Body Elemental

What to expect from a massage – clothes vs no clothes

Massage therapy is for everyone, even if you’re modest or body conscious. It’s understandable if you feel a bit odd when a stranger asks you to undress and slip underneath a thin sheet wearing nothing but your birthday suit. Most therapists will tell you that it’s okay to wear something during a massage therapy session, but this may not be to your full benefit.

massage therapist drapes client during massage — Photo courtesy ABMP

Swedish massage utilizes long, gliding strokes along your muscles, and that includes the ones on your hips, buttocks, and lower back. If this area is covered, it’s difficult for your massage therapist to provide relief to any problem that’s caused by sitting or standing for any length of time.

In addition, most therapists are well practiced at draping their clients so that they are NEVER exposed. One of the goals of a session with a massage therapist is to provide a relaxing, healing environment. You can’t relax if you feel scrutinized, or judged, and your therapist knows this.

Just remember:

The massage therapist is out of the room while you are dressing and undressing
There is NO judgement.
If you feel you absolutely must, it’s okay to wear underclothes
You are always draped by a sheet and you are NEVER exposed.

Show a little bit of trust in your massage therapist! Once you relax and let go of your self-conciousness, you will definitely feel the benefit of a Swedish or deep tissue massage.

Body Elemental – Phoenix, AZ – Gene Carpenter – Licensed Massage Therapist

5 Ways to Relieve ‘Tech Neck’

Technology is so incorporated into our culture that we’re starting to develop problems beyond the occasional carpal tunnel or eye strain. Now mobile phone and tablet users from the ages of eight to 80 are suffering from ‘Tech Neck’ because they spend so much time looking at their devices.

‘Tech Neck’ or Text Neck’ is described as the muscle pain in the neck, shoulders and back that’s associated with holding your head in a flexed and forward position.

I’m not passing judgement, mind you. When I discover some amazing landscapes during a hike or a bike ride, I feel compelled to snap a photo and share it on social media.

But there is a limit to how much ‘looking down’ the human body can handle. We’re just not designed to hold this position for a long period of time.

Here are five ways to relieve tech neck:

Set time limits for yourself. Most devices come with some sort of timer, and this is a very good use for it. Give yourself twenty minutes – when you hear the timer, look up and roll your shoulders back.
Watch your posture. While sitting or standing, try rolling your shoulders back toward your spine and stretching the top of your head towards the sky.
Elevate your computer or device. Get a stand for your iPad. Stack a few books under your laptop if you’re not using the keyboard. Work with your HR department to make your workstation more ergonomic.
Try some yoga stretching. I found this great yoga video from Brett Larkin designed especially for people who suffer from tech neck. Even if you do just a few of the poses, it should provide some relief as well as make you more conscious of your posture.
Look up! There is an amazing world around you, and some of it doesn’t end up on social media. Take a look around. Smile at a complete stranger. Keep yourself from running into stationary objects.

mural of a lady with her head lowered — Look up! There’s a beautiful world around you.

On that note, I should mention that massage therapy with a licensed professional can alleviate some of the pain associated with tech neck, but prevention is the best way to go when dealing with a problem like this.

Body Elemental – Phoenix, AZ – Gene Carpenter – Licensed Massage Therapist

Tips For Having a Great Massage Experience

It’s always important to check reviews and recommendations before booking a session with a massage therapist, but the quality of the session is not completely dependent on his or her skills. There are many things that YOU can do to ensure that you have a great experience.

For example, if you’re having a busy day and you book a massage in between business meetings. How much do you think you’re going to be able to relax during that session?

Take the time to downshift from a busy day before meeting with your massage therapist. Arrive early so that you can take your time to change clothes, use the bathroom, or discuss any specific physical problems that you’re having. The more specific you are about why you’re having a massage, the more your therapist can help you.

Arriving early also helps you get your FULL massage.

massage client relaxing during a session — Photo Courtesy ABMP

Here are some other things you can do to have a great massage experience:

Eat lightly before a massage, but not directly before.
Shower and wear loose clothing to an appointment. This will help you to relax.
Avoid wearing any perfumes or colognes to your appointment. The fragrance may clash with or overpower any aromatherapy that accompanies your massage.
Leave jewelry, watches and other valuables at home.
Stay well hydrated before and after your session. A massage will release a lot of toxins into your system. You need to flush them out!
Let your therapist know if there are any sensitive or ticklish spots on your body.
If you have long hair, bring something to tie it back with.
You don’t have to undress all the way, but it’s easier for the massage therapist to work muscles if they don’t have to work around your clothes. Most are well-practiced at draping the bodies of their clients so that they are never exposed.
Offer feedback to your therapist during the massage about pressure or any pain, discomfort or tightness you experience.

Preparing your body and mind for a massage will allow you to get the maximum therapeutic benefit. It will make a more enjoyable session for both you and your therapist.

Body Elemental – Phoenix, AZ – Gene Carpenter – Licensed Massage Therapist

What to Expect From a Massage – Stretching

Some people enjoy receiving a massage for the relaxing, nurturing benefit. They think, “Ah, I’ll just lay there and let the therapist massage my tension away.” While this is a perfectly acceptable reason to get a massage, an effective massage therapist will incorporate some stretching and manipulation of the limbs into his or her treatment, instead of allowing you to “just lay there”.

a stretch during a seated massage — Photo Courtesy ABMP

After all, the human body is a dynamic, flowing entity. A muscle at rest does not have the same shape or texture as a muscle in motion, so why would a massage therapist only address the needs of body that is completely at rest?

