WHAT TO EXPECT ON YOUR FIRST VISIT

Here at Massage La Mesa, we get a lot of questions about what happens during your first massage, so hopefully, this will help!

BEFORE YOUR MASSAGE

• If you have a fever or any skin irritations (poison ivy or sunburn), make sure to reschedule your appointment. This is to protect you and your therapist. If you have a fever, massage could make you more sick or if you are fighting off an illness massage may bring it on.  Skin irritations are contraindicated for massage and it's best to wait until all skin surface areas are clear.   
• In the days leading up to your massage, drink lots of water. To fully utilize your time on the table, being hydrated is essential. According to New City Massage, if you are dehydrated your muscle fibers are "sticky" and your blood is thicker, which makes your body's toxins stay in your muscles leading to aches and pains. 
• Try not to have a full stomach when you arrive for your massage. Eating within two hours of your appointment, may make you feel bloated and uncomfortable. No one wants to feel like a Thanksgiving turkey when they're trying to relax!
• Be prepared to fill out a health history and have a consultation with your therapist. Your overall health and wellness is our biggest concern.  Your history, concerns, needs, and goals are something that we take very seriously. This requires us to sit down with you and chat before you get on the table. Some people find this tedious or unnecessary but in order to receive the best outcome we have to know what's going on with you first!
• Know your comfort level. Massage is best received fully undressed, but your massage is about you! If you are uncomfortable being fully undressed, just dress down to your comfort level. Your therapist will always respect your boundaries and will give you an exceptional massage no matter what garments are left on. If you do choose to get fully undressed, know that the therapist will always keep you completely covered with a sheet, except for the body part that is being worked on. 

DURING YOUR MASSAGE

• Let your therapist know what you need. Your therapist is there for you, so if you need anything changed or adjusted, let your therapist know. Whether it is the music, the temperature, their pressure, or their technique, your therapist will always try to accommodate your needs. In order for you to fully relax and receive all of the great benefits of massage, you have to be comfortable.  Communication is key!  Don't be afraid to speak up.   
• Know what your massage includes. A full body massage includes your back, legs, feet, hands, abdomen (when requested), head, neck, and face. However, if you are not comfortable with all of those areas being massaged, let your therapist know, and they will avoid the area. A full body massage is best for optimum wellness. 

AFTER YOUR MASSAGE

• Drink tons of water. During your massage, lots of toxins may be released into your bloodstream. It is essential to drink plenty of water after your massage to flush all cellular waste from the body.  A good rule of thumb is drink at least half your body weight in ounces in the 24 hours following your massage session.    
• Make a plan. After your massage, your therapist will take some time to discuss how you feel, what their recommendation is for future sessions (how often they would like to see you), and some ideas on what to do at home in-between sessions to try and help reduce the problems that your therapist found during the session. This is the time for you to ask any questions, re-book an appointment if necessary, and to fully understand what's going on with your body. 

• Continue receiving massage. In today's world, there are a million reasons to not continue to receive massage. Not enough time, work too much, and not a necessity are three huge reasons why people do not receive regular massage. No matter what is going on in your life, massage is a great way to unwind, relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and de-stress from the chaos of daily life. Just like on an airplane, you have to put your mask on first before you can help anyone else. If you aren't taking care of yourself, you won't be able to help others as much!

Contact us at: 619-917-4675 OR  massagelamesa@gmail.com 

Book now by clicking HERE.

ALKALINE EATING

Previously, we discussed elimination through the Edgar Cayce method in our blog. Once the body systems are balanced to allow for proper elimination and absorption of nutrients from our diet, the groundwork is set for the body to be encouraged to maintain an alkaline state. "Medically it is known that the body maintains a pH level of 7.4 in the bloodstream, this being slightly above the neutral reaction, thus alkaline." Alkaline eating helps to lower inflammation and boost immune function. Edgar Cayce goes into more details about the alkalinity in the body here.

If you are interested in eating for health according to the Edgar Cayce method, taking in appropriate foods with the correct mental attitudes and giving the system the ideal environment in order to create an alkaline homeostasis is key. Biology Online describes homeostasis as the tendency of an organism to regulate it's internal conditions to stabilize health and functioning. A great thing about Cayce's guidelines is that they can be approached quite simply and then further explored and developed to enrich your understanding. 

 A very common trend among today's society is Paleo/plant based, vegetarian, raw, and pescatarian variations of diets. There are some common denominators between these diets in the terms that Cayce explained. Some of them are just common sense, but learning to implement these recommendations into daily life is very important for the Cayce method.

1. Simplicity and Variety- Eat more raw foods and less cooked/prepared foods
2. Seasonal and Local- Try to think less than 200 miles, or home grown if possible, when choosing your foods
3. Alkaline and Acid-Try to eat about 80% alkaline foods and 20% acidic foods
4. Water, Water, Water- Make sure to drink at least 6 8-ounce glasses of water between meals

All lifestyle modifications take patience and time to fully develop, so remember to start with small adjustments, such as cutting meat out of two dinners a week or committing to take salad for lunch at work. Give yourself credit for any successes, and keep in mind that the body wants balance, so the best thing we can do is give it all of the resources possible to be our healthiest. 

