THE BEST MASSAGE IS A HOUR OR MORE

One of the most valuable self care options that one can do for themselves is to budget and schedule regular massage sessions. 

Massage is necessary for those that work out, have chronic pain, have a strenuous labor intensive job, are athletes or have had recent injury. Maintaining your muscles is essential for peek performance and physical health.

Old injuries may arise when working out. If you do have scar tissue or tight fascia it may impede performance and enhancement by reducing the amount of time you are able to work out. You may not be able to push your workout to the maximum when pain is involved.

I work with those that need to come in for a hour or more session of body work. I no longer offer 30-minute sessions unless they are a follow up session a few days after a massage or if you are a regular client of mine. 

I find that for new clients thirty minutes in most cases is not enough for the issues that need to be addressed. Not only are you cheating yourself of much needed body work but there could be other factors that may be involved elsewhere in the body causing your pain. Especially if it an old sports or auto accident injury.

You owe it to yourself and deserve a much needed hour or more session of body work.

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SHOWER & PERSONAL HYGIENE

“Is it best to take a shower before getting a massage?”

My answer is always yes if you meet the criteria:

If you do any type of construction, outside work or exercise you will need to take a shower before seeing a massage therapist. Debris such as dirt clings to the skin and may scratch you when massage strokes are applied. A hot bath or shower will open up pores, relax and help loosen the fascia and muscles. Exfoliating the skin with a cotton washcloth, loofah or Agate cloth will help increase circulation while removing dead skin cells.

I have no shower facilities at my office so you will need to take one before seeing me. 

For the ladies:

“I’m a bit embarrassed but I haven’t shaved my legs. Is it ok to still schedule my appointment for a massage?

As I always stress never allow hair stubble (hairy legs) deter you from getting your regular massage maintenance.  Honestly, it doesn’t matter to me if you shave or not. By not shaving your legs it will never take away from the quality of your massage session.

Have a question about massage therapy?

If you have any massage related questions, please feel free to ask them and I will answer them.

Suzan Walker, LMT

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MAY I HAVE A HUG?

Every so often a client will ask “May I have a hug?”

It’s perfectly all right to ask for a hug and I am more than happy to give you one. A hug is a form of appreciation. Some clients will ask for one after receiving a massage when they have been in pain for months.

I have never been offended nor uncomfortable when someone has asked for a hug. I do not believe that it will lead to transference or a inappropriate relationship. A hug is a form of compassion in my opinion. Being compassionate is only human. I feel we all need to give and receive more compassion. As humans we need touch that is soothing and comforting. Touch decreases stress and helps to lower blood pressure.  By hugging it does release chemicals such as Oxytocin and endorphin’s that can assist in healing the body faster.

Best of all hugs are free and feel good when you receive one. It makes your day better. You are more than welcome to ask for one.

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WHAT’S IN YOUR LOTION?

Do you know what you put on your skin everyday? Do you read the ingredients on the back of the product? Do you know what those long, exasperated words mean?

The road to becoming a informed consumer is becoming a knowledgeable one.

I’ve been using a few massage products, creams and gel for
years unaware there was soy bean oil (many people are allergic to soy not included most of the supply is contaminated with gmo’s) and other chemicals that interfere with hormone production in both men and women. My hormone levels were off due to the possibility of using these products for so long. My hormone levels are nearly back to normal because I stopped using these products.

Below is a complied list of chemicals that are used in everyday items such as shampoos, lotions, eye creams and skin cares. Check to see if you have any of these toxins in the items you use in your daily skin care regiment.

This list is from http://www.naturesparadiseorganics.com/dangersofchemicals.html

Propylene Glycol – Very powerful chemical, when handling must wear full body gear because it absorbs quickly into the skin and causes damage to the brain, liver and kidneys. So strong it is used to remove barnacles from boats. Recent tests have shown mutation in vitro test. Tests have proving it to be a strong skin irritant causing allergies of the skin.

Glycerol Monostearate – Strong evidence of skin irritant, broad toxicity systemic effects on organs. Its a skin penetration enhancer, which can cause this or other chemicals to reach deep into the skin.

Mineral Oil – Contrary to belief, this ingredient is not healthy. It coats the skin like plastic, clogging pores and interfering with the skin releasing toxins. Causing premature aging and skin irritation. Some tests have shown it may be cancer causing.

BHT- Strong evidence of skin toxicity, evidence of causing carcinogenicity cancer system toxicity. Endocrine system disruption, animal tests found brain and nervous system deffects as well as reproductive deffects. Recognized as a skin irritant.

Butylparaben – Strong evidence of skin toxicity, reproductive toxicity, developmental toxicity and interferes with gene expression.

Proplyparaben – Evidence of skin, reproductive and developmental toxicity. Is toxic to wildlife and the environment.

Methylparaben – Strong evidence of skin toxicity causing irritation and sensitivity. Test have shown mutation in vitro test. Respiratory, brain and nervous system effects and interferes with gene expression.

Benzyl Alcohol – Nervous system, skin, organ intoxicant, hazardous to handle. Test have shown mutation in vitro tests and endocrine system disruption.

Oleic Acid – Cancer causing, respiratory effects and skin irritant.

Talc (Baby Powder) – Routine application to genitals increase development of ovarian cancer.

Sorbitan Laurate – Skin toxin, causes cancer, endocrine system disruption, gastrointestinal effects and a known skin irritant.

Distearate 150-PEG – Causes cancer and broad systemic effects through out body.

Quaternium – Skin toxin, organ system toxicity. Test shown evidence of mutation of vitro tests and negative effects on the endocrine system, brain and nervous system.

Tocopheryl Acetate – Causes allergies and skin sensitivity.

Fragrance – Could be any 4,000 ingredients that effect many different parts of the body that cause skin irritation and sensitivity.

Sodium Polyacrylate – Multiple additive exposure, endocrine system disruption and contamination concerns if not handled properly.

Zinc Oxide – System toxicity, persistent bio accumulative in wildlife, test have shown mutation in vitro test. Animal testing has shown brain and nervous system effects. Skin irritant.

Retinyl Palmitate – Restricted in cosmetics, developmental and reproductive toxicity.

I decided back in December to go back to using organic oils such as grape-seed, olive oil and coconut. This is what I put on my skin each day and use up to nearly five times daily with clients. If it affects me then it will likely affect you. Only the best for my clients!

As always, you’re more than welcomed to bring your own lotion or oil. Please look on the back of the label before bringing to the office to ensure that it does not have any of these ingredients.

Thank you.

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