Massage As A Back - Pain Killer

A regular massage is often considered to be a treat, rather than a necessity. Most people believe that having a massage is good for aches and pains, or can help if they’ve overdone the exercise. Not everybody realizes that massage therapy is also a powerful painkiller that can even be used to help people with back problems to reduce the amount of medication they must take.
Americans spend at least $50 billion each year on back pain and if you’re one of the 31 million Americans who suffers with back pain at some point in their life, you’ll know how miserable it can be. If you are dealing with chronic back pain – which is pain that’s lasted more than three months  it can impact on your daily life, and stop you doing things you want to do. You could be reliant on drugs to keep you mobile or help you sleep.

The vicious pain cycle
If you can no longer exercise pain-free, you might end up in a vicious cycle of inactivity which makes your pain worse, which stops you being active. Or you could just increase your meds but that just masks the problem. Also, some strong pain meds contain painkillers opioids like codeine which can lose their power over time as you build up a tolerance to their effects. They can also have unwanted side effects.
What you need is a way to manage your back pain that is effective but doesn’t have the side effects. Wouldn’t you know it, research has shown that regular massage along with your prescribed medication and any other advice from your healthcare supplier can be so powerful that you might be able to decrease the number of painkillers you need to manage your back pain and start to live a more active life.

How massage can help beat back pain
A massage session doesn’t just relax you, it can help to promote tissue repair, improve the blood circulation and does wonders for your stress levels and mood. Recent research showed that regular massage therapy combined with exercise helped people suffering from chronic back pain to feel less anxious about their condition too. The study, which took place at a pain management clinic in Western New York, involved sixty chronic low back pain patients who were split into two groups. One group received regular massage therapy, twice a week for four weeks, along with their regular treatment, and one group only carried on with their prescribed treatments.
The participants all recorded their own pain levels before and after having massage therapy on a scale of one to ten. There was a significant difference between the pre-and post-treatment pain rating in the group that had regular massage, but the control group who carried on as normal reported no changes to their pain levels.
If you suffer with back pain and want to try something different – book that massage session now.

Types Of Massage

Depending on your goals and situation, your massage therapist may recommend one specific type of massage or a blend of several. These include:

• Swedish or Relaxation Massage -- the most common in America with gentle, light to medium pressure
• Deep Tissue Massage -- deeper pressure across the grain of your muscles
• Hot Stone  -- which uses smooth, heated stones to increase circulation and relax muscles

Each type of massage has its own benefits, so be sure to discuss your back pain with your therapist. You may decide on one particular massage style and repeat it with every visit, or you may decide to combine various styles at different times. Either way, you'll discover how back massage can make you feel more relaxed and relieved of pain, stress and tension.

Tips:

For a professional massage, seek a licensed massage therapist. The American Massage Therapy Association recommends you ask your massage therapist about their credentials to practice massage therapy. Talk to your massage therapist about why you are seeking massage therapy -- this will help your therapist choose the best style and approach to your massage.

Roy is a New York State Licensed Massage Therapist and has worked in high end spa’s as well as rehabilitation centers. He is well known for his Relaxing Massage as well as his skill in Medical Massage and Sports Massage. Contact Roy at 631-375-0962 or email at info@wavecrestmassage.com to schedule your next appointment. 

October Is Massage Therapy Month

October has been designated Massage Therapy Month raising awareness about this non-invasive therapeutic touch that benefits mind, body and spirit. The physical benefits are obvious and becoming increasingly understood by the general population including the medical profession.

As professional body workers we often see how people suffer from muscles aches and pains, injuries but also stressful working environments, lifestyles and trauma.  It may be said that massage does not cure or completely heal all that ails us but it is a real significant step towards feeling better in our bodies and reconnecting with a feeling of wholeness.  It is often the first step towards reaching out for help in a nurturing and safe environment.

Receiving a massage is the most loving act of self-care.  When we book an appointment, we declare that our time and focus for a full hour or ninety minutes will be targeted to our wellness and commitment to  well-being.  We may not have control over many aspects of our lives but we can set aside this time we entrust our care to a kind and skillful Massage Therapist.

While Massage Therapists are considered Body workers,  don’t be surprised if your favorite Massage Therapist has a keen understanding of energy work and healing.   Don’t be shy to ask if they do any form of energy work like Reiki or chakra harmonization to be added to your massage.

