Sports and Remedial Massage: Rehabilitation Through Massage

Sports and Remedial Massage Soft Tissue Techniques

Muscles ache, bruise, tear and cramp even with preventive maintenance of sports and remedial massage. During the rehabilitation process, discomfort can be reduced and healing accelerated by massage. Chronic as well as acute injuries can be effectively managed by the following sports and remedial massage soft tissue techniques:

Lymphatic Massage
Control of secondary injury resulting from insufficient delivery of oxygen to the tissues and removal of swelling can be improved by lymphatic massage in the acute stage of injury. Massage also helps remove oedema during the entire healing cycle by strengthening the uptake of fluids.

Trigger Point Massage
Pain and spasms in both in the injured and compensatory muscles are reduced by trigger point massage.

Cross Fibre Friction Massage
To maintain full pain-free range of motion during rehabilitation it is vital, during the maturation as well as sub-acute healing phases, to apply cross fibre friction as the formation of flexible, strong repair tissue is improved by this massage technique.

Conditions Treated by Sports and Remedial massage

Overuse Injuries
Most injuries are due to overuse created by repetitive motion such as in typing, computer work, gardening, playing the violin or swimming. These can be treated or avoided by massage. In an overuse injury, say of the rotator cuff, the rotator cuff and deltoid muscles would have a stringy texture on initial palpation. However, the stringy texture would not be as prominent after massage. The smoother texture is usually noticeable to the client as well. Further, by increasing elasticity and circulation, massage helps prevent injuries.

Strains and Sprains
The most common athletic injuries are probably strains and sprains. Sports and remedial massage treatments are not only well-suited for the rehabilitation of these injuries but also essential. Tendinitis, potentially a much more difficult problem to treat, can result from even first degree strains if left untreated. With regular massage, injuries will be treated and rehabilitated before they can develop into more serious complications and many injuries may be prevented altogether.

Oedema and Scar Tissue

Besides strains and sprains, oedema and scar tissue can also be treated using sports and remedial massage.

Oedema
Massage works both mechanically and reflexively to help reduce oedema.

Bleeding occurs whenever the body is injured, such as in a tendon or ligament or being torn. Vasodilation then occurs in the region of the injury as the result of a number of chemicals being released in response to the injury. Oedema follows as fluid builds up in the interstitial spaces around the injury due to more blood flowing into this area through the augmented vasodilation. Healing will be longer if the oedema is not reduced by massage treatment. Massage given as soon as possible after the injury can effectively minimize the build up of oedema and quickly eliminate it.

Scar tissue
Several problems occur in any muscle injury which has happened as a result of a tear. Swelling is the first important issue that must be dealt with through massage. Once massage has assisted the removal of swelling and pain, the focus of massage therapy switches to the treatment of scar tissue as if the patient is not treated properly from the start with massage, scar tissue will develop in a random fashion forming adhesions which will limit mobility.

It is not possible through massage therapy to break up or reconstruct already formed scar tissue. However, the muscle can function more efficiently if the scar is made pliable by increasing its elasticity through massage. Thus, to maintain the pliability of the scar once injury has caused the development of thick scars or adhesions, massage therapy is necessary every fortnight.

Hot Stone Massage Therapy - Things to Consider Before Having a Stone Massage Therapy

A hot stone massage therapy is one of the most popular and satisfying body treatments available nowadays. It is a relaxing and rejuvenating way of relieving stress and alleviating pain. It is so popular especially in the winter season because it is basically a massage that utilizes hot stones to balance the body, mind and the spirit. Before you consider getting this type of massage, it is essential for you to be knowledgeable on the different elements surrounding this treatment. In this way, you will be able to enhance your experience and ensure that it is everything you imagine it to be. Here are a few things you need to know about a hot stone massage therapy:

o A hot stone massage is not inexpensive. The price usually ranges from $10 to $40 dollars more than a regular massage. A hot stone massage is worth that price because of its therapeutic effects. The preparation time is longer and the Swedish massage is incorporated. To be able to get your money's worth, it is recommended you research initially on the massage salon you are planning to go to. Another good idea is to ask for referrals from family and friends so you will not be disappointed on the kind of service you will be paying for.

