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The Piriformis Muscle: A major pain in the butt!

29 Jun

Every now and then clients present complaining of having “sciatica”. This is a highly misused word and often an incorrect self-diagnosis. Sciatica is a condition where bulging lumber discs in the lower back are compressing the sciatic nerve. This creates all kinds of discomfort and symptoms such as sharp pain in the back running down the leg and potentially into the foot and can be accompanied by numbness and tingling.

Where is the Piriformis muscle and what goes wrong with it?

The muscle is located in the buttock and the symptoms of its malfunction are often mistaken for sciatica. Piriformis Syndrome is where the muscle squeezes the sciatic nerve as it passes through the buttock and down the leg. Symptoms are unlikely to go past the knee. In an estimated 1 to 10% of the population the sciatic nerve actually passes through the muscle!

What’s the significance?

Real sciatica is a condition that should be taken very seriously and ruled out as a cause of symptoms, however tight butt muscles are a much more common and likely event and more easily treated.

What to do about it?

If you have a tight Piriformis that is pressing on your sciatic nerve then you need your butt massaged! Remedial massage to the Piriformis muscle will loosen it up and take pressure off the nerve underneath. You will leave your underwear on and your therapist should expertly wrap you in towels so that only a portion of one buttock is exposed at a time. Don’t be shy now, it’s just another muscle to the therapist that’s going to work on it. The buttocks get tight just like any other muscle in your body, it is after all, the biggest muscle and has to stand you up dozens of times a day!

Book yourself a massage today!

*NOTE: This article is to enhance your knowledge. It is not intended to assess, diagnose or treat and individual’s health status. Please see a health professional if you have concerns over your heath.

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It turns out that you can drink too much water! Hyponatremia, endurance sports and the Kokoda Trail

23 Jun

Bizz Johnson Marathon - Starting LineThere’s always lots of interesting health and science research popping up every few weeks and one of the last ones to catch my attention is a condition called Hyponatremia. Definitely sounds scary and so it should. It’s a serious, life-threatening condition that has come to the attention of the media following several deaths of healthy and fit people on the Kokoda Trail.

When this condition is present during an activity like an ultra-marathon or trekking the Kokoda trail, a person’s sodium level has dropped to a dangerously low level. By drinking way too much water, the sodium levels in the body become diluted and can bring about hyponatremia and its symptoms of nausea, confusion, loss of appetite, lethargy, headache, reduced level of consciousness, seizures or coma.

If you take part in serious endurance activity of any sort where you are worried about dehydration, consider that there is such a thing as having “too much to drink”. Do some research and analysis for yourself to determine how much fluid you need to replace during your activity.?

Part of your recovery

Along with proper nutrition following serious endurance activities, it is important to have a few massages mixed in with light workouts and stretching. Musclefix can provide you with an excellent solution during your recovery. We can come and give you remedial and sports massage as a premium service in your home in the days or weeks of your recuperation. Remedial massage will help to speed up recovery and smooth out micro tears and help with DOMS following your adventure.

For more on Hyponatremia: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18333641

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Posted in Benefits of Massage Therapy, Fitness, Health, Hyponatremia, Massage Therapy, Remedial Massage

 

Sports Massage in Melbourne – Taking sports enthusiasts to the next level!

15 Jun

So you live and work in Melbourne – how many ways can you improve in your chosen sport?

You could:

  • Practice more
  • Get great coaching
  • Workout hard and build your athleticism
  • Purchase better equipment
  • Eat better and drink more
  • Sleep and rest well between training

But you know, you’re probably already doing most of this if you are a really keen sports person. What can you do to compound your gains in all of those areas? Sports massage!

Sports Massage – The Untapped Answer to Optimum Performance

Sports massage will help you to practice more, to recover from workouts quicker which will in turn allow you to pack the excellent food you’re consuming on your body as muscle, be recovered quicker for more coaching sessions, make the most of your advanced equipment and have relaxing deep sleep!

What do professional athletes do?

Athletes and sports enthusiasts in Melbourne are getting sports massages all the time! Don’t miss out! You see the tennis stars getting their legs massaged halfway though a match and Football players getting looked after at training sessions and after games. Does it cost a fortune? No! Patent attorneys are expensive at $450 + GST per hour, sports massage therapists are NOT!

When should I have a sports massage?

  • When you are sore and tight in your muscles
  • Before a match if you are tight or if extra flexibility is advantageous in your sport
  • After intense training or competition
  • If you have an injury (will be a bit more of remedial-style massage)

Do I need to find a clinic? Doesn’t seem very handy!

