Let’s play a quick word association game. Here goes: equilibrium, stability, balance, regulate, internal, conditions. And the word we’re looking for is: Homeostasis. Simply defined, homeostasis is the monitoring and maintaining of the body’s internal environment. This process aids the body in maintaining a balanced and healthy state.
Read more →
By Randy Heaps, LMT, CMCE Originally published in Massage Today, June, 2015, Vol. 15, Issue 06 I met Preacher Bob about two years ago. He had heard from a friend who was a client of mine about these cup thingys that I use in my practice. When I
Read more →
Fact: All injuries cause micro tearing of the body’s soft tissue. After the inflammatory process, which is the body’s natural healing process, healing occurs with the formation of scar tissue. This action occurs during the proliferation phase of healing in which there are two types or stages of scar tissue formation:
Immature– Immediately after a wound heals, the scar is immature. During this period it may be painful, itchy or sensitive as nerve endings within the tissue heal. Exercise, massage and heat application will have the greatest positive effect on an immature scar.
Mature– Depending on the size and depth of the wound, scar tissue will cease production 3 to 18 months following wound healing. When scar tissue is no longer produced, the scar is considered mature. While techniques to reduce scar tissue in a mature scar are effective, a more disciplined and vigorous approach is necessary.
The last two years revealed some amazing experiences as we delved deeper into breast care and surgical applications using vacuum therapies. In 2015 I organized two practicum programs, where graduates came to work on clients who have had issues around breast health such as fibrocystic and dense breast tissue, and surgeries such as lumpectomies, mastectomies, breast augmentations and reductions.
Read more →
Surgery can be one of the most traumatic, yet helpful, events that a person can undergo. Proper preparation and effective techniques for recovery can make a world of difference in the experience.
Vacuum therapies present a successful path to integration with the medical community, and allow us to work directly with the surgeons and have access to diagnostic reports.
Therapeutic benefits of massage therapies continue to be studied and documented. Recent studies have increased the amount of data supporting benefits beyond the wellness aspects and attention is turning to medical conditions.
Read more →This is just one of the reasons I was so excited when I left my MediCupping training… Therapists who have explored the use of vacuum therapies in bodywork have found that the addition of suction and lifting to other massage techniques has produced radical changes for clients and for themselves. One of the most amazing aspects of this technique is the “separation” that the vacuum produces in tissue layers. This enables water absorption and renewed blood flow to undernourished and dehydrated tissue as well as the elimination of old waste and congestion. It has become evident that separation and drainage of fused, congested soft tissue produces an increase in tissue and systemic function and is a great catalyst for change in health.
Read more →
Cupping therapy, or vacuum therapy, can be used for a variety of applications, from head to toe. One special focus is the head, neck and face, as these are often areas of pain and dysfunction. Headaches, sinusitis, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, lymphatic issues, chronic inflammation, and surgical preparation and recovery are common concerns for many people who come to see massage therapists.
Read more →With an increase in research and an increase in information and knowledge comes an increase in self-awareness. This couldn’t more pertinent than with the subject of breast cancer and breast care.
Breast cancer is the most common form of malignancy in women, with approximately 200,000 being diagnosed in the United States every year and 40,000 women fatally succumbing to this disease. Along with early breast cancer detection, there are many techniques that may benefit prevention and survival rates.
Read more →Starting out as a tadpole of a therapist quite some time ago, during a typical massage session my main focus was (of course) the muscle, period. Pressing the time capsule fast forward button, we now know that to achieve a more positive therapeutic effect, we must look at the body both structurally and functionally.
No other soft tissue of the body influences structure and functionality and dominates the body more than fascia. Let’s look at some of the interesting facts about fascia.
Read more →