Ask a Massage Expert! Answers To Your Top Questions

If you’re considering a massage, in Seattle or anywhere else in the country, you may have some questions about what to expect during your first visit. Of course, this is perfectly natural. After all, while you may have heard from friends what a massage is like, you’re about to experience it for yourself. And you may want to have a better understanding of how your session will go when you arrive.

Not to worry.  The massage experts at Dreamclinic are here to answer your questions. Our professionally trained staff is always happy to provide you with guidance when it comes to your health and massage, in Seattle or beyond. And today, we’re answering some of your top questions!

What should I wear when I get a massage?

You should dress as you normally do and in what is most comfortable for you. Our staff recommends dressing down, and for many patients, a pair of shorts works well, along with a t-shirt. Once you have had a massage, your relaxed body will appreciate a comfort-oriented approach to your wardrobe.

Are there any risks associated with getting a massage?

While massage therapy is known to be an extremely safe activity, patients should be aware of a few considerations before beginning. If you have concerns or known medical conditions, it’s best to talk with your doctor to make sure massage is medically safe for you.

Should I feel sore after my massage session?

Especially if you’re getting a deeper tissue massage, it’s normal to feel a little soreness the next day after your massage. In fact, that soreness is likely a result of the positive effect of your massage. Increase your fluids to assist your lymphatic system and decrease soreness.

Is a massage more about the experience or the medicine?

The answer is: both! Massage therapy is as much as a science as it is an art. In addition to being enjoyable and relaxing, massage therapy does  also offer numerous health benefits.

Can a massage help me with my active lifestyle?

Yes! For those of you who live an active life, massage can offer even more benefits. That’s because active people tend to pick up dings and stress to their muscles and need more regular maintenance. When you arrive for your  Dreamclinic massage, please feel free to bring up how massage can benefit you regarding the specific activities you engage in.

What licensures exist in the United States for massage?

In the United States, each state has its own regulation that pertain to massage therapy. For our massage team in Seattle, our  excellent team of professionals are licensed with over 750 hours of training.

Does my health insurance plan cover massage sessions?

In some cases, insurance plans may cover your massage therapy. This is especially true if your general doctor or specialist has referred you for massage therapy. However, every insurance plan is different. Best practice is to check your specific plan for benefits pertaining to massage. Also if you have been in a car accident, your auto insurance should cover massage.

Does Dreamclinic offer office-based sessions in Seattle?

Yes! We’re proud to offer workplace massage, onsite sessions for your office or corporate events.

Can I customize my massage session at Dreamclinic?

One of the most important aspects of getting a massage is discussion your goals for the session with your therapist before the massage begins. Before your first session, talk to one of our trained staff about what is right for you.

Ready to get your first massage at one of our Seattle area locations? Get in touch with us!

 

How Posture Affects Your Health

posture and massage therapy dreamclinic seattleA common phrase heard throughout childhood is, “Sit up straight!” This postural reminder makes regular appearances in the classroom, at the dinner table and is a ubiquitous presence through middle and high school. The continual postural encouragement is dispensed to encourage healthy growth and function of the body, as well as a projection of self-confidence from the individual.

What exactly is good posture?
Good posture supports the performance of one’s daily activities with a functional range of motion and a positive flow of circulation. The bones are arranged properly in reference to one another, and the muscles that support the skeleton move freely within a normal range of motion and receive proper levels of circulation to help them do their jobs.

The American Chiropractic Association says, human beings “do not consciously maintain normal posture. Instead, certain muscles do it for us, and we don’t even have to think about it. Several muscle groups, including the hamstrings and large back muscles, are critically important in maintaining good posture. While the ligaments help to hold the skeleton together, these postural muscles, when functioning properly, prevent the forces of gravity from pushing us over forward. Postural muscles also maintain our posture and balance during movement.”

What causes poor posture?
Poor posture can be a product of many variables – weak muscles, injury, stress, improper footwear, lengthy sitting  and a growing use of technology such as laptops and tablets. In all of these instances, muscles in one or more areas of the body become shortened and less flexible than the opposing muscles that work together to keep the body upright. The tightness creates asymmetry, and posture becomes imbalanced.