No, you can have a Melbourne based mobile massage therapist come out to you! You can have a sports massage anywhere comfortable and suitable. This could be in your club rooms, on the side of a court or under a marquee at the end of a 200km bike race. The choice is yours!

So enhance your training, your sport and yourself with sports massage!

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Massage in Melbourne – A City Embracing Massage

09 Jun

Melbourne, Australia by nightMelburnians are really taking to massage. It’s no secret that massage is good for you and I could rattle off a dozen health benefits but you probably already know them or could guess them. As a remedial massage therapist, I’m finding that the people of Melbourne are really becoming aware of the different types of massage and other therapies available to them. They know that they can get a rebate from their health insurer for remedial massages and their health funds are also advertising this fact on TV! I’ve seen many advertisements from NIB promoting the fact that they cover remedial massage along with physio, chiro and dental etc.

Research I did in my business plan in the RMIT Business Plan Competition showed that there was an estimated $400 million being spent annually on massage in Australia! That’s a lot of massages. But when you compare that to how much people would be spending on beer, servicing their cars, petrol, gym memberships. Although I am biased, being a massage therapist and all, I think people aren’t spending enough on massage! I’m even guilty of going a long time in between massages. Put your health and wellbeing before your car, your nights out in Melbourne and glossy magazines. Put $20 aside every week and have a massage at the end of every month!

What I’m seeing in Melbourne with massage is an increased media presence and general community chat. There’s training courses being advertised frequently and people talking about the massages they have had along with the usual stories of going to the hair dresser, having a killer session with the personal trainer and trying out new things like hot yoga.

So if you’re in Melbourne and have a few aches and pains book yourself in for a massage – you deserve it!

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Posted in Health, Massage, Massage Melbourne, Massage Therapy

 

So! You think you’re completely healthy because you cycle?

02 Jun

shadow cyclingI came across some interesting research published in the San Francisco Chronicle the other week. You would think if you were a super-fit cyclist, covering 100 to a several hundred kilometres per week that you would be a superb specimen of health and fitness.

Is this you? It’s not me, but I hear from people who cycle huge amounts and I would have thought that that they would have all their bases of health covered. It turns out that if cycling is all you really do for exercise then you could be at risk of developing osteoporosis!

But I’m super-fit so what’s the deal?

A very legitimate question to ask. Do you have calves the size of my head and consider a warm up ride to be 120km? Well, the deal is that while cycling is good for your cardiovascular fitness, muscles and for your joints because of the low impacts involved, cycling alone doesn’t provide enough impact to stimulate the bones to increase their density. Cyclists who don’t vary their exercise with impact, load-bearing activities are at at risk!

What’s the solution?

If you are an average recreational cyclist you don’t have much to worry about. It’s likely that you do enough activity of other sorts that you’ll be fine. If you’re a ‘cycling athlete’ or if cycling is the only activity you do then you need to do some cross-training.

According to Dr. Thor Besier, the director of research at Stanford University’s Human Performance Lab, “a casual walk down the street puts more impact on the bones than biking, and cyclists who spend all their time biking would probably benefit from regular walks and hikes – or even better, a short, intense run a couple of times a week.”

What’s the take-home message?

If you’re a hardcore cyclist, chances are you’re not so hardcore after all!

Read the article here: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/05/15/MNFU1DEVG2.DTL&type=health

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Posted in Cycling, Fitness, Health

 

Chair Massage / Seated Massage

07 May

Massage in the Workplace, at Events, Functions and more

Free 5-minute chair massage

While traditional massage therapy is undertaken at a massage clinic or a spa/salon, seated massage therapy can be performed at just about any time or any place, making it a very convenient and flexible option.

That is just one reason that chair massages are becoming increasingly popular and are being offered in workplaces, trade shows, private social functions & events, sporting events, hospitals, rehabilitation centers, retirement villages and just about anywhere else where there are people looking for affordable relief from stress and tension at the location of their choice.

Workplace Massage is becoming increasingly popular as the time to receive a workplace massage does not have a huge impact on your work time, and more importantly relieves stress and tension, which improves productivity.

So just what is a seated massage?

A seated massage is just what it sounds like; a massage you get while seated either on a regular chair or a special massage chair as pictured above. A seated massage focuses on our primary tension areas: the back, shoulders, neck and arms and is performed by a professional massage therapist, using a specially designed massage chair.

