Last Tuesday, I stretched my neck during a meeting and realized this immediate contraction or achy pain on the side of my neck; it stemmed from behind my ears (or at/around the mastoid process) all the way down to my shoulder (basically, my scalenes, upper traps, and levator all on my right side were affected).  I touched the area to feel what was going on and it felt a bit too tender to touch.  Ouch.  What the heck is that?!  But, I already knew what it was … where it came from or why so sudden?  I have no idea, but I’m convinced it was because I haven’t been getting regular massages since I returned back to work.  *sigh*  Plus, the added stress from the workload, lack of sleep and exercise, and not eating properly probably affected it all.  I iced my neck that same night.

The next day, it felt worse and needed a massage ASAP.  I could feel the tension building in my neck …something stirring inside that restricted my range of motion, but I continued to ice it down, massage what I could, and stretched it until my massage on Saturday.  That day couldn’t come any faster!

So my wonderful friend and colleague came to my rescue!  Keep in mind that her and I have about the same pressure, and I could barely take it.  =(  It was awful!  I was literally sweating on my table, concentrating on my breathing, but OMG, I was too sore.  Haha.  It was obvious that my body hasn’t had a massage in a long time and way overdue!  I still need a few more sessions to get back to where I was.  Later that day, my right shoulder (just above my collar bone) swelled up to a the size of half a golf ball!  What the heck?!  This has never happened to me.  ICE.  I iced it the whole weekend.  Then decided I should see my chiropractor on Monday.  Yikes!  Even the pressure from the adjustment was a bit sore.  ICE.  It was bad.

What is my next plan of action to get this under control?  Let’s see: 1) I was way too tender to get any type of neuromuscular work, and 2) I’m not sure if a relaxation massage would really cut it.  But first, I wanted to get that swelling down!  I asked my friend, who is also an LMT, if she thought CST would be the best thing for me.  Her answer:  YES!  See her ASAP.  Haha.  And, so I did.  Best decision ever.

I was able to get seen yesterday.  Thank god.  Because I honestly didn’t know how much more I can handle this annoyance.  I came to her feeling like my neck wanted to lock.  As if there was a tight band all the way around, but mostly on the back of my neck and base of my skull.  I just knew that something needs to be released in there.  (By this time, the swelling was gone.)  I never had CST done before.  I heard about it and knew a little bit about the modality.  However, the therapist did a wonderful job presenting to me what it was especially with her cranial bones (I think that was my favorite part….perhaps, I should get some bones myself to better explain to my own clients about certain dysfunctions….but I might need a whole skeleton. ).  Anyway, what intrigued me was how can she feel fluid movements?  I’ve never felt fluid movements because they’re so subtle.  But I felt them for the first time yesterday.  Pretty darn cool, if you ask me.  Like a subtle wave.  The therapist I saw coupled CST with a bit of energy work, I think, or maybe part of CST is energy as well.  Who knows, but I felt it.  She said some releases I would feel are like waves of cold across my feet, or legs down to my feet or even my arms.  YES, all of the above.  So I must’ve had a million releases.  Little did I know just how dysfunctional I was.  Haha.  I was fully-clothed and laid face up on the massage table.  It modality is very light with gentle techniques, and quite relaxing.  I’m not even sure if I was actually falling asleep or what.  However, the amazing part of it (besides feeling the movement) was learning that my first rib was out in the exact same location where the swelling/pain was.  I didn’t even notice my first rib was out or felt it pop back into place.  Interesting.  Hence, the pain and probably the swelling.  Anyway, all I know is that afterwards, I felt AWESOME!  With the exception of the pressure in my head and “coming to” after receiving bodywork, but that’s normal.  No more restriction around my neck, no more pressure, and my low back feels better too.  I’m brand new again, hence the name of her business, NEOS Massage (NEOS means to renew or feel new again?  Something like that).  Now, I can probably go for a relaxation massage to flush it all out of my system … then back to my weekly massages, if I can only find therapists to trade with.  =/

If you haven’t tried CranioSacral and interested in it, you can read more about it here.  If you’re in the Tampa Bay area and looking for a great therapist who specializes in CST, I recommend Molly at Neos Massage, and tell her I sent you.  =)

This year, we should start thinking about how we can better ourselves.  Whether if it’s in our physical, nutritional, mental health, spiritual, or financial well-being.  Our economy has put a lot of stress in our lives and doing what we can to survive it.  As for me, what kept me above water was keeping a positive outlook, praying, and serving/helping others … oh and getting FREQUENT MASSAGES!!  That definitely helped kept my stress levels down and my body moving forward (endurance/recovery-wise).  I was able to continually work everyday as a massage therapist, and work out these hard boot camp-like fitness classes, as well as keeping my mental health in check.  I don’t know how many times I’ve stressed the importance of massage whether if it’s stress reduction or to help with chronic pain, but I’m a true believer of it!  Otherwise, I wouldn’t be a massage therapist.  Now that I’ll be behind a desk most of the day, it’s even more reason to get massages frequently just as I did when I was a therapist full-time!  Ha.  Anyway, all I’m saying is that everyone can benefit from a good massage.  There’s a lot more health benefits to massage than you think!  So come get yours today! 

