Massage. Dallas. Information.

What to do while you are getting your massage...

2011-02-01T15:26:00.002-06:00

Nothing.

That’s easy to say, but hard to do. Because of the daily stress that we get from just being alive in the 21st century, many of us tend to hold our bodies rigid unless we remember to let our muscles relax.

Sometimes we get so out of practice that it may take a half dozen tries to let go of a muscle. Go ahead. Try it. Focus your attention on, oh, let’s say your left arm. Can you feel the tightness in the muscles? You might have been holding something in your left hand, or idly thinking about work or your honey-do list, but chances are that the muscles are engaged and ready to go to. Now take a deep breath, and as you breathe out, let all the muscles in your left arm relax. (Best to put down the coffee before you try this!) Most of us feel a little peaceful relief when we do this.

Now close your eyes and focus again on the muscles in your left arm and hand. Is everything really relaxed? Is your arm an inert weight, lying heavily on the table like a sack of potatoes? Most of us will discover that we have not completely relinquished control of our limb to gravity yet. Try it again. Take another deep breath and let go of that limb. You should feel a little more relaxation seep into it.

The type of massage that I do relies heavily on relaxation. I find that a relaxed body is better able to tolerate deep muscle work and that as a result my clients tend not to experience pain or bruising the next day. If we can get rid of tension, a lot of problems will improve on their own. And of course if massage can’t help, at least you feel good and relaxed at the end of the session.

So when you are on the table, and you happen to notice that you are holding your body rigid, it is helpful to just take a deep breath and let go. Here are some indicators that it’s time to let go.

You find that you are holding your limb, your head, or your body above the table, rather than letting gravity determine where it should be.
You feel yourself anticipating where you think I’m going to move part of you, and you helpfully move there on your own. It’s best to just flop and let the massage happen, unless I specifically ask you to push or hold a certain position.
You feel that your joints are locked; knees, elbows, and fingers are held straight out.

Much of this behavior is not under your conscious control, so I employ a lot of “tricks” to convince your brain and spinal cord to let go for just a little while.

If you are holding a limb rigid, I might gently shake the limb. The part of your brain that is trying to hold your limb in a specific position can’t keep up, gives up, and lets go. Rapid shaking of a specific muscle has a similar effect.
Rather than grasping your arms and legs to move them about, I try to cradle them gently on my forearm or wrist. This makes it easier to let gravity take hold, and the brain is less inclined to resist.
Slow, slow strokes prevent startling, but they also give the muscle tissue adequate time to respond to treatment.
Gently rocking the body lets me know how much tension you hold, and also reassures the mind and coaxes it to let go.

It may take several sessions to relearn the skill of relaxation, but don’t worry: it’s not something you need to work at. If you happen to notice yourself clenching up, then of course you should consciously try to let go, but please don’t let it spoil your massage. Don’t let the existence of tension become another source of tension. This is not a success/failure issue; it’s just part of the treatment. It gets a little easier with each session.

The hardest thing I’m ever going to ask you to do is… nothing. A lot of us have forgotten how to let go, and my hope is that if you can remember how for just a short time, then you can remember how to relax in stressful situations in your daily life.

Posted by Jim Caddell at www.MassageDallas.Info

Credit Card Accountability and Disclosure Act of 2009

2010-08-21T11:47:00.007-05:00

I was surprised to find that The Credit Act affects me as a massage therapist. The Act stipulates that expiration dates on gift certificates be at least 5 years:

This federal law supercedes state law. The State of Texas does not have a length requirement, but it does require that unexpired gift certificates be honored or that the buyer's money be refunded.

25 Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 140 Subchapter H, Division 2, Section 140.303, General Ethical Requirements, paragraph (d): "...A licensee must either honor an unexpired gift certificate issued by that licensee or provide a full refund."

Well duh. That sounds obvious, but we still have to have it written down in a law so that it's enforceable.

My policy has always been to honor gift certificates whether they are expired or not, assuming that I am alive and practicing, so this new law does not really affect my clients. Still, it's good to know that your gift certificate purchase is protected by federal law.

To purchase massage gift certificates, visit this page: http://TranquilityTime.Boomtime.com/lgift

Posted by Jim Caddell at www.MassageDallas.Info

Massage Retreat at Esalen

2010-07-05T11:54:00.005-05:00

Trip to Esalen

I just returned from a week-long massage workshop and retreat at The Esalen Institute, at Big Sur, California. Esalen has a unique way of approaching massage.

Esalen massage is everything that a typical Dallas massage is not. Esalen is warm and nurturing rather than clinical. It is calm, still, and seldom vigorous. Esalen is always gentle, never painful. Esalen massage seeks to soothe the spirit while relaxing the body.

Massage recipients often hold their bodies rigid on the table. If I lift an arm or a leg, it remains raised when I attempt to lower it. If I move a limb, the client unconsciously assists the movement. If I were to rock a limb in a steady rhythm, it might even continue to rock long after I had moved on. We call these involuntary motions “holding patterns.” We have all experienced them, and we all know how difficult it can be to simply let go and allow our bodies to relax.

Esalen massage seeks not to “fix” your body, but to release these holding patterns, thus allowing deep relaxation and giving your body a chance to heal on its own. By combining Esalen style with therapeutic Swedish, Deep Tissue, and Trigger Point massage, we achieve a powerful combination of deep relaxation and deep myotherapy that allows your body to heal naturally.

Esalen massage is not so much a technique as an attitude. The emphasis is on the quality of touch, clarity of focus, and approaching the human body with warmth, reverence, empathy, and respect. There is less professional distance between the client and therapist: no starched uniforms, minimal draping, and even the terms “client” and “therapist” have been replaced by “Giver” and “Receiver.” At Esalen, the therapist does not perform a massage on a client; the Giver and Receiver work together to accomplish the massage.

The techniques used in Esalen massage are too varied to review here, but there are some techniques that stand out, and I’m sure you have noticed them in my style.

Slow, slow, slow: Esalen massage is slow. Sometimes it looks like the Giver is doing nothing at all, when he is gently treating several muscles at once.

The Long Strokes: Swedish massage treats one body part at a time. When the therapist is done with that part, he goes on to the next part, and before long you start to feel like a collection of parts. Esalen massage uses long strokes, generally passing at least two joints, sometimes flowing from the foot to the shoulder and back down the arm. This helps the massage feel more continuous and integrated. To perform the long strokes smoothly, the Giver must keep his feet moving, whereas Swedish therapists tend to stand still while working.

Pauses: The Giver pauses for three breaths or more to allow the receiver’s mind and muscles to assimilate the bodywork. The Receiver will often sink into a deep state of relaxation during these pauses.

Three-dimensional work: arms, legs, abs, neck, and head are surrounded by hands rather than just receiving pressure from one direction. Limbs are cradled and nurtured.

Contact: In Swedish massage, therapists usually just grab a body part and start working. Esalen places great importance on how a Giver approaches the Receiver’s body. First contact is slow and gentle, allowing the Receiver to gently make the mental transition between “not being touched” and “being touched by someone.” This is particularly important in American society, where we place great importance on who is allowed to touch us and when. Once contact is made, the Giver pauses to assess and mentally “tune in” to the Receiver’s breathing and heartbeat before beginning the massage. The Giver maintains contact throughout the massage, and when the massage is complete the Giver breaks contact as gently as he first made contact. My clients often tell me they can’t tell when I have removed my hands from their bodies.

Presence: I think my teacher was channeling Yoda as he scolded young Luke Skywalker: “Always on the future your mind is! Never on where you are. What you are doing!” Esalen massage calls for a Jedi-like clarity of focus, with the Giver’s attention on the Receiver’s mental and physical state. The Giver should not be thinking about what to fix for dinner, or the weekend’s party, or even carrying on a conversation. When such thoughts intrude, the giver gently pushes them aside and returns his focus to the Receiver. This is the same technique used in many meditation practices, so it is not surprising that I often find myself more relaxed and energized after giving a massage.

Awareness: The Receiver’s mental and physical state can be revealed to some extent by heartbeat, breathing, muscle tension and tone, warmth, small vocalizations, and other subtle cues. The Receiver must remain aware of these cues and react to them to maintain the proper quality of touch.

Breath: The Giver must also be aware of his own breath. It helps to retain focus and calm. I like to breathe out on the outward strokes and in on the inward strokes. This helps to set an appropriately slow pace, and it keeps me oxygenated, mentally calm, and physically cool.

Movement: Esalen massage is like a dance, with slow, graceful movement. Our workshop used Tai Chi, dance, yoga, and body awareness exercises to reawaken our sense of movement. We must always use the proper working postures to prevent injury to ourselves as well as to provide steady pressure and quality touch.
Silence: Esalen massage is performed with a minimum of conversation. Rather than music, the natural sound of the ocean crashing on the rocks below provides a dreamy, tranquil tempo. I can’t bring you the ocean, but this is why I often use the sound of waves in my treatment room.

Draping: Back in the ‘60s and ‘70s Esalen massage was often performed with both giver and receiver nude, but that was a more innocent time. Now the giver is fully dressed and the receiver is draped with a towel or sarong, which still allows easy access for those long, slow, full-body strokes. I keep bath towels handy if my Receiver wants to try towel draping, but my default technique for Texas is a full sheet drape. A full drape is a little more time-consuming than a towel, but it often provides more warmth and security than a towel, and it can still be folded to provide the required access for long strokes. I do allow the Receiver to be undraped if it feels more comfortable.

Energy: Many of Esalen’s teachings deal with energy work, but I do not bring metaphysics into my sessions. You won’t catch me combing your energy field or balancing your chakras. (And so far no one has complained of a tangled aura or unbalanced chakras!) I’m still not convinced that chi exists, and yet people tell me I have good energy. I take this to mean that they recognize my attitude of respect, love, empathy, and confidence.

Some of the therapists I met at Esalen return every year for this workshop/retreat. I wish I could afford to do that, because every time I go I believe that I return a better massage therapist. I seldom have the opportunity to give a straight Esalen style massage. I generally have a treatment plan, with a specific set of problems to address before the session ends, whereas Esalen massage is intuitive and unstructured. Still, I strive to bring a little taste of Esalen to Texas with each Tranquility Time massage. That has always been my goal.

Esalen is what puts the “Tranquility” in Tranquility Time.

Pictures

If you are curious, you can see photos of The Esalen Institute here on my FaceBook page.

Photos from our Seattle trip are on this other FaceBook page.

Classes

The Essentials of Touch, July 19, 2010, 9am to 4pm

Very often massage therapists focus on technique and forget how important it is to approach the human body with reverence, empathy, and a warm gentle touch. This 6 CEU class brings DFW an overview of the Esalen approach to the body. See my CEU page and my CEU calendar for more information.

http://ceu.tranquilitytime.com/

http://cid-4620ac3cffb274b1.calendar.live.com/calendar/Massage+CEU+Calendar/index.html

Posted by Jim Caddell at www.MassageDallas.Info

Anatomy in Clay: A Tactile Review of Musculature

2010-06-09T19:42:00.001-05:00

Course Announcement: Anatomy in Clay: A Tactile Review of Musculature
Tuesday and Wednesday, June 15 and 16, from 9am to 4pm
6 CEU Hours each day or 12 hours total
Tuesday: Muscles of the Axial Skeleton
Wednesday: Muscles of the Appendicular Skeleton

We massage therapists are tactile people by nature. We like to touch. We learn by touching. And we all know that trying to learn the muscles from a flat two-dimensional textbook is a recipe for frustration with a side-order of confusion. This class combines the joy and discovery of your kindergarten years with a tactile, three-dimensional, highly technical learning experience. We will sculpt the major muscles in modeling clay, attach them to a plastic skeleton and by doing so, learn their origins, insertions, actions, names, and more.

If you already know your anatomy, you’re sure to have at least a few epiphanies and jaw-dropping moments. (“Oh! THAT’S how it works!”) If anatomy is new to you, this is surely the easiest and most fun way to learn it.

It is recommended that both classes be taken as a unit. These classes are appropriate for massage therapists, artists, nurses, physical therapists, or anyone who wishes to brush up on their anatomy.

See http://Dallas-Massage-CEU.com or call 214-395-8000 for enrollment information. There is currently only room for five more students, so please hurry!