For example, extended hours spent sitting in a car or at a desk, hunched forward over a steering wheel/ keyboard, shortens the muscles in the front of the shoulders. When these muscles tighten, circulation is limited and range of motion is restricted. The forward rounding of shoulders and associated muscle imbalance can lead to spinal misalignment, fatigue or pain.

As the body aims to protect itself and avoid pain, the imbalanced posture perpetuates itself. The neck is pulled forward and down, straining muscles in the upper back and shoulders, causing tension and often headaches. The rib cage is tilted forward, compressing the abdominal area, prompting digestive imbalance. Pain may emerge in the neck, shoulders or back.

How can bad posture be corrected?

Massage. Therapeutic massage lengthens muscles that have been shortened, improving circulation, reducing pain and allowing the body to resume a normal range of motion. Stress and tension are relieved, and internal organs are better able to perform their essential functions.

Exercise. Regular exercise helps lengthen and strengthen muscles and improve range of motion. It increases circulation and oxygenation, improving cognitive function and eliminating waste products from the body.

Stretch. Daily stretching helps lengthen shortened muscles and keep the muscles and joints supple. As we age, connective tissues become less flexible, so the old adage proves true: if you don’t move it, you lose it.

Yoga. Yoga stretches and strengthens the body, working muscles that counterbalance one another. It builds core strength and balance, encouraging and maintaining the habits of good posture.

Correcting poor posture requires undoing the hardening, or fibrosis, of the muscles that have been habitually contracted, allowing them to relax and the bones to move back into place. Perhaps a simple concept, but not an easy task.  Swedish massage can help increase circulation and release chronically held areas. Deep tissue massage helps wake up the body and reverse some of the fibrosis in the tissue.  And other bodywork techniques can further precipitate postural adjustments.

Dreamclinic Massage Sponsors Team Group Health Competitive Cycling for the 13th Year in a Row

teamgrouphealthseattledreamclinicpartnershipDreamclinic is delighted to announce a landmark thirteen-year sponsorship with Group Health.  Every year Team Group Health strives to promote and develop the sport of competitive cycling among women in the Pacific Northwest. This sponsorship is part of Dreamclinic’s ongoing commitment to promote healthy and active living within our community.

Team Group Health is a great example of competitive spirit and an emphasis on women’s health. They’re passionate about investing time to educate and train their members, as well as the community at large about the sport of cycling.

Dreamclinic founder and CEO Larisa Goldin says:

““We’re delighted to continue our ongoing relationship with Team Group Health and are extremely proud of the team.  They have grown each year, have competed fiercely and have also been an active and positive influence in our community.  they exemplify the fact that people can be multi-dimensional and work and play hard in a healthy way.”

Dreamclinic sponsors Team Group Health to assist in the common goal to raise public awareness of the health benefits of an active lifestyle.  Did you know 1-in-3 Washington residents own a bicycle?  Cycling is already a way for many of us to have an active, healthy lifestyle.  A focus on cycling, with event sponsorship and promotion of cycle safety, is a natural part of Group Health’s long-standing commitment to the well-being of the community. Founded in 1947, Group Health Cooperative is a consumer-governed, non-profit health care system that coordinates care and coverage.

With approximately 70 members, Team Group Health is a veritable force whenever the rubber meets the road, the track and the dirt.

To learn more about Team Group Health visit: http://soundvelocycling.com.

Understanding Different Types of Massage

Deep tissue massage, Dreamclinic Massage Seattle and RedmondThere are various types of massage and understanding the differences will assist you in choosing the most effective technique to alleviate your discomfort.  In traditional massage, various levels of pressure and movement are applied to the body’s soft tissue — skin, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and fascia (the membrane which surrounds the muscles). Though there are many specialized massage techniques being used today, the most widely practiced is Swedish massage, built around five basic strokes – effleurage (gliding stroke), petrissage (kneading stroke), friction (steady pressure), tapotement (drumming), and vibration or jostling.

