do it from center

I get asked this question nearly every day. Often I am not as articulate about the answer as I would like to be, as the answer can be somewhat confusing.

“You should get a massage as often as you want one.” This answer usually gets a laugh or at least a smile. But I do mean it. Your body is incredibly smart and knows when it needs some work. All of us choose to ignore our body’s requests for massage and touch sometimes, for a variety of reasons. However, if you feel as though you could get a massage every week and feel ten times better, that is a clear sign.

“You should get a massage at least once a month.” If you are interested in getting cumulative benefits from your massage work, once per month is the average minimum I recommend for everyone. Three weeks or six weeks may be better for you as an individual. Again, your body knows better than your massage therapist–the question is, are you listening to your body?

“You should get a massage about once a week if you are working on a particular issue which is significantly affecting your life.” Enough said.

If you’ve made a New Year’s resolution to take better care of yourself, consider regular massage therapy. And remember: I offer up to a 25% discount for anyone who is in need. There may be a therapist in your town willing to work in your budget constraints.

From November 07 through January 08, I received a complete series of 12 Kenesis Myofascial Integration sessions. Like Rolfing and other forms of structural integration, this work is more intense than massage, with longer lasting results. Though it’s not for everyone, it is actually much more accessible than I would have thought. The work also surprised me, providing more benefits than I could have anticipated. (more…)

Little-known fact: hearing about the Alexander Technique is what initially drew me to learn bodywork. The practitioner teaches the client better posture and movement by using words and touch. I’ve never taken a lesson, I admit, but the concept fascinates me. Having a high degree of kinesthetic awareness is necessary for dancers, and I speculated that it could help anyone move more fluidly and become more pain-free. I’ve just read a study published in the BMJ which supports that belief. The study reports that people suffering from back pain who recieved 6 to 24 lessons of the Technique achieved long-term benefits and many more pain-free days, compared to other therapies which were not as effective.

Read the research here: http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/337/aug19_2/a884

In researching how to get more and better sleep, I came across this article on the National Sleep Foundation’s website: Time Management Expert Says “Take Time For Sleep!”

I find the work of providing massage therapy to be rather exhausting, emotionally and physically. If you find your work as taxing as I do, ask yourself honestly, “Am I getting enough sleep?”

Says the author: “I discovered that Time Waster #1 is not procrastination… it’s trying to do too much at once.” See full article for more information, and the Sleep Foundation’s website for tips on getting good sleep.

Or, why I love practicing massage therapy.

People almost always get up off my table happier than when they came in. I am fed by that calm, refreshed energy on a daily basis. In a culture where we love to live vicariously, this is my ultimate. (more…)