Alleviate Allergy Symptoms with Massage in Belleair, Indian Rocks Beach and Largo 33771

Massage may not be immediately associated with allergy relief but studies have shown that massage does help relieve the symptoms of allergies. So why not enjoy a good massage in Belleair, Indian Rocks Beach and Largo 33771 and banish your allergy discomforts at the same time?

Allergies can be traced directly to a weakened immune system.  The immune system produces lymphocytes that protect the body from harmful invaders. Lymphocytes, in turn, produce antibodies to neutralize harmful substances brought in by such invaders. In a weakened immune system, benign substances are mistakenly identified as harmful and are attacked by antibodies. This causes the allergic reaction.

The immune system is weakened by stress. Due to stress, the adrenal glands produce an oversupply of cortisol, called the stress hormone. This triggers the sympathetic nervous system to also produce an oversupply of epinephrine and norepinephrine, All these excess hormones reduce the effectiveness of the immune system.

Stress also decreases levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). This is the neurotransmitter responsible for keeping air passageways open and preventing the brain from making an allergic response.

Regular massage therapy has been proven to reduce stress and boost the immune system. Lymphatic drainage massage, specifically, can have a major impact in reducing allergic reactions.

The lymphatic system is directly related to the immune system. The complex arrangement of ducts and vessels of the lymphatic system carry white blood cells and antibodies to all organs and tissues of the body. These white blood cells and antibodies are the immune system’s ammunition in combating infections. The lymphatic system, however, does not have a pump like the circulatory system which has the heart that ensures the constant flow of blood to all organs and tissues. In order to move the lymphatic fluid properly throughout the body, the lymphatic system relies on body movements which trigger the action of muscular units. This has to be aided by proper water intake. In other words, immobility as well as dehydration can cause stagnation in the lymphatic system. Other factors that could also weaken the lymphatic system are stress, fatigue, infection, cold temperatures, chemical or food additives, age and heredity. When the flow of the lymphatic fluid is clogged, toxins build up in the body.

Lymphatic drainage massage involves the manual manipulation and stimulation of the lymph nodes in order to facilitate increased flow of the lymphatic fluid. This functions like a clean up of the lymphatic system, draining out harmful toxins and ultimately strengthening the immune system.

A professionally trained and highly skilled therapist qualified to do lymphatic drainage massage will know how to feel for the body’s specific lymphatic rhythm and find its depth, direction and quality. Based on such information, the therapist then determines the current state of the lymphatic system’s circulation and the best techniques to employ for the drainage of stagnant lymphatic fluids. The main lymph nodes of the body are located in the neck, armpits and groin, and the appropriate massage techniques shall be applied for them. Very light pressure and long gentle strokes are used in lymphatic drainage massage, with rhythmic pumping directed toward the lymph nodes.

Direct relief of hayfever symptoms can be achieved with lymphatic drainage massage on the face. Hayfever causes inflammation and clogging of the sinuses. Lymphatic drainage massage with light tapping of the sinuses can remove congestion.

Ask for lymphatic drainage massage specifically from your therapist. Other massage therapies will also improve the function of your immune system, including deep tissue massage, sports massage, Swedish massage and hot stone massage. A professional massage therapist in in Belleair, Indian Rocks Beach and Largo 33771 should be familiar with any of these.

Deep Tissue Massage Helps Ease Fibromyalgia in Largo, Belleair and Indian Rocks Beach

Fibromyalgia sufferers are in constant pain and discomfort and are desperate for relief. Deep tissue massage is one of the most effective therapies that has been proven to alleviate fibromyalgia symptoms in patients in Largo, Belleair and Indian Rocks Beach.

Fibromyalgia comes from Greek and Latin words. Fibro means fibrous, myo means muscle and algos means pain. Fibromyalgia therefore means pain in fibrous tissues and muscles. The disease was recognized by the American Medical Association only in 1987. By 1990, the American College of Rheumatology identified the existence of 18 common tender points and at least six months of widespread body pain as the basis for diagnosis. In 1992, international recognition was achieved through the Copenhagen Declaration of international experts who formally established the various symptoms of fibromyalgia, including the 18 common tender points.

