therapies at Living Massage because all treatments will be discounted by 10%.

Why am I sore after my massage?

2009-09-28T08:09:50Z

Are you sometimes sore after working out? Do your arms ache a bit? Are your legs tender to the touch? Well, a similar effect occurs during your massage therapy session that can result in residual soreness. Like working out, a person can get more from their massage therapy sessions by staying hydrated, and receiving regular care.

The word ‘sore’ in this post is defined as the residual soreness experienced after a massage therapy session in the areas that were treated. The word ‘tender’ is defined as the soreness experienced during a treatment when pressure is applied to a given area. The amount of tenderness during a treatment is associated with the amount of soreness a person may experience after a massage.

During a massage, blood is being pushed through the muscle tissue. This is similar to when you go jogging: an increase of circulation is brought to the muscle fibers. After the initial surge of circulation, the massage therapist may stretch, pull or push on muscles and tendons to create desired effects. The massage therapy techniques may ‘work out’ the muscles in ways they are not accustomed which can lead to soreness.

If an area is tender during the treatment, then the affected area a) has never received massage before or b) needs massage treatment. The more tender an area during treatment, the increased likelihood a person will experience soreness. Tender areas are decreased with better hydration, self care and regular massage treatment.

How does regular massage treatment decrease tenderness and therefore soreness after a massage? In the same way that one workout may leave you extremely sore the first time, but hardly sore at all after the fifth time, every massage is different depending on your level of experience and any complaints you have for that day. Your therapist may use a variety of techniques to help you achieve your goals but there will be more about different massage techniques in later posts.

Soreness lasting more than 2-3 days indicates a different approach at your next session so tell your therapist. It is important to remember to stay hydrated before and after your massage therapy appointments. You wouldn’t go for a run without water would you? Also, keep in mind healthy tissue doesn’t hurt! So get regular massage sessions, exercise frequently and keep your body healthy enough to take on the business of living!

What is a pregnancy massage?

2009-09-21T12:09:06Z

You are familiar with massage therapy but now you're pregnant. What can you expect from a pregnancy massage? How long is the appointment? Is it safe? These are all great questions. Let's explore just a few.

How will I be laying on the table?

During the first months of your pregnancy, no major changes will be made to the massage table or your positioning. However, as your body begins to grow and change, you will no longer be able to lay on your stomach. For this reason, additional bolstering (pillows) are used to create a position of comfort on either of your sides. In addition to pillows, blankets, and heat packs may also be used to create the most structurally sound positioning of your body.

Are there places that shouldn't be massaged?

Yes. According to the Acupressure technique, there are certain areas of the body that are associated with the uterus. These points are on the wrists, ankles and lower back. As a general precaution, no agressive work is ever done on these areas during a pregnancy massage.

How often should I receive massage during my pregnancy?

This is between you and your health care team. In general, women typically receive therapy anywhere between 1-3 times per month depending on which stage of pregnancy they are in, and which symptoms they are experiencing. There are numerous symptoms associated with pregnancy and massage can help to alleviate most of them. Some common symptoms are: sciatica, low back pain, swelling, and depression.

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