Repetitive Strain Injuries ~ 

Repetitive strain injuries, also known as overuse injuries, often affect athletes, office workers, construction/factory workers, mechanics, hairstylists, dental hygienists, musicians and anyone that spends a prolonged period of time repeating the same movement over and over again.

Repetitive strain injuries cause tightness and inflammation in the muscles, tendons, and ligaments that make up a particular joint. They can make it harder for you to move your muscles and joints through a full range of motion.

Therapeutic Massage helps to loosen up tight muscles, tendons and ligaments which reduces pain and makes the recovery process more efficient. Massage triggers the release of endorphins, the feel-good chemicals in our body that can help alleviate pain.

Massage helps promote healing and improves your ability to move your muscles and joints more freely. Massage also helps to promote better blood circulation throughout the body which helps your muscles flush toxins and heal more quickly.

While it may not be possible to stop repetitive movements, it is possible to get relief using Therapeutic Massage.

 

Piriformis Syndrome/Sciatica ~

Piriformis Syndrome is a result of the sciatic nerve being impinged by the piriformis muscle in the glutes/buttocks. Sitting for prolonged periods of time or sleeping on your stomach with your knee bent are two common causes of Piriformis Syndrome. Runners can also get Piriformis Syndrome.

Massage and certain stretching techniques can relax and ease the pain and tension in the piriformis muscle which can reduce the pressure on your sciatic nerve. By releasing the tension in the piriformis muscle, proper function to the area is also restored. Massage also releases the pain fighting endorphins which can reduce your experience of pain from piriformis syndrome.

So don't let piriformis syndrome be a pain in your butt, let Massage Therapy help.

 

Frozen Shoulder ~

Frozen shoulder, also called adhesive capsulitis, is a condition that causes stiffness, pain and inflammation in the shoulder joint and limited movement of the arm. Having to keep a shoulder still for a long period increases the risk of developing frozen shoulder.

Frozen shoulder occurs when the connective tissue surrounding the shoulder joint, also known as the joint capsule, becomes thick, stiff, and inflamed. The joint capsule consists of ligaments that attach the top of the upper arm, the humerus bone, to the shoulder socket, firmly holding the joint in place.

The condition is called "frozen" shoulder because the more pain that is felt, the less likely the shoulder will be used. Lack of use causes the shoulder capsule to thicken and become tight, making the shoulder even more difficult to move -- it is "frozen" in its position.

Specific techniques are used to massage the muscles involved in frozen shoulder. These techniques can help ease tension and relax the muscles providing relief, flexibility, improved mobility and better range of motion. 

Massage also increases blood circulation to the injured region and reduces scar tissue formation. Regular massage should be done to achieve the best results. Pain and stiffness usually get relieved after several massage treatments.

 

Neck, Shoulder, Back Pain ~

Neck and shoulder pain is a common complaint I hear from many of my clients. The shoulder and neck areas are where tension and stress tend to accumulate. Holding our neck and shoulders in the same position or an awkward position for extended periods of time causes pain and discomfort. This can also lead to strains in the muscles and tendons of your neck and shoulders. 

Several factors can contribute to neck and shoulder pain:

Sitting at our desks looking at our computers 

Driving in our cars

Looking down at our phones

Improper sleeping habits 

Certain occupations such as dentists, hairstylists, and mechanics require our arms and shoulders to constantly be raised. 

Massage therapy can be an effective way to alleviate neck and shoulder pain. Massaging sore muscles increases blood flow and oxygen which helps soothe pain and reduces inflammation. Massage reduces soreness and assists with tissue recovery. 

It improves neck strength and flexibility and improves range of motion by removing built-up lactic acid which causes stiff muscles. Massage can also release endorphins which are the body’s natural pain killers. 

Shoulder the pain no more by getting a therapeutic massage.

 

Stress ~

We’ve all felt daily stressors and over time, stress can wreak havoc on our bodies and mind. Unaddressed stress and worry can cause pain in your muscles from the body tensing up.

Continuing to endure these daily stressors without a means of relief causes:

Tight, sore and cramped muscles 

Headaches

Fatigue

Irritability

Anxiety, depression

Sleep problems

Inability to concentrate

Various massage techniques are used to reduce muscle pain, improve blood circulation and heal muscles faster and more efficiently. Massage also has a positive influence on mental health by releasing the feel-good endorphins that contribute to an improved mood. Massage can also help reduce symptoms of depression by promoting relaxation and improving sleep quality. The sense of connection and mindfulness experienced during a massage session can also help individuals become more in tune with their bodies and emotions. 

