What am I Feeling?

The Healing Benefits of Massage

Touch. We come into this world being touched, and we hopefully can leave being touched. Whatever our experiences in this life, touch is usually involved in some form. 

Each time we are touched, the emotions related to that touch are stored in our mind and in our body's tissues. We not only store the emotions of pleasure and happiness, but also stress and fear. These stored experiences show up in bad posture, aches and pains or, when we're fortunate, healthy, functioning muscles and joints. Just as it takes the use of more muscles to frown than to smile, the effort it takes to tuck away experiences or feelings we'd rather forget can cause fatigue and painful tension.

When you receive a massage, the muscles and tissues release on an emotional level in much the same way they release physical tension. This letting go manifests in many forms -- an audible sigh, laughter, muscle twitching or even tears. the In the safe, nurturing space of a therapy room, people are able to let down their defenses, making these kinds of emotional releases a common occurrence. 

"Crying is a pretty normal response," says C.G. Funk, branch director at the Utah College of Massage Therapy, Arizona campus. It can be about something in particular, or about nothing at all. "It can come from a variety of things, including having work done on a part of the body where the person holds the memory of emotional or physical trauma. Of course, physical trauma has an emotional component, too." 

Massage also allows the body to let go of stress. "It may be that the client has had a stressed-out year, or month, or several months and all the stress is built up," says Funk. In some cases, the body may be holding the memory of a trauma long forgotten. When your body finally relaxes, that memory can surface as you become more connected to being in your body. There may be tears or some other expression as your body releases and lets go of these emotions. 

Flashbacks that occur during massage are a part of this same memory mechanism, according to psychotherapist P.K. Hawk, formerly of the East-West Health Center in Denver, Colorado. "If a certain area of the body is being touched in a similar way to what the trauma was, it can actually feel as if they're repeating the trauma," said Hawk. 

Massage therapists are accustomed to these emotional expressions from their clients and have been trained to help you feel safe and supported when overwhelmed by these events. If this happens to you during a massage session, and you feel too uncomfortable to continue, just let the therapist know. The two of you can decide how to proceed next.

Remember that emotional release during bodywork is not unusual and is actually a natural and beneficial part of the cleansing, rejuvenating process of massage. After a few moments, you may choose to continue the massage, or request the therapist work more slowly or only on certain areas. But if you decide not to go on, that's okay, too.

"It's important for clients to know they can stop the session at any time," says Hawk. "A lot of people aren't sure they have the ability to say 'no' or stop. If the emotion continues, if they continue to struggle with it or it turns into depression or anxiety, they should seek help." The guidance of a counselor or psychologist can be helpful in working through the emotions.

Hawk recommends that in cases where a client knows touch is discomforting to them, or is currently working through an emotional crisis, it is best to talk with your therapist beforehand. 

Massage is a healing touch that relaxes and releases. Welcome that release, accept it as your body's way of finding balance and leading you to a higher state of health, both emotionally and physically. If you find yourself on the massage table laughing or crying, you are in a true state of body-mind connection. Go with the experience. Relax, breathe deeply and allow your body and mind to free itself of the past. 

Shirley Vanderbilt is a staff writer for Body Sense.

Massage Therapy and Weight Loss

Massage--anything this good must be fattening, right? Wrong! Scientists now confirm what massage therapists have always known: massage can be a powerful and effective weight-loss tool. By improving your body's resilience, aiding muscle nutrition and flexibility, and supporting your mental and emotional well-being, massage can take your weight-loss plan to a whole new level. 

The relationship between massage and weight loss is the result of many subtle improvements working together, including better injury prevention and healing. Jeff Wooten, founder of YourBodyMechanic.com, explains: "Massage helps to heal existing injuries by breaking down scar tissue and other adhesions. This creates a more functional muscle and improves joint integrity." Massage therapists also work to improve your flexibility and range of motion. This makes you less likely to hurt yourself, meaning more productive and pain-free hours in the gym. But the benefits don't end there. 

When you receive a massage, you're directly impacting the circulatory system. By constantly moving blood to body tissues, your massage therapist increases the amount of oxygen and nutrients your muscles receive. This soothing cycle eases you into much-needed rest and relaxation time. 

Deneen Rhode, a massage therapy instructor who teaches fitness classes, says, "The qualitative style of Swedish massage relaxes the nervous system and takes the body into what is known as the parasympathetic nervous system. The parasympathetic state is very restorative to the body--it is where the body needs to go to heal itself." When you accomplish this through massage, it means you'll need less recovery time between workouts and that you can move your fitness routine full speed ahead.