Some types of bodywork, such as Reiki or craniosacral therapy are much more subtle and work on an energetic level. They are an alternative to the more physical Swedish massage. But many other specialized techniques are easily incorporated into a Swedish massage. Dreamclinic practitioners are cross-trained in several techniques and will use them together with Swedish during a typical treatment session to tailor make a session that maximizes your massage experience.

To assist you in choosing the type of bodywork best suited for you, the most widely practiced massage modalities are described below. (There are even more modalities such as Hellerwork, Polarity or the Feldenkrais not described here). It is not necessary, although it may be helpful, for you to intimately understand the difference between all the massage modalities. What is most important is to be aware of your own goals in getting massage. You can then interview several practitioners, asking them what approach they would use to address your specific goals. If you have a condition such as whiplash or tendonitis, ask directly if the practitioner is skilled working on this condition and how they would go about it. This is the best way to ensure you will get the right type of bodywork for you.

Swedish massage – best known and most widely practiced approach to massage. It focuses on improving blood flow to the skin and muscle and removing muscle tension. Swedish provides generalized relaxation, improves circulation, lowers blood pressure, reduces stress and enhances one’s overall state of health.

Deep Tissue and Trigger Point Therapy – uses slow friction and deep finger pressure on body areas suffering from chronic muscle tension or areas that ache or feel contracted. This type of massage is useful for areas of hypertension, such as a stiff neck or sore shoulders. Deep tissue work works well in combination with traditional Swedish therapy.

Myofascial Release – All muscle is covered by a thin layer of tissue (called”fascia”) that helps maintain body posture and provides support and strength for the muscles. Fascia can tighten or become stuck in places, constricting muscle and not allowing it to fully relax. With Myofascial Release, the practitioner gently stretched fascia along the direction of the muscle until
the tissue releases and is fully elongated. The result of myofascial work is postural improvements and noticeable relaxation of cramped muscle groups.

Sports massage – Sports massage, geared toward athletes and fitness enthusiasts, is more vigorous than other forms of massage. Sports massage is used to warm up muscle tissue, assist in training, prevent injury, and aid healing in case of soreness or injury. It is used both before and after exercise, as well as in the treatment of sports injuries such as sprains, strains, or tendonitis.

Reiki – Reiki is a form of energy work. It uses a series of hands-on holding positions that correspond to vital organs and nerve plexes to assist the body’s own recuperative processes and restore mental calm. Reiki is excellent for those with anxiety or mood disorders. It is also gaining favor with cancer patients. Reiki works at the deepest levels of the body and is extremely relaxing.

Reflexology – Reflexology is based on the concept that all the organs of the body are mapped to our feet (and hands). Reflexology applies finger pressure, some stretching and movement to pressure points on the feet with the goal of promoting healthy functioning of the body’s various organs.

Shiatsu – This is a Japanese form of bodywork that is rooted in the same principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine as acupuncture. Both see the body as an interconnected web of energy pathways called meridians. Blockages to flow of energy results in imbalances: some areas have an excess of energy and others a deficiency. These blockages lead to tension, pain, and diminished health. The Shiatsu practitioner uses a combination of pressure, stretching, and holding key points to treat these blockages and restore a smooth flow of energy and balance in the body.

Lymphatic Massage – A very light, gentle, repetitive stroke is used to stimulate the activity of the lymphatic system where there is edema. Lymphatic massage is used to reduce swelling resulting from injury or post-surgery.

Heated Stone Massage – For these treatments, the therapist uses heated basalt mineral stones and/or semi-precious stones that represent the chakras. Muscle tension is released as the smooth stones move over the muscle. Heated Stone Massage is also thought to align subtle energies within the body for greater attunement and harmony.

Craniosacral Therapy (CST) – Craniosacral therapy monitors the rhythm fluid that is continuously draining and refilling around our brain and spinal cord. By monitoring the craniosacral rhythm, the therapist discovers where healing is needed and corrects the sources of pain using extremely subtle manipulative techniques. CST is an extremely gentle hands-on technique that causes deep relaxation for the client.

Rolfing – Rolfing is a system of body restructuring and movement education. It works with the deep myofascial structures of the body in order to release fascial adhesions and allowing the muscles and bones to return to balanced relationships. The focus is on alignment throughout they body – legs, torso, arms, etc… You may want to research more into Rolfing if you have serious postural deviations.

