Q: Does massage therapy help those with mental handicaps, such as retardation? (Posted Apr, 2006)

A: Massage can be beneficial to those with mental handicaps. The stress of muscle spasms or of having difficulty in communicating can be greatly relieved through massage. It is also a form of non-verbal communication which can help satisfy that need.

Q: When I was a delivery driver I started to develop mild back pains and stomach cramps. What kind of therapy do you recommend?

A: Since a driver is sitting for a large portion of the day, the best thing he/she can do is take frequent stretch breaks. This gives muscles a chance to break the cycle of being shortened. Over time sitting the same way actually trains your muscles to hold the position making the muscles shorter and contributing to less than ideal posture. Frequent breaks help interrupt that process.

Q: Other than helping me relax and muscle tension, what are other ways a massage can benefit me? (Posted Dec, 2005)

A: Massage benefits your body in other ways besides aiding in relaxation and relieving muscle tension. It helps rid toxins from the body that can be stored in fat and muscle tissue. It also increases circulation to all parts of the body, bringing nutrition to areas that may not otherwise be receiving it. Some people notice massage brings elasticity back to sagging tissue because it increases tone in the areas worked.

Q: Many times when I get massaged I feel like I want to cry. Is that normal? (Posted July, 2005)

A: These are called "emotional releases." It is natural and certainly normal. Some people find they recall traumatic events when a certain area of the body is being massaged. For example, if one of your parents was physically abusive and would grab you roughly by the arm. Massaging that arm may release or remind you of that memory. Massage therapists are trained to help you through these memories, and are not uncomfortable if their client starts crying.

Q: Does the gender of the massage therapist make a difference? (Posted June, 2005)

A: The gender of your massage therapist only makes a difference if you are uncomfortable. It comes down to personal preference. If you are a woman, and cannot relax having a man working on you, it is best to ask for a female therapist. However, many clients will care less the more educated they are and comfortable they become while receiving a massage.

Q: What if I'm overweight or embarrassed about my body?

A: Massage therapist see all shapes and sizes every single day. You can imagine a massage therapist as being like a doctor  - they are not there to judge you, but to help you relax and ease your pain. In school, therapists are taught to be non-judgmental and see the beauty in every body.

Q: What parts of my body will be massaged?

• head and neck

• front and back of arms

• front and back of legs

• back

• glutes

• upper part of your chest

Typically massage therapists will only perform abdominal work on request. It is important to know that only the part of the body being massaged is undraped.

Q: I bruise easily, can I still get a massage?

A: Yes, you can absolutely get massage if you bruise easily. It is important to let your therapist know you bruise easily so they will 1) warm up your tissue well before applying deeper pressure, and 2) use a broader contact - a hand instead of an elbow, for example. If you are taking a medication that precipitates bruising, such as an aspirin regimen, or a blood thinner like coumadin, you should probably check with your doctor before getting massage. You probably have underlying health issues that should be taken into consideration.

Q: Have you ever taken a look at a list of services at a spa or massage clinic, and wondered what the heck you should get? (Posted May, 2005)

A: It’s a common problem, so let us explain the major styles of massage, and what they can do for you.

Swedish Massage

No, Swedish massage isn’t done by somebody of Scandinavian heritage. It’s the grandfather of all Western massage. It is a gentle and soothing massage that focuses on pushing blood and fluid back to the heart. Swedish massage will:

• Increase circulation

• Decrease general tension

• Induce relaxation

Deep Tissue Massage

Deep tissue massage is a more focused kind of massage in which you will typically spend the majority of your massage on one or two parts of the body. For example, if you’re having headaches, the therapist will focus on those areas. The labels “neuromuscular,?and “trigger point therapy?are techniques under the heading of “deep tissue?that your therapist may use. Typically deep tissue massage is slightly more painful (most people describe it as “good?pain), and uses a more aggressive style that involves friction across the muscle, stretching, and deeper pressure. Deep tissue massage will:

• Provides relief from pain

• Induce relaxation

• Provide an alternative treatment for muscle pain and dysfunction

Sports Massage

Sports massage is widely confused by the athletes that receive it. For us at Serenity Now!, sports massage is massage done within 48 hours before or after an event. It is a lighter massage that incorporates range of motion exercises and gentle stretching. If you’re having pain in your calf from training, you would need a deep tissue massage—not a sports massage.

Sports massage before an event will give you:

• A gentle pre-warm up for your nervous system

• Greater flexibility

• Increased circulation to the specific muscle groups needed in your event

A sports massage after an event will:

• Help release metabolic waste from your muscles

• Reduce recovery time by increasing circulation

•  Lightly address any pain that started during the event

Prenatal Massage

Hmmmm—perhaps for a pregnant woman? You got it. Prenatal massage focuses on the unique needs of pregnant women. It is important the therapist be trained in this work (our therapist, Karena, is). Prenatal massage will provide a pregnant woman:

• Decreased fluid retention in the legs

• Decrease of stress hormones which can affect the fetus

• Appropriate care for pregnancy related aches

Ashiatsu Oriental Bar Therapy?/span>

Ashiatsu is an ancient form of Asian massage with a Western spin. The therapist uses soft, clean feet to give a deep and luxurious massage. It is ideal for larger people, athletes, lower back pain, and those who just want to try a unique service. Ashiatsu will:

• Be a new and different experience

• Dramatically increase circulation

• Reduce areas of pain and tightness with a minimum of pain

Now you have a working knowledge of basic massage techniques and what they can do for you.

Q: What is message therapy? (Posted April, 2005)

A: Therapeutic massage is a systematic approach to releasing the soft tissues of the body from waste products and tension, and increasing the circulation of blood and lymph. The result is relief from pain, reduced stress hormones circulating in the body, and an overall sense of well-being.

Q: What is the purpose or what are the benefits of massage therapy?

A: Massage has many benefits. Among the greatest is breathing ease, posture improvement, peace of mind, increased flexibility, strengthens the immune system, increases mental alertness, and enhances calm thinking and creativity.

Q: Does it hurt?

A: Massage should never produce extreme pain. Many clients describe the sensation from massage as "hurts so good." This happens when your therapist has located a tender or tight area within a muscle. On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the most painful, you should hover between a five and seven. It is important for you to communicate with your therapist to maintain a therapeutic level of comfort.

Q: Who is a good candidate for message therapy?

A: This technique is ideal for larger people, athletes, those with low back pain, and those who simply want to try something new and different. Many clients of ours swear they will never go back to traditional hand massage after experiencing Ashiatsu.