The Benefits of Massage Therapy:

• Increase blood and lymphatic circulation
• Boost immunity
• Decrease scar tissue
• Increase flexibility
• Improve systemic/visceral (organ) function
• Relaxation/Stress relief
• Decrease blood pressure
• Help to balance sugar/insulin levels
• Aids function of neurological system in cases related to spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, parkinson’s disease, alzheimer’s disease, paralysis or paresis, stroke, etc.
• Mental clarity
• Stimulates systemic function in premature newborns
• Helps with asthma, bronchitis, emphysema
• Greatly decreases chronic back, neck, shoulder, or any pain related to extremities, hands, feet
• Helps temporomandibular joint dysfunction (jaw)
• Improves the healing process
• AN EXCELLENT MODALITY IN OVERALL HEALTH MAINTENANCE AND PREVENTION OF DISEASE!
  

The Benefits of Regular Massage Therapy:

• Decreases pain, by releasing endorphins (pain-blocking chemicals)
• Eliminates scar tissue
• Improves circulation of blood and lymphatics
• Boosts immunity
• Aids in detoxifying the body
• Aids in maintenance of health and prevention of health problems
• Increases energy
• Improves sleeping habits
• Reduces swelling or edema
• Speeds up the healing process
• Reduces blood pressure
• Calms the nervous system
• Decreases muscle tension
• Increases range of motion and flexibility
• ……and many other benefits!

Scar Tissue

Scar tissue is the malalignment of muscle fibers, with a decrease of blood and lymphatic circulation, and a build up of toxins and lactic acid. Since these muscle fibers are improperly aligned, the specific range of motion for the affected muscles, are not possible without discomfort or pain. Surrounding muscles often compensate for the weakened, scarred fibers, therefore, becoming strained themselves, and vulnerable to scarring.

Scar tissue may be a result of an injury during a motor vehicle accident or sporting event, improper body mechanics, repetitive use or postural habits, sleeping positions, and stress. It is important to treat scar tissue through massage therapy or other related modalities, since the nerves which supply the scarred muscle fibers, may also supply organs/viscera. Therefore, with the existing strain on the nerve from the scar tissue, the nerve conduction to the organ is affected, thus the organ may not be functioning optimally. This is especially important for example, if the liver is not functioning very well, our body is not detoxifying as it should be. Treating the scar tissue, also allows blood and oxygen to circulate to our tissues and organs, therefore, improving our immunity and detoxification process.

Trigger Points

Trigger points are muscle spasms that are full of lactic acid and toxins. Trigger points are often the cause of pain or discomfort. These spasms are mainly located within scar tissue, and once they become activated, they shoot the lactic acid along nerve roots, which innervate the affected muscle, causing referral pain patterns. For example, Trigger Points in neck muscles may shoot lactic acid along nerve roots into the head, causing headaches.

MASSAGE AND THE INFLAMMATORY PROCESS

Acute Stage

• Short term response in first 4 days of injury
• Redness, warmth, swelling, pain, spasm and reduced range of motion
• Leads to adherence of tissues
• GOALS: reduce pain, swelling, spasm, and loss of function
• REST/ICE/COMPRESS/ELEVATE
• Massage focus is on the rest of the body-not the affected area

Subacute Stage

• Within 4 to 14 days after injury
• Scar tissue begins to form as the injured area begins to repair itself
• There is a decrease in pain, swelling and inflammation
• The muscle tissue is becoming weaker due to the scar tissue formation and the range of motion is still limited
• GOALS: decrease inflammation that is present, careful not to inflame the fragile scar tissue, increase circulation, maintain the available range of motion, decrease spasming

Chronic Stage

• 14 to 21 days after injury or years
• Tissue remodelling and maturation
• Muscle weakness, decreased range of motion, increased scar tissue
• GOALS: Realignment of scar tissue, trigger point therapy, heat, increase range of motion and strength, pressure applied to client tolerance