Tag: massage benefits

Massage & Bodywork, Tapestry Life Resource

The Benefits of Craniosacral Therapy

Suzanne Hollifield-Eller
Used with permission. Image by Salvatore Vuono at FreeDigitalPhotos.net.
Note: When last visited, Vuono’s portfolio was no longer on Free Digital Photos; however, this photo is still being classified as public domain.

Craniosacral therapy is a gentle treatment approach that works with the natural, self-correcting mechanism of the body and the craniosacral system to detect and release restrictions in mobility and enhance the function of the craniosacral system.

The craniosacral system includes the membranes and fluids that surround and protect the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. Restrictions in the rhythmical movement of the craniosacral system can cause sensory, motor or neurological dysfunction.

The techniques of Craniosacral Therapy were developed by osteopathic physician John E. Upledger, founder of the Upledger Institute. Dr. Upledger based his method on the research of Dr. William Sutherland, another osteopath, who is considered the father of craniosacral therapy.

Sutherland observed that, contrary to general belief, the bones of the skull do not fuse completely in early childhood. This means that through very gentle touch, they can be moved, and consequently, the tissues attached to them can be moved. Furthermore, early in his career, Dr. Upledger realized that the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord move in a rhythm, different from respiration or the heartbeat. He developed a technique to palpate and manipulate this craniosacral rhythm.

“Dr. John” taught this technique internationally and widely published his research on the efficacy of the treatment protocol. His research is continuing under the auspices of the Institute and the many students and teachers who continue to scientifically validate the usefulness of CST in treating a variety of complaints.

So what is the technique? Using pressure of about five grams, the therapist is able to palpate or feel the rhythm of the craniosacral fluid moving through the tissues of her clients and uses her evaluation of the flow and restrictions to focus treatment on the causes of dysfunction rather than only on the symptoms. She used the bones, mostly in the head and spine, to manipulate the tissues and fluid that affect the whole body.

The client lies on the heated treatment table and usually remains clothed. It may seem like not much is happening because the touch is so light and the therapist does not move around a lot. Many clients go to sleep, and that is fine. The sense of relaxation may continue for several days as the body continues to heal itself and achieve a greater state of balance. Clients often claim their pain is alleviated for longer periods and their mood is improved. The effects are subtle and tend to build with treatment.

The therapy has been used successfully to treat such disorders as headaches, neck and back pain, TMJ, fibromyalgia, motor coordination difficulties, vertigo, edema, neuropathy and nerve compression syndromes. It is also good for chronic conditions that may have an emotional component such as fibromyalgia, attention deficit disorder, anxiety and depression, and even learning problems.

Craniosacral Therapy also has a strong component that focuses on mobilization of the fascia, the continuous sheet of connective tissue that surrounds the organs, muscles, bones, nerves, vessels and other structures of the body. This three-dimensional fascia runs head to toe, front to back and exterior to interior in the body.

Release of fascial restrictions in one part of the body can affect painful tissues in other parts of the body and cause them to also release. The craniosacral system an be used as an indicator of fascial restriction, and then a gentle myofascial release technique can be used to normalize muscle tone, decrease pain, decrease swelling and increase soft tissue and joint mobility. The benefits are usually immediate. For this reason, CST is considered to be a deep tissue modality even though the client does not disrobe and even though the pressure is only 5 grams.

People of all ages, from babies to grandparents, can benefits from craniosacral therapy. In fact, unless there is a high-risk condition affecting the brain or spinal cord, like an aneurysm or tumor, most people can benefit from CST. Recent research even suggests it is helpful for people with traumatic head injury or autism. In any event, your therapist will obtain a medical history before doing a treatment and may ask you to get doctor’s approval if anything seems contraindicated.

Massage & Bodywork, Tapestry Life Resource

Deep Tissue Massage Explained

Suzanne Hollifield-Eller
Therapist massaging back of client
A deep tissue massage is slow work and often focuses on one part of the body for the full session.

Deep tissue massage does not have to be painful. That is a misconception that we at Tapestry Life Resources and Hands On Massage Therapy are trying to dispel.

In fact, if, on a scale of one to ten, your massage goes past the pain threshold of a six or seven, the work is ineffective and probably doing more harm than good. That is because the muscles contract against the pain, instead of lengthening and relaxing.