INTRODUCTION:

I’m Jim Caddell, a Texas pre-approved continuing education provider. (License numbers MT101344, MI2067, and CE1293.) I teach at Sterling Health Center, and I also teach some short courses at my own facility that I doubt you will find elsewhere in this area. Some of these courses are appropriate for licensed massage therapists and other are appropriate for my clients and other people outside the massage industry.

The current course calendar is below, but please see http://Dallas-Massage-CEU.com for more detailed descriptions of current course offerings. See http://Calendar.Dallas-Massage-CEU.com for the current CEU calendar.

I offer small classes so I can provide individual attention; I use multimedia presentations, and I offer courses geared to visual, tactile, or auditory learning styles. I do not cancel classes because of low enrollment, because as a practicing massage therapist I know how complicated your schedule is already. If I have one student, the class will take place*.

Call 214-395-8000 for details.

OTHER CEU COURSES OFFERED:
See: http://Calendar.Dallas-Massage-CEU.com for details.

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Anatomy in Clay: N1 -- Muscles of the Axial Skeleton - 4 CEU
Start: Tuesday, July 13, 2010 6:00pm
End: Tuesday, July 13, 2010 10:00pm
Where: 1131 Rockingham Drive, Suite 218, Richardson, TX 75080
Description: Same course described above, but broken into three 4 CEU courses rather than two 6 CEU courses for night presentation.

-and-

Anatomy in Clay: N2 -- Muscles of the Arms and Shoulder Girdle - 4 CEU
Start: Wednesday, July 14, 2010 6:00pm
End: Wednesday, July 14, 2010 10:00pm
Where: 1131 Rockingham, Suite 218, Richardson, TX 75080
Description: Same course described above, but broken into three 4 CEU courses rather than two 6 CEU courses for night presentation.

-and-

Anatomy in Clay: N3 -- Muscles of the legs and pelvic girdle - 4 CEU
Start: Thursday, July 15, 2010 6:00pm
End: Thursday, July 15, 2010 10:00pm
Where: 1131 Rockingham, Suite 218, Richardson, TX 75080
Description: Same course described above, but broken into three 4 CEU courses rather than two 6 CEU courses for night presentation.

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The Esalen Approach to Massage - 6 CEU
Start: Monday, July 19, 2010 9:00am
End: Monday, July 19, 2010 4:00pm
Where: 1131 Rockingham Drive, Suite 218, Richardson, TX 75080
Description: The world famous Esalen Institute, perched on a rocky cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean at Big Sur, CA, has a different approach to massage, one that is rarely practiced here in Texas. The result is a calm, gentle, slow, deeply relaxing massage that helps to ease holding patterns and bring about a profound feeling of peace. The principles of Esalen blend well with other modalities, and you'll find that Esalen helps to calm and energize the practitioner as well as the client. This short 6 hour taste of Esalen massage will make you hungry for more training, which is only to be had at the Esalen Institute.

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Massage and Texas Law - 6 CEU
Start: Tuesday, July 20, 2010 6:00pm
End: Tuesday, July 20, 2010 10:00pm
Where: 1131 Rockingham, Suite 218, Richardson, TX 75080
Description: On January 1 of 2009, everything changed.

Are you up to date on how these changes affect you and your practice? Does your client intake document conform to the new requirements? Do you need a review? Are you ready to take the Texas jurisprudence exam that the state now requires before you can apply for any kind of massage license?

In this course we'll hit the high points that often trip up unwary massage therapists, and show you where and how to look the details information up when you need it.

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The Endocrine System - 6 CEU
Start: Thursday, July 29, 2010 6:00pm
End: Thursday, July 29, 2010 10:00pm
Where: 1131 Rockingham, Suite 218, Richardson, TX 75080
Description: This is the info you thought you weren't going to need back in massage school! But now clients are showing up with all sorts of glandular problems, and they expect you to know what it all means so you can treat them safely. And let's face it: the endocrine system is confusing and we all need a refresher course from time to time. We'll cover the major glands and hormones, what they do, what can go wrong with them and what that looks like, and contraindications.

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Infant Massage - 4 CEU
Start: Thursday, August 5, 2010 9:00am
End: Thursday, August 5, 2010 1:00pm
Where: 1131 Rockingham, Suite 218, Richardson, TX 75080
Description: Although it’s fun and rewarding to massage other people’s babies, the primary purpose of this class is to teach parents how to bond with, communicate with, calm, and soothe their own babies. The relationship between a parent and baby is enhanced and strengthened through the nurturing touch of infant massage. Parent’s often find that their baby sleeps better, fusses less, and gains more weight, when massaged regularly.

A baby’s world is all about touch, and this course is intended to help you share your child’s world more effectively. It’s fun for you; it’s fun for your baby! And yes, you can get a few CEUs too!

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Anatomy in Clay: D1 -- Muscles of the Axial Skeleton - 6 CEU
Start: Sunday, August 8, 2010 9:00am
End: Sunday, August 8, 2010 4:00pm
Where: 1131 Rockingham, Suite 218, Richardson, TX 75080
Description: See Above

-and-

Anatomy in Clay D2: Muscles of the Appendicular Skeleton - 6 CEU
Start: Monday, August 9, 2010 9:00am
End: Monday, August 9, 2010 4:00pm
Where: 1131 Rockingham, Suite 218, Richardson, TX 75080
Description: See Above

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Meridian Mnemonics - 4 CEU
Start: Thursday, August 19, 2010 6:00pm
End: Thursday, August 19, 2010 10:00pm
Where: 1131 Rockingham, Suite 218, Richardson, TX 75080
Description: Traditional Chinese Medicine utilizes a system of 12 meridians, a series of channels through which the qi life energy flows. This class will give you a set of memory tricks to easily memorize the unique combination of properties associated with each meridian.

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Bookmark my course description page at http://Dallas-Massage-CEU.com new offerings. Also see http://Calendar.Dallas-Massage-CEU.com for the most current CEU calendar.

Best wishes,

James G. Caddell, LMT, LMTI, NCTMB
Tranquility Time Massage Therapy

1131 Rockingham Drive
Suite 218
Richardson, TX 75080

for directions, see http://Directions.TranquilityTime.com

214-395-8000

www.TranquilityTime.com
www.Dallas-Massage-CEU.com
Jim@TranquilityTime.com

TX Licenses: MT101344, MI2067, CE1293

Footnotes:
* Barring life-or-death emergencies of course.

Posted by Jim Caddell at www.MassageDallas.Info

Annother factoid bites the dust

2010-03-27T10:20:00.026-05:00

I'm a skeptic. To the consternation of my peers, I doubt the existence of Ki and the effectiveness of energy work, and I prefer the comfort of good old solid flesh-and-bones work that can be measured scientifically. I tell my students that "extraordinary claims require extraordinary proof." Even then, every once in a while, when I think I am on solid ground, I still wonder, "has anyone ever bothered to test this idea, or is it just an assumption?"

You've probably heard other massage therapists talk about how massage can help you flush "toxins" and metabolic wastes from your muscles, particularly lactic acid. As it turns out, that's an easy enough supposition to test. Researchers at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario did just that.

Researchers EV Wiltshire, Veronica Poitras, Melissa Pak, Terence Hong, Jay Rayner, and Michael E Tschakovsky published a paper in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise on December 9, 2009, explaining their findings.

The purpose of the study was to test the hypothesis that massage aids muscle recovery from exercise by increasing muscle blood flow to improve lactic acid removal. It was a narrow, well defined question that could easily be tested.

When you grip something, the bulk of the work is performed by muscles in the palm side of your forearm, not in the fingers. The researches had 12 subjects perform two minutes of strenuous isometric handgrip exercise at 40% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) to elevate the level of lactic acid in the forearm. They measured forearm blood flow and lactic acid concentrations in the deep forearm veins every minute for 10 minutes under three conditions:

Passive (resting)

Active (rhythmic exercise at 10% of MVC)

and Massage (effleurage and petrissage, which are best described as stroking and kneading)

The results? Massage significantly “impairs lactic acid and hydrogen ion removal from muscle following strenuous exercise by mechanically impeding blood flow.”

So in this narrow case, massage actually hinders the removal of fatigue toxins. Massage therapists would not normally use these techniques in post-event sports massage because it has been demonstrated that they do not improve recovery and generally lead to soreness. This study helps to explain why that is true.

When properly applied, massage is good for stress relief, sports injuries, comfort, relieving soreness, improving range of motion, and it just plain feels good. However, when a massage therapist blithely tells you that massage "helps to remove toxins," they have fallen into the factoid trap.

The America Heritage Dictionary defines a factoid as "A piece of unverified or inaccurate information that is presented in the press as factual, often as part of a publicity effort, and that is then accepted as true because of frequent repetition." The study suggests that massage does not assist the body in removing toxins, although it seems like a perfectly reasonable assumption.

Toxins are produced by living organisms, sometimes as waste, but often for predation or defense. Snakes and spiders, for example, use venom for predation, while bees and ants use it for defense. However, the word "toxin" has come to have other meanings in common usage. Detox centers for alcohol or drug abuse patients to safely suffer withdrawal sympoms as their bodies naturally rid themselves of "toxins." Any poison might be called a "toxic substance," whether of biological origin or not. However, in the complimentary and alternative medicine (CAM) world, a toxin can mean pretty much anything, from pesticides to high-fructose corn syrup to MSG.

It is this sloppy language that allows confusion, and sometimes abuse of the word. If a massage therapist, chiropractor, accupuncturist, or other CAM provider suggests a "detoxification" regime as a remedy for all sorts of ailments, then it's time to head for the door. Detox treatments are nothing more than marketing scams.

The ionic foot bath is a laughably popular example. You stick your feet in the salty water, turn it on, and as you soak the water turns into a nasty brown sludge. It turns out that if you don't put your feet in, the water turns brown anyway. A chiropractor, who should have known better, once tried to sell me this as part of a treatment.

Kinoki foot pads are a similar scam. You stick them on your feet before bed and they turn black overnight, "proving" that they suck the toxins out of your body while you sleep. You've probably seen the ads. Ridiculous nonsense? Yes, but many are taken in, even though they can be easily debunked in your kitchen. If you moisten them, they will darken even without coming in contact with your body perspiration.

Ear candling is another scam, and much to my embarrasment, many massage therapists offer ear candling to their clients. You stick one in your ear, light it, and let it burn down to within a few inches of your skin. They are supposed to suck out earwax and other various toxins, and the proponents "prove" this by cutting open the base of the hollow candle to show the nasty looking gunk that supposedly came out of the client's ear. The FDA flatly states that they don't work, have no medical value, don't even create a vacuum, and are dangerous to use. You can easily prove that by burning 0ne without placing it in an ear. Smoke pours out the bottom, demonstrating that there is no suction, and when you cut it open it still contains the same vile-looking debris.

Another holistic treatment that is often offered along with massage therapy is colonic irrigation, or colon cleaning. It's basically a power enema, and it is supposed to remove putrified feces and vague unspecified "toxins" from the large intestine. There is no scientific evidence that either of those things exist in the colon, or that colon irrigation has any therepeutic value. If you have ever had a colonoscopy and seen the photos of your insides, you'll know that the colon is clean as a whistle after being emptied conventionally. But more to the point, colon irrigation is dangerous: illnesses and deaths have been reported as a result of contaminated equipment, electrolyte imbalance, or perforation of intestinal walls. The machines used for colon therapy are illegal unless used during conventional medical treatment.

Bottom line: just go to the bathroom, like regular folks.

So how do you know what is a scam and what is not? There are some simple clues. It is a scam if:

It is a breakthrough that goes far beyond current scientific thinking
Modern science is just catching up to what they have been teaching for years
It taps an ancient source of wisdom

It cures whatever ails you

It curse cancer (ALWAYS a scam)

It promises weight loss, longer life, fewer wrinkles, better sex, or any cure for aging
If the "discovery" goes directly to the press and to sales ads without being written up in a peer-reviewed scientific journal

The idea that massage flushes toxins from muscles is not a scam, but neither is it accurate. It's a widely held belief, without evidence to back it up, presented in most cases in all sincerity. The problem comes when therapists confuse metabolic toxins from muscle fatigue with environmental or other unspecified toxins, and promote massage as a "detox" technique. And that is a problem easily cured with intellectual curiousity, a thirst for the truth, a sense of personal responsibility, and an open mind coupled with a healthy dose of skepticism.