When I work with a client, I like to incorporate some elements of Thai massage that will move and stretch your limbs during a session. This allows me to assess the muscles at different points of motion so that I can discover injuries, soreness and little pockets of tension that will be missed if you stay in just one or two positions.

In addition, the gentle stretching exposes more muscle and skin cells to the long, stroking motions of the Swedish massage techniques I also use when I customize a massage to a client.

A stretch during a massage — Photo Courtesy ABMP

Remember: it’s not just your muscles that benefit from therapeutic massage, but, your skin, circulatory and central nervous system as well. Movement and stretching will make it easier to flush toxins from cells, encourage blood flow as well as ease tension.

Relaxation is a great reason to treat yourself to a massage. However, an effective massage therapist will use different modalities to, not only ease tension, but provide a healing, therapeutic massage.

Demand the best for yourself – You deserve it!

Body Elemental – Phoenix, AZ – Gene Carpenter – Licensed Massage Therapist

Post-surgery Healing Tips

The healing process is extremely important after your body goes through the trauma of surgery, and every surgery is traumatic for your body, no matter how non-invasive it may seem. Because many of us don’t want to deal with (or can’t afford) a long hospital stay, it’s crucial that you take your post-operative care seriously.

Just because they discharged you from the hospital doesn’t mean that you can jump back into your routine. This one is not mind over matter. Your body needs to heal. Let it!

Hospital sign (Hospital) — Photo courtesy by Andres Moreno and Flickr Commons.

Here are some tips for a smooth post-op recovery:

Don’t be a hero – take the pain meds! – If you’re in pain, you can’t relax or rest well. This is what your body needs most of all. Don’t save the pain medications for ‘someday when you REALLY need it’. The time is now. Take the meds. Feel better.
Be extremely careful when touching the incision site. Post-surgical infections are hideous beasts which will greatly slow the healing process and increase scarring. Your doctor may prescribe a round of antibiotics, but these don’t kill ALL of the bacteria.
- Thoroughly wash your hands and nails before touching the incision.
- Do not use your favorite loofah or body wash sponge to clean this area. No matter how clean you think it may be, trust me, it still has bacteria.
Once the incision site has fully closed, you can begin to address the issue of scarring. Lightly massage the area with a little bit of almond oil or lotion to discourage the formation of scar tissue.
Include protein and amino acids in your post-surgery diet. This helps your body to regenerate tissue and heal faster.
You can greatly benefit from a little bit of massage. If the doctor restricts your activities or confines you to bed rest, massaging your arms and legs can help to improve your circulation as well as give you a bit of exercise (Be sure to breathe)!
Slowly ease back into your regular activity — even if you’re fit and bursting with energy. You won’t know that you’ve ‘overdone it’ until you’re in pain, and by then it’s too late.

Surgeon performing surgery — Photo courtesy Andy G. and Flickr Commons.

Outpatient surgery and short hospital stays are popular with patients and insurance companies alike, but that means you need to take full charge of the healing process. Doctors and nurses are extremely busy, and they may not have time to give you a full rundown on post-op care.

Take the initiative.

Do some research.

Take good care of yourself!

Body Elemental – Phoenix, AZ – Gene Carpenter – Licensed Massage Therapist

Everyone Wants to Feel Like a Million Bucks but…

First You have to Invest!

Many people complain about the ‘cost’ of healthy foods, fresh vegetables, supplements and proactive health treatments, like regular visits to the doctor or massages. If you think of it as a ‘cost’, of course it’s going to seem like a burden to pay it. So, don’t think of it as a cost.

Think of it as an investment.

When you take that little bit of money out of your salary for savings, you don’t think of that as a cost or a burden, do you? NO – because you plan to get it back eventually! And that’s exactly how you should view an investment in your health.

What you spend now on healthy foods, supplements and proactive treatments, will be returned to you in the form of a higher quality of life, an increase in productivity and, maybe even money.

Healthy Bodies = Less Drugs and Doctors’ Bills

Think of it this way – When you put $1000 a month towards your health by purchasing fresh, unprocessed foods, supplements and investing in proactive health care, it’s possible that you will save money in the future on medications or treatments.

Costs of commonly-used medications

These are just the prices of the medications associated with common ailments. Initially, they don’t seem too high, but when you think of compounding the cost every month for the rest of your life, AND including the doctors’ visits, it’s a bundle of money!

I’ve met so many people who feel trapped by their medical conditions and the rising cost of health care is not going to make it any better.

How Does Massage Therapy Fit in?

For starters, massage therapy can help you to relieve stress. Chronic stress has been shown to have negative psychological as well as physiological impacts on the human body (Stress and Health, NIH). Some other benefits include:

Improved sleep
Lower blood pressure
Reduce anxiety
Reduce pain associated with
- migraines
- backaches
- fibromyalgia
- joint problems
- surgery
- arthritis
- regular exercise
- repetitive motion
- tech neck

And it just feels good!

Body Elemental – Phoenix, AZ – Gene Carpenter – Licensed Massage Therapist

Cholesterol meds source: consumerhealthchoices.org

Pain meds, Asthma, Acid reflux, Diabetes, blood Pressure Treatment source: health.costhelper.com