I am finding that a lot of "heavy" people think massage is only for "skinny" people. That is just not so! If that were so then heavy people wouldn't have any health problems or stress, and to be quite honest: if anything, additional weight causes health problems and stress on the body!
Myth 1: I will break the table/chair!
Truth: You won't they are made to withstand a lot of weight, if you're really worried, go to someone with an electric table
Myth 2: The massage therapist doesn't want to see my fat!
Truth: Just like any other body, we don't really see the body or the nakedness, we see the need.
Myth 3: I won't fit on the table.
Truth: If this were the case neither would tall people. There are wider tables and there are table wideners. I have table wideners to accomodate larger people.
Myth 4: I have so much fat there is no way a massage will have any effect.
Truth: Circulation and body fluids and Fascia can still be accessed, and in some cases massage can work like exercise and help with fat. There are many things besides muscles and tendons that massage works on.
Myth 5: I hate the way I look so I don't want to take my clothes off.
Truth: THEN DON'T We do massage all the time with clothing on the client.
These are just 5 of the excuses I hear from people. Always talk to the massage therapist if you think there could be a problem. There should be a way to work around it, or many times you will find it is not a real problem at all.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Monday, April 19, 2010
Massage and your pregnancy
Are you pregnant? Do you have swollen feet, hands, and ankles? Does your back ache all the time? Is your baby pushing on your Sciatic Nerve? Do you have trouble sleeping?
There are many joys and many trials during the 40 weeks of pregnancy. But if you are in your second or third trimester you can get massage and help alleviate many of those trials. Massage can remove some of the fluid built up in your extremities and reduce your swelling. It can help to manage the pain in your sciatic nerve from all the pressure put on it. Massage can help to lessen the pain in your low back from the additional weight you are trying to hold upright when sitting and standing.
Any massage is good for pregnancy once you get through the first trimester. The first trimester is often when women lose children and massage is not recommended by most therapists until you get past that point. The best prenatal massage is with a special set of cushions or a special table meant to accomodate a pregnant belly; these set ups can give you an hour of relief from the weight of the belly and also your mammary tension because of special holes or wells for these areas. If the special table or cushions are not available your therapist can use pillows to frame your body and make it more comfortable. Somtimes sitting in a chair sideways is comfortable to have your back worked on and your extremities without the trouble of getting on a table.
Massage can also help you relax during labor, having your hands and neck and feet worked on during your labor pains can help you control your breathing and slow your heart rate. Keeping you in control of your labor helps you to enjoy it more.
If you already recieve massage and are pregnant, don't stop the massage all together, just wait until your first trimester is done and then resume your massages. Keep your therapist informed of your pregnancy trials so they know what to help you with.
If you are pregnant and want to try massage, call your local massage therapist and talk with them about thier comfort with pregnancy. You can find a good fit for you very easily.
Pregnancy massage is also helpful to get a bond with your therapist and then when you have your little bundle of joy, they can help you with some of the healing aspects of massage after the birth and help with massage of your little one.
There are many joys and many trials during the 40 weeks of pregnancy. But if you are in your second or third trimester you can get massage and help alleviate many of those trials. Massage can remove some of the fluid built up in your extremities and reduce your swelling. It can help to manage the pain in your sciatic nerve from all the pressure put on it. Massage can help to lessen the pain in your low back from the additional weight you are trying to hold upright when sitting and standing.
Any massage is good for pregnancy once you get through the first trimester. The first trimester is often when women lose children and massage is not recommended by most therapists until you get past that point. The best prenatal massage is with a special set of cushions or a special table meant to accomodate a pregnant belly; these set ups can give you an hour of relief from the weight of the belly and also your mammary tension because of special holes or wells for these areas. If the special table or cushions are not available your therapist can use pillows to frame your body and make it more comfortable. Somtimes sitting in a chair sideways is comfortable to have your back worked on and your extremities without the trouble of getting on a table.
Massage can also help you relax during labor, having your hands and neck and feet worked on during your labor pains can help you control your breathing and slow your heart rate. Keeping you in control of your labor helps you to enjoy it more.
If you already recieve massage and are pregnant, don't stop the massage all together, just wait until your first trimester is done and then resume your massages. Keep your therapist informed of your pregnancy trials so they know what to help you with.
If you are pregnant and want to try massage, call your local massage therapist and talk with them about thier comfort with pregnancy. You can find a good fit for you very easily.
Pregnancy massage is also helpful to get a bond with your therapist and then when you have your little bundle of joy, they can help you with some of the healing aspects of massage after the birth and help with massage of your little one.
Massage is not a Luxury
I haven't blogged in a while, and this topic has been on my heart for weeks, so I am putting it out here for you to chew on.
Massage is not a luxury, it is a means of healthy living. I am not saying I know a whole heck of a lot about healthy living, look at my photo and you can probably tell that I am an overweight young woman. I am vehemently working on that as I have all my life. But I do know a heck of a lot about massage and I continue learning all the time. I say massage is not a luxury becuase that is how most people see it. For the wealthy and the affluent massage may look like a way to lose yourself for an hour a week or every other week, but it is so much more than that. For the middle class and working class massage looks like something only the rich and priviliged are allowed. THIS IS NOT SO!