The other symptoms of fibromyalgia are constant fatigue, migraines, tension headaches, blurred vision, painful menstrual periods, disrupted and non-restorative sleep, sleep apnea, intolerance of exercise, numbness or tingling, heart palpitations, impaired cognition, irritable bowels with bloating, gas, distention and pain, temperature sensitivity, restless legs and abnormalities in skin and fingernails.

Although just recently acknowledged by mainstream medicine, fibromyalgia plagues some 6 million Americans and many millions more around the world. Eighty to ninety percent of sufferers are women.

Fibromyalgia is considered as a biochemical imbalance with no known cause as yet, although heredity is seen as a factor. The imbalance includes decreased levels of nerve transmitters and amino acids such as Serotonin, Substance P, Endorphins, Enkephalins and Tryptophan. These are responsible for restorative sleep and pain alleviation.

The lack of recuperative sleep and heightened perceptions of pain create a vicious cycle that develops into chronic pain. The cycle of pain and soft tissue spasms cause the muscles to constrict, limiting blood circulation and leading to congestion. This, in turn, leads to decreased oxygenation and nutritional uptake and decreased ability to expel metabolic waste, again leading to more pain.

The lack of healing sleep also leads to a depletion of growth hormone which can only be manufactured by the body during deep sleep. This same hormone is needed for muscle maintenance and repair. With decreased growth hormones, the micro trauma experienced by pained muscle fibers and fascia remains unrepaired, adding more pain.

Pain medication is usually prescribed for fibromyalgia. It is often insufficient, though. Constant pain remains and dependence and overdose are possible. Deep tissue massage, on the other hand, has been observed to deliver true relief and is the treatment of choice of majority of fibromyalgia sufferers. In fact, a study done in 1996 found that patients experienced a 38% decrease in their pain after only ten sessions of 30-minute massages. They also began to sleep better and longer. Regular long term massage therapy will result in even more relief.

This is not surprising since the various problems described in fibromyalgia are the same problems addressed by deep tissue massage. It increases blood circulation, relieving congestion, increasing oxygenation and facilitating the flushing of metabolic waste. The massage also relieves the chronic headache associated with fibromyalgia. Furthermore, deep tissue massage has been known to trigger the production of Endorphins which are lacking in fibromyalgia patients.

So if you have the symptoms of fibromyalgia, isn’t it about time you start taking care of it? It’s safe to start with deep tissue massage from a professionally trained massage therapist in Largo.

Once your fibromyalgia has improved through deep tissue massage, you should try to start a fitness regimen. Consult a Largo fitness instructor who is familiar with the special needs of fibromyalgia patients. Don’t forget to include sports massage in your regimen. Ask for it from your deep tissue massage therapist in Largo 33771.

Sports Massage Can Benefit Everyone in Largo 33771, Belleair and Indian Rocks Beach

Sports massage does not have to be reserved only for athletes and sports buffs. According to sports massage authority Wrio Russell, it can benefit everyone. Sports massage can, therefore, benefit all residents of Largo 33771, Belleair and Indian Rocks Beach.

Wrio Russell is the founder director of the London School of Sports Massage and a practicing sports massage therapist, as well as a Reiki master teacher.

In his article “Sports Massage – A Therapy for All,” Russell points out that sports massage is recognized by athletes around the world and even by the British Olympic Association medical committee but it does not have to be confined only to them. Sports massage could, actually, benefit anyone with problems related to soft tissue, whether these are acute, chronic or post-operative. He says that the techniques of sports massage are “actively and passively physical” and they enable self-motivated patients to participate in their respective treatments, thereby empowering them.

Russell identifies the strokes of general massage as effleurage, friction and petrissage.

He describes effleurage as the primary technique used for diagnosis and treatment in massage. The palms, fingers or even the arm is used in effleurage to make deep or superficial sweeping and probing strokes either lengthwise along muscles in the direction of the heart or in transverse across muscle fibers.

