zen massage

New Year, New You

Amanda Sullivan Healthy Lifestyle, Massage Service, Massage Specials, Massage Therapy, Specials, Zen Massage , , , , 0 Comment
New Year, New You 20% off all massage bookings in January
The new year is a time for reflection, resolutions, and turning over a new leaf.
At Zen Massage, we want to encourage you to pamper yourself and your loved ones, which is why we’re offering 20% off all massages booked by January 31st.
Call Today to book your session and mention this promotion. (801) 467-3529
A new year means a new you. Start if off right; don’t miss out on all our massage options—20% off Through January 31st. Check out our services
BOOK NOW
(801) 467-3529

Impressive Benefits of Massage for Skiers

Amanda Sullivan Healthy Lifestyle, Massage Therapy, Skiers, Sports Injury, Uncategorized, Zen Massage , , , 0 Comment
Impressive Benefits of Massage for Skiers

Impressive Benefits of Massage for Skiers

Whether you’re a bunny slope newbie or a double black diamond pro, skiing is one of the best ways to enjoy winter. But nursing a twisted ankle or bad back does not make for an enjoyable ski experience.

If you want to stay injury-free while enjoying long days out on the slopes this ski season, consider massage therapy. Massage can be a great solution for your aching muscles after a hard day of skiing and can improve your athletic performance.

We know that a week spent happily shredding fresh powder comes with its own set of aches and pains. Sometimes ignoring those pains for too long can even lead to more serious injuries. It’s important to stop pain in the early stages to prevent it from becoming a bigger problem, and massage can help you do just that.

Common Skiing Injuries

Although skiing is quite popular around the world, it’s one of the most injury-prone recreational sports that Americans engage in on a regular basis. The most common skiing mishap is knee injury—accounting for about 35% of all skiing related injuries—often caused by a twisting motion while falling. Upper body injuries like sprained thumbs and shoulder injuries are also all too common.

Injury Prevention for Skiers

There are a variety of ways to prevent injuries on the slopes. Enhancing your fitness level before ski season will help with flexibility, strength, and balance (fewer wipeouts = fewer injuries).

Regardless, you’re still likely to have sore spots and aches from the physical rigor of a hard day of skiing. So, what can you do to speed up your recovery time and prevent major injury?

Benefits of Massage for Skiers

Massage therapy has a long list of benefits for skiers who want to recuperate quickly so they can get back out and perform their best on the powder. In fact, getting a massage in the middle of a typical ski week could be just the tune-up that your body needs to run at its optimal level. According to the American Massage Therapy Association, research shows that massage therapy can:

1. Decrease muscles soreness and tension

Sports massage helps you relax those tired muscles after a hard day skiing.

2. Reduce recovery time from an injury

Deep tissue massage promotes muscle healing after strenuous activity, allowing you to get back on the slopes sooner.

3. Improve muscle flexibility

Massage can make you more limber, which can help prevent common skiing injuries.

4. Improve circulation

Swedish massage techniques improve blood flow, keeping you warm and your muscles oxygenated.

5. Improve joint range of motion

Sports massage techniques target tissues and ligaments around joints, providing you with more mobility when chasing your buddy down the slope.

6. Increase relaxation and improve sleep quality

You’ll rest easy after a soothing massage post-ski, according to AMTA research.

7. Reduce anxiety

The calming effect of massage can also alleviate any anxiety you may be dealing with, like paying for that speeding ticket you got on the way to the ski resort.

8. Lower blood pressure

You can improve your heart health with stress-busting Swedish massage.

9. Improve proprioception (awareness of body positioning)

Sports massage techniques can help improve your body awareness, essential for when you’re flying past trees, bunny slope skiers, or other obstacles on the slopes.

10. Promote connective tissue healing

With faster recovery time, you can look forward to getting back on your skis the day after a massage.

Types of Massage for Skiers

Skiers can benefit from a variety of massage specialties, including deep tissue massage, Swedish massage, and sports massage. Pre-ski trip massage can help warm the muscles up and ensure they are loose and ready to function their best. Post-ski massage is an essential tool for relieving muscle and joint soreness.