Pregnancy – Pregnancy massage is designed to decrease tension and swelling and increase circulation for both pregnant women and those who have just given birth.

What type of massage is right for you?

what type of massage is right for you? massage therapy, massage as treatment, deep tissue massage by Dreamclinic Massage Seattle and Redmond

What Type of Massage is Right For You?

Sarah wanted to treat herself after a couple of long, hard weeks at work. She booked a massage at a spa and enjoyed everything from cucumber slices to incense to fluffy, warm towels. It was the ultimate afternoon of relaxation.

Her friend, Rebecca, had also been working hard and wanted to reward herself. She had been experiencing tight neck and shoulder muscles from working too long on the computer, so she booked a massage at a massage clinic. She enjoyed a customized massage from a highly skilled therapist. It was the ultimate afternoon of relief.

Sarah and Rebecca both had massages, but their experiences were very different. Sarah had a spa massage and Rebecca chose clinical massage therapy. These two forms of massage get thrown around a lot and can cause confusion. While they are often used interchangeably, you can see that they are very different.

To help you choose the right kind of massage, we’re exploring the differences between clinical massage and spa therapy. The biggest differentiators fall into three buckets – focus, techniques, and training and credentials:

Focus

A spa practitioner’s focus during a massage revolves around relaxation and self-pampering. Techniques can include Swedish massage, aromatherapy, and hot stone. In spa massage, the environment is private with special emphasis on décor, lighting and music to set you at ease in addition to standard amenities like music and table warmers.

Clinical massage therapy may offer music and table warmers as well but does not focus solely on relaxation; rather its main focus is treating conditions and providing real health benefits. Clients visit massage therapists to alleviate chronic pain, headaches, or inflammation (or, like Rebecca, to alleviate tight muscles).

Techniques

Both spa therapists and clinical therapists can practice different types of massage, like Swedish, hot stone massage, or deep tissue massage. The biggest difference is why the therapists choose a technique.

In spa massage, the therapist is focused on ambiance and client relaxation. It’s about you feeling pampered and relaxed and leaving all your troubles behind for an hour or two.

On the other hand, clinical massage therapists have a great understanding of connective tissue and muscles, so they can provide specialized, treatment-oriented services. You explain a health concerns, like chronic pain or migraines, and the massage therapist will choose a technique that can best solve the issue. Client satisfaction is often assessed after multiple visits, to evaluate whether the health concern has been solved or has improved.

Training and Credentials

Basic massage education usually requires between 500 to 750 hours of learning and hands-on experience, and allows new therapists to get a spa massage job to gain necessary experience and improve their skills.

A typical massage graduate requires a period of professional practice and experience in the community to become fully versed to practice in a clinical setting. They also need to have an advanced understanding of pathology and kinesiology. In many clinical massage settings, therapists are expected to have completed additional professional certification or training in continuing education hours.

The bottom line: spa massage is about relaxation and pampering, while clinical massage improves quality of life by lowering treating muscle aches, and restoring flexibility.  Both types effectively treat stress.

So, did Sarah make a huge mistake by going to a spa massage? Not necessarily. You have to decide what you want from a massage. If you like the fluffy towels and cucumber slices, then a spa massage is probably right for you. But, if you want to see long-term health benefits and feel better physically, then a clinical massage is the perfect addition to your healthy lifestyle.

See what we’re talking about for yourself! Book a massage at Dreamclinic today.

 

Picture: http://www.swedish.org/getmedia/edfaa9f4-7d41-4512-a378-f086fe54ebc8/integ_massage_380.aspx

 

More construction photos from Dreamclinic Massage Overlake

The Grand Opening event is just 3 weeks away, on June 15th and things are looking good.  Below are some glimpses of our signature colors going up on the walls in the new Dreamclinic location in Redmond, WA.

lobby_painted

The main guest lobby is a lovely sunlit space with splashes of blues and greens to soothe visitors.

reception painted

Here is the reception area, still in progress.  Plants will go atop the reception.

HallwayPainted

Here is the spring-fresh hallway showing a play of lovely soothing lavender color inside one of the massage rooms.

