Category: <span>Therapeutic Massage</span>

Deep Tissue Massage Therapeutic Massage By tensionr 0 Comments

Self Care Strategies

mental resilience tension release Melbourne

Reminder to oneself, find time each day to play and be creative, even if it's only for a few minutes. Did you laugh today? Did you smile? like really smile 😊 Did you crack a joke or dance to music while getting pumped for the start of your day?
It's easy to go through everyday tackling what's on the to do list in a serious state but it's so important we remember to pepper in fun and not take ourselves so seriously, most of the time.
Life has a habit of testing our limits - mental resilience is your chance to bounce back.
Resilience has become a bit of a buzzword, but it’s something we should all know more about in order to protect and improve our mental health.
Mental resilience is your ability to bounce back after experiencing tough times. It has been a struggle in the last year, for some worse than others with the impact of COVID on our lives. Whilst we have done better than most around the world so far, we still have a long way to go.

Having good mental resilience not only helps you to get through these tough times, you may also become a stronger person for it.
So how can you become more mentally resilient? Here are some tips.

Stay connected

Humans are social beings. Surrounding yourself with friends and family can act like a safety net when you’re feeling down. If you’re not close with your family, find a group of people you like hanging out with. Join a club or simply make it a point to have a regular chat with your neighbour. It is not just people you should connect with, any activity involving spending time the animals is also beneficial.

Find what you love

Getting absorbed in a pleasurable activity encourages you to focus less on the negative and enjoy the present. It’s also important to identify what gives your life meaning, whether that is spiritual beliefs, your career or a hobby. Prioritising the things that make you feel good about yourself can have a strong protective effect and make the world seem like a much better place.

Let it go

Just like the song says, sometimes you just have to let go of negative thoughts or experiences. Worrying about what might happen doesn’t solve any problems.
Try instead to focus your mind on what achievable actions you could take to make things better. Make a list and tick things off if that helps. Techniques like music, exercise or meditation can calm your mind and give you a break from pesky worries and thoughts.

Take care of yourself

To look after your mind, you also need to look after your body. Eat a healthy, balanced diet. Get out for a brisk walk every day and not only will your physical fitness improve, it will also help clear the mind. Finally, avoid using substances like alcohol or drugs to make you feel better.

Myofascial Release Therapy Therapeutic Massage By tensionr 0 Comments

Does massage therapy help for stroke rehabilitation?

A stroke is a serious medical condition that occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is interrupted. (healthdirect.gov.au)

stroke-remedial-massage-tension-release-melbourne picture from Mayfield clinic

 

When a person suffers a stroke, they may experience levels of paralysis in almost any skeletal muscle; as a result, they can experience weakness, stiffness, problems with positioning, balance and posture, and resulting discomfort.

Stroke risk increases with age, but stroke in young people, including infants, children, adolescents and young adults, does happen. In general, however, most experts consider a young stroke age to be under 45. [1]

Massage therapy can augment other physical therapies (such as physiotherapy) for stroke patients to address symptoms.  Clients should consult with their treating doctors as to whether massage therapy is suitable in their circumstances.

It is very important that massage treatment starts as soon as feasible for a quick recovery.

In convalescence, it is necessary to stimulate not only the blood and lymphatic circulation, but also to act on the skin, subcutaneous cellular tissue and muscle mass.

Remedial and relaxation massage may benefit stroke patients in various ways:

  • Reduced stiffness/improved mobility and posture
  • Improved strength
  • Reduced pain and cramping
  • Improved limb circulation
  • Improved mood
  • Increased cellular exchange
  • Increased endorphins serotonin and dopamine
  • Increased tissue elasticity

Different techniques are used to address to each problem.

Specific techniques often used include:

Muscle Energy Technique (MET)

A form of osteopathic manipulative diagnosis and treatment in which the patient’s muscles are actively used on request, from a precisely controlled position, in a specific direction, and against a distinctly executed physician counterforce. [2]

Positional Release Technique (PRT)

A bodywork modality using passive positioning of bones and joints, intended to reset proprioceptors and establish a more functional level of tone and resistance.[3]

Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF)

This stretching technique utilized to improve muscle elasticity and range of muscle motion has been shown to have a positive effect on active and passive range of motions.[4]

Remedial massage techniques can be applied to problem areas to reduce stiffness and address contractions in specific muscles to improve range of movement.  This may assist with improved mobility and improve the patient’s posture.