While you’re planning that ski trip with your friends to Park City be sure to book everyone a massage after a day out on the slopes. Your friends—and your tired muscles—will be sure to thank you for it.

Zen Massage in Salt Lake City 

APPOINTMENTS

(801) 467-3529

5520 South Van Winkle Expy

Salt Lake City, UT 84117

De-Stress at the Office with Chair Massage

Amanda Sullivan Corporate Massage, Educational, Healthy Lifestyle, Massage Service, seasonal stress, Zen Massage , , , 0 Comment
Onsite Chair Massage by Zen Massage
Onsite convenience, in studio quality

De-Stress at the Office with Chair Massage

Hello, Salt Lake,

Here we are and 2019 is coming to a close but before we say hello to 2020, it’s a good time to stop and take a moment to shake off all the build-up from 2019. After all, it’s best to begin the New Year with a refreshed, stress-free mind and body!

Workplace issues are one of the most common causes of stress in life. Whether it’s because of internal conflicts, boring routine, or that annoying coworker in the next cubicle- it’s inevitable. Luckily, job stress is a problem that can be resolved in many ways.

Here are a few ideas any organization can use to help start off 2020 on the right foot.

  • Holiday Incentives

Providing incentives doesn’t have to mean going “all-out” and giving every worker you have a huge monetary bonus. If you’re a start-up company or you’re simply on a budget, that’s just not realistic. But Holiday incentives can be something as simple as a handmade gift, a surprise potluck, or maybe even some free movie tickets so employees can take their loved ones out during the holidays. It’s the little things!

  •   Office Parties

Why do employees go out for drinks during the weekends? To wind down after a hectic week, of course! Imagine the kind of stress that accumulates from an entire YEAR if some of your employees don’t take those opportunities. Throwing a New Year’s party back at the office or at a nearby spot would let your employees mingle and have a chance to “let their hair down” as a group. This can give them a chance to dance off all the stress they accumulated throughout the year, a chance to build up morale with co-workers, and helps them start the New Year off on the right foot, as a team!

  •   Change of Scenery

A simple change in the ambiance for the New Year can make a huge difference. Humans are visual creatures, and it’s amazing how much our environment can affect us. Adding motivational posters, new art, or positive decor brightens up the workspace and brings a fresh feel to the office.

  •   On-Site Chair Massage

Wouldn’t it be nice to have a Zen Massage Therapist come into your office and give you a relaxing chair massage? Corporate chair massage is among the strongest statements a company can make to underscore a commitment to a safe, healthy, stress-free workplace. It’s no surprise that many businesses on Fortune-500 magazine’s list of “Top 100 companies to work for” have offered chair massage to their employees and many keep chairs and therapists on-site year-round to provide ongoing stress and muscle relief for their staff.

Onsite Chair Massage by Zen Massage

Onsite convenience, in studio quality

ZEN Massage takes corporate chair massage very seriously. For the perfect chair massage, it is not enough for us to simply apply table massage principles to a seated position. In order to maximize the therapeutic effect of our chair massage, we had to abandon the notion that chair massage was universal. In fact, everything from the height of the chair, therapist, and client, to the angle of the face rest plays a significant role in how our clients feel. We also understand that simply applying pressure to a muscle without stretching it has minimal therapeutic effect, so the founding principles in ZEN Massage had to be re-invented with the chair in mind. Ultimately, we succeeded in translating the amazing effectiveness of ZEN massage to a seated application with no loss of therapeutic effect. Contact us today about our corporate massage service in Salt Lake City. Your employees will thank you!

Corporate Services https://zenmassage.net/corporate/ 

  • On-Site Office Chair Massage
  • Conventions and Booth Staffing
  • Parties, Receptions, Conferences
  • Sporting Events
  • On-going Corporate Contracts

Zen Massage of Salt Lake City

(801) 467-3529

5520 South Van Winkle Expy,

Salt Lake City, Utah 84117

Black Friday Sale | Zen Massage Salt Lake

Amanda Sullivan Healthy Lifestyle, Massage Therapy, Specials , , , , 0 Comment

Black Friday Sale 

-Buy Two 90 min Sessions get free 60 min massage.
-Buy One 90 min session, get 50% off a 60 min massage.