There are so many techniques to choose from such as Swedish, Deep Tissue, Sports Massage, Acupressure, Chair Massage, Cranio Sacral Therapy, Bowen, Polarity, Myofascial Release, Kinesiotherapy, Shiatsu, Traeger, Lomi Lomi, Tuina, Reflexology, and many more.  There are many amazing Massage Therapists out there who do wonderful work.   Find one that resonates with you by trying out various techniques until you find the one that suits you.

In honor of Massage Awareness Month, reference this page to receive $20 off your massage session of one hour or longer for the entire month of October. *Not to be combined with any other promotion.


Comment here & like us on Facebook to be entered into a drawing for an additional 30min to be added onto your next one hour massage. Winner will be notified via email at 1pm October 25th.




 

Tips

For a professional massage, seek out a certified or licensed massage therapist. The American Massage Therapy Association recommends you ask your massage therapist about their credentials to practice massage therapy. Talk to your massage therapist about why you are seeking massage therapy -- this will help your therapist choose the best style and approach to your massage. Use massage therapy for relaxation, not as an alternative to medical treatment.

Roy is a New York State Licensed Massage Therapist and has worked in high end spa’s as well as rehabilitation centers. He is well known for his Relaxing Massage as well as his skill in Medical Massage and Sports Massage. Contact Roy at 631-375-0962 or email at roy@wavecrestmassage.com to schedule your next appointment. 

https://www.wavecrestmassage.com

Massage Therapy For Adrenal Exhaustion

A very quick overview

Situated right above the kidneys, the adrenals are endocrine glands, responsible for releasing a variety of hormones that help the body to deal with and recover from stress. Some of these hormones include cortisol, epinephrine and norepinephrine. When a person experiences a stressful event the adrenal glands release these hormones to help us deal with the situation at hand.

Symptoms of stress or
adrenal exhaustion include fatigue, recurrent infections, inability to deal with stress, changes in blood pressure and achiness. Though the exact mechanism of action remains scientifically unconfirmed, massage therapy provides relaxation in complement with conventional medical treatment.

Lowers Stress Hormones

Daily life happens in a series of mini-stress situations: out of milk, red lights, fussy children, competition at work, angry customers, crabby spouse. The adrenal glands release cortisol to deal with these issues and emergency situations with the fight-or-flight response.
 

 

 

Massage

Massage, for obvious reasons can be very useful in helping to reduce stress levels. I think that it's worth pointing out that certain types of massage can actually be quite stimulating, so it would be important to tell your therapist that you are dealing with Adrenal Fatigue and that you need to relax! Excessively deep pressure combined with fast movements can result in you feeling like you've run a marathon by the time you get off the table. It is my opinion that the most effective way to assist in the resolution of adrenal fatigue with massage is through a series of slow, methodical, and gentle treatments.

Improves Mood

In an overview of massage therapy from the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, research indicates a single massage reduces temporary anxiety that results from a stressful situation. Multiple massage treatments reduce general feelings of anxiety and depression.  

Supports Immune Function

One symptom of adrenal exhaustion is frequent sore throats and infections. A research review published in the Townsend Letter notes the positive effects of massage on immune function. Massage increases white blood cells and natural killer cells in healthy individuals following a Swedish massage. There is an observed increase in natural killer cell activity and T-cells in HIV positive patients receiving daily massage. In addition, a reduced loss of lymphocytes in HIV positive is noted in children receiving massage therapy twice per week.

 

Tips

For a professional massage, seek out a certified or licensed massage therapist. The American Massage Therapy Association recommends you ask your massage therapist about their credentials to practice massage therapy. Talk to your massage therapist about why you are seeking massage therapy -- this will help your therapist choose the best style and approach to your massage. Use massage therapy for relaxation, not as an alternative to medical treatment.

Roy is a New York State Licensed Massage Therapist and has worked in high end spa’s as well as rehabilitation centers. He is well known for his Relaxing Massage as well as his skill in Medical Massage and Sports Massage. Contact Roy at 631-375-0962 or email at roy@wavecrestmassage.com to schedule your next appointment. 

https://www.wavecrestmassage.com

What’s the Difference Between a Swedish Massage and a Deep Tissue Massage?

  Two popular massage techniques, Swedish massage and deep tissue massage have different purposes and results. It’s worth knowing the difference so you can get the most relief for your particular issues. Here is a little background information on these two massage techniques.

 

Swedish Massage is Perfect for Relaxation

 



 

 

Developed in the early 1800s by Per Henrik Ling and others, Swedish massage may be the most commonly used massage technique. Swedish massage promotes relaxation with light to vigorous strokes, including: 

 

1.Effleurage (sliding)

 

2.Petrissage (kneading)

 

3.Tapotement (rhythmic tapping)

 

4.Friction

 

5.Vibration or shaking

Swedish massage increases blood circulation and moves metabolic waste out of the body .It boosts the nervous system, which helps relieve pain and reduce tension. Clinical studies show that Swedish massage reduces lower back pain, arthritis, and joint stiffness. It lowers levels of cortisol, the stress hormone.

