Ankle injuries are defined by the kind of tissue — bone, ligament, or tendon — that’s damaged. The ankle is where three bones meet — the tibia and fibula from your leg and the talus from your foot. These are held together at the ankle joint by ligaments, which are elastic bands of connective tissue. These keep the bones in place while stretching to permit normal motion. There are also muscles and tendons that protect the ankle joint, do the work of making the foot move, and help hold the joint in place. The illustration below (left) shows the bone components of the ankle.  Next to it, an articulation of the muscles, ligaments and tendons.

Here are some of the more common injuries of the ankle and how to treat them in an acute phase:

ANKLE SPRAIN-  An ankle sprain is the most common injury to the ankle. Most people have “twisted” an ankle sometime in their life.  But if your ankle becomes swollen and painful after you twist it, you have most likely sprained it. Basically this means you have stretched and possibly torn the ligaments in your ankle.  Often times a sprained ankle is not that serious, but unfortunately the long term consequences is a common cause of chronic ankle pain.

The most common type is the Inversion Ankle Sprain, in which the ankle rolls outward and the foot turns inward.  When this occurs, the ligaments on the outside of the ankle stretch out and possibly will tear.  I have personally experienced this type of sprain.  A few years ago, during the holidays, I was snow-sledding at a park with some friends.  As I was sledding down one particular steep slope, I instinctually put one foot out to help slow my speed.  At the time, it seemed like a good idea, but I quickly realized it was not.  My foot did assist in slowing me down, but only by rolling under the sled.  This was a classic Inversion Ankle Sprain, and I believe it stretched out one or more lateral ankle ligaments.

There are 3 lateral ankle ligaments (illustrated below) called the Anterior Talo-Fibular Ligament, Posterior Talo-Fibular Ligament, and the Calcaneo-Fibular Ligament.

During the acute phase of an ankle sprain, I suggest using the RICE method to assist in healing the injury. REST, ICE, COMPRESSION, ELEVATION.  And the first 48 hours is a crucial time to use this treatment.  It can affect how chronic and painful the condition becomes later.  Once the swelling and pain has subsided, the ankle greatly benefits from specific injury massage treatments.

PLANTAR FASCIITIS-  Plantar Fasciitis is inflammation of the thick tissue on the bottom of the foot. This tissue is called the plantar fascia. It connects the heel bone to the toes and creates the arch of the foot. Plantar Fasciitis occurs when this thick band of tissue on the bottom of the foot is overstretched or overused. It is one of the most common orthopedic complaint. I usually see this dysfunction in those who are constantly on their feet, namely waitresses and athletes.  Plantar Fasciitis is also often a symptom of obesity.  This ailment can cause intense pain and/or stiffness in the feet, especially during the first few steps you take in the morning.  Swelling can occur, and usually worsens as the day goes by.  Most of my clients who suffer from Plantar Fasciitis see most of their swelling at night which forces them to stay off of their feet. Another very common symptom of Plantar Fasciitis is heel pain, caused by a tight Achilles Tendon, (the tendon that connects the calf muscles to the heel) Pictured below.

The best way to remedy your symptoms and heal the Plantar Fascia is, of course, rest.  The constant repetition of walking will only worsen the inflammation.  If you must be on your feet, try to rest as much as you can.  Ice is the next best treatment – twice a day for at least 15 minutes. Stretching your heels everyday and wearing shoes with good support are also helpful.

FRACTURE-  A fracture occurs when there is a break in one or more of the bones.  Generically, it is referred to as a broken ankle.  As mentioned before, the 3 bones (tibia, fibula, and talus) make up the bony elements of the ankle joint.  A crack or break to any of these bones is considered a fracture.  This type of injury typically needs medical attention.  Go to your doctor to treat it, then use the RICE method at home.  Again, once the injury has healed, some injury massage is helpful to loosen up potential scar tissue and encourage blood flow.  This promotes further healing to the chronic injury.