Jeff Mann, the regional manager for Cortiva Institute Schools of Massage Therapy, knows this firsthand. With experience as both a massage therapist and personal trainer, he has seen the way massage can help clients drop pounds and keep them off. "Massage to weight loss is like the padding on a steering wheel--you can do without it, but it makes it a lot easier and more comfortable to hang on to."

Make It Work For You
Losing weight isn't easy. Thankfully, it's simple to incorporate massage into the healthy lifestyle you're building. It's a good idea to have a special consultation with your massage therapist about your new goals and fitness plan so that treatments can be customized to your body's specific needs. 

Meredith Nathan, director of massage at Pulling Down the Moon in Chicago, says there are some specific questions you should be prepared to answer. For example, "If you're following an exercise routine, how has it affected your body? Are there any particular areas of tension or discomfort? Where do you tend to gain weight first? How is your digestive health? Is your lifestyle relaxed or stressful?" The more information you can provide your therapist, the better your results will be--and this extends to your medical history. During your intake process, inform your massage therapist about any health problems, surgeries, medications, and even recent minor illnesses you've had. Anything your doctor needs to know, your massage therapist needs to know as well.

"Generally, massage on a healthy [client] should be no more that 90 minutes, 60 minutes is the most common," Rhode says. Weekly massages are ideal, but you can reap plenty of benefits from monthly visits, too. Your massage therapist will work with you to set a specific schedule of appointments that fits with your workout routine, as well as your finances. Don't be concerned if your MT wants to see you more often at the beginning of your plan--this is normal, and helps him or her to get to know your body's way of handling stress and exertion. 

The Power of Touch
While it's easy to overlook your emotional health when planning a new diet and exercise regimen, it's the primary factor determining your weight-loss success. Along the path to fitness, the role of massage in supporting your mental and emotional health may be a critical component. Massage is a calorie-free reward, a way to treat yourself without guilt. Your massage therapist also acts as a cheerleader who celebrates your victories with you and helps keep you positive and committed. 

"The more professionals you have on the team, the better," Wooten says. "The worst thing to do, in most cases, is attempt to get into shape on your own." Adding a massage therapist to your weight-loss plan is a great way to tell yourself just how serious you are about taking this step.

Massage is a powerful way to love, respect, and nurture yourself. When you love yourself, you won't engage in unhealthy lifestyle choices. Rhode calls this "the power of touch"--the unique ability that touch has to make us feel safe, comfortable, and at peace. "Very often, those who are obese or overweight become less social and isolate themselves. They become disconnected from others. They may experience less touch in their lives in general," Rhode says. This disconnect continues a downward spiral of low self-worth and unhealthy living. Massage is a great way to fill in that gap and rebuild a healthy life from the ground up. "I've learned that there are no perfect bodies," Nathan says. "All bodies are unique and have unique needs. All bodies deserve to be nurtured."

Regular massage is all about reconnecting with your body and getting back into yourself. As you continue to take time out to relax and care for your body through regular appointments, you'll naturally become more aware of your body's needs and more motivated to meet them. It's all part of a greater picture of health and fitness, one that Wooten says, "is a journey, and not a destination." 

Your massage therapist wants to help you build a bridge between mind and body that will last a lifetime. So update your massage from guilty pleasure status to indispensable health habit, and reap the benefits in the form of a fitter, happier you. You've earned it. 
Genevieve P. Charet is a Chicago-based freelance writer, copy consultant, and food blogger. To read more about her, visit www.genevievecharet.com.

Prologue by Loreena McKennitt/Quotes from Rumi

“If you are irritated by every rub, how will your mirror be polished?” 
― Rumi

Massage~ Luxury, or Essential Health Maintenance

April 3, 2010 by Sebastian Ressen

The health benefits of getting a regular massage can’t be underestimated, but today the vast majority of Americans overlook them. This is unhealthy, really, in a modern world where 66 percent of all of the symptoms and the signs of sickness that doctors are faced with in the U.S. are caused by stress. The number one power of getting a regular massage is stress reduction and giving one better capability with handling stress.