For relaxation and stress relief, Swedish massage is the technique to choose.

 

More Than Just Athletes Choose Deep Tissue Massage

 

As the name implies, Deep Tissue Massage uses deep pressure to reach areas of tension and pain within the muscles. With an injury or chronic tension, adhesions develop in muscles, tendons and ligaments. Adhesions block circulation, limit movement, and cause pain and inflammation.

Deep tissue massage uses direct deep pressure to break down adhesions in the back, neck, arms, and legs. The massage therapist uses massage oil and intense pressure to reach and unknot inner layers of muscle. It isn’t painful, since an experienced massage therapist is attentive to a client’s tolerance.

Deep tissue massage is often used to relieve chronic pain, such as back pain, tension headaches, or carpal tunnel syndrome. Athletes who maintain an intense training program use deep tissue massage to ease the effects of demanding workouts. It can be helpful to reduce fluid retention, too.

Areas of stiffness also benefit from deep tissue massage, and it’s used to relieve stiff neck and upper back, sore shoulders, and tight leg muscles. Deep tissue massage is most often used in cases of injury or chronic tension.

 

Both Forms of Massage Have Many Benefits

Whether you choose Swedish massage or deep tissue massage, your massage will help flush toxins out of your body. To assist that process, drink fluids, especially water.

Both deep tissue massage and Swedish massage can leave you with sore muscles temporarily. But this will pass quickly and leave you feeling better.

For a massage that’s customized to your individual needs, call Wave Crest Massage at (631) 375-0962  or sign up online. We look forward to helping you find the perfect massage for your needs.

Tip:

Before you book your appointment, make sure your massage therapist is certified or licensed in your state and associated with the Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals (ABMP) or the American Massage Therapists Association (AMTA). 

Remember, only receive massage therapy when you are well. 

If you don't feel well, reschedule your massage and consult a doctor. 

 

Roy is a New York State Licensed Massage Therapist and has worked in high end spa’s as well as rehabilitation centers. He is well known for his Relaxing Massage as well as his skill in Medical Massage and Sports Massage.Contact Roy at 631-375-0962 or email at roy@wavecrestmassage.com to schedule your next appointment.  https://www.wavecrestmassage.com

 

 

 

 

Warm Bamboo Massage



Known for its healing properties, this massage works at all levels to balance, calm and energize you physically, mentally and spiritually.

 



 

 If you're looking for a rejuvenating massage treatment, there's nothing better than Warm Bamboo Massage Therapy. 

 

 

 

 

What is it?

Warm Bamboo Massage is for the person wanting a luxurious Swedish Massage or serious Deep Tissue Bodywork.  Bamboo rods are used to roll and knead the soft tissue and knots that combine the traditional benefits of massage along with comforting quality of heat creating the extreme sense of relaxation and well-being.

 

Technique used in bamboo massage therapy

 A bamboo massage is typically done with bamboo & rattan rods of various lengths and diameter. The rods are generally heated but may be used at room temperature. Longer pieces of bamboo in various widths are used for gliding strokes, whereas smaller tools can be used for more detailed work.  The bamboo and rattan replace the hand of the therapist providing a deeper, firmer massage. The bamboo rod is held by the therapist and rolled over the muscle with the same strokes they would use with their hands. The Warm Bamboo Massage improves circulation, sensory nerve perception and provides a deep sense of relaxation and serenity.

 

 

What are some of the benefits of Warm Bamboo Massage?

• Increases circulation

• Flushes body of metabolic wastes (i.e., lactic acid) for faster healing time and detoxification

• Decreases muscle spasms

• Breaks up tissue adhesions

• Releases endorphins to promote relaxation and pain reduction
• Warms and relaxes deeper tissue

 

 

 

 

Who should receive Warm Bamboo Massage?

Athletes, weekend warriors or anyone who has tissue adhesions, long periods with little movement, spasms, muscle tightness, insomnia, strains, sprains, headaches, a cold (tail-end), and plain old daily stress.

Warm Bamboo massage would not be advised for people with:

1. Lymphatic Cancer
2. Nausea
3. Fever
4. The beginnings of a cold or flu
5. Any condition that taxes the circulatory system (i.e., uncontrolled high blood pressure)
6. Most bacterial infections  

Always consult your doctor and your therapist to see if massage or specific massage types are right for you.