Russell describes friction as a technique using the thumbs or the fingertips to apply deep pressure across muscles fibers where there is adhesion or the formation of scar tissue. The technique can be painful and the pain may be lessened with deep breathing by the patient.

Petrissage, on the other hand, is, according to Russell, made up of muscle squeezing, kneading, rocking, shaking and percussion.

Russell also mentions the neuromuscular technique or NMT which he says is quite similar to acupressure. This is what he refers to as a passive technique. According to Russell, NMT is used in conjunction with general massage. The area of the body with muscular tension is prepared with general massage. Deep yet subtle pressure is then applied for a maximum of 90 seconds on painful spots. This is followed by stretching. A series of such treatments will produce long term relief.

Among the active techniques referred to by Russell are soft tissue release or STR, the muscle energy technique or MET and strain counter strain or SCS.

Soft tissue release, according to Russell, was partly developed from traditional Thai massage and involves a combination of pressure and stretching. It is an effective method to break down soft tissue adhesions. The target muscle is first shortened and relaxed by the therapist by moving the appropriate joint. The palm, thumb or fist is then used to put deep pressure on the muscle adhesion while the therapist’s other hand is used to move the joint again so that the muscle fibers are stretched and the adhesion is pried apart. The stretching has to be done gently and subtly so as to avoid injury.

Russell documents several cases wherein sports massage was used to relieve the pain of patients with neck and shoulder pain, whiplash, thoracic kyphosis, frozen shoulder and knee injury.

In fact, he himself had benefited from sports massage therapy. Russell says he became seriously ill in 1999 and had to undergo surgery. After the operation, though, his back and left shoulder were “almost in a state of rigor mortis.” His sports massage therapist applied soft tissue release regularly for six months and he was restored to normal.

Now that you know of the many benefits of sports massage, you could ask for it as an alternative to other massage therapies, such as deep tissue massage therapy, from your favorite professional massage clinic in Largo 33771, Belleair and Indian Rocks Beach.

Integrating Massage Into the Largo Lifestyle

Massage has been proven to be so beneficial to one’s health that everyone deserves to have it integrated into his or her lifestyle, be it in Largo or any other location. It is a fact of life that everyone experiences day to day stress and tension. People will always be needing massage in Largo 33771 the same way they will be needing massage in Belleair, and massage at Indian Rocks Beach.

Various Massage Techniques in Largo

Although highly specialized modalities are being offered, such as sports massage in Largo, there is something for every person’s specific needs. There is also deep tissue massage available in Largo, as well as Swedish massage, reflexology, trigger point therapy, cranial sacral therapy and even pregnancy massage.

Sports massage is popular in Largo because it has been proven to be an effective component of any sports training regimen, helping in both pre-event preparation and post-event recovery. Sports massage is preferred by Largo athletes and sports enthusiasts because it warms up and stretches the muscles, promoting flexibility and helping prevent sports-related injuries. It also improves their blood circulation, boosts endurance and helps them perform at their peak.

After each game or routine, sports massage helps Largo athletes overcome fatigue. Massage therapists knead the muscles to disperse accumulated lactic acid that cause soreness and fatigue, restoring muscle suppleness instead. Passice and active stretching of the muscles is also done prior to deep tissue work.

Sometimes, despite all precautions, athletes are still injured. Sports massage is again resorted to by Largo athletes and their doctors to help in the recovery process and promote healing. Sports massage, according to Largo sports doctors, helps bring blood and nutrients to the problem area and this aids in the repair of soft tissue. If the athlete was undergoing regular sports massage before the Largo game or event, that would have helped lessen the formation of scar tissue. Further sports massage after the injury would also break up any scar tissue that has formed in order to restore full flexibility for the Largo athlete.

Swedish massage is the most common type of massage usually asked for by the majority in Largo. This type of massage is well-known in Belleair, too, and is often the massage of choice at Indian Rocks Beach, as well. That is not surprising because Swedish massage can really be very relaxing with its long, flowing strokes along the length of the muscles combined with kneading techniques.

