Restor Healing Centre
Phone: 630.682.5090
Fax: 630.260.1230
info@RestorNow.com
Massage Therapy F.A.Q.
Can you describe the types of massage work that are used in a session?
Our therapists use a variety of modalities, or techniques, during massage. Some of these include:
Deep Tissue Massage
This type of massage is generally used to enhance healing in specific muscles of the body by using friction to physically ‘break up’ knotty or fibrotic areas, or by deep stripping of the muscles to lengthen and soften tissue. The therapist uses gentle but firm pressure to engage the muscle tissue which causes loosening of the tissue and increased blood flow to the distressed area promoting healing in the affected muscle.
Trigger Point Therapy
A trigger point is a very specific point in a muscle tissue which is hypersensitive, usually tender to the touch. When it is compressed, it can refer pain to other areas of the body. For example, headaches are frequently impacted by trigger points in the shoulder and neck muscles. During massage, the therapist exerts compression on the trigger point until the hypersensitivity subsides or is eliminated. Trigger point therapy requires active dialog between the patient and the therapist to determine the exact location of the trigger point and the appropriate pressure used.
Myofascial Release Techniques
Fascia is the continuous fibrous connective tissue just under the skin that holds the body together and gives it shape. The connective tissue can become rigid and immobile causing postural distortions, pain, and muscle dysfunction. Myofascial techniques improve blood flow to the fascia and underlying muscle, reduce adhesion of the tissue, and improve mobility of the fascia. Techniques include fascial lifting and sustained deep gliding, and generally do not include the use of cream or oil.
Stress Reduction/Relaxation Massage
Traditionally called Swedish massage, this massage incorporates gliding, kneading, pulling and light friction motions along with cream or oil as a lubricant to make it easier to glide along the skin. Relaxation massage relieves muscle tension, increases blood circulation, improves lymphatic flow, stimulates inactive muscles, and reduces stress. Generally the entire body is included and remains draped throughout the session except for the areas being addressed.
Other
Other techniques used include active stretching, lymphatic draining, sports massage, and energy work.
Is massage covered by my insurance?
In most cases if you have insurance they will cover part of the massage. But if you are unsure call the office at (630)682-5090 and ask for Cindy the office manager.
Does massage therapy hurt?
In general, receiving massage work should not hurt. Most people find massage therapy to be very relaxing and enjoyable. In some cases, the therapist may use deeper pressure on specific muscles to help break up adhesions and 'stuck' tissues. This work can cause some discomfort initially, but generally subsides as the tissues relax. In any case, you should let your therapist know right away if you find any of the work painful or if she uses too much pressure on a sore muscle. We want you to feel better after receiving our work!
What should I do to prepare for my massage appointment?
You should prepare for a massage similar to the way you do for a workout. You should eat something an hour or so before your appointment and you need to be well-hydrated (drink your water!). Poorly hydrated tissues respond more slowly to massage work and can result in greater discomfort. You should plan to arrive several minutes before your scheduled appointment time. This allows you a little time to meet and talk with the therapist to let her know your specific issues. You also need time to get undressed and get onto the massage table.
Now, relax! Close your eyes, breathe deeply, and get comfortable. If you need a blanket or if something is uncomfortable, let the therapist know so she can make an adjustment.
What should I do after a massage?
Take a moment before getting up, especially if you have received head and neck work. You should be completely relaxed. Make sure to drink plenty of water after receiving massage work to help flush toxins out of your systems. Changes in your body may be immediate, but over the next day or so you may notice that you have less pain, increased mobility, reduced stress, and increased energy. You may also experience some minor discomfort in areas that received intensive work – a bruised kind of feeling. This should pass within a day or so as the tissue respond. Stretch your muscles and keep moving.
Do I have to get undressed?
This depends on the area of the body affected and the type of massage work to be done. Massage work is most effective when we can directly access skin and muscles instead of through clothing. For most massage work, particularly general relaxation massage, people undress completely, although you may choose to wear your underwear for comfort. You are given privacy to undress and will remain draped with a sheet throughout the session except for any areas being worked. Private parts remain private – in no case are genitals or breasts exposed during the massage.
In some cases, we may ask only that you remove clothing to give access to the muscles we will work. For example, specific treatment of shoulder pain would require undressing from the waist up. In any event, we work within the comfort level of the client and can adapt massage work for anyone who wishes a more modest approach.
Why do the massage therapists encourage me to drink water after receiving massage work?
The human body consists of approximately 70% water. A decrease of even a percent or two can significantly affect how a person feels. Massage helps to increase blood circulation and lymphatic flow in the body and, as a result, helps move toxins out of sore muscle tissues. Drinking plenty of water after you receive massage work will help flush these toxins out of the body and prevent soreness and possible headaches. Think of massage as a kind of passive workout – you need to drink water after any workout.
