- Where will my Massage Therapy session take place?
- What should I do during the massage session?
- Are there any medical conditions that would make massage inadvisable?
- What do I wear (or not wear) during the massage?
- What will the massage feel like?
- What if I want more or less pressure?
- What about hygiene?
- If my therapist doesn't properly work the area I need work on, how can I tell him what I want done?
- What is Chair Massage?
- When should I schedule my first and subsequent Sports Massage?
- How frequently do I need a Sports Massage?
- How will I feel during and after my first Sports Massage?
- What is Deep Tissue?
- Will Deep Tissue Massage hurt?
- What are some benefits of Deep Tissue Massage?
- How fast will I get results from a Deep Tissue Massage?
- Why water after a massage?
- What should I know about Trigger Point Therapy?
- Is Trigger Point Therapy the same as Deep Tissue Massage?
- Does Trigger Point Therapy hurt?
- After a treatment, what can I do to avoid activating the Trigger Points that were released?
- Are there different types of Massage Therapy?
- What are the benefits of Massage Therapy?
Where will my Massage Therapy session take place?
Your massage or bodywork session will take place in the comfort of your home or office. Soft music may be played to help you relax. You will lie on a table especially designed for your comfort.
What should I do during the massage session?
Prior to the massage, feel free to ask the therapist any questions about the technique or the upcoming session. During the massage, make yourself comfortable. The therapist will either gently move you or tell you what is needed throughout the session (such as lifting your arm). Many people just close their eyes and completely relax, communicating if/when they need more or less pressure, another blanket, or anything else relevant to the session. If you have any questions regarding the session or about the particular technique you are receiving, feel free to ask.
Are there any medical conditions that would make massage inadvisable?
Yes. That's why it's imperative that, before you begin your session, the therapist asks general health questions. It is very important that you inform your therapist of any health problems or medications you are taking. If you are under a doctor's care, it is strongly advised that you receive a written recommendation for massage or bodywork prior to any session. Depending on the condition, approval from your doctor may be required.
What do I wear (or not wear) during the massage?
Your personal comfort during a massage is the highest priority. Remove only the clothing that you are comfortable removing. You will be fully draped during the massage, and only the area that is being worked on will be uncovered. You'll be allowed privacy to change before and after the massage.
What will the massage feel like?
A relaxing Swedish massage is often a baseline for clients. In a general Swedish massage, your session may start with broad, flowing strokes that will help calm your nervous system and relax exterior muscle tension. As your body becomes relaxed, pressure will gradually be increased to relax specific areas and relieve areas of muscular tension. A cream is used to allow your muscles to be massaged without causing excessive friction to the skin. The cream also helps hydrate your skin. You should communicate immediately if you feel any discomfort so that another approach may be taken. Massage and bodywork are most effective when your body is not resisting.
What if I want more or less pressure?
Just ask! We are trained to adapt to a wide variety of body types and sensitivities to pressure. Your massage therapist will check in with you during the massage, but never hesitate to let them know your preference.
Your massage therapist will clean & disinfect the massage chair or table and hands before each massage. Each massage customer also receives a fresh face-rest cover and linens to ensure cleanliness.
If my therapist doesn’t properly work the area I need work on, how can I tell him what I want done?
Communication between you and your therapist is vital. The more you can tell your therapist about what you need, or what you are concerned about, the better quality of service the therapist can provide. If the pressure is too light or too deep you should always feel comfortable enough to tell your therapist. From that point your therapist will be able to be much more effective in the treatment.
A chair massage session generally lasts 15-20 minutes but can range from 5 minutes to 60 minutes depending on your needs. Chair massage focuses on relieving tension and discomfort in key stress-affected areas such as your neck, back, shoulders, arms & hands. Chair massage is performed on a specially designed portable massage chair. Chair massage lets you experience all the wonders and benefits of massage while you remain fully clothed and without the use of oils and creams.
When should I schedule my first and subsequent Sports Massage?
You should schedule your first massage today, of course. Subsequent massages should be scheduled depending on your training schedule. Deep tissue work should not be scheduled within 2 or 3 days of a quality workout. That means you should not have a deep massage the day before your long run or before your track workout. The day after either of these workouts would be ideal. (See “How will I feel...” below.)
How frequently do I need a Sports Massage?
In large part, it depends on your current financial situation. It also depends on your particular goals and your training schedule. If you are really working hard with two or three hard workouts per week or trying to set a new PR, we would recommend one or two per week. If you are interested in simply finishing the marathon, you are probably not stressing your body as much, so for you, maybe every other week would be fine up untill the marathon. If your budget can’t afford the extra $, then once a month will have to suffice.
How will I feel during and after my first Sports Massage?
We attempt to release adhesions between muscle tissues and to increase circulation to ischemic areas. your particular therapist and the type of massage that is used, will determine the level of discomfort that you may experience during the massage. Be sure to give the therapist feedback on painful areas. These areas may need special care or attention so as to not cause undue soreness. A good therapist will work the tissue in layers, gradually increasing the pressure as the outer layers relax. Subsequent sessions should be less intense, as your muscles have adjusted to the pressure and the conditions causing the tenderness are no longer present. As the tissue becomes healthier, you will be able to appreciate deeper massage. Some people have reported feeling slightly nauseous immediately after the massage, possibly because of the release of metabolic wastes and toxins into the blood stream and the lymph system. Others feel deeply relaxed, while others have reported feeling “beat up”. Typically, a day after your first session, you may be a little sore. This should pass after 1 or 2 days leaving you feeling much looser and relaxed. Maintaining a high level of hydration after the massage helps to reduce post massage soreness.
