What kind of massage should I get?

So I had someone ask me the other day, how do I choose what kind of massage to get? There are so many to choose from. So I thought that I would shed some light on the differences between most massages offered at spas, hotels, or through a private practitioner.

Swedish massage: This is the most basic and most well known massage available. It is based on 5 techniques developed first by the Swiss. The first technique is effleurage, clearly its a French word meaning long, gliding strokes. An effleurage can be done by the hand, palm, forearm, and elbow. Usually Swedish massage is light to moderate pressure and the deepest of the effleurages is the elbow. Next is petrissage, this is a technique that is much like kneading bread. Then we have tapotement, which is when you have seen the karate-chops to the back, it is a percussive type move that is only done with the hands. The next two are not used as often as the previous techniques, friction and vibration. Friction is just what it sounds like, causing a heating of the muscles through friction. Then Vibration is when you literally vibrate your hands on someone, or the use of a few massage devices that vibrate themselves. (Clearly the machines are less work and produce a greater vibration. This is what is usually contained with a Swedish massage, but most other massage is based on the Swedish technique.

Sports Massage: This is a basic Swedish massage, using a deeper pressure and focusing on an Athletes problem areas. Stretching and thermo or cryotherapy can also be used. If you are physically active on a regular basis than the sports massage is your best option, to stay limber and get rid of lactic acid build up and 'knots' aka adhesion's.

Deep Tissue Massage: Ok, for you first timers, don't even consider deep tissue until you have had 2-3 massages. The reason I say this is because when you go to the average spa or clinic, when we see deep tissue on our schedules that means sweat for us. So your muscles will probably be sore and sometimes people get headaches, or don't feel well the day of, or the day after a deep tissue massage. 2 reasons: Release of toxins, and release of lactic acid build up. Most patients actually feel as if they had worked out the day after a deep tissue. Secondly our body stores many things in our bodies, the fat cells, and cerebro-spinal fluid contains most of the toxins. As a massage therapist we will work on those areas causing a release of those toxins, patients can be affected by these toxins, giving them headaches, lightheaded, and nauseated. This is why EVERY massage therapist will tell you "Drink lots of water!". It flushes the toxins out quicker.

Hot Stone Massage: Hot stones are a great tool in the massage room, the use of heat during deep tissue manipulation can ease the pain of the pressure and just feel good!! Hot stones are usually a smooth, black river stone, these retain the most heat and being smooth is a must. The best hot stone massages are when the therapist uses the stones as an extension of their hand. Massaging with the stones, not just laying them on the clients back.

Maternity Massage: this one should be obvious. Only for the moms-to-be and the therapist takes great care with the massage, avoiding deep tissue around the low back, hands, and feet. For the mothers having difficulties with carrying the baby it can be most relieving to them. Trigger points in the ankle area are known to cause labor, so for the late arrival babies, its possible to induce labor.

Lymphatic Drainage Massage: for the stubborn sinus infection, or a case of lymphadema, a lymphatic drainage massage could be just what the Dr. ordered! This is a very light massage meant to only affect the Lymphatic system, the removal of lymph from areas it might be caught in is beneficial to your health.

Aromatherapy and massage, using aromas during a relaxing massage can increase relaxation or open sinus passages that may get clogged during the massage. Aromatherapy is used in our everyday life and can be a pleasant addition to a massage.

Trigger Points and Reflexology.....these are both pinpoint pressure techniques used for two different purposes. Trigger points are located across the body and can be useful when experiencing radiating pain or tingling. This may hurt at first and can relieve many muscles at once. Reflexology is performed on the hands and feet, used to relieve other areas of the body, like the internal organs.

There are dozens of other massage and bodywork techniques, do your research and ask your friends because massage is a great way of relieving pain and stress!

Why I love massage.....

Well it only seemed fitting that my first blog post be about massage therapy. I mean it is my passion, my career, I love it. It gives me the opportunity to help people on a daily basis, to affect peoples life's in a positive manor, and I get to work with my hands, changing peoples bodys. Its amazing. I dont know if my literary skills are adequate enough to elaborate to you my deep care for what I do. I spent years of my youth just messing around massaging friends and family's shoulders and necks, wishing that I could transform my love for it into my career. I was always steered towards physical therapy and chiropractic, but I never felt like I wanted to spent that much time in school. I am also glad looking back that I dont have that debt either!!

I have had a career that started in the salon and day spa industry, where I worked on Houston elite, NBA Basketball Stars, millionaires, tycoons, and debutantes, to the soccer mom. I learned how to pamper someone. I also learned how the manage a spa, which was invaluable. But alas, it was not for me and deep inside I knew it. I always knew it. I started my own business and enjoyed my own office off Richmond Ave, near the Galleria. I had a loyal following and still worked at the odd spa or two and a health club in West Houston. But I was not helping people. Not really. I mean I still felt that something was missing that I was not completing my "destiny".

Well I have found my place. I am able to provide quality massage therapy, while learning and evolving constantly. I have learned how important massage therapy can be to the health of the average person. As we evolve as humans things dont become easier for the body, they become less familiar and more alien. Sitting at a desk 40 hours a week, clicking away at a keyboard is not what our bodies were made for. We were made for hunting and gathering, and keeping stretched out and warm, definitely not driving a car for 6 hours, riding in a plane, sitting on the couch watching tv. I could go on. I am not trying to preach because lord knows that I spend my fair share of time sitting on the couch enjoying my HD tv, but that is not what our bodies were meant to do. Why are we shocked when we are sore, have headaches, and feel run down? I dont spend much time working on the average person during my average day, I am working on those persons that have chronic pain and injuries (whether it be sports or car related). My work is incredibly gratifying and I could not imagine doing anything else.

I have been working at the clinic long enough now to watch my work come into fruition. It is incredible. Watching someone come into your room that is in excrutiating pain or discomfort and just wants it to go away, many of whom have gone to a PhD and has been perscribed narcotics and muscle relaxors to no avail. Some people seem so lost and so sad, but after a session or two they can see results, that is if massage can help their ailment. We do run across the occasional person that muscle pain or discomfort is but a side effect of something else, usually something worse. But most people, sooner or after some serious hard work and pain, on both the patient and therapists sides, will recover. That is the best. Recovery! Well thats why we do it I suppose, I must mention that the work that the Chiropractor that I work for is unbelievable, my work helps aide what Dr. Walker is able to provide for her patients! Her practice in Katy has helped me to become whole, I love it and I like I said, I finally feel at home.