When you buy TWO 90 min sessions from Zen Massage before DEC 1, 2019 You will receive a FREE MASSAGE

Click Here or
Call (801) 467-3529
to order your Gift Cards or book your massages Today!

Copyright © *2019* *Zen Massage*, All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:
*relax@zenmassage.net

 

Massage Basics

Amanda Sullivan Blog, Educational, Healthy Lifestyle, Massage Service, Massage Therapy , , , , , , , , 0 Comment

Massage Basics

Massage is the practice of rubbing and kneading the body using the hands. There are several types of massage that focus on different parts of the body or healing approaches. Keep reading and decide which type of massage might be right for you.

Swedish massage

Swedish massage is a gentle full-body massage that’s ideal for people who:

  • are new to massage
  • have a lot of tension
  • are sensitive to touch

It can help release muscle knots, and it’s also a good choice for when you want to fully relax during a massage.

For this massage, you’ll remove your clothes, though you may choose to keep your underwear on. You’ll be covered with a sheet while lying on the massage table. The massage therapist will move the sheet to uncover areas that they are actively working on.

The massage therapist will use a combination of:

  • kneading
  • long, flowing strokes in the direction of the heart
  • deep circular motions
  • vibration and tapping
  • passive joint movement techniques

Usually, a Swedish massage will last for 60–90 minutes.

Hot stone massage

Hot stone massage is best for people who have muscle pain and tension or who simply want to relax. This type of therapeutic massage is similar to a Swedish massage, only the massage therapist uses heated stones in lieu of or in addition to their hands. It eases muscle tension, improves blood flow, and relieves pain by using heated stones. Hot stone massage may help:

  • ease muscle tension
  • improve blood flow
  • alleviate pain
  • promote relaxation
  • relieve stress

During a hot stone massage, heated stones are placed on different areas around your whole body. Your therapist may hold a stone as they massage different parts of your body using Swedish massage techniques using gentle pressure. Sometimes cold stones are also used.

You don’t wear clothes for hot stone massage unless you’ll feel more comfortable wearing your underwear. You will be covered with a sheet. Usually, the massage is 90 minutes long.

Aromatherapy massage

Aromatherapy massages are best for people who want to have an emotional healing component to their massage. This type of massage can help:

  • boost your mood
  • reduce stress and anxiety
  • reduce symptoms of depression
  • relieve muscle tension
  • relieve pain

Aromatherapy massages combine soft, gentle pressure with the use of essential oils. Your massage therapist will usually decide which essential oils to use, but you can let them know if you have a preference. Essential oils are diluted before being applied to the skin.

During the massage, you’ll be given a full-body massage while inhaling essential oils through a diffuser and absorbing them through your skin. Sometimes an aromatherapy massage will only focus on your back, shoulders, and head. You won’t wear any clothing other than underwear, which is optional.

An aromatherapy massage is 60–90 minutes.

Deep tissue massage

Deep tissue massage uses more pressure than a Swedish massage. It’s a good option if you have chronic muscle problems, such as soreness, injury, or imbalance. It can help relieve tight muscles, chronic muscle pain, and anxiety.

During a deep tissue massage, your massage therapist will use slow strokes and deep finger pressure to relieve tension from the deepest layers of your muscles and connective tissues. You can be naked during this massage or wear your underwear.

The massage will last for 60–90 minutes.

While deep tissue may be more intense, you shouldn’t feel any pain or soreness.

Sports massage

Sports massage is a good option if you have a repetitive use injury to a muscle, such as what you may get from playing a sport. It’s also a good option if you’re prone to injuries because it can be used to help prevent sports injuries. You may also use sports massage to increase flexibility and performance. Additionally, sports massage can be used to relieve pain, anxiety, and muscle tension.

A sports massage can be done as a full-body massage or the massage therapist may focus on the parts of the body that need the most attention. Deep pressure may be alternated with soothing strokes depending on your needs.

You can have a sports massage while clothed or naked. If you prefer to wear clothing, make sure it’s thin, loose, and allows the therapist access to your muscles. Loose shorts and a tank top are options.

The massage will last for 60–90 minutes.