ANKLE TENDONITIS-  Tendonitis is simply inflammation to a tendon. Ankle tendonitis is caused by excess stress being placed on the Posterior Tibialis Tendon. Those most at risk of developing the condition are people involved in sports that involve a lot of stopping, starting and sharp movements. Sports like basketball, squash, baseball, tennis and football put a lot of strain on the ankles.  Also, anyone who may be starting a new workout routine often can develop tendonitis.

Pain, tenderness, swelling and a “hot” feeling around the area are common symptoms of Tendonitis.  In most cases of ankle Tendonitis, the pain will develop around activity and subside a short time afterwards.  The best remedy for Tendonitis in the ankle is the RICE method.  Also, you will want to discontinue the activity that is causing the pain; at least for a short while.  Then, ease back into the activity slowly once you have rested the injured area.

ACHILLES TENDON RUPTURE-  The Achilles tendon is the strongest and thickest tendon in the body, connecting the strong calf muscles to the heel of the foot.  When the calf muscles contract, the Achilles tendon is tightened, pulling the heel. This allows you to point your foot and it is vital to such activities as walking, running, and jumping. An Achilles tendon rupture is a complete tear through the tendon, which usually occurs about 2 inches above the heel bone.  This injury tends to occur in middle-age, especially in males.  Weakening and thinning of this tendon occurs with age.  Injury often occurs during recreational sports that require bursts of jumping, pivoting, and running. Most often these are tennis, racquetball, basketball.  To prevent an Achilles rupture, stay active and stretch it out regularly.

It is easy to care for your ankles by keeping the joint, muscles, ligaments and tendons surrounding it, strong.  Remember that the body is built for movement and without it, the body will weaken.  This leaves us prone to injury, and later in life, chronic pain and possibly arthritis.  If you are suffering from any of the previous injuries mentioned, call today to see if sports injury massage might work for you.  Schedule an appointment in Salt Lake City at 801.349.3934.

Jenna Erickson has been a licensed Massage Therapist for over 3 years.  She graduated from the Utah College of Massage Therapy in October 2008, and has been expanding her knowledge of massage therapy ever since.  Upon graduating, she moved to Idaho and formed her own massage practice in the City of Rocks National Reserve.  City of Rocks is one of the finest granite face climbing sites anywhere and is a world-renowned rock climbers spot.  Being from Idaho and an avid rock climber herself, Jenna decided to bring her bodywork skills to rock climbers and hikers from around the world.  Also, she offered her services to residents of small towns surrounding City of Rocks.

Jenna has just moved back to Salt Lake City, Utah and I am happy to have found her!  Like me, Jenna has a passion for working on athletes, and nonetheless, I knew she would make a great addition to my practice.  She specializes in Injury work,  Deep Tissue, and Myofascial Release.  Have an old, chronic injury that won’t seem to clear up?  Or perhaps a recent, acute injury that is preventing you from performing at your full potential?  Jenna is the most skilled Injury therapist I have ever encountered.

Jenna is now sharing her bodywork skills in Olympus Cove and downtown Salt Lake City.  I am offering a great special for her first time clients – $45 for an hour, $75 for 90 minutes, and $100 for 2 hours. This is a great deal for such a skilled therapist.

Call today to schedule your first appointment with Jenna.  This special will not last long as her schedule will fill up quickly.  Take advantage of this amazing deal and experience bodywork from a truly gifted massage therapist.  Call 801.349.3934 to make an appointment and to hear about other specials.

And the convenient part about this offer is that you can mix and match the 2 hours however you would like.  Use the 2 hours separately, or for a wonderful and relaxing 2 hour session.  And when I say mix and match your session, you can receive whatever treatment you would like.  This includes Swedish, Deep Tissue, Reflexology, Injury, Triggerpoint, Craniosacral, Sports, Facials or Russian massage.  So however you want to use your session is up to you!

On top of this delightful deal, I am adding a new service to my list!  If you and your partner cannot come to my office in downtown Salt Lake City for your session, I will come to you!  I am now offering Out-call Couples massage for busy parents and couples.  For 60 minute couples sessions, its only $130, and for 90 minute couples sessions its $200.  Even indulge in a 2 hour couples session for only $250.