The application of MET (an active technique that includes the participation of the client) and PNF may improve strength in weakened areas.

Massage to areas affected by stroke may reduce pain and cramping by improving flexibility and positioning.

The moment of its initiation and the type of massage to be used must be well regulated. If the intervention is premature, it will be more harmful than beneficial; if it is too soft and prolonged, it will cause or increase weakness of the muscle; if it is of great intensity, it will produce muscular fatigue, precisely what must be avoided.

Stroke patients may experience various symptoms in affected areas due to changes in circulation.  Massage may improve circulation and reduce these symptoms, such as limbs feeling cold.

Any sufferer of neuromotor condition can be benefit physically and psychologically with a remedial massage therapy, which may also assist with improving mood and overall energy levels.

[1] A study published in October 2012 in the journal Neurology

[2] Chaitow, Leon (2013). Muscle Energy Techniques + Videos. Elsevier Science Health Science Division, 2013

[3] Glossary of Osteopathic Terminology” (PDF). American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine. April 2009. p. 28. Retrieved 25 August 2012.

[4] Funk et al., 2003; Lucas and Koslow, 1984; Wallin et al., 1985

Remedial Massage Therapeutic Massage By tensionr 0 Comments

Dealing With Pain – Massage Treatment For Migraines

Therapeutic massage treatments can help significantly when a migraine takes hold.

Many people who suffer from migraine are at a loss for words when it comes to describing the excruciating pain that they experience. Some will even daresay that it is infinitely better to give birth without the aid of pain medications than to suffer this form of headache.

But what is a migraine and how is it different from other kinds of headaches?

A migraine is a type of headache that is marked by an intense throbbing sensation in a single area in the head. It is often accompanied by nausea and sensitivity to both light and sound. Some migraine sufferers report flashes of light, blind spots or a tingling sensation in the leg or arm prior to an attack.

Although experts have yet to make a definitive pronouncement regarding the root cause of this problem, experts are pointing towards an imbalance in brain chemicals and low serotonin as the primary reasons for migraines. Other triggers include hormonal imbalance, food and additives, alcohol, stress, sensory stimuli, changes in sleeping patterns, physical exertion, changes in the weather and medications.

The list of drugs prescribed to migraine sufferers can go on and on, ranging from pain-relieving medications to preventive medications. But the bottom line is that migraines cannot really be cured. The best thing that one can do is tweak their lifestyle to avoid their pain triggers as well as craft a pain-relief plan with the aid of their healthcare provider.

Many migraine sufferers have discovered the benefits of going for a massage, not only for the treatment for migraines, but also before and after an attack. By targeting the muscles typically associated with migraine pain, a skilled massage therapist can significantly reduce pain during an attack through kneading and stroking the scalp, neck and shoulders. Going for a regular massage treatment can significantly reduce stress, one of the most common triggers for migraine sufferers.

Since pre-history, countless people have been plagued with migraine, leading them to believe that they have been cursed by the gods. As such, many cultures have concocted various remedies to aid those who suffer from it. Fortunately, for modern people who are plagued by it, there are numerous strategies and treatments that are easily available. As such, it is crucial to identify one’s triggers, and from there, make use of medications and massage treatments to allow them to cope better with the pain instead of simply succumbing to it.

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Deep Tissue Massage Therapeutic Massage By tensionr 0 Comments

Restore Vigor And Boost Productivity At Work With Deep Tissue Massage Melbourne

People spend a great amount of their waking life at work, probably more than at home or elsewhere. As such, it does not come as a surprise to see the rise of work-related injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome and other repetitive strain injuries (RSI). Luckily, people suffering from these injuries can find relief through deep tissue massage. Melbourne therapists can help restore wellbeing and boost productivity in workers suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome and RSIs.