Sometimes, massage therapists in Largo use Swedish massage as a warm up for deep tissue massage in Largo massage spas.

Deep tissue massage is used by Largo massage therapists to address chronically tight and knotted muscles, usually in the back and legs. This time, massage strokes go against the grain of the muscles. Massage therapists in Largo also use fingers, elbows and forearms with their body weight to apply pressure and dig deep into the deep layers of muscle tissues.

Deep tissue massage in Largo has been proven to be beneficial in bringing down muscle inflammation and eliminating scar tissue, resulting in the release of chronic muscle tension, pain relief and relaxation. These effects are not immediate, though. For several days after the intensive massage session, the patient may feel some soreness. Even the massage session itself may cause some discomfort. That is something that patients who experience chronic pain are willing to undergo in exchange for long-term wellness.

Even for those without any particular body complaint, massage has been proven to provide long-term mind and body wellness. Stress from daily routines can trigger unhealthy attitudes and may even cause illness. Everyone owes it to themselves to head off these problems and de-stress with regular massage therapy.

Back Pain Relief through Massage Therapy in Indian Rocks Beach, Belleair and Largo 33771

Studies show that seventy to eighty five percent of Americans experience back pain at some point in life. It is the usual culprit when people below the age of forty five have limited range of motion and need to curtail normal activity. It can be triggered by inactivity or too much activity or the wrong kind of movement. Standing or sitting for long periods can trigger it. In women, wearing high heels often becomes impossible. You can prevent and treat back pain, though, through massage therapy and this is easily accessible in Indian Rocks Beach, Belleair and Largo 33771.

A study conducted at the Center for Integrative Medicine at the Encino-Tarzana Regional Medical Center in Los Angeles showed that seventy five percent of the participants who underwent therapeutic massage therapy for back pain benefited from it, exhibiting a higher efficacy than medication, self-care alone or other alternative pain treatments like acupuncture.

The study involved 262 participants between the ages of 20 and 70 who suffered from persistent back pain. Many of them were taking pain medication but were not relieved by it. None of them had any serious disease. The group was randomly assigned to three sections. One section was given self-care materials, another was given acupuncture treatment, while a third was given therapeutic massage including Swedish massage, deep tissue massage and trigger point techniques.

After ten weeks, the massage therapy section had experienced more pain relief and exhibited decreased disability compared to the other sections. After one year of treatment, the participants from the massage therapy section had used the least medication and still had better results compared to those who underwent acupuncture therapy.

Another study by the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami showed that massage therapy decreased back pain, depression and anxiety while improving sleep among participants. It also increased their  range of motion and boosted their levels of serotonin and dopamine which reduce stress and facilitate the feeling of wellbeing.

There is so much scientific research supporting findings on the legitimacy of massage therapy as a treatment for back pain that fifty-four percent of healthcare providers encourage their patients to add it to their medical treatment.

You should make sure that the massage therapist you go to is professionally certified, though. Ask for credentials or check with the website of the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork. Please remember that improper use of massage techniques by untrained or ill-trained practitioners can worsen your condition. Professional massage therapists will know what conditions are counter-indicated for massage therapy and will ethically refer you to the more appropriate specialists.

Do not be surprised if your massage therapist asks you a lot of detailed questions. This is necessary to be able to accurately evaluate your condition. The therapist may then work not just on your back since back pain is sometimes referred pain from points in the neck or arms. Your therapist will find the trigger points and may use cross-fiber friction, stretching, muscle rotation and joint rotation. If the area is inflamed or swollen, though, the therapist will most probably ask you to rest and ice the area first at home.

Also consult your massage therapist about proper stretching exercises you can do at home between massage sessions. This will further benefit your healing and recovery. It will also ease you faster into your normal range of motion and daily activity. Be sure to only work within the prescribed exercises, though.

Get relief from your acute or chronic back pain with massage therapy, including deep tissue massage and sports massage. Go to a professional massage therapist in Indian Rocks Beach, Belleair and Largo 33771.