People who would normally feel uncomfortable with the regular massage therapy (which requires that you remove an item of clothing) feel more comfortable because they are able to keep their clothes on, thereby removing the awkwardness of disrobing.

Secondly, because with chair massage there is the option to have the massage out in open space instead of behind closed doors; anyone can watch the process before they actually make a commitment to have one.

It appears that an increasing number of corporate businesses are starting to offer massage therapy – in the form of a chair massage – as a benefit for their employees.

They have found that a chair massage has a very positive effect on production and morale. Anyone who works knows that one of the main sources of stress in our everyday life comes from our place of employment.

The stress costs employers millions of dollars each year in the form of lower productivity and higher instances of absenteeism and disability. Workplace fatigue is rampant across our country, especially in the past year. We all recognize the signs: stiff neck, tight shoulders, and sore wrists.

These symptoms are worsened if the ergonomics of a workstation is not in balance, which is frequently the case. All of these symptoms affect an employee’s productivity by decreasing energy, impeding blood flow and aggravating the effects of mental fogginess and conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome.

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Let’s take a look at some of the benefits of a chair massage for employers.

  • A chair massages works for just about everyone … everywhere.
  • The positive effects are immediate; employees will feel great right away.
  • A chair massage program can be used to complement your company’s other wellness programs.
  • A chair massage requires no overhead or start-up costs.

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So why do employees love getting a seated massage at work?

  • Provides relief to tension & tired muscles resulting from stress in the workplace.
  • They experience instant energy and motivation.
  • Makes them feel of value to their company and their employer.
  • Helps to relieve the symptoms resulting from repetitive work and long bouts of sitting.

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Making a seated massage even more appealing is the fact that because of the reduced time required, it provides a more affordable option for the instant gratification it provides. It is easy to understand why chair massages are increasing in popularity across the country for busy people, large and small businesses and employees.

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Posted in Massage, Seated Massage

 

Types of Massage Therapy

01 May

There are Many types of Effective Massage Therapy available

Massage therapy has been practiced for hundreds of years.

If you need to relief from muscle pain or stress, you can choose from one of the ten best types of massage therapy around mentioned below:

  1. There is deep tissue massage. This type is designed to target the deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue. Here, the therapist will use slow strokes better known as friction techniques across the grain of the muscle. The distinctive feature of deep tissue massage is that it is used on those that have chronically tight or painful muscles, repetitive strain, postural problems and recovery from injury. You will often feel sore for the next day or two.
  2. For women that are expecting, they can opt for pregnancy massage. It is designed to relieve stress, decrease swelling, relieve aches and pins as well as reduce anxiety and depression.
  3. Next is aromatherapy and the reason why it is called such is because one or more scented plant oils are used during the session. You will just have to select the oil you want to use. In fact, the most popular one is lavender as it is well suited for stress related conditions together with an emotional component.
  4. There is also hot stone massage. Here, smooth, heated stones are placed on certain parts of the body to help loosen those tight muscles and balance energy centers in the body. At times, the massage therapist may also apply gentle pressure especially for those who have muscle tension.
  5. Then there is sports massage that is designed for people involved in sports activities. This type is designed not only for professional athletes but for everyone since it helps prevent and treat physical injuries.
  6. Reflexology is also known as foot massage because it involves applying pressure to certain points on the feet. Those who practice this believe that the foot corresponds to certain organs and systems so if you are able to work on that, you have also done it in the whole body.
  7. There is also Back massage which usually lasts 30 minutes. Unlike reflexology that focuses on the feet because it represents special points in the body, this one simply relieves tension in the back caused by lifting heavy objects or driving for long periods of time.
  8. Number 8 is Swedish massage therapy. This is the most common type of massage in the US because an is very gentle and relaxing. Here, the therapist will use long strokes, kneading and circular movements on superficial layers of muscle using massage lotion or oil.
  9. Shiatsu is a Japanese form of massage therapy.  The therapist will use localized finger pressure in a rhythmic sequence on acupuncture meridians. Each point is held for 2 to 8 second designed to improve the flow of energy and help the body regain balance. Those who have tried it say that it is relaxing yet firm. The best part is that there is no soreness afterwards.
  10. Lastly is Thai massage is similar to Shiatsu because it aligns the energies of the body using gentle pressure on specific points. Part of the session also includes compressions and stretches as you are moved in a variety of postures just like yoga but in this case, you don’t do anything except go with the flow.