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You can read the abstract on PubMed.gov here:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19997015

You can read the response from the Canadian Sports Massage Association here:

//www.csmta.ca/documents/Response_to_Queens_Study_2009.pdf

If you are reading this on FaceBook and can not see all the pictures and links, please go to the original post at http://www.massagedallas.info/

Jim Caddell

"No-Shows" Aren't Always Bad

2010-02-03T19:50:00.004-06:00

A gentleman contacted me about a massage appointment this morning. It happened that I did not have any morning appointments scheduled, so I said, sure, I can take you at 11:30. We chatted for a moment about deep tissue and Esalen and all the good things I offer, and I gave him detailed directions. Just as I was about to hang up he asked, "Do you drape?"

I gave him my stock answer: "Draping or not just isn't an issue for me, as long as you understand that it's just a massage and nothing naughty is going to happen."

So he hung up, and I started to scurry around and get ready a couple of hours earlier than I had planned. But then it occurred to me that he hung up awfully darned fast. I started to wonder whether he hung up because we were done talking or because he was looking for a naughty massage, and if I wouldn't provide one he had no further use for me.

You guessed it. He did not appear at the appointed time, nor did he answer or return my calls. I assume that he was looking for something I don't provide. And if that's the case, it's better that he didn't show.

But when people don't show up, you have a lot of time to think about worse possibilities. I found myself hoping that this fellow was a flaming perv, because the other alternative is death by flaming car crash.

I suppose it could be both. I'll never know.

Posted by Jim Caddell at http://www.massagedallas.info/
http://tranquilitytime.com/

Investigators: Will new trend in spas rub you the wrong way?

2010-01-13T19:58:00.005-06:00

This happened in the Washington/Oregon area, but without eternal vigilance, it could happen here. See: http://bit.ly/5Ekfck

Posted by Jim Caddell at www.MassageDallas.Info

www.TranquilityTime.com

Silly video spreading around the world

2009-12-27T21:49:00.003-06:00

Back when I was in massage school, my teachers were so conservative that they made sure we all knew how to tie a toga so that there was no danger at all of anyone getting flashed. These are not Greek style togas, and they would more properly be called "pareus," a Polynesian all-purpose garment. My class spent three weeks learning to tie a toga, and today I can still tie a toga on a client while the client is flat on the massage table. This skill may come in handy if I am ever employed in a Samoan funeral home.

Anyway, my friend Rob made this video and put it on YouTube. Now it has spread to Japan on "YouTubo." It's also on a couple of other video servers, but YouTubo made me smile.

Click here for the video on YouTubo. Now your can be ready for that toga party on New Years Eve!

Posted by Jim Caddell at www.MassageDallas.Info
www.TranquilityTime.com

Elephant Ashiatsu

2009-12-12T18:48:00.002-06:00

I never wanted to study Ashiatsu because I figured most people wouldn't want a 200+ lb man walking on their backs. But if this guy can do it, maybe I can too.

Jim

Posted by Jim Caddell at www.MassageDallas.Info

'Ideal' sitting posture questioned

2009-11-07T13:35:00.003-06:00

I always suspected that sitting up straight might be bad for you. Now it's OK to exercise those slouching muscles!

-- Jim

The article below has been reprinted for educational purposes.

News in Science
'Ideal' sitting posture questioned
Wednesday, 26 August 2009 Annabel McGilvray
ABC

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current recommendations for sitting posture and chair design are based on limited evidence, says one researcher

Questions are being raised about the science used to support the sitting postures recommended as being good for our backs and bodies.

Researchers at the University of Queensland's Centre of Clinical Research Excellence in Spinal Pain, Injury and Health, have found that the posture often recommended as ideal cannot be achieved without assistance.

More importantly, the 'ideal' curved lower back posture is not only difficult to achieve in a sitting position, it also takes effort to maintain.

Lead researcher Dr Andrew Claus says this is the first time that researchers have accurately measured how our spine and the muscles respond when manipulated in a range of postures.

Challenging dogma
Theories surrounding good and bad postures have been based on measurements of the pressure applied to spinal discs in different positions, says Claus.

He says the belief that slumped postures are worse for your spine than upright ones is making assumptions based on this limited evidence.

"That's the thing that we're starting to redress," says Claus.

"It may be that slumped postures are uncomfortable for the spine and may cause people some problems, but the science to actually test or prove that is really weak."

The research, published in the journal Manual Therapy, used sensors attached to the backs of ten male volunteers to monitor the angle of their backs as they imitated pictures and descriptions of various postures. They were later helped to achieve the positions by a physiotherapist.

Intriguingly, the men could not achieve the much-recommended curved lower back posture unless hands-on guidance was provided, but were able to adopt the flat back and slump positions without any help.

Claus says that it suggests that if such a posture is the ideal, people must be educated properly on how to achieve it and specially designed chairs are unlikely to be enough.

Posturing new theories
The work is part a growing cross-disciplinary field - involving neuroscience, physiotherapy, biomechanics and psychology - to examine how our spines operate. It is expected to have future implications for how we sit and how much sitting is healthy for us.

Separate research by the centre has already shown that sitting is not linked to damaged spinal discs as had been previously thought.
"There's reason for confidence that why we sit all day is partly because it's not as bad as we used to think," says Claus.

"I do think that we're heading towards something really clinically useful once we get to the stage of clinical trials comparing one posture versus another and how people respond to that."

Posted by Jim Caddell at www.MassageDallas.Info

Barbara Streisand Injured Massaging Robert De Niro

2009-10-06T09:35:00.002-05:00

Which is why you need a real massage therapist.

Article: http://www.newkerala.com/nkfullnews-1-125151.html

Posted by Jim Caddell at www.MassageDallas.Info

Breast massage can help reduce breast pain and keep the breasts healthy

2009-09-29T20:50:00.001-05:00

By Steve Ibach, Examiner.com.

See: http://www.examiner.com/x-22352-Phoenix-Massage-Therapy-Examiner~y2009m9d28-Breast-massage-can-help-reduce-breast-pain-and-keep-the-breasts-healthy

Posted by Jim Caddell at www.MassageDallas.Info

Boundaries Discussion from LinkedIn Massage Group

2009-08-14T11:10:00.005-05:00

How personal are you with clients?
I'm curious to hear your experiences about how personal you become with clients. Do you build a friendship with a client? Or is that a big no-no? Is there always a professional distance? Should there be one? With long time regulars, do you talk about personal things? Ask them about personal things and personal life? Or should it remain on a distant impersonal level, reduced to small-talk about a holiday trip, kids doing well in school and the weather?

I'd love to hear your policies and habits there and your arguments as to why or why not.

Thanks and cheers Pia
Posted 1 day ago

Reply from Jim Caddell
Owner, Tranquility Time Massage Therapy

This is something I've wondered about too. The massage schools here in Texas are quite conservative and they like to keep the boundaries very clear and distant. But I gravitate toward Esalen techniques, where the boundaries are less stringent. Esalen promotes a nurturing attitude: it's soft, slow, and gentle, and limbs, shoulders, arms are cradled in the process. In Esalen massage, there is no "client" and "therapist," where the therapist is performing massage on the client. In Esalen massage, the "giver" and "receiver" are seeking a common goal.

So my practice is a little different from the other folks in my area.

Ideally, the client doesn't talk much during the massage, and the therapist limits discussion to somatic issues. Some clients like to chatter, and that's OK too. But before and after treatment, I try to connect with the client a little. I use the SOAP notes to help me remember that they are about to go on a trip, or that the grandbaby is coming for a visit, or whatever. I don't regard this as getting too personal, it's just basic humanity. It lets them know that I care about them as more than a slab of meat on the table. I'm not capable of being completely disinterested in my clients; in a touchy-feely calling like massage, I'm sure that is a common attitude. And really, if you're going a touch a naked person all over, that's pretty darned personal. If your love and concern is not obvious from the quality of your touch, no amount of schmoozing will convince the client that you have their best interests at heart.

Is this an "unprofessional" attitude? Well, sorry, but I don't think we are professionals. Tradesmen, maybe. In this state you only need a high school diploma and 500 hrs of training to be an LMT, and that does not a professional make. Besides, professionals don't take tips. Try tipping your dentist or lawyer and see how that goes over. Additionally, too many LMTs offer products, practices, and techniques of questionable merit for Massage Therapy to be considered a profession. (Ear candling? Jeezus!)

Of course we can still ACT professionally, and we should. I have no problem whatsoever being warm, caring, and friendly toward my clients, but unprofessional BEHAVIOR is a violation of their trust. The state has a long list of ethics rules which is a good starting point for professional conduct. Nowhere in that list does it say that we shouldn't be interested in our clients as human beings. It doesn't say we can't be concerned when our clients have surgery or get cancer, or happy when they have babies or get married.

If it did, I'd have to change jobs.

Jim Caddell, LMT, LMTI, NCTMB dba
Tranquility Time Massage Therapy

Posted by Jim Caddell at www.MassageDallas.Info

Massage 911! Your Health and Longevity Depend On It!

2009-08-07T17:03:00.004-05:00

By Kimberly Rockefeller on August 07, 2009

Life has never been so hectic, stress ridden or so toxic. With all of the advancements in technology we have assimilated the attitude of the internet- we want to be everywhere all at once. Today, I was having a conversation with a client while emailing him details on my facebook page. He received the information on his iphone before I finished my sentence. End of conversation- why bother? He could read it later.

Within minutes, another client called to change her appointment for next week because she had to be at a work meeting, ballet lesson and summer camp pick up all within a half hour of each other and couldn't possibly imagine how she could squeeze in her wax before the weekend- she would have to shave.

Another informed me that she and her husband have three engagements on Friday night, “I don't know how this one is going to play out.....” she said with a sigh. My answer was simple. “Don't worry about it right now. You are here to relax. Start face down and I will knock before I come back in.”

Calgon Take Me Away!

If anyone needs a massage on a regular basis it’s a modern mom. The juggling act that is our life has permanently attached our shoulders to our ears and replaced our trapezoids with golf balls. Not to mention the fact that we forget to breathe. We give so much all day long, what is wrong with one hour for ourselves?

Enter GUILT. Synonym: criminality. Are we criminals? I think not. Although the ideology is slowly changing, our society has painted massage as the ultimate luxury. A vice that only the most spoiled or indulgent of people partake in. And once a week? Come on? Who do you think you are?

I will tell you who you are.

You are a woman that is of high risk for heart disease. You are the person that suffers from asthma, high blood pressure, depression or anxiety. You are 7 months pregnant with a 2 year old at home. You are the runner that has a pulled calf muscle that won't quite heal. You have trouble sleeping, concentrating and standing up straight. You and your husband cannot seem to agree on anything and are facing the end of your 15 year relationship. You have cancer, diabetes or your child has Autism. You are just plain tired from giving your all 24/7. You are disappointed because you feel like you can't give your all. You work hard, play hard, love your family and your significant other. You are a great mom. There is nothing you wouldn't do to secure your happy life.

I am not suggesting that massage therapy is a replacement for proper health assessments or psychotherapy. I am suggesting, however, that it will reduce any number of symptoms and aliments and allow you to live a more relaxed, fulfilling life.

It’s time to start viewing massage as “preventative maintenance.” Stress and obesity top the list of culprits of manifested diseases. This one is easy. No one is asking you to go on a diet, exercise and lose weight or exert any kind of will power what-so-ever. We are inviting you to come in, lay down, take a deep breath and let us heal you one golf ball at a time.

Please click the link below to read over 100 studies on the positive effects of massage.
http://www6.miami.edu/touch-research/

Kimberly Rockefeller is the owner of Thrive! Body and Skin in San Diego and single mom to 5 year old Corbin.

Email her at kimrockskincare@gmail.com.

August 07, 2009

Printed from the Modern Mom website: www.modernmom.com - on August 07, 2009
http://modernmom.com/4255/article/

For educational purposes only, in compliance with fair use copyright laws.

