HEALING HANDS BODYWORK OF BOSTON
  • Home
  • MY STORY
    • My Story
    • Temple Style Lomi Lomi
    • My Travel to You
  • Offerings
    • Bodywork Offerings
    • Sound Healing Offerings
  • Book
    • Online Booking Calendar
    • Request an Appointment
  • MORE...
    • Sound Healing & Gong Baths
    • Chest & Breast Massage >
      • Therapeutic Chest & Breast Massage
      • Benefits
      • FAQ's Chest & Breast Massage
      • Resources
      • Legality in the USA
      • Courses in Chest & Beast Massage for Therapists
      • A European Perspective
    • Manual Lymphatic Drainage >
      • Manual Lymphatic Drainage - MLD
      • Therapeutic Post Surgical MLD
      • Oncolgy & Lymphedema Care
      • FAQs for MLD
      • Request a Consultation
    • Certified Prenatal Massage
    • Discounts, Packages, Gifts,Policies >
      • Discount Packages
      • Refer a Friend
      • Policies & Insurance
      • Purchase A Gift Certificate
    • Contact Me
  • LEARN
    • For Massage Therapists
    • Massage Workshops for Couples >
      • Massage Workshops for Couples
      • Intimacy Through Touch Workshops
      • Turn Any Treatment or Workshop into a Mini Retreat
  • Testimonials
  • Blog

6 Myths About Massage

7/20/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture


6 Myths about Massage

Its amazing to me when I read the offerings that are out there for a variety of different treatments ho many claims, and exaggerated claims exist about massage and massage therapy.  As well, there are some urban myths about do's and dont's.  I can tell you there are enough positive benefits to receiving regular bodywork that one needn't exaggerate the benefits.  Merely ask any of my regular or repeat clients why they come back again and again.   "It feels good"  Even if that were the sole benefit, wouldn't that be enough?  Who doesn't want too feel good?  I know I do.  It  is a primary motivator for almost everything we do in life.  Happiness, mind and body feeling good.  What else is there?
I have written about the countless ways in which bodywork can be good, but I am also careful about making any exaggerated claims.  They are not necessary.

For example one thing I often hear is that I did hear that it helps flush out toxins and remove lactic acid from the body if you need to recover from a work out.

Research shows that blood lactate levels return to normal ranges within 20-60 minutes regardless of any interventions.   Lactic acid is not even a waste product, but rather metabolic fuel for the muscle.

Here are just a few myths that are worth dispelling - but of course if there is evidence to the contrary, I will be happy to correct myself here.

#1. Toxins can be flushed out of the body via Massage:
This is an interesting myth as it’s probably the most popular.  The body processes excess waste (by-products of food, drink, air born pollutants etc.) in a variety of ways i.e. sweat, urine, feces, or if you’re ill by vomiting.  Your liver, kidneys and skin do a remarkable job of getting rid of these ‘toxins’ on a daily basis.  Massage does, however, increase blood supply to various parts of the body and can regenerate a lack-luster circulation as well as stimulating the lymphatic system.  This may be what is actually being referred to.  Drinking water is a good and pleasant thing to do after a massage, but not in any way a means of flushing out the toxins.

#2. Massage will get rid of cellulite:

If massage therapists could really banish cellulite, we would have a line a mile long and we’d never see a dimpled thigh ever again. However, cellulite is persistent subcutaneous fat and it’s appearance, mainly in women, is determined by hormonal factors, genetics, diet and lifestyle.  Eating a healthy, low fat diet, rich in fruits, vegetables and fiber and taking regular exercise is the best option to prevent and reduce the appearance of cellulite.

#3. The sign of a really good massage is that you feel quite sore the day after .  WRONG

How many people come to me and talk about their massage pain experiences.  Maybe it stems from the "no pain no gain" mentality ?   Everyone is different and some people are more sensitive than others but just because you don’t feel sore the next day doesn’t mean you had a bad massage.  In fact quite the opposite. Significant pain in soft tissue areas can be an indication that something went wrong, not right.

The sign of a good massage is that you ‘feel better’ than you did before – it may take a while to feel the full benefits but you should experience some of the following:

  • Relaxation
  • Renewed energy
  • Increased mobility
  • Less pain
  • Better sleep
  • Alertness

#4. Only DEEP TISSUE is good real massage 

This one drives me a bit crazy, maybe because my specialty is a very light touch but this goes hand in hand with the above. While there is certainly an express preference for "going deep" by some clients, it  is by no means a measure of the quality of a bodywork how "deep" one goes. In fact a properly applied  light tough will migrate into the deeper tissues.  Everyone falls victim to this myth.  Perhaps because pain is measurable it seems one way to quantify the experience?  Or perhaps if you have a therapist that is "too light" with their touch, it may have more to do with the fact that you have the wrong therapist. Maybe he or she is just not good.


#5. You shouldn’t get a massage if you have cancer

Massage Therapists and cancer patients have often fallen prey to this myth. Until recently, it was thought that the action of massage could actively spread cancer cells throughout the body.  However, cancer cells are caused by the body’s immune system malfunctioning and cells that turn cancerous will do so regardless of massage therapy stimulus.  If massage did cause cancer cells to move through the body then the same could be said of any form of exercise.  I believe this stems from an over exaggerated sense of the effect that massage can have on the body.