Call today to get a 2 hour session or to schedule a couples massage for your honey and you.  Make sure to call by Tuesday, February 14th to take advantage of this Valentine’s Special. Also, don’t forget my ongoing special that still stands.  Save on your sessions and buy 4 massages and receive the 5th for FREE.  This applies for any of my specials.

So if you want to make your sweetie feel special this year and don’t know what to get them, try a massage.  I guarantee they will love you for it! Serving in downtown Salt Lake City, Utah, call now and make this Love day a beautiful one. 801.349.3934.

What exactly is inversion?  There are a few different types of inversion that can occur, and Salt Lake experiences what is called Thermal inversion.  Basically, when the temperature changes in the winter time, the air becomes more still.  Since air does not circulate well around this time of year, it becomes murky because dust and pollutants are no longer lifted from the surface.  And due to the fact that the Salt Lake Valley is surrounded by large mountains, the inversion effect bottle-caps the bad air in the city.

Last year Salt Lake City was ranked 36 for high ozone days out of 277 metropolitan areas.  High Ozone Days simply means days where there are a high number of respiratory irritants in the air.  And for 24-hour particle pollution, Salt Lake City ranked 5 out of 277 metropolitan areas.  Better translated, the air in SLC is extremely polluted.

Along with this nasty air, comes a slew of health problems. People do not realize that the air they breathe every day is filled with toxins.  The following ailments are common effects of bad air quality:

• Pediatric and adult Asthma
• Various respiratory problems
• Sinus infections/blockages
• Chronic bronchitis
• Headaches
• Emphysema
• Cardiovascular disease
• Cancer

• Circulatory System – the body’s transport system. It is made up of a group of organs that transport blood throughout the body.
• Digestive System – This is made up of organs that break down food into protein, vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, and fats, which the body needs for energy, growth, and repair.
• Endocrine System – made up of a group of glands that produce the body’s hormones. Hormones are chemicals that control metabolism, growth, and sexual development. The glands release hormones directly into the bloodstream, which transports the hormones to organs and tissues throughout the body.
• Immune System – our body’s defense system against infections and diseases. The Immune System helps organs, tissues, and cells respond to dangerous organisms (like viruses or bacteria) and substances that may enter the body from the environment.
• Lymphatic System – The lymphatic system is responsible for immune system regulation and fluid and waste removal. It is what helps rid the body of any toxins that may cause illness.
• Muscular System – made up of tissues (muscles) that work with the skeletal system to control movement of the body.
• Nervous System – The nervous system is made up of the brain, the spinal cord, and nerves. One of the most important systems in your body, the nervous system is your body’s control system. It sends, receives, and processes nerve impulses throughout the body. These nerve impulses tell your muscles and organs what to do and how to respond to the environment.
• Reproductive System – This system, of course, allows humans to produce children.
• Respiratory System – brings air into the body and removes carbon dioxide. It includes the nose, trachea, and lungs.
• Skeletal System – made up of bones, ligaments and tendons. It shapes the body, protects organs and works with the muscular system to help the body move.
• Urinary System – eliminates waste from the body in the form of urine. The kidneys remove waste from the blood by combining it with water to form urine.  Urine then exits the body through the bladder and urethra.

Of course, these systems are all unique, but are all important in keeping the body alive and running.  They are all interconnected and depend on each other to be able to function correctly.  However, if pointing out the more crucial systems that sustain the body; the Circulatory, Nervous and Immune Systems would be it.

And guess what?  All 3 of these systems are considerably benefited from bodywork.  Put simply, massage therapy helps these systems to do their jobs more efficiently.

But what does this all have to do with the Lymphatic System and Lymphatic Massage?  The fact that there is a bodywork modality solely directed at promoting your Lymphatic System says a lot.  As before mentioned, all of the body’s systems are interconnected.  But the Lymphatic System works very closely, specifically, with the ever-important Immune System.

