On the EDGE Therapeutic Professional Sports Bodywork Deep Tissue Sports Injury Massage Therapy, Swedish Healing Massage Therapist: In or Outcall Mobile Massage Santa Barbara, Ventura, Montecito, Carpinteria, Summerland, Goleta, San Ynez Valley, Buelton and the Tri Counties., Ca. NIcola, LMT, Licenced Massage Therapist
7 Chacras of Riktr Pro Massage - 7 chacras-of-Riktr-Massage. Riktr Pro Deep Tissue / Professional Swedish Massage, Santa Barbara Massage: Nicola Bandak, CMP. Licensed Massage Therapist On the EDGE Therapeutic DEEP TISSUE, Swedish Healing Massage in Santa Barbara, Ca.
Reviews of Riktr Deep Tissue Massage at yelp - I offer both DEEP TISSUE & SOOTHING MASSAGES. I have STRONG Hands and great technique. I have a wide range of Female and Male clients from athletes, artists, business people, retirees, construction workers, house wives and tourists.
Reviews of Riktr Deep Tissue Massage REVIEWS at Insiderpages - Products & Services: I offer both DEEP TISSUE & SOOTHING MASSAGES. I have STRONG Hands and great technique. I have a wide range of Female and Male clients from athletes, artists, business people, retirees, construction workers, house wives and to
Sarcomere – What is it? - Professional Swedish / Deep Tissue Massage, Santa Barbara Massage: Nicola Bandak, CMP. Licensed Massage Therapist- 805-637-7482
Why get Massage for STRESS - Professional Stress Relief Massage, Swedish Massage, Santa Barbara Massage: Nicola Bandak, CMP. Licensed Massage Therapist- 805-637-7482
“To become more conscious is the greatest gift anyone can give to the world; moreover, in a ripple effect, the gift comes back to its source.”— Dr. David Hawkins.
Intro. On-Line Only In-Call Special 1 1/4 hr $70.00…that’s full 75 minutes (1st time client’s only) Mon – Fri if available plus offering a Sliding Scale and Senior and Veteran In-Call discounts with id. Policies
Please call for an Appointment: 805-637-7482 Please no texts
Nicola is a practicing licensed and insured professional LMT ( Licensed Massage Therapist) ( State Certification # 7239 ) and fine artist based in Goleta and Santa Barbara, CA. Nicola has a wide range of female and male clients from athletes, artists, landscapers, UCSB, SBCC, Brooks students and faculty, business people, educators, construction workers, elderly clients, house wives and tourists. He is very flexible in scheduling appointments either at his studio. He can also make professional appointments at Holistic Centers in Santa Barbara, Buellton, Key2Fitness or can make home or out call or mobile massage visits in the Tri – Counties area. He also works with other local area professional massage therapists and can offer couples massages and can schedule male and female therapists to come to your home for a amazing couple’s massage. Maybe you own a business with a large group of people or have a large party of people. Nicola can organize as many therapists as you need to accommodate your specific needs.
A mandala containing symbols from 16 of our world`s many spiritual traditions, designed for honoring all paths to truth. Includes the Jewish Star of David, Buddhist Prayer Wheel, Native American Medicine Wheel, Christian Cross, Hindu Om, Great Goddess, Taoist Ying Yang, Islamic Moon and Star, Winged Sufi Heart, Sikh Symbol, Baha`i Star, African Goddess, Zoroastrian Flame, Confucian Circle and Dot, Wiccan Pentacle and Egyptian Ankh.
Therapeutic Healing Bodywork by NiCoLa!
A licensed Professional LMT State Certification # 7239. Specializing in Sports Injury & Deep Tissue Massage in Goleta and Santa Barbara, CA. Riktr Pro Deep Tissue Swedish Massage, Nicola, LMT, 805-637-7482
Warning- Good Bodywork can become Addicting!
If you appreciate high quality bodywork or just want to RELAX and go to “LA LA LAND” call Nicola. Are you a serious athlete and need EXTREME bodywork or “FIX IT” work, weekend warrior with injuries or just want to keep that body tuned up? Then you have finally found your Santa Barbara Licensed and Insured Massage Therapist.
Nicola (aka – Nick, Chris or Banduechy…so named by his handball buddies) is a California State Licensed and Insured LMT (Licensed Massage Therapist) Professional Body Worker, by APPOINTMENT ONLY, Last Minute Appointments are OK if available!
My style of Deep Tissue Massage releases the body’s natural painkillers whereby it stimulates the release of endorphins, the morphine-like substances that the body manufactures into the brain and nervous system. Once that happens (your now in a parasympathetic state (“rest and digest”) I then go to work on your sore or injured areas to break up the damaged fibrous adhesion’s which are spread randomly though out a muscle’s tissue thus increasing blood flow, oxygen, strength, flexibility and tissue re-building. I use a variety of modalities to accomplish this: Swedish: This is your basic massage modality which incorporates long gentle strokes to increase blood flow to and from the muscles. Myofascial Release: This technique involves slower and deeper pressure into the muscle tissue to assist in breaking up adhesions and scar tissue in the muscle. Neuromuscular Release, NMT, Neuromuscular Re-Education, Body Pattern Synchronization (Call it what you want… everybody gives it their own name but we are all trying to do the same thing): This technique is “point-specific” work which targets muscle adhesion’s, muscle spindles in the belly of the muscle, trigger points that restrict normal flow of the nervous system to the muscles. Once the adhesion’s are broken up the client usually experiences an increase in range of motion, strength, and speed.ActiveRange of Motion:This technique is a stretching modality which takes the client through his or her normal range of motion to assist motor control and aids in the reduction of scar tissue and muscle adhesions. Active Isolated Stretching: This technique involves stretching which incorporates a process called reciprocal inhibition (RI) to stretch the muscle as well as increase kinesthetic awareness of the body.
The key to “My STYLE” is an aggressive approach combined with sustained pressure ( increasing Ischemic blood supply) over time and a spiritual component.
Derived from “Off the Richter Scale” meaning that something is excellent, very good, over the top, on the edge, awesome, fantastic or amazing.
Nice Quotes:
The strongest of all warriors are these two: Time and Patience.– Leo Tolstoi Patience, persistence and perspiration make an unbeatable combination for success.- Napolean Hill If only we arrange our life according to that principle which counsels us that we must always hold to the difficult, then that which now still seems to us the most alien will become what we most trust and find most faithful. – Rilke (Rilke on love an other difficulties-translations and considerations of Rainer Maria Rilke by John J. L. Mood) I tell you that I have a long way to go before I am –where one begins… – Rilke Resolve to be always beginning—to be a beginner. -Rilke ” The harder you work, the luckier you get.” – Gary Player, golfer “Nothing happens until something moves.” Albert Einstein As Dr. Rolf said, “Put the tissue where it should be and then ask for movement.” Our sorrows and wounds are healed only when we touch them with compassion. – Buddha Once you label me you negate me. -Søren Kierkegaard I must find a truth that is true for me. –Søren KierkegaardClick here for: other nice quotes
FYI: Where does Riktr’s healing energy come from: These pictures say it all.
God’s Universal Energy or Chi, Ki, Ka, Xi, Netter, Ihund, Life Force, Prana, Holy Spirit, Ruhuh, Biomagnetic Energy or Innate Intelligence starts here. Click these links for more on Universal Energy.
M—Message of caring A—Aesthetics for the body S—Sacred touch S—Soothing of tension A—Anthology for the body G—General healing E—Energy balanced Massage Is a … Healing time for regeneration. Special time for individuation. Quiet time for imagination. Restful time for gratification. Sacred time for reflection. Sensational time with an exclamation!
by Joan Donato
*Disclaimer: This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider. Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition. The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended as diagnosis, treatment, or prescription of any kind. The decision to use, or not to use, any information is the sole responsibility of the reader.
“To become more conscious is the greatest gift anyone can give to the world; moreover, in a ripple effect, the gift comes back to its source.”— Dr. David Hawkins …my teacher.
Intro. On-Line Only In-Call Special 1 1/4 hr $70.00…that’s full 75 minutes (1st time client’s only) Mon – Fri if available plus offering a Sliding Scale and Senior and Veteran In-Call discounts with id. Policies
Please call for an Appointment: 805-637-7482 Please no texts
Nicola is a practicing licensed and insured professional LMT ( Licensed Massage Therapist) ( State Certification # 7239 ) and fine artist based in Goleta and Santa Barbara, CA. Nicola has a wide range of female and male clients from athletes, artists, landscapers, UCSB, SBCC, Brooks students and faculty, business people, educators, construction workers, elderly clients, house wives and tourists. He is very flexible in scheduling appointments either at his studio which is located in the Goleta, Ca area now. He can also make professional appointments at Holistic Centers in Santa Barbara, Buellton, Key2Fitness or can make home or out call or mobile massage visits in the Tri – Counties area. He also works with other local area professional massage therapists and can offer couples massages and can schedule male and female therapists to come to your home for a amazing couple’s massage. Maybe you own a business with a large group of people or have a large party of people. Nicola can organize as many therapists as you need to accommodate your specific needs.
A licensed Professional LMT State Certification # 7239. Specializing in Sports Injury & Deep Tissue Massage in Goleta and Santa Barbara, CA. Riktr Pro Deep Tissue Swedish Massage, Nicola, LMT, 805-637-7482
Disclaimer: This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider.
Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition.
The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended as diagnosis, treatment, or prescription of any kind. The decision to use, or not to use, any information is the sole responsibility of the reader.
ou need to accommodate your specific needs.
“To become more conscious is the greatest gift anyone can give to the world; moreover, in a ripple effect, the gift comes back to its source.”— Dr. David Hawkins …my teacher.
Intro. On-Line Only In-Call Special 1 1/4 hr $70.00…that’s full 75 minutes (1st time client’s only) Mon – Fri if available plus offering a Sliding Scale and Senior and Veteran In-Call discounts with id. Policies
Some clients just like long massages. Nicola offers 1 Hr, 1 1/2 Hr, 2 Hr, 2 1/2 Hr, 3 Hr, 3 1/2 Hr, or 4 Hour Long Massage Therapy Sessions, Santa Barbara, Goleta, Long Massages Sessions, Sports Body Flush,Therapeutic Pain Relief Therapy, Santa Barbara, Goleta Ca. Massage Therapist, Trigger Point, Riktr Pro Deep Tissue Swedish Massage, Nicola, LMT.
Please call for an Appointment: 805-637-7482 Please no texts
Nicola is a practicing licensed and insured professional LMT ( Licensed Massage Therapist) ( State Certification # 7239 ) and fine artist based in Goleta and Santa Barbara, CA. Nicola has a wide range of female and male clients from athletes, artists, landscapers, UCSB, SBCC, Brooks students and faculty, business people, educators, construction workers, elderly clients, house wives and tourists. He is very flexible in scheduling appointments either at his studio which is located in the Goleta, Ca area now. He can also make professional appointments at Holistic Centers in Santa Barbara, Buellton, Key2Fitness or can make home or out call or mobile massage visits in the Tri – Counties area. He also works with other local area professional massage therapists and can offer couples massages and can schedule male and female therapists to come to your home for a amazing couple’s massage. Maybe you own a business with a large group of people or have a large party of people. Nicola can organize as many therapists as you need to accommodate your specific needs.
A licensed Professional LMT State Certification # 7239. Specializing in Sports Injury & Deep Tissue Massage in Goleta and Santa Barbara, CA. Riktr Pro Deep Tissue Swedish Massage, Nicola, LMT, 805-637-7482
*Disclaimer: This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider.
Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition.
The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended as diagnosis, treatment, or prescription of any kind. The decision to use, or not to use, any information is the sole responsibility of the reader.
“To become more conscious is the greatest gift anyone can give to the world; moreover, in a ripple effect, the gift comes back to its source.”— Dr. David Hawkins …my teacher.
Intro. On-Line Only In-Call Special 1 1/4 hr $70.00…that’s full 75 minutes (1st time client’s only) Mon – Fri if available plus offering a Sliding Scale and Senior and Veteran In-Call discounts with id. Policies
Please call for an Appointment: 805-637-7482 Please no texts
Nicola is a practicing licensed and insured professional LMT ( Licensed Massage Therapist) ( State Certification # 7239 ) and fine artist based in Goleta and Santa Barbara, CA. Nicola has a wide range of female and male clients from athletes, artists, landscapers, UCSB, SBCC, Brooks students and faculty, business people, educators, construction workers, elderly clients, house wives and tourists. He is very flexible in scheduling appointments either at his studio which is located in the Goleta, Ca area now. He can also make professional appointments at Holistic Centers in Santa Barbara, Buellton, Key2Fitness or can make home or out call or mobile massage visits in the Tri – Counties area. He also works with other local area professional massage therapists and can offer couples massages and can schedule male and female therapists to come to your home for a amazing couple’s massage. Maybe you own a business with a large group of people or have a large party of people. Nicola can organize as many therapists as you need to accommodate your specific needs.
LA Times Articles About Health, Massage, Fitness and Diet
Is organic food worth the higher price? Many experts say no
*Disclaimer: This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider.
Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition.
The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended as diagnosis, treatment, or prescription of any kind. The decision to use, or not to use, any information is the sole responsibility of the reader.
“To become more conscious is the greatest gift anyone can give to the world; moreover, in a ripple effect, the gift comes back to its source.”— Dr. David Hawkins …my teacher.
Intro. On-Line Only In-Call Special 1 1/4 hr $70.00…that’s full 75 minutes (1st time client’s only) Mon – Fri if available plus offering a Sliding Scale and Senior and Veteran In-Call discounts with id. Policies
Please call for an Appointment: 805-637-7482 Please no texts
Nicola is a practicing licensed and insured professional LMT ( Licensed Massage Therapist) ( State Certification # 7239 ) and fine artist based in Goleta and Santa Barbara, CA. Nicola has a wide range of female and male clients from athletes, artists, landscapers, UCSB, SBCC, Brooks students and faculty, business people, educators, construction workers, elderly clients, house wives and tourists. He is very flexible in scheduling appointments either at his studio which is located in the Goleta, Ca area now. He can also make professional appointments at Holistic Centers in Santa Barbara, Buellton, Key2Fitness or can make home or out call or mobile massage visits in the Tri – Counties area. He also works with other local area professional massage therapists and can offer couples massages and can schedule male and female therapists to come to your home for a amazing couple’s massage. Maybe you own a business with a large group of people or have a large party of people. Nicola can organize as many therapists as you need to accommodate your specific needs.