It is easy to just sum up the benefits of massage by saying “stress relief” but when you really consider the specific ways it helps you handle stress, you see the real benefits of massage. Benefits include: 
-Improved blood circulation from massage ensures proper amounts of nutrients and oxygen are delivered to tissues around the body more efficiently, which gives a greater sense of well being and strengthens the immune system. 
-Massage relaxes the mind and body so you can sleep deeper and feel more refreshed in the morning. 
-Massage therapy can increase the effectiveness of treatment for many life-threatening diseases, such as cancer, arthritis, back problems, fibromyalgia and muscle pain and stiffness. -Physical movement becomes easier and less strained and muscles are less likely to tear or become injured. 
-Increased overall muscle tone and improved functioning of the nervous system. 
-Anti-inflammatory effects help protect against the development of cancerous cells and arthritis. 
-Decrease in emotional problems such as anxiety, depression, and stress.

Massage should be a part of regular life for those who are putting in a lot of hours working out or who work in professions that are very demanding on the body, such as construction workers. If you consistently stand on your feet, bend up and down, or lift heavy items, then chances are your muscles are at risk of serious damage. You could find that you have less range of motion or suffer from overuse injuries and stress fractures without the use of a regular massage. Massage can actually reduce soreness and stiffness in the muscles as well.

Physical therapy also uses massage, but in a more advanced form. Massage therapists are trained to a higher degree than those who just give relaxation massages and can give a wider variety of massages. These massages are designed to combat the pains and symptoms of a particular injury or illness.

Massage therapy is more of a medical procedure than a relaxation luxury. It can be used to correct whiplash and other physical conditions that come after accidents as well as treatment for more substantial conditions.

If you are feeling more stressed out by the day, you are not alone! Our population today is stressed out to a greater degree than ever seen in the past, and that is likely to only continue in the future. Rather than doing nothing about it and accepting the negative consequences of stress, you can take action and allow regular massages to alleviate much of the stress your body processes.

Think about all of the alternative ways to relieve stress. You could take over-the-counter medications but there are many unpleasant side effects. You could get a prescription from your doctor, but since most of them are addictive they could destroy your life. Obviously, stress is the most effective way to relieve stress.

Never underestimate what a massage can do for you. Whether you need serious stress relief, deep muscle tissue massage as an athlete, or help recovering from physical trauma, regular massage can help you.

What is Reiki?

Rei stands for spirit and Ki stands for energy. When put together it means life force healing energy. Reiki originated in India 5000 years ago, and shortly after it spread to Tibet. It wasn’t until Dr. Usui of Japan rediscovered it in the early 19th century that Reiki found its way into the modern world. Dr. Usui taught Reiki to many students, one of who was Mrs. Takata of Hawaii, who eventually brought it to the U.S.

A Reiki practitioner/healer is in essence a channel for the healing energy. The way Reiki works is that the healing energy flows through the practitioner’s hands and fills the client’s body with positive energy, thus pushing out any negative blocks that may be responsible for any physical, mental or emotional condition. Sometimes disease starts in one’s spiritual body and Reiki will in effect cleanse the aura and potentially rid the patient of an impending illness. Reiki works on all levels, not just the physical. The energy is subtle, but powerful.

Reiki has been gaining popularity in the traditional medical field over the past few years. More and more RN’s, Massage Therapists, and Chiropractors are using it on their patients and many studies have been done that show improvement in most medical conditions when Reiki is used along with prescription medicine or other therapies. The website, reikimedresearch.com posts data from cases ranging from the treatment of arthritis to fibromyalgia to migraines to cancer. Reiki healing doesn’t always result in complete recovery, but the studies show that the conditions do improve. For most medical conditions, several Reiki treatments are required to cure or improve the condition. Sometimes only one session is necessary, for instance, one of my clients had a small rash on her hand from an allergy to latex gloves. After only 10 minutes of doing Reiki on the rash, it disappeared.

Reiki treatments are usually performed on a massage table and take about an hour to complete. The patient lies on the table, fully clothed and the practitioner places their hands on them in a specific sequence. Some people feel heat coming from the practitioner’s hands (most common), other times they feel cold from the practitioners’ hands or they feel a breeze on their feet or other part of their body. Every treatment is unique to the individual. A good practitioner also follows their intuition and feels for energy blocks and may hold a position longer or place their hands in a customized sequence. Most practitioners do healings on themselves which helps them to keep the Reiki they send strong, keeps them clear as a channel and increases their intuition.

After a person receives a Reiki healing they usually feel relaxed, calm and rejuvenated. Among many of the benefits one can receive through a Reiki treatment, some include: reduction of stress, the balance and harmony of the body’s energy, strengthening of the immune system, relief from allergies, arthritis and chronic disorders, promotion of personal awareness, clearing toxins, enhancing meditative states, promoting relaxation, clearing blockages and suppressed emotions, balancing chakras etc. Reiki is an intelligent energy which goes to the greatest need of the patient.