The Lymphatic System is mainly a drainage system responsible for Immune System regulation and fluid and waste removal. It is what helps rid the body of any toxins that may cause illness.  Toxins can include excess fluid, debris, dead blood cells, pathogens and cancer cells.  The Lymphatic System consists of lymph nodes and lymph.  Lymph is a watery, clear fluid that circulates through body tissues, picking up toxins along the way and  filtering them out.  Lymph Nodes are simply what filters the Lymph.  Normally, 2-3 liters of lymph are filtered through the Lymphatic system per day.  Below is a simple illustration of the direction of Lymph flow:

When the lymphatic system slows down or becomes blocked, then fluids begin to build up, causing the whole body to feel tired and heavy, making us susceptible to catching sicknesses.  This is where Lymphatic massage becomes very useful.  By stimulating the lymph nodes through massage, it helps to clear any blockages and gives the lymphatic system a boost.

The actual massage consists of gentle pressured and pumping movements towards the direction of the lymph nodes throughout the body. The procedure uses the deep thumb pressure of shiatsu combined with the relaxing techniques of the Swedish massage. Depending on whether the therapist is focused on only one specific area or is working on the entire body, a session can last anywhere between half an hour to two hours in length.

Lymphatic Massage can benefit anyone suffering from the following:

• a faulty immune system
• sports injuries
• excess fluid/hardening of tissue due to plastic surgery
• low energy
• respiratory problems
• Lymphoma
• Fibromyalgia
• Chronic fatigue

If you or anyone you know, suffer from any of the above ailments, call me today @ 801.349.3934.  Set up your first Lymphatic session and you may be amazed at the results.  And on top of that, it excretes waste that can make you sick!  Serving in Salt Lake City, Utah come experience the many benefits of bodywork.

Looks like its that time of year again!  I love presenting specials to new clients so they can experience bodywork for a great deal.  Also, all types of massage make for a wonderful holiday gift.

This season I am offering 2 one-hour massages for $90.  You can split them up or even use them for a wonderful 2-hour session.  Buy them as a gift or use them for yourself!  This special is being offered from November 1  – December 22, 2011.  You can redeem your sessions whenever you want, as long as you purchase them before Dec. 22nd.

Also, don’t forget my ongoing specials.  Buy 4 massages at regular price and receive the 5th session FREE.  And of course, refer any friends or family to me, and to show my appreciation,  you will receive a COMPLIMENTARY 30 minutes during your session.  Call me today in Salt Lake City Utah to schedule your first bodywork session, or to stock up on gift cards for your loved ones.  Contact me at 801.349.3934. Enjoy this season and Happy Holidays!

To understand how the cuff works, we must understand its anatomy.   The Rotator Cuff is comprised of your Shoulder Joint, 4 muscles and a ligament.  The Shoulder Joint, otherwise known as the Glenohumeral Joint is a Synovial Ball and Socket Joint.  We have many types of joints in our bodies and they all serve different purposes for different functions.  The Rotator Cuff was designed for a wide variety of movements and this type of joint makes these movements possible. Synovial Joints allow for this extra mobility because the cavities between bones in a synovial joint are filled with synovial fluid. This fluid helps to lubricate and protect these bones in motion.  Below is a posterior view of the Glenohumeral Joint.

It’s obvious why this joint is called a Ball and Socket.  The white part of the Humerus or the upper arm bone, looks like a ball and it fits into the Scapula or shoulder blade, which looks like a socket.

Listed below are the various movements of the Shoulder Blade:

• Flexion – Forward movement
• Extension – Backward movement
• Abduction – Taking the arm away from the body
• Adduction – Pulling the arm towards the body
• Medial Rotation – Wrapping your arms around yourself
• Lateral Rotation – Unwrapping your arms

Because the rotater cuff allows for so many movements, it is easy to imagine how many injuries can occur to the shoulder.

The Coracohumeral Ligament is the ligament responsible for connecting the Humerus to the Scapula.  It is a broad band of connective tissue that fastens the Humerus to the Scapula.  Its function is to strengthen the superior portion of the joint capsule.  In other words, it is the only ligament that is anchoring the bones together.  The illustration below shows, again from a posterior view, how the ligament attaches and connects to the Humerus and Scapula.