Trigger point massage

Trigger point massages are best suited for people who have injuries, chronic pain, or a specific issue or condition. Sometimes areas of tightness in the muscle tissues, known as trigger points, can cause pain in other parts of the body. By focusing on relieving trigger points, this type of massage can reduce pain.

Trigger point massage uses broad, flowing strokes that are gentle and relaxing combined with stronger, deeper pressure. The massage will include work on your entire body, though your therapist will focus on specific areas of your body that need to be released. You can wear lightweight clothing for the massage or be fully or partially undressed.

This type of massage will usually last for 60–90 minutes.

Reflexology

Reflexology is best for people who are looking to relax or restore their natural energy levels. It’s also a good option if you aren’t comfortable being touched on your entire body. Reflexology uses gentle to firm pressure on different pressure points of the feet, hands, and ears. You can wear loose, comfortable clothing that allows access to your legs.

A reflexology massage lasts for 30–60 minutes.

Shiatsu massage

Shiatsu massage is best for people who want to feel relaxed and relieve stress, pain, and tension. It’s a Japanese type of massage that:

  • promotes emotional and physical calm and relaxation
  • helps to relieve stress, anxiety, and depression
  • may relieve headache
  • reduces muscle tension

Shiatsu massage works the whole body, but your therapist may focus on areas of your body that need extra attention. During the massage, your therapist will use their hands, palms, and thumbs to massage certain points of your body. Pulsing or rhythmic pressure is used. You can be fully clothed during this massage.

Shiatsu massages typically last for 60–90 minutes.

Couple’s massage

A couple’s massage is a massage that you do with your partner, friend or family member in the same room. It brings all the benefits of a regular massage and sometimes provides you with access to the spa’s hot tubs, saunas, and other facilities. Other treatments such as pedicures, facials, and body scrubs are sometimes offered as part of a package.

You can usually choose which type of massage you’d like to receive, and you and your partner can each get a different type of massage depending on your preference and the offerings at the spa. Your partner and you will be on tables side-by-side, and you’ll each have your own massage therapist working on your body. You can talk during the massage if you wish.

Chair massage

A chair massage is best for people who want a quick massage that focuses on your neck, shoulders, and back. A chair massage can also be a way to introduce you to massage if you’ve never had one before. Chair massage also helps to relieve stress and promote relaxation. This type of massage uses light to medium pressure.

During the massage, you’ll remain fully clothed and sit in a specially designed chair. You’ll straddle the chair so that your chest pushes into the back of the chair, allowing the massage therapist to have access to your back.

These massages are usually 10–30 minutes.

Communication 

Always communicate your expectations and intentions with your massage therapist and speak up if there is something with which you aren’t comfortable. Talk to your doctor before getting any type of massage if you have any health concerns or conditions.

Massage may be a way for you to feel better physically, mentally, and emotionally. Experiment with different types of massage and with different massage therapists to find the type and provider that is most ideal for you.

Zen Massage Therapists, Salt Lake City

When it comes to massage therapy, no amount of exotic marble, fountains, lights, and monograms on fancy terrycloth robes and slippers can equal the skilled, experienced hands of a master massage therapist. A luxurious interior can make a great impression, but when you’re back in your clothes again walking out the door, the only thing that matters is how you feel in the real world. The quality of any spa experience is quite literally in the hands of the therapist. Nobody understands this better than ZEN Massage of Salt Lake City. Our partner-therapists make ZEN Massage what it is. We partner with only the best therapists who share a sincere passion for the craft of healing and the art of massage. But most of all, our partner-therapists are approachable. They know how to listen and to understand. They want to make you feel great. They enjoy what they do because they do it exceptionally well.  

Book My Zen Massage

Zen Massage in Salt Lake City

5520 South Van Winkle Expy

Salt Lake City, UT 84117

(801) 467-3529

 

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What is Asian Massage?

Amanda Sullivan Blog, Educational, Massage Therapy , , , , , 0 Comment

Ever wonder what they mean by an Asian Massage? 

Well, as the name suggests, an Asian Massage is bodywork that follows the principles of traditional Asian medicine, which usually means touch-based therapy with very specific purposes. Although all the many kinds of Asian massages aim to rejuvenate the body and promote some degree of physical and mental relief, each comes with its own different effects on the body.

