What You Need to Know Before Your Massage

It is important to properly prepare yourself prior to your appointment to receive maximum
effect from your therapy session. Here is a list of simple golden rules to follow:

• Do not eat 1-2 hours before the session.
• Do not drink alcohol less than 24 hours before the session.
• Do not sunbathe less than 24 hours before the session.
• Do not apply any strongly scented perfumes or cosmetics prior to your session.
• Take shower.
• Take off all jewelry and watches.
• Plan to arrive 10 minutes before your scheduled appointment to allow yourself time and space to enter into a relaxed state of mind.
• Be sure to visit the restroom prior to your session to feel most comfortably on the massage
  table.
• If this is your first time, be prepared to discuss your health information and fill out the Intake and Consent forms before your appointment. Familiarize yourself with massage contraindications (see below).
• Review our Office Policy.
• Be sure to tell your therapist of any allergic reactions to cosmetics and essential oils.

Massage is an essential tool to maintain your good physical form. In many cases, massage therapy is also an important part of a specific treatment plan to help rehabilitate and return to daily activities (for example, following an injury).

Physical benefits:

• Improved circulation
• Decreased muscle stiffness
• Decreased joint inflammation
• Better quality of sleep
• Quicker recovery between workouts
• Improved flexibility
• Less pain and soreness
• Strengthened immune response

Mental benefits:

• Lower stress levels
• Improved relaxation
• Improved mood
• More energy
• Increased feeling of wellness
• Increase in serotonin and dopamine levels
• Decreased anxiety
• Decrease of cortisol levels

Source

“Anyone who has participated in a yoga class knows that some people are more “flexible” than others. We usually think of musculoskeletal flexibility as “loose” or “tight” joints—ligaments, joint capsules—and muscles. But another important part of the musculoskeletal system that tends to be overlooked is the network of fasciae. These are sheets of connective tissue that form interconnecting planes spanning the entire body, surrounding and separating muscles, and creating biomechanical interfaces between them.

Each muscle fiber has a fascial binding, and so muscle and fascia are functionally linked. Injuries or imbalances in the muscular system will cause the fascia to tighten and dehydrate, and it is often restrictions in fascia which give rise to “muscle pain” (from “Fascia Mobility, Proprioception, and Myofascial Pain Study” by the National Institute of Health – National Center for Biotechnology Information).

Source

Myofascial Release (Muscle – Fascia – Release) is a revolutionary yet a gentle hands-on technique which has proven its effectiveness in treatment of pain and stiffness in the body’s soft tissues. It is used for the release of fascia, the connective tissue that surrounds and supports muscles, bones, and organs. Fascia which is stuck, hardened, and dehydrated can often lead to undiagnosed pain, exhaustion, and even immune system dysfunctions such as Fibromyalgia, CFS, IBS and others. Hardening of the fascia typically occurs in response to physical or emotional trauma.

Myofascial release focuses on treating soft tissue pain and dysfunction caused by myofascial restrictions, trigger points, or scar tissue. It can be followed by more complementary therapies such as massage therapy, acupressure, targeted exercise programs.

Myofascial release becomes necessary for recovery from all types of physical injuries and conditions such as sports injuries, back and neck pain, whiplash, stress-related muscular tension, frozen shoulder, tendonitis, bursitis, undiagnosed or generalized pain, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome and more.

Myofascial release therapy is generally considered safe and non-invasive, but it may cause some discomfort or soreness during or after the session, which is normal. It is also not suitable for people with certain medical conditions or injuries, such as cancer, deep vein thrombosis, or acute fractures.

It's common to feel relaxed, tired or even sore after a massage. This is because your muscles are being worked by the massage therapist. After a massage, it may feel like you completed a workout, because massage is the same fitness training as exercising in the gym! Sometimes, massage is called a sport for the lazy.

Sometimes, you will subconsciously strain the problematic muscle group during the massage, expecting pain which can also lead to pain after the session. It’s a good idea to try to relax as much as possible, trusting the massage therapist, to ensure your treatment will be much more effective. Clients complain of increased pain, strength, muscle tension, dizziness, weakness, fatigue. Unpleasant sensations occur mainly in the area of ​​the body that has undergone mechanical stress.  

Another reason for the occurrence or intensification of pain after a massage of the collar zone, especially the head ones, is the activation of blood circulation. The body has to adapt to new conditions, which is why at first it reacts with pain in the spine, back, arm, lower back. Severe and prolonged pain after a massage is more often experienced by people who lead an inactive lifestyle.

Some people think that massage must hurt to help. But a massage doesn't need to be painful to be effective. If your massage therapist is pushing too hard, ask for lighter pressure. Occasionally you may have a sensitive spot in a muscle that feels like a knot. It's likely to be uncomfortable while your massage therapist works it out. But if it becomes truly painful, please speak up.

It depends on your personal goals. Typically, to address an issue within your musculoskeletal system we recommend a course of up to 6 sessions. For prevention and prophylactic purposes, it is recommended to undergo a massage session no more than once a week, depending on your physical activity level. For those less active, it is beneficial to do it every other week. If you are doing well overall and perform regular physical activities, the most optimal choice would be once a month.

As a good general rule, we recommend taking long nature walks. Healthy oxygen flow enriches the muscles and supports your emotional wellbeing. Another excellent addition to your routine could be any kind of water treatments: jacuzzi, salt baths, sauna, contrast shower. And of course, don’t forget your good old daily stretching and exercises.

One of the most important steps to prepare for massage is to listen to your own body. If you are not feeling your best, experience weakness, fever, cough or any other symptoms that might be contagious, please see your doctor, stay home, and call us to reschedule your treatment.

General contraindications for a massage therapy include:

• various diseases of the skin, hair, nails
• cerebral arteriosclerosis
• various inflammations of the lymphatic and blood vessels
• purulent lesions of different localization
• acute heart failure
• allergic reactions with skin rashes
• tumors/ cancer
• bowel disorders