Friday, April 28, 2017

What Massage Can Reveal About Your Digestive Health

Do you often have issues with your digestive health? Were you aware that regular massages can help with common digestive problems? If you go in for regular abdominal massages, you are far less likely to struggle with issues that may otherwise impede your quality of life. Here are a few of the things that abdominal massages can do to help with digestive issues.

Abdominal Massages Can Decrease Stress-Related Digestive Problems

Stress is one of the biggest culprits of digestive problems that plague people. It can cause you to have a knot-like feeling in your stomach, increase bloating, and leave you suffering from either diarrhea or constipation. One way that you can decrease these issues is by having regular massages done gently on your abdomen. If you get the parasympathetic nervous system massaged, it can not only reduce the effects of anxiety and stress in your stomach, but it can actually help your entire body feel better.

You Can Improve Your Digestion with Abdominal Massage

When you are still in bed in the morning, or once you have gone to lie down at night, you can do simple abdominal massages that can help you improve the digestion of your food. This can help you get more nutrients out of the foods you eat and break those foods more thoroughly. This can increase your overall nutrition, and leave you feeling better after you eat. Simple clockwise circles massaged over your stomach is all you need to start feeling better.

Your Body’s Health Can Improve with Regular Massage

Just like with a traditional massage, you get increased blood flow to the massaged area, in this case, your abdomen. This blood flow brings increased oxygen to the area, which can improve the health and function of your internal organs. If you want to get feeling better and help your organs function on a higher level, then regular abdominal massages may be the perfect answer.

Abdominal Massage Can Reduce Pain All Over Your Body

Most people believe that the only area that gets a benefit when you get a massage is the original area touched. However, that is inaccurate. Your entire body can reap the benefits of a massage, no matter where on your body it may be. If you get regular abdominal massages, you are likely going to notice that your body is less sore and tight. When you gently massage the abdomen, on top of the digestive benefits listed, you also get the benefit of reduced spasticity in your thorax, lumbar, abdominal, and gluteal muscles that are tight.

Would you like improved digestion, less pain, and increased nutrition from a simple massage you can easily fit into your weekly schedule? Then call the professionals here at Academy Massage. We can help you feel better in many facets of your life, plus leave you in better overall health. The power of touch can improve your life in many ways. Reach out to us and find out more today!

Friday, April 21, 2017

5 Questions Every Massage Therapist Should be Able to Answer

5 Questions Every Massage Therapist Should be Able to Answer - Academy Massage Therapy - Winnipeg Massage Therapist
Our massage therapists get asked a wide range of questions every day.  Most of them are answered on our frequently asked questions page.  We polled the massage therapists in our office and narrowed the list down to the top 5 questions every massage therapist should be able to answer.
  1. “When should I book your next massage?”
    • This one varies by patient.  If you’re stiff or sore or are using massage to help treat an injury, we recommend weekly visits at a minimum.  If you are coming in for a massage to relax and dedicate some time to yourself, you could go longer between sessions.  However, we could all use some “me” time, and a weekly massage is an excellent way to practice some self-care. 
  2. “Why did I feel sore the next day; is that normal?”
    • During the massage, your therapist will work with different muscle groups.  Similar to when you workout, but in a different setting and at a much lower intensity.  It is quite common to feel sore the next day.  If the feeling persists for several days, please call and speak to your massage therapist about what you are experiencing. 
  3. “How do I stretch *this* muscle?”
    • It depends on the muscle.  Feel free to ask your Academy Massage therapist if you have a particular muscle or muscle group that you just can’t seem to get stretched.  We are happy to give you some pointers! 
  4. “What is a ‘knot’?”
    • A muscle knot is a common term for a trigger point; they are most commonly found in the back and neck area.  Basically, a knot is a spot in the muscle that has tensed up or began to spasm involuntarily. 
  5. “Why do I need to drink water after my massage?”
    • Two reasons.  First, a massage will dehydrate you.  Your therapists work on your muscles causes fluid to pump out of the muscle tissue and into your circulatory system, moving towards your kidneys.  That is why you will often need to use the washroom after a massage.  Secondly, as your muscles relax they begin to release metabolic waste (substances leftover from metabolic processes, a fancy term for toxins) into your system.  As your circulation improves as a result of the massage, these toxins need to be flushed out of your system.
Bonus Question - “Is it okay if I have a drink before my massage?”
    • Alcohol before a massage is not recommended; massage can increase the effects of alcohol in your system.  As mentioned in answer 5, massage promotes circulation and flushes toxins out of your body.  As delicious as that glass of pinot grigio is (or your drink of choice), it is considered by your body primarily as a toxin.    
What other questions do you have about massage?  We want to hear them!  Comment on this post below, or tag us in your posts on FacebookTwitter, and Instagram.