Different Kinds of Asian Massage

Most Asian massages employ techniques that work with the body’s energy flow or chi. Basically, the goal is to create balance within one’s inner elements or chakras so that the body is reset. In contrast, western massage techniques are mostly meant for relaxation. The other difference is that Asian massages can be performed while the person is fully clothed. As opposed to its Western massage that applies the techniques on the bare skin.

Acupressure Massage

Developed by Chinese medicine over 5,000 years, this is a type of massage that uses pinpoint pressure on parts of the body. By specifically targeting these specific parts, tensions that normally build up within these areas are released, giving the person significant relief. The acupressure massage uses the same principles as acupuncture treatment in that they target the same acupoints. However, they don’t use needles to “puncture” these spots. Instead, they apply pressure, which is where the massage got its name.

What’s interesting about this massage is that it can be done on yourself if you know how. When done properly, it can provide immediate relief for certain sicknesses and conditions.

Amma or Anma

Amma uses a technique that combines application of pressure on acupoints with deep-tissue massage. It aims to cure the imbalances in one’s system, refreshing the entire body after. 

This therapy is based on traditional Japanese massage techniques introduced by Gan Jon Osho, a Buddhist Priest who practiced the Chinese anmo back in the 6th century. It was further developed in the 17th century by Waichi Sugiyama, who established schools for the blind. Being blind himself, Sugiyama taught the blind the ways of amma and they became quite common in the 20th century.

Ayurveda Massage

The Ayurveda Massage gets its roots from India. It’s a technique that focuses on the body’s chakras and marmas, which are similar to the acupoints in Chinese medicine. According to tradition, the body is filled with countless marmas. The massage, however, will focus on 107 major marmas that are all found at the junctions where the joints, bones, arteries, tendons, flesh, and veins meet. This is also where most body pains meet.

The massage also uses oils in order to employ techniques that aim to open and cleanse energy channels that could be blocked over time. The technique also stimulates all the senses, which also contributes to the healing process.

Shiatsu

The word means “finger pressure” in Japanese, but the massage actually uses a wide variety of techniques such as soothing, pressing, kneading, tapping, and even stretching in order to induce relaxation of the mind and body. Although a kind of Asian massage in itself, Shiatsu further branches out into different styles, with all having some association with one of the three massage systems that originated in Japan back in the 1900s. This kind of massage is actually commonly known even in the west. Unlike other well-known treatments, however, this kind of massage does not use any oil at all, and can be done while the client is fully clothed.

Jin Shin Jyutsu

Jin Shin Jyutsu is an incredibly simple version of acupressure massage. It follows the same principles of acupressure, except that it only focuses on 26 points, which are few compared to the 300 points that acupressurists work with. The 26 points are called SELs, which stand for Safety Energy Locks and are located along the body’s energy pathways. Using his hands, a Jin Shin Jyutsu practitioner will hold on to a combination of these SELs and gently massage through them, allowing the client to experience the flow of energy, which can be as relaxing as it is healing.

Chi Nei Tsang

This Chinese detoxifying massage is said to treat the emotional conditions that have been associated with diseases. It targets the body’s organs, specifically the ones affected by any illness, in order to help with healing and recovery.

Chi Nei Tsang uses old Taoist techniques where the organs are gently but deeply massaged, which results in physical, spiritual, and emotional relief. When translated, the phrase “Chi Nei Tsang” means to work the internal organs. The abdomen is normally oiled up so it feels warm before it is subjected to massage strokes with the palm. Sometimes the person would feel some pain because the organs are indeed being targeted, but feels relaxed after.

Thai Massage

Thai massage is a full body contact massage that uses a combination of Indian Ayurvedic principles, acupressure massages, and yoga poses. It generally does not use oil and can be applied with the client fully-clothed. During the massage, the therapist follows identified lines along the body, and the client will be positioned in a way that they follow these lines. Hence, the client can expect being put into different positions on top of his fingers and extremities of the body being pulled and some knuckles being cracked. Of course, much like actual yoga, the client would feel relieved after the session, which normally lasts for up to two hours.