To a prosperous and healthy New Year! 

Xmas Spa Package I – $160*

• 60 min Relaxation massage
• 60 min European facial
• Manicure & Pedicure combo

Xmas Spa Package II – $95*

• Manicure & Pedicure combo
• 30 min Relaxation Massage

*(Gratuity not included in price.  Upgrades available; see below.  Package may not be split.)
Massage Upgrades for Spa Package

• Hot stone – $20
• 30 min massage – $25
• Foot scrub – $30
• Lomi Lomi (Hawaiian style) – $35

60 min Relaxation or Therapeutic Massage – $50
(Gratuity not included in price.)

Massage Packages:

• 6 – 1 hr massage sessions for $275
• 10 – 1 hr massage sessions for $500

(Relaxation or Therapeutic/Deep Tissue massage only)

Gift Certificates Available.

† Massage packages and gift certificates are non-refundable and non-transferable. Gratuity not included in package pricing or specials.

Contact:
Melissa Bariring, LMT
(MA55012)

813.817.7842

Schedule online at: www.thehealing-sanctuary.com

Stress is stress.  The body cannot differentiate between physical and emotional stress; it just knows it’s experiencing stress.  When the body experiences stress, it responds by stimulating the sympathetic nervous system to release stress hormones, adrenaline and cortisol.  Sympathetic nerves are located throughout the body including our organs and tissues, so when they are stimulated by stress, our heart rate increases, we perspire and breathe heavier.  Producing too much or too little of certain hormones can generate negative results.  Adrenaline is a powerful hormone because it focuses on the brain, sharpens eyesight, and contracts muscles in preparation of fight or flight response.  Depending on the type of stress or emotion we are in, our body’s natural response is to tighten our body – contract all of our muscles in preparation to flee or fight back.  Then we wonder why our neck and shoulders are always so tight, or why we have constant headaches.

If your brain interprets physical perceptions as anger, fear, or depression, every immune cell of your body knows that interpretation very quickly.  The brain and the cells of body communicate constantly, but the cells of the body also have a degree of memory.  This is why I always say muscle has memory.  When you’re stressed out about something, your body already recognizes this state and automatically triggers the stress response to contract certain muscles, and stores that stress or energy.  The constant stress produces chronic ongoing constriction of blood vessels which prevents fresh blood and oxygen to travel to all the tissues in the body, thus, creating another negative consequence: an accumulation of metabolic waste in the muscles.  Our circulatory system carries oxygen-rich blood (fresh blood) to the muscles (and other tissues), and picks up oxygen-poor blood (all the waste products) from our muscles and tissues to the excretory organs.  When the blood vessels are constricted, waste products back up, filling muscle tissue with metabolic waste — giving you that nasty knot in your shoulders or that horrible headache!  (This is your “ah-ha!” moment).

Massage can help trigger the relaxation response by providing a caring touch in a safe environment.  It helps bring the heart and breathing rate down, decrease blood pressure, slows down the production of stress hormones, and eventually helps your muscles relax.  During the relaxation response, the level of serotonin increases, a chemical in the body that positively affects emotions and thoughts.  I like to call it the happy hormone.  Massage therapy also increases blood and lymph flow, so improved circulation enhances the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the muscle cells.  As cellular health improves, tissue function becomes more efficient and leads to removal of waste products.   There are many benefits to massage, but some include stress reduction, lowers blood pressure, aids in anxiety, depression, and fatigue, and reduces muscle pain, spasms, and contractions.  Regular massages helps keep your body in balance by triggering the relaxation response, and the more massages received, your muscles will remember to ease up and release that stored energy.

Stress is inevitable.  We cannot escape it.  But, we can learn how to adjust our reactions and recognize when we are under extreme stress.  So what do you do?  Learn how to or figure out what makes you relax.  Take deep breaths.   Get to the root of your stressors.  Talk to someone.  Take a walk or vacation.  Exercise daily.  Hydrate your body.  Get a massage.  Most importantly, take care of yourself.  You are worth it.

October 24 – 30, 2010 is National Massage Therapy Awareness Week. In an effort to increase its awareness to the public, please forward this newsletter to your friends and family.  In return, you and your friend can receive $10 off your next massage, any massage during that week.  Schedule your appointment online at www.thehealing-sanctuary.com, and notate when booking that you received this newsletter.

References:

¹ D. Wayne, “Reactions to Stress,” found in Identifying Stress, a series offered by the Health-Net & Stress Management Web site, February 1998.

Colbert, Don.  (2003).  Deadly Emotions: Understand the Mind-Body-Spirit Connection That Can Heal or Destroy You. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.

(polls)

*Please note: This poll is tailored to people residing within a 5 mile radius of zip code 33543 (Wesley Chapel, FL).