Some people wait for the stress or pain to build up before they get a massage. Getting regular massages can help prevent tension from building up and getting out of control. So relax your muscles and your mind.

 

Proper Workspace Ergonomics ~

Sitting at your desk using the computer for prolonged periods in general can cause some pain, soreness, and discomfort. Sitting improperly at your desk can really wreak havoc on your body, especially in the neck, shoulders, back, and arms. When you sit with your arms raised up on the desk, tension is placed on all these areas. Tilting your head up and forward can cause neck pain and headaches.

I know it's not always easy to be aware of how we are sitting and holding our bodies and sometimes you still get sore muscles.

Regular massage can help alleviate the pain, soreness and discomfort from prolonged computer use. It can improve your posture and relieve headaches too.

Relieving sore muscles and helping you feel better is my goal. Happy muscles make for happy productive people.

 

Trigger Point Therapy ~

Ever wonder what those tight tender knots are in certain areas within your muscles that sometimes cause shooting pain and discomfort to other parts of the body? Those, my friends, are called trigger points. Trigger point pain is considered one of the most common ailments that affect the muscles in our body due to pain often radiating from points of local tenderness to broader areas, known as referred pain.

Common areas of trigger points are the back, shoulders and hips. Trigger points have pain patterns in muscles that follow specific nerve pathways. As an example, a trigger point in your back may cause referred pain to your neck and head. Trigger points can form due to the overuse of muscles. People who engage in repetitive movement are also more prone to trigger point issues. 

What is Trigger Point Therapy?

Trigger point therapy is a massage technique that focuses on targeting and relieving the pain from the source by using cycles of isolated pressure and release and deep breathing. The tight constricted areas of muscle are then relieved, circulation to the area is increased and pain is decreased. The goal of trigger point therapy is to restore normal function of the muscle and surrounding area. Untreated trigger points can cause increased pain that can spread to other areas of the body.

Trigger point therapy used during your massage on a regular basis can be an effective way to manage pain and stress.

 

Headache/Migraine Pain ~

We’ve all had some form of headaches - tension headaches, cluster headaches, sinus headaches, and migraines. And we all know they can be debilitating at times affecting our ability to work, sleep or do daily tasks.

Many factors contribute to headaches including stress, fatigue, sitting improperly at our desks/computers, looking down at our phones, our sleeping positions, and certain health issues. 

Massage therapy can help ease the tension and pain in the muscles which can help reduce the symptoms of headaches and migraines by increasing blood flow and flushing out toxins. 

Massage Therapy can:

Improve circulation to your head and neck which provides pain relief.

Reduce the frequency, intensity, and duration of headache/migraine symptoms.

Decrease the occurrence of headaches/migraines, sleep disturbances, and stress. 

Lessen severe symptoms and improve quality of sleep.

Regular massage therapy can help you experience fewer headaches and migraines or possibly avoid them altogether.

 

Strengthen Your Immune System With Massage ~ Improve Your Ability to Fight Disease

Therapeutic Massage strengthens your immune system and improves your ability to fight disease by moving blood through congested areas, improving circulation. By improving circulation, red blood cell activity increases which improves blood flow. White blood cell activity increases to help fight infection and bacteria. It also increases the activity of natural killer (NK) cells in the body, reduces the chance of getting a cold, flu, or other illnesses -- and helps the body heal faster.

In fact, a single massage can boost your immune system.

Massage offers relaxation and stress relief, so when people are less stressed, they’re much less likely to get sick. This is because chronic stress impairs your body’s inflammatory immune response, increasing your susceptibility to infection. Stress has been shown to be a significant immunosuppressor. Massage is one of the best ways to reduce stress by reducing the level of cortisol, a stress hormone.

In addition to feeling relaxed and relieving sore muscles, give your immune system a boost with Therapeutic Massage.

 

Pain Management ~

Pain is the most common reason for people to seek medical attention. The cycle of pain can be debilitating at times. Massage used to be considered an indulgence, but now it's recognized as an effective therapy for some painful conditions. Massage Therapy is a powerful tool that can decrease pain, improve your overall well-being, and complement other therapies for pain management. 

Muscles tighten up around painful areas to protect them. Tight muscles can put pressure on nerves, causing tingling, numbness, and pain. Massage helps to decrease tension in the muscles.

Massage Therapy can help with pain management by:

Decreasing tension, loosening and relaxing painful muscles, tendons and joints

Triggering the release of endorphins, which are natural painkillers produced by the body

Improving blood flow and circulation, which can help reduce pain and promote healing by interrupting the pain cycle

Easing the pressure on nerves

Relieving stress and anxiety brought on by pain

Break the cycle of pain by getting regular Therapeutic Massage.