In general, massage techniques that are used for Swedish or relaxation massage can be used effectively for deeper work. The aim in both is to loosen adhesions, stretch and mobilize connective tissue, and improve circulation and lymph flow. In fact, a good Swedish massage can be the first line of defense against injury since healthy, flexible tissues are less likely to get hurt in the first place.

What separates deep tissue massage from Swedish massage is the depth of the pressure and the speed of the massage. The rule is that the deeper you go, the slower you go. Thus, if you are really having trouble with an area of your body, you may only have time in an hour massage to get that area worked. A full-body massage that is all deep work lasts at least 90 minutes and could last two hours. A look at the way muscles are layered may explain why.

In order to reach the deeper muscles, the massage therapist must first release the superficial muscles. To do this, the therapist may use fingers, hands, fists, knuckles, forearms, elbows, or various massage tools. This can take some time before the superficial muscles are relaxed enough for the deeper muscles to be reached. Less oil or cream is used so that there is less slip as greater pressure is slowly applied. Heat, cold, and sprays may also be used.

Muscles of back
Superficial and deep muscles of the back
Grey’s Anatomy

Let’s use the back muscles for an example. The superficial muscles of the back act on the upper limb. The intermediate muscles act on the ribs and thorax; the deepest muscles of the back are responsible for keeping the body erect.

If trigger points are found, the therapist may strip, friction or compress these to gain a release. Trigger points are taut bands of muscle fiber that do not relax and that keep the muscle in a shortened state. They are usually more painful than the surrounding muscle tissue, and they refer pain to other parts of the body. Trigger point therapy, also called neuromuscular therapy, is often combined with deep tissue massage. Its focus is these taut bands, and although trigger points can hurt as they are released, the therapist should not push beyond the pain threshold of a six or seven.

A true deep tissue massage focuses on the spreading and lengthening of the connective tissue sheath. Deep tissue techniques are based on the work of Ida Rolf who developed a technique called Structural Integration. Her principles have been widely adapted into other connective tissue massage therapies. 

Beneath the skin and connecting every part of the body is a fibrous sheet of connective tissue called fascia. The fascia surrounds the bones, muscles, and organs. Indeed, although it is is basically a single sheet of mesh, it wraps individual tissue fibers as well as the whole structure (ie, individual muscle fibers and the whole muscle). Thus, connective tissue health is essential to painless movement. If the surrounding fascia is restricted, so is the muscle. Denser connective tissue forms the tendons and ligaments.

Connective tissue is unique in that it is elastic, which allows it to be elongated. However, the therapist must employ precise levels of palpation, pressure and energy to effectively make changes in the tissue. Simply massaging, kneading or compressing the fascia does not change or elongate the connective tissue. Fascia and muscle are different types of tissue, and they require different approaches. Your therapist will be trained to apply these techniques.

The fascial layers are worked one at a time, progressing from superficial to deep just as with the muscle layers. The superficial layers must lengthen and become more elastic and supple before going to the next, deeper layer.

Often the reason deep tissue massage hurts is that the therapist may be trying to achieve releases too quickly. While it is appropriate to work at your pain threshold, the therapist should not exceed your threshold. If she does, it is up to you to tell her so. Furthermore, you may have to decide to forego a full-body massage and ask that the therapist concentrate on one troublesome area so she is not rushed. Alternately, you could schedule a longer massage appointment.

Finally, you need to drink water and take a hot bath in Epsom salts or apple cider vinegar when you get home. You always hear this after a massage, but do you do it? The water flushes toxins and helps keep the connective tissues hydrated so they can heal. The heat of the bath and the properties of the salts or vinegar also remove toxins and help relax the body more fully. Stretching or other exercises may also be helpful.

Deep work does not have to be painful if your therapist is knowledgeable and if you communicate with her about your pain level, You should be willing to limit your massage to a trouble area, to schedule a longer massage session, and/or to return for a follow-up visit to achieve the best results with minimal pain. Finally, you need to practice self-care and follow your therapist’s advice about proper hydration and post-massage detoxifying.

Massage & Bodywork, Tapestry Life Resource

What is Swedish Massage— Really?

Suzanne Hollifield-Eller

If you have heard massage therapists talk about Swedish massage but are unsure just what that means, you are not alone. The term is so confusing that many massage practices have started using terms like therapeutic massage and relaxation massage to describe the technique and avoid confusion.