Re-Posted by Jim Caddell at www.MassageDallas.Info

Relax Your Way to Perfect Health

2009-08-04T19:12:00.004-05:00

(I include the box above for copyright compliance, even though it doesn't really work. Here's what's in the box above:)

Anastasia Stephens reports
Tuesday, 28 July 2009

It's a piece of advice that yogis have given for thousands of years: take a deep breath and relax. Watch the tension melt from your muscles and all your niggling worries vanish. Somehow we all know that relaxation is good for us. Now the hard science has caught up – for a comprehensive scientific study showing that deep relaxation changes our bodies on a genetic level has just been published.

What researchers at Harvard Medical School discovered is that, in long-term practitioners of relaxation methods such as yoga and meditation, far more "disease-fighting genes" were active, compared to those who practised no form of relaxation.

In particular, they found genes that protect from disorders such as pain, infertility, high blood pressure and even rheumatoid arthritis were switched on. The changes, say the researchers, were induced by what they call "the relaxation effect", a phenomenon that could be just as powerful as any medical drug but without the side-effects.

"We found that a range of disease-fighting genes were active in the relaxation practitioners that were not active in the control group," explains Dr Herbert Benson, associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, who led the research.

The good news for the control group with the less-healthy genes is that the research didn't stop there. The experiment, which showed just how responsive genes are to behaviour, mood and environment, revealed that genes can switch on, just as easily as they switch off.

"Harvard researchers asked the control group to start practising relaxation methods every day," explains Jake Toby, hypnotherapist at London's BodyMind Medicine Centre, who teaches clients how to induce the relaxation effect. "After two months, their bodies began to change – the genes that help fight inflammation, kill diseased cells and protect the body from cancer, all began to switch on."

More encouraging still, the benefits of the relaxation effect were found to increase with regular practice – the more people practised relaxation methods such as meditation or deep breathing, the greater their chances of remaining free of arthritis and joint pain with stronger immunity, healthier hormone levels and lower blood pressure.

Benson believes the research is pivotal because it shows how a person's state of mind affects the body on a physical and genetic level. It might also explain why relaxation induced by meditation or repetitive mantras is considered to be a powerful remedy in traditions such as Ayurveda in India or Tibetan medicine.

But just how can relaxation have such wide-ranging and powerful effects? Research around the world has described the negative effects of stress on the body. Linked to the release of the stress-hormones adrenalin and cortisol, stress raises the heart rate and blood pressure, weakens immunity and lowers fertility.

By contrast, the state of relaxation is linked to higher levels of feel-good chemicals such as serotonin and to the growth hormone which repairs cells and tissue. Indeed, studies show that relaxation has virtually the opposite effect, lowering heart rate, boosting immunity and enabling the body to thrive.

"On a biological level, stress is linked to fight-flight and danger," explains Dr Jane Flemming, a London-based GP. "In survival mode, heart rate rises and blood pressure shoots up. Meanwhile muscles, preparing for danger, contract and tighten. And non-essential functions such as immunity and digestion go by the wayside."

Relaxation, on the other hand, is a state of rest, enjoyment and physical renewal. Free of danger, muscles can relax and food can be digested. The heart can slow and blood circulation flows freely to the body's tissues, feeding it with nutrients and oxygen. This restful state is good for fertility, as the body is able to conserve the resources it needs to generate new life.

While relaxation techniques can be very different, their biological effects are essentially similar. "When you relax, the parasympathetic nervous system switches on and that is linked to better digestion, memory and immunity, among other things," explains Jake Toby. "So as long as you relax deeply, you'll reap a variety of rewards."

But, he warns, deep relaxation isn't the sort of switching off you do relaxing with a cup of tea or lounging on the sofa. "What you're looking for is a state of deep relaxation where tension is released from the body on a physical level and your mind completely switches off," he says. "The effect won't be achieved by lounging round in an everyday way, nor can you force yourself to relax. You can only really achieve it by learning a specific technique such as self-hypnosis, guided imagery or meditation."

The relaxation effect, however, may not be as pronounced on everyone. "Some people are more susceptible to relaxation methods than others," cautions Joan Borysenko, director of a relaxation programme for outpatients at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, US. "Through relaxation, we find that some people experience a little improvement, others a lot. And there are a few whose lives turn around totally."

The health benefits of deep relaxation
The next time you tune out, switch off and let yourself melt, remind yourself of all the good work the relaxation effect is doing on your body. These are just some of the scientifically proven benefits...

Immunity
Relaxation appears to boost immunity in recovering cancer patients. One study at Ohio State University, in the US, found that progressive muscular relaxation, when practised daily, reduced the risk of breast cancer recurrence. In another study at Ohio State, a month of relaxation exercises boosted natural killer cells in elderly people, giving them more resistance to tumours and viruses.

Fertility
A study at the University of Western Australia found that women are more likely to conceive at periods when they're relaxed rather than stressed. Another study at Trakya University, Turkey, found that stress reduces sperm count and motility, a finding that implies that relaxation may boost fertility in men, too.

Irritable bowel syndrome
When patients suffering from irritable bowel syndrome practised a relaxation meditation twice daily, symptoms such as bloating, belching, diarrhoea and constipation improved significantly. The method was so effective that the researchers at the State University of New York at Albany, recommended it as an effective IBS treatment.

Blood pressure
A study at Harvard Medical School found meditation lowered blood pressure by making the body less responsive to stress hormones, in a similar way to blood pressure-lowering medication. Meanwhile, a report in the British Medical Journal found that patients trained to relax had significantly lower blood pressure.

Inflammation
Stress leads to inflammation, a state linked to heart disease, arthritis, asthma as well as skin conditions such as psoriasis, say researchers at Emory University in the US. Relaxation can play a role in preventing and treating such symptoms by switching off the stress response. In this way, one study at McGill University in Canada found meditation clinically improved symptoms of psoriasis.

How to relax deeply

So how can you access relaxation's healing powers? Harvard researchers found that yoga, meditation and even repetitive prayer and mantras all induced the relaxation effect. "The more regularly these techniques are practised, the more deeply-rooted the benefits will be," says Jake Toby. Have a go at one or more of the following for 15 minutes once or twice a day.

Body scan
Starting with your head and working down to your arms and feet, notice how you feel in your body. Taking in your head and neck, simply notice if you feel tense, relaxed, calm or anxious. See how much you can spread any sensations of softness and relaxation to areas of your body that feel tense. Once your reach your feet, work back up your body.

Breath focus
Sitting comfortably, become aware of your breath, following the sensation of inhaling from your nose down to your abdomen and out again. As you follow your breath, notice your whole body and let tension go with each exhalation. Whenever you notice your mind wandering, come back to your breath.

Mantra repetition
The relaxation response can be evoked by sitting quietly with eyes closed for 15 minutes twice a day, and mentally repeating a simple word or sound such as 'Om'.

Guided imagery
Imagine the most wonderfully relaxing light, or a soothing waterfall washing away any tension or worries from your body and mind. Make your image as vivid as possible, imagining the texture, colour and any fragrance as the image washes over or through you.

Posted by Jim Caddell at www.MassageDallas.Info
The link to this article should remain active for a month

Study: Tanning beds as deadly as arsenic

2009-08-03T22:29:00.002-05:00

From the Associated Press

Study: Tanning beds as deadly as arsenic
By MARIA CHENG (AP) – 6 days ago
LONDON — International cancer experts have moved tanning beds and other sources of ultraviolet radiation into the top cancer risk category, deeming them as deadly as arsenic and mustard gas. For years, scientists have described tanning beds and ultraviolet radiation as "probable carcinogens."

A new analysis of about 20 studies concludes the risk of skin cancer jumps by 75 percent when people start using tanning beds before age 30. Experts also found that all types of ultraviolet radiation caused worrying mutations in mice, proof the radiation is carcinogenic. Previously, only one type of ultraviolet radiation was thought to be lethal.

The new classification means tanning beds and other sources of ultraviolet radiation are definite causes of cancer, alongside tobacco, the hepatitis B virus and chimney sweeping, among others.
The research was published online in the medical journal Lancet Oncology on Wednesday, by experts at the International Agency for Research on Cancer in Lyon, the cancer arm of the World Health Organization.

"People need to be reminded of the risks of sunbeds," said Vincent Cogliano, one of the cancer researchers. "We hope the prevailing culture will change so teens don't think they need to use sunbeds to get a tan."

Most lights used in tanning beds give off mainly ultraviolet radiation, which cause skin and eye cancer, according to the International Agency for Cancer Research.

The classification of tanning beds as carcinogenic was disputed by Kathy Banks, chief executive of The Sunbed Association, a European trade association of tanning bed makers and operators.
"The fact that is continuously ignored is that there is no proven link between the responsible use of sunbeds and skin cancer," Banks said in a statement. She said most users of tanning beds use them less than 20 times a year.

But as use of tanning beds has increased among people under 30, doctors have seen a parallel rise in the numbers of young people with skin cancer. In Britain, melanoma, the deadliest kind of skin cancer, is now the leading cancer diagnosed in women in their 20s. Normally, skin cancer rates are highest in people over 75.

Previous studies found younger people who regularly use tanning beds are eight times more likely to get melanoma than people who have never used them. In the past, WHO warned people younger than 18 to stay away from tanning beds.
Cogliano cautioned that ultravoilet radiation is not healthy, whether it comes from a tanning bed or from the sun. The American Cancer Society advises people to try bronzing or self-tanning creams instead of tanning beds.

On the Net:
http://www.lancet.com

Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Posted by Jim Caddell at www.MassageDallas.Info in accordance to fair use copyright laws, for educational purposes.

Practice of "cross-massage" at spas permissible | TheMedGuru

2009-08-02T19:19:00.005-05:00

Practice of "cross-massage" at spas permissible --TheMedGuru

(Shared via AddThis )

by Jyoti Pal - August 1, 2009

Chennai, Aug 1: The Madras High Court has ruled that the police have no legal authority to prevent the functioning of a health spa even if the services offered by the spa include a "cross massage", a practice where a massage is done by a person of the opposite sex.

The ruling will put an end to the practice of the police poking its nose in the day-today functioning of the peaceful business of various spas.

Request for interim injunction
The court’s order came in response to the application for interim injunction filed by M/S Influence Lifestyle Stores Private Ltd. The said firm had, in its application, asked the court to direct the police not in indulge and interfere in the firm’s routine functioning of providing various spa treatments to its clients of both genders.

The spa owner had, in the application, stated that running a health spa, with cross massages done by the opposite sex, is a global practice and there is no legal embargo on the same.

Response to the application
To this application, Justice K Chandra said, “there is no law regulating the field.” The judge said, “Police as on date has no legal right to prevent a health spa being operated by any citizen of this country, even if it (massage) is done by persons belonging to the opposite sex.

“As pointed out by the Supreme Court, majoritarian impulses rooted in moralistic tradition cannot impinge upon individual autonomy... In the absence of a law, the only argument of the state was based upon moral and ethical grounds," added the judge.

Referring to legal precedents on related subjects, the judge said the honorable Supreme Court and several other high courts had, on various occasions, got in the way with of police powers to disallow dance shows in restaurants and women serving liquor in bars.

The judge however clarified that the police was well within its rights to inspect the premises of the spa and take any action, within the ambit of law, to stop any sort of criminal activities from thriving.

Meanwhile, the Chennai city police commissioner filed a counter, stating that the practice of cross massage was to hoodwink the authorities and under its garb, health spas carry on immoral activities. Such practices attract men of dubious character as well as anti-social elements to the spas, the commissioner noted.

Jim's Commentary:
And I thought Texas was conservative! This article puts some of the annoying new Texas massage laws into perspective. The new anti-prostitution massage laws are well intentioned, but I do not believe they really affect the miscreants toward which they are aimed as much as they do law abiding licensed massage therapists. Texas legislators have maligned and shaken the whole massage industry, terrified that someone, somewhere, behind closed doors might be doing something naughty.

I do hope the Texas legislators never get wind of the "cross massage" idea. I can imagine Sen. Dan Patrick and his friends ramming through a bill to make it illegal to massage the opposite gender. Then they'll remember, "Oops, we forgot about the gays." So they'll have to amend it so that gays can only massage gays of the opposite sex and straights can only massage straights of the same sex. And since that still leaves loopholes, they'll have to outlaw bisexuals, transgendered, intersexed, pansexuals, omnisexuals, and anyone else who doesn't quite fit the mold from getting massage, because, you know, you never know what might happen. Wink wink.