Next, let’s take a closer look at the muscles that make up the Rotator Cuff.  The various muscles that cross the shoulder joint, which generate movements of the Humerus, can be divided into four groups:

• Rotator Cuff Muscles
• Shoulder Cap Muscles
• Intertubercular Muscles
• Brachial Muscles

Focusing on the Rotator Cuff group, there are only four:

• Supraspinatus – A small muscle that sits right on top of the shoulder. It runs along the superior edge of the Scapula and ends on the upper portion of the Humerus (upper arm.)  However, it is not a superficial muscle and runs deep to the Trapezius. The Supraspinatus is responsible for abducting the arm at the shoulder. This muscle is damaged in 80% of rotator cuff injuries.
• Infraspinatus – Located on the posterior surface of the scapula and like the Supraspinatus, ends on the top of the head of the Humerus.  Closer to the spine, this thick, triangular muscle is superficial, but the lateral half is deep to the Deltoid muscle. The main function of the Infraspinatus is to externally rotate the arm and stabilize the shoulder joint.
• Teres Minor – This narrow, elongated muscle attaches to the lateral edge of the scapula and top of the head of the Humerus.  It is located directly superior to the Teres major and deep to the Deltoid.  The Teres Minor helps to laterally rotate the shoulder joint and arm.
• Subscapularis – This muscle is similar to the Infraspinatus, but instead of covering the posterior surface of the scapula; instead, it covers the anterior surface.  It is sandwiched between the scapula and the muscles that lie between each rib (Serratus Anterior).  The Subscapularis makes up part of the wall of the armpit.  This muscle helps the shoulder to medially rotate.

Supraspinatus

Infraspinatus

Teres Minor

Subscapularis

Starting from the left, the first 3 photos are from a posterior view and the last illustration is positioned from an anterior view.

Now that the structure and functions of each part of the Rotator Cuff have been explained, it is important to know what common symptoms to look for if an injury or tear occur in the cuff:

• Shoulder ache
• Spasms
• Limited range of motion
• Sharp, shooting pain
• Discomfort/pain radiating down the arm

And of course, if a sudden tear is ever felt in the shoulder, a muscle or ligament in the cuff could have a partial tear.  If a tear is suspected, watch for inflammation of the area and make sure to give your shoulder rest.  If you or somebody you know is suffering from shoulder pain/tightness, call me today to set up a bodywork session.  The Rotator cuff muscles may simply need to be released.  Call me today @ 801.349.3934 to schedule a massage in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Sciatica is characterized by pain.  Whether this pain is intense or dull, clients often complain that this pain considerably stifles their life.  So then what is Sciatica and why does it cause so much discomfort?

Put simply, it is a nerve compression disorder.  The name Sciatica describes what is being compressed – the Sciatic Nerve.  This nerve is the largest single nerve in the human body.  It runs from each side of the lumbar spine and travels down and deep into the buttocks.  It also makes its way down into the back of the thigh and eventually to the foot, connecting the spinal cord with the leg and foot muscles.

Now because this nerve in the largest one we have, it makes sense that if irritated, there would be a lot of associated pain.  But how does the Sciatic nerve become compressed?  Anatomically, this nerve passes in-between 2 deep, hip rotator muscles called the Piriformis and the Superior Gemellus.  These muscles are very small but play an important role in allowing our hips to laterally rotate.

Sciatica Pain affecting the back, hip, and outer side of the leg, caused by compression of a spinal nerve root in the lower back

It consists of leg pain, which might feel like a bad leg cramp, or it can be excruciating, shooting pain that makes standing or sitting nearly impossible.  Sciatica might be a symptom of a “pinched nerve” affecting one or more of the lower spinal nerves. The nerve might be pinched inside or outside of the spinal canal as it passes into the leg.

Sciatica is often characterized by one or more of the following symptoms:

• Constant pain in only one side of the buttock or leg (rarely can occur in both legs)
• Pain that is worse when sitting
• Burning or tingling down the leg (vs. a dull ache)
• Weakness, numbness or difficulty moving the leg or foot
• A constant pain on one side of the rear
• A sharp pain that may make it difficult to stand up or to walk

Today, our professions often force us to sit or stand in the same positions for 8 hours plus.  And adding constant, continual movements or heavy weight on top of that can be detrimental to our physical frame.

