Prevent the Sniffles with Massage

I recently came across this article by CNN with the headline reading "Massage: It's Real Medicine".

This made me laugh out loud. Heads up people, massage is real medicine now because CNN says it's so! Ha! Because massage isn't real medicine unless approved by CNN. Duh.

With the changing of the seasons and the cooler temperatures, I have begun seeing many clients who have the sniffles and sinus problems rearing their ugly heads. It is that time of year again. If you are someone who gets sick easily or frequently during the colder seasons then massage therapy may help.

Massage aids in:
1. Improving circulation
2. Boosting the immune system
3. Reducing anxiety, depression, and stress hormones
4. And more!

How does massage boost the immune system? Well, first of all, increasing circulation not only affects the blood, but also the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system involves the lymph nodes, certain organs, and vessels just like the blood. Ever have swollen lymph nodes due to a sore throat or your sinuses backed up and trying to drain? Massage therapy helps to improve and increase the lymphatic circulation, which helps to better filter waste out of the body. Waste examples being bacteria, excess fluid, dead cells, and viruses.

A study done with blood work drawn before and after receiving massage showed that massage does indeed  cause changes in the lymphatic and endocrine systems of the human body. For example, the study results showed that massage causes an increase in lymphocytes, which are part of the body's defense system in fighting harmful substances. In the process of winning a battle it helps to have soldiers to fight.

Starting to see where massage therapy can be beneficial in preventing illness? If you would like read more on this subject I have linked below a few articles for you:

CNN. Massage: It's Real Medicine

LA Times. Research Study (brief article)

ABMP. Boost Your Immune System

If you've done research papers for school, then you know any website that ends in ".edu" or ".org" are usually reliable sources, medical journals are another, along with other massage therapy websites, blogs, and associations.

Don't take my word for the boosting benefits of massage therapy. Check it out for yourself and come to your own conclusion. :)

~The Kneadonator

You Do Massage Therapy?!

When people find out I am a massage therapist I get one of several responses and I will admit that sometimes I just want to sigh and walk away from some people's replies. However, professionalism and my bubbly personality usually win. I say usually because there's always the possibility of something being said in the future that walking away is my best option. I will let you know if that does ever happen.

1. That's awesome! You know, I have this knot in my shoulder that I just can't seem to get out. Would you mind?

I don't mind giving someone a few minutes of my time to massage that knot in their shoulder. I became a massage therapist because I want to help people over come pain. This just helps to strengthen my passion. It is also a great way to spread the word about massage therapy. If a five-minute massage releases a shoulder, think of what an hour long massage could do! 

2. Do you give happy endings?

Let me just clear the water now on the issue of happy endings. I do not, never have, and never will give happy endings. The number of people who do such things are actually very low and they do not usually call themselves massage therapists or therapists at all. Unfortunately, it's one of those only-takes-one-to-ruin-it-for-the-rest things.

We massage therapists work hard in maintaining our professionalism and strive to provide the highest quality of therapeutic bodywork to aide the body's healing processes. We respect and honor everyone's bodies and maintain proper boundaries through proper sheeting and covering during every session. 

3. I don't like massages. 

For those of you who respond that you don't like massages, expect my first question to be "Have you had one before?" If your answer is no, I will retort, "Well then how do you know you don't like massage?" You can thank my grandparents for teaching me such language.

If you say yes, I may ask you where and what kind. For example, a deep tissue massage differs from a Swedish massage in the pressure and techniques used. Deep tissue implies what it is. Deep. The pressure is hard, but slow. On the other hand, a Swedish massage uses light, flowing strokes which can be slow or somewhat vigorous depending on the stroke being used, but the pressure will remain light and gentle. If you are a body builder who received a Swedish massage, chances are you hated it, felt like the massage did nothing, or that the therapist just rubbed skin the entire time. You may want to try a Deep tissue massage or a sports massage instead. With deeper pressure and other strokes utilized to target the underlying muscle tissue and break up lactic acid buildup (which causes soreness in muscles, among other things), this will feel as if the massage did something. The opposite goes for someone who says they felt beat up and bruised after a massage. You may want to try a Swedish massage, Reflexology, or Reiki instead. If this is your first time experiencing massage therapy, ask your therapist what he or she recommends.

Please note that I will respect your opinion. It is okay to not like massage. I don't like certain foods. So certainly there are people who won't like massages. 

4. But you're so tiny! 

It does not matter the therapist's size when it comes to giving a good massage. The key lies in proper body alignment. Yes, I am of small stature. Petite, some may say. Yet I can give a solid, deep massage through proper body mechanics and with my table at an appropriate height. If I need to go deeper, I can sink and/or lower the table. If I need to go lighter, I can straighten up and/or raise the table. Amazing what the correct leverage can achieve. Physics! Who knew?

~The Kneadonator

Welcome!

Thank you for visiting my blog!

In case you're wondering what the heck is going on. Please allow me to give you a short explanation. 

This blog has been created so that I may share with you my passion for massage therapy and learning new ways to shake off stress. We all want to be able to do what we love and spend time with loved ones. We don't want to be focused on pain or let it hinder us. Right? I thought so. 

Yes, I am biased in support of massage therapy. However, I do understand and recognize that massage therapy is not for everyone. Some because it is contraindicated due to health complications or others just because it's not their thing. 

That is OK.

Knowing that massage therapy isn't everyone's cup of tea is what has inspired me to blog. Not just posts on how massage is good for you, but also ways to help shake off that stress and relieve pain at home on your own or through other therapies. 

Thanks for reading. I hope you will come visit again soon! 

~The Kneadonator