Without eternal vigilence, it could happen here.

And when it does, the worst part will be the paperwork.

Esther Gokhale's hunt for perfect posture

2009-07-29T09:51:00.002-05:00

Esther Gokhale's hunt for perfect posture
Noelle Robbins, Special to The Chronicle
Monday, July 27,

Esther Gokhale is not a stalker, but she has pursued hundreds, even thousands of people around the world, mimicking their body alignment and walking style until her shadow matched theirs. She has studied men and women in isolated African, Brazilian and Indian villages where back pain is virtually unknown, despite long hours spent harvesting, weaving, cooking and toting heavy loads.

What she learned inspired her to open the Esther Gokhale Wellness Center in Palo Alto a decade ago, to help others better understand the difference proper posture can make....

Read the complete article at:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/07/27/DDKL18Q5CK.DTL

Posted by Jim Caddell at www.MassageDallas.Info

Hospital promotes infant massages

2009-07-14T17:07:00.003-05:00

Hospital promotes infant massages
Power of touch believed to aid child development

Original article at Springfield News-Sun

By Matt Sanctis, Staff Writer Updated 7:01 AM Monday, July 13, 2009

URBANA — When 9-month-old Shayla Ramey was first referred to the Pediatric Rehab Center at Mercy Memorial Hospital, the playful infant was facing a range of physical challenges.

Therapists noticed right away that her muscle tone was weak and her shoulders pitched back instead of forward, making it difficult for her to move. Too much movement even made the infant vomit. But after just three months in the new infant massage program at the Urbana hospital, Shayla’s development has almost caught up to most other girls her age.

For Brandi Arnold, Shayla’s mother, the new program not only helped her daughter physically, it helped her learn new ways to teach and interact with her baby.

“She’s my first, and I didn’t know what to look for,” Arnold said.

The program began this year when Jonathan Tedena, a physical therapist at Mercy Memorial, came up with the idea as a way to become certified in infant massage while helping local families at the same time. As Shayla laid on her back on a plastic green mat, Tedena demonstrated a few of the massage techniques on a plastic doll. Arnold mimicked the moves on Shayla, gently rubbing the infant’s legs up toward her heart in what was described as the Swedish Milking technique. The technique is used to encourage blood flow to the heart, and is thought also to improve lymphatic drainage.

Along with the apparent physical benefits of the massage, the program also provides time for parents to connect with their children.

“I really think the power of touch is just a really wonderful thing,” said Susan Rizza, an occupational therapist who is also working with Shayla.

The massage session generally lasts about 20 minutes, but Tedena said they take frequent breaks whenever Shayla doesn’t seem to be in the mood. Although the sessions are held once a week, Arnold continues to massage her daughter at home daily.

Massage is also incorporated into the girl’s overall therapy program, he said. On Monday, July 6, Tedena and Rizza were working to encourage Shayla to stand by placing toys on a small plastic platform just out of her reach. Shayla finally stood and reached for the toys just as the session was ending.

Eventually, Rizza said, she’s hoping the massage program grows. While most of those involved in massage classes are two years and older, Rizza said she hopes that parents of infants and premature babies discover the purported benefits of massage as well.

“If we incorporate touch right from the very beginning, we’re ahead of the game,” Rizza said.
After the progress she’s seen in Shayla, Arnold said she plans to continue with the massage for as long as she can.

Just a couple months ago, Shayla rarely moved. Last week, she spent much of the session crawling and climbing all over her mother.

“I can’t get her to sit still for nothing now,” Arnold said.

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0355 or msanctis@coxohio.com.

Posted by Jim Caddell at www.MassageDallas.Info
Please see the original article. This article reproduced for educational purposes only, as permitted by fair use copyright laws.

Infant Massage Class: July 25, 1pm to 5pm.
See http://classes.TranquilityTime.com for more information

Should Massage Hurt?

2009-07-03T23:54:00.004-05:00

by V.S. Cowen
Go to V.S.'s Home Page
NY Alternative Medicine Examiner

Massage. Good for stress reduction and relief of chronic aches and pains. People often ask whether they massage should leave them feeling battered and bruised the next day. In brief: no!

There are many different styles of massage. The most common type practiced in NYC is Swedish massage. It is what you probably think of when you think massage: lying on a table covered by a sheet or towel, having lotion or oil rubbed on your skin, and having your muscles kneaded. There are different techniques that can be used in Swedish massage to address specific areas of muscle tension. Some of them have fancy names like neuromuscular therapy, muscle energy techniques, connective tissue release, and deep tissue.They all aim to do the same thing: release tension in soft tissues of the body.

Most people assume that deep tissue massage should be painful. Not necessarily. The word "deep" refers to muscles that are not close to the surface of the body. It is not just more pressure, but mobilization and stretching combined with pressure. No worries, but it is a common misconception.

If it hurts when you stretch a muscle or a muscle is particularly tight, it may hurt during or after a massage regardless of the technique the MT used. Likely if the area is habitually tense or tight, it will need several sessions to relax the tissue. This is not because the MT wants to make money, it is actually due to the anatomy & physiology of muscle tissue.

An MT could be very aggressive and try to force the area to relax, but that is not usually a good idea. That will cause pain. Not necessary, but some people like pain. Even if you don't the effects of the massage likely will not last very long if tissue is forced into shape. Pressure that is too hard--or in the wrong area--can cause bruising. Not pretty during the scantily-clad summer months. Also not necessary.

What to do? Work with your MT. Take the time to talk with your MT before your massage. It is important. The MT is not wasting your time. He/She needs to know about your expectations, needs, and health history. The MT will choose techniques that are in line with your preferences. The MT should also tell you basically what he/she plans to do and ask for your permission (it's called "informed consent" and is required by NY law.)

If pain relief is what you are after in massage; more pain is not usually required. Think about it.

Reposted by Jim Caddell at www.MassageDallas.Info
Original article by V. S. Cowen is at:
http://www.examiner.com/x-3177-NY-Alternative-Medicine-Examiner~y2009m7d2-Should-massage-hurt

Why Dad Needs a Massage

2009-06-18T17:27:00.004-05:00

"Why Dad Needs a Massage" from the NY Massage Therapy Examiner
by Anna Stone

Go to Anna's Home Page

Photo: Per Ola Wiberg

Father's Day is this Sunday, have you thought about getting him a massage?

There is an interesting taboo around men getting massage in our society. Unless they are an athlete, uber wealthy and are conducting business at the same time (which absolutely does happen, by the way, and totally counteracts the purpose of a massage), or have chronic pain procured in some manly way (sports, repetitive motion like counting money, etc.), it’s perceived as somehow ‘girly’.

Well, if carrying around a ridiculous amount of stress and suppressing frustration to the point of muscle seizure were an entirely feminine trait, I suppose that might apply.

Massage can be integral in adding healing touch into someone’s life. Non-sexual, healing touch is a vital part of life that ends for many men during or soon after adolescence. Cultural stereotypes do not encourage men to hug each other, or be physically affectionate with anyone other than their family, if then. It is scientifically proven, however, that positive touch improves our immunity, decreases incidents of depression, and even adds years to our lives in addition to the immediate relaxation it affords.

Concern about having a sexual reaction to therapeutic massage keeps many men from getting bodywork. It is very common for men to get an erection during a session. Touch to any part of the body can stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, resulting in an erection. It is not anything to be embarrassed about or addressed unless there is discomfort by either party.

Thank Dad for being there for you. And if you’re too far away to give him a big hug, buy him a gift certificate for a massage!

[Make sure the therapist you book with is a licensed practitioner in a legitimate place of employment and Dad knows what to expect.]

For more info: Parasympathetic Nervous System, NY massage 101: 5 frequently asked questions
http://www.examiner.com/x-12462-NY-Massage-Therapy-Examiner~y2009m6d18-Why-Dad-needs-a-massage

Anna Stone, a Manhattan-based Licensed Massage Therapist, Reiki Master Teacher, wellness consultant, and professional actor, is passionate about world-domination through teaching how to facilitate balance, manage or relieve pain and stress, and counteract self-neglect (with a healthy dose of irreverence and wit). Anna welcomes your questions, email her at info@touchstonetherapy.com.

This article reposted for educational purposes (Fair Use) because the darned SHARE button didn't want to post directly to my blog.

Posted by Jim Caddell at www.MassageDallas.Info

Scientists at UTD Create Artificial Muscles: Strong as Diamond, Lighter than Air

2009-06-05T10:56:00.006-05:00

And can android robots be far behind?

Click the pic at left for the full article.

Click the pic below for more photos and video:

Pretty cool stuff, but will it need massaging? And what kind of protective gloves would I need?

Jim

Posted by Jim Caddell at www.MassageDallas.Info

More talking, more problems: 'Cell phone elbow' damages nerves

2009-06-02T09:27:00.002-05:00

By Madison Park CNN

(CNN) -- If your pinkie and ring fingers tingle or feel numb, you might not want to pick up that cell phone to call the doctor.

Orthopedic specialists are reporting cases of "cell phone elbow," in which patients damage an essential nerve in their arm by bending their elbows too tightly for too long.

When cell phone users hold the phone to their ears, they stretch a nerve that extends underneath the funny bone and controls the smallest fingers. When talkers chat for a long time in that position, it "chokes the blood supply to the nerves. It makes the nerves short-circuit. The next thing you know, there's tingling in the ring and small finger," said Dr. Peter J. Evans, the director of the Hand and Upper Extremity Center at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio.

When that happens, the advice is simple: Switch hands -- before it gets worse.

People who have this condition, called cubital tunnel syndrome, can feel weakness in their hands and have difficulty opening jars or playing musical instruments.

"It could impede your typing ability, your writing ability," Evans said. "People get very unintelligible writing if it gets severe."

Donna Malloy, 66, noticed the numbness in her hands when she spoke on her cell phone for hours.

Mainly when I was holding something, I noticed, 'Geez, they're tingling,' " Malloy said about her ring and pinkie fingers. "It got progressively worse. If you walk around holding the cell phone, after a while you're not sure you have it in the hand anymore."

She started dropping things in her left hand, and needlework became too difficult.

"I thought: 'I'm turning old and falling apart,' " Malloy said.

Constant cell phone use could "stress out the ulnar nerves," said Dr. Leon Benson, an orthopedic surgeon and spokesman for the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. The ulnar nerve, which travels through the forearm and branches into the hand, can become weakened and scarred after being stretched repeatedly.

"The more you bend it, the more it stretches," Evans said. "It diminishes the blood supply, and the blood is not flowing through the nerves."

While the nerves are designed for stretching, "it's not normal to be in a position to be stretched for an hour," Benson said.

People with severe cases of cubital tunnel syndrome, like Malloy, require surgery. But most cases require simple behavioral changes. The condition is not as common as

carpal tunnel syndrome, which affects nerves in the wrist.

This doesn't mean that cell phone use is dangerous, doctors said.

"It's like anything else, any sporting activity," Benson said. "You can hit balls at the driving range -- just don't hit 300 of them, because you'll be sore. So common sense would dictate not to talk on the phone for hours if your small and ring fingers go numb."

After

surgery, Malloy said her hands are "fine now. It doesn't bother me." She still talks on her cell phone, but she uses a Bluetooth headset.

Cubital tunnel syndrome doesn't affect only cell phone addicts.

Elderly people who rest their elbows on the arm of a chair can develop the syndrome, as can truckers and people who use wheelchairs who lean on their elbow, Evans said. Some people who sleep curled in a fetal position with their elbows overly bent can develop the syndrome. Another factor could be occupational. People who type in front of a computer, with their elbows bent tighter than 90 degrees, could damage their nerves.

Bending the elbow tighter than 90 degrees for an extended period of time will stretch the ulnar nerve by 8 to 15 percent, Evans said. The remedies are simple.

Avoid activities that require the elbow to be bent tighter than 90 degrees.

Fix workstations so the elbows aren't overly flexed.

Don't lean on your elbows for an extended period of time.