Our first ancestors lived much differently than we do today.  All modern humans were hunter-gatherers until around 10,000 years ago.  Look how much we have evolved!   Following the invention of agriculture, hunter-gatherers have been displaced by farming groups in most parts of the world.  Today, with the many advancements of technology, humans have much different jobs than that of our predecessors.

Think about the human anatomy.  Our bodies move many ways, but it’s important to see that they work together as one functional unit.  If you overwork one part of your body, it causes a chain-reaction to occur in our structure.  Similar to a domino-effect, when one section of our functional unit works too hard, the parts around that section begin to suffer, and so forth.  Your body will try to help the over-fatigued area, but often times this just throws off other components of our structure.  Now, you begin to deal with more injury in more segments of your body.  This syndrome is often called over-compensation.  One part of your body is over-compensating for another, and the damage can start to spread.

Now, I would like to look closer at 6 professions that I have found to cause a lot of dysfunction in our structures.  Here they are starting with the most harmful:

Computer Jobs:  This category has a wide range of job descriptions, but the actions are the same.  Any profession requiring you to sit for hours at a desk typing seem to be the most detrimental to us.  After all, this profession is what most of my clients come to me complaining about.  This includes programming, web design, secretarial positions etc.  Repetitive typing causes an array of problems like Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, Rotater cuff injuries, loss of grip in hands, injuries to tendons and forearm muscles, Sciatica and shoulder/neck pain.  A desk job is often paired with less than healthy posture and the combination can have negative results.  Good posture consists of shoulders back, chest out, and head back.  Most people do not practice good posture in their every day lives.  Ninety percent of the population has some degree of what is called Forward Head Posture.  This is a postural abnormality that has become more prevalent in modern times.  If you work at a desk, start making changes today by checking in with your posture several times a day.

Construction.  Some people will be alarmed to know that computer jobs are simply not good for us, but I think many understand the pressure our bodies undergo in the construction field.  This includes Carpenters, Electricians, Roofers, Dry-wall workers, Plumbers etc.  There are many injuries that can occur to construction workers because of the variety in this field, but the most common injuries that I encounter involve the back: Shoulder cuff injuries, Low Back pain, and bulging/herniated discs.  If one does not seek help from a PT or LMT, surgery often becomes the last resort.

Truck Driving.  I thought about putting this profession in the construction category but I have seen too many specific injuries just from truck driving.  This profession forces people to sit in a driver’s seat for at LEAST 8 hours a day.  I know that many of my clients who are long-haul truck drivers will extend their work days so that they get to their destination quicker.  And they take few breaks as to save time on the road.  This has very negative effects, just like sitting at a computer all day.  If you understand anything about anatomy, you know that the human frame is meant to move – a lot.  We are built for movement and when we don’t move, our structure suffers.  This goes very well with the phrase, “If you don’t use it, you lose it.”  Common injuries for truck drivers include Sciatica (compression of the Sciatic Nerve in the hip, causing intense pain and numbness in the buttocks and legs,)  various hip/knee problems, and pain especially manifests itself in the foot.  Think about how it would affect a person, to hold their right foot on the gas pedal for hours on end.  Truck drivers almost always have pain in their right foot that can cause further problems into their knee.

Nursing.  The healthcare field is always growing and nurses are always in high demand.  But nurses and CNA’s (certified nursing assistants) will find their work to be very demanding on them.  They must move and lift patients, spend countless hours in the operating room assisting doctors, and walk from room to room all day.  I will talk later about the effects of walking a lot during your work day.  Every nurse that I have ever treated seems to have many areas of their body that are in chronic pain.  Of course, their number one complaint is back-pain.  On average, at least 50% of nurses will suffer from back pain in their life-time.  On top of back pain, they suffer from hip issues due to lifting heavy patients and doing twisting motions at the same time.