While the term Swedish massage may conjure up images of a tall, blonde Bjorn pounding on your back, the term actually comes from the nationality of the technique’s originator, Per Henrick Ling. It is characterized by the application of firm but gentle pressure on the more superficial muscles, which presses them against the deeper muscles and bone in order to induce relaxation to the tissues. Swedish is the most popular form of massage in the world.

Recently, I’ve had more and more clients asking for Swedish massage. They are stressed, and although they may have some general soreness or stiffness, the thing they want most is to relax and maybe to get a good night’s sleep. They like the variety of techniques in Swedish massage and the ways you can vary the pressure for different results.

Stripping is a technique that combines effleurage and friction to help therapists release the tension in the suboccipital muscles of the neck.

There are five essential techniques in Swedish massage with a sixth added by some. The first is effleurage, which is a long, gliding stroke whose purpose is to improve lymphatic flow and circulation and to warm and relax the tissues. Next is petrissage, a kneading stroke that rolls and lifts the muscles and pulls them away from the bones. Third is friction, which employs small circular pressure to muscles to release knots and adhesions. After friction comes vibration, a techniques that shakes or vibrates the body to stimulate circulation. Tapotement includes percussion movements such as hacking, cupping, and tapping. The final (added) stroke includes bending and tractionwhereby the tissues are gently stretched and mobilized.

One reason that Swedish massage is so popular is that it benefits every major system of the body in some way. Primarily, it relieves physical, emotional and mental stress. It releases accumulated toxins from the tissues and flushes them out of the kidneys, lymphatics, and circulatory system. It increases oxygen flow throughout the body without adding a work load burden to the heart. 

Swedish massage also soothes the nervous system and helps clients manage pain by releasing endorphins, the feel-good hormones, into the blood-stream. It can improve digestion and relieve edema or swelling.

The first modality we learned at The Whole You School of Massage was Swedish, and we spent several weeks on it before we worked on anyone other than each other. Clients generally undress fully and are massage in the supine and prone positions and sometimes in a side-lying position. Lubricant is used and sometimes essential oils or analgesics. The techniques used in Swedish can be applied to chair massage as well although the client is usually clothed if getting chair massage.

As mentioned above, another reason for the popularity of Swedish massage is that it can be individualized to the client’s specific needs by varying the strokes and the degree of pressure of the strokes from very light to deeper and heavier. Indeed, Swedish massage forms the foundation for several other massage modalities, including sports massage and deep tissue massage, and it is easily combined with other modalities to give the client a truly personalized experience.

Continuing Education, Human energy field, Massage & Bodywork

Unwinding the Meridians

Suzanne Hollifield-Eller

I recently took a new Craniosacral Therapy class from the Upledger Institute on unwinding the meridians. We studied the rudiments of Traditional Chinese Medicine in massage school, and there was a good bit of TCM on the NC Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy licensing exam, which I took in 2007. (Wow! Have I been doing massage that long?)

We also took Touch for Health Level 1 in massage school as the owner of the now closed Whole You School of Massage and Bodywork, Cheryl Shew, believed it was one of the best classes to prepare us for the massage exam. It is based on TCM and applied kinesiology and is an incredibly effective method for balancing meridians and toning muscles.

After I finished massage school, I took the Levels, 2, 3, and 4 Touch for Health classes, and my teachers, Larry and Arlene Green, offer refreshers and online “get together” frequently. When I began the Unwinding Meridians class, I suspected my TFH books and charts might come in handy, I was right. Much of the material I had previously learned was applicable to the new technique.

I realized I needed to brush up on things though, and it actually got me excited. The more something in the class triggered previous knowledge, the more confident I felt that this is a modality I can use.

So what is it that got me so pumped? Well first of all, I could actually feel the craniosacral rhythm/energy movement when I put my fingers on the acupuncture points. As with traditional craniosacral therapy, the touch is light and less like acupressure or Shiatsu massage.

Before I tried the work on a client, I made sure to look up the acupuncture points for a problem I know she has. I could feel the rhythm shifting and changing even more strongly, maybe because I was working on a real problem. She shared my excitement.

Using craniosacral therapy to unwind the meridians can help with the emotions as well. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, each meridian is associated with organs, emotions, seasons, colors, and a whole wealth of other correspondences. If a client has several points that need to unwind along the same meridian, you can sometime discover old trauma that is the source of chronic pain that seems to have no cause by asking questions related to the meridian correspondences. The inner physician knows and will often lead you to the truth you may be avoiding.

