Ankylosing Spondylitis: Managing Muscle Pain with Massage Therapy

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a type of arthritis. It is a chronic and progressive inflammatory disease of the joints and cartilages of the spine. Where AS differs from spinal arthritis is that it typically targets the tissues between the vertebrae in the spine, and the joints where the pelvis meets the spine. The condition is characterized by pain and stiffness in the lower back and hips, which is most noticeable in the morning or following periods of inactivity. Inflammation can also occur in other parts of the body, including the shoulders and pelvic region, and affecting joints, tendons and ligaments. AS can even affect the eyes, resulting in pain, sensitivity to light, and blurred vision. AS can also cause problems with the aorta, which is the largest artery in the body. The inflamed aorta can enlarge to where its function may become compromised.

AS affects men more often than women. Signs and symptoms of AS (including tiredness and fatigue, loss of appetite and weight loss) typically begin in early adulthood, between the ages of 20 and 30 years. While AS has no known specific cause, there is a strong genetic or family link.

Medications may be prescribed that can relieve the pain and stiffness. However, drugs can also run the risk of causing gastrointestinal bleeding. Surgery is rarely a treatment option unless there is severe pain or advanced joint damage that may require hip or knee replacement.

For AS sufferers seeking a natural alternative treatment, massage has proven effective in relieving muscle pain and stiffness, reducing neck and back aches caused by the disease. Massage increases blood flow, reduces muscle and bone tension, and increases endorphin levels that help in reducing pain. Massage is also effective in eliminating the stress that may be associated with the disease. Most people have reported the best results from soft tissue massages. However, it is important to note that some people with AS may not tolerate massages well as not everyone experiences the same severity of symptoms, and for some even the lightest touch can be painful. It is important for a person with AS to pay close attention to their body and keep aware of any negative effects. If experiencing any sort of pain or discomfort during the treatment, this should be discussed with the massage therapist.

The benefits of massage vary from person to person - even at times for the same person. Some will experience less pain and improved mobility after one massage treatment. Others, however, may need several treatments before noticing a difference. This may also depend on how long one has had AS and how far it has progressed. If the condition has progressed to the later stages, the pain may decrease but stiffness and immobility might increase.

Academy Massage offers therapies to assist in reducing the painful and even debilitating symptoms of AS, administered by a trained and qualified massage therapist. While as yet there is no cure for AS, the proper treatment program can help one lead a more normal and productive life.

Celebrate Grad 2016 with a Massage!

With high school or college graduation fast approaching, you might be scratching your head trying to decide what would make the ideal gift for your son, daughter, niece or nephew, grandchild,  or simply that special student who has successfully "made the grade."

Academy Massage would like to suggest a gift sure to be valued and appreciated by the student who has worked long and hard to achieve this moment of educational fulfillment: An Academy Massage Gift Card.

With the stress of cramming for finals finally over, a relaxing and invigorating massage provides the perfect remedy for releasing tension and easing muscle strain brought on by poor posture from hours sitting focused at the computer, hunched over text books or writing last-minute papers, as well as likely causing many a restless or sleepless night.  At Academy Massage our registered massage specialists are trained and skilled in providing the proper technique to make each visit to our center both a satisfying and memorable experience. We offer a variety of therapies and can customize the massage to suit each individual need. As well, we offer products that also make great personal gifts to show you care, including our lotions and oils, aroma therapy, hot/cold pads and bath soaks.

Gift cards are easy to obtain and are affordable, available both in $50 and $100 denominations and can be paid online through debit, credit card or PayPal.

And to all the 2016 graduates we offer hearty congratulations!

Massage and Positive Body Image

The sad truth today is that many people possess a poor self image. Striving toward perfection seems to be the norm, inspired by the media and its fascination with celebrity and today's "in" look. Quick weight reduction techniques and radical plastic surgery seems to be favored methods for achieving one's ideal appearance goals. Yet not only are these costly procedures, often they still do not achieve one's desires and can even result in irreparable damage, both physically and psychologically. While most everyone wants to look his or her best, there is a deeper component that must be addressed.

Body image is our psychological representation of our physical self. Poor self image is one of a number of symptoms associated with mental health issues. This can lead to a variety of problems such as anxiety, depression, anorexia and bulimia. Negative thoughts can grow to a point where one chooses isolation over social interaction, resulting in a pattern of self-harming behavior - and even thoughts of suicide.