What is rheumatoid arthritis ?
rheu·ma·toid ar·thri·tis
noun
noun: rheumatoid arthritis
a chronic progressive disease causing inflammation in the joints and resulting in painful deformity and immobility, especially in the fingers, wrists, feet, and ankles.
What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system – which normally protects its health by attacking foreign substances like bacteria and viruses – mistakenly attacks the joints. This creates inflammation that causes the tissue that lines the inside of joints (the synovium) to thicken, resulting in swelling and pain in and around the joints. The synovium makes a fluid that lubricates joints and helps them move smoothly.
If inflammation goes unchecked, it can damage cartilage, the elastic tissue that covers the ends of bones in a joint, as well as the bones themselves. Over time, there is loss of cartilage, and the joint spacing between bones can become smaller. Joints can become loose, unstable, painful and lose their mobility. Joint deformity also can occur. Joint damage cannot be reversed, and because it can occur early, doctors recommend early diagnosis and aggressive treatment to control RA.
Rheumatoid arthritis most commonly affects the joints of the hands, feet, wrists, elbows, knees and ankles. The joint effect is usually symmetrical. That means if one knee or hand if affected, usually the other one is, too. Because RA also can affect body systems, such as the cardiovascular or respiratory systems, it is called a systemic disease. Systemic means “entire body.”
Who’s Affected by Rheumatoid Arthritis?
About 1.5 million people in the United States have rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Nearly three times as many women have the disease as men. In women, RA most commonly begins between ages 30 and 60. In men, it often occurs later in life. Having a family member with RA increases the odds of having RA; however, the majority of people with RA have no family history of the disease.
*Disclaimer: This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider.
Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition.
The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended as diagnosis, treatment, or prescription of any kind. The decision to use, or not to use, any information is the sole responsibility of the reader.
“To become more conscious is the greatest gift anyone can give to the world; moreover, in a ripple effect, the gift comes back to its source.”— Dr. David Hawkins …my teacher.
Intro. On-Line Only In-Call Special 1 1/4 hr $70.00…that’s full 75 minutes (1st time client’s only) Mon – Fri if available plus offering a Sliding Scale and Senior and Veteran In-Call discounts with id. Policies
Please call for an Appointment: 805-637-7482 Please no texts
Nicola is a practicing licensed and insured professional LMT ( Licensed Massage Therapist) ( State Certification # 7239 ) and fine artist based in Goleta and Santa Barbara, CA. Nicola has a wide range of female and male clients from athletes, artists, landscapers, UCSB, SBCC, Brooks students and faculty, business people, educators, construction workers, elderly clients, house wives and tourists. He is very flexible in scheduling appointments either at his studio which is located in the Goleta, Ca area now. He can also make professional appointments at Holistic Centers in Santa Barbara, Buellton, Key2Fitness or can make home or out call or mobile massage visits in the Tri – Counties area. He also works with other local area professional massage therapists and can offer couples massages and can schedule male and female therapists to come to your home for a amazing couple’s massage. Maybe you own a business with a large group of people or have a large party of people. Nicola can organize as many therapists as you need to accommodate your specific needs.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a psychotherapy treatment that was originally designed to alleviate the distress associated with traumatic memories (Shapiro, 1989a, 1989b). Shapiro’s (2001) Adaptive Information Processing model posits that EMDR facilitates the accessing and processing of traumatic memories and other adverse life experience to bring these to an adaptive resolution. After successful treatment with EMDR, affective distress is relieved, negative beliefs are reformulated, and physiological arousal is reduced. During EMDR therapy the client attends to emotionally disturbing material in brief sequential doses while simultaneously focusing on an external stimulus. Therapist directed lateral eye movements are the most commonly used external stimulus but a variety of other stimuli including hand-tapping and audio stimulation are often used (Shapiro, 1991). Shapiro (1995, 2001) hypothesizes that EMDR facilitates the accessing of the traumatic memory network, so that information processing is enhanced, with new associations forged between the traumatic memory and more adaptive memories or information. These new associations are thought to result in complete information processing, new learning, elimination of emotional distress, and development of cognitive insights. EMDR therapy uses a three pronged protocol: (1) the past events that have laid the groundwork for dysfunction are processed, forging new associative links with adaptive information; (2) the current circumstances that elicit distress are targeted, and internal and external triggers are desensitized; (3) imaginal templates of future events are incorporated, to assist the client in acquiring the skills needed for adaptive functioning.
For Laypeople:
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a psychotherapy that enables people to heal from the symptoms and emotional distress that are the result of disturbing life experiences. Repeated studies show that by using EMDR people can experience the benefits of psychotherapy that once took years to make a difference. It is widely assumed that severe emotional pain requires a long time to heal. EMDR therapy shows that the mind can in fact heal from psychological trauma much as the body recovers from physical trauma. When you cut your hand, your body works to close the wound. If a foreign object or repeated injury irritates the wound, it festers and causes pain. Once the block is removed, healing resumes. EMDR therapy demonstrates that a similar sequence of events occurs with mental processes. The brain’s information processing system naturally moves toward mental health. If the system is blocked or imbalanced by the impact of a disturbing event, the emotional wound festers and can cause intense suffering. Once the block is removed, healing resumes. Using the detailed protocols and procedures learned in EMDR training sessions, clinicians help clients activate their natural healing processes.
Twenty positive controlled outcome studies have been done on EMDR. Some of the studies show that 84%-90% of single-trauma victims no longer have post-traumatic stress disorder after only three 90-minute sessions. Another study, funded by the HMO Kaiser Permanente, found that 100% of the single-trauma victims and 77% of multiple trauma victims no longer were diagnosed with PTSD after only six 50-minute sessions. In another study, 77% of combat veterans were free of PTSD in 12 sessions. There has been so much research on EMDR that it is now recognized as an effective form of treatment for trauma and other disturbing experiences by organizations such as the American Psychiatric Association, the World Health Organization and the Department of Defense. Given the worldwide recognition as an effective treatment of trauma, you can easily see how EMDR would be effective in treating the “everyday” memories that are the reason people have low self-esteem, feelings of powerlessness, and all the myriad problems that bring them in for therapy. Over 100,000 clinicians throughout the world use the therapy. Millions of people have been treated successfully over the past 25 years.
EMDR therapy is an eight-phase treatment. Eye movements (or other bilateral stimulation) are used during one part of the session. After the clinician has determined which memory to target first, he asks the client to hold different aspects of that event or thought in mind and to use his eyes to track the therapist’s hand as it moves back and forth across the client’s field of vision. As this happens, for reasons believed by a Harvard researcher to be connected with the biological mechanisms involved in Rapid Eye Movement (REM) sleep, internal associations arise and the clients begin to process the memory and disturbing feelings. In successful EMDR therapy, the meaning of painful events is transformed on an emotional level. For instance, a rape victim shifts from feeling horror and self-disgust to holding the firm belief that, “I survived it and I am strong.” Unlike talk therapy, the insights clients gain in EMDR result not so much from clinician interpretation, but from the client’s own accelerated intellectual and emotional processes. The net effect is that clients conclude EMDR therapy feeling empowered by the very experiences that once debased them. Their wounds have not just closed, they have transformed. As a natural outcome of the EMDR therapeutic process, the clients’ thoughts, feelings and behavior are all robust indicators of emotional health and resolution—all without speaking in detail or doing homework used in other therapies.
Treatment Description:
EMDR therapy combines different elements to maximize treatment effects. A full description of the theory, sequence of treatment, and research on protocols and active mechanisms can be found in F. Shapiro (2001) Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing: Basic principles, protocols and procedures (2nd edition) New York: Guilford Press.
EMDR involves attention to three time periods: the past, present, and future. Focus is given to past disturbing memories and related events. Also, it is given to current situations that cause distress, and to developing the skills and attitudes needed for positive future actions. With EMDR therapy, these items are addressed using an eight-phase treatment approach.
Phase 1: The first phase is a history-taking session(s). The therapist assesses the client’s readiness and develops a treatment plan. Client and therapist identify possible targets for EMDR processing. These include distressing memories and current situations that cause emotional distress. Other targets may include related incidents in the past. Emphasis is placed on the development of specific skills and behaviors that will be needed by the client in future situations.
Initial EMDR processing may be directed to childhood events rather than to adult onset stressors or the identified critical incident if the client had a problematic childhood. Clients generally gain insight on their situations, the emotional distress resolves and they start to change their behaviors. The length of treatment depends upon the number of traumas and the age of PTSD onset. Generally, those with single event adult onset trauma can be successfully treated in under 5 hours. Multiple trauma victims may require a longer treatment time.
Phase 2: During the second phase of treatment, the therapist ensures that the client has several different ways of handling emotional distress. The therapist may teach the client a variety of imagery and stress reduction techniques the client can use during and between sessions. A goal of EMDR is to produce rapid and effective change while the client maintains equilibrium during and between sessions.
Phases 3-6: In phases three to six, a target is identified and processed using EMDR procedures. These involve the client identifying three things:
1. The vivid visual image related to the memory
2. A negative belief about self
3. Related emotions and body sensations.
In addition, the client identifies a positive belief. The therapist helps the client rate the positive belief as well as the intensity of the negative emotions. After this, the client is instructed to focus on the image, negative thought, and body sensations while simultaneously engaging in EMDR processing using sets of bilateral stimulation. These sets may include eye movements, taps, or tones. The type and length of these sets is different for each client. At this point, the EMDR client is instructed to just notice whatever spontaneouly happens.
After each set of stimulation, the clinician instructs the client to let his/her mind go blank and to notice whatever thought, feeling, image, memory, or sensation comes to mind. Depending upon the client’s report, the clinician will choose the next focus of attention. These repeated sets with directed focused attention occur numerous times throughout the session. If the client becomes distressed or has difficulty in progressing, the therapist follows established procedures to help the client get back on track.
When the client reports no distress related to the targeted memory, (s)he is asked to think of the preferred positive belief that was identified at the beginning of the session. At this time, the client may adjust the positive belief if necessary, and then focus on it during the next set of distressing events.
Phase 7: In phase seven, closure, the therapist asks the client to keep a log during the week. The log should document any related material that may arise. It serves to remind the client of the self-calming activities that were mastered in phase two.
Phase 8: The next session begins with phase eight. Phase eight consists of examining the progress made thus far. The EMDR treatment processes all related historical events, current incidents that elicit distress, and future events that will require different responses.
*Disclaimer: This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider.
Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition.
The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended as diagnosis, treatment, or prescription of any kind. The decision to use, or not to use, any information is the sole responsibility of the reader.
“To become more conscious is the greatest gift anyone can give to the world; moreover, in a ripple effect, the gift comes back to its source.”— Dr. David Hawkins …my teacher.
Intro. On-Line Only In-Call Special 1 1/4 hr $70.00…that’s full 75 minutes (1st time client’s only) Mon – Fri if available plus offering a Sliding Scale and Senior and Veteran In-Call discounts with id. Policies
Please call for an Appointment: 805-637-7482 Please no texts
Nicola is a practicing licensed and insured professional LMT ( Licensed Massage Therapist) ( State Certification # 7239 ) and fine artist based in Goleta and Santa Barbara, CA. Nicola has a wide range of female and male clients from athletes, artists, landscapers, UCSB, SBCC, Brooks students and faculty, business people, educators, construction workers, elderly clients, house wives and tourists. He is very flexible in scheduling appointments either at his studio which is located in the Goleta, Ca area now. He can also make professional appointments at Holistic Centers in Santa Barbara, Buellton, Key2Fitness or can make home or out call or mobile massage visits in the Tri – Counties area. He also works with other local area professional massage therapists and can offer couples massages and can schedule male and female therapists to come to your home for a amazing couple’s massage. Maybe you own a business with a large group of people or have a large party of people. Nicola can organize as many therapists as you need to accommodate your specific needs.
The human nervous system has two major divisions, the voluntary and the autonomic systems. The voluntary system is concerned mainly with movement and sensation. It consists of motor and sensory nerves, among many others.
The autonomic system mainly controls functions over which we have less conscious control. These include the digestion of food, the blood pressure and the heart rate. Its nerves leave the spine and connect to all the major organs and glands, either inhibiting or stimulating their activity.
DIVISIONS OF THE AUTONOMIC SYSTEM
The autonomic system has two branches. These are called the sympathetic and the parasympathetic branches.
* The sympathetic branch activates the glands and organs that defend the body against attack. It is called the fight-or-flight system. Its nerves direct more blood to the muscles and the brain. The heart rate and blood pressure increase, while it decreases the blood flow to the digestive and eliminative organs.
It also activates the thyroid and adrenal glands to provide extra energy for fighting or running away. Nervousness, stress or feelings of panic are what one feels when in a sympathetic state of readiness.
The sympathetic system is catabolic,which means it tears down the body. Energy is used to prepare for defense, rather than for nourishment or for elimination of wastes. An excellent analogy is to imagine placing all of the nation’s resources in its military defense. While helpful in an emergency, if continued too long, the nation becomes much poorer for lack of productive commercial activity. The feeling of an ‘adrenalin rush’ is a product of the sympathetic system. It may feel good at first, but is always followed by a feeling of fatigue, as this system uses up energy and depletes the body.
* The parasympathetic system of nervesis concerned with nourishing, healing and regeneration of the body. It is anabolic, or concerned with rebuilding the body. Its nerves stimulate digestion, and the immune and eliminative organs. These organs include the liver, pancreas, stomach and intestines. The parasympathetic nervous system, when activated by rest, relaxation and happy thoughts, is essential for balanced living and for all healing. Moving yourself into a healthy parasympathetic state, and staying there as much of the time as possible, helps heal all health conditions, both physical and emotional ones as well.
The feeling often associated with the parasympathetic state can be one of lethargy or fatigue, as you are so relaxed. Do not, however, believe this is unhealthy. Rather, it indicates a state of repair and rebuilding in progress.
The sympathetic and parasympathetic systems are antagonistic. Either one or the other is activated most all of the time. The sympathetic system, however, always takes precedence, because it is concerned with one’s survival.
