I had the good fortune to do a massage exchange with a local well respected colleague this week. Naturally I was apprehensive because she has a very good following and has been well established for years. So it was with some satisfaction that she had such an appreciation for my work and my approach. And it got me to thinking about how relaxation is really more than just a spa pleasure but really at the foundation of pain relief as well as stress relief. This comes up often in my discussions with clients about pain, and the mind (where pain is located) and the importance of calming the mind through all the senses, and how touch, sound, smell, temperature of the room, all play a role. Anyway I digress. Back to the exchange, here are some words lifted from her description of my work to her clients.....
Is it really all that important to relax and relieve stress? Yes! Today I am promoting the idea that Gentle + Kind is actually the new Deep Tissue. Nooooo...I can hear some of you already! Trust me. I get it, the too-gentle massage. You want to scream and jump off the table. One time a client DID scream at me: "PRESSSUURRRRE!!!!" Oh my. For sure I had misjudged. I stepped it up (although mostly out of fear :-) But pressing harder is not necessarily "stepping it up." It is more difficult than you might think to give a super focused, stress-reducing, theta-state inducing Swedish "relaxation" massage. Luckily we now have Edward for that! He gave me a massage yesterday and since his website boasts "Elite Relaxation" that's what I ordered. I don't mind sharing that there was a small amount of drool that I needed to manage. I'm picky when it comes to bodywork, and I can say with all confidence that I am happy to leave you with Edward again while I head back to western Mass again next week. Let me say this about relaxation: it often relates directly to pain relief. If you know me, you know that I now exercise my right to refuse service to certain new clients. Text from potential client: Hey, are you strong? I need really deep tissue. I can take it. Me: No. I am not strong. I recommend Mike's Sports Massage. He is strong. Thank you. Of course I am strong, and I remove trigger points, but the body also has to relax. The ability to relax the body is just as important, if not more important than strength. I was reminded of this after Edward's massage. Despite the spiel I just gave about relaxation, for my own massage I had thought that I would save "working" on my shoulder for another day because we were doing "Swedish relaxation" massage. Dummy. My whole nervous system relaxed and then guess what happened. My shoulder stopped hurting! This also surprised me about relaxation: Recently I have been taking Valerian if needed for post-workout soreness. It works! I had tried Turmeric because of its anti-inflammatory properties but I was disappointed because it didn't do much for me. Valerian is said to reduce anxiety and blood pressure, and to help with sleep. In other words, it relaxes and calms the nervous system, just like Edward! Now of course, everyone's pain will respond to something different. What is it for you? Turmeric? Valerian? Advil? Edward? (courtesy of Lisa B. Massage) I am looking forward to receiving my exchange session from her next week. In the meantime take what she says and see if it applies to your own situation.
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Where Do I Get a CBD Massage in Massachusetts?What is a CBD Massage? Does it provide pain relief? Can I get High? Is it legal?
These are all very good questions. There is much hype surrounding the topical use of CBD in massage treatments. While the science is still somewhat unclear, the anecdotal evidence is mounting that CBD infused oils or lotions provides pain relief and can help with stress and relaxation. CBD Massages have are becoming more popular. A massage using CBD provides an unconventional path to get from muscle soreness, chronic pain, tension and stress. Topical cannabinoids are, according to doctors, antioxidants and anti-inflammatories with healing properties. The benefits of both massage therapy and CBD individually are well known. The theory holds that by combining the two, achieved results can be more intense. CBD will bind and act on the CB2 receptors which can be found near the skin. This will activate the endocannabinoid system to deliver relief. Cannabis has two essential components of interest, THC tetrahydrocannabinol & CBD cannabidiol. THC is the psychoactive component of marijuana; it's the molecule that makes you feel "stoned." CBD on the other hand is the one of interest to massage. It has wonderful therapeutic properties, helps relieve pain, acts as an anti inflammatory, and when used as a topical massage cream, does not enter your blood stream. It will not get you high - but it may make you feel wonderful. Since CBD is non-psychoactive (as opposed to THC which is what allows you to feel "high") so you do not have to worry about getting a high feeling from the CBD massage. If you were to get a massage that incorporated both THC and CBD topical products, you still likely wouldn’t feel a high as THC absorbed through the skin is not a sufficient means to allow it to be absorbed into the bloodstream and delivered to the brain - sorry folks. Where Do I Get a CBD Massage? In many states where medical marijuana is legal, therapists are already offering infused products; both THC and CBD. Some advertise this fact some do not. It is always a good idea to simply ask your therapist if he or she can and is able to work with these products. |
A Really Good Massage BlogAbout MeI 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.
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