Posted by Jim Caddell at www.MassageDallas.Info

Clients Getting Younger

2009-05-30T12:15:00.005-05:00

My practice has always catered to middle-aged clients. This was never surprising to me, since folks my age tend to wake up with aches and pains about which younger folks enjoy blissful ignorance. (Just wait, kids!) We baby-boomers have had more wear and tear, more time to injure ourselves, and more time to build up stress about more crises, whether they be personal, financial, ecological, political, familial, or generational. But lately I've noticed that my clients are getting younger.

I tend to notice clients ages when I do my state-required paperwork and find that my client is younger than my own kids. This has happened with increasing frequency lately. I told myself that this was natural, since my own kids, my benchmark for youth, were getting older, and it was likely that my perception, rather than the statistics, had changed. But, being a computer nerd, I already had a report to pull age trends from my client database. The report showed that my clients are indeed trending younger.

I have no idea why this should be. Are young people under more stress these days? Are older folks checking their 401K balances before shelling out for a massage? Is the warm pretty weather having an effect on the number of athletic injuries? Is this too small a statistical sample to be meaningful?

Clearly, massage is not just for us old fogies any more, and more people are opting to get massages before fogification sets in, perhaps even to help stave off fogiehood. Perhaps young folks are finding out what we boomers (and above) already know: massaging away the aches and pains makes you feel younger, and massaging away the stress helps you look younger. What, you don't believe me? On your next appointment, check the mirror before and after your massage. If you're over 40 you'll probably look 10 years younger after your massage. One of the things I most enjoy about this work is watching the years dissolve off your face as you relax.

Of course, since the effect starts to wear off as soon as the real world sets in, you'll need regular massages to keep feeling the benefits.

Posted by Jim Caddell at www.MassageDallas.Info

Highbrow

2009-05-28T20:52:00.001-05:00

Highbrow man, originally uploaded by shadowink.

I just got back from a week's vacation at a sort-of art/music festival. This is my art project.

I know, it's silly. It has no socially redeeming value. But it was fun, and it stretched my abilities a bit.

In case you can't tell what you're looking at, it's a smiling face with a monocle and earphones. The earphones are about 15 ft apart and the yellow connectors tower nearly 20 ft overhead. The tallest eyebrow is about 12' above the ground.

Our camp played opera music 24 hours/day, power and weather permitting. People sat and socialized between the earphones and listened to opera greats. Yes, the speakers were hidden in the earphones.

There were a few problems. We had a malfunctioning generator and ended up borrowing one from another camp (Thanks, ESE!) Every time the power cut out, the playlist would start from the beginning. We set it on SHUFFLE instead, and we still wound up playing Turandot at least 7 times, LOL. We had a thunderstorm, and the eyebrow that was supposed to wiggle up and down in the wind nearly got ripped off, and spent the rest of the week-end fixed in one spot. But these problems were minor, and all to be expected as part of the challenge.

The camp was well recieved. People who were tired of techno and whatever newfangled nonsense those darned kids are listening to these days found Highbrow to be a refreshing change. Some youngsters who had never been exposed to opera were surpristed that they liked it. I even met a real life opera star! (Hi, Tink!) (Second real life opera star I've met this month.)

The earphones are made from 5' kiddie wading pools, painted, and decorated with electroluminscent wire (ELwire, to those in the know.) The smiling face with the monocle was painted with fluorescent paint and illuminated with an 80-LED UV (blacklight) flood. The monocle and eyebrows were highlighted with ELwire.

Most of the materials were recycled. The PVC pipes in the overhead hoops were mostly left over from prior projects. The plastic in the facial features was salvaged from old discarded election signs. The monocle itself was an old mirror frame that my neighbor threw out (Thanks, Joel!) He throws out the best stuff! Even the ELwire (donated by Tigger) was left over from another project.

Thanks to Eric and Rachel for contributing transportation, muscle, construction know-how, and power. Thanks to Tigger for brains, energy, imagination, and inspiration. Thanks to Aimee for hauling rugs all the way from Wichita and for moral support. (Lord knows, our morals need support.) Thanks to everyone who visited our camp for making it a pleasant congenial spot.

And now, back to work!

German Acupuncture Trials (GERAC) for Chronic Low Back Pain

2009-04-26T11:28:00.003-05:00

I'll be darned if I can figure out the significance of this study. But it is significant; that's for sure!

Randomized, Multicenter, Blinded, Parallel-Group Trial With 3 Groups
Michael Haake, PhD, MD; Hans-Helge Müller, PhD; Carmen Schade-Brittinger; Heinz D. Basler, PhD; Helmut Schäfer, PhD; Christoph Maier, PhD, MD; Heinz G. Endres, MD; Hans J. Trampisch, PhD; Albrecht Molsberger, PhD, MD
Arch Intern Med. 2007;167(17):1892-1898.

Background: To our knowledge, verum acupuncture has never been directly compared with sham acupuncture and guideline-based conventional therapy in patients with chronic low back pain.

Methods: A patient- and observer-blinded randomized controlled trial conducted in Germany involving 340 outpatient practices, including 1162 patients aged 18 to 86 years (mean ± SD age, 50 ± 15 years) with a history of chronic low back pain for a mean of 8 years. Patients underwent ten 30-minute sessions, generally 2 sessions per week, of verum acupuncture (n = 387) according to principles of traditional Chinese medicine; sham acupuncture (n = 387) consisting of superficial needling at nonacupuncture points; or conventional therapy, a combination of drugs, physical therapy, and exercise (n = 388). Five additional sessions were offered to patients who had a partial response to treatment (10%-50% reduction in pain intensity). Primary outcome was response after 6 months, defined as 33% improvement or better on 3 pain-related items on the Von Korff Chronic Pain Grade Scale questionnaire or 12% improvement or better on the back-specific Hanover Functional Ability Questionnaire. Patients who were unblinded or had recourse to other than permitted concomitant therapies during follow-up were classified as nonresponders regardless of symptom improvement.

Results: At 6 months, response rate was 47.6% in the verum acupuncture group, 44.2% in the sham acupuncture group, and 27.4% in the conventional therapy group. Differences among groups were as follows: verum vs sham, 3.4% (95% confidence interval, –3.7% to 10.3%; P = .39); verum vs conventional therapy, 20.2% (95% confidence interval, 13.4% to 26.7%; P < .001); and sham vs conventional therapy, 16.8% (95% confidence interval, 10.1% to 23.4%; P < .001.

Conclusions: Low back pain improved after acupuncture treatment for at least 6 months. Effectiveness of acupuncture, either verum or sham, was almost twice that of conventional therapy.

Author Affiliations: Orthopedic Department, University of Regensburg, Bad Abbach, Germany (Dr Haake); Institutes for Medical Biometry and Epidemiology (Drs Müller and Schäfer) and Medical Psychology (Dr Basler) and Centre for Clinical Trials (Ms Schade-Brittinger), Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany; Departments of Pain Management, BG-Kliniken Bergmannsheil (Dr Maier) and Medical Informatics, Statistics and Epidemiology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany (Drs Endres and Trampisch); and Centre for Clinical Acupuncture and Research, Düsseldorf, Germany (Dr Molsberger).

For the full text of the study, click here.

Personally, I would report improvement just prevent being stuck with more needles, but that's just me. For everyone else, it implies that the best way to relieve lower back pain is to get some tattoos.

Have you seen the TV ads for the various kinds of mattresses available to help relieve lower back pain? Maybe the bed of nails will make a comeback: "The Simmons Pointyrest! (To be used for sleeping only.)"

Posted by Jim Caddell at www.MassageDallas.Info

Daily Dose: Rethinking Massage

2009-04-24T17:56:00.001-05:00

When I got a massage for the first time about a decade ago, I was under the impression that it was something you did to pamper yourself when you had a little extra cash to burn (or better yet, a gift certificate). Now I’m beginning to think it’s a medical necessity.

I know, I know… I can hear you groaning. I didn’t used to believe it either. I used to think that saying massage had real health benefits was just an excuse people used to either A) justify the money it was costing them or B) attempt to get their health insurance to cover it. (Remember that Seinfeld episode where George and Elaine get a note from a dentist in the hopes of having their insurance pay for their massages?)

Now that I’m in my 30s and starting to creak a bit, I’m realizing that everything I thought I knew about massage was wrong. Sure, it makes you feel good, and there’s nothing wrong with indulging yourself for the pure sake of enjoyment once in a while. But when the pain in my shoulder starts acting up, massage offers better long-term results than Advil and a heating pad. What’s more, experts say that massage has been proven to boost immunity, fight migraines, and even help people get through childbirth and cancer treatments. So why do I still feel guilty about booking one? And why isn’t my health insurance covering it?! (I suppose these days, I should just be happy that I have any health insurance…)

If you want to learn more about the health benefits of massage, check out this useful info from the Mayo Clinic .

—Barbara Brody, WD Health Editor

Follow the Woman’s Day health editors at http://www.twitter.com/WDHealth Hear us live every Wednesday at 12pm EST at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/radioWD

Posted by WomansDay.com Editors on April 24, 2009 at 01:00 PM in Daily Dose Permalink

Reposted by Jim Caddell at www.MassageDallas.Info

Mother's Day Ad

2009-04-19T18:36:00.003-05:00

Hey, I'm getting the hang of this. Here's my Mother's Day massage ad.

Posted by Jim Caddell at www.MassageDallas.Info

New Video Ad

2009-04-19T12:14:00.003-05:00

I just made a new video ad. What do you think?

Posted by Jim Caddell at www.MassageDallas.Info

Gallbladder Attacks

2009-04-13T08:41:00.008-05:00

I had a client recently who had an excruciating pain in the ribs on his right side. He hoped that massage would help.

Carefully pointing out that I am not a doctor, so I can't make a diagnosis, I told him to ask his doctor about his gallbladder. The gallbladder is located in that area and the sharp pain that caused him to "double over" sounded like a gallbladder attack.

The gallbladder is a sac that stores bile excreted from the liver. When the organ contracts, it squirts bile into the stomach to aid in digesting fatty foods. But sometimes hard pellets called gallstones form in the bile. When they grow large enough or numerous enough they can plug the bile duct or prevent the gallbladder from contracting. Gallbladder attacks often occur in the middle of the night after consuming a fatty meal.

That hurts like hell.

I had a similar experience last year. I told the nurse I had a sharp pain in my ribs on the right side and she said, "Oh yeah, that's your gallbladder." I told the doctor about the pain in my ribs and she crowed "Gallbladder!" Always quick on the draw, I think she was ready to yank out the defenseless little organ right there. But she sent me out for an ultrasound just to be sure.

My doctor loves to find reasons to whittle on me, almost as much as I hate being sliced open. I think my phobia of blades is essentially a boundary issue: I want all the doctors on the OUTSIDE of my skin. So I searched online and found natural homeopathic gallbladder flushing methods that sounded a much better way to get rid of gallstones than surgery. A little more research showed that they were all bunk.

Eventually the results came back. No gallstones.

But they found a growth on my kidney and sent me back for more tests: this time, an MRI. The growth turned out to be a cluster of small cysts, the equivalent of moles on an internal organ, and completely benign.

So I went back to the doctor and said, "Look, doc. A couple of months ago I came in and said 'I have a pain right here.' After a bunch of tests and hitting the $3000 deductible on my crappy insurance policy, your answer to me was, 'You don't have gallstones.' Well, I have to ask you again. I have a pain right here."

She said that some people still have gallbladder pain even without the gallstones. Always quick on the draw, she was still ready to yank out the defenseless little organ right there.

But no. I like my gallbladder. I need my gallbladder. If I have to put up with a litle 3am pain after a fatty meal occasionally, then so be it. Like last night, after eating cheese pupusas and fried plantains with sour cream at he Salvadoran restaurant. Ohhhhhh...

Happy Easter

2009-04-12T15:07:00.001-05:00

JibJab - Chocolate Bunny Attack!
Uploaded by JibJab

Posted by Jim Caddell at www.MassageDallas.Info

Is Alternative Medicine Really Safe?

2009-04-11T14:22:00.003-05:00

Check labels carefully

Herbs and dietary supplements are considered foods—not drugs—by the FDA, so they’re not held to the same standards for safety and effectiveness that prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications are held to.