Edmonds Tennis Champion Credits Massage with Boosting Her Performance

In early April, the USTA Women’s 55 & Over tennis team from Edmonds won the National Championships held in Arizona. Melanie Korch, a member of the team and a regular client of Dreamclinic, credits massage with boosting her performance on the court.

“Since 2008, massage at Dreamclinic has been an important part of my fitness routine,” shared Melanie. “Before or after my matches, I schedule massage therapy to relieve sore and tense muscles. Massage also helps me stay flexible and improves my range of motion.”

Congratulations to Melanie and the entire USTA Edmonds women’s team on their championship win!

Melanie USTA

Pictured L to R: Ellen Johnson, J R Thompson (Captain), Melanie Korch, Liz Smalley (Captain), Marylen Fitzgerald, Judy Ann Jennings, Nancy Burdyshaw.

Read the official USTA news release:
http://www.usta.com/Adult-Tennis/USTA-League/champions_crowned_at_adult_55_and_over_60_and_80_nationals/?CategoryId=13705

View Dreamclinic in Redmond Start of Construction

OverlakeFrontWindowsWe look forward to creating a lovely and uplifting space for the benefit of team and patrons and will share the photos once the space is ready.  In the meanwhile, please enjoy some looks of the clinic pre-remodel and during construction.

 

 

 

 

This photo shows the view of our Overlake building from Bel-Red road with our new windows signage in place.  Wave when you drive by!

Overlake_hallway_before

Here is a pre-construction view of the main hallway with treatment rooms to the right.  There are 8 rooms that wiil be used for massage and acupuncture.

Overlake Classsroom Before photo

This is a view of the large space that will be split into guest lobby and classroom. The room features tons of natural light and tall vaulted ceiling.

LobbyBefore
The main lobby, pre-remodel, gives a hint of the beauty of the main entrance with an arched doorway.

OverlakeBreakroomBefore

Construction is in full swing starting April 8th.  Here is a glimpse of the Breakroom area, in the back, with flooring specialists preparing the sub-floor.

TranquilityBefore

To the left is what shall be transformed into two Tranquility Rooms.  Say good bye to the fluorescent light fixture.

Massage Improves Seniors Health

Nurturing touch has been correlated with positive social and physical development in infants. As one ages, touch continues to play an integral role in human social interactions. Throughout a lifetime, healthy touch remains important to help a person to grow and thrive. In fact, senior citizens – just like babies – still need touch in order to stay healthy and maintain a positive quality of life.

Many seniors can experience isolation and depression due to retirement, widowhood or disability. Massage offers them an emotional lifeline – a connection to and compassion from another human being. On a physical level, massage gives seniors a path to pain reduction, improved circulation and increased mobility.

senior

Caring touch is an accessible, therapeutic remedy for staving off age-related illness. In fact, recent evidence points to improved health outcomes for seniors receiving body-based therapies such as massage1 in conjunction with a conventional medical treatment plan.

The National Center for Health Statistics predicts that the population of seniors in the U.S. will double by 2030.2 Hence, the need to prevent and manage age-related disease and disability will be greater than ever. Massage has the potential to lessen the health burden on seniors personally, and on our healthcare system as a whole. Seniors who receive massage on a regular basis experience improved overall health, greater mobility and independence, and a reclaimed quality of life.

As our population ages, seniors Health, and the need for compassionate interaction between human beings grows more important than ever. Indeed, as infants need touch in order to survive, the same can be said for the elderly. And on the receiving end, seniors can be reassured of massage’s capacity to improve their well-being, help maintain independence and provide them with a better quality of life for many years to come.

This is an original article from Dreamclinic, Inc. Dreamclinic is a Health and Wellness company committed to sharing information about commonly experienced health conditions and how they may be impacted through the use of bodywork and other natural approaches. Dreamclinic offers massage, acupuncture, and Reiki sessions at its Greenlake and Queen Anne clinics, as well as onsite massage at workplaces around Puget Sound. Contact us to learn more about how Dreamclinic can help you, your family or your workplace experience greater health.

