Posted 11:29 pm Sunday, February 19, 2012
Massage Therapy Takes On Unusual Techniques
By COSHANDRA DILLARD
Staff Writer
Staff Writer
Amy York, a licensed massage therapist, slathers lavender-scented lotion onto her clients' back and arms as the sounds of a waterfall and soft music fill a closet-size room. She works out of a chiropractor's office on Troup Highway in Tyler.
Like any massage therapist, she sees clients who have back, neck and sciatic nerve problems. What is different about her service, however, is that she is trained in ashiatsu -- a form of massage therapy that blends Swedish and deep-tissue massage but while using a foot to work the muscles.
Ms. York balances by holding onto a pair of wooden bars that run parallel to the massage table. She is the only person in the area using this technique.
"With deep-tissue massage, you're able to get in there and work into the muscle and tissue," Ms. York said. "With the feet, it's just so deep. You're trying to work all of that out."
She has few clients who utilize the type of deep-tissue massage since she began offering ashiatsu in November.
In May, she'll travel to San Antonio to learn advanced ashiatsu, where she'll use both feet at the same time.
Although she is petite in stature and has tiny feet, the pressure of the palm of her foot gives clients significantly more pressure in aching and knotted muscles. Most clients come once each week or until their problem is resolved.
alternatives
There may be nothing more relaxing than slow and steady strokes across one's back, especially following a stressful day or week.
In the United States, receiving a massage has typically been a luxury, but today it's more than just a visit to the spa for relaxation.
It's used to reduce symptoms for many conditions as therapeutic massage is being offered to patients and employees at hospitals, clinics and chiropractic offices.
And like the clients who receive an ashiatsu massage, many Americans are looking for alternative ways to address muscle pains and other problems with medications.
"It's not just a pampering thing anymore. It's therapeutic," said Tristen Hackney, a massage therapist at East Texas Medical Center's Olympic Center. "I've been here about five years and most people would rather try massage before going to the chiropractor, before taking a drug, and even before working out."
Massage therapy has been around for thousands of years and there are many variants such as Swedish, hot stone, prenatal and deep tissue. Other types include Shiatsu, orthopedic, and lymphatic.
Research on the benefits of massage therapy and how it works is limited, but researchers are certain that it is effective in improving symptoms. It relieves pain and muscle spasms, reduces stress, increases mobility in joints, increases blood circulation and the lymphatic system and helps provide relief from tension headaches and arthritic pain.
"A Swedish massage, which is probably what you think of when you think of massage, is using oil, going mild to medium pressure and specifically involving two techniques -- petrissage and effleurage -- which are stroking the body," said Dr. Janet Keais, who specializes in physical medicine and rehabilitation at Trinity Clinic Neuroscience. "Deep (tissue) massage is basically going deeper. The benefit of a deeper massage is that it can help break up more problem areas deep in the musculature, potentially scar tissue."
Massage is often utilized in physical therapy facilities and has been helpful for breast cancer patients who suffer from post surgery lymphedema -- a condition where there is a collection of lymphatic fluid in the arm. A gentle lymphatic massage helps mobilize the fluid.
Health professionals say people with known medical conditions should consult with a physician before receiving massage therapy.
Benefits of massage
Relieves muscle spasms, speeds healing of overworked and injured muscles
Increases mobility in joints
Increases circulation of blood flow and lymphatic system
Helps reduce stress
Provides relief from tension headaches, back pain and arthritic pain.