“What the label says is in the bottle may not really be in the bottle. In fact, levels of active ingredients can vary by up to 100 percent,” warns Richard Nahin, PhD, senior advisor for scientific coordination and outreach at the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM).

...

Click Here to read the rest of the article at Health.com.

Posted by Jim Caddell at www.MassageDallas.Info

National No Pants Day

2009-04-02T00:39:00.002-05:00

National No-Pants Day is always the First Friday in May. What better time could there be to get a massage?

Posted by Jim Caddell at www.MassageDallas.Info

Massage Establishments vs. Massage Parlors.

2009-03-27T13:55:00.003-05:00

In January I posted a tongue-in-cheek comment on the difference between massage therapists and hookers, but apparently our state legislators still just don't get it. They don't seem to understand the difference between a legitimate licensed massage establishment and a seedy massage parlor.

Let me spell it out. The former is alternative health care, the latter is prostitution. The former requires state-mandated education and training, and the latter does not. We already have laws to control prostitution. Let's use them. Either that, or license and regulate the prostitutes so they don't have to pretend to be something else.

If I understand the proposed law correctly, two independent licensed massage therapists operating in the same office suite would be considered an illegal massage establishment, whether the therapists have a business relationship or not! Conceivably, if my landlady decided to rent an office to another massage therapist while I was out of town, I could be arrested when I innocently show up for work.

That's just nuts.

I just received this email on the latest news, and I'm passing it along to you.

-- Jim

Dear Therapists:

On Monday, March 30th, 2009, the "County Affairs " Committee of the Texas House of Representatives will be hearing testimony from the public in regards to HB 3094 and its companion bill HB 283 "Relating to the regulation of massage parlors by certain counties; providing penalties." If you click on the highlighted or underscored bill numbers you should be able to get to the Texas Legislature On Line website to read the text of the bills. There is also a identical bill referred to the "Criminal Justice" Committee of the Senate: SB 1980

My concerns are that these bills are defining "massage parlors" as Massage Establishments. Because of my discussions with the Representatives and Senators, they have downsized their jurisdiction from State law to local government code. Although the legislators are targeting County Government Codes, they are still equating "massage parlors" with legitimate Massage Establishments and using our Occupations Code to try to regulate prostitution in the unincorporated areas of Texas.

This law would give local governments more access to the "massage parlors", but at the same time has the potential to affect legitimate massage practices that are not in compliance with the law. Ordinarily I wouldn't have a problem with penalties imposed on Licensed Massage Therapists or Establishments who were not in compliance with the law, but I know for a fact that there are well meaning therapists who are practicing in a group without "Establishment" licenses. There is potential for fines of $1000.00 a day if those persons are not in compliance with the law. These lawmakers are targeting the "bad actors" who are sexualizing massage therapy, and the law reads:

Sec. 234.106. CRIMINAL PENALTY. (a) A person commits an offense if the person intentionally or knowingly operates a massage parlor in violation of a prohibition or regulation adopted under this subchapter by the commissioners court.

(b) An offense under this section is a Class A misdemeanor.

If you are concerned about any language in the law defining a massage parlor as a massage establishment, then I recommend that you contact the members of the committee and your Representative and Senator to make a statement. If you would like to testify at the capital, that would also be great. Below is the contact information for the County Affairs committee. You could also contact the authors of these bills: Rep. Riddle, Rep. Harless and Senator Patrick.

This is a Call to Action!

Sincerely,

Janine Ray, LMT, MTI, ME
Owner, CE Provider
Legislative Chairperson
Texas Association of Massage Therapists

Position Chair:
Member
Rep. Garnet Coleman
Capitol Address Room GW.17, Capitol Building Austin, TX 78701
(512) 463-0524 (512) 463-1260 Fax
District Address 5445 Alameda, Suite 501 Houston, TX 77004
(713) 520-5355 (713) 520-1860 Fax

Vice Chair:
Rep. Geanie Morrison
Capitol Address Room GN.11, Capitol Building Austin, TX 78701
(512) 463-0456 (512) 476-3933 Fax
District Address 1501 E. Mockingbird Ste 101 Victoria, TX 77903
(361) 572-0196 (361) 576-0747 Fax

Members:
Rep. Leo Berman
Capitol Address Room E2.908, Capitol Extension Austin, TX 78701
(512) 463-0584 (512) 463-3217 Fax
District Address P.O. Box 6028 Tyler, TX 7571
(903) 939-2400 (903) 939-2402 Fax

Position
Member
Rep. Joaquin Castro
Capitol Address Room E1.302, Capitol Extension Austin, TX 78701
(512) 463-0669 (512) 463-5074 Fax
District Address 6502 Bandera, Ste. 106 San Antonio, TX 78238
(210) 684-6896 (210) 684-6945 Fax

Rep. John Davis
Capitol Address Room 4S.4, Capitol Building Austin, TX 78701
(512) 463-0734 (511) 479-6955 Fax
District Address 1350 NASA Parkway, #212 Houston, TX 77058
(281) 333-1350 (281) 335-9101 Fax

Rep. Marisa Marquez
Capitol Office Room E2. 704, Capitol ExtensionP.O. Box 2910Austin, TX 78768
(512) 463-0638(512) 463-8908 Fax District Office 1444 Montana Suite A
El Paso, TX 79901
(915) 544-0789

Rep. Ralph Sheffield
Capitol Office Room E1.422, Capitol Extension
P.O. Box 2910Austin, TX 78768
(512)463-0630 (512)322-9054 Fax
District Office 3000 S. 31st Street Suite 505
Temple, TX 76502(254)
774-9888(254)771-5775 Fax

Rep. Wayne Smith
Capitol Address Room E2.214, Capitol Extension Austin, TX 78701
(512) 463-0733 (512) 463-1323 Fax
District Address 909 Decker Drive, Suite 104 Baytown, TX 77520
(832) 556-2002 (832) 556-0319 Fax

Posted by Jim Caddell at www.MassageDallas.Info

Gorilla Massage

2009-03-25T17:35:00.002-05:00

Does this sheet make me look fat?

2009-03-06T02:24:00.008-06:00

I had a client a couple of months ago who asked me if she was the fattest person I had ever had on my massage table.

When a client asks a question like that, it's panic time. I feared that any answer I could give (yes, no, maybe, I don't know) would sound offensive and judgmental. My client was a sweet, funny, cheerful, beautiful person: the sort of person who is immediately likeable. I had no desire to hurt her feelings. I hadn't really given her weight much thought, except to consider the health issues and how I would have to adjust for them in the massage.

I like to provide a safe, relaxing, non-judgmental space for my clients so they can relax. I don't want them to feel self-concious about their bodies while they are on my table. We all have body issues we are struggling with: fat, cellulite, wrinkles, scars, hair, moles, birthmarks, discolorations, proportions, amputations, colostomy bags, or whatever. No one really looks like the people we see in the movies unless keeping up appearances is their full-time job. As a massage therapist, I don't usually get the beautiful people. I get the middle aged overweight folks with sore backs.

So I avoided an answer, and told her that my clients were all shapes and sizes. Some have Marfan syndrome and dangle off both ends of the table. Some are just very tall, like the basketball player whose arms hung so far off the table that I almost stepped on his hands once or twice. And of course, it was not at all unusual to have clients who were a little too wide for my table. (Now I have a wider table, and so far it has fit everyone.)

But in dancing around the answer, trying my best to be non-judmental, I may have proven myself to be judgmental after all. Fat people know they are fat. They accept it as a medical condition. By refusing to acknowledge the word "fat," I confirmed its negative connotations in my mind.

And "fat" is negative to me, because I'm fat too, and I don't like it one bit. My BMI confirms that I am medically considered obese. Again and again, I lose weight, relax a little, and the pounds all come rushing back. I feel bad about my own weight, and my cardiologist heaps on the guilt every time I have a stress test.

This client would never have considered me "fat." Comparing my struggle with weight gain to hers would trivialize her daily pain. Or would it?

Maybe I should have just given her an honest answer: "I dunno."

Bad Hair Days

2009-02-26T19:39:00.011-06:00

After three years of trying to look businesslike, I've decided to grow my ponytail out again. I know, ponytails are a little old-fashioned and out-of-style, but the simple do fits a bleeding-heart-liberal/hippy-dippy/slightly-wacky/ex-computer-geek/massage-enthusiast like me to a tee. Besides, short of some cartoony-manga hairstyle with mass quantities of spiking gel, I don't think my wavy unruly hair would behave itself unless it were long enough to tie down. Upon first waking, my bedhead has been known to frighten small children and animals, interfere with electronics, and curdle milk.

Therefore, I've resigned myself to a few months of bad hair days. Before work, I try to mousse the hair down, and just hope it won't spring up again in a Bozo-the-Clown-like frizz. However, today I was headed to Oak Cliff for a luncheon at the Spiral Diner with some of my artsier friends, so I decided to let the hair do its own thing. I hopped in my '99 VW convertible with freshly shampooed hair, and let the hot wind have its way with it. In the vegan diner's parking lot I worked most of the wind-whipped tangles out with a gap-toothed pocket comb and hoped for the best.

Imagine my surprise when the exquisite DD (who could easily be a fashion model and, I suspect, probably looks gorgeous even first thing in the morning) said my hair looked "just wonderful." She said it looked a little like a conductor's hair. I presume she meant orchestra, not locomotive.

I never got a chance to see the hair, so I'm very curious about it. By the time I looked in my rear view mirror it had morphed back into its usual silly Bozoesque side-flip.

So: if I'm wearing a red rubber nose at your next appointment, you'll know why.

"Hand to Mouth" Food Drive

2009-02-18T13:12:00.003-06:00

The economy is giving us all the jitters, but some of our neighbors are losing their jobs, their homes, their savings, and some are actually going hungry. Therefore, I am sponsoring a food drive through the North Texas Food Bank. This is a virtual food drive, because it’s actually more efficient to give the food bank money than to have them drive around and pick up cans of food. The drive runs from February 15 to March 31, 2009.

If you would like to participate in the Tranquility Time “Hand to Mouth” food drive, I will give you one free minute of massage for every dollar you donate to the food bank, up to 30 minutes. To donate, just click the button below.

Or click here to donate.

My wife, Ann, did volunteer work for the NTFB for many years, so we know firsthand that this is an efficient, vital, effective organization. Therefore, I have no reservations at all about making this offer.

For more information about the food drive, click here.

For more information about the North Texas Food Bank, click here.

Bummer

2009-02-08T14:26:00.004-06:00

It's been a bummer of a week.

First I found out that one of my oldest and dearest clients has an aggressive form of lymphoma, or cancer of the lymphatic system. I say "oldest" not because she's old, but because she's been with me almost since I started my practice. I say "dearest" because she's such a sweetie, and anyone who knows her can verify that.

Then I found out that one of my clients passed away on Tuesday. The obituary didn't say how she died, and I didn't want to pry. She was a cancer survivor, so I assume it must have come roaring back since I last saw her in the fall. She was also a sweetie, and though she was only with me a short time, she brightened my office with each visit.

They say tragic events occur in threes, so the rest of y'all please be careful. Get your checkups and your appropriate cancer screenings.

Prostitutes and Massage Parlours

2009-01-05T15:13:00.005-06:00

I don't have anything against hookers who pose as legitimate massage therapists to avoid the law. As long as the demand for sexual services exists, there will always be someone to supply the service. Judging by the number of calls I get asking for sexual favors, there is a high demand for such services. (It must be a really high demand, since I'm a chubby, hairy, middle aged man!)

You have to have a little compassion. My impression is that hookers are just trying to earn a living without the skills or opportunities to do anything else. I doubt if they ever planned to go into prostitution. I've never heard any kid say, "I want to be a hooker when I grow up!" They don't teach voc-ed whoring courses in high school. It's just not a highly respected profession (and the retirement plan is abysmal.)

Massage is a very old profession, but it's not the oldest profession. Even so, there are some similarities between the two. Hookers and massage therapists both:

Get to meet lots of interesting people,

Work with naked or nearly-naked people,

Get decent tips sometimes, and

Are carbon-based life forms.

(I'm sure there must be more similarities, but that's all that come to mind right now.

