Foothills Times January 2014 Vol 34 May 2014

And Why My Clients Say I am a Pain in Their Rear By Lois Cox S ometimes a massage is not just a massage. When some of my clients tell a friend they are coming to see me for a massage, they get reactions like “Wow, enjoy it, wish it were me!” But much to my dismay, my clients often say “it is not a feel good massage, it hurts”. Wow, so there goes the old ego down the tubes. Truth be told, I can really give a nice relaxing, wonderful massage, but the majority of my clients come to me to reduce pain in chronically taut muscles and ligaments. I try to explain that some of that “painful” work is considered Bodywork, which is a healing therapy involving manipulation of the soft tissue. It often involves reducing Trigger Points throughout the muscles, which are irritated contracted muscle fibers, which are not getting any blood flow. Trigger points are often quite painful at first, and may even refer pain to another area in the body. My clients are always so surprised when I find one of these trigger points that they didn't even know existed. While working my “magic”, which is actually neuromuscular therapy, the trigger point is released, and voila', the pain subsides! These knots often occur in the gluteal region of the body, causing low back pain and even sciatica-like symptoms down the leg with numbness, tingling, or pain. I often get asked “How did that knot get there?” Repetitive stress motions and acute trauma can lead to the development of these painful points. So, you worked in the garden yesterday, and today your back hurts. Leaning over for extended periods of time can cause trauma to the muscles causing tightness and trigger points. Trigger points are the baneful source of many a headache, neck ache, carpal tunnel-like symptoms, backaches, and the list goes on and on. Teaching self-care is high on my lists in my massage practice. No one has time to see their massage therapist every week, not even me. There are lots of tools that can be used to reduce the pain in the body brought on by soft tissue injuries. If during your next therapeutic massage, your therapist finds trigger points in your glutes, get out the old tennis ball. Try sitting on the ball and move it around until you find a painful spot. Whoa! You will know when you hit the spot, it hurts like the dickens! Keep the ball in that spot for at least 30 seconds and possibly up to 90 seconds. The pain will subside as blood gets back into the tissue. This is a great self-care technique that I tell everyone, as it only takes a minute, and it could mean the difference in having a slow moving kind of day, or having a great, pain free day!!! Rosacea Wrinkles Before & After 60 Days Before & After 120 Days Skincare & Massage 336.549.4440 Call for a Free Consultation Massage Skincare Deep Tissue or Relaxation Deep or Relaxing Hot Bamboo Neuromuscular Therapy Trigger Point Therapy Myofascial Release Therapy Hot Stone Massage Sports Massage Therapy Light Lymphatic Massage Chair Massage All Natural Botanicals Anti-Aging Treatments Acne Treatments Non-Surgical Facial Lift Non-Chemical Peel Infusion Hydrodermabrasion LED Light Therapy Body Wraps & Scrubs Acne Before & After 60 Days Try the 90 Day Skincare Challenge! Before & After 180 Days King’s Cabin Salon & Day Spa Includes: (1) Medi-Facial & (3) Facial Infusions 541 E. King St, King NC 27021 Product Kit, Before & After Photos You skin will improve with these treatments! Kernersville YMCA - Massage Only 1113 W. Mountain St, Kernersville NC 27284 www.loiscoxskincaremassage.com 27 Summer 2014, Volume 7, No. 34

Foothills Times January 2014 Vol 34 May 2014 | Page 27