New Year, New Career

(Welcome to the Massage Therapy Profession)

The Healthcare industry is a rapidly growing field. With so many professionals having to deal with so much stress at work while balancing their daily lives, the tension continues to break down our bodies. A worn down body can lead to further injuries and even greater health risks.

Neuromuscular massage therapy can be an answer to dealing with the stress that today’s workforce faces while providing an excellent career opportunity for displaced and layed-off workers.

What is Neuromuscular Therapy?

Neuromuscular Therapy is a system of massage therapy that is based on understanding how the neuromuscular system functions. Neuromuscular Therapy's approach to massage is very detailed massage of muscles, tendons, ligaments, connective tissue, etc. Precise massage therapy releases problem areas that are missed by general massage.

What are the Benefits of Neuromuscalar Therapy School?

There are many benefits to enrolling in a Neuromuscular therapy school. Individualized learning environment , online classrooms, current massage therapy textbooks, dedicated massage school facility and integrative learning style.

Changing careers has never looked so appealing to Americans as now. Job uncertainty and constant lay-offs plague us all. Why not choose a career in an industry that is now and in the future predicted to continue experiencing growth. Choose Neuromuscular and Massage Therapy School to equip you for the future.

Physical Benefits of Neuromuscular Massage Therapy

"Neuromuscular massage therapy, also called myofascial trigger point therapy, is a touch therapy that focuses on sensitive points in your muscles called trigger points. According to MayoClinic.com, "sensitive areas of tight muscle fibers can form in your muscles after injuries or overuse," which can cause muscle and joint stiffness and deep, aching muscle pain.

The physical benefits of neuromuscular massage therapy include restoring muscle strength, increasing flexibility and relieving pain, cites AltMD.com. There is not enough scientific evidence to support the effectiveness of neuromuscular massage on specific health conditions. Consult with your physician before having a neuromuscular massage.

Restore Muscle Strength

Over time, reduced use of a muscle leads to muscle weakness. AltMD.com indicates that "trigger points prevent muscles from contracting correctly, making them seem weak," and adds that "by clearing our trigger points, we can return the full ability of our muscles to provide strength, balance and faster recovery from exercise." Increasing muscle strength with neuromuscular massage has not been scientifically proven. Check with your health care provider if you experience unexplained muscle weakness.

Increase Flexibility

In neuromuscular massage theory, trigger points are muscle fibers locked in a constricted position which limit the range of motion and flexibility of your muscles and joints. According to AltMD.com, "when these particular cells are in spasm, there is limited blood flow through the area, leading to a build up of metabolic waste and a lack of fresh oxygen and nutrients." During neuromuscular massage, the therapist aims to increase blood flow, release the trigger point and extend the muscle. There is not sufficient scientific data to conclude neuromuscular massage increases flexibility.

Pain Relief

MayoClinic.com reports that "a trigger point in a muscle can cause pain and strain throughout the muscle." Because a muscle constriction can pressure a nerve bundle, pain can be felt distant from the original location of the spasm. A massage therapist trained in neuromuscular therapy locates trigger points associated with muscle pain or numbness and applies concentrated pressure on that point to alleviate the tension. More studies are necessary to determine the effectiveness of neuromuscular massage for pain relief. See your doctor if you experience persistent pain." ~ Source: Livestrong.com

For a massage therapist school in North Carolina, check out Edmund Morgan School of Neuromuscular & Massage Therapy.

Massage & Its Healing Benefits

"One imagines tranquility and peace when they hear the word massage, but there are many types that are widely used ranging from the foot to the head, relaxing to therapeutic. Massages can help in instantly relaxing you from fatigue and tiredness and easing muscle pains, with Thai massage being the most relaxing and energizing form of massage technique.

Thai massage originated from India around 2,500 years ago, which then spread to other parts of Asia including Thailand. This type of massage is therapeutic. Thai massage was further developed by a physician Buddha named Jivaka Kumar Bhaccha who is regarded as the ‘Father of Medicine’. For centuries, Buddhist monks have practiced Thai massage for spiritual healing in temples and it is based on the theory that our body is ruled by life forces, an imbalance which can lead to many diseases. The purpose of Thai massage is to balance these forces, and indirectly help in a healing process.

Many places will provide loose clothing for you to change into, but bear in mind that not all do this so wear loose clothing just in case and don’t have a heavy meal prior to going for a massage. Thai massage does not require oils unlike other methods of massage and is performed on a padded mat on the floor. You will be asked to lie on your back on the mat, then they will apply gentle strokes using their hands, knees legs and feet following the energy lines on your body, starting with the legs and moving up to body parts.