o You should also know that there different kinds of hot stone therapies. One common type is the La Stone therapy which uses both hot and cold stones for the treatments. It is usually offered in day spas. There are also other treatments available which makes use solely of heated stones. These treatments either use these stones all over the body or exclusively on the back of the client. There are also alternatives where the stones are not the focal point of the whole treatment. It may only be used in one part of the treatment or combined with energy work.

o This treatment is minimally invasive and used with a combination of a Swedish massage. Some people may be disappointed and expect more than these so it is very important to ask questions before committing to the massage therapy. It is much better to understand the whole process by requesting your therapist explain the whole procedure. If the masseuse refuses to answer your questions, then it is time to find another one who will. After all, you will be spending your time and money so the massage must be worth it.

o Asking the therapist to describe how the hot stones will be placed and used prior to the session will surely give you a clearer idea on how it is done properly. In this way, you will anticipate everything about the massage therapy and not be thinking about what will happen next. This will allow you and your therapist to have a more comfortable session.

These are only some things you can consider before getting that much needed stone massage therapy. Determine if this treatment is right for you. Asking questions will surely open the lines of communication between you and your therapist leading to a much pleasurable massage experience.

Post Surgery Massage Therapy

My goal in writing this article is to educate the public, but most principally medical students and physicians and surgeons to the need to inform post-surgery patients of the benefits of massage therapy in reducing contractures, relaxing muscles which have become tight and guarding due to the trauma of the surgery and the displacement by surgical tools, and the laying down of collagen substructures which cause scar tissues around the incision and surrounding tissues. There is always enormous swelling and reduced flexibility and stiffness following surgery. The incision site and the underlying adhesions to muscle tissue and fascia because of tension, displacement, and cutting/suturing create scar tissue. It is vital that that incision site and joints be massaged after 7 days of healing. Of course pressure and intensity of massage will be light at first and will increase as time goes on helping to reduce swelling, redness, and pain.

I encounter many clients who are post-surgery and who have never received any instruction by their general physicians or surgeons to seek massage therapy as an integral and necessary part of their post-surgery treatment. I don't know whether this information is not made available at universities or whether the consequences of neglecting to inform patients is not fully appreciated.

The result is that the post-surgery population is suffering needlessly in pain for months and years because of untreated contractures, muscle adhesions, guarding muscles and scar tissues and its resulting consequences of reduced range of motion. Therapeutic massage has been scientifically proven to assist in solving these type of post-surgery issues.

I have achieved tremendous reductions in pain and noticeable and measurable improvements in tissue texture suppleness, and increased range of motion from the application of repeated therapeutic massage treatments for a range of surgery patients. The clients which have benefited from these treatments include shoulder rotator-cuff surgeries, breast reconstruction post-mastectomy, knee re-construction, hip replacement, and bi-femoral bypass affecting the groin and abdominal regions.

I would like to emphasize the importance to our post-surgery patients in reducing their post-surgery trauma, pain, and assist in improving the mobility and flexibility of tissue and joints through the use of regular therapeutic massage treatments.
I am disappointed and angry when my patients tell me that their surgeons and physicians tell them that there is no benefit for them to receive massage therapy post-surgery. My patients comments are all the same:

"I was not told of the benefits of therapeutic massage treatments after my surgery".

Neuromuscular Therapy - Description and Benefits

If you've been checking out massage lately you may have come across the term "neuromuscular massage" or "neuromuscular therapy". You may be wondering what they are. Are they different? Are they types of massage? What are they good for, anyway?