Massage has been recognized as a therapeutic tool to help people become more relaxed and feel better about themselves. Massage therapy by a skilled therapist can help one become relaxed into accepting and being aware of our body shape, releasing whatever negative feelings we may have toward it. As well, massage can build a nurturing and supportive connection with our body. Massage increases circulation, helping to improve skin condition, as well as toning and strengthening muscles. The relaxation of massage will help ease tensions from your body and gradually your self-esteem will improve, releasing a healthy new perception and appreciation of who you are.

Academy Massage invites you to visit our office and discover all that there is to feel good about - yourself.

Massage and Respiratory Issues

You likely have discovered through our monthly blog postings the many positive benefits one can receive through regular massage treatments. Massage has been proven effective in relieving both physical and emotional discomforts, ranging from soothing aching and injured muscles to alleviating stress and tension. But another benefit of therapeutic massage is how it can work to de-stress the respiratory system. This is particularly important at this time of year as many people are prone to develop springtime allergies. But other more serious existing conditions such as asthma, bronchitis and emphysema might be further aggravated by allergens, pollutants and, of course, smoking. The symptoms range from shortness of breath to chest pains and often can be disabling. Massage can help lessen the severity of these problems by deepening and stabilizing your breathing patterns. Massage therapy also helps relieve the buildup of congestion in your lungs; helps to increase your heart action, which stimulates the blood flow both to and from your heart, thereby encouraging the flushing of waste. Massage fosters the absorption of oxygen. In this regard, with regular massage treatments, people have reported a decrease in their asthma symptoms, as well as overall less difficulty breathing.

To achieve the proper benefits that massage can have on your respiratory system, the therapist will focus on the muscles around your torso, including the diaphragm (which is your primary respiratory muscle) and the intercostal muscles (between the ribs). This therapy impacts the respiratory system by increasing pulmonary functions, permitting an ease of breathing through the loosening of tight respiratory muscles. This freedom from constriction allows the lungs to expand and contract without inhibition. The ability to inhale and exhale will not be restricted, thus enabling the intake of oxygen to enter without distress and likewise permit the easier removal of carbon dioxide.

A relaxed respiratory system slows the number of breaths you take per minute. If your respiratory muscles aren't constricted, your lung capacity will increase, allowing you to inhale longer and deeper breaths rather than the shallow breaths associated with various respiratory ailments. As well, as more oxygen is introduced into the bloodstream, your body's circulation is improved. For those who complain of non-allergy shortness of breath (known as dyspnea), regular massage can help increase the intake of oxygen and help to prevent further episodes from occurring.

Today many people suffer from asthma or other respiratory ailments (which has become especially prevalent in children). Regular massage offers a therapy that lessens the dependency on inhalers and asthma medications.  Specific massage techniques increase fluid discharge by loosening the congestion of mucus and phlegm from the lungs and bronchial tubes when particular tapping or tapotement techniques are performed on the back. However, such a procedure should be recommended by a physician and performed by a trained therapist who has knowledge of your medical history.

At Academy Massage, our licensed therapists will work with you to complete a detailed evaluation that ensures the treatment prescribed is what is best suited for you.

Get Ready to Spring into Spring!

Another Winnipeg winter has come and gone and we've finally moved into our anticipated Spring season. Once again we can enjoy the outdoors and reacquaint ourselves with activities no longer restricted by snow and frigid temperatures.

With many people, physical activity slows or even becomes dormant during the winter months. Eager to get the jump into Spring, we often move too quickly into an outdoor exercise regime and, ultimately, suffer the consequences, with sprained muscles and aching joints. While it is important to make physical activity a part of our everyday routine, it is prudent to start off slow and work up toward our exercise goal gradually. Simple, non-strenuous exercises are the best bet, such as maybe getting started with a brisk walk. If a more active exercise is your preference, biking is a good way to strengthen muscle tone as is swimming and even water aerobics. Even household chores such as gardening or puttering around the yard provide physical advantages, as does simply climbing the stairs.

Exercise and physical activity benefit every area of your life. Besides improving strength and fitness, it can help manage and prevent diseases including diabetes, heart disease, and even various cancers. It has also been shown to combat stress and feelings of depression and, in fact, heighten your feeling of well-being.

Academy Massage invites you to book an appointment with one of our qualified and licensed therapists to tone up and re-invigorate your muscles so that you can start getting fit for the fun days of Spring.