Tag: Santa Barbara

TMJ syndrome Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction Massage, TMJ Trigger Point Massage

TMJ syndrome Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction Massage, TMJ Trigger Point Massage

Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD or TMJD), also known as temporomandibular joint dysfunction syndrome and temporomandibular disorder among others, is an umbrella term covering pain and dysfunction of the muscles of mastication (the muscles that move the jaw) and the temporomandibular joints (the joints which connect the mandible to the skull). The most important feature is pain, followed by restricted mandibular movement,[1] and noises from the temporomandibular joints (TMJ) during jaw movement. Although TMD is not life-threatening, it can be detrimental to the quality of life,[2] because the symptoms can become chronic and difficult to manage. About 20% to 30% of the adult population are affected to some degree.[3] Usually, people affected by TMD are between 20 and 40 years of age,[2] and it is more common in females than males.[4] TMD is the second most frequent cause of orofacial pain after dental pain (i.e. toothache).[5]

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Massage for Torso Pain

Massage for Torso Pain

Massage is one of the ancient arts of wellness. The first mentions of massage occurred in China in 2700 BCE, but it was not long before it spread to the Middle East, Greece, and India. Massage is the manipulation of the soft tissues of the body. The goal of this manipulation is to promote relaxation and stress relief while easing pain and promoting an overall feeling of wellness. Physically speaking, massage also increases oxygen and blood flow to muscles. This can, in turn, promote your brain’s release of serotonin, the relaxation chemical. We know that most people suffer from pain in their back, neck, and shoulders due to today’s working conditions. Because of this, we’ll look at the best massage for back pain specifically, as well as styles that can help with other pain conditions.

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Father’s Day Massage

Father’s Day Massage

Swedish Massage works the muscles by various techniques: effleurage, kneading, friction, long strokes, kneading, tapping, vibration, shaking and percussion or tapotement… Swedish massage stimulates the whole body system thus makes it possible for the body to be rebalanced (by supporting a venous return, better blood and lymphatic circulation, the elimination of toxins, and better management of stress) and works on the level of the osseous frame.

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Sports Recovery

Sports Recovery

Sometimes a “truth” is not what it seems. Take lactic acid. For years, many massage therapists have been taught that lactic acid can and should be flushed from the muscles of athletes after intense activity. This truism has been passed on to clients who have also accepted it as fact. Both therapist and client thus have established and perpetuated a mutual belief system that purging of lactic acid is not only necessary but also efficiently accomplished with the assistance of massage. Some beliefs die hard. This one and others related to lactic acid have been holding their own, not only in some massage schools and practices but also in the community at large, despite emerging research to the contrary. Pass the word. There’s no need to mess with Mother Nature.

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Sports Flush

Sports Flush

Should you spring for a stint in the post-marathon massage tent? Get a regular rubdown to help your recovery as you train? Research shows that sports massage doesn’t always do what you think it does—but it may still help you recover from a tough workout.

Most importantly: Sports massage doesn’t flush lactic acid, or other “toxins,” from your muscles. Lactic acid is produced during exercise, and you might associate it with a burning feeling during hard work, but it’s not a problem, isn’t responsible for next-day soreness, and doesn’t need help to be removed from the muscles.

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Deep Tissue Massage / Bodywork in Santa Barbara

Deep Tissue Massage / Bodywork in Santa Barbara

Deep tissue massage is a massage that is designed to get into the connective tissue of the body, rather than just the surface muscles. As a massage therapist when I perform deep tissue I use a variety of techniques to deeply penetrate the muscles and fascia, loosening them and releasing tension. Most clients have a more intense experience with a deep tissue massage, but also feel that it is more beneficial because it addresses deep-seated muscle pains. Deep tissue is beneficial when undertaken on a regular basis so that I can work together with the client to correct long term problems, relax the body, and prevent injury.

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Trigger Point Massage

Trigger Point Massage

Based on the discoveries of Drs. Janet Travell and David Simons in which they found the causal relationship between chronic pain and its source, myofascial trigger point therapy is used to relieve muscular pain and dysfunction through applied pressure to trigger points of referred pain and through stretching exercises. These points are defined as localized areas in which the muscle and connective tissue are highly sensitive to pain when compressed. Pressure on these points can send referred pain to other specific parts of the body.

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