Frisco Massage Therapy Blog
Aqua Webb, LMT NMT
May 1, 2021
When you can't get a therapeutic massage
It's happened to almost everyone. You are involved in a car collision and you're hurting. Your neck, shoulder, maybe even your hip or an arm or leg. Violent force against a seat belt keeps you safe, but the body will take a beating regardless. Your first thought might be; I need a massage and my body will feel better! As tempting a thought as that might be, know that if you come in for a massage after a trauma like a car collision, you will be turned away at Frisco Massage Therapy. Here are some examples of when a therapeutic massage is NOT a choice for treatment.
Contraindications for therapeutic massage:
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Within 72 hours up to a week + of an acute injury including - car accident, fall, broken bone, concussion, sprain, etc. Therapeutic massage is very effective in helping after the initial injury has been evaluated by medical staff and cleared for massage treatment.
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Post-surgery - manual lymphatic drainage is the appropriate massage modality after surgery. Any therapeutic work must be done after the doctor has cleared you for "back to normal" activities.
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In the first trimester of pregnancy - Frisco Massage Therapy policy prevents therapeutic work in the first three months of pregnancy but can be started after that point, keeping the doctor informed of your activities. In a high risk pregnancy, a doctors release is required before the massage can be scheduled. Forms can be found on our website.
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Diagnosis of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) - All massage is contraindicated with DVT.
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Advanced diabetes and neuropathy - In advanced stages of neuropathy and unchecked diabetes, the extremities no longer signal the brain of unhealthy pressure and pain. Deep therapeutic massage is not advised for these conditions, but can be helped with manual lymphatic drainage to reduce swelling or a lighter Swedish massage to manage stress and discomfort.
Frisco Massage Therapy Blog
Aqua Webb, LMT NMT
March 31, 2021
What to do when the body feels stuck?
Want greater flexibility and range of motion? There are three truths about movement you need to know:
1. The best way to move muscles passively is when they are totally relaxed.
2. Controlled breathing turns off the stretch reflex (an involuntary contraction in the muscle in response to a stretch).
3. Time is needed for muscles to respond to the movement so a position change will effective and long lasting.
What massage modality can provide all three of these in a single session? Thai Massage! In this ancient form of massage we find modern applications for those who sit 4 or more hours a day in the car, at work, on the couch, etc. Also for those whose active lifestyles create restrictive movement from contracted muscle patterns. Even for those who feel like they just need good hands-on movement and engagement with their muscles.
We are pleased to offer Thai massage on our service menu for regular booking with our therapist Adriana. Add this to your regular massage routine or a specialty when your body is feeling really stuck. Nothing opens up the body like a Thai Massage!
*Please note that Thai massage is performed on a floor mat while fully clothed. The therapist uses their whole body to move you while guiding your breathing. Wear athletic leisure or loose fitting clothes for full range of motion ability.
Frisco Massage Therapy Blog
Aqua Webb, LMT NMT
March 11, 2021
Why does a foot massage feel so good?
Your central nervous system has a lot to do with why a foot massage is so enjoyable. The nerves in your body follow pathways that end in your hands and feet. The study of reflexology is directly connected to addressing the nerve endings that relay back to specific areas in the body, both muscular and internal systems. Massaging the feet can have a small impact on the entire body in its relation to the nervous system.
The feet are also in constant connection to the ground. They provide information to the body like balance, pain and comfort. A technique called grounding allows the body to experience the connective energy of the planet that is primarily shielded to us by concrete, houses and shoes. If you've ever felt calmed by bare feet in a patch of grass, this what you are experiencing.
Caring for this important sensory area is what the Foot Care Treatment at Frisco Massage Therapy was designed for. Positional release stretching in the legs, hot stones on the larger muscle groups, followed by reflexology work in the feet after a foot and heel mask gives you one full hour of dedicated time to these important body structures. As the saying goes, "If your feet feel good, you feel good." Give it a try and see for yourself.
Frisco Massage Therapy Blog
Aqua Webb, LMT NMT
February 22, 2021
Healing Scar Tissue with Massage
Surgery. Accidents. Childbirth. Scar tissue allows your body to repair a superficial or deep wound. Sometimes that tissue binds the area so tightly, especially in the abdominal area, that it can change the way we move and even how we breathe.
Myofascial Release is a friction based massage modality that works to soften scar tissue, not just on the surface, but all the way to the inner part if the scar. As the tissue softens and thins, the surrounding area is released and the pulling sensation from the scar will relax.
