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| Bubba:shrimp :: Kelly:massage |
Sometimes, when I talk about massage, I feel like Bubba, the shrimp-obsessed soldier in Forrest Gump. Before I entered massage school, I
had no idea how diverse the field of massage was. During my months as a student,
I trained in several branches of massage, including Swedish relaxation,
pregnancy, hot stone and Thai massage.
Did you know that traditional Swedish massage includes Swedish
gymnastics, or stretches? Or that Thai massage was founded by the physician to
Bhuddha?
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| Cobra stretch in traditional Thai massage |
I also received an introduction to clinical massage where I
learned that trigger points (aka “knots”) occur in predictable patterns
throughout the musculature, creating both local and referred pain. For
instance, trigger points in muscles along your neck and face can create tooth pain
which can be alleviated by massage alone.
Although musculoskeletal pain may not be the sole source of pain, it is
often a contributing factor, and sometimes may be mistaken for other ailments. Interested in looking into the causes of your
pain? Check out Claire Davies’ Trigger Point Therapy Workbook for a guide on
how to find a resolve pain due to trigger points.
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| Great guide for self care |
Through the interests of my classmates and instructors,
further diversities in the field emerged. My Swedish instructor incorporated many
elements of eselan massage in our sessions (sans therapist nudity). The long
body strokes that define eselan enhance client relaxation! I was also exposed
to Arivigo abdominal massage, which has Mayan roots and alleviates a plethora
of maladies. Women who experience this form of massage (and practice self-care)
may have reduced pain during their period and even enhanced fertility due to
the uterus being correctly repositioned in the body. In fact, the results of
this massage can even realign a prolapsed uterus and prevent surgery! Clients
experiencing digestive issues may benefit from Arvigo therapy as well. It will
be a while before I am certified, but if you are interested in this form of
massage in the near future, Texas Healing Arts Institute in Austin has
qualified therapists that I personally can recommend.
The list goes on. Sports massage can be applied before and
after athletic events to enhance performance for serious competitors! Lymphatic
drainage is a light form of massage that facilitates the movement of lymph; it
can reduce swelling and provide relief from severe allergies. Oncology massage (with
approval from the health care team) can be palliative for clients battling
cancer and undergoing chemo.
As a new therapist, I feel fortunate to have been exposed to
so many different forms of massage and am proud to offer a variety of modalities already. I have many interests and know that over time, I will
continue to diversify my practice through many types of massage, including
lymphatic, Arvigo and sports massage. But (drumroll) there is one area that I
am particularly excited about….massage for children!
I have had a profound love for the littles since I can
remember. I found my way to education and continued to enjoy ALMOST every
minute with my dears (except when they weren’t being such dears, but that
didn’t happen often). So my heart jumped out of my chest when I saw a little
girl on the cover of my Massage and Bodywork magazine this September. Massage
for kids?! Yes, indeed; not only massage for kids, but many specializations: infant,
pediatric, oncology, autism and even trauma. I was so impressed with the work
of Tina Allen of Liddle Kidz (featured in several articles) that I have already
booked my infant massage training with her in 2014. In fact, you can look at a digital archive of this issue here.
Have you ever sought massage as a remedy or even a
complimentary therapy? What would you most like to experience in a massage or
receive as a goal of massage? What forms of massage would most benefit our
growing community? Check out archived digital editions of Massage and Bodyworkmagazine to see what the field of massage may have to offer you!