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Posted in Massage, Massage Therapists, Massage Therapy, Types of Massage

 

Choosing a Massage Therapist

24 Apr

What to look for when Choosing the right Massage Therapist for your needs

Thai Massage at Echo Valley Ranch & Spa

Choosing a massage therapist is just as important as choosing the type of massage you receive. When it comes to finding a massage therapist you will want to make sure that the therapist is well trained and has the proper credentials.

One governing board that many massage therapist’s are certified by is the Australian Massage Therapy Association. When reading about a therapist on the Internet, look for therapists with diplomas or advanced diplomas who would have been trained for 1-2 years. They are likely to have studied in a government-accredited massage college.

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The right massage therapist is one who:

  • Listens to yours needs and makes notes before the massage
  • Discusses with you what areas of your body you would like massaged
  • Asks what you’d like to get out of the massage
  • Gives you privacy when disrobing and drapes you adequately with towels the areas not being treated
  • Advises you on what to expect after the massage and what you need in the future

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Some of the most common types of massage that you can expect to come across while looking for a massage therapist are:

  • Remedial/sports/Deep-tissue massage
    Remedial massage is all about fixing the body. Your therapist will discuss with you any bodily complaints you may have, conduct an assessment, followed by a massage specific to your needs.
  • Relaxation
    Massage is one of the most soothing and healthy ways to relax. A relaxation massage uses techniques that soothe the body, refresh the skin, rejuvenate your spirit and leave you in a state of bliss!
  • Seated massage (corporate or event/function)
    A seated massage is supremely relaxing and rejuvenating and can also help to loosen up muscles and relieve headaches.
  • Pregnancy massage
    Pregnancy places unique demands on your body. Changes in hormones, changes in posture and simply carrying the weight of a baby all add up to a lot of hard work for your body.
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Posted in Massage, Massage Therapists, Massage Therapy

 

The Benefits of Massage Therapy

17 Apr

Massage

There are many fantastic benefits of massage . Massage can really help people of all types and ages with maintaining their health, well-being and fitness.

Massage can:

  • Alleviate low-back pain and improve range of motion.
  • Relieve headaches and help migraine suffers.
  • Relax and soften injured, tired, and overused muscles.
  • Increase joint flexibility.
  • Enhance immunity by stimulating lymph flow – the body’s natural defense system.
  • Exercise and stretch weak, tight, or atrophied muscles.
  • Help athletes of any level prepare for, and recover from, strenuous workouts.
  • Improve the condition of the body’s largest organ – the skin.
  • Lessen depression and anxiety.
  • Release endorphins
  • Ease medication dependence.
  • Promote tissue regeneration, reducing scar tissue and stretch marks.
  • Pump oxygen and nutrients into tissues and vital organs, improving circulation.
  • Reduce post-surgery adhesions and swelling.
  • Reduce spasms and cramping.

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More specific injuries that massage can assist:

With Back injuries including:

  • Back Sprains and Strains
  • Backaches and Stress
  • Osteoporosis
  • Low Back Pain
  • Upper Back Pain

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For your Neck injuries including:

  • Whip Lash
  • Neck Strain

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With Shoulder injuries including:

  • Rotator Cuff Tendinosis
  • Shoulder Dislocation
  • Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis)
  • Arthritis of the Shoulder
 With Leg injuries including:

  • Shin Splints
  • Hamstring Tear/Pulled
  • Quadricep Pulled/Tear
  • Muscle Cramp
  • Muscle Strain/Sprain
  • Calf Strain/Tear/Pulled
  • Groin Pull
  • Knee Ligament Injuries
  • Cartilage Injuries and Disorders of the Knee
  • Osgood-Schlatter Disease
  • Osteoarthritis of the Knee
  • Achilles Pain and Injuries

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With Elbow injuries including:

  • Tennis Elbow
  • Golfer’s Elbow

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The Benefits of Using a Professional Therapist

What exactly are the benefits of receiving massage therapy from a professional massage therapist? A professional massage therapist has extensive training on anatomy, physiology and sports injuries. A good massage therapist has undertaken a government accredited course and is registered with a massage association and health insurers. With a professional massage therapist you can be sure that he or she understands your needs and any injuries.

In Summary

There is no denying the power of massage. Even though many people consider massage therapy to be a luxury, it can in fact be a powerful ally in your health care regimen. Massage is preferred as a complimentary treatment by chiropractors,  physiotherapists, osteopaths, podiatrists and sports medicine practitioners.

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Posted in Benefits of Massage Therapy, Massage

 
 
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