Massage for Respiratory Health

image courtesy of http://join.deathtothestockphoto.com/

"Life is in the breath. He who half breathes half lives."

                                                 - Ancient Proverb

It is not uncommon for people to experience a shortness of breath after engaging in sports or a long-distance marathon run or some other vigorous activity where lung power is put to the test. But more distressing respiratory problems arise from conditions such as allergies, sinus problems, asthma (seasonal or otherwise), even colds. Antihistamines or inhalers have been effective in halting or preventing these breathing problems, dependent on their severity. Yet a staggering statistic reports that over 714,000 Canadians suffer from a not-so-simply-medicinally-controlled malady known as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (or COPD), which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis. COPD is a long-term, progressive lung disease most often caused by smoking, yet other - some undetermined causes - may come into play. When one's breathing (which most healthy individuals take for granted since it is a normal physical action) is compromised it can be a frightening occurrence, leading to distress and in severe cases usually calls for prompt medical attention. Simple daily activities may become more difficult over time and one's quality of life can be adversely affected.

Alternative treatments are frequently sought by those who suffer from respiratory ailments, and massage therapy has become a popular option for the many benefits it provides. In fact, research has shown the effectiveness massage can have on improving respiratory function.

At Academy Massage, our licensed therapists are trained in the proper procedure to help our clients breathe easier.

Our massage techniques impact the respiratory system by increasing pulmonary function. By loosening and relaxing tight upper body respiratory muscles this allows the lungs to expand and contract without restriction thus improving breathing capacity. In addition, our therapeutic massage has been shown to improve posture, which is important as it helps to open the chest area, so that the breathing rate slows and becomes deep and regular. Relaxed respiratory muscles contribute to a lower respiratory rate. If muscles are not constricted, lung capacity will increase, leading to the inhaling of longer and deeper breaths rather than short and shallow breathing. Another effective benefit of regular therapeutic massage on the respiratory system is the decrease in asthma attacks; in fact, those who follow a routine often find they are less dependent on their inhalers or asthma medications.

Our massage therapies will also assist in promoting the discharge of fluids from the lungs by loosening phlegm buildups. This is achieved by practiced tapping or tapotement techniques performed on the back. Since this is a delicate and precise procedure where other medical or physical conditions may be involved, at Academy Massage our trained therapists are knowledgeable in working with these areas and who will discuss with you the treatment prior to you beginning specialized therapy.

To receive optimum benefit on the respiratory system, the muscles around the torso must be massaged. This can be a sensitive procedure particularly for female patients; however, our therapists at Academy Massage are trained in the proper techniques to avoid embarrassing exposure and willing to discuss any  issues or concerns with you before the massage.

If you suffer from breathing difficulties ranging from the uncomfortable to severe, we welcome you to come discuss the alternative treatment option available at Academy Massage. 

Tennis Elbow and the Benefits of Massage Therapy

The most troubling aspect of tennis elbow is that in many cases symptoms do not present themselves immediately; instead the pain gradually increases in severity over about two weeks. Pain or tenderness at the elbow is most often the result of an injury to the tendons and muscles. "Tennis elbow" is a generic term; also called lateral epicondylitis or elbow tendonitis, the affliction can result from a variety of different activities, most commonly affecting those who do heavy lifting or any other action where constant and continuous strain is put on the wrist, hand or forearm. At Academy Massage we employ therapies that have proven effective in both lessening the pain and restoring flexibility in the elbow and arm. Our specialized treatment has yielded excellent results as we use a combination of deep massage to the forearm muscles to stimulate circulation along with friction therapy to the tendon, which diminishes adhesive scar treatment.

At Academy Massage we recommend early treatment for the first signs of elbow soreness or stiffness as our therapy will not only ease the pain but also help prevent the development of further damage to the tendon. 

Music and Massage Therapy

"Music has charms to soothe a savage breast," so wrote English playwright and poet William Congreve.

But music possesses not just charms, it also has healing properties. Used in conjunction with massage therapy, music can aid in soothing aching muscles and other physical and even psychological discomforts. Music massage therapy is based on the belief that if a person is in harmony with his body then he will be able to stimulate the healing process. One of the primary and immediate benefits of combining music with massage is the relaxation it provides. Tension is eased as one's mood calms. Music therapy is believed to promote rhythmic breathing, thereby increasing relaxation and alleviating stress and anxiety.

Other significant and often immediate results include enhanced mental clarity, improved emotional stability and increased energy. A person may also experience improved sleeping patterns, increased optimism and creativity, and better concentration. Of course the music must be conducive to the total experience for maximum effectiveness, and this is precisely what you will discover during your music and massage therapy treatment at Academy Massage. 

Our trained professionals understand that music has a profound effect on the physical and psychological components of a person's well-being. Music can enhance the healing process and restore harmony and balance to a discordant body. This combined therapy has been shown to stimulate immediate positive effects on the brain which assist in long-term physical effects on a person's body, helping in the management of chronic pain. In addition, the benefits of music can extend beyond the length of the session as the body retains cellular memory. Our therapists often recommend that clients utilize music in between treatments, thus enabling the body to remember the relaxing and therapeutic effects of the massage. The type of music may vary among individuals, but is intended to create the proper ambience. Generally, for relaxation and a release of stress, soothing music such as gentle instrumentals like the harp, guitar, piano, violin or flute can be played. As the background does not necessarily have to be restricted to music, nature sounds such as ocean sounds, waterfalls, forest calls and the gentle chirping of birds may also be substituted. Still, in other instances, if a client has a less sedate preference or is anticipating an active schedule following treatment, a more stimulating musical selection might be in order.