To promote balance and healing, the goal is to keep the sympathetic system turned off as much as possible. This allows the maximum healing to occur. Simple ways to do this are to rest, relax and think happy thoughts. As soon as you think fearful or angry thoughts, or become too physically active, the body shifts into a sympathetic stance.
The sympathetic nervous system may be roughly likened to the gas pedal of a car. The parasympathetic is more like the brake. Unlike a car, however, when the ‘brake’ is applied to the body, it begins to heal itself.
AUTONOMIC IMBALANCES
Relatively few people today have a strong and balanced autonomic system. Most people favor the sympathetic branch. Learning which metabolic type you are can be very helpful for designing diets and nutritional supplementation to balance the body.
The Balanced Individual. When the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems are working as they should, the tendency is to rest often and easily. One can, however, perform at “top speed” with equal ease. When challenged by stress, the balanced person is able to respond with vigor and fortitude.
The parasympathetic system reduces the activity of the brain, the muscles, and the adrenal and thyroid glands. When no situation is pressing, the balanced person can comfortably choose to rest and can sleep deeply.
The Sympathetic Metabolic Type. Some people’s bodies remain in a more sympathetic state most of the time. These people tend to be more outgoing, aggressive, belligerent at times, and often sweat more, have higher blood sugar and blood pressure levels and have more frequent bowel movements. They are more prone to anxiety, irritability and nervousness in general. They have more active or overactive thyroid and adrenal glands, as these are activated by the sympathetic nervous system.
We can roughly identify the state of the nervous system with a properly performed hair tissue mineral analysis. The proper testing procedures absolutely requires that the hair must not be washed at the laboratory. Only two labs in America follow this protocol.
A sympathetic state of the autonomic nervous system correlates most closely with a condition called fast oxidation on the hair mineral test. It is present when the calcium/potassium ratio is less than 4:1 and the sodium/magnesium ratio is greater than 4.17:1.
The Parasympathetic Metabolic Type. These individuals tend to be more fatigued and prone to depression, low blood sugar, metal toxicity and many other conditions. Their adrenal and thyroid glands tend to be underactive.
On a properly performed hair mineral analysis this condition is generally associated with slow oxidation. This occurs when the hair calcium/potassium ratio is greater than about 4:1 and the hair sodium/magnesium ratio is less than 4.17:1.
Mixed Symptom Pictures. It is important to note that one can have fast oxidizer mineral ratios and yet not be what is called a true fast oxidizer. Often, the fast oxidation is a temporary state, induced by the presence of toxic metals or other stressors. When these are eliminated, the person’s metabolic type switches to slow oxidation or a parasympathetic state.
Thus, many people show a mixture of sympathetic and parasympathetic characteristics that can present a confusing symptom picture. The great value of the hair mineral analysis is that it can guide a practitioner in correcting layers of autonomic nervous system imbalances.
SYMPATHETIC DOMINANCE
In addition to the sympathetic and parasympathetic body types, many people who are parasympathetic types overuse their sympathetic nervous system. This is a mental or lifestyle tendency more than anything else. The sympathetic system is exhausted, but they continue to use it or stimulate it anyway.
As a result, they do not spend enough time in a parasympathetic state to fully rebuild their bodies. Their bodies eventually become nutritionally depleted and they become quite literally ‘burned out’.
Today, even children are often burned out, in this sense, due to stress, poor diets and nutritional deficiencies they are born with.
Sympathetic dominance is revealed on a hair mineral analysis as a slow oxidation rate, along with a hair potassium level less than about 5 mg%. A secondary indicator is a sodium/potassium ratio is greater than about 4:1.
Causes of Sympathetic Dominance. The causes for sympathetic dominance are several. As stated above, it is mainly a lifestyle pattern. Some people take on too much work. Others analyze too much or worry excessively.
Others live in fear, anger or resentment too much of the time. A person in this condition may also talk, think, eat or work at a rapid pace, faster than the optimum for that person. They become toxic and nutritionally depleted, which makes the condition much worse.
A Vicious Cycle Often Occurs. A person can become so used to being tired that if, by chance, they get a lot of rest one day, they use up their energy the next day, instead of continuing to rest. Such people do not allow their bodies to use the energy they accumulated for healing and rebuilding. As a result, they tend to stay depleted and out of balance.
The early signs of staying in a sympathetic dominant state too much of the time are fatigue or even feelings of exhaustion. As the condition progresses, one may feel depressed, apathetic or moody. Other physical symptoms include aches and pains, weakness, disturbed digestion or insomnia. If this continues, the stage is set for more serious illness.
PARASYMPATHETIC DOMINANCE
This is a much less important and less common situation. It can be of two types, healthy and unhealthy. Healthy parasympathetic dominance occurs very rarely. It occurs only in the spiritually developed people. They live most of their lives in the present moment. They are almost always relaxed, do not react to stress, and live in a state of peace and contentment. Their hair mineral analyses would tend to show fairly balanced oxidation rates.
Unhealthy Parasympathetic Dominance. Today, fearful thinking, electromagnetic pollution, toxic metals and toxic chemicals in the food, air and water disturb the functioning of the autonomic system.
The end stage of sympathetic dominance is that one essentially gives up hope of fighting back at all. These people are essentially in a state of give-up or hopelessness about their situation or health condition.
The hair analyses of these individuals may reveal a low ratio of sodium to potassium, usually less than 1:1. They may also slip into another pattern called four low electrolytes. In this pattern, the hair calcium level is less than 40 mg%, magnesium is less than 6 mg%, sodium is less than 25 mg% and potassium is less than 10 mg%.
The causes of the healthy and unhealthy parasympathetic states are quite opposite. Healthy parasympathetic dominance is due to what may be called spiritual development. This is the discipline to think and live differently. One reduces stress and strain on the body by resting and nourishing it so that it can rebuild. Unhealthy parasympathetic dominance is just a late stage of excessive sympathetic activity due to the vicious cycle spoken of in the section above.
Symptoms of the unhealthy state often include feeling depressed and cynical. Some are paralyzed by their fear or anger about their situation. This, coupled with nutritional imbalances, sets the stage for serious illness.
KEEPING YOUR AUTONOMIC SYSTEM HEALTHY
There is much you can do to keep your autonomic system functioning well.
Keep your thoughts and your emotions as uplifted and positive as you possibly can, all of the time.
Do your very best to stay in gratitude. This will help keep you in a positive, uplifted state.
Practice forgiveness. This places you in a position of power and compassion. It is much better than allowing yourself to feel like a victim, which always leads to a fight-or-flight response.
Cultivate contentment. This is different from feeling you need to be happy all the time. Happiness, as most people know it, is often short-lived. It is often an attempt to overcome feelings of unhappiness. Contentment is a state in which you are at peace with yourself and the world, even if the world around you is not to your liking. You can learn to let the world go and choose contentment rather than attempting always to control the world.
Donot to compare yourself with others. This causes fear, and often anger and resentment. The world never seems fair from our limited perspectives. There is much that is hidden. If you knew more about others’ lives, you would be less anxious to trade places with them.
Train your mind to stay out of negative emotions. These include worry, fear, anger and guilt. These emotions turn on the sympathetic system and keep it active. Meditation, affirmations, counseling and other natural therapies all can help. Also, surround yourself only with uplifting books, tapes and other forms of media. Pick your friends and relationships carefully. Work, school and all your activities either contribute to your contentment or detract from it.
Become aware of who and what truly give you energy, versus who and what mainly use up your energy.
Rest often. Nap often, and sleep at least 8 hours or more each night. The hours before midnight are by far the best for sleeping. Avoid excessive activity of any kind. Even exercise is often overdone. Exercise is a powerful sympathetic stimulant. Avoid getting exhausted by any activity you engage in. Be careful when using exercise to “run away” from stress, for example. More rest is often what is really required.
Practice breathing deeply. This is one way to control the autonomic system with a voluntary action. Slow, deep breathing by itself turns off the sympathetic system.
Eat well. The nervous system must be properly nourished to function correctly. Animal protein is particularly helpful for the brain and nervous system as it contains fats and proteins essential for the nerves. These include the omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids. Excellent foods for the nervous system are eggs, meats, nuts, root vegetables and oily fish such as sardines and salmon.
Supplemental nutrients that calm the sympathetic system are calcium, magnesium, and zinc in particular. Most everyone should take these supplements today, as their dietary intake is often low. B-complex vitamins are also most important, and are primarily obtained from nutritional yeast, meats and eggs. High doses, however, are rarely needed. Other calming nutrients are GABA, L-taurine and L-carnitine. Herbs that calm the nervous system are valerian, passionflower, skullcap and hops, among others.
Reduce your stress level as much as possible. Stress is the main activator of the sympathetic nervous system. It can arise from within the body due to fatigue, muscle tension, spinal misalignment or nutritional deficiencies, among other reasons. Stress can also come from outside, such as financial, work or family stress. Other types of stress to minimize or avoid are living in a noisy environment, or in one with contaminated air and water.
Electromagnetic stress is also very real, although it cannot be seen. Reduce your use of computers if possible, and do not keep televisions, computers and other electrical devices on when not in use. Be sure to turn them all off when you sleep, and keep even clocks and radios away from your head in the location where you sleep. Activities like city driving and using cell phones are also stress-producing, even if you are not aware of it at the time. A simple lifestyle is much preferred.
Follow A Nutritional Balancing Program. This requires a properly performed and interpreted hair tissue mineral analysis that is used to recommend diet, supplements and perhaps other detoxification procedures such as the use of an infrared sauna. The sauna is excellent for reducing excessive activity of the sympathetic nervous system and resting the adrenal and thyroid glands.
CONCLUSION
The health of the autonomic nervous system is a important key to healing that is often overlooked. Most people today have some degree of sympathetic nervous exhaustion. It is, in fact, a major cause of disease that should receive more attention. On a brighter note, nervous exhaustion can also cause a person to begin searching for answers deep inside. This can lead to changing your lifestyle and eating habits, and developing your inner potential. As more people become willing to change their thought patterns and lifestyles, they will experience a state of contentment and bliss that comes with having a balanced autonomic system.
The Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Nervous Systems
Sympathetic System
Parasympathetic System
Function
To defend the body against attack
Healing, regeneration and nourishing the body
Overall Effect
Catabolic (breaks down the body)
Anabolic (builds up the body)
Organs and Glands It Activates
The brain, muscles, the insulin pancreas, and the thyroid and adrenal glands
The liver, kidneys, enzyme pancreas, spleen, stomach, small intestines and colon
Hormones and Substances It Increases
Insulin, cortisol and the thyroid hormones
Parathyroid hormone, pancreatic enzymes, bile and other digestive enzymes
Body Functions It Activates
Raises blood pressure and blood sugar, and increases heat production
Activates digestion, elimination and the immune system
Psychological Qualities
Fear, guilt, sadness, anger, willfulness, and aggressiveness.
Calmness, contentment and relaxation
Factors That Activate This System
Stress, fears, anger, worry, excessive thinking and too much exercise
Rest, sleep, meditation, relaxation therapies and feelings of being loved
This article was originally copyrighted by the Arizona Networking News, 2005.
*Disclaimer: This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider.
Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition.
The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended as diagnosis, treatment, or prescription of any kind. The decision to use, or not to use, any information is the sole responsibility of the reader.
“To become more conscious is the greatest gift anyone can give to the world; moreover, in a ripple effect, the gift comes back to its source.”— Dr. David Hawkins …my teacher.
Intro. On-Line Only In-Call Special 1 1/4 hr $70.00…that’s full 75 minutes (1st time client’s only) Mon – Fri if available plus offering a Sliding Scale and Senior and Veteran In-Call discounts with id. Policies
Please call for an Appointment: 805-637-7482 Please no texts
Nicola is a practicing licensed and insured professional LMT ( Licensed Massage Therapist) ( State Certification # 7239 ) and fine artist based in Goleta and Santa Barbara, CA. Nicola has a wide range of female and male clients from athletes, artists, landscapers, UCSB, SBCC, Brooks students and faculty, business people, educators, construction workers, elderly clients, house wives and tourists. He is very flexible in scheduling appointments either at his studio which is located in the Goleta, Ca area now. He can also make professional appointments at Holistic Centers in Santa Barbara, Buellton, Key2Fitness or can make home or out call or mobile massage visits in the Tri – Counties area. He also works with other local area professional massage therapists and can offer couples massages and can schedule male and female therapists to come to your home for a amazing couple’s massage. Maybe you own a business with a large group of people or have a large party of people. Nicola can organize as many therapists as you need to accommodate your specific needs.
A licensed Professional LMT State Certification # 7239. Specializing in Sports Injury & Deep Tissue Massage in Goleta and Santa Barbara, CA. Riktr Pro Deep Tissue Swedish Massage, Nicola, LMT, 805-637-7482
*Disclaimer: This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider.
Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition.
The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended as diagnosis, treatment, or prescription of any kind. The decision to use, or not to use, any information is the sole responsibility of the reader.
“To become more conscious is the greatest gift anyone can give to the world; moreover, in a ripple effect, the gift comes back to its source.”— Dr. David Hawkins …my teacher.
Intro. On-Line Only In-Call Special 1 1/4 hr $70.00…that’s full 75 minutes (1st time client’s only) Mon – Fri if available plus offering a Sliding Scale and Senior and Veteran In-Call discounts with id. Policies
Please call for an Appointment: 805-637-7482 Please no texts
Nicola is a practicing licensed and insured professional LMT ( Licensed Massage Therapist) ( State Certification # 7239 ) and fine artist based in Goleta and Santa Barbara, CA. Nicola has a wide range of female and male clients from athletes, artists, landscapers, UCSB, SBCC, Brooks students and faculty, business people, educators, construction workers, elderly clients, house wives and tourists. He is very flexible in scheduling appointments either at his studio which is located in the Goleta, Ca area now. He can also make professional appointments at Holistic Centers in Santa Barbara, Buellton, Key2Fitness or can make home or out call or mobile massage visits in the Tri – Counties area. He also works with other local area professional massage therapists and can offer couples massages and can schedule male and female therapists to come to your home for a amazing couple’s massage. Maybe you own a business with a large group of people or have a large party of people. Nicola can organize as many therapists as you need to accommodate your specific needs.
