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Therapeutic Massage FAQ Albany Berkeley CA

Ronda Allen
Massage Therapist &
Health Educator

Phone: (510) 367-8773

Deep Tissue Massage
Triggerpoint Technique
Reflexology
Sports Massage
Holistic Bodywork
Neuromuscular
Shiatsu/Acupressure
Swedish Massage

Albany Hill Health Center
514 Kains Ave
Albany, California 94706

 

1. What are the benefits of massage therapy?
Massage therapy relieves pain, reduces stress, renews energy, increases flexibility and mobility, facilitates postural alignment, helps heal wounds (physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual), strengthens the immune system, helps people reconnect with their inner self, improves circulation, helps eliminate toxins, improves sports performance, optimizes the benefits of other health care providers (eg. chiropractic, physician, acupuncturist) and helps in the maintenance of health, vitality and well being.

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 2. What are the different types of massages?
There are a wide variety of massage techniques. The most commonly known are:

Deep Tissue Massage - Focuses on the deeper layers of muscle tissue.

Reflexology - Based around a system of points in the hands and feet thought to correspond to all areas of the body.

Shiatsu/Acupressure - System of finger pressure based upon the Chinese Meridian System. The therapist uses hand and thumb pressure along designated points in the body.

Swedish Massage - Characterized by long, smooth strokes and fluid stroking and kneading of the superficial muscle layers, sometimes with tapping, clapping, or similar percussive movements with the hands, and combined with active and passive movements of the joints.

Trigger Point - Applies concentrated finger pressure to "trigger points" (painful areas in muscles).

 

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3. What training does the massage therapist have?
In 2001, Ronda graduated as a Massage Therapist at the National Holistic Institute in Emeryville. She is trained in Swedish Massage, Shiatsu/Acupressure, Deep Tissue, Reflexology, Trigger Point and Deep Tissue Massage.

 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4. Do I have to take my clothes off?
Whatever you are comfortable with. Some people choose to undress completely whilst others keep undergarments on. Throughout the massage you will be covered by a sheet and the massage therapist will only undrape that area of your body to be worked on at the time. No clothes need to be removed for certain massage techniques (eg.Shiatsu).

 

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5. Does the massage therapist use oil or lotion?
Ronda uses lotions or creams, depending upon the individual client.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6. Will it hurt?
It depends on the type of therapy and what kinds of problems you have. A general relaxation massage (swedish) should not hurt. Shiatsu/acupressure may access painful points and any therapy that directly addresses myofascial problems (eg. Deep Tissue, Trigger Point) may be painful when treating problem areas. However, most clients describe such feelings as "hurting in a good way" . A good massage therapist pays careful attention to both verbal and nonverbal cues from their client so as they know how deep to go. It is important that you let your massage therapist know if you are feeling any discomfort throughout the massage.

 

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7. Is my shoulder, arm and wrist pain caused by my computer?
 Whether it's for work or just for fun, prolonged computer use can be hard on both body and mind. At the very least, spending long periods of time sitting still leads to decreased circulation and stiffness. The position most people adopt when working at the keyboard involves suspending their arms with bent elbows, hands over the keyboard. This position places strain on the muscles of the back and shoulders below the shoulder blade. Many neck and shoulder problems result from poor posture, poor seating and the poor organization of equipment.

Wrist and hand problems are also common. For example, 'floating' your hand over the mouse for long periods leads to strain on the ligaments in the back of the hand and the wrist as does leaning wrists against hard surfaces such as the edge of the desk. Over time, problems may occur as a result of high repetition of hand movements or having bent wrists whilst using the keyboard. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a painful condition that affects the wrists and hands following pressure to the median nerve.

Chronic pain, and even permanently disabling injuries, can result from computer-related strains. The repetitiveness of typing and “mousing” causes cumulative strain and continued strain leads to microscopic tearing of muscle tissues, setting off a chain reaction of inflammation, swelling and pain. When these muscular strain patterns continue to the point of injury (generally known as RSIs), they can be just as debilitating as sudden traumatic injuries such as sprains or fractures.

Therapeutic Massage has proven very successful in the treatment and prevention of computer-related injuries. Improvements in ergonomics and other working conditions (eg. taking regular breaks and doing simple exercises) also play an essential role. However, even with such improvements, the underlying patterns tend to remain until corrected. Therapeutic Massage corrects muscular strain patterns, increases circulation, improves posture and reduces general stress and muscle tension.

 
© Copyright 2011 Ronda Allen - Massage Therapist. All Rights Reserved. 514 Kains Ave, Albany CA 94706