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Sports Massage, Snowflake Effect, Unplug to Recharge

Tom Saulnier — Fri, 21 Sep 2018 22:08:22 +0000

Is Sports Massage Right for You?
By Eric Stephenson, LMT

Are you a weekend warrior, self-proclaimed athlete, or someone who just generally likes to push themselves a little too hard at the gym? If that’s the case, then sports massage might be just what the body ordered.

We all know physical activity generates positive health benefits for your body,
but it can also create negative effects that arise when you push past your physical limit. That’s when you show up on our massage tables with injuries related to this overexertion.

THE ATHLETE IN ALL OF US

Olympic, collegiate, and professional athletes utilize massage therapy to mitigate and recover from sports injuries. Oftentimes, teams employ and even travel with a massage therapist. And research continues to show what athletes already know—massage has a positive effect on athletes and their performance.1

The benefits of sports massage extend beyond professional athletes to anyone who participates in regular exercise. Whether it be golf, tennis, or ballroom dancing, if you engage in physical exercise, sports massage is a good option for you. And, if you suffer from a nagging injury or orthopedic condition that keeps you from performing at your best, sports massage is especially helpful.

KINDS OF SPORTS MASSAGE

Did you know that about 65 percent of injuries—both athletic and lifestyle- related—come from overuse of the muscles? The other 35 percent are caused by true trauma.2

Sports massage is (to read “the rest of the story”, please click here BS autumn2018

What’s Your Massage & Bodywork Style?

Tom Saulnier — Fri, 23 Dec 2016 19:33:36 +0000

What’s Your Massage & Bodywork Style? Find the Right Massage & Bodywork Therapies for You!

Massage therapy is a beautiful mosaic of modalities offering something for everyone. From all ages to most conditions, there’s a bodywork fit. For instance:

• Massage therapy is one of the leading solutions for low-back pain in the United States.
• Conditions ranging from autism to Fibromyalgia can benefit from appropriate bodywork.
• Oncology massage is one of the most popular specialties and is increasingly being integrated into holistic treatment plans.

What’s most important is what massage therapy can do for you. There’s nothing like a one-hour Swedish massage—the most popular form of bodywork offered—to reconnect you with your inner self, invigorate your body, and help you refocus on self-care, but have you ever tried another modality like lymph massage or reflexology?

Following is a guide to help you explore the many types of bodywork. Use the flowchart on the next pages and the corresponding glossary to learn about massage and bodywork for the first time, or to branch out and try something new from the hundreds of touch therapy options.

With so many types of massage and bodywork, chances are your massage therapist has the training and intuition to be able to adapt the work to fit where you are in your life and in your body.

And, if you ever need more information or guidance, be sure to visit www.massagetherapy.com, where we have definitions for every modality and the ability to find a practitioner near you who practices each one of them.

We hope you enjoy the journey on the following pages. (to read the rest of this article, please click here

Fibromyalgia Demystified, Lavender, Probiotics

Tom Saulnier — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 23:34:04 +0000

IN THIS ISSUE: * Fibromyalgia Demystified * Lavender * Probiotics for Skin Health

Fibromyalgia Demystified: Bodywork as a Key Therapy – by Cathy Ulrich

Jane had just been diagnosed with fibromyalgia. She was happy to have a name for the mysterious, traveling pain she had felt for some time, but she was still worried about how to deal with it. She’d done research on the Internet, but the information left her more confused. “There are so many causes and ways to treat it,” she said. “I don’t know what to do.” A friend of Jane’s recommended massage as part of her treatment plan. “She said it helped her,” Jane said, “so I’m willing to try.”

For fibromyalgia sufferers, muscle pain, tightness, and general body discomfort can all too often become a way of life. But what is fibromyalgia, and what can be done to help?

What is Fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia, which literally means “connective tissue muscle pain,” causes severe tenderness in multiple points throughout the body as well as persistent fatigue, morning stiffness, and non-refreshing sleep. Fibromyalgia is found in about 2 percent of the adult population, and women are five to seven times more likely to have it than men.

Theories about the cause of fibromyalgia include thyroid imbalance, sleep disorders, genetic predisposition, allergies, trauma–especially whiplash injuries–and possibly even viruses. Many who have fibromyalgia syndrome have other conditions as well, including depression, irritable bowel syndrome, chemical sensitivities, intolerance to exercise, restless legs syndrome, extreme sensitivity to cold, and seasonal affective disorder.

Factors At Play

Jay Goldstein, MD, a leading researcher and clinician, identified three common factors in people who are susceptible to fibromyalgia. It’s helpful to consider…Click here for complete newsletter: Spring 2011-zbt