Please go to these links for info on Collateral Ligament: Injuries of the Knee
*Disclaimer: This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider.
Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition.
The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended as diagnosis, treatment, or prescription of any kind. The decision to use, or not to use, any information is the sole responsibility of the reader
“To become more conscious is the greatest gift anyone can give to the world; moreover, in a ripple effect, the gift comes back to its source.”— Dr. David Hawkins …my teacher.
Intro. On-Line Only In-Call Special 1 1/4 hr $70.00…that’s full 75 minutes (1st time client’s only) Mon – Fri if available plus offering a Sliding Scale and Senior and Veteran In-Call discounts with id. Policies
Please call for an Appointment: 805-637-7482 Please no texts
Nicola is a practicing licensed and insured professional LMT ( Licensed Massage Therapist) ( State Certification # 7239 ) and fine artist based in Goleta and Santa Barbara, CA. Nicola has a wide range of female and male clients from athletes, artists, landscapers, UCSB, SBCC, Brooks students and faculty, business people, educators, construction workers, elderly clients, house wives and tourists. He is very flexible in scheduling appointments either at his studio which is located in the Goleta, Ca area now. He can also make professional appointments at Holistic Centers in Santa Barbara, Buellton, Key2Fitness or can make home or out call or mobile massage visits in the Tri – Counties area. He also works with other local area professional massage therapists and can offer couples massages and can schedule male and female therapists to come to your home for a amazing couple’s massage. Maybe you own a business with a large group of people or have a large party of people. Nicola can organize as many therapists as you need to accommodate your specific needs.
“To become more conscious is the greatest gift anyone can give to the world; moreover, in a ripple effect, the gift comes back to its source.”— Dr. David Hawkins …my teacher.
Please call for an Appointment: 805-637-7482 Please no texts
Nicola is a practicing licensed and insured professional LMT ( Licensed Massage Therapist) ( State Certification # 7239 ) and fine artist based in Goleta and Santa Barbara, CA. Nicola has a wide range of female and male clients from athletes, artists, landscapers, UCSB, SBCC, Brooks students and faculty, business people, educators, construction workers, elderly clients, house wives and tourists. He is very flexible in scheduling appointments either at his studio which is located in the Goleta, Ca area now. He can also make professional appointments at Holistic Centers in Santa Barbara, Buellton, Key2Fitness or can make home or out call or mobile massage visits in the Tri – Counties area. He also works with other local area professional massage therapists and can offer couples massages and can schedule male and female therapists to come to your home for a amazing couple’s massage. Maybe you own a business with a large group of people or have a large party of people. Nicola can organize as many therapists as you need to accommodate your specific needs
What is the uncertainty principle, also known as Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle?
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
In quantum mechanics, the uncertainty principle, also known as Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle, is any of a variety of mathematical inequalities asserting a fundamental limit to the precision with which certain pairs of physical properties of a particle known as complementary variables, such as positionx and momentump, can be known simultaneously. Introduced first in 1927, by the German physicist Werner Heisenberg, it states that the more precisely the position of some particle is determined, the less precisely its momentum can be known, and vice versa.[1] The formal inequality relating the standard deviation of position σx and the standard deviation of momentum σp was derived by Earle Hesse Kennard[2] later that year and by Hermann Weyl[3] in 1928:
Historically, the uncertainty principle has been confused[4][5] with a somewhat similar effect in physics, called the observer effect, which notes that measurements of certain systems cannot be made without affecting the systems. Heisenberg offered such an observer effect at the quantum level (see below) as a physical “explanation” of quantum uncertainty.[6] It has since become clear, however, that the uncertainty principle is inherent in the properties of all wave-like systems,[7] and that it arises in quantum mechanics simply due to the matter wave nature of all quantum objects. Thus, the uncertainty principle actually states a fundamental property of quantum systems, and is not a statement about the observational success of current technology.[8] It must be emphasized that measurement does not mean only a process in which a physicist-observer takes part, but rather any interaction between classical and quantum objects regardless of any observer.[9]
Since the uncertainty principle is such a basic result in quantum mechanics, typical experiments in quantum mechanics routinely observe aspects of it. Certain experiments, however, may deliberately test a particular form of the uncertainty principle as part of their main research program. These include, for example, tests of number–phase uncertainty relations in superconducting[10] or quantum optics[11] systems. Applications dependent on the uncertainty principle for their operation include extremely low noise technology such as that required in gravitational-wave interferometers.[12]
*Disclaimer: This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider.
Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition.
The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended as diagnosis, treatment, or prescription of any kind. The decision to use, or not to use, any information is the sole responsibility of the reader.
“To become more conscious is the greatest gift anyone can give to the world; moreover, in a ripple effect, the gift comes back to its source.”— Dr. David Hawkins.
Intro. On-Line Only In-Call Special 1 1/4 hr $70.00…that’s full 75 minutes (1st time client’s only) Mon – Fri if available plus offering a Sliding Scale and Senior and Veteran In-Call discounts with id. Policies
Please call for an Appointment: 805-637-7482 Please no texts
Nicola is a practicing licensed and insured professional LMT ( Licensed Massage Therapist) ( State Certification # 7239 ) and fine artist based in Goleta and Santa Barbara, CA. Nicola has a wide range of female and male clients from athletes, artists, landscapers, UCSB, SBCC, Brooks students and faculty, business people, educators, construction workers, elderly clients, house wives and tourists. He is very flexible in scheduling appointments either at his studio. He can also make professional appointments at Holistic Centers in Santa Barbara, Buellton, Key2Fitness or can make home or out call or mobile massage visits in the Tri – Counties area. He also works with other local area professional massage therapists and can offer couples massages and can schedule male and female therapists to come to your home for a amazing couple’s massage. Maybe you own a business with a large group of people or have a large party of people. Nicola can organize as many therapists as you need to accommodate your specific needs.
Get results for Neck Pain, Headaches, Migraines, Shoulder & Arm Pain, Carpal Tunnel Relief, Upper Back, Low Back Spasms, Sciatica, Torso Pain, Hip, Thigh, Hamstring and Calf Injuries, Leg, Knee, Achilles and Foot Pain, Chronic Pain, Stress Relief, Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction and any other injuries or muscle related injuries and pain. Therapeutic Pain Relief Santa Barbara Goleta Massage, Trigger Point, Riktr Pro Deep Tissue, Swedish Massage, Nicola, LMT, 805-637-7482 Nicola (aka – Nick, Chris or Banduechy…so named by his handball buddies) is a California State Licensed and Insured LMT (Licenced Massage Therapist) Professional BODY WORKER, by APPOINTMENT ONLY, Last Minute Appointments are OK if available.
*Disclaimer: This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider.
Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition.
The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended as diagnosis, treatment, or prescription of any kind. The decision to use, or not to use, any information is the sole responsibility of the reader.
“To become more conscious is the greatest gift anyone can give to the world; moreover, in a ripple effect, the gift comes back to its source.”— Dr. David Hawkins.
Intro. On-Line Only In-Call Special 1 1/4 hr $70.00…that’s full 75 minutes (1st time client’s only) Mon – Fri if available plus offering a Sliding Scale and Senior and Veteran In-Call discounts with id. Policies
Please call for an Appointment: 805-637-7482 Please no texts
Nicola is a practicing licensed and insured professional LMT ( Licensed Massage Therapist) ( State Certification # 7239 ) and fine artist based in Goleta and Santa Barbara, CA. Nicola has a wide range of female and male clients from athletes, artists, landscapers, UCSB, SBCC, Brooks students and faculty, business people, educators, construction workers, elderly clients, house wives and tourists. He is very flexible in scheduling appointments at his studio. He can also make professional appointments at Holistic Centers in Santa Barbara, Buellton, Key2Fitness or can make home or out call or mobile massage visits in the Tri – Counties area. He also works with other local area professional massage therapists and can offer couples massages and can schedule male and female therapists to come to your home for a amazing couple’s massage. Maybe you own a business with a large group of people or have a large party of people. Nicola can organize as many therapists as you need to accommodate your specific needs.
A condition characterized by a nearly irresistible urge to move the legs, typically in the evenings.
Very common
More than 3 million US cases per year
Can’t be cured, but treatment may help
Chronic: can last for years or be lifelong
Usually self-diagnosable
Lab tests or imaging rarely required
Consult a doctor for medical advice
Ages affected
3-5
Common
6-13
Very common
14-18
Very common
19-40
Very common
41-60
Very common
60+
Very common
What is RLS?
Symptoms Usually self-diagnosable The main symptom is a nearly irresistible urge to move the legs. People may experience: Pain areas: in the leg Sleep: difficulty falling asleep, excessive daytime sleepiness, or sleep deprivation Whole body: fatigue or restlessness Also common: leg cramps, uncomfortable tingling and burning, or urge to move Treatments Can’t be cured, but treatment may help Getting up and moving around helps the unpleasant feeling temporarily go away. Self-care steps, lifestyle changes, or medications may help. Prescription Gabapentin (Neurontin), Pregabalin (Lyrica), Carbidopa/levodopa (Parcopa), Ropinirole (Requip), Pramipexole (Mirapex) Self-treatment Lifestyle: Iron www.google.com/search?q=Restless+legs+syndrome November 10, 2015 Page 2 of 3 Also common Lifestyle: Physical exercise, Smoking cessation, Relaxation techniques Therapies: Massage Specialists Primary care provider (PCP): Prevents, diagnoses, and treats diseases. Sleep medicine: Treats sleep disturbances and disorders. Neurologist: Treats nervous system disorders.
Tissue Density Restoration Massage for Restless Leg Syndrome
good article By Linda LePelley, RN, NMT
Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) is a disorder that drives the sufferer to move their legs in response to irritating and strange sensations. It can range in severity from being a slight annoyance, to an intolerable condition that disturbs restorative sleep and diminishes the overall quality of life.
I often recall a patient I cared for as an RN Supervisor in a convalescent home. She would get up almost every night, walking up and down the halls. When asked why she wasn’t sleeping, she would replay, “Oh, how I wish I could, but these running legs won’t let me sleep!” Several medications were used, but none were very helpful. The common belief was that there just wasn’t much that could be done about it. Whenever I had the chance, I would take 20 minutes and massage her legs for her. She loved it, and sometimes it would help her sleep, but it always came back. Had I known then that I was on the right track; I would have found the extra time required to give an effective treatment, one that provided long-term results.A Common Phenomenon
As a massage therapist who successfully treats clients diagnosed with RLS, as well as several who have complained of the symptoms without having been diagnosed, I have noticed a common phenomenon in each. Their legs are permeated with elevated tissue density (TD). The increase in density ranges from diffuse pockets of rubbery firmness noted in the deeper muscles of the thighs and calves, to large areas of firm, rigid tissue. Compacted together, with decreased motility, the muscles and connective tissue can feel so dense that the only movement is at the knee. People told by their sleep partners that they kick around a lot at night also have elevated TD in their leg tissues. I suspect they are in a latent stage of RLS, where their bodies are responding to the irritation, but they have not yet consciously experienced the unpleasant sensations.
I believe that RLS is caused by a combination of tissue condensation as well as an accumulation of a form of plaque that is in any one of a multitude of states of viscosity and density, possibly due to varying degrees of localized tissue hypo-hydration and mineralization; as well as heat, pressure and gravity. It engulfs and traps nerves, which irritated, begin to twitch. A skilled massage therapist can feel the presence of this accumulation in body tissues and return it to a more normal density, thereby releasing the affected nerve endings and restoring circulation, function and mobility, relieving pain and, in the case of RLS, the ability to relax and rest peacefully.
I need to clarify my use of the word “plaque” as it relates to tissue density formation. I do not have scientific verification that the substance to which I speak is actually plaque. I refer to it as such for this reason – I cannot find a better descriptor that fits what I palpate and treat. I find no mention in medical references or research papers of the presence of plaque in the body other than “atherosclerotic” plaque, which is specifically located within the walls of arterial vessels; “senile” plaques, which develop in the brain and are associated with Alzheimer’s disease; a psoriatic plaque; and dental plaque, which builds up on the teeth.
I developed my treatment method with no pre-conceived idea of what I was doing or why, my intention was simply to do whatever the client felt was doing the most good. If they preferred petrissage over tapotement, the tapotement was eliminated. If they wanted just the painful area focused on, I did not include the rest of the “routine” I learned in school. I assumed in the beginning that each client would have their own individual preferences, so it was very interesting to me that over time, I was using the same procedure on everyone, with the only real variations being the location of the pain. This is how I developed the treatment before considering what the cause of so much pain and dysfunction might be. While my ideas about the nature and cause of what I address with TDR massage may contain inaccuracies, my methods of pain relief and the restoration of sensation and mobility are beneficial and effective.
I’ve found that musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction can be felt by the MT in every client. No matter where it is located, it has a definite texture and density to it and, if you can feel it with your hands, you can help heal it. It may be very subtle, but it is palpable. Clients often ask how I know something hurts. I explain what I feel and show them how to find it. It sometimes takes several attempts for them to do so, but they are always amazed that these secondary structures are within their tissues and they had never been aware of it before.
The reason I call these palpable structures “plaque” is because it behaves like plaque as I understand it. In the beginning, it is soft and malleable, it seems that over time it becomes denser, firmer and eventually mineralizes and hardens into a bone-like crust. I surmise that it is the stuff that arthritis is made of, as well as a number of other painful conditions. That’s the bad news.
I call it plaque, it acts like plaque, and I treat it like it is plaque. But here is the good news. Plaque is 60% fat. It doesn’t matter how mineralized, hard and crusty an arthritic joint is, if I am correct (as all my work has indicated); under the right conditions, it is as solid as a sand castle. Slowly melt the fat and gently dissolve and massage away the residue. It sounds simple enough, and it is, however, it takes time and patience. All dense tissues, whether or not they are associated with a joint, respond to the same treatment.
You may have noticed that I do not name specific muscle or anatomical locations. This is a purposeful omission. In regard to TDR massage, the only location that matters is where the client is experiencing discomfort, and where the TD is elevated. The focus needs to be on the locus of the density, and TD elevations arise in all tissue types. It should be addressed as a whole, not manipulated separately, muscle away from connective tissue, or apart from fluids.