#6. You shouldn’t have a massage if you’re pregnant

Massage Therapy does not induce an early labor and is perfectly safe for both mother and baby during normal pregnancies.  It can be extremely beneficial for the Mom-to-be and offer a way to relax and unwind during a physically and mentally tiring time.  Massage is also a great way to keep the muscles ready for the big day. Post-natal massage can be equally beneficial too.


Hopefully if you are reading this you are already aware of some of the benefits of routine bodywork.  I encourage you to read some of those articles here as well and share this information with friends.

Aloha
 
0 Comments

    RSS Feed

    A Really Good Massage Blog

    About Me

    I write about things that I myself need to be mindful of.  ways in which I would like to improve.  It is not from the perspective of preaching - but rather writing helps me work out what I myself need to do - we are all in this together.

    RSS Feed

    Archives

    November 2022
    October 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    September 2021
    August 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    November 2020
    April 2020
    July 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    December 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014

    Categories

    All
    Abdominal Massage
    Aloha
    Anti-inflammatories
    Antioxidant
    Awareness Week
    Ayurveda
    Ayurvedic Medicine
    Back Bay
    Belly
    Benefits
    Best MAssage
    Better Sleep
    Body Mechanics
    Bodywork
    Boston
    Breast
    Breast Cancer
    Breast Massage
    Buddha
    Buddhist
    Burnout
    Cancer
    Cancer Massage
    Cannabis
    CBD
    CEU
    CEUs
    Chant
    Chest Massage
    Chi
    Chi Nei Tsang
    Christmas
    Classes
    Continuing Education
    Coronavirus
    Couples Workshops
    Courses
    Covid
    Deals
    Deep Pressure
    Deep Tissue
    Definition
    Discount
    Discounts
    Emotional Healing
    Esalen
    Euphoria
    Fertility Massage
    Flying
    Friendship
    Full-body
    Full Body Massage
    Getting Pregnant
    Gift
    Gift Certificate
    Gluteal
    Glutes
    Gratitude
    Grief
    Habits
    Hands
    Happiness
    Hawaii
    Hawaiian
    Healing
    Health
    Herbs
    High
    Holding Hands
    Holiday
    Hospice
    Human
    Infertility
    Ke Ala Hoku
    Ki
    Labor
    Laughter
    Learn Lomi
    Letting Go
    Life
    Lomi
    Lomilomi
    Lomi Lomi
    Lomi Lomi Training
    Lomi Massage
    Loss
    Mailing List
    Mana
    Manual Lymphatic Drainage
    Marijuana Massage
    Marthas Vineyard
    Massage
    Massage CEU
    Massage Class
    Massage Deals
    Massage Discount
    Massage Training
    Mastectomy
    Meditation
    Membership
    Mindfulness
    MLD
    Mothermassage
    Movement
    Music
    Myths
    Oahu
    October
    Oil
    Oncology
    Oncology Massage
    Pain
    Pain Relief
    Pandemic
    Parable
    Pecs
    Platonic
    Post Massage High
    Postpartum Massage
    Post Surgical
    Pregnancy
    Pregnancy Massage
    Pregnant
    Prenatal
    Relaxation
    Resolution
    Retreat
    Romantic
    Self-care
    Singing Bowls
    Sleep
    Sound Therapy
    Stress
    Stress Management
    Student Discount
    Testimonial
    Thai
    Thank You
    Thank You Note
    THC
    Tips
    Touch
    Tranquility
    Trauma
    Travel
    Tucking
    Tummy Tuck
    Val
    Valentines
    Valentines Day
    Wellness
    What To Expect
    Workshop
    Workshops
    Yoga
    Zen

    RSS Feed

  AWARD WINNING
   Looking for the best massage In BOSTON ?
   Voted "Best of BOSTON"  Massage BY Thumbtack
   Users  2 years in a row
.

Best Massage in Boston

 What Our Clients Are Saying

If you had a positive experience and you think others would benefit from your words, please feel free to send us your testimonial at
aloha@healinghandsbodywork.com   

Mahalo

BOOK NOW !

Subscribe Today!

* indicates required

View previous campaigns.

  • Home
  • MY STORY
    • My Story
    • Temple Style Lomi Lomi
    • My Travel to You
  • Offerings
    • Bodywork Offerings
    • Sound Healing Offerings
  • Book
    • Online Booking Calendar
    • Request an Appointment
  • MORE...
    • Sound Healing & Gong Baths
    • Chest & Breast Massage >
      • Therapeutic Chest & Breast Massage
      • Benefits
      • FAQ's Chest & Breast Massage
      • Resources
      • Legality in the USA
      • Courses in Chest & Beast Massage for Therapists
      • A European Perspective
    • Manual Lymphatic Drainage >
      • Manual Lymphatic Drainage - MLD
      • Therapeutic Post Surgical MLD
      • Oncolgy & Lymphedema Care
      • FAQs for MLD
      • Request a Consultation
    • Certified Prenatal Massage
    • Discounts, Packages, Gifts,Policies >
      • Discount Packages
      • Refer a Friend
      • Policies & Insurance
      • Purchase A Gift Certificate
    • Contact Me
  • LEARN
    • For Massage Therapists
    • Massage Workshops for Couples >
      • Massage Workshops for Couples
      • Intimacy Through Touch Workshops
      • Turn Any Treatment or Workshop into a Mini Retreat
  • Testimonials
  • Blog