Asian massages have really come a long way since they were developed by ancient Asian tradition. But no matter how different they are, they all have the aim of promoting health and wellness to those who experience it. 

If you haven’t yet, make it a point to try them all and see which one suits your needs and preferences best. Don’t hesitate to ask your therapist if you want to know more about the treatment you’re looking to get so you can make the most of the experience.

 

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Zen Massage in Salt Lake City 

https://zenmassage.net/

(801) 467-3529

5520 South Van Winkle Expy

Salt Lake City, UT 84117

How to Begin a Workout Routine

Amanda Sullivan Blog, Educational, Healthy Lifestyle , , , , , , , 0 Comment

Begin a Workout Routine Again

Have you been planted in the couch cushions too long?  Here are some tips we’ve found on how to start exercising and establish a fitness routine you’ll actually stick with.

Stop beating yourself up for your lack of effort, it’s time to move on and forgive yourself.

Here’s how to start:

1 Take Some Selfies

In order to accurately track your progress, it’s helpful to identify your starting point and then define your goal. If you do this every two to four weeks you can track your progress. Another option is to use a tape measure and track measurements in your biceps, waist, hips, bust, and thigh areas so you can see you’re losing inches, even on weeks when it seems the scale hasn’t budged.

2 Start Small

So you haven’t lifted a weight since who knows when? That’s OK. The first week you’re easing back into exercising, start small. Know that any movement is good movement. Commit to doing 10 minutes of an exercise video or walking for exercise three days this week. This will help you establish behaviors and create the habits your body will thank you for.

3 Make One Change at a Time

The first week you intend to exercise, look ahead at your schedule and establish modest changes to your routine. Write down five ways you are going to be healthy today. Your daily success list could include things like not drinking soda, eating more vegetables, doing 30 minutes of walking today, taking the stairs in your office once a day, and drinking more water. Keep them small and achievable so you’ll be motivated by your daily victories.

4 Plan Out Your Mornings

Starting a morning workout routine is just like establishing any other new habit: It requires some planning and dedication. Prep your coffeemaker to go off when you wake up, pack your lunch the night before. Look at each week ahead of time and plan exercise accordingly. Advance prepping and planning can eliminate decisions about your workout, clothes, or what you’re eating that day—freeing up time to actually exercise.

5 Expect to Fall

Here’s the reality of any journey, whether it’s business, relationships, diet, or fitness—you’re going to make mistakes and stumble along the way. Just remember, like you would if you were faced with an issue in the workplace, identify the problem and take action to make sure it doesn’t happen again.

6 Look Beyond Weight Loss

Exercise for the health benefits that aren’t related to weight loss, like feeling more energized, happier, calmer, and experiencing better sleep. When you don’t feel like exercising, remind yourself of how good you’ll feel during or after exercise. If you can begin to associate being active with pleasure and how good you feel as a result of it, you’ll be more inclined to stick to your exercise routine.

7 Find Something You Can Stick With

Fitness experts and doctors alike often say the “best exercise” is the one you enjoy and will keep doing. If you hate boot camp workouts or can’t see yourself making a weekly commitment to yoga, move on to something you’ll look forward to showing up for. Maybe a dance class, Spinning, ballet-inspired barre workouts, or walking with friends. You want to make this experience as pleasant as possible. 

8 Make New Habits

If you can nail down a few fitness habits—whether that’s getting up a few mornings a week or even showing up to the gym when you don’t feel like it—you’re more likely to be successful. Once your mental game is on point and established, the physical aspect of following through with your intentions will be easier.

9 Do It for Yourself

When you make a promise to anyone else in your life—your husband, child, boss, or friend—you stick to it, but because it’s you, you might not stick to your commitment. You must treat the fitness and health commitments you make for yourself like you would your job, family, and friendships. You wouldn’t let important people in your life who are counting on you down, so why do it to yourself? 

In the end it’s all about taking care of you.

Zen Massage in Salt Lake City 

ZenMassage.net

(801) 467-3529

5520 South Van Winkle Expy

Salt Lake City, UT 84117

Massage Therapy for Sports Injuries: Knee Pain

Amanda Sullivan Healthy Lifestyle, Massage Service, Massage Therapy, Therapy Sports Injury , , , , , , 0 Comment

Massage therapy methods used to release tension around the knee and how acute or insidious knee injuries are treated. 