Unwinding the Meridians with Craniosacral Therapy is now a tool in my toolbox. I hope the more that I use it, the better I will get at help clients become pain-free and enjoy life more.

Massage & Bodywork, Tapestry Life Resource

Piriformis Pain: How can one little muscle cause so much trouble?

Suzanne Hollifield-Eller

According to WebMD, “The piriformis muscle is a flat, band-like muscle located in the buttocks near the top of the hip joint. This muscle is important in lower body movement because it stabilizes the hip joint and lifts and rotates the thigh away from the body. This enables us to walk, shift our weight from one foot to another, and maintain balance. It is also used in sports that involve lifting and rotating the thighs – in short, in almost every motion of the hips and legs.”

Gray's Anatomy Piriformis
Piriformis

The piriformis is prone to trigger points, and if it becomes taut enough, it can press on the sciatic nerve, which usually runs underneath it but sometimes can run through it. Trigger points in the piriformis or an entrapped sciatic nerve can refer pain all the way down the leg. A tight piriformis may also torque the low back causing lumbar area pain as well. It’s a small muscle, but it can cause tremendous problems if it becomes taut or irritated.

Any number of things can cause the piriformis to become taut. Chief among these is sitting in one position for too long. If you have a job that requires sitting at a desk all day, chances are you know what a tight piriformis feels like. Likewise, activities that require climbing or repetitive motions like running, especially over uneven ground, can cause piriformis pain.

Massage is one of the best cures for piriformis pain, especially if you don’t wait until it becomes chronic. You can also use self-care strategies like rolling and pressing a tennis ball over the site or using a SacroWedgy®.

There a a number of good stretches for the piriformis as well. One is to lie on your back and to bend the knees. Cross the right leg over the left at the knee. Clasp your hands behind the bottom knee and pull both legs toward the chest. You should feel the stretch in the buttocks of the crossed leg. Repeat on the other side.

A variation of the above stretch is to sit in an chair, crossing your legs with one ankle over the knee of the other leg. Keeping your back straight, lean forward until you feel the stretch.

Another stretch is to kneel on the floor on hands and knees. Tuck the right knee under the body so that knee is in line with the left shoulder and straighten the left leg. Press the hips to the right until a gentle pull is felt in the right buttock. Repeat on the other side.

You don’t have to suffer with piriformis pain. Massage and self-care can keep you moving and help you avoid more serious problems like sciatic nerve entrapment.

Massage & Bodywork, Tapestry Life Resource

Massage and Managing Diabetes

Suzanne Hollifield-Eller

foot massage
Foot care is especially important for the diabetic. Have your therapist look for cracks and ulcerations and be aware of too deep pressure you might not feel. Image by HealingDream at FreeDigitalPhotos.net Click link at end of article to see HealingDream's portfolio.

One of my personal goals is to learn something new about massage and bodywork each day. Sometimes that is a new technique, and sometimes it is new information about a pathology or condition presented by one of my clients.

One of my regular, weekly clients has mild Type II diabetes.  She also suffers from being overweight and from arthritis, and although very active in her life, her range of motion is impaired by her ailments. Massage and regular chiropractic appointments make her feel better and help improve her ability to do the things she enjoys with greater ease of movement.

I’ve been trying to discover the reason for her toe cramps for a while now. Other massage therapists have suggested that these might be caused by mineral deficiencies (potassium, magnesium, and calcium primarily), dehydration or by the massage releasing a muscle and thus causing the antagonist areas go into spasm. My client has tried many of the suggested remedies, plus homeopathic quinine and switching to lite potassium chloride salt. She even put a cork under her pillow although that folk remedy didn’t work.

My client’s regular doctor suggested, however, that the cramps might be related to her diabetes. That led me to do more research, and I’ve learned a good bit in the last week about diabetes and massage.

First, I learned that if  the cramping is related to the diabetes, it may be coming from the drug she is using to control her sugar levels.  The cramping may also be a complication of Type II diabetes itself though it is not as well-known as neuropathy or even the skin hardening that may precede neuropathy. Ulcerated skin is one of the worst of these related complications, so while I advise using the mineral supplements with the doctor’s approval, I also want my client to be vigilant for any decrease in feeling in her feet and toes.

