Massage is usually a pretty passive experience. We want you to relax and enjoy the treatment, but we also need your feedback which can be hard to do because:
1) I'm in lala land..so leave me alone
2) I'm not sure if it's supposed to feel this way..Besides she knows what she's doing
3) It'll be over soon anyway.. so just grin and bear it
4) hmm I have to pick up the kids at 4 and stop by the store..oh wait, I'm supposed to be relaxed.
5) is that a hangnail or is Freddy Kruger giving this massage.
6) maybe he won't notice I didn't shave my legs
7) Zzzzzzzzzzzzzz
8) No pain no Gain..right?
9) oh yeah right, breathe....
10) cold hands..yikes
All kidding aside. Feedback is important after all it's your body and it's your massage. Most therapists (as do I) enjoy the challenge and break from the routine when clients have special requests. I once had a client who told me at the beginning of her session that she wanted to start laying on her back and didn't want me to use any forearms or elbows. It was clear she knew what she wanted and liked and although this threw me out of my routine it ended up being a great session for both of us.
The worst thing you can do is lay there and suffer. If something doesn't feel good a simple change may make all the difference such as more lotion to reduce friction or changing the tool from knuckles to palm. There are many strokes and ways to do them and as always, it's my job to adjust to you not make you adapt to my style. Ladies, if you have tender breasts or have had augmentation, there is simple bolstering we can do that can ease discomfort. With the addition of a couple of towels to support your shoulders and ribcage, most of the pressure is taken off of the tender areas. Similar bolstering can be used for any sensitive area or injury so that the massage does not add unwanted pressure to those areas.
This goes for climate control too. Let me know if you're too hot. Uncovering the feet (the bodies built in thermostats) can help you to cool off quickly. Or if your cold, don't be afraid to ask for a blanket which I always keep handy.
All this might seem like common sense, but even I sometimes find it hard to communicate when I'm getting a massage, so I know both sides of the table. Yes, I look for signs of discomfort such as tensing up, clenching fists, or even the occasional scream but all in all I can't read minds, so make sure your massage is great by giving a little guidance. Oh yes, 00hs and ahs count as feedback too, a little encouragement is like applause to an actor, you'll get a better massage.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009
Headaches
Headaches and allergy flair ups are a common part of having a robust spring season here in MN. The trees bloom quickly as soon as the weather turns and the wind picks up blowing dust which can irritate eyes and sensitive sinus cavities. Tips for preventing the one set of a headache by applying gentle pressure to the webbed part of the hand between the forefinger and the thumb.
A easy self remedy is the cold washrag placed on the forehead or over the eyes. A cool to cold compresses causes vasoconstriction (shrinkage of blood vessels) and gives immediate relief of inflammation which can be the cause of headache symptoms particularly swollen sinus membranes.
Inflammation is a reaction of the body to a perceived injury or condition where normal functions and systems are affected. The body is trying to bring us back to a state of "homeostasis" or normal function. However, sometimes because of age, abnormal health conditions such as poor circulation, the cure the body employs of increasing circulation to the injury site backfires and we get inflammation as the result. In this case, to much of a good thing becomes a bad thing. Now this can happen in various degrees from extreme cases such as water on the knee or swollen ankles to lesser degrees such as puffy eyes or even the occasional headache. I'm not discussing major inflammation such as from an accident or trauma, but rather normal "wear and tear" that occurs because we live and breathe and fight the effects of gravity all day.
Please use caution. DO NOT use ice or ice packs on sensitive tissue such as the eyes or at the base of the skull. Ice has the ability to damage tissue (frostbite) and should not be used in these areas of the head. Therefore, use only cold tap water on your compresses to reduce inflammation in these specific areas.
Massaging an area of inflammation also helps to reduce swelling. This breaks up the excess tissue and lets the body reabsorb it. Always work with the flow of circulation towards the heart. For headaches, gentle circular strokes are effective especially on the temples and even a slow gentle tug on the ears can be soothing.