Acknowledging Pain
In the years I have been a massage therapist, I have noticed that very often people seem to forget the severity of their discomfort once they have been relieved of it. I have had people come into the clinic stating that they are in severe pain, the medicine or shot the doctor gave them hasn’t helped much, if at all, and I was their last-ditch hope for relief. More often than not, massage does relieve their condition. Then later, when they come in for a regular massage, I might ask about the knee or shoulder pain they’d had and they will vaguely recall it. In one case I was told, “Oh yeah, that. The doctor gave me a shot and it hasn’t bothered me since,” to which I ask if it was a shot they got after the massage treatment, or had it been the one they got before they came to me. It was the one given six weeks before they saw me that had been given the credit. I suggest the establishment of a pain level and duration of discomfort statement from clients before treatment. This way you can make them aware that they had a problem and it was massage therapy that helped them. Also, in the course of providing TD massage, the density of the affected tissues can change dramatically. It makes sense to document before and after depictions of TD and pain levels to be able to communicate with the client and health care team accurately. Without substantiating documentation, all statements about treatment results are simply anecdotal stories.
Assessment
To administer an effective TD massage treatment for RLS, you will need to focus entirely on the legs. Explain to your clients in advance that they should not expect a full body massage along with the RLS treatment. While an hour is sufficient, an hour and a half is an ideal amount of time for an RLS treatment because it allows 20 minutes for each of the four “sections” (thighs to knees and knees to ankles on each leg), with 10 minutes for assessing and recording your density map.
You might create a rudimentary TD map by drawing a small-scale outline of your client’s legs on a piece of paper. Palpate your client’s legs carefully, from the top of thighs, inner and outer, down to the ankles. Mark your map with all you find, noting tenderness/pain with the 1/10 pain scale, record areas that are more dense, areas with hardened ridges, as well as areas that are as hard as bone, or flaccid. This will give you a good idea of what you are starting out with and something to compare the end results to. A more comprehensive method of tissue density mapping is available, but this basic map is all you need to get started.
When doing an RLS treatment, use the same caution you would with any massage and remember the basic rule of Tissue Density Restoration (TDR) massage, use as much pressure and movement as you need, without causing pain. Use a table warmer and/or some warm packs to help reduce the amount of time it will take to soften the tissue. Make your client comfortable in the prone position. While still respecting the flow of blood and lymph from distal to proximal, I start each leg at the thigh and then work my way down the leg. You need the more proximal area to be cleared up first, creating a pathway for improved circulation as you work your way down the legs.
Treatment
From a seated position, using both hands, apply warm massage cream to client’s thigh. With both hands grasp the medial thigh and gently rock it towards you a few times, feeling for areas of tightness or hardness. Hand over hand, starting at the top and then slowly working your way down; drag the tissues from inner to outer thigh, going deeper as becomes possible, with the intention of moving all the muscles freely over the bone. As you determine the areas of elevated TD, you will likely find ridges which are tender and resistant to movement. Use large, flat-handed circular movements, and then careful petrissage to help narrow your focus to these areas, apply as much movement and pressure as you can without going over a three on the 1/10 pain scale. Take note of the area at the medial aspect of the knee. It often forms a large, sensitive plaque within which nerves are engulfed and irritated. Much of your time may be spent here, carefully massaging crusted-over nerves, which feel like large, firm strands and bands. They will respond to warmth and movement as well. As the firm areas shrink away, you will use smaller circular movements, eventually using just your fingertips. You will note that as the tissue warms up, it softens and becomes more mobile, and eventually, you will be able to work the palpable areas out altogether. Use the same technique on the lower leg and repeat on other side. In the course of working the back of the upper thigh, you might note the elevated TD extends into the anterior thigh as well. If so, you will need an additional 10 minutes for each leg. I suggest you work on the anterior thigh with the client in a side-lying position; the slight gravity assist makes it easier to locate and clear denser areas. Please note that the times I give are just generalized suggestions, gauge the results only by what you feel, not by how much time was spent.
When additional treatments are needed, try to schedule them as closely as possible. two and even three times in a week is best. The longer a period between treatments, the longer the individual treatments take to become softened enough to dissipate the elevated TD.
Once an area has been completely restored, the tissue will be malleable, warmer and relaxed at rest, with no tenderness. It depends on the client how long complete restoration will take. I often have had people cleared up in three to four treatments, but there are those that clear up immediately and a few that take six or seven sessions. I suspect the reasons for the differences in the timing of completion depend on age, how long the problem has existed, diet and hydration, as well as a number of other possible factors. Once restored, the tissues seem to stay healthy and pain-free for quite a while. Once a client is aware of the condition of elevated TD, they can take measures to prevent reoccurrence by making sure to not just move their bodies through space, but to move their tissues around as well. This can be done with a good towel rubbing over joints after a bath and by receiving regular massages.
My nursing home patient and friend, passed away about a year before I realized that I could have provided her with real, long-term relief. It is my goal to let it be known that there is a way to relieve RLS and many other musculoskeletal pains, free of harmful medications, and it is in the hands of massage therapists to do so.
*Disclaimer: This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider.
Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition.
The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended as diagnosis, treatment, or prescription of any kind. The decision to use, or not to use, any information is the sole responsibility of the reader.
“To become more conscious is the greatest gift anyone can give to the world; moreover, in a ripple effect, the gift comes back to its source.”— Dr. David Hawkins.
Intro. On-Line Only In-Call Special 1 1/4 hr $70.00…that’s full 75 minutes (1st time client’s only) Mon – Fri if available plus offering a Sliding Scale and Senior and Veteran In-Call discounts with id. Policies
Please call for an Appointment: 805-637-7482 Please no texts
Nicola is a practicing licensed and insured professional LMT ( Licensed Massage Therapist) ( State Certification # 7239 ) and fine artist based in Goleta and Santa Barbara, CA. Nicola has a wide range of female and male clients from athletes, artists, landscapers, UCSB, SBCC, Brooks students and faculty, business people, educators, construction workers, elderly clients, house wives and tourists. He is very flexible in scheduling appointments either at his studio. He can also make professional appointments at Holistic Centers in Santa Barbara, Buellton, Key2Fitness or can make home or out call or mobile massage visits in the Tri – Counties area. He also works with other local area professional massage therapists and can offer couples massages and can schedule male and female therapists to come to your home for a amazing couple’s massage. Maybe you own a business with a large group of people or have a large party of people. Nicola can organize as many therapists as you need to accommodate your specific needs.
What is muscle burning sensation in muscles?
The common belief is that this burning sensation is caused by lactic acid build up in our muscles, which eventually forces us to stop exercising. But does lactic acid really cause muscle burn? The answer is a resounding “No”, it doesn’t. In fact,lactic acid build up helps reduce the burn.
Burning during intense exercise is caused by the acidity from accumulation of lactic acid. When your muscles cannot get all the oxygen they need to convert food to energy during intense exercise, lactic acid accumulates in muscles, makes them more acidic, and the acidity causes a burning feeling.
Have you ever felt a burning sensation in your muscles after an intense sprint, or maybe peddling up a hill on a bicycle?
The common belief is that this burning sensation is caused by lactic acid build up in our muscles, which eventually forces us to stop exercising.
But does lactic acid really cause muscle burn?
The answer is a resounding “No”, it doesn’t. In fact, lactic acid build up helps reduce the burn.
How Lactic Acid Build Up Works
Your body needs energy to function and glucose is its primary fuel source during exercise. Under a process called glycolysis, your body breaks down the glucose into a substance called pyruvate.
Then, within the cell, the pyruvate can be converted into (1) water and carbon dioxide through the Krebs cycle (a series of chemical reactions that occur using pyruvate to generate energy) and (2) oxidative phosphorylation (process for the creation of ATP – adenosine triphosphate – that cells use for energy). This requires oxygen.
So, during times when there is not enough oxygen, such as when you are exercising intensely, the cell cannot keep up production of ATP to meet its energy demands, leading to increased glucose break down into pyruvate, Now the pyruvate, instead of going through the Krebs cycle, is converted to lactate.
Even when there is adequate oxygen, in some cells, lactate is still made continuously. Note that lactate is created and not lactic acid.
While lactate is actually the salt of lactic acid, there is a big difference in what they do.1
Lactate, as the salt, is missing a hydrogen ion or proton. Therefore, their properties inside the cell differ. A measurement of the amount of the protons tells you how acidic something is. Lactate, not having any protons, is not acidic. Lactate, because it is not acidic, is NOT the cause of the burning sensation in your muscles.
OK, Then What Causes Muscle Burn?
If neither lactate, nor lactic acid causes muscle burn, then what does?
Remember ATP, that substance used as an energy source by your cells? During exercise, your body uses large quantities of ATP to meet your muscle cells’ high energy demand. When you use this ATP, it produces a proton.
And what happens when protons are produced? The area becomes more acidic. As the protons increase in number they come into contact with nerves near the muscles, creating the sensation known as muscle burn. As you continue to work your muscles, you use more ATP, producing protons and increasing the acid in the muscles.
None of this involves lactate or lactic acid.
Lactic Acid Build Up Reduces Muscle Burn
It might be hard to believe, with the bad rep given to lactic acid & lactate over the years, but they’re actually beneficial.2 Lactate in the cell can act as a buffer by reducing the cell’s acidity.
But the most benefit comes when lactate leaves the cell. At this point, it can either enter other cells, like your heart cells, to generate energy for them. Or, it can undergo the Cori cycle, where it is taken from the muscles and brought to the liver to be turned back into glucose and recycled.
Lactic acid is not your enemy, but a perfect fuel source for your muscles. Helping to reduce the acidity that comes from exercising, it is also used as a vast energy source for muscles to work on endurance.
So, next time you exercise, you can thank lactic acid for keeping your muscles moving!
Berg, J. M., Tymoczko, J. L., & Stryer, L. Biochemistry. New York: W.H. Freeman and Company. 2007. ↩
Robergs, R. A., Ghiasvand, F., & Parker, D. Biochemistry of exercise-induced metabolic acidosis. American Journal of Physiology. 2004
*Disclaimer: This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider.
Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition.
The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended as diagnosis, treatment, or prescription of any kind. The decision to use, or not to use, any information is the sole responsibility of the reader.
“To become more conscious is the greatest gift anyone can give to the world; moreover, in a ripple effect, the gift comes back to its source.”— Dr. David Hawkins.
Intro. On-Line Only In-Call Special 1 1/4 hr $70.00…that’s full 75 minutes (1st time client’s only) Mon – Fri if available plus offering a Sliding Scale and Senior and Veteran In-Call discounts with id. Policies
Please call for an Appointment: 805-637-7482 Please no texts
Therapeutic Massage Therapy Santa Barbara, Goleta, Ca.
Therapeutic massage is a general term that describes any type of massage modality that helps relieve pain, reduce stress, and work on a specific problem—such as a frozen shoulder. People tend to assume therapeutic massage means deep tissue massage, and that they will get a very strong massage.
Nicola is a practicing licensed and insured professional LMT ( Licensed Massage Therapist) ( State Certification # 7239 ) and fine artist based in Goleta and Santa Barbara, CA. Nicola has a wide range of female and male clients from athletes, artists, landscapers, UCSB, SBCC, Brooks students and faculty, business people, educators, construction workers, elderly clients, house wives and tourists. He is very flexible in scheduling appointments either at his studio. He can also make professional appointments at Holistic Centers in Santa Barbara, Buellton, Key2Fitness or can make home or out call or mobile massage visits in the Tri – Counties area. He also works with other local area professional massage therapists and can offer couples massages and can schedule male and female therapists to come to your home for a amazing couple’s massage. Maybe you own a business with a large group of people or have a large party of people. Nicola can organize as many therapists as you need to accommodate your specific needs.
THERAPEUTIC VS DEEP TISSUE MASSAGE
At Riktr Pro Massage Therapy, specialize in therapeutic massage, which for many people is synonymous with deep tissue massage. That makes sense because deep tissue massage is the most common of the therapeutic massage modalities—and if that’s what you’re looking for, you’ve come to the right place.
Therapeutic Massage vs Deep Tissue
Therapeutic massage is a general term that describes any type of massage modality that helps relieve pain, reduce stress, and work on a specific problem—such as a frozen shoulder. People tend to assume therapeutic massage means deep tissue massage, and that they will get a very strong massage. But this is not always the case. Deep tissue massage is great at breaking down scar tissue and getting your blood circulating, but it may not be what you need on a particular day. A good therapist will apply the specific techniques and the right amount of pressure to address your need, and sometimes that’s a lighter touch.
Types of Therapeutic Massage
There are several different types of therapeutic massage in addition to deep tissue massage, such as:
neuromuscular massage
myofascial massage
trigger point therapy
sports massage
Many therapists will use a combination of techniques depending on what your body needs. In addition, therapists will often take additional classes in different techniques.
Benefits of Deep Tissue Massage
Most of my clients are interested in deep tissue massage, and that makes sense because it is a great way to manage pain. Deep tissue massage—as well as the other therapeutic massage methods—can give you a lot of relief from chronic pain. Many of my clients come in for frozen shoulder treatment and neck pain—two side effects of working on computers all day.
Deep Tissue Side Effects
Many people want to know what the side effects of deep tissue massage are. That’s a great question, and it varies from person to person—and it can even vary for you depending on what’s going on in your body the day you get a massage. Typically, people may feel more muscle soreness for a day or two after the massage, especially if the therapist gives you a strong massage. A deep tissue massage shouldn’t cause horrible pain—and if it does you need to tell your therapist you need less pressure. However, if they’ve been working your muscles, you will probably feel it as the toxins leave your body.
Another side effect is a feeling of disorientation when the massage is over (we call it massage drunk). You may be a little light headed and out of it. That’s very normal. Just sit in the lobby and drink some water until the feeling passes! You’ll usually be fine in 10 to 15 minutes.
Finally, a deep tissue massage will leave you dehydrated. That’s why your therapist gives you water when it’s over. It is very important to drink plenty of water after a therapeutic massage.