A Thai massage is usually carried out on a 1-2 hour session on a monthly basis, but if the condition of the patient is bad it may be carried out 2-3 times a month. Thai massage does not require the removal of clothing as with other massage techniques and is associated with many health benefits such as, blood circulation, improvement of mobility, increase of energy levels, deep relaxation, reduction of muscle pain and spasm, stress, calms nerves, relieves fatigue, clears toxins, headaches, migraines, sciatica along with many more ailments.

Any one suffering from heart problems, blood pressure, osteoporosis, hemophilia, phlebitis, lymphatic cancer or any skin diseases should refrain from having a Thai massage. There are many who go to spas or gyms in order to find relaxation and peace from a massage, while others will call out a mobile masseuse. The Deep Tissue Massage is very popular among athletes and those who indulge in strenuous exercise as it helps in reducing stress and chronic pain in muscles. This version of massage stimulates stressed muscles which block the flow of oxygen and nutrients through the body. It involves slow, deep, and prolonged pressure strokes on the contracted area.  This breaks up the scar tissue, loosens muscles and improves mobility. Getting a deep tissue massage will help untie knots and deeply held tension in the muscle.

A build up of toxins in the deep layers of muscle and tendons can lead to inflammation of the muscles which can cause inconvenience to your daily life and restrict your daily routine. Some muscle pain caused by heavy workouts, incorrect posture, sitting for lengths of time can contribute to neck, shoulder and back pain. Deep massage techniques are used to rid you of these discomforts which include the use of more pressure than normal massage.

One of the deep tissue massage methods requires pressure applied directly over the sore area which is maintained until there is no more resistance.   The use of the hands, elbows, fingers and knuckles is common, along with massage tools like ceramic, wooden and glass objects for Deep Tissue Massage, applying as much pressure as is necessary to the affected area,  eventually  loosening the muscle and giving it flexibility. This deep muscle massage is a time consuming procedure as more time is given to the areas with most tension."
~ Source: www.pattayadailynews.com

For more information on the benefits of massage therapy, contact Edmund Morgan School of Massage.

Neuromuscular Massage Therapy

"If you are like the thousands of other people in this world who have turned to massage therapy in an attempt to ease pain, then you have probably stumbled across the words “neuromuscular therapy” or “neuromuscular massage” in your research.

The two terms – therapy and massage – are interchangeable and refer to the same practice, which has been used for several hundred years. Neuromuscular massage is an intense form of bodywork that consists of focused, concentrated massage on one specific area of the body. The pressure may continue for a period of up to thirty seconds at a time, and is designed to alleviate tension that extends from a “trigger point” into an entire muscle.

The theory behind neuromuscular massage is that when a muscle spasms – due to one of any number of stimuli – it is not caused by a spasm in the entire muscle, but by a spasm in a very centralized area of the muscle, which may then reverberate to other areas of the muscle, causing pain.

This small area is called a trigger point because it is the area that “triggers” pain in another area of the muscle, sometimes called referring or transferring.

When a muscle (or trigger point) spasms in the body, blood flow to that area is severely decreased, sometimes ceasing altogether. When the blood flow is diminished, oxygen necessary for the muscle to work properly is also decreased, causing a buildup of lactic acid. This causes a sensation similar to the one felt after a long workout – muscle soreness.

The problem is that this can turn into a vicious cycle of soreness and pain because the buildup of lactic acid combined with the body’s desire to compensate for the pain will inevitably lead to less blood flow, less oxygen, and the continued production of lactic acid. This is why muscle soreness and pain can continue for years unabated."

~ Source: AssociatedContent.com

Different Types of Massage

"Many different types of massage are offered at places from health care facilities and fitness centers to resorts and spas. Here's a sampling:

Swedish: Intended to relax and energize you, this is the most common type. Long strokes, kneading and friction techniques are used on the more superficial layers of the muscles, combined with active and passive movements of the joints.

Deep tissue: For muscle damage from an injury, such as whiplash or back strain. It's designed to release chronic patterns of tension through slow strokes and deep finger pressure on contracted areas.

Injury: Uses the technique of deep tissue massage and targets areas specific to injury or illness, such as headaches, back pain, ankle sprains and joint disorders.

Hot stone: A technique used in conjunction with other modalities in which warmed stones are placed on specific spots, such as acupuncture points, and sometimes used as massage tools.

Sports: Aimed at enhancing athletic performance and recovery by helping to prevent and treat injuries and keep the body flexible." ~ Source: CourierJournal.com

Please contact John Morgan, certified massage therapist, to learn more about massages!