Often, light can intensify sensitivity so a darken room (yes, like a massage room) can help speed up the effectiveness of the treatment. None of this is anything new to anyone. However, even though we know WHAT to do, we don't take the time to actually do it. The key to prevention is recognize the signs of a headache at onset and to address them immediately rather than to become one of the walking wounded.
A easy self remedy is the cold washrag placed on the forehead or over the eyes. A cool to cold compresses causes vasoconstriction (shrinkage of blood vessels) and gives immediate relief of inflammation which can be the cause of headache symptoms particularly swollen sinus membranes.
Inflammation is a reaction of the body to a perceived injury or condition where normal functions and systems are affected. The body is trying to bring us back to a state of "homeostasis" or normal function. However, sometimes because of age, abnormal health conditions such as poor circulation, the cure the body employs of increasing circulation to the injury site backfires and we get inflammation as the result. In this case, to much of a good thing becomes a bad thing. Now this can happen in various degrees from extreme cases such as water on the knee or swollen ankles to lesser degrees such as puffy eyes or even the occasional headache. I'm not discussing major inflammation such as from an accident or trauma, but rather normal "wear and tear" that occurs because we live and breathe and fight the effects of gravity all day.
Please use caution. DO NOT use ice or ice packs on sensitive tissue such as the eyes or at the base of the skull. Ice has the ability to damage tissue (frostbite) and should not be used in these areas of the head. Therefore, use only cold tap water on your compresses to reduce inflammation in these specific areas.
Massaging an area of inflammation also helps to reduce swelling. This breaks up the excess tissue and lets the body reabsorb it. Always work with the flow of circulation towards the heart. For headaches, gentle circular strokes are effective especially on the temples and even a slow gentle tug on the ears can be soothing.
Often, light can intensify sensitivity so a darken room (yes, like a massage room) can help speed up the effectiveness of the treatment. None of this is anything new to anyone. However, even though we know WHAT to do, we don't take the time to actually do it. The key to prevention is recognize the signs of a headache at onset and to address them immediately rather than to become one of the walking wounded.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Why Isn’t Massage Therapy covered by insurance?
Consumers spend billions of dollars a year visiting massage therapists. In fact, studies show that patients make more visits each year to alternative care practitioners than to primary care physicians.
A survey by the Office of Alternative Medicine found more than a half of conventional physicians in the U.S. have recommended or tried alternative medicine. An osteopathic doctor here in Murrieta, CA, Laurie Blanscet, believes that massage therapy for fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue is invaluable. For general aches and pains, it is more effective than medicine and other therapies. She says, “I wish massage therapy was reimbursed because it is so effective. I think that doctors should be able to order massage as readily as say, physical therapy.”
So why isn’t massage reimmbursed?
Some believe insurance companies look at massage as frivolous. Others say it’s all in the name of business, and that massage therapy isn’t cost effective for insurance companies. “Insurance companies invest millions to make money for themselves,” said an occcupational therapist I know. She said that “local medical professionals have two or three people working primamrily to harass insurance companies until they pay.”
Progress has been made in California through the passage of the law that will allow a governing body composed of bodyworkers, instructors and other experts to certify massage therapists. This is a radical change from the on-going city by city massage ordinances governed by police that know little about the field. With statewide credentialing, it should be easier for insurance companies to understand, value and reimburse for massage therapy and other bodywork.
The White House Commission on Complementary and Alternative Medicine says it’s time for wellness and health promotion to be made a national health priority. The commission’s goal is to make sure health care be chosen not by whether it is cost effective for insurance companies, but rather on the basis of quality, effectiveness and need.
A survey by the Office of Alternative Medicine found more than a half of conventional physicians in the U.S. have recommended or tried alternative medicine. An osteopathic doctor here in Murrieta, CA, Laurie Blanscet, believes that massage therapy for fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue is invaluable. For general aches and pains, it is more effective than medicine and other therapies. She says, “I wish massage therapy was reimbursed because it is so effective. I think that doctors should be able to order massage as readily as say, physical therapy.”