References:
1. http://nccam.nih.gov/research/results/spotlight/070810.htm
2. http://www.amtamassage.org/articles/4/eTouch/detail/2356

Image: http://massage1sttherapy.ca

Other Resources:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2865952/
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/04/140402105744.htm

Athletes Discover Acupuncture Treats Injuries and Boosts Performance

Athletes of many stripes are turning to acupuncture for an effective method of injury treatment and prevention. Professional football players from the ranks of the New York Jets, Minnesota Vikings, San Diego Chargers and more have embraced acupuncture to manage pain, speed injury recovery, and achieve peak physical performance in their sport. A review of research studies on the use of acupuncture in sports confirms its efficacy at increasing muscle strength and power in athletes.1

Sports acupuncture is used for injury treatment, prevention and (in combination with Chinese herbs) to improve athletic performance.2 Acupuncture taps into the body’s natural ability to heal itself. It can work in conjunction with Western medical treatment, and in cases where rest is prescribed for an injury, acupuncture reduces pain and accelerates the healing process without side effects.

sports acup Tony+Richardson+1

New York Jets fullback Tony Richardson receives acupuncture regularly between practices and before games.

Matt Callison, a licensed acupuncturist and instructor at Pacific College of Oriental Medicine in San Diego, has been using sports acupuncture to treat athletes for 11 years and counting. Callison says, “traditional Chinese medicine [including acupuncture, herbs and exercises] has been an extremely helpful and growing trend in athletics for quite a while. Steve Young and Jerry Rice [of the San Francisco 49ers] have been treated with sports acupuncture, and Canadian speed skater Kevin Overland received sports acupuncture to help him earn a bronze medal in the 1998 Olympics.”3

Baltimore Ravens safety Will Demps credits acupuncture with boosting his performance on the field. “In my extensive off-season workouts, I have noticed a difference in my balance and agility since receiving [acupuncture] treatments…I feel my muscles have been ‘turned on’ and are firing on all cylinders.”3

In Major League Baseball, the Seattle Mariners were the first team  to utilize acupuncture, primarily due to the influence of Japanese players such as Ichiro Suzuki and Kazuhiro Sasaki. Players opt for acupuncture to help their muscles rebound more quickly after intense training, or to support rehabilitation and speed recovery from injuries.4

Proprioception, the body’s sense of where it is in space, is a process of the muscles communicating with the nervous system. Injury interferes with the body’s proprioceptive signals and creates imbalance. Acupuncture serves to relieve stress on the musculoskeletal system5 and “is one of the quickest ways to restore muscle balance,” says Callison. “When acupuncture is used at specific sites, the muscle spindles are reset, and then that balance is reawakened.”

The practice of acupuncture views pain as an imbalance or interruption of one’s qi (life force energy). The insertion of acupuncture needles triggers the release of pain- and inflammation-fighting chemicals in the body, and restores the cyclical flow of qi, allowing the body to function at more optimal levels. A qualified acupuncturist will first conduct a thorough intake and evaluation of symptoms, then create a targeted course of treatment for maximum results.

This is an original article from Dreamclinic, Inc. Dreamclinic is a Health and Wellness company committed to sharing information about commonly experienced health conditions and how they may be impacted through the use of bodywork and other natural approaches. Dreamclinic offers massage, acupuncture, and Reiki sessions at its Greenlake and Queen Anne clinics, as well as onsite massage at workplaces around Puget Sound. Contact us to learn more about how Dreamclinic can help you, your family or your workplace experience greater health.

References:
1. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20386479
2. https://www.acufinder.com/Acupuncture+Information/Detail/Acupuncture+for+Sports+Performance+Enhancement
3. https://www.pacificcollege.edu/acupuncture-massage-news/articles/593-.html
4. http://www.bastyr.edu/news/general-news-home-page/2013/05/acupuncture-students-intern-mariners-spring-training
5. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/book/9781437709278

Other resources:
1. http://www.reporterherald.com/ci_23252454/burning-run-bolder-boulder
2. http://www.bastyr.edu/news/general-news-home-page/2012/12/students-offer-sports-medicine-seattle-marathon
Image: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/30/sports/football/30acupuncture.html?_r=0