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FAQ: Can Massage Complement Acupuncture Treatments?

May 3rd, 2010 .
According to The Beijing Journal of Acupuncture and Tui Na Science, acupuncturists often use techniques you see in Western-style massage such as effleurage, and pressing strokes to examine the body’s responses to movement on the meridians. The meridians are the series of points on the body that your acupuncturist applies their treatment, usually in the form of needles. Acupuncturists also use massage techniques to locate these points. While acupuncture may treat specific conditions, such as allergies or a cold, massage therapy can treat circulatory and muscular issues which conditions tend to stress.
Receiving massage therapy in addition to acupuncture can actually maximize the benefits of that session. All New York state massage therapists are trained to identify acupuncture points and meridians, also used in Shiatsu. With this training they can use their own bodywork style to go hand in hand with your acupuncturist’s treatment plan.
Margaret Hallisey is one of our awesome community acupuncturists here in Williamsburg. Contact her at margarethallisey@yahoo.com for how to achieve wellness using both acupuncture and massage therapy!

Why Stretching Works

April 29th, 2010 .
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When you get up in the morning, you lift your arms towards the ceiling, take a deep inhale and stretch. After a long day at the work, you stand up from your desk, move your arms, wrists and back, and stretch. Go to bed, relax into your sheets, and stretch out your arms and legs. Stretching seems instinctual to do, but why does it feel so good? And how does it help the body?
Simple! In the attachments of each muscle, there are receptors called Golgi Tendon Organs, or “GTOs”. These receptors relax a stretched muscle so it won’t overstretch or tear. With time, good stretching takes advantage of golgi tendon organs, lengthening muscle while still keeping its integrity. This causes improved range of motion and flexibility!
So what are the downsides of not stretching regularly? Short, tight muscles for starters, and also ischemia—this occurs when a muscle is so tight and stressed that blood circulation through the muscle body is disturbed – it can cause Trigger Points, Adhesions (knots), tension and pain.

Stretching is a wonderful tool because it’s something at the very core of our wellness, and it only takes minutes to do! Try some of these, our favorite stretches:

Glutes Stretch

Lay on your back with your knees bent and feet planted firmly on the ground. Position your right leg so that the bottom of the ankle is resting on the knee of the left leg. Bring your legs toward your chest and feel the stretch in your glute muscles and hip. Hold it for a few deep breaths, and then release. Repeat on the other leg.

Pectoral Stretch

Find an open door or the edge of a wall. Raise your arm and place it there, bending your elbow to 90 degrees. Now lean forward a little. Feel that pull in your chest and shoulder? Those are your pectoral muscles, or “pecs”. Do this a few times on both sides to reward those tired, tight muscles.

Latissimus Stretch

Go near a table, your desk, or you bed (if it’s high enough). Brace yourself with the hand closest to the table top and place your faraway leg behind the leg closest to the table. Raise your faraway arm over your head. This is stretching your latissimus dorsi (your “lats”) and it’s great for everyone! Do a few seconds and then switch sides. Great!

Tendonitis: What You Need To Know

April 26th, 2010 .
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Tendonitis is the inflammation of a tendon, which can appear as pain, redness and swelling at the affected area. Usually the condition brings pain to the entire joint where the tendon connects.

Tendonitis happens because of overuse. Overusing a tendon—for example, typing for hours at your desk, thrashing your guitar for hours, or doing repeated movements in a sport, can create very tiny tears in muscles and tendons. Some tears, which are normal, are collectively called microtrauma. Microtrauma that is unaddressed, or done in excess, can lead to tendonitis.

How can massage help? Massage is a helpful tool for relieving the tension and pain associated with tendonitis. Massage increases bloodflow to your body’s tendon attachment areas – so not only will a relaxing session with your therapist be good for stress, but also for the tension and inflammation linked to tendonitis. Also, talk with your therapist either before or after a session to learn how you can maximize the effects of massage on your injury.

How can you avoid tendonitis? Proper rest, hydration, and also stretching can be good weapons in the fight against tendonitis. Be more aware of how you hold your hands when you are doing everyday activities, like typing and exercising. If your job is a little ‘technology intensive’, make small changes to your workspace. Get a mouse pad with a hand rest for the tendons in your wrist. Make sure your chair is not too high or too low.