Music and massage therapy has also been successful in treating anxiety, stress, and depression and can even reduce heart rate, respiratory rate and high blood pressure. Other physical problems such as headaches, tinnitus and arthritis pain have shown noticeable improvement following this combined treatment. It has even been shown to boost immunity, which, with the winter season fast approaching is an important consideration to help ward off colds and viruses.

Here at Academy Massage we recognize that music has a long and successful history of aiding in the healing and overall wellness of a person and have integrated music into our massage therapy programs to provide a total healing experience for our valued clients. 

Depression & Anxiety: The Benefits of Massage Therapy

Anxiety and depression are two of the most common mental health concerns facing society. Both share similarities with one of the main differences being that a depressed person generally experiences low energy while anxiety produces high energy. Depression brings on  feelings of sadness, hopelessness and despair. A person loses enthusiasm for activities that normally would bring him or her pleasure, and often feels overwhelmed by simple day-to-day tasks and even in maintaining relationships. Symptoms may range from sleep disorders to thoughts of death or suicide. Statistics report that 1 in 5 women and 1 in 10 men will suffer from depression at some point in their life. Almost 1.5 million Canadians fall victim to serious bouts of depression at any given time.

People may become depressed for a variety of reasons. While it frequently is related to a chemical imbalance in the brain, depression can also be seasonal (the winter blues) or situational: a life trauma one might experience, such as losing a job, domestic disturbances, or dealing with the death of a friend or loved one.

A person troubled with anxiety, on the other hand, experiences fear, panic or anxiousness in situations which normally would not warrant such a response, such as a simple trip to the corner store. The sufferer may experience sudden panic or anxiety attacks without any specific trigger and often lives in a state of constant fear or anxiousness. Extreme nervousness, rapid heartbeat and sweating are the most common symptoms.

Many people experience periods of anxiety as a reaction to stress and as such should not cause undue alarm. However, when episodes of anxiety become frequent, intense, and debilitating, leading to disruptions in one's lifestyle, where it becomes difficult even to leave one's home, it usually is classified as an anxiety disorder.

Psychological counselling and medications are most often prescribed for severe episodes, but alternative procedures have also been shown to provide excellent results.

Massage therapy has become recognized as an effective treatment for people suffering from mood disorders. Besides alleviating physical discomforts associated with depression and acute anxiety, massage also aids in combating symptoms of fatigue and assists in promoting sleep.

The professionals at Academy Massage are qualified to provide a program to a person coping with depression or anxiety to keep their body healthy as well as to help encourage and maintain an emotional balance. Academy's massage therapists are skilled and practiced in techniques that can help a person overcome those feelings of despair or panic. One of the benefits of massage therapy is its ability to enhance feelings of well-being. This is because massage releases both serotonin and endorphins that, working in conjunction, produce a calming and stabilizing effect, releasing tension and promoting relaxation.

However, Academy Massage strongly recommends if you are severely depressed or are having thoughts of suicide that you seek professional help prior to beginning massage treatments. For those who have situational depression or are dealing with stress and anxiety, massage therapy can be the proper treatment to keep your body and your mind at ease.

Neck Pain and Massage Therapy

Neck pain is one of the most common yet in some cases one of the most debilitating ailments affecting a large segment of the population. The soreness may be located in the neck, the upper back, the side of the face, the chest, shoulder, arm, and may radiate down to the hand.  A person suffering from chronic neck pain may find his or her quality of daily life compromised if the problem is not addressed and properly treated. While everyone experiences the occasional stiff neck associated with something so basic as poor head-to-pillow positioning and generally while the stiffness and/or soreness will subside, there are situations when the problem might be more severe, with symptoms ranging from tenderness to a muscle tightness to extreme pain resulting from even the simplest movement of the head. In addition, the sufferer may experience headaches (including migraines), jaw pain or muscle spasms. The muscles of the neck, extending from the base of the skull to the upper shoulders, are known as the scalene muscle group and are a complex and delicate network vulnerable to injury and disease. There can be many causes for neck pain, ranging from trauma (including whiplash) to poor posture, stress or osteoporosis. Even everyday simple repetitive activities such as overuse at the computer or excessive sitting can put undo strain on the muscles of the neck. The good news is that massage therapy can help by not only reducing the pain but has also been shown to also prevent a recurrence of the problem.

While a person suffering from acute neck pain is likely to consult a physician, the usual prescription is to treat the problem with anti-inflammatory or pain medications. (In extreme cases surgery may be recommended). While effective on a temporary basis to relieve the pain and discomfort, pills merely alleviate the symptoms without addressing the underlying cause and therefore medication is not necessarily the best option for dealing with persistent pain. Academy Massage offers a drug-free alternative that focuses on the inflamed or irritated trigger points, or muscle knots, most often associated with neck pain.

Because of the delicacy and complexity of this nerve system, only a qualified therapist should be permitted to manipulate these trigger points. Academy Massage's licensed practitioners are trained in the correct procedures to offer the safest, most effective and long-lasting treatment for neck pain. Employing varying massage techniques our therapists pinpoint the location of the trouble spot to directly treat the discomfort. Massage therapy decreases pain and increases range of motion in the neck and shoulders by lengthening and softening muscles that have spasms. Releasing spasms in the muscles eases pressure on nerves in the neck and shoulders along with balancing the muscle. In addition, a properly performed neck massage will not only help to relax the muscles but also increases the circulation of blood to the upper back, increasing oxygen and nutrient flow and thereby providing a natural cure for pain.

Academy Massage recommends that if you suffer from neck pain you should get a massage on a regular basis. This will help keep the neck muscles loose and minimize the chance of a future injury.

There is no reason why your active lifestyle should be halted by a pain in the neck!