Get results for Neck Pain, Headaches, Migraines, Shoulder & Arm Pain, Carpal Tunnel Relief, Upper Back, Low Back Spasms, Sciatica, Torso Pain, Hip, Thigh, Hamstring and Calf Injuries, Leg, Knee, Achilles and Foot Pain, Chronic Pain, Stress Relief, Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction and any other injuries or muscle related injuries and pain. Therapeutic Pain Relief Santa Barbara Goleta Massage, Trigger Point, Riktr Pro Deep Tissue, Swedish Massage, Nicola, LMT, 805-637-7482 Nicola (aka – Nick, Chris or Banduechy…so named by his handball buddies) is a California State Licensed and Insured LMT (Licenced Massage Therapist) Professional BODY WORKER, by APPOINTMENT ONLY, Last Minute Appointments are OK if available.
*Disclaimer: This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider.
Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition.
The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended as diagnosis, treatment, or prescription of any kind. The decision to use, or not to use, any information is the sole responsibility of the reader.
“To become more conscious is the greatest gift anyone can give to the world; moreover, in a ripple effect, the gift comes back to its source.”— Dr. David Hawkins.
Intro. On-Line Only In-Call Special 1 1/4 hr $70.00…that’s full 75 minutes (1st time client’s only) Mon – Fri if available plus offering a Sliding Scale and Senior and Veteran In-Call discounts with id. Policies
Please call for an Appointment: 805-637-7482 Please no texts
Professional Massage, Customized Massage, Santa Barbara, Goleta, Ca.
Specializes in Sports Massage Therapy, Barefoot Massage, Injury Rehabilitation, Deep Tissue, Neuromuscular, Trigger Point, Swedish, Chronic Pain and other Healing Therapies
Nicola is a practicing licensed and insured professional LMT ( Licensed Massage Therapist) ( State Certification # 7239 ) and fine artist based in Goleta and Santa Barbara, CA. Nicola has a wide range of female and male clients from athletes, artists, landscapers, UCSB, SBCC, Brooks students and faculty, business people, educators, construction workers, elderly clients, house wives and tourists. He is very flexible in scheduling appointments either at his studio which is located in the Goleta, Ca area now. He can also make professional appointments at Holistic Centers in Santa Barbara, Buellton, Key2Fitness or can make home or out call or mobile massage visits in the Tri – Counties area. He also works with other local area professional massage therapists and can offer couples massages and can schedule male and female therapists to come to your home for a amazing couple’s massage. Maybe you own a business with a large group of people or have a large party of people. Nicola can organize as many therapists as you need to accommodate your specific needs.
Massage: Get in touch with its many benefits
Massage can be a powerful tool to help you take charge of your health and well-being. See if it’s right for you.
Massage is no longer available only through luxury spas and upscale health clubs. Today, massage therapy is offered in businesses, clinics, hospitals and even airports. If you’ve never tried massage, learn about its possible health benefits and what to expect during a massage therapy session.
What is massage?
Massage is a general term for pressing, rubbing and manipulating your skin, muscles, tendons and ligaments. Massage may range from light stroking to deep pressure. There are many different types of massage, including these common types:
Swedish massage. This is a gentle form of massage that uses long strokes, kneading, deep circular movements, vibration and tapping to help relax and energize you.
Deep massage. This massage technique uses slower, more-forceful strokes to target the deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue, commonly to help with muscle damage from injuries.
Sports massage. This is similar to Swedish massage, but it’s geared toward people involved in sport activities to help prevent or treat injuries.
Trigger point massage. This massage focuses on areas of tight muscle fibers that can form in your muscles after injuries or overuse.
Benefits of massage
Massage is generally considered part of complementary and alternative medicine. It’s increasingly being offered along with standard treatment for a wide range of medical conditions and situations.
Studies of the benefits of massage demonstrate that it is an effective treatment for reducing stress, pain and muscle tension.
While more research is needed to confirm the benefits of massage, some studies have found massage may also be helpful for:
Anxiety
Digestive disorders
Fibromyalgia
Headaches
Insomnia related to stress
Myofascial pain syndrome
Soft tissue strains or injuries
Sports injuries
Temporomandibular joint pain
Beyond the benefits for specific conditions or diseases, some people enjoy massage because it often produces feelings of caring, comfort and connection.
Despite its benefits, massage isn’t meant as a replacement for regular medical care. Let your doctor know you’re trying massage and be sure to follow any standard treatment plans you have.
Risks of massage
Most people can benefit from massage. However, massage may not be appropriate if you have:
Bleeding disorders or take blood-thinning medication
Burns or healing wounds
Deep vein thrombosis
Fractures
Severe osteoporosis
Severe thrombocytopenia
Discuss the pros and cons of massage with your doctor, especially if you are pregnant or you have cancer or unexplained pain.
Some forms of massage can leave you feeling a bit sore the next day. But massage shouldn’t ordinarily be painful or uncomfortable. If any part of your massage doesn’t feel right or is painful, speak up right away. Most serious problems come from too much pressure during massage.
Riktr Pro Deep Tissue Massage Santa Barbara. Deep Tissue Massage Santa Barbara, Swedish Massage Santa Barbara, Sports Massage Santa Barbara, Barefoot Massage Santa Barbara, Trigger Point Massage, Reflexology Massage, Professional Bodywork, Santa Barbara Massage, Massage Santa Barbara, Massage Ventura, Montecito, Carpinteria, Summerland, Goleta, Tri Counties Massage: Nicola, LMT. Licensed Massage Therapist. 805- 637-7482 On the EDGE Therapeutic Deep Tissue, Swedish Healing Massage: Massage Santa Barbara, Ventura, Montecito, Carpinteria, Summerland, Goleta, San Ynez Valley, Buelton and the Tri Counties., Ca.
*Disclaimer: This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider.
Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition.
The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended as diagnosis, treatment, or prescription of any kind. The decision to use, or not to use, any information is the sole responsibility of the reader.
“To become more conscious is the greatest gift anyone can give to the world; moreover, in a ripple effect, the gift comes back to its source.”— Dr. David Hawkins.
Intro. On-Line Only In-Call Special 1 1/4 hr $70.00…that’s full 75 minutes (1st time client’s only) Mon – Fri if available plus offering a Sliding Scale and Senior and Veteran In-Call discounts with id. Policies
Please call for an Appointment: 805-637-7482 Please no texts
Nicola is a practicing licensed and insured professional LMT ( Licensed Massage Therapist) ( State Certification # 7239 ) and fine artist based in Goleta and Santa Barbara, CA. Nicola has a wide range of female and male clients from athletes, artists, landscapers, UCSB, SBCC, Brooks students and faculty, business people, educators, construction workers, elderly clients, house wives and tourists. He is very flexible in scheduling appointments either at his studio which is located in the Goleta, Ca area now. He can also make professional appointments at Holistic Centers in Santa Barbara, Buellton, Key2Fitness or can make home or out call or mobile massage visits in the Tri – Counties area. He also works with other local area professional massage therapists and can offer couples massages and can schedule male and female therapists to come to your home for a amazing couple’s massage. Maybe you own a business with a large group of people or have a large party of people. Nicola can organize as many therapists as you need to accommodate your specific needs.
What is a lymphatic drainage massage?
A lymphatic drainage massage is a type of full body massage that helps to unblock and drain the lymphatic system. These techniques can boost the immune system, reduce toxins, and help prevent breast cancer and other ailment.
What is manual lymphatic drainage massage?
Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) is a specialised, gentle type of massage and an important part of lymphoedema treatment. The aim is to encourage the extra lymph fluid to move away from the swollen area so it can drain normally.
What is involved in a lymphatic massage?
Lymphatic massage, also called lymphatic drainage or manual lymphdrainage, is a technique developed in Germany for treatment of lymphedema, an accumulation of fluid that can occur after lymph nodes are removed during surgery, most often a mastectomy for breast cancer.
Why lymph drainage is important?
The Importance of Lymph Drainage For Good Health. The proper functioning of the lymphatic system is critical to our body’s ability to drain fluids, detoxify, regenerate tissues, filter out toxins and foreign substances, and maintain a healthy immune system.
Lymphatic Massage Therapy
What is lymphatic massage?
Lymphatic massage, also called lymphatic drainage or manual lymph drainage, is a technique developed in Germany for treatment of lymphedema, an accumulation of fluid that can occur after lymph nodes are removed during surgery, most often a mastectomy for breast cancer. Lymphedema can also be present at birth or develop at puberty or during adulthood. This type, known as primary lymphedema, can affect as many as four limbs and/or other parts of the body. The cause is unknown. Lymphatic drainage massage for conditions other than lymphedema is not medically recommended, although it may be promoted by some therapists.
What conditions is lymphatic massage/lymphatic drainage used for?
Up to 25 percent of breast cancer patients whose surgery includes removal of lymph nodes in the area of the armpit eventually develop lymphedema. The condition can also occur in the legs or other parts of the body if lymph nodes are removed in the course of other types of surgery – for melanoma, colon, prostate or bladder cancer, for example – or are damaged by radiation treatment, infection or trauma. Symptoms include swelling and pain near the site of the removed or damaged lymph nodes. Lymphedema can occur immediately after radiation therapy or surgery, or weeks, months, and even years later.
What should one expect on a visit to a practitioner of lymphatic massage/lymphatic drainage?
A lymphatic massage session for women who develop lymphedema after surgery for breast cancer starts with light massage on the surface of the skin of the neck. The therapist gently rubs, strokes, taps or pushes the skin in directions that follow the structure of the lymphatic system so that accumulated lymph fluid can drain through proper channels. Lymphatic drainage is very gentle, is not painful and doesn’t have a stimulating effect. Each session lasts from 45 to 60 minutes, and therapy usually is performed once a day four or five times a week for two to four weeks. One study showed that the greatest reduction in swelling from lymphedema occurs in the first week of treatment and stabilizes during the second week.
Are there any side effects or conditions where lymphatic drainage/lymphaticmassage should be avoided?
The National Lymphedema Network lists four circumstances under which lymphatic massage or drainage should be avoided:
When patients who have developed lymphedema after surgery experience a sudden, marked increase in localized swelling. Under these circumstances, patients are advised to stop treatment and to see their physicians for evaluation as soon as possible.
Patients with a sudden onset of lymphangitis (an infection) should immediately discontinue treatment until the infection is treated and completely clears up. Patients who are at increased risk for blood clotting should be tested to rule out deep-venous thrombosis before being treated. During treatment, these patients should be followed closely, and testing should be performed on a regular basis.
Patients who have congestive heart failure must be monitored closely to avoid moving too much fluid too quickly, which could put a strain on the heart.
When pain is present, treatment should be discontinued until the underlying cause has been determined and the pain subsides.
Are there other therapies that might work well in conjunction with lymphatic drainage massage?
In addition to lymphatic massage, patients may be advised to do self-massage following instructions from their therapists, as well as special light exercises designed to encourage the flow of lymphatic fluid out of the affected limb. Some patients may also be advised wear compression garments such as long sleeves or stockings designed to compress the arm or leg and encourage lymphatic flow out of the limb.
Other recommended therapies for lymphedema may include wrapping the affected limb to encourage the fluid to flow back out of the limb into the trunk, or pneumatic compression which involves wearing a sleeve over the affected arm and leg that is connected to a pump that intermittently inflates it, putting gentle pressure on the arm or leg and thereby moving the lymph fluid away from the fingers and toes and reducing swelling. The combination of these therapies plus lymphatic massage is called complete decongestant therapy (CDT). This approach usually is not recommended for patients with high blood pressure, diabetes, paralysis, heart failure, blood clots or acute infections.
*Disclaimer: This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider.
Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition.
The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended as diagnosis, treatment, or prescription of any kind. The decision to use, or not to use, any information is the sole responsibility of the reader.
“To become more conscious is the greatest gift anyone can give to the world; moreover, in a ripple effect, the gift comes back to its source.”— Dr. David Hawkins.
Intro. On-Line Only In-Call Special 1 1/4 hr $70.00…that’s full 75 minutes (1st time client’s only) Mon – Fri if available plus offering a Sliding Scale and Senior and Veteran In-Call discounts with id. Policies
Please call for an Appointment: 805-637-7482 Please no texts
Nicola is a practicing licensed and insured professional LMT ( Licensed Massage Therapist) ( State Certification # 7239 ) and fine artist based in Goleta and Santa Barbara, CA. Nicola has a wide range of female and male clients from athletes, artists, landscapers, UCSB, SBCC, Brooks students and faculty, business people, educators, construction workers, elderly clients, house wives and tourists. He is very flexible in scheduling appointments either at his studio which is located in the Goleta, Ca area now. He can also make professional appointments at Holistic Centers in Santa Barbara, Buellton, Key2Fitness or can make home or out call or mobile massage visits in the Tri – Counties area. He also works with other local area professional massage therapists and can offer couples massages and can schedule male and female therapists to come to your home for a amazing couple’s massage. Maybe you own a business with a large group of people or have a large party of people. Nicola can organize as many therapists as you need to accommodate your specific needs
Def: Deep compression massage
A type of massage in whichmusclebelliesarepumpedandsqueezed in rapidsuccession;themuscle is thustreated as if itweretheheart in open-heartmassage.Deepcompressionmassage is believed to acceleratethehealing of musclesthathave an intrinsicallylowbloodflow.
com·pres·sion
(kom-presh’ŭn),
A squeezingtogether;theexertion of pressure on a body in such a way as to tend to increaseitsdensity;thedecrease in a dimension of a bodyundertheaction of twoexternalforcesdirectedtowardoneanother in thesamestraightline.
Compression, friction and vibration are three classifications of massage strokes, or techniques that, when used, add a lot of variety as well as increased health benefits to the recipient. Depending on how they are defined, these techniques are considered by some to be sub-categories of effleurage, petrissage or tapotement.
Compression
Great article by Linda Fehrs LMT
All massage strokes offer some degree of compression, whether one is working with traditional Swedish massage or the various forms of Eastern bodywork, such as Shiatsu or Thai massage. Pressure can range from extremely light, such as manual lymphatic drainage massage, to very deep, as in deep tissue massage and certain sports massage procedures.
In massage schools, if taught as a separate technique, compression is often taught simply as a stationary laying on of hands or fingers with a slight pushing down on to the tissue, a lifting up of the hands and then moving over and repeating. This might be used on the clients back at the opening or closing of a massage session in conjunction with a slight rocking movement, which is meant to encourage the activation of the parasympathetic nervous system.