I also learned some general things about diabetes and massage. In general, massage is beneficial for people who have diabetes. Massage helps the client relax and release endorphins which in turn helps blood sugar levels balance to healthy levels. Similarly, massage improves circulation, which in turn improves cellular insulin uptake. Finally, regular massage improves the elasticity of the connective tissue and makes movement easier.

This last benefit got me thinking about how often the superficial tissue of my diabetic clients seems stretched unusually taut and how often even light pressure seems to cause an unusual pain response. So I began to do more digging. What I discovered is that increased blood sugars cause connective tissues to thicken and even harden. The is true of the superficial fascia and also of the deeper fascia that surrounds the muscles, muscle fibers and the organs themselves. The thickening also causes swelling because lymph flow is restricted and further inhibits the range of motion. The skin itself can become dry, calloused and cracked. No wonder my client hurts!

I always work slowly, releasing the superficial connective tissue before working individual muscles. This is the way I was taught and is also an intuitive response as I palpate the tissues. Working slowly and broadly with long strokes, myofascial stretching and energy techniques first relaxes and releases the dense connective tissue before I begin using more specific deep tissue pressure and trigger point therapy on individual muscles.

I remember this same client telling me that her previous massage therapist often made her hurt for several days before she felt better. I suspect the MT went into the trigger points too quickly and caused damage to the connective tissue by not warming and melting it first. Now that I know about the effect of diabetes on the cellular density of the tissue, I will be even more careful to warm the tissue and proceed slowly to the deeper layers.

Another thing I learned is both a benefit and a caution. Massage can cause the blood sugar levels to drop as much as 20-40 points. Overall, this is a good thing, but if the client’s blood sugar levels drop too much while on the table or just after the massage, it could cause hypoglycemia and be dangerous. That defeats all the potential benefits of the relaxing massage.

Symptoms of a dangerous drop in blood sugar levels include:

  • Excessive sweating or clammy skin
  • Faintness or headache
  • Inability to awaken
  • Certain “spaced-out” tendencies, such as slow speech or clumsiness
  • Irritability
  • Personality changes
  • Rapid heartbeat

That’s why I went out to the store and bought some fruit juice boxes to have on hand in case I have a client on the table whose sugar drops too much. However, if you are diabetic and receive massage, you should have a snack in your purse or car and always tell the therapist if you need to stop the massage and take care of your blood sugar needs.  I assure you, the therapist will be thankful. You also need to check your blood sugar levels for several hours after you leave the massage office because the effects of blood sugar lowering can continue for several hours.

Be sure to update your therapist about what medications you are taking, especially if you are taking insulin shots. The injection sites are particularly sensitive to massage, and although the tissue there may feel especially dense (causing the therapist to work there more), studies have shown that massage on injection sites can increase the rate at which the insulin enters the blood stream and further lower your blood sugar.

Finally, be sure you eat before the massage and that you are hydrated both before and after the massage. If you feel unusual, after the massage, don’t drive until you feel normal.

The beneficial effects of massage for diabetics seem to outweigh the contraindications. However, it is a must that you and your massage therapist communicate effectively. Share you needs and concerns, and realize that  honest feedback allows you and your massage therapist to learn from each other and develop a supportive rapport.

Image: healingdream / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Massage & Bodywork, Tapestry Life Resource

Touch for Health on the table

Suzanne Hollifield-Eller

I incorporated Touch for Health into a Swedish massage today. It is the second time I’ve done so for this client. It is so easy to balance muscles with Touch for Health, and for the second time the muscle testing affirmed what I was feeling and intuiting about which muscles needed specific work.

My client is from out west and tells me that many therapists, chiropractors and alternative/complementary health providers out there use muscle testing. Not so here in the South.

I am gratified that this client called me and asked about TFH. I offered to incorporate TFH into her massage sessions free so that I could practice working with anatomical order rather than meridian order and also could practice with a client on the table rather than standing. I’m am more convinced than ever to use TFH on my clients who have chronic pain issues. I don’t use it as often as I would like because some of the tests are difficult to perform on a draped client. Getting to practice helps me to discover the best ways to keep the client comfortable while I check to muscle.

I am fortuante to have so many regular clients who don’t mind letting me try new techniques or different ways of solving their issues. I invite comments from anyone else who uses muscle testing with their clients on the table.