Why a Massage is not Just a Massage- Client Perspective on Massage and Reiki Therapies

Guest Blog by CC Black

Today I am sharing with you a blog from a client of mine.  CC brought this blog post to me in hopes I could share it with my readers.  As she says "I can't be the only one sitting at my desk with panic attacks" I thought it would be good to educate people on the benefits of alternate therapies.  Thank you CC for sharing your experiences with us!  We appreciate your willingness to share these things with our readers!

Why a massage is not just a massage...

I remember sitting at my desk working away when I realized I was in a full-blown panic attack. I had stopped breathing and it felt like my heart had dropped into my stomach. The more I thought about not being able to catch my breath the more panic-stricken I became.

I counted to 10, than 20, than 10 again. When I was finally at a normal state of breathing I decided to take some action. I did a Google search on relaxation and breathing – it was through this search that I found Reiki and massage therapy. I had been to a massage therapist before however it was usually as a treat for me, not as a preventative measure. Reiki was at this point still a mystery and I consciously decided I would not Google anything further and just go with it.     

What I found through Reiki treatment was a greater sense of relief. It is very hard to explain, especially to those who don’t understand the Reiki concept, but I can say that after a few treatments I felt a little lighter in the shoulders. Turns out that you can carry another person’s burden on your shoulders, and you may not even know it!

After starting my Reiki, and facial acupuncture, for purely cosmetic purposes, I decided to book a massage. I am not sure what held me back for so many years – it’s almost like finding a life partner, you want to make sure it is the right fit and nothing will be used against you in the future. It is very important to exhibit some honesty when looking for a massage therapist – they can tell you things about yourself only you thought you knew – so be prepared to get real and you will thank them for it later!

I have to say I am quite lucky to have my massage therapist in my life – not only does she help me regain my correct posture, she has also become a very good friend. I can now say that I am breathing a little easier, and my panic attacks have decreased immensely (I am working towards never again!). Massage therapy helps your muscles relax, and when the muscles relax so do you - and you become a better person to those around you.

If you have one hour a month to give, than you have enough time to start treating yourself;  your mind, your body, your spirit. 

-CC Black

If you have any questions for CC or myself please feel free to comment or send me a message on my facebook page! 

Thank you for reading!  Have a fabulous weekend!

Sending love and light your way,

Stephanie Oliver (Muir) RMT

lavandulawellnesscentre.com

Upper Trapezius- aka the headache

Did you know one of the most common muscles massage therapists treat is the Trapezius muscle?  The trapezius muscle consists of 3 parts upper, middle and lower fibres.  The upper trapezius is the most common part of the muscle to cause problems, or make those problems evident to us!  The trapezius muscle when all 3 parts are used together is responsible for elevating, retracting and upwardly rotating the scapula.  This muscle attaches at the base of the skull and along the spinous process of C7-T12, extends to the front of the body to the clavicle (collar bone) and out to the edges of the scapula (shoulder blade).  Daily uses (actions) of this muscle are shrugging of the shoulders and overhead movements.

Anatomy of the trapezius muscle.

Many of us have experienced that pain along the back of the shoulder blades. It burns, it feels tight and seems to nag at you on a daily basis. Most commonly you will feel these symptoms after a long day at the office, a hard-core study session or after long hours at the computer. Lately I am seeing this problem increase in 12-18 year olds! You can thank IPhones and Tablets for that!

When you have trigger points or hypertonicity (tight) in the upper trapezius it can also cause tension headaches! The referral pattern for pain for the upper trapezius muscle “looks” like a question mark. It comes along the back of the head up around to the temples. So how do we fix this problem or avoid it all together?

Upper trapezius Trigger Point Referral Pattern

Massage therapy is one the best ways to get relief! Trigger point therapy and muscle stripping can help decrease and diminish the “knots” and help the muscle to relax. In order to maintain the work your massage therapist has done for you there are a few things you need to do. First off stretch, stretch and stretch! Sitting tall, grasp the back edge of the chair with your hand on the side to be stretched. Turn your head toward that same side and lean head and body away to feel a stretch in the side of the neck and shoulders. Hold for 45 seconds to a minute and repeat on the other side. I recommend doing this in the morning and at night.

Upper Trapezius Stretch

You can’t help it if you work at a desk or have long hours to put in at the computer, but you can ensure proper ergonomics at your desk. Your computer screen should be at eye level and your screen should be directly in front of you! Do not sit on an angle and try to look at your screen!! Ergonomics are key! Ask your boss or manager to order what you need to make this possible. Most larger companies have someone on staff to ensure proper ergonomics at your desk or workplace. In the long run it saves the both of you time and money!

Lastly ensure you are sleeping with proper neck support. Generally one pillow is more than enough, but each person is unique.  Talk to your therapist to find the best methods for you personally!

Any more questions? Any topics you want me to discuss or cover?  Just send me an email or give me a call if be happy to help! :)

Educating you one post at time!

Truly yours,

Stephanie Muir RMT
Registered Massage Therapist

stephaniemuirrmt@hotmail.com
Lavandula Wellness Centre

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