Knee pain is frustrating, especially when it starts to compromise your form and hinder you from performing at your best. If you have a sports related knee injury, I suggest you treat it now. Don’t wait. Your body needs knees to function properly.

As the age-old song implies, your knees are indeed connected to the rest of your body. And the longer you try to push through the knee pain, the more likely you’ll be to find yourself seeking treatment later on for compensatory pain in your neck, shoulder, back, hip, arch, foot or toe.

Massage therapy is a great way to treat and better understand the root of your knee pain.

Is the Injury Acute or Insidious?

Acute Problem

Was the pain sudden? Did pain occur following a quick movement, forceful fall, knee twist, kick to the side of the knee, etc? This is an acute injury and you should see a medical professional immediately, as there might be a diagnosis of torn meniscus, muscle strain or ligament injury. In the meantime, RICE (rest, ice, compress, elevate) is the way to go. Massage Therapy at this phase should only be gentle and light with a goal to promote lymphatic circulation and minimize swelling.

Insidious Problem

Or maybe your knee pain started as a niggling vague annoyance? Perhaps the trigger was an old ankle injury, minor knee sprain in high school, a bad fall some years ago (that you thought healed just fine), or even poor posture? This type of knee injury is considered to be chronic or insidious. Micro-trauma accumulates over time. If left untreated, the condition fueled by progressive muscle imbalance and chronic inflammation around the knee can turn into a full-blown acute injury.

Assessment & Treatment

Massage therapists try to unravel and release structures around your knee that are likely to exacerbate pain. Techniques like effleurage, petrissage, muscle stripping, trigger point therapy, myofascial release, cross-fiber friction, and ischemic compression are used to restore integrity and balance to the knee joint.

There are lots of contributing factors making every person’s knee injury unique. An orthopedic-trained Massage Therapist should first do a simple assessment, and then make a plan of action to work and build from.

The assessment gathers info about your injury history, pain patterns, joint movement and postural alignment. We also assess the length, strength and quality/feel/composition of the muscles and structures around your injured knee, and beyond into your hips, spine and ankles.

Therapists use clues like pain location, simple movements that recreate symptoms, and palpation as a starting point for relieving knee pain.

Conclusion

Massage Therapy for sports-related knee pain 1-2 times per week with the same therapist for at least 3 weeks to determine its effectiveness for your injury is recommended.

Massage Therapy for knee pain is ideal in conjunction with a corrective exercise plan designed by a chiropractor with a sports injury specialty or a physical therapist.

You’ll be a happier person and perhaps a better athlete if you aim to understand what’s causing your knee pain and treat it properly.

 

For professional Sports Massage in Salt Lake City Contact Zen Massage

(801) 467-3529

5520 South Van Winkle Expy

Salt Lake City, UT 84117

Sports Massage “Hurts So Good”

Amanda Sullivan Healthy Lifestyle, Massage Therapy, Therapy Sports Injury , , , , , , , , 0 Comment

Sports Massage Really Does Hurt So Good

According to Johnson Memorial Health’s blog, Sports Massage Really Does Hurt So Good.

 “It’s a good kind of hurt.” Sports Massage Therapy may not have the same ambiance or effects of a luxurious spa treatment, but the benefits will improve your athletic performance and help injury recovery. 

There’s no need to suffer with tight or sore muscles for weeks on end when regular therapy can help expedite recovery. The deep tissue rubdown can be painful at first but the effects on conditioning and improvement on performance is well worth the initial discomfort.

Many professional, collegiate and high school athletic programs integrate Sports Massage into their training programs, according to the American Massage Therapy Association. Massages take place before or after competition. And, while Sports Massage is more physically intense than a spa massage, you’ll still walk away with less stress and tension.

The specific technique used in Sports Massage Therapy gives your muscles more oxygen and nutrients necessary for quick recovery and to prepare them for competition. To give you a better idea of how exactly this happens, we broke down the benefits for you.

