Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Finding the Keys to your Body

Finding the Keys to your Body

And yet is is possible for you to find the keys to your body again.....
and to find your proper vitality,health and autonomy.
Therese Berterat

 Take a moment or two to check in with your body right now. Is your neck is so tight that you have a hard time turning it left or right in fact sometimes you twist your whole upper body just to see. 
The shoulders are pulled up around ears, your back never stops aching or what about old recurring injuries from your youthful days of sports and lets not forget possible old car accidents.
 As a massage therapist of 16 years and having worked on literally thousands of bodies I know the relief outcome massage can bring.
I can't tell you the many times I've asked ,"So when was the last you had a massage?" and the answer most often is,"Oh! about a year ago!" 
Why? Is it because we just don't want to take the time to be good to our bodies or gee just let me take a pain medication and it'll go away. 
Wrong! How about considering working with it in a cooperative way.

First, we have to acknowledge that the body has constriction or its has restricted movement  something is definitely out of balance. 
I often use the analogy of telephone pole that is held in place with guy wires. 
Now just for a second imagine if one side of the guy wires is slack what would happen. The pole would start to lean towards that side and the wires on the other side would start to pull out of ground. Right.
 Well that's what happens to our bodies. One side of spine or the body usually the back the muscles are overworked stretched long and the other side is contracted short pulling our posture forward and totally out of alignment. 
 After a while our poor bodies become so distorted we are in chronic pain constantly.
There are many causes that create this unfortunate circumstance. 
But that's a story for another time.
Today we are just going to explore  basic massage modality, Swedish massage .
Massage therapy modalities are as diverse in nature as leaves on a tree; and subsequently, quite effective in helping to naturally heal common and chronic health conditions.  
The rest of this discussion will focus one of the more common massage therapy modalities, specific strokes and general health benefits.
I'll keep it short and easy to read.
Most of the techniques we use as therapist are the same  5 basic stokes. 
Effleurage which is simply long, flowing strokes  gliding up or down the body
 Used to apply the lubricant or to warm up the muscle tissue,  
it's very gently and soothing yet preparing the tissue for deeper pressure.
Petrissage is kneading ,squeezing,pressing or rolling the muscle tissue. 
It's more vigorous, deeper and it will decongest the muscles. 
A deeper stroke that will loosen stiff muscles and relief soreness.
Tapotement is a series of percussive,rythmic movements.  
 Used only for a few seconds to stimulate.
Friction or rubbing frees muscles from adhesions and scar tissue.
It helps to broaden the underlying muscle tissue.
Vibration is rapidly shaking to stimulate nerves and release tight muscles. 


These all can be used for either light or used for deeper work depending on the need of the body.
Also, different tools can be used besides the hand such as forearms, closed or relaxed fists, elbows.
Most other  modalities stem from these basic techniques.