The terms "neuromuscular massage" and "neuromuscular therapy" (also called NMT) tend to be used interchangeably. They refer to a style of bodywork that uses constant, focused pressure on a specific area. This pressure is applied for a period of time lasting up to 30 seconds and uses the fingertips, knuckles, elbow, or possibly a small tool called a t-bar. NMT is based on the following premise: Muscle spasm does not have to involve the entire muscle. There can be small areas of spasm that refer, or transfer, pain to another area. These areas are called trigger points because they trigger a pain reaction in a different spot from where the spasm is located.

When a muscle (or part of a muscle) spasms, the flow of blood to that area is cut off or severely decreased. Blood carries oxygen, so when blood can't flow to an area, oxygen can't get there either. This lack of oxygen results in a buildup of lactic acid (the same chemical that causes the "burn" that people who work out sometimes feel), which itself causes muscles soreness. The trouble is, soreness and pain can cause even more spasm and therefore less blood flow, less oxygenation and even more lactic acid buildup. It can turn into a vicious cycle which is very hard to break.

Also, spasm can put pressure on nerves running through the area, which can cause symptoms of nervous involvement, like numbness or tingling, as well as pain. And because nerves transmit impulses along their entire route, these symptoms can be felt fairly far away from the source of the trouble.

What the NMT practitioner does is apply continuous pressure to the trigger point for a fairly long period of time, until they determine through their own touch and feedback from the client that the spasm has released. While they are putting pressure on the area no blood can get through anyway, but when they release the pressure the blood will flow back in, providing the area with needed oxygen and helping it heal. Sometimes the effects are immediate and the client feels the pain resolve right away; at other times it may take up to a day or two for the residual soreness to subside.

Obviously this can be a very intense technique; it is meant to be used for serious pain. If a client has a lot of trigger points it can take more than one session to treat them all. Even without the actual trigger point work itself, it can take time to locate the source of the pain (remember, the trigger points are located somewhere other than where the pain is felt). Also, the practitioner will probably use lighter work like Swedish massage to "warm up" the tissue before the trigger point work and to promote general relaxation afterward.

NMT can be used for the following conditions, as well as many others: - low back pain and stiffness - neck pain and stiffness - headaches - repetitive motion injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome and temporomandibular joint syndrome - athletic injuries - problems with numbness and tingling in the extremities (arms, legs, hands, or feet)

Of course the primary effect of NMT - and the desired one - is pain relief. But other effects include improved flexibility and range of motion, better posture, more balanced muscle tone and increased energy.

So if you have problems with chronic pain or other symptoms that might be coming from muscle spasm, but other forms of massage have not helped much, you might want to consider neuromuscular therapy. Its intensity can be worth it.

Massage Therapy Courses in Ontario

The only way to legally practice massage therapy in the province of Ontario is to become a RMT (Registered Massage Therapist). To do this one does what most do. That is head off to school! But unlike other medical professions, there are two separate routes that one can take when looking for massage therapy courses in Ontario, although both will ultimately take you were you want to go.

The first path is to attend a governmentally funded Ontario College. This would be your typical college, such as a Humber College. Courses are broken into two distinct styles, with the first being a two-year accelerated course load that includes classes in the summer and the second being a regular duration three year course. Since these colleges are registered with the government they are OSAP (Ontario Student Assistance Program) eligible. Currently there are only six english speaking colleges (Algonquin, Centennial, Fleming, Georgian, Humber & Lambton) and one french language (College Boreal) within the province that offer massage therapy as a course.

The second path to becoming an RMT is to visit a private school that is recognized by the CMTO (College of Massage Therapists of Ontario). These schools also offer two and three year courses. An example of these schools would be the Devry Institute (now Everest College) & Trillium College. Many of these schools however are not OSAP eligible, so funding can become an issue for students.

Upon courses completion at either of these two types of colleges you will be allowed to take the CMTO massage therapy test in Toronto. Upon successful completion of this test you will then become a full fledged Registered Massage Therapist.

Before choosing a massage therapy school in Ontario you will need to way your overall needs. These can include but are not limited to financing, course length and school location.

