Ask a Massage Therapist

have u not seen all the other sections that TW offer as topics? hell, im glad there's a health section. im glad to give advice to anyone who needs it. i just wished i had advice like this way before i ever went to school for it

the major point of the "Lung Meridian" is the most common at home remedy for most headaches. In the pic look at the red circle, this is the crease where u want to apply pressure:

• u need to keep yur hand relaxed that is receiving the pressure. u can do this on either hand.
• take yur thumb and press perpendicular into the crease then do a 90degree push up (towards the top of the hand) until it causes pain
• make sure u maintain a pain level at 7 between 1-10. continue the hold til the headache goes away then keep holdin for at least 30-60 seconds then release and rub out the crease.

if it doesnt work on one hand, do it to the other hand the same way.

its not a good feelin what so ever, but usually works. my advice is if u have severe H/As or migraines, find someone that does Trigger Point Therapy. I use this on pretty much all my clients, and they dont even have to let me know they have recurring H/As, i usually find them and get rid of them. The majority of these trigger points are at the base of the neck where it meets the occipital ridge. dependin on where the location of the H/A or migraine is depends on the trigger point location.

find better ways to relax & reduce yur stress level. lavendar essential oil is really good for headaches. u can rub it on yur temple area, just make sure u test it on yur skin to make sure u arent allergic

how did i know u were gonna be one of the asses that would ask

that i wouldnt know bc i dont do that. if i have the slightest feelin that someone on my table is hintin towards somethin im not givin out... i love to dig my elbow where i know it will hurt. plus i love causin pain

but seriously... if u pay attention to some establishments, if they dont publish an establishment license # they are probably not legit. and most places u dont dont pay til yur services are rendered so i cant really answer yur question... sorry

sciatica... i happen to specialize in low back pain & sciatic relief, so its treatable... i wouldnt use the term fixable. u have to continue to stretch and keep those muscles loose so they dont pinch the nerve.

one thing u can do to help alleviate some of the stress on the nerve is to take a tennis ball & sit on it... roll around on it if u have to. u will definetly feel where u need the ball to sit. if its easier for u to sit on a hard chair rather than a couch and it gets to the area needin work better, then by all means use that method.

chiropractors can adjust yur spine & sacral area for yur low back area. hell the last one i went to found my knee problem from gettin kicked by a horse when i was 12 & my right TMJ from gettin in a fist fight last yr. I had no clue they could find stuff like that, but then again ive only been to 3 different chiropractors

when u do go and get a massage, i will always tell everyone to call around and find one that specializes in the area to be treated.

lets say u call me & ask what i specialize in, i would tell u Deep Tissue, Low back/neck pain, Trigger Point Therapy & Sciatica. in yur case u want to find one for low back pain & sciatica. dont be scared to ask them questions. no question is stupid. if they cant answer yur questions, then move on to the next person to call. dont just call one and zone in, ask yur friends, family or co-workers if there is someone they recommend. (but still call)


---my bf just looked over and asked if i was typin a book

 

I have very bad pain between my shoulder blades and right where the neck becomes the back (hard to explain). I had x-rays that showed 'straightening of the cervical spine' and I went to PT with little relief then I started going to a Chiropractor which helped much more. The Chiropractor said I have 'straightening of the thoratic spine' and said I will probably always have it and that it was probably caused by some accidents/injuries I had in the past. I went about 1 time a week for about 8 months and haven't been in a couple months now, so the area is really starting to bother me again and causes headaches. The muscles in my upper back, neck and shoulders are always very tight and sore, I've been thinking about seeing a massage therapist and wondering what specialties I should look for and do you think massage can provide better relief than the Chiropractor or maybe I should do both at the same time?

Thanks for your input!

 

that muscle that u are describing sounds like the Levator scapula.


i would suggest seein both if u can. i actually love workin that muscle pretty deep bc it is one of the main muscles that everyone with neck/shoulder/upper back issues usually complain about. they cant turn their head without pain in the exact location u describe. the place where it knots up is the insertion point at the scapula. this spot also carries trigger points for pain referred to the side of the head, which could be causing your headaches.

a chiropractor will help keep yur spine in alignment due to the straightening. unfortunately it will never get back to 100% curviture but seein the chiro and massage therapist will keep the muscles relaxed enough to relieve pressure and tension against the strains

ask a therapist if they do deep work on this muscle &/or trigger point therapy to provide relief for that particular muscle & headaches.

the way i work this muscle is startin at the neck against the spinal vertebrae and go deep and slow down to the scapula. sometimes u can actually request this method from the therapist. u can also ask them over the phone if this is how they work that area. definetly look up a Medical Massage Therapist for this.

If you have insurance, I would definetly look into talkin to them about yur situation and seein if they would pay for yur services. I dont take insurance, but some establishments do & that will help u save money in the long run as well.

 

Thanks for your input, very helpful. I was actually in so much pain this week that I went to a place near my house that I've actually been meaning to try out for awhile. I got a 30 min neck/back/shoulder massage. I told her my history and complaints and she did an awesome job finding all the areas that were bothering me. She started on my neck with me on my back, she did stretching and massage and she worked that area you pictured above . Then she had me turn over and she worked between the shoulder blades and middle of my back alot, she said I have lots of knots most likely caused by posture at my desk job and the muscles being stretched and weak. I definately felt better afterwards. Now some hours later my levator scapula areas are sore when I move my head and stretch that area, is that normal?


I have insurance, but have to get referals from my family practice doc for any specialists. I will check on medical massage and get a renewal on the chiropractor.

 

yeah, its normal to be sore. just put ice on it, or biofreeze if u have some. keep stretchin the muscle but just dont over stretch

 

You can talk about anything but politics, it hurts peoples feeling to hear the truth

 

Haha, no doubt!

 

Ok I have another question... The area where if you put your hands on your hips like you were angry, where your thumbs would be at hurts a lot especially if pressure is applied, also the areas on the outer edge of the butt below the hip bone, gluteus medius and minimus possibly? I do hip stretches which always hurt and I do hip exercises at the gym. It gets really aggravated at work sitting at the desk. I went from a job riding a bike all day to sitting at a desk and it sucks I'm trying to adjust my desk and chair properly, use better posture etc. Is this an area the therapist could work on and what techniques do you think would help?


Back to my previous post, how often do you think I should get massages for the levator scapula and upper back issues? She said I have a lot of knots in my upper back. I'd go once a week if I could afford it!! I'm thinking of going once a month for a 30 or 45 minute back/neck session.


Thanks again.