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.