Dr. Usui used the following words of wisdom as a principle of Reiki: “Just for today, do not worry. Just for today, do not anger. Honor your parents, teachers and elders. Earn your living honestly. Show gratitude to every living thing.”

Sacred Stone Massage

Hot stone massage is a natural therapy in which warmed stones are positioned on parts of the client's body of to maximize the therapeutic benefit. The stones used are typically river rocks or other very smooth-surfaced stones made of basalt. These stones are heated in sanitizing water before use. The high iron content in basalt helps the stones retain heat during the massage. Hot stone massages are beneficial on both physical and psychological levels. 

Muscle Relaxation

The heat from the stones helps your muscles relax, allowing the massage practitioner to manipulate your deep tissues more effectively. Overly tense muscles can hinder the massage procedure, so if your muscles are extremely tight or stiff, the heated stones may provide the extra relaxation you need for the massage to be beneficial in releasing tension and easing sore muscles.

Deep Tissue Manipulation

Heated stones warm up and relax the tissues and the muscles. Muscular relaxation helps the Massage practitioner release deep seated muscular tension and reduce stress levels, according to the National Holistic Institute. The stones' heat makes the muscles pliable and prepares them for deep manipulation by the practitioner. The Mayo Clinic reports that deep tissue massage helps repair previously injured tissues and ligaments.

Pain Relief

While all types of massage can help relieve pain caused by tense muscles, stiff joints or injuries, a hot stone massage may provide greater relief due to the intense nature of the massage. Because the hot stones allow the massage practitioner to penetrate deeper, you may find that a hot stone massage leaves you feeling physically better than a Swedish or deep-tissue massage that does not incorporate heat. It is important to let your massage practitioner know if you feel that the heat from the stones is too much or that the pressure they are using is too strong or not enough. 

Circulatory and Pain Benefits

Although it is called hot stone therapy, cold and hot stones are often alternated during sessions. Using both cold and hot stones treats pain and reduces inflammation, according to the University of New Hampshire. Additionally, hot stone massage improves circulation; the circulatory system is responsible for carrying freshly oxygenated blood from the heart and lungs to the rest of the body. Poor circulation contributes to peripheral vascular disease, which occurs when the arteries are not able to send sufficient amounts of blood and oxygen to organs, arms and legs. Although hot stone massage does not reverse artery damage, it does contribute to improvements in circulation that helps the body deliver oxygen and blood to surrounding tissues and muscles.

Circulation

Typically, a practitioner allows the heated stones to rest on trigger points in your body before beginning the actual massage. As the heat from the stones penetrates into your deeper body tissues, your blood vessels open, resulting in improved circulation. Poor circulation can lead to fatigue, which tenses the muscles, and a buildup of fluid and lactic acid in the muscles. Increased circulation delivers more oxygen to the muscles, which can help ease aches and pains.

Mental Benefits

Massage therapy can result in mental benefits as well as physical ones in many people. You may find that the relaxation afforded to you through a hot stone massage helps ease some of your mental stress and tension. A hot stone massage may also help you combat some of the symptoms of anxiety disorders and depression. While massage therapy is not a substitute for traditional medical or psychiatric care, it can be an integral part of your treatment plan.

Stress Reduction

Hot stone massage promotes overall relaxation and reduces stress levels. According to the Mayo Clinic, high stress levels cause headaches, depression, muscular pain, overeating, digestive problems and sleeping problems. The Mayo Clinic lists stress reduction, depression and anxiety relief as benefits of massage. Massage Practitioners use the stones to apply Swedish massage strokes, which consist of gentle, long and circular strokes that promote relaxation and re-energize the person receiving the massage. George Mason University's Aquatic and Recreation Center reports that stone massage therapy calms the nervous system.

Myofascial Pain Syndrome

Myofascial pain syndrome is often confused with fibromyalgia. Some physicians, including Mark Pelligrino, M.D., believe that myofascial pain syndrome and fibromyalgia are similar conditions and can be related. Others feel that the two conditions are very different. You may have both conditions at the same time. If you have both, each condition can amplify and exacerbate the other. Myofascial pain syndrome is characterized by painful muscles and the presence of trigger points and taut bands of muscle fibers which are ropey and painful when palpated. Fibromyalgia is diagnosed by the presence of tender points, which do not refer pain and are not hard or knotted.