Waiting tables/Standing jobs.  This category includes any profession that requires you to stand for a long period of time.  This will include bartending, checkers at a grocery store, dishwashers etc.  But I mostly work with waiters and waitresses when it comes to standing jobs.  On top of running around for their entire shift, they are supporting very heavy trays with just one side of their body.  This is where over-compensation can show up at its worse.  Also, I see a lot of issues with the feet in this category of jobs.  We were not designed to stand all day, but many of us do.  One of the more common foot issues I encounter is Plantar Fasciitis.  This affects the thick tissue (Plantar Fascia) on the bottom of the feet.  Constant walking and pressure on this tissue causes small micro-tears to the area.  These tears usually get worse as more pressure and tension is added every day.  I have seen Plantar Fasciitis to be very hard to get rid of.  The best way to combat this issue simply, is rest.  But many who work 9-5, Monday through Friday do not have the luxury of rest.

Musicians.  I have worked on many different type of musicians including guitarists, pianists, and violinists.  No matter what instrument they play, musicians suffer from intense forearm pain.  Carpal Tunnel occur to many in this field.  Any job that requires you to use your hands repetitively often lead to a weakening or loss of grip in the hands.  Some that I have treated were no longer able to open jars or even door-knobs before they came to see me.  Musicians need to get regular massages in order to prevent their forearms from becoming this tight.

Are you or someone you know suffering or suspect you are suffering from the following ailment?

• Sciatica
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
• Hip Pain
• Plantar Fasciitis

If you think you may be dealing with one of the above dysfunctions, and conclude that your job may be responsible for it, I suggest trying out a massage today.  If you continue to do a job that is hurting your body, chances are, you will just get worse and massage can help to remedy over-worked muscles.  Please call me today in Salt Lake City to schedule your first appointment 801.349.3934.

I thought it would be nice to write a blog to focus on all of the many wonderful ways that massage therapy can be an advantage to you, your mind and body, and your health.  And because I have worked on clients with a very wide range of ailments – be that physical or mental, I am truly convinced that massage therapy can positively influence many aspects of our beings.

There are so many benefits to massage that it is almost difficult to know where to start.  But lets start with some very basic benefits that can be an advantage to anyone and then explain how massage can aid specific populations.

1. Humans Biologically Crave Touch- Touch is one of the earliest senses that develops in a fetus.   Time and time again it has been proven that when mothers have very frequent skin-to-skin contact with their infants, this greatly assists the baby’s physical cognitive and development.  In fact, because of the benefits of simply being touched, it is now an intervention strategy for premature babies worldwide.  Basically, we all crave touch and if we don’t get it we fail to thrive.
2. Massage Relieves Stress- Did you know that over 50% of people in the U.S. are concerned about health problems due to stress?  Massage helps to relieve mental fatigue by promoting deep relaxation.  With the release of tight muscles, the client will feel better able to cope with daily situations.
   
3. Massage Increases Circulation- By improving our bodies’ circulation, we also are improving the delivery of nutrients (like blood and lymph), oxygen and arterial blood components to the local area.  The oxygen capacity of the blood can increase 10-15% after a massage session!
4. Massage Enhances the Condition of Skin- Massage directly improves the function of our sweat glands which keep the skin lubricated, clean and cooled.  It also helps to remove dry skin and allows new tissue to form.
5. Massage Affects our Internal Organs- By stimulating nerves that supply internal organs, blood vessels of these organs dilate and allow for greater blood supply.
6. Massage Helps Prevent Sickness- Getting massage therapy treatments on a semi-regular basis can strengthen the immune system.
7. Massage Stimulates Body-Awareness- I think this is one of the most beneficial effects of massage.  Massage can stimulate receptors in the skin and muscles that you may have felt cut off from for years.  People sometimes do not realize exactly where their pain is until someone puts their hands on them.
8. Massage Releases Natural Endorphins- Endorphins are our bodies’ natural pain killers, so the release of these endorphins can reduce physical pain.
9. Massage Loosens Scar Tissue-  Massage can prevent scarring to some degree by not allowing stagnation of tissue edema following injury.
10. MASSAGE FEELS GOOD!

Now, lets look at some more specific populations.