When shouldn’t I receive massage work?
Massage is not recommended for anyone who is severely sick, which includes having a fever, the flu, an upset stomach, being seriously dehydrated or recovering from a serious illness. Because massage work affects overall circulation in the body, receiving massage when you are sick can actually make you feel worse. Also, you run the risk of exposing your therapist to whatever illness you may be carrying.
Massage is also not recommended for anyone who has a contagious skin rash such as poison oak or poison ivy. Additionally, many skin conditions such as sunburn or eczema may make receiving massage work painful.
Several drugs and systemic (whole body) conditions also indicate caution. For example, a person with congestive heart failure lacks the ability to handle the increase in blood circulation which occurs during massage. Ask your massage therapist if you have any questions about the appropriateness of massage for specific conditions. We can adapt our massage work for most any condition.
What are the benefits of massage therapy?
We believe strongly that massage therapy complements a natural healing chiropractic practice. Massage therapy can decrease stress levels, increase joint and muscle range of motion, increase blood circulation and lymphatic flow, alleviate pain, low heart rate and blood pressure, relieve muscle tension, enhance posture and stimulate inactive muscles.
Why do I need massage work?
Research shows that touch is critical for normal infant development. This need for touch continues throughout our lifetimes. Massage work enhances body awareness and helps to restore energy and sense of well-being.
Massage therapy is frequently recommended as a adjunct for chiropractic treatment. Muscles can become adhered, stuck and knotted up from injury and overuse or postural distortions. This can result in pain and restriction of motion. Massage therapy softens these tissues and along with chiropractic work can help decrease pain and improve mobility.
People with chronic conditions, such as fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis and lupus, frequently find that massage therapy enhances their overall health by keeping muscles and connective tissues soft and pliable.
What can I expect during a massage appointment?
Before you arrive for your appointment the therapist will review your patient file with Dr. Sargent. The therapist may ask you additional question about your current medical state and ask you what are your areas of concern or specific issues. You and the therapist then decide what massage is appropriate for your needs which might include work to decrease pain in problem areas, reduce stress and improve overall health. The therapist then leaves the treatment room to give you time to prepare for the massage.
You will remove your clothing in a private room and lie on the massage table under a sheet and blanket if it is cool. You will remain draped with a sheet throughout the session except for the area being massaged. The room is softly lit and relaxing music is played during the session. The therapist will begin the massager and throughout the session will address areas of concern. She may use cream or lotion and will probably use a variety of massage techniques. You will be asked to give feedback as necessary.
Massage work should feel good. Your body will slow down, you’ll breathe more deeply and fully, and you should feel relief from pain. The therapist will use gentle but firm pressure. If you have any discomfort, let the therapist know during the session so pressure can be adjusted. Enjoy your time on the massage table.
Can I talk during a massage or should I be quiet?
If you prefer to talk or ask questions, please feel free to do so. We enjoy your company! In some cases, the therapist will ask for feedback from you about the location of any discomfort or pain level.
You can choose to remain silent and simply enjoy the experience. Massage enhances relaxation and we encourage you using this time to de-stress.
How many massages will it take to fix my low back pain/neck pain/tendonitis/etc.?
If we only had a crystal ball! Each person and each condition is unique. Relief from pain frequently requires a multi-level approach, of which massage is an important part. Many factors contribute to the length of recovery time, including the severity of stretching and exercise, and daily stress level. Regardless of condition, we can usually decrease pain levels to some degree, maybe completely, in each massage session.
How often should I receive massage work?
People frequently seek massage work for pain relief, mobility issues, or stress relief. For clients with specific pain or mobility issues, massage therapy works best with an intensive focus and a rigorous schedule, perhaps once or twice a week initially. After pain subsides and mobility increases, massage may be recommended weekly or monthly to continue the healing process.
For people with chronic conditions, such as fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, or lupus, frequent (perhaps weekly or twice a month) helps keep tissues pliable and pain levels tolerable. The frequency of stress-reducing massage depends on a person’s stress level and is generally once or twice a month, or perhaps even every three months.
Will the therapist work my entire body or just certain areas?
A massage session for relaxation and stress relief generally covers the full body, including back, shoulders, neck, hips, legs, feet, arms and head. For massage work which addresses a specific problem, the therapist will generally spend all or most of the appointment time on the specific area. For example, if a client complains of headaches, the therapist will probably work primarily on the upper shoulders, the front of the chest (pecs), and the neck and head. She may also do some light massage work on the back and legs if time permits. If you have concerns, you should discuss the scope of the massage work with your therapist.