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Posted on Wednesday, October 26, 2011 7:59 AM
Most people have heard that massage relieves the symptoms of stress - but how? First, let’s define stress. A stressor is a situation orevent which upsets your balance and triggers a biochemical reaction called the“flight or fight” or stress response. The stress response helps you either flee from a stressor or stand up and fight. Signs of the stress response includei ncreased perspiration, muscle tension, and heart rate; rapid and shallow breathing, rerouting of blood away from internal organs resulting in slowed digestion. |
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Posted on Monday, September 26, 2011 9:34 AM
Too much talking during a massage is one of the most commonly cited reasons that clients change therapists, especially when the therapist natters on about their own life and problems. Not relaxing! I do my best to avoid chit-chat with my clients, especially when one of their goals for the massage is to relax and relieve stress. Quiet gives you a place to relax, focus on your body, and unwind. And it helps me focus on the massage, not on what you’re talking about. With that said, during any massage, I will ask questions about pressure, encourage you to breath deeply, and check in on your comfort. |
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Posted on Thursday, September 15, 2011 5:40 PM
According to Mirriam-Webster,ergonomics is “an applied science concerned with designing and arranging things people use so that the people and things interact most efficiently and safely.” OSHA states that “effective and successful "fits" assure high productivity, avoidance of illness and injury risks, and increased satisfaction among the workforce.” Think about how you spend your day. In front of a computer? Hunched over your smartphone? The hours you spend in a given position are training and conditioning your muscles to hold that position. |
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Posted on Friday, August 05, 2011 8:07 AM
 The iliotibial (IT) band is asheet of fascia that runs from the iliac crest of the pelvis to thetibia bone in the lower leg. Fibers of the Gluteus Maximus and Tensor FasciaeLatae muscles attach to the IT Band, linking them with the low leg. TheIT Band has a thick, matted texture that makes it a strong stabilizer of theknee and hip. The IT Band also assists with movement of the hip (flexingand rotating). Many athletes, especiallyrunners, hikers, and cyclists, develop tight iliotibial bands (ITB) along theirouter thigh. |
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Amy: Posted on Wednesday, July 13, 2011 8:11 AM
Chairub Therapists on the Driving Range at Flagstaff Ranch Golf Club. Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament, May, 2011 Photos by Pearl Low |
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Posted on Monday, July 04, 2011 2:52 PM
Clients often ask me how often they should get amassage. A standard recommendation from other massage businesses is once a month. My recommendation will depend on what your goals are for massage. I’ll also carefully consider your individual condition and lifestyle. It’s important to remember two things about massage. 1) The effects of massage are cumulative. So your second massage builds on the good effects of your first, and so on. If you receive your massages too far apart, then with each massage you are back at square one. |
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Posted on Thursday, June 09, 2011 10:55 AM
In short, NO! Absolutely not! Many massage therapists have a question on their intake form that asks if you want to avoid specific areas during the massage. Some women check pectoral muscles (aka pecs) because they worry that it involves breast massage, and they don’t see the benefit of massage to these muscles. While the pectoral (major and minor) muscles do extend under the tissue of the breasts, they also connect to your collar bone, shoulder blade, sternum,and upper arm. Pectoral muscle massage involves those portions of the pectoral muscles that are not under breast tissue. |
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Posted on Tuesday, May 31, 2011 12:25 PM
Sciatica refers to pain that radiates down the back of your leg, often extending all the way from the lower back to the lower leg. Pain is often described as "sharp" or "tingling" and is due to caused by compression of the sciatic nerve. Muscle weakness may accompany the pain. The sciatic nerve runs from your spinal cord in your lower back down the back of each leg, and is the longest nerve in your body. Many people refer to any pain in their buttock or back of their leg as sciatica. |
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Posted on Monday, May 23, 2011 8:14 PM
Many clients, even those that have been getting massage for years, are unsure exactly how much they should disrobe for their massage. As with so many things, the answer is that it depends. The most important thing is for you to be comfortable and able to relax. It’s also important to remember that no matter you how much you disrobe, during a professional massage, you’ll always be draped with a sheet or towel so only the area being worked on is uncovered. You can also request that certain areas are avoided during massage. |
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Posted on Saturday, May 14, 2011 1:02 PM
Sound like an oxymoron? Massage only costs money, right? Not necessarily. While many people see massage as simply a luxury item, mounting research shows the health benefits of massage. Research also documents the toll that chronic stress takes on our health and our pocketbooks. The American Institute of Stress estimates that job-related stress costs American businesses $300 billion every year. This includes missed work time, workplace accidents, repetitive motion injuries, employee turnover, diminished productivity and direct costs of medical, legal, and insurance. |
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