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FAQ's
The question of how often to get
massage comes up quite often. As a Registered Massage
Therapist, I've made some general conclusions. On
this page I'll give you some examples to help you
decide. Remember, these are just examples - your individual
condition and goals may lead you and your therapist
to come to different conclusions about frequency.
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Massage for Foot & Heel
Pain
Foot pain is very often relieved by
massage therapy. Sources of foot pain include pain
from muscles of the foot and of the lower leg, particularly
the calves. By addressing the soft tissue sources
of pain the massage therapist can help relieve foot
pain.
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Massage for General Health
and Relaxation
For general health and relaxation
I recommend massage 1-2 times per month for people
under light to moderate stress. This would also include
people who are sedentary or who exercise only occasionally.
Receiving massage therapy once or twice per month
can have excellent health benefits and help reduce
the effects of stress.
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Massage for Headaches
Just ask any doctor, most headaches
are from muscular tension. Even some headaches labeled
as "migraine" or "cluster" headaches
are actually from muscular tension and muscular pain
referral from "myofascial trigger points",
especially from the neck and shoulders. Massage Therapy
is usually very effective in relieving headache pain
on a long-term basis. MORE INFO
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Massage for High Blood Pressure
Although there are many causes for
Hypertension (High Blood Pressure), stress, anxiety,
and muscular tension can be at the root of the problem.
Massage therapy can help reduce stress and anxiety,
and reduce muscular tension to help control or lower
some forms of High Blood Pressure. Ask your doctor
if massage therapy might help you.
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Massage for Low Back Pain
The causes of Low Back Pain are as
diverse as the people who suffer from it. No other
problem causes as much lost time at work or as much
suffering. Low Back Pain is very often muscular in
nature and responds very well to massage therapy and
bodywork treatment. Don't be surprised however if
the massage therapist tells you that problems with
abdominal muscles, hips, or even lower legs are causing
your low back pain or making it worse.
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Massage for Sleep Problems
Muscular tension and pain often prevent
people from sleeping well. Additionally, being stressed
and in a "fight or flight" mode will prevent
good sleep. Massage therapy is often just what is
needed to sleep better. It can reduce muscular tension
and pain as well as pull the plug on stress, letting
you slow down and unwind for a good night's sleep.
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Massage for Stress Management
For people who have high-stress occupations
or living conditions, or who travel frequently, I
recommend a higher frequency of massage therapy -
weekly or bi-weekly. In this case, massage therapy
helps the individual in coping with their stress.
Tension builds up from stressful situations can be
more easily managed with weekly massage. Additionally,
just knowing that you will be receiving massage therapy
each week or every-other-week can be comforting.
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Massage Therapy for Pain Reduction
and Management
Reduction of, and management of, pain
requires a different type of frequency. I call it
a "diminishing frequency". People in severe
pain not requiring medical intervention can and do
receive massage therapy 1-2 times per week in the
first week. Although rare, this may continue in the
second and third week of treatment depending upon
response of the client to the massage therapy. When
the pain is reduced so is the frequency of massage
therapy. At first it may be reduced to once per week,
then every other week or less often. Even chronic
pain conditions like fibromyalgia, lupus, carpal tunnel
syndrome, tmj-d, and chronic low back pain can have
a diminishing frequency. This type of diminishing
frequency is typically used with Neuromuscular Therapy
and Myofascial Release which are powerful massage
methods for relieving pain.
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Massage Therapy for Athletes
For Athletes the frequency of massage
therapy depends on the sport, training schedules,
and athletic goals. Call me and we can discuss how
sports massage can improve athletic performance and
reduce injury.
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