As always, if you’re concerned about tendonitis, consult with your doctor for more information.

Happy Earth Day!

April 22nd, 2010 .
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Take a moment today to celebrate Earth Day Today! Plant a Square Foot Garden, invest in Green products for your home, start a recycling program at your office. How you celebrate Earth Day is up to you! Do something good for the planet and yourself today.

Eating Seasonally: Foods to Look For

April 19th, 2010 .
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Eating locally and for the season isn’t just good for the environment, it’s also good for you. The nutrients and vitamins our bodies need can change according to the temperature outside. Plus shopping Spring foods can be a whole lot of fun! Here’s a list of foods to be on the lookout for at your local market.

Asparagus

Chard

Cilantro

Kale

Spinach

Radishes

Beets

Carrots

Navy beans

Okay, bought some new provisions but not sure on how to prepare them? Check out Laurel’s Blog, Tofu Robotics for some seasonal ideas. Here’s a great vegetarian recipe for Spinach and Soba Noobles with Lemon-Ginger Dressing.

Self-Massage to Alleviate Allergy Symptoms

April 15th, 2010 .
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Massage therapy is a fantastic way to help alleviate the pain and pressure associated with sinus problems. Self-massage can actually affect your sinuses, the array of spaces that are contained inside your facial bones.

Our sinuses help with keeping the skull lighter, as well as providing resonance for our voices. But when you’re exposed to allergens, the histamine in our body releases and we wind up with that oh-so-familiar congestion and sinus pain. One way to cope? Facial massage is great for inducing sinus drainage! Here are a few pointers:

Sit upright. This is the best way to start a facial massage if you’re looking for sinus relief. Lying on your back directs the drainage to your larynx, and lying face down may increase the sinus pressure.

Finger Circles Technique: Start at the forehead and run your fingertips outward to your temples. Then do circles with your fingers on your temples clockwise. Remember how sensitive the temple area can be—don’t use too much force. Continue those ‘finger circles’ under your jawbone. Feel that space? It’s the sinus cavity that connects with your ear. Work out that area, opening and closing your jaw to maximize your efforts!

Start at the nose and move down and out. Slide your thumbs across your cheekbones, then down either side of your nose. Finally tap your fingers on your maxilla—the bone directly behind your upper lip—to release blockage in the maxillary sinuses, and slide your fingers out from the center. Have some tissues nearby for any drainage.

Use Acupressure Points: Press Gently into the space just between your eye and your nose, with the pressure directed inwards and upwards. This should help release some of the pressure and pain that you may be experiencing.

5 Tips to Stay Healthy This Spring

April 12th, 2010 .

The weather is changing and Spring is in the air! Here are some tips on staying healthy in the new season.

Take care of your skin. Just because it isn’t Summer quite yet doesn’t mean you can forego protecting your skin. Hopefully you’ve been applying sunscreen all Winter long too! But if you’re planning picnics and barbecues for the warm weather, make sure you add a moisturizer with SPF 15 or higher. Throw on a hat and sunglasses, and you’ll be more than stylish—you’ll be making your skin safer from the sun’s rays.

Hand-washing 101. Washing your hands is the number one way to prevent illness. Want some rules you can follow to get the most out of this daily routine? Warm water is always best to use, and you should scrub away for at least 10-15 seconds. Treat yourself to some fantastic smelling soap to encourage frequency. Rachel is a fan of Method’s Lavender Soap.

Stay active! What better way to bring in the season but with getting on your feet for a nice run? If that’s not your thing, there are all kinds of activities you can try. Yoga, aerial trapeze, weightlifting, and dancing are some of the favorites of the Massage Williamsburg Crew. Exercise raises hormones that deal with stress and enhances the immune system. So get moving!

Try foods that are in season. A variety of delicious fruits and veggies grow during Spring, and eating these foods are a great way to promote health and wellness. Try yummy beets, mangoes, asparagus, and peas to ring in the windy season!

Fight those allergens the right way. Seasonal allergies effect millions of people every year. Without going the “Bubble Boy” route, what can you do? Simply bathing before and after sleeping can reduce the amount of allergens that cling to your skin when you walk outside. Try to clean out your fan and air conditioning filters (both at home and in your car if needed) to make sure the air you breathe while sleeping and traveling is pollen-free.