Deep tissue massage is a type of massage aimed at the deeper tissue structures of the muscle and fascia, also called connective tissue. Deep tissue massage uses many of the same movements and techniques as Swedish massage, but the pressure will generally be more intense. It is also a more focused type of massage, as the therapist works to release chronic muscle tension or knots (also known as "adhesions.")
Will Deep Tissue Massage Hurt?
At certain points during the massage, most people find there is usually some discomfort and pain. It is important to tell your therapist when things hurt and if any soreness or pain you ecperience is outside your comfort range. There is usually some stiffness or pain after a deep tissue massage, but it should subside within a day or so. Your therapist may recommend applying ice to the area after the massage. A little bit of discomfort may be a small price to pay for lasting results and relief of pain. The client is always in charge of the amount of pressure delivered in any session, at any time, and by any therapist.
HINT: To alleviate the possibility of soreness, increase the intake of water immediately following the massage and continue for a minimum of 24 hours.
What are some benefits of Deep Tissue Massage?
Unlike classic massage therapy, which is used for relaxation, deep tissue massage usually focuses on a specific problem, such as:
- Chronic pain
- Limited mobility
- Recovery from injuries (e.g. whiplash, falls, sports injury)
- Repetitive strain injury, such as carpal tunnel syndrome
- Postural problems
- Ostearthritis pain
- Fibromyalgia
- Muscle tension or spasm
According to the August 2005 issue of Consumer Reports magazine, 34,000 people ranked deep tissue massage more effective in relieving osteoarthritis pain than physical therapy, exercise, prescription medications, chiropractic, acupuncture, diet, glucosamine and over-the-counter drugs. Deep tissue massage also received a top ranking for fibromyalgia pain. People often notice improved range of motion immediately after a deep tissue massage.
How fast will I get results from a Deep Tissue Massage?
It's important to be realistic about what one deep tissue massage can achieve. Many people ask for more pressure, thinking that if the therapist just pushes hard enough, they can get rid of all their knots in an hour. This just won't happen. In fact, undoing chronic knots and tension built up over a lifetime is best achieved with an integrated program that includes exercise, work on your posture and ways of moving, relaxation techniques and a regular program of massage.
It's important to drink a lot of water after a deep tissue massage to help flush lactic acid out of the tissues. If you don't, you might be sore the next day. It's possible that you might feel some soreness the day after a deep tissue massage even if you DO drink water. This just means a lot of waste products were flushed out of the tissues. It should pass within a day or so.
What should I know about Trigger Point Therapy.
It is used to treat painful trigger points that cause referred pain. It took a while to get the muscle in that condition, and it will likely take more than one massage to get rid of it. These points are often areas of chronic "holding" and you need to learn how to move in different ways to keep them from recurring.
Is Trigger Point Therapy the same as Deep Tissue Massage?
Yes and No. If the reason you seek Deep Tissue Massage is for the deep relaxation it provides, then Trigger Point Therapy is very similar to, if not superior to, Deep Tissue work. Trigger Point techniques apply "deep" pressure to the contracted knots in muscle tissue. Releasing these knots (trigger points) in any muscle will drastically reduce tension in that muscle and also reflexively reduce muscle tension through-out the body.
The primary difference between Deep Tissue techniques and Trigger Point Therapy techniques is that while Deep Tissue stripping techniques are applied to the entire muscle, Trigger Point techniques focus only on the contracted knots in the muscle.
Does Trigger Point Therapy hurt?
Yes, releasing trigger points does produce pain. But the pain produced during a trigger point session has one important function: the pain confirms that this is indeed the source of your pain. All Star Massage Therapy will always work within your pain tolerance, but you should expect to experience some discomfort during a treatment. Most patients describe the pain as a "good" type of pain (or rather that it hurts and feels good at the same time).
After a treatment, what can I do to avoid reactivating the trigger points that were released ?
All Star Massage Therapy will give you specific instructions depending on your situation. There are, however, a few general recommendations:
- Take it easy: Even if you feel great after a treatment, you should allow your muscles some time to recover. Avoid any strenuous activities such as exercise, gardening or yard work, sports, etc.
- Drink lots of water: Force yourself to drink a couple extra glasses of water and avoid salty meals, alcohol, and caffeine. Dehydration will quickly reactivate the trigger points that were released during your treatment.
- Eat: Try to eat a moderate meal within an hour or two after your treatment. Avoid foods that cause a quick rise and drop in blood sugar, like white bread, soft drinks, candy, cake, etc. Low blood sugar can reactivate trigger points, particularly those that cause headaches and neck pain.
- Heat: Try to get at least 20 minutes of heat on the muscles that were treated. You can use a heating pad, shower, or hot tub to do this. Keep your muscles warm throughout the day and night. Wear light clothing to bed to prevent the muscles from being chilled by a ceiling fan or AC unit during sleep.
Are there different types of Massage Therapy?
There are numerous types of massage and bodywork; various techniques utilize different strokes, including basic rubbing strokes, rocking movement, posture and movement re-education, application of pressure to specific points, and more. We can discuss which methods may be most appropriate for you. All Star Massage Therapy, depending on your unique situation, may use: Deep Tissue - Trigger Point Therapy - Myofascial Release - Sports Massage and Swedish.
What are the benefits of Massage Therapy?
Massage and bodywork can help release chronic muscular tension and pain, improve circulation, increase joint flexibility, reduce mental and physical fatigue and stress, promote faster healing of injured muscular tissue, improve posture, and reduce blood pressure. Massage and bodywork is also known to promote better sleep, improve concentration, reduce anxiety and create an overall sense of well-being.
Call to schedule an appointment: 702-373-2283