Why Face Up?

Ever wonder why I usually start you start face up?   Besides being relaxing there a few technical reasons.  Most of us sit at desks and have our bodies in a head and shoulder forward position.  For this article the overworked and overstretched  muscles are the muscles of the shoulder and back and the opposite or agonist muscles are the pectoralis muscles.  Both become tight, one is over-worked and over stretched-back, the other-pecs, become tight from lack of use and they become 'short.'

When you start a client face up and lengthen the short, tight anterior muscle groups (pecs) , you aid in relaxing the weak inhibited posterior shoulder stabilizers. Once the therapist manages to restore normal muscle resting lengths to the tight agonist muscle groups, it reciprocally turns down the noxious afferent stimuli and relieves many of the myofascial and neuromuscular pain patterns.
(Figs 6-8)
Fig. 6 Pectoralis Major Work.Since much of our pain comes from living in forward head flexed postures with medially rotated shoulders, starting a client face up often makes more sense. This assures that the majority of short flexor muscles groups are lengthened prior to working on weak, inhibited extensor muscle groups.

So...the reason you are generally started face up is to relax and stretch the shorter muscles to have better access to the overstretched muscles of the back and shoulder. 

Ever wonder what scar tissue and normal tissue look like?  No?  Well just in case you ever wonder.  This is what we strive for!

 Scar tissue above.  Aligned tissue here.


Article and pictures taken from Massage Today Article
By James Waslaski


I have also added a 75 Minute Massage to the list of services and as a gift to you if you schedule a 60 Minute Massage 4/23-5/6 you will automatically be upgraded to 75 Minutes! All appointments will be at Walnut St during this time.  Sorry, this cannot be used with other promotions such as gift certificates or coupons but did you know you can always upgrade your massage time $10 for 15 Minutes or $20 for 30 Minutes? 

This would be the perfect time for you to use that Gift Certificate you have been saving.

Don't forget Mothers Day! MOMS do so much for us every day so give her something special this Mother’s Day. An Instant Gift Certificate ensures mom will spend a few precious hours focused on relaxation and rejuvenation.

Just go to my website and click on gift certificate, choose a design, personalize a message then print or email the gift instantly. It really is that simple, the ultimate gift solution.

3 Things I Cannot Live Without

Even for someone who gets regular massage, I still get tight and sore muscles on strenuous days.  You all know how I feel about a good soak in an Epsom Salt Bath, but you can't do that every day.

On other days-which translates to almost nightly-I use the following tools.

Sharper Image Quad Action Percussion Massager

Like the steady beat of a drum, The Quad Action Percussion Massager soothes and invigorates; relieving stress and pain. The handheld massager allows you to target muscle groups--back, shoulders, quads, hamstrings, calves and more, providing a deep tissue massage where ever and whenever you need it. The percussion massager is an ideal pain relief solution. Add soothing heat for a deeper, even more relaxing massage. The extendable handle lets you reach way back.
I love this thing!  It weighs 3.5 pounds and is pretty sturdy.  I have tested the limits of mine  all the time. 
Currently this item is on sale for too!  www.sharperimage.com 

Soft Hot/Cold Hydro Packs

Traditional hot and cold packs for treating strains, sprains, tendonitis and other injuries. Soft, no-frost cover. Store in freezer until needed. Heat in microwave. Non-toxic and biodegradable gel.

Available in the following sizes:

• Petite: 3" x 5"
• Small: 6" x 10"
• Large: 10" x 13"
• Cervical: 6" x 20"
• Tri-Sectional: 9" x 16"

I have 2 of the small packs I purchased from my chiropractor a few years ago.  They don't take long to freeze and are pretty universal.  I use them for my neck and they are softer than a bag of peas.

 

Tennis Balls

 

Just plain old tennis balls!  Some sites sell specialty balls for myofascial release that are hard plastic.  Some may have little knobs on them but they are all about the size of a tennis ball and do the same thing.  The tennis ball is hard enough it will not give when laying on it.  You can google "Tennis Ball Therapy" and get some ideas.  I simply lay on a hard surface (not the bed because they will sink into the mattress) and place them behind my neck.  That is my trouble area from all the looking down I do.  You can place one on the base of your neck or two on either side of the neck.  I roll my head back and forth on them.  If you need some help just let me know and I can show you at your next massage.
 
What self help techniques do you use? 

Remember, I have limited hours this week and into the weekend and will be gone March 22-31st.  I will be returning to take appointments April 1st-No Fooling!
Schedule online in my absence.

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