Athletes.  As a massage therapist, I work primarily with athletes to help them in their conditioning.  Many athletes consider massage as a necessity in their training and recovery.  As I mentioned earlier, massage increases circulation in the body and to an athlete this is crucial.  This increase in circulation helps to get blood pumping more efficiently throughout the body.  This is very important to someone who is very physically active, because they need nutrients and fresh blood to constantly be feeding their muscles.

Have you ever felt soreness or stiffness from an intense work out?  Many athletes are constantly training their muscles and are more often than not expeiriencing soreness.  So what causes the muscles to get so sore?  During a strenuous workout, our muscles will become very slightly torn.  Along with these micro-tears, our muscle fibers also experience inflammation due to over exertion.  Sports massage therapy treatments help to reduce this inflammation and speed up the healing of those micro-tears because it directly reduces restrictions, which in turn increases muscle function.  This allows athletes to get back to their training more quickly and more efficiently.When working with athletes simply for maintenance purposes, massage can greatly increase their all-over Range of Motion and keeps their joints flexible and lubricated.

Senior Citizens.  Not only is joint function important for athletes but also for our elderly population.  Very often, senior citizens have a gradual decrease in muscle and joint function because over time they become more sedentary.  In my experience I have seen that it is very true that “if you don’t use it, you lose it.”  Becoming less active perpetuates more pain and more immobility so massage can be extremely beneficial to this population since it has been shown to improve muscle tone and help prevent or delay muscular atrophy as a result of forced inactivity.  Also, massage increases the bodies’ lymphatic flow, preventing edema that often occurs with inactivity.

Auto-Immune Disease/Deficiency.  When I decided to start my own business, I was very surprised that a lot of people were inquiring about massage for Auto-Immune diseases.  Now that I have had a lot of experience with this population, I know that massage therapy gives tremendous relief to auto-immune symptoms.  Here are some of the diseases/deficiencies that I have worked with:

• Fibromyalgia
• Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (CFIDS)
• Crohn’s Disease

So what defines an auto-immune disorder?  Autoimmune diseases arise from an overactive immune response of the body against substances and tissues normally present in the body.  In other words, the body actually attacks its own cells.  The immune system mistakes some part of the body as something foreign and attacks it.

I have seen great success with cases of auto-immune dysfunction.  I first suspected that massage would aggravate these conditions.  But because massage does an excellent job at sedating our Central Nervous System (CNS), it helps to calm down the overactive immune response and reduces pain.  I heard of a study consisting of Fibromyalgia participants examining the effectiveness of therapeutic touch as a treatment for managing pain.  These participants experienced a significant decrease in pain and reported a significant improvement in quality of life.

Auto-immune disorders can be very exhausting emotionally due to the fact that some of them are degenerative and there is no cure for them.  I have witnessed clients come out of deep depressions that were fueled by their disease.  Massage can cause a variety of sensations, emotions, feelings and mental perceptions that are subjective and difficult to measure.  Each of my sessions are unique to every individual.

Depression/Anxiety. Last but not least, let me explain just how massage therapy can benefit those suffering from depression disorders or anxiety.  As I mentioned in the paragraph above, depression and sadness in often perpetuated by illness and pain.  It truly is a vicious cycle.  A person feels physical pain, and they don’t know how to get rid of it.  The pain increasingly gets worse and therefore causes mental anguish as well.  Also, theoretically, emotions are stored in our muscles.  When trauma is inflicted upon our muscles, we store not only physical but emotional pain there.  I have seen massage release emotional pain in my clients and its truly astounding.

In cases of depression or anxiety, I often use Craniosacral therapy or Reflexology.  These are more energetic modalities that seem to work best with mental exhaustion.  They are meditative and relaxing, and I often see a positive shift in my clients after these sessions.  Massage helps to literally slow down thoughts and help the person to more easily process them.

I am hoping that I covered most of the important benefits of massage therapy.  As I mentioned earlier, there are so many.  But if you are experiencing any type of pain, physical or emotional, I recommend trying a massage.  It may be just what you need!  Call me today to schedule a massage in Salt Lake City @ 801.349.3934.