In addition to relaxation, effective use of compression has many physiological benefits, including an increase in circulation, reduction of edema and releasing of adhesions. Light compression can be used on almost anybody under any circumstances. It can be used during traditional on-the-table massage, chair massage or massage on floor mats, and can be used over clothing. Lubricant is not needed for most compression techniques, as it is not typically a gliding stroke.
Friction
Friction is another technique in massage therapy that rarely requires the use of oils or crèmes to be effective. Because it is a focused stroke used in a small, localized area, usually no bigger than a 50-cent piece, the hands or fingers of the therapist need to maintain a certain amount of stability and consistent pressure to achieve maximum results.
There are two broad classifications of this technique, circular and transverse. In circular friction the finger tips of the first two fingers and/or sometimes the thumb are used to create small circular movements. The fingers do not glide over the skin but, rather, press firmly on the skin, which then moves over the underlying tissue. Friction is a very effective way to break up adhesions, especially in areas such as the intercostal muscles, as well as the infraspinatus portion of the scapula.
In transverse friction, the tips and pads of the fingers are used and, if the pressure desired is to be deep, one hand may be placed over the other as reinforcement. As in circular friction, the fingers do not glide over the skin, but press down on it and move across underlying tissue. Instead of circular movements, the direction of transverse friction moves either at a 90-degree angle or, in some cases, slightly oblique to the muscle fibers.
Friction strokes should not be used on pregnant women. During pregnancy the hormone relaxin is produced, which results in a softening of ligaments, tendons and fascia. This can easily result in the dislocation of joints if certain friction techniques are used. Friction is also contraindicated over varicosities, active inflammation, skin infections or recently strained muscles. While friction techniques are a great way to increase circulation locally, it can also act as an irritant and aggravate underlying conditions and must be used with care.
Vibration
Vibration is probably the least used of massage techniques. Students are somewhat fearful of doing it, and performing it for a final exam is often the last time it is used. Done correctly, though, it is one of the most effective techniques for soothing irritated muscles. Vibration uses the tips of the fingers moving in a very rapid back and forth trembling movement on the skin with a light pressure. The vibration originates in the forearm muscles of the therapist and moves down through the hands, creating a motion similar to shivering. It is used only for very short periods of times, anywhere from five to 20 seconds in a given spot, as it is extremely tiring for the therapist.
Using vibration helps stimulate circulation and promotes healthy glandular activity, improves lymphatic flow and muscle tone and, if used along with friction techniques, loosens scar tissue.
Precautions
As with any massage technique, certain precautions or contraindications should be taken into consideration either prior to or during the session. If the technique applied produces pain, especially along nerves, the massage should be stopped as it could aggravate an existing pathology. Areas that are inflamed or have open wounds should be avoided, as should recent injury sites. Care should also be taken when working on a woman who is pregnant. If in doubt as to whether a certain technique can be used, check with the client’s physician or a more experienced massage therapist.
Each person offers a different landscape of skin, muscle and bone. Opening your massage routine to different techniques helps to make your sessions more effective and shows clients you are giving them a therapeutic treatment tailored to their body. Varying your strokes to accommodate each client’s individuality is also a way of becoming more familiar with the art and science of the profession. It helps to increase your palpation skills and knowledge of anatomy as well. This, in turn, helps you to become a more proficient massage therapist.
Recommended Study:
Advanced Anatomy and Pathology
Resources:
Cassar, Mario-Paul, ND DO. Handbook of Clinical Massage: A Complete Guide for Students and Practitioners. 2nd. Philadelphia: Churchill Livingstone an imprint of Elsivier Ltd, 2004.
“Glossary – Friction & Vibration.” Ivy Rose Holistic Health and the Human Body. 30 October 2008 www.ivy-rose.co.uk.
Mally, Dr. James. Swedish Massage with Dr. James Mally. Roseville, CA: Abundant Health Resources, 2000.
General benefits of deep compression massage
Physical relaxation
Improved circulation, which nourishes cells and improves waste elimination
Relief for tight muscles (knots) and other aches and pains
Release of nerve compression (carpel tunnel, sciatica)
Greater flexibility and range of motion
Enhanced energy and vitality
Some clinical styles may help heal scar tissue as well as tendon, ligament, and muscle tears
What specific conditions can massage therapy help?
Massage therapy may help the body in many ways. Massage can relax muscle tissue, which may lead to decreased nerve compression, increased joint space, and range of motion. This may lead to reduced pain and improved function.
Deep Compression Massage therapy will improve circulation, which enhances the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to muscle cells and helps remove waste products. These circulatory effects of massage may have great value in the treatment of inflammatory conditions, such as arthritis or edema (an excessive accumulation of fluid in body tissues).
Deep Compression Massage therapy is also thought to induce a relaxation response, which lowers the heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure; boosts the immune system; and generally decreases the physical effects of stress.
Common Massage Techiques
Ischemic compression
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ischemic compression is a therapy technique used in physical therapy, where blockage of blood in an area of the body is deliberately made, so that a resurgence of local blood flow will occur upon release.[1]
Ischemic compression is commonly applied to trigger points, in what is known as trigger point therapy, where enough sustained pressure is applied to a trigger point with a tolerable amount of pain, and as discomfort is reduced, additional pressure is gradually given.
A quality massage therapist will have an array of massage tools and techniques to assist you. These massage techniques can include the following:
Longtitudinal Gliding
Longtitudinal gliding is a basic but effective massage technique administered in the direction of the blood flow. It aids the fluid dispersion from the injury site, and thus helps reduce inflammation and swelling. It is also very useful in relaxing tight muscles.
Kneading
Kneading can be performed in different ways and is described by the part of a hand used to accomplish the massage, eg thumb kneading and palm kneading. The pressure used must vary according to the purpose of the massage and the bulk of the tissues under treatment. The rhythm and rate of the movement are equally important as the pressure is applied intermittently.
Myofascial Releases
Myofascial release is manual technique for stretching the fascia with the aim to balance the body. Fascia is located between the skin and the underlying structure of muscle and bone, it is a seamless web of connective tissue that covers and connects the muscles, organs, and skeletal structures in our body. Injuries, stress, trauma, and poor posture can cause restriction to fascia, and the goal of myofascial release is to release fascia restriction and restore its tissue.
Trigger Point Therapy
Trigger point therapy is a bodywork technique that involves the applying of pressure to tender muscle tissue in order to relieve pain and dysfunction in other parts of the body. Trigger points are active centres of muscular hyperactivity, which often cross-over with acupuncture points. You will also find that your muscular “knots” are commonly trigger points.
Deep Transverse Frictions
Transverse friction is a transverse connective tissue therapy applied directly by the fingers. Transverse frictions use an oscillating pressure applied across the direction of the tissue fibres. This technique is used mainly on tendon or ligament injuries to help break down thickened, pain-producing scar tissue. If these lesions are not reduced then they are likely to cause further irritation, and degenerate more quickly than they should.
Compression Massage
Rhythmic compression into muscles used to create a deep hyperaemia and softening effect in the tissues. It is generally used as a warm-up for deeper, more specific massage work. Sports massage utilises compression massage.
Cross-Fibre Massage
Cross-fibre friction techniques applied in a general manner to create a stretching and broadening effect in large muscle groups; or on site-specific muscle and connective tissue, deep transverse friction applied to reduce adhesions and to help create strong, flexible repair during the healing process.
Swedish Massage
Swedish massage techniques include: long strokes, kneading, friction, tapping, percussion, vibration, effleurage, and shaking motions.
The usual sequence of techniques are:
Effleurage: Gliding strokes with the palms, thumbs and/or fingertips
Petrissage: Kneading movements with the hands, thumbs and/or fingers
Friction: Circular pressures with the palms of hands, thumbs and/or fingers
Vibration: Oscillatory movements that shake or vibrate the body
Percussion: Brisk hacking or tapping
Passive and active movements: Bending and stretching
PNF techniques combine passive stretching and isometrics with your muscle alternatingly stretched passively and contracted. The technique targets nerve receptors in the muscles to extend the muscle length.
First, the relaxed muscle is stretched by a partner, ones own body weight against the floor, a wall, or similar resistance.
At the point, where no further stretching seems possible, the stretch is held for up to 30 seconds. However, during this period, the muscle should be contracted as much as possible.
Finally, when the muscle gets relaxed again, it should be immediately stretched farther, which is then easily possible again.
This technique of alternating stretching and contracting can be repeated several times, in order to stretch a bit further each time.
Therapeutic Massage
Therapeutic massage seeks to obtain a therapeutic benefit. While therapeutic massage is often relaxing, the end goal of the session or series of sessions is not relaxation.
Therapeutic goals can vary considerably between massage therapists and clients. In some cases, massage is recommended by a health professional and may be performed as part of a larger treatment plan. For example, someone attending physiotherapy for an injury might have regular therapeutic massage to loosen muscles, improve muscle tone, and increase their flexibility. Likewise, therapeutic massage can be used to supplement wound care, cancer care, and a variety of other treatments.
People can use therapeutic massage as a standalone treatment. Some people, such as athletes, labourers or stressed out even office workers, receive regular therapeutic massage to keep themselves in good physical condition.
People of all ages can benefit from therapeutic massage when it is performed by a competent and fully qualified remedial massage therapist. Massage is also suitable for people with disabilities, expecting mothers, and people in treatment for medical conditions, although some special precautions may need to be taken to protect the health of the client.
Basic therapeutic massage techniques are derived from a variety of massage styles. Your massage therapist will tailoring your massage techniques depending on your needs. If you are unsure whether or not massage is appropriate for you, please call us at PhysioWorks for individualised advice.
How Does a Therapeutic Massage Help You?
Therapeutic Massage is a combination of Relaxation Massage and Remedial Massage to not only relax your whole body but at the same time, work through some of the muscle issues or “tight spots” you may be experiencing.
Massage therapy may also improve your circulation, which enhances the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to muscle cells and helps remove waste products or reduce swelling. These circulatory effects of massage may have value in the treatment of some inflammatory conditions, such as arthritis.
Massage therapy induces a relaxation response, which lowers your heart rate, breathing rate, and blood pressure; plus boosts your immune system; and generally decreases the physical effects of stress.
These effects suggest that massage may be helpful for a wide range of conditions.
What Conditions Benefit from a Therapeutic Massage?
Massage therapy helps your body in numerous ways. Massage can relax muscle tissue, which may lead to decreased joint and nerve compression, increased joint and muscle range of motion. This commonly results in less pain and improved function.
Therapeutic massage benefits the following conditions:
Stress
Anxiety
General Wellbeing
High Blood Pressure
Arthritis
Low Immunity
Minor injuries
When are the Best Times for a Therapeutic Massage?
The best time for a therapeutic massage is when you feel yourself getting worked up or when you are just not feeling your best.
Others find a regular therapeutic massage every month or two to be a great dose of prevention therapy. We even have some highly stressed patients who have weekly massages just to cope with daily life.
How Long Should You Book for a Therapeutic Massage?
If you have never had a therapeutic massage before or it has been quite some time since your last massage then your initial treatment should ideally be for 60 to 90 minutes so that the therapist can work through those tired muscles at an even pace to minimise any possible soreness the following day.
If you are a more regular massage recipient, your massage therapist will guide you as to the direction that works best for you and your muscles.
What Frequency Works Best for a Therapeutic Massage?
Everyone needs differ depending on your lifestyle. As a guide, regular therapeutic massages work best when on a 4 to 6 week basis. This is because your muscles need to keep relaxed and moving through their full available range. Otherwise they become “creatures of habit”. If tense is how they are most often, that’s what they will consider normal. And… we all know what that leads to… tight muscles, stress and pain!
For optimal results and less potential for muscle soreness the day post-massage, having a regular massage will keep your body from not only reacting to the positive change we are trying to provide, but it can also retrain your body to help itself and provide you with a better healthier you.
For advice specific to your therapeutic needs, please ask your massage therapist how regularly they feel that you should have a massage to function optimally.
Deep Tissue Massage
Deep tissue massage is a type of massage aimed at the deeper tissue structures of the muscle and fascia, also called connective tissue.
Deep tissue massage uses many of the same movements and techniques as lighter styles eg Swedish massage, but the pressure will generally be more intense. It is also a more focused type of massage, as the therapist works to release chronic muscle tension or knots.
A quality deep-tissue massage helps to:
loosen muscle tissues,
release toxins from muscles, and
get blood and oxygen circulating properly.
Will A Deep Tissue Massage Hurt?
It shouldn’t hurt, but it’s likely to be a bit more uncomfortable than a lighter style Swedish massage especially if you have some large chronic knots.
How Fast Will I Get Results With A Deep Tissue Massage?
Most people report unbelievable relief immediately after their very first deep tissue style massage. It is normal to feel mildly bruised in the 1-3 days following a deep tissue massage, due to the lactic acid being flushed out of the congested tissues.
I suppose it’s a bit like the soreness you can experience when you first start back into exercise and slightly overdo it. After that things will normally only get better… and you’ll feel much looser, rejuvenated and energetic.
What Can Help to Reduce Soreness?
It’s always hard to gauge just how firm your first deep tissue massage should be, so keep your massage therapist informed if you feel it is too much or too little.
It’s important to drink a lot of water after a deep tissue massage to help flush lactic acid out of the tissues. If you don’t, you’re more likely to be sore the next day.
How Deep Should Your Massage Be?
It’s important to be realistic about what one deep tissue massage can achieve. Many people ask for more pressure, thinking that if the therapist just pushes hard enough, they can get rid of all their knots in an hour. This just won’t happen.
In fact, undoing chronic knots and tension built up over a lifetime is best achieved with an integrated program that includes exercise, work on your posture and ways of moving, relaxation techniques and a regular program of massage to retain your muscle tension habits.
*Disclaimer: This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider. Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition. The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended as diagnosis, treatment, or prescription of any kind. The decision to use, or not to use, any information is the sole responsibility of the re
“To become more conscious is the greatest gift anyone can give to the world; moreover, in a ripple effect, the gift comes back to its source.”— Dr. David Hawkins.