Training For Massage Therapy

Many physicians have recommended people to try massage therapy for many years which just happens to be nearly 2,400 years. The medical benefits of "friction" were first noted by a Greek physician by the name Hippocrates. In this day and age, massage therapy is being used for various ways such as tending to painful ailments, decompressing tired and overworked muscles, reducing stress, rehabilitating sports injuries, and promoting general health. Massage therapists accomplish these tasks by massaging a client's soft tissues so that they can improve the body's blood circulation and remove waste products from the muscles.

There are over 1,700 massage therapy post secondary schools, college programs, and training programs throughout North America. Massage therapy programs cover a wide variety of subjects which generally range from subjects such as anatomy, physiology, the study of organs and tissues, kinesiology the study of motion and body mechanics, business, ethics and they also get the opportunity to have hands-on practice and try out their massage techniques.

The majority of programs require an application and sometimes you are required to go in for an in-person interview. Several programs give the students great opportunities by providing them with services like post-graduate job placement and continuing educational services. You also have the chance to choose between either going through a full time or part-time program.

Once they have completed their training program, massage therapists have the option of taking the national certification examination for therapeutic massage and bodywork. What is done is an exam that is administered by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork which by the way has its own personal eligibility requirements.

This exam covers six different areas for general knowledge of the body systems. It also covers detailed knowledge of anatomy, physiology and kinesiology, pathology, therapeutic massage assessment, therapeutic massage application, professional standards, ethics, business and legal practices. Because of the nature of massage therapy, placement is limited and those who have their own personal business tend to have the highest salaries.

What's The Difference Between Swedish Massage And Deep Tissue Massage?

A massage is not just a luxury! Whither you choose a Swedish massage or a deep tissue massage, you will discover many health benefits.

A Swedish massage can be defined by the type of strokes the massage therapist uses. With the aid of oils and lotions, a long sliding stroke is made over the body. By adjusting the pressures between light and firm sliding stroke, the massage therapist can create very different sensations. Another stroke type is a slow and rhythmical kneading movement. It will also coordinate the massaging strokes with gentle stretching and bending of the joints.

Among the many benefits of it is improved blood circulation. This means your body is better able to transfer nutrients and oxygen to all areas in your body. In addition, drains toxins from your body. This is particularly beneficial for the lymphatic system because it is better fulfill its function of destroying pathogens, removing waste and delivering nutrients throughout your body.

The risks associated with it are low making it appropriate for most everyone. If you have any cardiovascular problems however, be sure to talk to your massage therapist and medical doctor about any risks associated with. Otherwise, it is gentle enough for everyone including prenatal massage as well as geriatric massage.

On the other hand, a deep tissue massage presses into the deepest layers of the muscles. The massage therapist will apply greater pressure in a deep tissue massage in order to achieve beneficial change to the muscle fibers and organs. Unlike the Swedish massage, no special oils are used which enable the massage therapist to better take hold of and elongate the muscles.

As it goes deeper into the muscles, your flexibility will increase. Routine stretching between massages will further increase this benefit. It can also help repair muscle damage caused by poor posture, repetitive movements or sports injury.

There are a few disadvantages of a deep tissue massage. Because the massage therapist is applying more pressure, bruising is a possibility. The increased pressure may also be uncomfortable for some individuals. While a Swedish massage can help control blood sugar levels, a deep tissue massage can possibly lower blood sugar level. For this reason, diabetic patients are urged to regularly monitor their blood sugar levels.

A deep tissue massage is a great choice for athletes who engage in lengthy workouts. If you job requires strenuous or repeated movements, a deep tissue massage will offer you several benefits as well. Even if your job has you in a chair all day, it also can help alleviate bad posture pain. In fact, anyone with chronic pain or injury can find relief.

It is good to consider the differences when deciding which massage is best for you. A Swedish massage will offer a general relaxing while the deep tissue massage will give the muscles a workout to relieve pain or injury. While there may be a price difference between to two styles, the one you choose should the massage which will offer the best benefits for your body and your health.