Free Samples of Yogi Tea!

April 7th, 2010 .
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Massage Williamsburg would like to thank Yogi Tea for sending us 2 giant boxes of awesome Tea samples and coupons.

Yogi Tea Products promote energy, awareness, and overall well-being. We are excited to feature Yogi’s newest teas in our office. Please take some free samples when you stop by for a visit!

Yogi Tea. Goodness With A Purpose.

How Massage Helps Heal Scar Tissue

March 29th, 2010 .
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An injury, if bad enough, can sideline you for months, making even your daily routine difficult. Luckily our bodies are designed to heal themselves over time. One of the big worries for many, however, concerns scar tissue. These are the two words everyone dreads, from the professional athlete to the office worker. But why is scar tissue such a problem? Can massage help?

First, it’s important to know what scar tissue really is. Imagine each of your muscles as a tapestry, with all of the fabric going in one direction. When you are injured, collagen fibers go to the site of injury to repair the muscle. But  fibers can go in all different directions causing the wound to heal with scar tissue. Muscles with scar tissue can lose mobility, decreasing your flexibility and range of motion dramatically.

So how can massage address scar tissue? Massage strokes, like friction, act to break up scar tissue and adhesions (knots) that may form as a result of the healing process. Gliding strokes along the length of the muscle  encourage the collagen fibers to go in the direction of the muscle, so you can heal better, faster!

Massage therapy also increases circulation to areas of injury, bringing fresh blood carrying oxygen and nutrients to help speed the process. Your therapist may also use gentle stretches to help increase the range of motion of an area after an injury.

At Massage Williamsburg, and any reputable therapeutic massage clinic, you’ll fill out a health intake form upon arrival, and your therapist will review it with you. At this time, you should discuss the nature of your injury, your recovery process and plan, as well as any concerns that you may have. Our massage therapists are caring, friendly and knowledgeable, and can help you heal from your injury faster, and with less pain.

Give a Foot Massage like a Pro

March 22nd, 2010 .
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Our feet take such a beating everyday. Here is how you can give an awesome foot massage to your special someone!

Prepare your surroundings. Get a pillow or a folded towel to cushion the foot while you work. If your partner is sitting in a chair, make sure you are positioned lower than their hip and their knees are bent and supported (Use a pillow for the knees if you like). Get yourself a low seat, like a stool or floor cushion. That way you won’t get tired or injure yourself by bending down or squatting too long! Do what you wish to make the room relaxing: Light a candle, play some soft music, and have some great massage oil or lotion at hand. We love Skinny Skinny’s Organic Rosemary and Bergamot Body Oil which smells amazing!

Talk to your partner. Ask them where they have pain. Because the foot and ankle are sometimes very sensitive areas, it’s good to ask your partner what places to avoid as well. Be sure to ask about the pressure you’re using!

Use Gliding Strokes, then Kneading Strokes: Place your thumbs in the bottom of your partner’s foot and apply slight pressure. Your other fingers should be on the top of the foot. See that group of mounds right before the end of the foot? Glide your thumbs right under them towards the toes. Once the foot is more relaxed, go on and knead. You want to see the foot move around a little.

Small Circles: Using small, slow circles, work your way around the heel. Heels take a lot of our pressure, so don’t leave them out!

Use Squeezing and Wringing Strokes: Place both of your hands next to each other, gently squeezing the instep of the foot. Then slowly begin to move each hand in the opposite direction, like you’re wringing out a wet washcloth.  Work using this wringing stroke from the heel up to the toes.

Use Gentle Stretches: Hold the heel with your left hand and cross your right hand to grab the instep. Give the foot a gentle stretch. Switch hands—right hand on heel and left hand on the outside of the foot—and repeat. Deep pressure isn’t needed, and instead of tiring out your hands try to get most of your strength from rocking back and forth. You’re on your way to giving a great massage!

Watch your speed and pressure. Remember: Slow and steady wins the race. A massage that’s too vigorous is oftentimes the least relaxing.

Advanced Tip: Try using cooling aromatherapy oils like mint or rosemary on the soles of the feet for clarity and energy!

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