The scarred area can sometimes be resolved in only a few sessions. Talk to your therapist about any discomfort you are experiencing from scar tissue and how Myofascial Release Therapy can help!
Frisco Massage Therapy Blog
Aqua Webb, LMT NMT
February 18, 2021
Sports Massage Therapy
Did you know that more and more athletes are seeking advanced massage therapy to help them remain at peak performance? In fact, more than any other group, athletes use massage therapy to recover quickly from injuries.
Athletes are particularly prone to injuries. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, two out of every ten athletes will sustain injuries which require professional treatment. Current studies indicate that not only can massage therapy help prevent injuries, but it can significantly reduce recovery time. When injuries occur, massage therapy is one of the key methods used to get back in the game sooner.
Frisco Massage Therapy utilizes customized treatment plans that are specifically designed for each individual athlete. Stretching, Neuromuscular Therapy, Myoskeletal Alignment Therapy, and Manual Lymphatic Drainage are just some of the modalities we use to keep our athlete clients competitive and healthy.
Frisco Massage Therapy Blog
Aqua Webb, LMT NMT
February 9, 2021
How do you keep a massage clinic clean?
1. Therapists wear a mask before entering the building, which remains on at all times while inside the office.
2. Each therapist's temperature is checked upon entering the office. If a temperature registers above 100°, it is rechecked in 10 minutes. If still above 100°, the day's appointments are rescheduled.
3. Treatment room is inspected; air filtration is on, sanitation supplies full, room is disinfected.
4. When greeting the client, a temperature check is done. If registered above 100°, we recheck within 10 minutes. If still above 100°, the client is rescheduled and not seen that day.
5. If an acceptable temperature is recorded, the client is instructed to wash their hands following the CDC protocols with soap and water for 20 seconds before rinsing well.
6. After the session, contactless payment is offered. If using the checkout machine all parts are disinfected with sanitation wipes at the end of the transaction.
7. Turning over the room for a new client requires: disinfection spray on all surfaces including doorknobs, a hand wipe application for treatment table and headrest, cleaning and disinfection of all oil/cream containers and tools used for the session, surfaces are air dried as guided by protocol for full virus disinfection, new sheets and headrest cover are added to the table and a final check is done.
8. At intervals throughout the day, multiple surfaces in the sink washing area and in the bathroom are sprayed and wiped with disinfectant, including: switches, doorknobs, sink handles, toilet, trash cans and counters.
9. At the end of the day, a thorough application of disinfectant spray is used for all rooms and is left to dry overnight.
10. The commercial application of disinfectant provided by a medical cleaning agency is used throughout the office on a regular basis.
11. A Photo Electro-Chemical Oxidation (PECO) air filtration system runs 24/7 in treatment rooms.
Frisco Massage Therapy Blog
Aqua Webb, LMT NMT
February 1, 2021
What is a Therapeutic Massage?
Here at Frisco Massage Therapy, Therapeutic Massage is a broad term that covers a multitude of modalities, mainly because they blend so well together when the massage focuses on alleviating pain and correcting problems. This type of massage may include the following:
Deep Tissue Massage
Myofascial Release
Neuromuscular Massage
Myoskeletal Alignment Massage
Orthopedic/Medical Massage
Cupping
As you can see, Therapeutic Massage is an umbrella term for a host of targeted and focused pain relief massage techniques. The type of service your therapist will provide and which modalities they use will depend on their personal training, and what they see as necessary for the problems and conditions you are presenting when you come in for your appointment.
A consultation with your therapist happens before the service begins, and will help guide your therapeutic massage session. If you are interested in learning more about a therapy session at Frisco Massage Therapy or would like to book an appointment call or email and book online today!
A new year brings new hope! 2020 was full of challenges for many of us, and these challenges can cause tremendous stress on the body. At Frisco Massage Therapy, advanced certifications in Neuromuscular Massage Therapy and Myoskeletal Alignment are used for their cohesive applications for acute pain, sports therapy, injuries, myoskeletal dysfunction and repetitive pattern problems.
These therapies are not like a traditional Swedish massage; every action and motion in the massage has very specific goals relating to the compensations your body has made to function while under duress.
A therapeutic massage will bring the body back into harmony (or homeostasis) with all the other systems in the body. The objective is to reset the pain receptors, release muscles to their full form and abilities, and restore postural structure, thereby assisting the body in pain recovery and healing.
Frisco Massage Therapy Blog
Aqua Webb, LMT NMT
January 2021