Pacing

Often fast-paced, Sports Massage Therapy can be administered before or after competition or a workout. It is designed to increase flexibility and reduce soreness – and can be customized by the sport or athlete’s body type. Typically pre-event massages are performed at a faster pace to prepare the muscles for competition; stimulating them to increase speed and flexibility.

Technique

The Certified Sports Massage Therapist administering the massage uses specific techniques that apply heavier pressure on layers of muscles and deep tissues. This helps to:

  • Get blood flowing back to the heart
  • Deliver fresh oxygen and nutrients to the muscles and tissue

The goal is to remove knots and tension within the muscles. The tissue movement also removes waste products and toxins from your tissues and muscles through the blood and lymphatic system. Drinking plenty of water after a massage helps to move these out of your body.  — with the help of lots of water following the massage.

Physical Benefits

While a Sports Massage can leave you sore for about a day or two, the therapy directly benefits the muscles and integrated cardiovascular system. Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine said the increased and enhanced blood circulation and relaxed muscles helps to:

  • Relieve muscle tension
  • Reduce soreness
  • Make for faster recovery
  • Increase range of motion and flexibility

Sports Massage Therapy can also prevent or relieve Delayed Onset Muscle soreness by encouraging blood and lymph flow throughout the body and preventing muscle fatigue.

Psychological Benefits

Besides helping the body recover physically, Sports Massage Therapy also gets you into competition mod and mentally prepares you for your next workout. During the release of tight muscles, the body increases dopamine and serotonin levels. This reduces stress, tension and anxiety by activating your parasympathetic nervous system.

Therapist Qualifications

A therapist’s credentials help give you a clearer idea of a therapist’s capabilities and competency surrounding different massage therapies. In general, according to the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA), credentials include:

  • Licensing
  • Board Certification
  • Education and Training with an accredited school
  • Membership with a professional association like AMTA, NCBTMB or ABMP.

To ensure that your therapist is understanding of sports-related injuries or prevention, it’s recommended that you look for a therapist with certification in particular modalities used in sports therapy, for example, myofascial techniques

Make sure to ask them about any questions or concerns you have about Sports Massage Therapy.

Originally Posted by Johnson Memorial Health

 

For professional Sports Massage in Salt Lake City Contact Zen Massage (801) 467-3529

5520 South Van Winkle Expy

Salt Lake City, UT 84117

4 Reasons To Give the Gift of Massage

Amanda Sullivan Healthy Lifestyle, Massage Therapy, Specials , , , , , , , , , , 0 Comment

Mother’s Day and Father’s Day can be tricky holidays to maneuver. In one day we try to sum up our feelings of gratitude, appreciation & Love.

Newsday once posted an ebates.com survey reporting on what moms actually want for Mother’s Day. While 31% would NOT like perfume, and 40% would NOT like a cookbook, a full 60% have “quality family time” as their list topper. Not far behind, 44% put “spa day” on their short list. Combining these two top gift wishes with mother-daughter massages at Zen Massage is a win-win idea, and here’s why:

  • Whether Mom is as healthy as she was decades ago, or has started experiencing some health problems, massage is a therapeutic, soothing, immunity-boosting experience for all. Everyone can benefit from having increased circulation and muscle relaxation yes even Dad.

  • If your mom or dad does not regularly receive massage, this is a great way to introduce her to the many life-enhancing benefits it offers.

  • Start or end your day together with an invigorating experience that raises your “feel-good” hormones will enhance your experience all the more.  

  • Mom deserves a little pampering and Dad could use some downtime. Treating them while also improving her health?  Doesn’t get much better!

By giving your mother or father a massage at Zen Massage (and getting one yourself at the same time), you’re setting a powerful example of health. By prioritizing your own wellness, and allowing them to enjoy the benefits as well, you’re starting a truly wonderful family tradition. An entire legacy of wellness can be born with one or two smart choices. Start yours this year by introducing this very important aspect of good health. Start a Mom and daughter tradition enjoying a Mother’s Day massage together or a father-daughter tradition for Father’s day. You’ll be so glad you did.

Book Your ZEN Massage in SLC today!

(801) 467-3529

5520 South Van Winkle Expy

Salt Lake City, UT 84117

 

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