Pain management is one of the top two reasons people come in for
massage therapy- stress relief being the other. But pain relief does not have to cost you upwards of $60/hour. Some of your pain can be managed at home by you.
Here's a great video I found by MELT (maker of the MELT Method balls) for those suffering from tennis elbow. These self-massage techniques will also be beneficial for any kind of forearm tension and tightness of the wrist. Give it a try.
Please note you DO NOT have to purchase these special balls to perform this technique. Any small to medium size ball that is firm will be beneficial - or you can just use your hands!
Feel better soon!
As a massage therapist, I specifically appreciate this massage technique for the IT band because the IT band is almost always a very sensitive area to work on.
By encouraging the massage client - that's you, folks - to work on your own IT band with the foam roller, the client can adjust the pressure of the bodywork to your level of comfort (or discomfort).
Take a minute to learn something new! This video by SparkPeople is informative and easy follow along with if you have a foam roller nearby.
One of the most important points mentioned is how to adjust the pressure on your IT band. It's true! This technique can be very painful - and not just at the muscle attachment near the knee! But you can lessen the intensity by "leaning into" your hands. Yes, by "leaning into" your hands, you will have to use some upper body strength, but I believe in you. You can do it!
Happy IT rolling!
Have you ever heard of sinus massage?
If you live in Austin, Texas, you know this time of year is hard on us Austinites - with allergies and sinus yuck in full swing, most of us are congested and drugged. Did you know you can relieve sinus pressure with massage? It's true. Massage, specifically acupressure, is an effective way to relieve sinus pressure in a pinch - pun intended.
This video presented by eHow actually had information about acupressure for sinus pressure relief I hadn't seen demonstrated before. Check it out
Please note, that if you have an infection, this is not a cure. This is a pain relief technique. I also find that laying on my back while performing these massage techniques relieves sinus pressure that is concentrated frontally.
If you followed along with the video, how do you feel? Did massaging these points work? Give us your feedback in the comment field below!
Coming in for a massage appointment? Make sure you ask for a personal demonstration of sinus massage techniques, so you can perform them at home on your own.
Beyond the energetic benefits of massaging the face, just like the rest of the body the face benefits from improved circulation, reduced muscle tension and relief from pain caused by headaches or TMJ. For those who have received cosmetic surgery, massage can promote healing and reduce the appearance of scar tissue.
I have several clients who insist that I skip their face. Many of these clients are worried either about wrinkles or about oily faces, but a majority of facial work can be done using shiatsu pressure points as opposed to strokes that would require more pulling of the skin or the use of a massage lubricant.
Go to One Body, BodyworkInAustin.com's Massage Blog to read the full article and watch a demonstration.