I can see why pretending to be a massage therapist would haves advantages over walking the streets. Sure, streetwalkers get lots of fresh air and exercise, but it's a dangerous occupation. It's much safer and easier to set up a "massage parlour" and ply one's trade undercover (so to speak). Unfortunately, while trying to fool the police, they also confuse massage consumers, especially when the ads for "sensuous massage" leak over onto the "therapeutic massage" column.

Here is how you can tell the difference between me and a hooker:

Hookers are prettier than me. (I should hope.)
Hookers cost more than me.
Hookers don't have massage licenses.
Hookers don't know when massage might put a client in medical danger.
Hookers don't need to know anatomy and physiology.
Hookers are not required to continue their education. Or get one.
Hookers give body rubs. I perform therapeutic massage, meaning that I can help your sore back.
Hookers sometimes lie down on the job, and massage therapists always remain standing.
Hookers will touch your naughty bits. I will not.

Hookers are not my competition. We are not going after the same client base. But it would be less confusing to everyone if they didn't have to pretend.

New Year, New Stuff

2008-12-31T13:06:00.005-06:00

NEW MASSAGE TABLE

I'm starting out the new year with a new massage table! OK, so it's not quite new. It's used, and I bought it for 150 bucks. But hey, this is a solid wood stationary massage table that is solid enough to last the rest of my life, if not my kids' lives too. It's two inches wider than the old one, which is good because some of my clients are a few inches wider than the old table too.

Being used, it needed some repairs. The central cross-brace had come lose, and since I had to reattach it, I decided to add two additional cross-braces for additional strength. I tightened up the joints and squirted glue into the cracks. To make a long story short, I wound up working on it and cleaning up the sawdust until 2:00 am so that it would be ready for clients the next day.

Aaand it works like a dream! It's very solid, so that one never has the feeling that it might tip over on those hip range-of-motion stretches. I was afraid the extra width would hurt my back because I have to bend over farther, but it gives me something to lean on, and that actually makes my job easier.

So now I have three massage tables and only two hands. A stationary table for the office, a nice one for house calls, and an old junky one for outdoor use at sporting events and festivals.

MASSAGE THERAPIST INSTRUCTOR

In January I'm taking an Adult Education course as a requirement for a Massage Therapist Instructor license (MTI). I've presented classes throughout my technical career as an IT Consultant, so this seems like the next logical step. Teaching the odd course here and there will be a pleasant addition to my massage practice.

COUPLES MASSAGE CLASS

Massaging your partner can be a warm, sensuous, romantic way to foster intimacy through loving touch. I will offer a basic Couples Massage class on Valentine’s day, Saturday, February 14, from 1pm to 5pm. This will be a fun, unique, afternoon with your mate, learning how to give each other a safe, relaxing massage. Is there a better way to spend Valentine’s Day than spending the afternoon touching your mate? And we’ll be done in plenty of time to for your dinner reservations.

Tuition is $200/Couple, and space is limited to three couples. If there is enough interest we will do a second class on Sunday February 15.

Sheets, tables, and oil will be provided. There will be light refreshments. I will try to make sure each couple has their own massage room so that modesty will not be an issue, but just in case we have to put two tables in one room, it would be best to bring swim suits or underwear that you don’t mind getting a little oil on. The doors to those massage rooms will be open, and I’ll be offering guidance to each couple in turn while you are practicing, so you will need to use a drape for the class.

Obvious things I have to say anyway: This will not be a class for credit, and it will not qualify you to be a massage therapist. Sorry, but we will not be discussing sexual techniques; if you can’t figure those out on your own, I’ll tell you where to buy the videos. Sexual activity will not be tolerated; wait 'til you get home. Enrollment is GLBT Friendly. Chocolate will be provided. :)

Skin

2008-11-21T13:28:00.004-06:00

Massage therapists see things your best friends don't.

That's why I always look keep an eye out for skin cancers, rashes, and such that my clients may not even be aware they have.

I've had basal cell carcinoma, a skin cancer that isn't really very dangerous at all, so I see my dermatologist annually for a check-up. Yesterday, while doing the "mole patrol," my dermatologist found what may be another one... in a place I can't see.

She gave me a shot of novocaine and shaved it off for a biopsy. It only took a few minutes, and it wasn't painful at all. If it is a skin cancer, I'll have to go back and let her whittle on me some more.

Signs and Symptoms (From Wikipedia):
There are a variety of different skin cancer symptoms. These include changes in the skin that do not heal, ulcers in the skin, discoloration, and changes in existing moles.

Basal cell carcinoma usually looks like a raised, smooth, pearly bump on the sun-exposed skin of the head, neck or shoulders. Sometimes small blood vessels can be seen within the tumor. Crusting and bleeding in the center of the tumor frequently develops. It is often mistaken for a sore that does not heal.

Squamous cell carcinoma is commonly a red, scaling, thickened patch on sun-exposed skin. Ulceration and bleeding may occur. When SCC is not treated, it may develop into a large mass.

Most melanomas are brown to black looking lesions. Signs that might indicate a malignant melanoma include change in size, shape, color or elevation of a mole. The appearance of a new mole during adulthood, or new pain, itching, ulceration or bleeding.

Melanomas are the really dangerous ones, accounting for about 75% of all skin cancer deaths.

As I often point out, I'm not a doctor, and I can't diagnose, but I can send you to your doctor when I see something suspicious. If you don't have a doctor, I'd be happy to recommend one.

Massage and Fibromyalgia

2008-11-19T09:46:00.003-06:00

Fibromyalgia (FM, or Fibromyalgia Syndrome, FMS) is characterized by chronic widespread pain and a heightened and painful response to gentle touch. The typical fibromyalgia patient is female, 40ish, insomniac, and under daily stress.

The FMS symptoms that seem to respond well to massage therapy are:

Pain,

Stiffness,

Fatigue,

Depression, and

Sleep disturbances.

Tender Points vs. Trigger Points

A doctor would consider a diagnosis of fibromyalgia if you had a history of widespread body pain as well as at least 11 of the 18 mapped "tender points" (at right). These points cause pain when gently pressed. Although there is much controversy about the root cause of this pain, I think of it as a short circuit of the nervous system's pain receptors. It just hurts for no apparent reason.
On the other hand, trigger points are irritated knots of muscle fibers that may feel tender. Trigger point therapy involves pressing firmly on those knots, forcing blood out of the tissue, and forcing the muscle tissues to realign by stretching.

I don't recommend treating a tender point this way. It will just hurt. (A lot!)

However, the pain associated with tender points often causes trigger points to form in the same area, which make the pain even worse. If your massage therapist doesn't know you have fibromyalgia and tries to treat your trigger points... well, it can be unpleasant.

My Approach

There is a wide range in the amount of pressure that clients with FM can tolerate, so if you have FM, it is important to communicate with me during the massage. Most fibromyalgia clients know what works best for them and are not shy about filling me in.

If you are having a flare-up, I usually suggest a slow, gentle, relaxing Esalen massage, with lots of stretching and range of motion (ROM) exercises, rather than a vigorous deep massage. We'll probably avoid trigger point massage altogether and keep the touch light and calming. We should not plan more than an hour session. You may wish to be positioned on your side, since many FM sufferers are uncomfortable face-down.

Later, when your pain has abated, we might try a longer session and some deeper work, but no more than you can easily tolerate.

Diagnosis

I'm just a massage therapist, so I can't make a diagnosis. There are other conditions that can mimic FM, and your doctor will know how to tell the difference. If I suspect that you have fibromyalgia and you are not aware of it (and it will probably take us a half hour of unexpected ouches to figure it out), then I will recommend that you see your doctor.

Since massage therapy is good for pain management, I see a lot of clients with fibromyalgia. If you have FM or think you may have FM, please discuss it with me when you make your appointment. You are welcome to call me at 214-395-8000 with questions at any time.

For more information about fibromyalgia, see the Tranquility Times article from January, 2008.

...aaand you DID get out and vote!

2008-11-06T14:01:00.004-06:00

Right or left, GOP or Dem, you have to admit that the American dream is alive and well. If a man saddled with an absent father from Kenya and a name like Barack Hussein Obama can be elected president, then America is truly the land of opportunity.

Here in Richardson, a very upscale multi-ethnic community, this is a good thing to confirm. My neighbors and clients represent people from every faith and every continent except Antarctica. I immensely enjoy this diversity, especially when we go out to dinner. Within two miles of my house there are Persian, Japanese, Korean, Szechaun, Taiwanese, Thai, Cambodian, Mandarin, Brazilian, Salvadoran, Russian, Lebanese, North and South Indian, and Italian restaurants, not to mention the ubiquitous Mexican restaurants, ranging in style from Tex-mex to Mexico City to Santa Fe to Yucatan. In fact, I just noticed a new Swahili restaurant that we haven't tried!

So God Bless America and its melting pot, which, at least in Richardson, smells pretty tasty!

To start off the holiday season, here's a silly animation from Jib-Jab. I hope it gives you a smile.

Time to Get Out There and VOTE!

2008-11-03T13:41:00.001-06:00

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

Togas for Halloween Costumes

2008-10-27T01:42:00.004-05:00

I went to a very conservative massage school. They were so terrified that one of us might flash the room while climbing up on the table that they spent three weeks teaching us to tie a "toga" made from a twin-sized bed sheet.

And not just on ourselves: we learned to tie/untie a toga on a person lying flat on a massage table. (Dressing someone who is lying on a table makes one feel somewhat like a mortician.)

Anyway, I made this You-Tube video on how to tie a toga several months ago. It's had nearly 50,000 hits so far, possibly because it's more silly than it needs to be. This is essential information if you've just been invited to an impromptu toga party.

Have fun!

American Diabetes Association: Step Out Walk to Fight Diabetes

2008-10-13T17:08:00.003-05:00

The American Diabetes Association 5k Step Out walk will be Saturday, Nov. 1, 2008, at the American Airlines Center in AT&T Plaza. Last last year over 10,000 people participated in this event. I will be there that day to do chair/sports massage, so I will not be taking appointments that day. If you are an LMT and would like to volunteer some time, please call me at 214-395-8000 and I'll hook you up with the right people. And if you'd like to walk, call 1-888-DIABETES for information.

Check in for the walk is at 9:00 am and the walk starts at 10:00am. There will be food, music, a kids' zone, and more after the walk. Make a day of it! This beautiful Dallas fall weather won't last forever!

From Diabetes.org:

Step Out: Walk to Fight Diabetes, formerly America's Walk for Diabetes, is about changing the face of diabetes in our country—by raising funds to help find a cure and by walking a few miles to bring a greater awareness to this devastating disease.

Step Out is a whirlwind day packed with energy, fun, support for others and a perfect amount of selfless dedication. Anyone can take part in Step Out—your participation isn't measured by your dexterity or the speed you walk, but by the level of your enthusiasm and your commitment to ending diabetes.

Gather your friends and family to walk and raise funds for Step Out: Walk to Fight Diabetes in your city. Together, we can crush this epidemic.

Register or Request More Information online, or by calling your local American Diabetes Association office at 1-888-DIABETES.

Back Early

2008-10-12T21:53:00.001-05:00

I came back from my vacation a day early with a henna tattoo (mehndi) on the palm of my left hand. I do wonder what my clients will think of that.

Richardson is multi-cultural, and I have a lot of clients from India. I suspect they may get a laugh out of it. Hopefully everyone else will too. In any case, the tattoo is temporary.

Snake Massage

2008-10-06T22:16:00.000-05:00

No trip to Israel is complete without a snake massage.

Seriously. This Time Magazine article (A Spa That Slithers, September 12, 2008) describes receiving a massage from the cool coils of slithering serpents.

Tim McGirk reports: "Once my panic subsides, I can focus on the snakes moving across my skin. They're cool, dry and smooth. It's not unpleasant, except when a tiny one stops to nibble on my eyelashes. Their presence stirs something deep and peaceful in me. I come away relaxed and curiously light-headed, though I don't feel the urge to buy myself a python to continue this therapy at home."

Ada Barak, the originator of this treatment and owner of Ada Barak's Carnivorous Plant farm says, "People either like it a lot or they hate it."

That almost goes without saying. Just the same, don't expect reptile massage in the Dallas area any time soon.

Click here for video.