So why isn’t massage reimmbursed?
Some believe insurance companies look at massage as frivolous. Others say it’s all in the name of business, and that massage therapy isn’t cost effective for insurance companies. “Insurance companies invest millions to make money for themselves,” said an occcupational therapist I know. She said that “local medical professionals have two or three people working primamrily to harass insurance companies until they pay.”
Progress has been made in California through the passage of the law that will allow a governing body composed of bodyworkers, instructors and other experts to certify massage therapists. This is a radical change from the on-going city by city massage ordinances governed by police that know little about the field. With statewide credentialing, it should be easier for insurance companies to understand, value and reimburse for massage therapy and other bodywork.
The White House Commission on Complementary and Alternative Medicine says it’s time for wellness and health promotion to be made a national health priority. The commission’s goal is to make sure health care be chosen not by whether it is cost effective for insurance companies, but rather on the basis of quality, effectiveness and need.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Free Massage
I will give away at least one free massage each month and am working on other great prizes for future months. So continue to enter our drawing every month by visiting my contact me page and fill out the form.
Thank you
Ramona
The Healing Place of Cottage Grove
Thank you
Ramona
The Healing Place of Cottage Grove
Workplace massages can help take the stress out of the recession and keep staff healthy and happy.
With the recession biting in the workplace, companies are increasingly looking at ways to improve staff morale.
The Healing Place, which offers tailor-made short massage at company premises, says the benefits are clear.
“Businesses that have seen the positive impact that regular massage has on motivation and the ability of staff to manage stress realise that investing in the service makes even more sense when things get tough,” says Ramona, at the Healing Place.
“When market conditions are challenging, companies need to be at their most competitive. It is essential that staff are engaged and working to their full potential. Workplace massage can help companies achieve this in a simple and affordable way and our clients are very aware of this.”
Companies choose to offer the service in a number of ways – some pay for the massage, some offer a subsidised treatment and others leave it to staff to take up, and pay for, the option should they choose it. In each case the treatment is roughly 15 minutes and tailored to the individual.
“We find that a shorter massage is very relaxing but it is not like an hour long massage which can leave staff too relaxed. This is actually quite energising, like a short power nap, which means staff can return to their desks ready to be more productive.”
Human resources departments around the country, tasked with bringing down the cost of sickness absence, are introducing wellbeing programmes in record numbers.
With two of those major causes being back pain and stress, massage may be the magic pill companies have been searching for. Working on the back, massage is able to reduce and prevent pain while its relaxing benefits are a tried and tested stress buster.
For more details, e-mail Ramona@thehealingplacecg.com or call 651-206-7141
The Healing Place, which offers tailor-made short massage at company premises, says the benefits are clear.
“Businesses that have seen the positive impact that regular massage has on motivation and the ability of staff to manage stress realise that investing in the service makes even more sense when things get tough,” says Ramona, at the Healing Place.
“When market conditions are challenging, companies need to be at their most competitive. It is essential that staff are engaged and working to their full potential. Workplace massage can help companies achieve this in a simple and affordable way and our clients are very aware of this.”
Companies choose to offer the service in a number of ways – some pay for the massage, some offer a subsidised treatment and others leave it to staff to take up, and pay for, the option should they choose it. In each case the treatment is roughly 15 minutes and tailored to the individual.
“We find that a shorter massage is very relaxing but it is not like an hour long massage which can leave staff too relaxed. This is actually quite energising, like a short power nap, which means staff can return to their desks ready to be more productive.”
Human resources departments around the country, tasked with bringing down the cost of sickness absence, are introducing wellbeing programmes in record numbers.
With two of those major causes being back pain and stress, massage may be the magic pill companies have been searching for. Working on the back, massage is able to reduce and prevent pain while its relaxing benefits are a tried and tested stress buster.
For more details, e-mail Ramona@thehealingplacecg.com or call 651-206-7141
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