Massage as a means of healthy living and rejuvination can be available to everyone and should be. I agree that it is expensive right now, but there are ways around that. You should see massage as a way of helping with medical treatments. It is like your favorite necklace with all your outfits: it goes with all your health care regimens.
Massage can help with almost any medical problem, stress problem, emotional disorder, chronic disease, etc. I AM NOT SAYING MASSAGE CURES THESE THINGS OR TAKES THE PLACE OF MEDICAL CARE! I am saying massage helps with the medical care and can help with some of the areas medical care can't.
Massage can help you relax which helps your breathing, in turn getting more oxygen to your entire body to function better: think of this as a tune up for your car to get the oil, air, and gas moving properly.
Massage can boost circulation, carrying more oxygen and nutrients to your entire body and carrying toxins away to expel them: think of this as having your ducts cleaned and flooding your house with clean fresh air now that the toxic junk has been removed.
Massage can release more good hormones and chemical in your body to help your body deal with depression and mood disorders and some hormonal imbalances: think of this as a huge gulp of air when you surface from a deep dive in the pool.
Massage is not for the wealthy or something you only do when you're on a nice vacation. Massage is a way to feel good and if you can't afford $60 for an hour consider these alternatives:
1) Ask for a half hour session at $30 an hour
2) Ask if you are eligible for any discounts, you'd be surprised
3) Ask if you can trade a service you provide for massage
4) Get massage less often, but still get it (monthly or every other week)
5) Go to a school's clinic and get an hour for the price of a half hour
6) See if your insurance will cover your massages, many do now
7) Ask your doctor or chiropractor if they offer massage as part of thier office sessions
8) Your gym may offer massage as a side feature for very low cost to you as part of membership
9) Your office may offer massage at a discount right in the office, take your legal 15 minute break and get a massage
10) When you take a cruise or exotic vacation get a massage instead of a bar package, your body will thank you.
11) Ask for massage as gifts intead of things you don't need
12) Budget for massage as part of your health care budget expenses
13) Get massage instead of one of your mani/pedi appointments each month, you don't have to breath the harsh chemicals and its more comfortable than sitting in an uncomfortable chair trying to talk to someone that doesn't speak the same language as you
14) Talk to your massage therapist, many of us will offer you a discount or figure out a way to get you in without the highest price
15) If you can afford massage please continue to get them at regular price so your therapist can help people not as fortunate in life as you.
Massage is not a luxury, it is a means of healthy living. I am not saying I know a whole heck of a lot about healthy living, look at my photo and you can probably tell that I am an overweight young woman. I am vehemently working on that as I have all my life. But I do know a heck of a lot about massage and I continue learning all the time. I say massage is not a luxury becuase that is how most people see it. For the wealthy and the affluent massage may look like a way to lose yourself for an hour a week or every other week, but it is so much more than that. For the middle class and working class massage looks like something only the rich and priviliged are allowed. THIS IS NOT SO!
Massage as a means of healthy living and rejuvination can be available to everyone and should be. I agree that it is expensive right now, but there are ways around that. You should see massage as a way of helping with medical treatments. It is like your favorite necklace with all your outfits: it goes with all your health care regimens.
Massage can help with almost any medical problem, stress problem, emotional disorder, chronic disease, etc. I AM NOT SAYING MASSAGE CURES THESE THINGS OR TAKES THE PLACE OF MEDICAL CARE! I am saying massage helps with the medical care and can help with some of the areas medical care can't.
Massage can help you relax which helps your breathing, in turn getting more oxygen to your entire body to function better: think of this as a tune up for your car to get the oil, air, and gas moving properly.
Massage can boost circulation, carrying more oxygen and nutrients to your entire body and carrying toxins away to expel them: think of this as having your ducts cleaned and flooding your house with clean fresh air now that the toxic junk has been removed.
Massage can release more good hormones and chemical in your body to help your body deal with depression and mood disorders and some hormonal imbalances: think of this as a huge gulp of air when you surface from a deep dive in the pool.
Massage is not for the wealthy or something you only do when you're on a nice vacation. Massage is a way to feel good and if you can't afford $60 for an hour consider these alternatives:
1) Ask for a half hour session at $30 an hour
2) Ask if you are eligible for any discounts, you'd be surprised
3) Ask if you can trade a service you provide for massage
4) Get massage less often, but still get it (monthly or every other week)
5) Go to a school's clinic and get an hour for the price of a half hour
6) See if your insurance will cover your massages, many do now
7) Ask your doctor or chiropractor if they offer massage as part of thier office sessions
8) Your gym may offer massage as a side feature for very low cost to you as part of membership
9) Your office may offer massage at a discount right in the office, take your legal 15 minute break and get a massage
10) When you take a cruise or exotic vacation get a massage instead of a bar package, your body will thank you.
11) Ask for massage as gifts intead of things you don't need
12) Budget for massage as part of your health care budget expenses
13) Get massage instead of one of your mani/pedi appointments each month, you don't have to breath the harsh chemicals and its more comfortable than sitting in an uncomfortable chair trying to talk to someone that doesn't speak the same language as you
14) Talk to your massage therapist, many of us will offer you a discount or figure out a way to get you in without the highest price
15) If you can afford massage please continue to get them at regular price so your therapist can help people not as fortunate in life as you.
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