Office workers, hunched over their computers for extended periods, are among the people most prone to these injuries. Among the reasons for this is poor posture, inadequate rest periods, poor design of workstations and the lack of ergonomic design in the tools used.

But office workers are not the only types of employees who succumb to work-related injuries. These injuries are also prevalent among people who work at grocery stores, mechanics, assembly line workers, butchers, carpenters and tradies.

Apart from the discomfort, these injuries can have far-ranging effects upon both the employees and businesses. These injuries can lead to a decline in productivity due to time lost from work. In some cases, a new employee must be trained to replace an injured employee. These injuries also increase the likelihood of higher insurance premiums. On the part of the injured worker, he or she may have to spend time and money towards rehabilitation, or worse, surgery.

One good thing about work-related injuries is that they can be easily prevented through simple measures. One quick fix employers can do is task rotation. Instead of assigning one employee to do a repetitive task during his or her entire shift, he or she can be assigned to do other work-related tasks to allow the muscles to get adequate rest.

Employers can also redesign the workstations of their employees to ensure maximum comfort and proper posture while performing simple tasks. In the same manner, employers can also provide employees with ergonomically designed equipment.

Employees should also be taught about best practices in the workplace to prevent injuries. This includes taking short breaks for stretching and exercises.

While prevention is indeed better than cure, if you are suffering from work-related injuries, you can use deep tissue massage to complement the treatment given by your medical professional. This type of massage is known to help relieve chronic pain in the back, shoulders and neck. It is also known to be beneficial to those suffering from strain injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome as well as postural problems.

Through the use of fingertips, knuckles, hands and elbows, an experienced massage therapist can help loosen an injured person’s muscles, improve circulation as well as release toxins. In addition, deep tissue massage can also be used to treat adhesions which limit a person’s range of motion due to pain and inflammation.

Remedial Massage Therapeutic Massage By tensionr 0 Comments

Looking For Headache Or Migraine Treatment? Try Therapeutic Massage

Everyone gets a headache from time to time. Some headaches go away on their own while other people find relief with a little help from pain relievers. At worst, these types of headaches can be annoying. However, there are some types of headaches which can be truly debilitating, preventing people from doing their chores or work tasks properly.

Despite their prevalence (or because of this), headaches can be considered costly. On one hand, you have direct costs like medication, hospitalisation, CT scans and the fee of medical professionals. And then you have indirect costs like absence and loss of productivity.

Research shows that headaches can even affect children, with the condition being more prevalent among young boys. But upon puberty, it is those who belong to the fairer sex who are more prone to having headaches.

There are four types of headaches, namely: tension, migraine, sinus and cluster headaches. Tension headaches are the most common type and are caused by the tightening and contraction of the muscles in the neck, face and scalp. Migraines are more painful than tension headaches and cause sufferers to stop what they are doing altogether. While the underlying cause of this headache is yet to be determined, research shows that it can be triggered by a variety of factors like hormonal changes, some types of food and drinks, inadequate sleep and stress.

Sinus headaches occur when the sinuses are infected by bacteria. Typically, this headache is accompanied by a runny or stuffy nose. Cluster headaches, on the other hand, refer to the kind of headache that can last from a few days to months, interspersed with periods of being headache-free.

In some instances, headaches can be a symptom of something that is more serious like high blood pressure, aneurysm, brain tumour or stroke. While a short nap or a pain reliever can provide relief to a headache, you should immediately consult a medical professional if the headache persists for an extended period of time, if you lose balance and feel weak, if you are nauseous, if you have lost consciousness and if you experience anything out of the usual.

If you are looking for headache or migraine treatment, you should consider therapeutic massage instead of simply popping another pain reliever pill. Massage therapy can relieve you of the pain you are feeling and even prevent it from occurring.

Massage promotes blood circulation which can help ease pain. Trigger point therapy can help relieve pain that is caused by trigger points. But apart from pain relief, regular massage therapy stimulates the release of endorphins and the elimination of the stress hormone cortisol.