Massage News - Articles of Interest
 Have you heard of a Myofascial Release? If you haven’t, you are missing peak body performance! Underneath the surface of your skin is the fascial system. This system plays a vital part in our movement and overall well-being. When this system becomes tight or damaged, it can lead to pain, stiffness, and dysfunction. Yep - the pain you have been experiencing is due to a restricted fascial system! Myofascial Release is the massage that can take this pain away. What Is Myofascial Release Anyways? While we offer it at Living Touch, it is different from traditional massage techniques. Instead of kneading and rubbing muscles, you have to directly target the fascia itself. To do this, it is a gentle yet steady pressure applied to the areas of tightness/restriction, which allows the tissue to release. During this process, the release works on the relationship between the muscles and the fascial around them. The fascial can harden due to physical or emotional trauma, inflammation, or repetitive strain, which then hardens and dehydrates. These restrictions can put a lot of pressure on sensitive areas like nerves, blood vessels, and muscles. Conventional medical diagnosis can miss typical symptoms of this occurring. A trained Myofascial Release therapist will be able to locate these restrictions by gently feeling for areas of tightness or immobility with their hands. Once a restriction is identified, the sustained pressure is applied in the direction of the restriction. This allows for the viscous ground substance within the fascia to become fluid, which reorganizes and lengthens. The amount of time pressure is applied varies, as it depends on how long it takes for the tissue to naturally unwind and release. So What Are The Benefits? Prepare to be amazed. Not only will you get pain relief in that area, but your entire body will thank you!
What To Do Next: Book your myofascial release with Living Touch! It is safe for people of all ages and conditions, as it is a gentle pressure. If you feel like you have tried “everything” but myofascial release, it is time to give this a try! Restore your body’s natural function with this holistic technique.
In the world of massage, there can be a lot of misinformation and myths that spread. From what the best type of massage is to whether it is actually damaging to the body, it’s time for these myths to be debunked! These misconceptions can prevent people from experiencing the true benefits of massage therapy, or even worse, lead them to make harmful decisions about their health. By understanding the truth about massage, you can unlock its potential to reduce stress, relieve pain, and improve overall well-being.  Myth 1: Massages Are Only For Relaxation.
Starting out with a simple, and more obvious, one. No, massages are not only for relaxation. There are many different forms of massage that are for pain relief, restoration, and more - not just to relax. Although, a nice relaxing massage is just what the body needs! The two main goals of a massage are to feel relief from pain and to feel relaxation. Myth 2: An Effective Massage Has To Be Painful. Massages can provide discomfort, but they do not have to be (and should not be overly painful). We don’t want your body to be in pain. Some massage types can lead to more discomfort than others, but communicate with your therapist your comfort levels so that you can get the most out of your massage. Remember, the main goals of massage are to feel relief from pain and to feel relaxation. Being in pain does not achieve either of these goals. Myth 3: You Can’t Interrupt a Therapist During a Session. This is completely false. Please speak up if you are uncomfortable or in overwhelming pain, or want more pressure! We want to know, and we can make adjustments accordingly to your body’s needs. Your comfort and satisfaction is key for a massage to have optimal benefits. Also, don’t feel obligated to stay quiet - if you want to chat or ask questions, go for it. You won’t offend us either way! Myth 4: Massage Therapy Only Affects the Muscles. False, false, false! There are so many different aspects of massages that affect more than just the muscles. For one, it stimulates the lymphatic system and enhances flow. It also improves blood circulation, improves range of motion, improves mood and energy, improves the immune system, and reduces stress and anxiety. Myth 5: Massage is a Scam. Self-care should never be a scam. Taking care of your body, mentally and physically, is important and should be a priority. There are aspects to massage that some may not care for, like spa-treatments, while others may love them. It is all about what works for you! There are real benefits to massage, and at Living Touch Massage, we provide those benefits to you. Myth 6: Getting a Massage While Pregnant is Dangerous. There are so many benefits to getting a massage while pregnant! To name a few: reduces stress, relieves pain, promotes better quality of sleep, and alleviates swelling. Prenatal massages are actually one of our specialities. We have specially designed pregnancy cushions so that expecting mothers can lie face down. We recommend getting approval from your doctor before your prenatal massage, especially during early pregnancy. Did any of these debunked myths shock you? It is important to do your own research on topics regarding your health and self-care, and we encourage you to take initiative in those aspects. Massage is a wonderful way to take care of yourself and allow yourself to heal, naturally. Allow us to take care of you. Contact us today to get your massage booked! Our phones are practically extensions of ourselves these days. But between texting, scrolling, and gaming, all that hunching and gripping can potentially damage our joints. Living Touch Massage Therapy recommends preventative care in order to maintain healthy joints. Here's where ergonomics comes in – it's the science of designing things to fit the human body, and it can be a game-changer for preventing joint pain from phone use. Think about how you hold your phone, one hand grips, while the other types, or maybe you use one hand to do it all. Either way, this repetitive motion can strain the muscles and tendons in your thumbs, wrists, and even elbows. Over time, this constant strain on our upper body can lead to conditions causing pain, numbness, and weakness. By incorporating a few simple ergonomic principles into your phone routine and posture, you can significantly reduce your risk of pain. Our bodies are amazing, but sometimes they need a break. Texting can be a real workout for your thumbs, especially with the constant tapping and swiping. Voice-to-text features offer a powerful alternative, allowing you to dictate your message instead of typing it out. To balance your body you can switch hands while texting or holding the phone to distribute the strain evenly. Posture is always important, sit up tall with your shoulders back and hold your phone at eye level. This reduces strain on your neck and upper back. Avoid gripping your phone tightly with your pinky finger. There are many phone cases you can find with built-in grippers to reduce strain on your fingers for a secure hold.  At Living Touch Massage Therapy, we see first-hand the impact of daily habits on our bodies. By consciously incorporating these ergonomic practices, you can transform your phone use from a pain-inducing activity to a comfortable and enjoyable one. Remember, prevention is key! Taking care of your upper body now will save you discomfort and allow you to keep using your phone without limitations.
However, if you're already experiencing discomfort as an existing client, schedule an appointment at Living Touch. Together, we can create a personalized plan to get you back to pain-free phone use. A healthy body leads to a happier you! |