Intro. On-Line Only In-Call Special 1 1/4 hr $70.00…that’s full 75 minutes (1st time client’s only) Mon – Fri if available plus offering a Sliding Scale and Senior and Veteran In-Call discounts with id. Policies
Please call for an Appointment: 805-637-7482 Please no texts
Nicola is a practicing licensed and insured professional LMT ( Licensed Massage Therapist) ( State Certification # 7239 ) and fine artist based in Goleta and Santa Barbara, CA. Nicola has a wide range of female and male clients from athletes, artists, landscapers, UCSB, SBCC, Brooks students and faculty, business people, educators, construction workers, elderly clients, house wives and tourists. He is very flexible in scheduling appointments either at his studio which is located in the Goleta, Ca area now. He can also make professional appointments at Holistic Centers in Santa Barbara, Buellton, Key2Fitness or can make home or out call or mobile massage visits in the Tri – Counties area. He also works with other local area professional massage therapists and can offer couples massages and can schedule male and female therapists to come to your home for a amazing couple’s massage. Maybe you own a business with a large group of people or have a large party of people. Nicola can organize as many therapists as you need to accommodate your specific needs.
How Massage Heals Sore Muscles
Great article Barbara P. Fernandez for The New York Times Researchers are learning how massage soothes aching muscles.
A massage after vigorous exercise unquestionably feels good, and it seems to reduce pain and help muscles recover. Many people — both athletes and health professionals – have long contended it eases inflammation, improves blood flow and reduces muscle tightness. But until now no one has understood why massage has this apparently beneficial effect.
Now researchers have found what happens to muscles when a masseur goes to work on them.
Their experiment required having people exercise to exhaustion and undergo five incisions in their legs in order to obtain muscle tissue for analysis. Despite the hurdles, the scientists still managed to find 11 brave young male volunteers. The study was published in the Feb. 1 issue of Science Translational Medicine.
On a first visit, they biopsied one leg of each subject at rest. At a second session, they had them vigorously exercise on a stationary bicycle for more than an hour until they could go no further. Then they massaged one thigh of each subject for 10 minutes, leaving the other to recover on its own. Immediately after the massage, they biopsied the thigh muscle in each leg again. After allowing another two-and-a-half hours of rest, they did a third biopsy to track the process of muscle injury and repair.
Vigorous exercise causes tiny tears in muscle fibers, leading to an immune reaction — inflammation — as the body gets to work repairing the injured cells. So the researchers screened the tissue from the massaged and unmassaged legs to compare their repair processes, and find out what difference massage would make.
They found that massage reduced the production of compounds called cytokines, which play a critical role in inflammation. Massage also stimulated mitochondria, the tiny powerhouses inside cells that convert glucose into the energy essential for cell function and repair. “The bottom line is that there appears to be a suppression of pathways in inflammation and an increase in mitochondrial biogenesis,” helping the muscle adapt to the demands of increased exercise, said the senior author, Dr. Mark A. Tarnopolsky.
Dr. Tarnopolsky, a professor of pediatrics and medicine at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, said that massage works quite differently from Nsaids and other anti-inflammatory drugs, which reduce inflammation and pain but may actually retard healing. Many people, for instance, pop an aspirin or Aleve at the first sign of muscle soreness. “There’s some theoretical concern that there is a maladaptive response in the long run if you’re constantly suppressing inflammation with drugs,” he said. “With massage, you can have your cake and eat it too—massage can suppress inflammation and actually enhance cell recovery.”
“This is important research, because it is the first to show that massage can reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines which may be involved in pain,” said Tiffany Field, director of the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami Medical School. She was not involved in the study. “We have known from many studies that pain can be reduced by massage based on self-report, but this is the first demonstration that the pain-related pro-inflammatory cytokines can be reduced.” she said.
Getting a massage from a professional masseur is obviously more expensive than taking an aspirin. But, as Dr. Field points out, massage techniques can be taught. “People within families can learn to massage each other,” she said. “If you can teach parents to massage kids, couples to massage each other. This can be cost effective.”
Dr. Tarnopolsky suggests that, in the long run, a professional massage may even be a better bargain than a pill. “If someone says “This is free and it might make you feel better, but it may slow down your recovery, do you still want it?” he asked. “Or would you rather spend the 50 bucks for a post-exercise massage that also might enhance your recovery?”
Correction: An earlier version of this article misidentified where mitochondria are found; they are inside of cells, but in the cytoplasm, not the nuclei.
PAIN
How Massage Helps Heal Muscles and Relieve Pain
Great article by Maia Szalavitz is a health writer for TIME.com.
Massage may work as well as drugs like aspirin or Advil in easing pain from intense exercise.
The word massage alone elicits deep relaxation and stress relief, and now a new study sheds light on how deep touch works to ease pain and promote healing in sore muscles.
Researchers at McMaster University in Canada found that massage affects the activity of certain genes, directly reducing inflammation in muscles — the same result you’d get by taking aspirin or ibuprofen — and boosting their ability to recover from exercise.
The study involved 11 young men who were willing to engage in what the researchers described as “exhaustive aerobic exercise” — the equivalent of an intense spinning class. The men rode stationary bikes to the point of exhaustion.
After the workout, each man received a 10-minute Swedish-style massage on only one leg; the other leg served as the control. They also had biopsies taken from their leg muscles before and after exercise, immediately after massage and then again two and a half hours later.
MORE: Aching Back? Try Massage for Chronic Pain
Researchers found that massage set off a series of molecular events in muscles that helped reverse discomfort related to exercise. Massage dampened the activity of proteins known as inflammatory cytokines, which cause inflammation and pain. It also increased levels of proteins that signal the muscles to produce more mitochondria, the cell structures that produce energy and help muscles recover from activity.
Tiffany Field, a leading researcher on the effects of massage and director of the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami Medical School, says she found the results “very believable.” She was not associated with the new research. (Field notes that her group is planning to study the effect of massage on some of the same inflammatory cytokines in HIV-positive pregnant women.)
Massage basically has the same pain-relieving effect as drugs like aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil) and naproxen (Aleve), says Field. Known as NSAIDS, for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, these medications work by reducing levels of substances called prostaglandins that increase levels of inflammatory cytokines. “By reducing the inflammation — or the pro-inflammatory cytokines, to be specific — you would reduce pain,” says Field.
Mainstream medicine has often dismissed massage as a bona fide therapy, but “these findings will have an impact on traditional medicine, as every ‘beneath-the-skin’ finding helps,” says Field.
The study was published in Science Translational Medicine.
Massage for Pain Relief
Great Article By Chris Woolston
From an early age, we learn that the touch of a hand can ease pain. When a toddler bangs his knee in a tricycle accident, he’ll instinctively rub the sore spot. Likewise, an office worker with stiff shoulders will probably try to knead them. And if a dancer can’t shake the throbbing pain in her back, she just might schedule an appointment with a massage therapist.
The healing power of a well-placed hand is so apparent that just about every culture in history has used massage to relieve pain. Massage faded into the background with the arrival of modern medicine, but a growing number of people are turning (or returning) to hands-on relief. According to a 2008 survey by the American Massage Therapy Association, about 21 percent of adults had a massage at least once in the last year, and almost 25 percent have used massage therapy at least once for pain relief.
It may be an “alternative treatment,” but massage already has the respect of the medical community. As reported in Rheumatology, more than 70 percent of doctors say that they have referred their patients to massage therapists.
If you’re suffering from pain — brief or chronic — you may want to give massage a try. Minor aches and pains aside, you should have a doctor evaluate you to rule out other causes of pain (especially persistent or acute pain for which there’s no apparent cause); in some cases pain can signal a serious condition, such as cancer or scoliosis. Also, before you climb into the massage chair or lie down on the table, you’ll probably want answers to a few questions.
How does massage ease pain?
Massage seems to ease pain in several different ways. For starters, it can increase blood flow to sore, stiff joints and muscles, which are warmed by the extra circulation. As reported by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, animal studies have found that massage also triggers the release of natural painkillers called opioids in the brain. (The report doesn’t explain how scientists massage the animals.) Animal studies also suggest that massage speeds up the flow of oxytocin, a hormone that relaxes muscles and encourages feelings of calmness and contentment. As an aside, oxytocin happens to be the same hormone that flows through women before labor. It relaxes the uterus and helps cement the bond between mother and infant, earning it the nickname “love hormone.” Massage may also change the way the brain senses pain. As Stanford neuroscientist Robert Sapolsky has said, the short, sharp sensations of a good massage can temporarily make the brain forget about other aches.
How effective is massage for pain relief?
There’s little doubt that a good rub-down can ease pain and tightness in stressed, overworked muscles. Now there’s growing evidence that it can also help relieve chronic (long-lasting) pain, especially the lower-back variety. A study of 262 patients published in the Archives of Internal Medicine found that massage was far superior to acupuncture or patient education for relieving back pain. After 10 weeks, 74 percent of patients said massage was “very helpful.” Only 46 percent for those who received acupuncture and about 17 percent of those who read a self-help book had the same response. Massage patients were also four times less likely than other patients to report being bedridden with pain. The authors concluded that “massage might be an effective alternative to conventional medical care for persistent back pain.”
In a true test of its value, massage has even been shown to ease the chronic pain and other miseries suffered by cancer patients. A study of more than 1,200 patients at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center published in the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management found that massage reduces symptoms such as anxiety, nausea, and pain by about 50 percent.
Is massage safe?
Massage is very safe, especially when performed by an experienced, licensed professional. It’s not entirely risk-free, however. A study published in the journal Rheumatology found 16 separate cases where massage caused serious injuries, including nerve damage and, in one instance, a bruised liver. The study concluded that such complications are “true rarities” that are most likely to occur at the hands of laypeople, or the use of more forceful techniques such as shiatsu.
According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, massage can be hazardous for anyone with deep vein thrombosis, burns, skin infections, eczema, open wounds, broken bones, or advanced osteoporosis. Cancer patients should consult with their oncologists about the safety of massage therapy as there may be a greater risk of certain adverse effects, such as internal hemorrhage or the dislodging of blood clots. They can also ask for a referral to a massage therapist who has a certification in oncology massage, and works in conjunction with a medical school or cancer treatment program.
And although massage has been found useful for relieving the aches and stiffness that show up during pregnancy, some experts recommend waiting until the second trimester to receive prenatal massage. Also, check with your doctor or midwife before undergoing massage or any other new procedure. If he or she signs off on prenatal massage, look for a certified massage therapist who has an additional certification in prenatal massage.
Finally, the University of Washington Department of Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine warns against massaging joints that are swollen or extremely painful. The university offers this advice: If massage causes pain, stop.
If you feel pain during a therapy session, tell your massage therapist immediately. You’re the expert on whether the treatment is helping or worsening your pain.
How do I find a massage therapist?
Get a recommendation from people you trust most, including friends, family, coworkers, or your doctor’s office. The American Massage Therapy Association and the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork also have handy locators on their Web sites for therapists in your area.
Once you do find a therapist, you can include the following questions:
Are you licensed to practice massage?
Are you a member of the American Massage Therapy Association?
Where did you receive your massage therapy training?
Are you Nationally Certified in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork? (Certification involves 500 hours of training and a written exam.)
Not all states, however, require professional massage therapists to get a license.
Which type of massage works best?
There’s no clear evidence that one form of massage works better than any other. A 2006 review of back pain studies found that acupressure or pressure point massage may be slightly more effective than the classic “Swedish” method of rubbing and kneading.
The most important thing to consider when choosing a massage technique is the quality of the therapist. Not only are experienced practitioners safer, they’re also more effective. The 2006 study of back pain found that the “greatest benefit came from trained massage therapists who had many years of experience.”
There’s only one amateur that should have your complete trust: yourself. As reported by the University of Washington, you can give yourself an effective massage. Just put a little oil or lotion on your hands and glide them over the sore spots. You’ll be in the perfect position to know what helps and what hurts.
Further Resources
National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) 1901 S. Meyers Rd., Ste. 240. Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181-5243 800-296-0664 http://www.ncbtmb.org/
American Massage Therapy Association 877-905-2700 http://www.amtamassage.org/consumers.html
References
Corbin L. Safety and efficacy of massage therapy for patients with cancer. Cancer Control. July 2005. 12(3): 158-164.
Ernst E. The safety of massage therapy. Rheumatology. 2003. 42: 1101-1106.
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Manipulative and body-based practices: An overview. December 2004.
University of Washington Department of Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine. Managing arthritis pain: Other pain management techniques. January 2005. http://www.orthop.washington.edu/uw/livingwith/tabID__3376/ItemID__96/PageID__136/Articles/Default.aspx
Furlan AD et al. Massage for low-back pain. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2006. http://www.cochrane.org/reviews/en/ab001929.html
Cherkin DC et al. Randomized trial comparing traditional Chinese medical acupuncture, therapeutic massage and self-care education for chronic low back pain. Archives of Internal Medicine. April 23, 2001. 161(8): 1081-1088.
Cassilbeth BR and AJ Vickers. Massage therapy for symptom control: outcome study at a major cancer center. Journal of Pain and Symptoms Management. September 2004. 28(3): 244-249.
Waring B. A cuddle a day keeps the doctor away. NIH Record. February 24, 2006. http://www.nih.gov/nihrecord/02_24_2006/story03.htm
American Massage Therapy Association. Massage therapy: facts for physicians. http://www.amtamassage.org/pdf/FactsForPhysicians.pdf
American Massage Therapy Association. What every consumer needs to know before visiting a massage therapist. http://www.amtamassage.org/news/beforevisit.html
National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork. Applicant’s corner. http://www.ncbtmb.com/applicants_corner.htm#application
American Massage Therapy Association. 2008 Massage Therapy Industry Fact Sheet. http://www.amtamassage.org/pdf/2008IndustryFactSheet.pdf
American Massage Therapy Association. 2009 Massage Therapy Industry Fact Sheet. http://www.amtamassage.org/news/MTIndustryFactSheet.html
*Disclaimer: This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider. Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition. The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended as diagnosis, treatment, or prescription of any kind. The decision to use, or not to use, any information is the sole responsibility of the reader.
“To become more conscious is the greatest gift anyone can give to the world; moreover, in a ripple effect, the gift comes back to its source.”— Dr. David Hawkins.
Intro. On-Line Only In-Call Special 1 1/4 hr $70.00…that’s full 75 minutes (1st time client’s only) Mon – Fri if available plus offering a Sliding Scale and Senior and Veteran In-Call discounts with id. Policies
Please call for an Appointment: 805-637-7482 Please no texts