Make the most of your massage
Communication is key. Tell your therapist about your exercise routine and any particular pains, injuries, or conditions you have.

Tip:

Before you book your appointment, make sure your massage therapist is certified or licensed in your state and associated with the Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals (ABMP) or the American Massage Therapists Association (AMTA). 

Remember, only receive massage therapy when you are well. 

If you don't feel well, reschedule your massage and consult a doctor. 

 

Roy is a New York State Licensed Massage Therapist and has worked in high end spa’s as well as rehabilitation centers. He is well known for his Relaxing Massage as well as his skill in Medical Massage and Sports Massage.Contact Roy at 631-375-0962 or email at roy@wavecrestmassage.com to schedule your next appointment.  https://www.facebook.com/wavecrestmassage  

#bamboomassage  #warmbamboomassage  #crossfit    #deeptissuemassage   #insomnia  #sportsmassage  #tissueadhesions  #endorphins 

 

 

Massage for Health and Wellbeing

How Can a Massage Help My Health and Wellbeing? 

Aside from the fact that it’s a completely decadent and relaxing way to spend an hour, getting a massage is actually good for your health. When you take the time to book regular massages, you are taking the time to care for your body and your wellbeing. There are numerous positive side effects to massage that affect your entire physical being.

What Does Massage Therapy Help?

Massages are great for those who suffer from ailments that cause you to feel less than perfect. In fact, you might be surprised to know that it assists those who suffer from frequent headaches, sciatica, sore muscles, tension, mild anxiety, and even back pain.

It is great for those women who are expecting a child and experiencing a great deal of bodily strain. It’s great for those who are suffering from depression and other forms of illness that affect their mood and happiness. It helps to ease discomfort, improve your mood, and make you feel like an entirely new person.

The Benefits of Massage Therapy

Massage therapy is ripe with benefits. Not only can it help to improve your circulation, it can also help to lower or ease your stress. Stress is one of the most common health issues you can suffer from. It can cause a myriad of other health issues, and eliminating it through massage is a great way to help you feel healthy and strong. Additionally, it can help you ease muscle pain and relax. This can help with injury and recovery from injury.

Common Types of Massage Therapy

While there are probably hundreds of different therapy types you can choose from – just look at any spa menu and see for yourself – there are a few that are common most everywhere you go. These forms of massage include the Swedish massage that uses deep circular motions and vibration to relax your body, deep tissue massages that use slow movement and deep targeting to help with injury, and sports massages that are used to treat and prevent injury from participating in sports or sports related activities.

Tip:

Before you book your appointment, make sure your massage therapist is certified or licensed in your state and associated with the Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals (ABMP) or the American Massage Therapists Association (AMTA). 

Remember, only receive massage therapy when you are well. 

If you don't feel well, reschedule your massage and consult a doctor. 

Roy is a New York State Licensed Massage Therapist and has worked in high end spa’s as well as rehabilitation centers. He is well known for his Relaxing Massage as well as his skill in Medical Massage and Sports Massage.To schedule your next appointment, contact Roy at 

631-375-0962 or email at

roy@wavecrestmassage.com  

https://www.facebook.com/wavecrestmassage 

https://www.wavecrestmassage.com

#anxiety  #backpain  #depression  #headaches  #sciatica  #stress  #tension  #wellbeing  #circulation 

Your Immune System May Knead Massage Therapy

Finally - a reason to treat yourself to a massage, guilt-free. As massage therapy goes main-stream, medical researchers are uncovering more and more health benefits to lying down on the table. Because of these compelling benefits, it is time to consider massage therapy not as a luxury indulgence but as a form of medical treatment.

The benefits of massage are immediately obvious to anyone who's had one. A massage session calms you down, eases your anxieties, and even helps you sleep at night. Now a study, funded by the government's National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine, finds that those sessions may help you ward off diseases, too.

 For a study published in the Journal of Complimentary and Alternative Medicine, the authors recruited 53 healthy adults between the ages of 18 and 45 and divided them into two groups: one that received a traditional Swedish massage, and another that received a session of light touch meant to simulate a massage but without any actual massage-therapy techniques. The Swedish massages were all performed by certified massage therapists to ensure uniformity. Each participant had an IV inserted into one arm for the duration of the massage and for a few hours afterward. Blood was drawn at various intervals to measure levels of various hormones and immune-system markers.