In preparation for the session, it is recommended that the client not eat or drink for at least an hour prior to the massage.  Recipients are asked to not wear any perfume, cologne or other strong body scents.  All jewelry will need to be removed including any body piercing jewelry.  Legs, arms and faces that are shaved regularly should be recently shaved so that minimal stubble is present.  No make-up should be worn.  Hair will need to be up so that no hair is able to fall onto the neck or shoulders.  Ideally, the body should be recently showered and clean so that the oil flows smoothly on the skin.  After receiving Sacred Lomi, water should be consumed in significant amounts to help clear the body.

This massage is performed while lying directly on the massage table, with no bottom sheet, allowing the therapist to perform certain underbody flowing strokes and techniques.  The room is kept very warm to keep the client comfortable.  Often the therapist will breathe audibly to help sustain energy and assist in developing the proper intention.  Generally, there is no conversation between the client and therapist which allows the client and therapist to focus on the massage.  A liberal amount of unscented oil is used.  As is standard with any type of massage, the recipient will dress and undress in privacy, and while getting on and off the table, a draping sheet is used.

This is a very beautiful and caring style of massage and the process is, at a minimum, fully relaxing.  Some find it to be personally uplifting and insightful.  Sacred Lomi is best performed with minimal draping based on the client’s comfort level.  The client’s comfort level is the primary consideration.  If the client is not comfortable – then there really is no purpose in providing the massage.  Modifications of the typical Sacred Lomi draping method are possible, but any modifications will prevent the ability to perform certain strokes and movements.  It is preferred that no undergarments of any kind be worn – if underwear is worn it is very likely that it will be damaged from oil staining.  During the actual massage, the preferred draping method uses a hand towel that will always be covering the gluteal cleavage and genital area.  The genital area is never exposed.  As an alternative option, the full draping sheet can be folded down and used for covering the genital area / gluteal cleavage but it will need to be folded to a fairly thin strip positioned between the legs.

It is recommended that no breast draping be used.  If breast draping is used, it consists of a hand towel folded into a strip and placed over the breast area; it is also folded up at the sides so that the sides of the upper body are accessible. Most people experiencing a Sacred Lomi massage choose the option to not have any breast draping.  This choice allows for a much more complete massage and utilization of several very beneficial strokes and clear access to the sternum area (the Heart Chakra).  The breast is never touched.

The preferred leg placement is also different in this style of massage.  Optimal placement positions the legs so that the feet are at the edge of each side of the table.  This allows access for numerous leg strokes and techniques.  Legs can be placed more center-line to the table, but this limits the effectiveness of the strokes and may prevent certain strokes from being utilized.  Regardless of leg placement, the genital area is never uncovered or touched.  The client’s draping choices will be held in the strictest confidence, and needs to be indicated on an informed consent before the massage session begins.

Some people may experience emotional releases during this type of massage, and it is perfectly normal if it were to occur.  It is suggested to not suppress any emotion and just let it surface, and let go.  I believe this is why some people find the massage personally uplifting.  The massage will continue regardless if emotional releases occur unless you need a moment to yourself, then be sure that you tell your therapist.  It’s best to just let the massage unfold on its own.

I have yet to do my own video and show you. 

“Lomi Lomi was designed to enlighten the being in the physical body and awaken the recipient to their calling. Being present in each moment and offering total love and acceptance is at the heart of this sacred practice.”
-Tom Cochran

Lomi Lomi means to weave or massage.  Sacred Lomi is a specific adaptation of Hawaiian Temple Bodywork.  All of the movements of this work are based on circles and figure eights which create a beautiful, weaving pattern all over the body.  This movement confuses the thinking mind and allows for a deep letting go on many profound levels.  Sacred Lomi’s intention is to weave love, light and spirit into the body; help unweave unhealthy patterns and unravel wounds and old belief systems; weave the unconscious with the conscious mind and weave the waking world with the dream world.  The work provides a sacred space of unconditional love and acceptance for the initiate to let go and surrender to the guidance of their own spirit.

So, where do I sign up? 

We had a great turnout.  I had complimentary chair massages given by one of my LMTs; MonaVie representatives showcasing their fruit juices (which taste absolutely wonderful!  Their energy drink is my favorite!); a hypnotherapist available to discuss how she can help people overcome any mental or emotional obstacle in their life; a chiropractor to discuss the benefits of taking care of our spine; a Pilates trainer demonstrating the differences between Pilates and Yoga, and how it can help benefit us in the long run.  Last, but not least, I demonstrated a new technique I am learning and refining my skills on Lomi Lomi, a Hawaiian massage.  There were some raffle prizes: a bottle of MonaVie, a massage and Pilates combo session package, a gift basket by Christy’s Basket Corner, and a box of Sleep Neuro (it’s a drink that helps you sleep).

I didn’t get a chance to take a whole lot of pictures as I was busy talking with everyone.  So I’ll post what I have soon.  It was a lot of fun, and I thank everyone who participated in the event for coming and being a part of it, as well as the guests!  Thank you!