Some people who experience myofascial pain may be misdiagnosed as having fibromyalgia. A physical trauma may set up conditions for a localized myofascial pain syndrome to develop such as in the neck, shoulders, or back. If trigger points and tight ropey muscle bands are not present, then localized pain may be called regional fibromyalgia. If myofascial pain is not treated properly, or if one is predisposed to developing fibromyalgia, some doctors theorize that myofascial pain may spread to become widespread fibromyalgia pain. It is important to have a thorough assessment by a qualified professional to determine if you have myofascial pain syndrome, fibromyalgia, or both and which treatment options will be most beneficial for you.

Myofascial pain syndrome is found equally in men and women, while 90% of patients who are diagnosed with FMS are women. MPS is usually more localized than fibromyalgia. People who have myofascial pain syndrome may feel fatigued and have problems with sleep. Fibromyalgia patients generally experience more widespread pain and an achy, flu like feeling all over. They also have sleep difficulties and more cognitive problems. You may have both MPS and FMS at the same time.

MPS can be treated by myofascial trigger point therapy, trigger point injections, anti-inflammatory medications, muscle relaxants, pain medications, and other treatments. If you have fibromyalgia and do not have trigger points, then some of these treatments may not benefit you.

Trigger Points vs Tender Points

• Trigger points refer pain; tender points do not.
• Trigger points cause numerous symptoms.
• Trigger points can be caused by a variety of problems.
• Trigger points can be treated.
• Tender points are unique to fibromyalgia.

Many FMS patients are confused about the difference between tender points and trigger points. Trigger points are small, contracted knots in the muscles that can be felt with your fingers and mayfeel like a small lump or stone under your skin. They emit their own electrical signals, which can be measured by specialized electronic equipment. They are different from tender points.

Tender points are the specific points on the body that, when touched, feel tender to the person being touched. Tender points are the areas physicians touch or feel to determine the diagnosis of FMS and are not areas in which the muscles are knotted or have a lumpy feel.

Trigger points have been well studied by two physicians, Dr. Janet Travell and Dr. David Simons. Their classic textbook Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction: The Trigger Point Manual describes trigger points in detail. Many massage therapists, physical therapists, and myofascial trigger point therapists have training in defusing trigger points.

Trigger points can cause patients a lot of pain and discomfort. A confusing aspect about them is that they can cause pain in an area far away from the actual site of the trigger point. This is called referred pain. Tender points do not refer pain. For instance, trigger points in your scalene muscles located on the side of your neck can cause pain in your chest, upper arm, lower arm, thumb, and forefinger, as well as in an area near your shoulder blade. Many FMS patients suffer with Temporal-Mandibular-joint pain which could be set off by trigger points located in the masseter muscles in the jaw. Trigger points in this area can cause pain in the front of the face near the sinuses, in the teeth, and in the ear, along with ringing in the ears. Trigger points are common, can be found in any muscle of the body, and can last indefinitely if they are not deactivated by proper treatment. Muscles affected by trigger points feel hard; they may limit your range of motion and cause stiffness in your joints.

 Trigger points may arise after surgery or after a joint is forced to remain immobile by the use of splints or braces. They can begin after a physical trauma such as whiplash, sprain, fracture, or dislocation. Repetitive movements can cause them, as can poor body mechanics or asymmetry of a body part. Trigger points can cause numerous symptoms besides pain, which may include weakness, dizziness, blurred vision, goose bumps, headaches, pain during intercourse, nausea, diarrhea, numbness, and cold extremities-depending on the location of the trigger point. Dr. Travell believed that fibromyalgia could begin with the appearance of trigger points in various places of the body.

Treatment of Trigger Points and Myofascial Pain
The good news about trigger points is that they can be treated by a technique called myofascial trigger point therapy. Specially trained massage therapists, and myofascial trigger point therapists can treat them, or you can treat them yourself once you have some education in this area. Biofeedback or relaxation therapy can help patients learn to relax tense, tight muscles. Trigger point injections may be helpful as well.

Relieving the referred pain of trigger points requires pressing and compression on the knot for 30- 60 seconds, slowly releasing the pressure, and then massaging it. Massage is better done with tools, rather than your fingers, as your fingers will tire quickly. Deep, stroking massage is best done in one direction only. Massaging the muscle can be done for as long as you like and you can perform this technique up to 12 times per day for better relief. Although this process may be painful, when done in the right “spot,” it should eventually lead to less pain. If the trigger point returns in the future, you can treat it again with the same technique. Tender points cannot be treated in this manner.

Acupressure is a compression technique. Many fibromyalgia patients constantly rub their shoulders or may ask their family members to rub their sore knots. Tools are available to help facilitate breaking up the knots or tight bands, allowing your fingers to rest!