The authors were working under the theory that massage increases the body's levels of oxytocin, or "the love hormone," which helps regulate levels of hormones related to stress. They found that that wasn't the case. People receiving the "light touch" treatment actually experienced higher levels of oxytocin than the massage recipients. But unlike the light-touch group, the massage recipients saw significant decreases in stress hormones and increases in the body's production of various cells that boost immune-system response.

A single massage could help boost your immune system and help you better cope with stress, even if you're not sick or stressed out. "I'm really intrigued by our findings," says Mark Hyman Rapaport, M.D., professor and chairman of the department of psychiatry and behavioral neurosciences at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, who adds that he was an "incredible skeptic" about the benefits of massage therapy before doing this study. "I always wondered, what does it do that so many people claim to feel better afterwards?" he says. "We're finding that biological changes do occur as a result of even a single session of massage, and that these changes may benefit even a healthy individual."

While it may be enough for most people to know that getting a massage makes them feel better, regardless of what the biological effects are, Dr. Rapaport says that his findings could help advance the use of massage therapy in traditional medicine, which would be good news for people looking for more options to treat their medical complaints. "Based on data that have come out of a number of the surveys, a majority of Americans would rather go to an alternative practitioner than a physician and would prefer to have an alternative to traditional care," he says. The few studies on massage therapy that have been done have focused on specific complaints, such as back pain or anxiety, he says, but his research suggests that the therapy could be beneficial to people suffering from a wider range of immune-system disorders.

Remember, only receive massage therapy when you are well. 

If you don't feel well, reschedule your massage and consult a doctor.

Roy is a New York State Licensed Massage Therapist and has worked in high end spa’s as well as rehabilitation centers. He is well known for his Relaxing Massage as well as his skill in Medical Massage and Sports Massage.

Contact Roy at 631-375-0962 or email at roy@wavecrestmassage.com to schedule your next appointment.  https://www.facebook.com/wavecrestmassage

#immunesystem  #massage  #anxiety  #alternativemedicine  #disease  #swedishmassage  #oxytocin  #lovehormone  #immunesystemdisorder

Massage Therapy For Fibromyalgia

Are the aches and pains of fibromyalgia getting you down? If so, then massage therapy might be just what you need to help put some spring back into your step. Recently, massage therapy has become extremely popular among fibromyalgia patients. It works to reduce pain, eliminate stiffness, and helps you to relax and take some time out for yourself. If you are interested in massage, this blog will outline the treatment’s basic principles and how it can benefit your fibromyalgia symptoms.

Massage therapy is a hands-on treatment that is becoming more and more popular, both with fibromyalgia patients and other pain sufferers. In massage therapy, your muscles and soft tissues are manipulated in order to relieve stress, reduce pain, and increase flexibility. Usually done with the hands, there are a variety of different techniques used to give a massage. Common techniques involve stroking, kneading, and palpating the muscles. Hot and cold therapies are also used during massages in order to increase blood flow and relax muscles.

Massage therapy can really reduce the pain, stiffness, and tender points

caused by fibromyalgia syndrome. But how does it manage to do this? Massage therapy actually enhances the production of certain pain blockers, including endorphins, serotonin, and norepinephrine. These hormones work to counteract pain signals conducted by the brain, and this would explain why massage offers such dramatic pain relief.

 

Benefits of Massage Therapy for Fibromyalgia Pain Sufferers

 Massage therapy is actually one of the most beneficial treatments for fibromyalgia pain and fatigue. In fact, in a survey completed by fibromyalgia sufferers, massage therapy was rated the best fibromyalgia treatment option by an overwhelming margin. Massage therapy benefits include:

•increased blood circulation to the muscles, allowing for faster muscle repair

•increased flexibility

•increased range of motion

•decreased stress and depression

•reduced pain

•reduced stiffness

•improved sleep patterns

In a 1996 study, fibromyalgia sufferers reported a 38% decrease in pain symptoms after receiving just ten, 30 minute massage sessions. They also reported a significant decrease in their sleep difficulties and began sleeping for longer periods at a time and were disturbed less by sleep disorders.

Massage is one of the complementary therapies that is most highly rated by people with fibromyalgia. Research has shown that massage can help reduce pain, elevate mood, decrease the need for pain medicines, and increase the quality of life for some fibromyalgia patients.

Roy is a Licensed Massage Therapist and has worked in high end spa’s as well as a rehabilitation center working on sports injuries with medical massage.

Contact Roy at 631-375-0962 or email at roy@wavecrestmassage.com to schedule your next appointment. https://www.facebook.com/wavecrestmassage

#fibromyalgia  #fibromyalgiapain  #fibrocycle