| First let's look at some basic answers to get | | | | again and begin your treatment. The technician |
| started, then consider some very important | | | | may play soothing background music to help you |
| questions. With this information you should be able | | | | quiet your mind and body. This peaceful music will |
| to determine whether "massage" is a viable | | | | help you relax further and be able get the |
| strategy to help you get well or at least improve | | | | maximum benefit from your massage. |
| your health. | | | | *Note #1: As the massage therapist begins to |
| ANSWER 1/ "Massage" (i.e. a type of therapy | | | | work, he (or she) will oil his hands and begin |
| done by massage therapists) helps to bring about | | | | kneading your skin, while uncovering each section |
| positive change and balance to the mind, body | | | | of your body as necessary. Oil also can be poured |
| and emotions. Its purpose is to: | | | | directly onto the skin. If you have "allergic" |
| * Reduce tension | | | | sensitivities to scents or substances, mention that |
| * Relieve pain | | | | fact now if you haven't already done so. (If the |
| * Increase blood circulation | | | | therapist uses high quality essential oils, they may |
| * Create a better range of motion in the body | | | | work fine. Many people find essential oils |
| * Help to elongate tight muscle tissues, thereby | | | | extremely beneficial and therapeutic. Decide |
| aiding everyday movement (especially valuable | | | | whether to allow use of them or not. Unless you |
| when more strenuous activity is attempted) | | | | know you have a problem, you may want to try |
| * Many people feel happier, more vibrant and | | | | them.) Use of massage oil is a time-honored |
| energetic after massage therapy. This feeling can | | | | tradition for a massage therapist and an important |
| last hours, days or weeks. | | | | "tool" in his toolbox. |
| ANSWER 2/ Types of Massage, especially for | | | | *Note #2: Essential Oils were one of the first |
| people with Fibromyalgia and/or those who suffer | | | | "medicines" on earth. History shows their use |
| with chronic illness: | | | | thousands of years ago. Today they are distilled |
| * Myofascial release: Many times "regular" | | | | from the high quality plants that we have on the |
| massage therapists can perform elementary | | | | planet today. Some of these come from the |
| myofascial release holds and moves, but the | | | | roots of ancient civilizations. |
| more specifically trained professionals in | | | | QUESTION 4/ Can massage really help me? |
| myofascial release therapy have received | | | | Most anyone can benefit from massage. If you're |
| extended education and use stylized techniques | | | | a newbie and have not had much bodywork, |
| and tools. They apply the type, degree and | | | | start slowly. Having someone stroke your "sore" |
| specific techniques that are best suited for each | | | | spots may feel a bit "ouchy," but that type of |
| person's need. Myofascial Release therapy can be | | | | touch therapy may be quite beneficial in the long |
| effective particularly for individuals with trigger or | | | | run. Have your therapist go as slowly as you |
| tender points and for those whose muscles tend | | | | need. You can build up to deeper applications by |
| to be knotty. | | | | spreading out your experience over many |
| * Swedish massage: Any massage therapist | | | | appointments. |
| should be able to do this kind of work. This | | | | Special note: Whether you're the patient or the |
| technique is gentle, but done with enough applied | | | | caregiver of a chronically ill person, life's stress can |
| pressure to comfortably work on sore spots. | | | | increase to unbearable limits and can cause great |
| Note: there are many other types of massage | | | | mind/body/spirit imbalances. By relaxing your mind |
| therapies and some are viable for people who | | | | and body, massage helps to raise your health and |
| suffer with chronic illness and/or long term pain. | | | | vitality closer to a state of wellness. Perhaps, you |
| Ask questions, get good advice and decide for | | | | will feel better than you could possibly imagine. |
| yourself. These two methods are among the | | | | Start gradually, book weekly, bi-weekly or |
| most popular in the industry. (If you want to go | | | | monthly appointments. Consider keeping a record |
| further, they can be combined with other | | | | of your progress. Few doctors would advise you |
| mechanisms such as | | | | not to try massage therapy, but to be safe, it's a |
| 1) specific muscle stretching, electrical stimulation, | | | | good idea to consult with your doctor before |
| applied heat, etc., by a qualified physical therapist, | | | | embarking on such therapy. |
| or | | | | QUESTION 5/ Does massage help people with |
| 2) body manipulation techniques by a chiropractor | | | | chronic pain, too? |
| or hands-on osteopathic physician, or 3) energy | | | | Many people who live with chronic pain (or with |
| enhancement and blood flow techniques by an | | | | chronic illness) are likely candidates to benefit |
| acupuncturist.) | | | | from good quality massage. It can become an |
| QUESTION 3/ What happens during a massage? | | | | integral part of the healing process. (When I was |
| When you receive a massage, you should be in a | | | | extremely sick and hurt almost 24 hours a day, I |
| safe, quiet environment. The professional will take | | | | "lived" from one massage appointment to the |
| time to ask about your health issues, needs and | | | | next! They were a great refuge.) |
| concerns. You will be given the opportunity to | | | | There are many mind/body/spirit therapies that |
| undress privately and take off your outer | | | | can help you heal. Some offer more relief than |
| garments. It is a matter of personal preference | | | | traditional medicine, but this is a personal choice to |
| whether you take off your underclothes; some | | | | investigate for yourself. If you're interested in |
| people do and others don't. Either way lay down | | | | looking into one of the newest mechanisms that's |
| upon the massage table at your own pace and | | | | earning "rave reviews" for |
| cover yourself with a sheet (and a blanket if | | | | 1. simplicity, |
| desired). Drape the sheet across your entire body | | | | 2. thoroughness |
| for complete privacy. Breathe deeply; relax and | | | | 3. versatility- and |
| prepare to have a great experience. When you | | | | 4. relative low cost... |
| are covered, the therapist will enter the room | | | | |