Why do we sometimes recommend longer treatments?

In my last blog article, I explained the benefits including scientific evidence from a 15 minute Seated Acupressure Massage.   So if 15 minutes has all these benefits, why do we offer 30 minute treatments and why do we sometimes recommend them?

Quite simply, its based on experience.  I find that some clients start to notice their neck & shoulder loosing mobility and their level of muscular tension increasing but they are too busy to book in.  Frequently we find that people leave it 3 weeks before they book in or sometimes up to a month, by which time the knots have multiplied and grown!!!

The 15 minute treatment is designed to nip things in the bud, before the tension gets chronic.   However I appreciate that my clients have very busy lifestyles so this isn’t always possible so we offer longer treatments.

Finally, some people get home from work and instantly switch off while other people take a while.   This different rate of response is what we as therapists see when we treat people, so we recognise when your muscles are releasing really slowly.  Indeed over the years some of my clients have commented on how it took a long time for their right/left shoulder to relax.  In cases where your muscles are releasing very slowly we often suggest you book a longer treatment.

Related Posts

  • Trigger Points

    Often clients sit down to have a massage and are unaware how tight one area of there shoulder or neck is.  This is very common and here is why:

    • We only notice the worse area of pain - so if our right shoulder is more painful, we have a tendency to assume our left shoulder is OK.
    • Trigger Points
    What are Trigger Points? Trigger Points are hyper-irritable spots in muscle which are between 2mm - 10mm in diameter that are located frequently located where the nerves join the muscle fibers.  Active trigger points are always tender or painful, and often refer pain, so trigger points in only of the largest shoulder muscles the trapezius often refers pain up the side of the neck.  While latent trigger points are only painful when they are touched.  This is why when I work, sometime you discover areas of your shoulders that you didn't know were painful, these are latent trigger points. Trigger points can be found anywhere in the body but are extremely common in the shoulders. So if latent trigger points are only painful when you touch them, do I need a massage to release them?  The simple answer is yes as they may restrict your range of movement, so you will feel tightness if you try and rotate your shoulders or they can reduce the strength of your muscles, which puts more strain on your joints. What causes trigger points? There are several ideas about what causes trigger points but no agreed theory.  Below is a list of possible causes
    • Poor Posture
    • Muscle Damage
    • Nervous Tension
    • Physical Stress
    • Psyschological Stress
    • Environmental Factors - cold, damp
    • Illness
    • Lack of rest or sleep
    • Poor Diet
    What are the symptoms of trigger points?
    • Restricted movement
    • Tension headaches
    • Referred pain
    • Painful movement of a joint or limb
    How can I prevent trigger points forming?
    • Maintain good posture
    • Manage your stress
    • Follow a daily stretching routine
    How can I get rid of my trigger points?
    • Acupuncture
    • Massage
         

  • So how does massage reduce pain? – Part 2

    Previously I explained the scientific theory for  "How does massage reduce muscle pain?" in the short term .  But what about the long term? I would like to introduce to you the "descending pain suppression mechanism." The brain is not a passive receiver of sensory messages, but rather a centre that interprets them and makes constant adjustments accordingly. For example, everyone knows that the way you perceive pain will be influenced by whether you focus on it or think of something else instead. And it seems reasonable to suppose that evolutionary selection may have favoured those individuals who could ignore pain signals for long enough to take actions that let them escape and survive danger.

    Unpleasant cutaneous sensations stimulate nuclei within the mid brain.  These nuclei in turn initiate activity in the descending spinal tracts that release endogenous opiates (inhibitory neurotransmitters) within the spinal segment receiving the painful input.  This diminishes the intensity of the pain transmitted to the higher centres. Sports and Deep Tissue massage techniques can reinforce a naturally occurring discomfort, causing much greater release of opiates and achieve a more profound pain suppression.

    References Basbaum A, Fields H.  (1978) Endogenous pain control mechanisms: review and hypothesis.  Ann Neurol 4: 451-2. Watson J (1982) Pain mechanisms: a review.  3. Endogenous pain mechanisms.  Australian Journal of Physiotherapy 27: 135-43

  • How to prevent muscle cramps?

    I know previously I have discussed how to minimise the risk factors associate with muscle cramps including during pregnancy. Exercise Related Muscle Cramps May occur during, after or in some case many hours after vigorous activity.  In addition to minimising the risk factors I have previously documented you need to ensure you

    1. Don't exercise when injured - cramps can occur as a protective mechanism following an injury.
    2. Warm up thoroughly
    3. Stretch before and after exercise
    4. Cool down properly
    5. Don't over do it - their is a clear correlation between muscle fatigue and cramps.  In addition if you suddenly place a huge physical demand on the body (e.g. a late spurt to win the race) that it is not used to, your body can react by contracting all the muscle and creating cramps.  So remember to follow a suitable training program before entering that competition!
    Rest Cramps Night cramps and other rest cramps can often be prevented by regular stretching exercises particularly before going to bed.  The most common night cramps are in the calf muscles, to stretch this muscle
    1. Stand about 2 or 2.5 feet away from a wall.  Lean into the wall to place the forearms against the wall with the knees and back straight and the heels in contact with the floor. Hold for 10 to 15 seconds and repeat three times before going to bed.
    2. In bed while lying down, you can try flexing the ankle by pulling the toes up toward the head with the leg as straight as possible.