Every day is a new chance to make our bodies better!!

FIBROMYALGIA AND MASSAGE

What is Fibromyalgia?
According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, fibromyalgia is a disorder that causes extreme muscle pain and fatigue. Some other symptoms may include trouble sleeping, headaches, tingling and numbness in hands or feet, and problems with memory and thinking(often referred to as Fibro Fog). The variety of symptoms and lack of knowledge and treatments for the disorder can often make this disorder unmanageable with traditional medicine. 

What Causes Fibromyalgia?
The causes of fibromyalgia are still unknown. However, Mayo Clinic says that many doctors believe that it involves a variety of factors working together. These factors may include: genetics, infections, and physical or emotional trauma. 

How Can Massage Help Patients with Fibromyalgia?
The University of Miami School of Medicine has conducted many studies that focus of the benefits of massage for patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia. These studies have concluded that massage is a recommended complementary treatment because of the following benefits: increased serotonin levels, decreased circulating stress hormones, decreased level of substance P, which is a pain messenger, decreased tender point pain, improved sleep patterns, and improved sense of overall well-being. Therapists can do this through the use of trigger-point therapy, CranioSacral work, myofascial release, cupping, and deep tissue massage. Some therapist may use one of these methods, a combination of these methods, or even a different type of massage that they have found to help patients cope with fibromyalgia. 

The Pain Doctor discusses how many patients often think that massage will hurt them or cause them more pain in the future, but it is actually quite the opposite. Massage will help to relax the muscles, stimulate weak muscles, and improve range of motions, which in turn, will help to relieve some of the symptoms of fibromyaliga discussed above. There are no conclusive studies out that show any correlation to massage and the deterioration of symptoms or the increase of pain in patients.  


If you or anyone you know is suffering from fibromyalgia, feel free to give us a call or book online by clicking here.

To read more information about fibromyalgia click here.

FOUR MASSAGE MYTHS-DEBUNKED

We have all heard myths and wondered if they are true or not. From old wive's tales to current trends, there are thousands of examples of myths. Today, we will be focusing on some common massage myths and why they are absolutely not true.

1. Massage Therapy Doesn't Require Extensive Training

Many people assume because they are not doctors, massage therapists do not have to go through extensive training. Although all accredited programs differ slightly, programs generally require about 500-1,000 hours of training. Some programs take up to two years to complete. During their training, the therapist will complete courses in Musculoskeletal Anatomy, Pathology, Advanced Nueroanatomy, Neuromuscular Therapy, and Myofascial Release. On top of their classes, the training therapist will spend hundreds of hours with hands-on training. Needless to say, your Massage Therapist knows their stuff!

2. The Benefits of Massage are Not Scientifically Proven

Everyone knows how wonderful massage feels, but not everyone knows how beneficial massage can be for a number of different conditions. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Medicine, massage has been scientifically proven to help the pain and other symptoms of many conditions, including cancer, mental disorders, fibromyalgia, HIV/Aids, and diabetes. Although massage has not been proven to cure any of these conditions, patients suffering from any one of these conditions can see great improvements in their overall well-being because of massage. If you are suffering from any of these or any other conditions, consult your doctor first before beginning massage therapy as a treatment.

3. Massage Spreads Cancer Cells Throughout the Body

As briefly mentioned above, massage has been proven to help relieve some of the pain and symptoms of cancer. The MD Anderson Center explains that oncology massage can improve relaxation, sleep, and immune function, while also helping to relieve anxiety, pain, fatigue, and nausea. The MD Anderson Center goes on to tell that in the past, therapists thought that increase circulation would spread the cancer further, but in fact, circulation alone is not the cause of the cancer spreading. Therefore, massage has no affect on the spreading and metastasis of cancer cells. 

4. Pregnant Women Can Miscarry From A Massage

Just like with most medical conditions, massage is extremely beneficial for women who are pregnant. There have never been any scientific findings that massage causes miscarriage in the first trimester, which many people still believe. Some therapists will refuse to do a massage on a women who is in her first trimester.  However, American Pregnancy Association tells about the many benefits of massage, especially in the first trimester when many women are experiencing extreme nausea and discomfort. Some of these benefits include the reduction of swelling, nausea, aches, and pains and the improvements of labor outcomes, newborn health, hormone regulation, and nerve pain. You can learn more about prenatal massage by clicking here!

Visit our website for more information on massage therapy and it's countless benefits or book your appointment today at massagelamesa.com.

TOP THREE AREAS TO MASSAGE FOR STRESS RELIEF

STRESS!

Everyone knows what it means, but how does it affect our body?
According to Mayo Clinic, stress symptoms can affect your body, your thoughts and feelings, and your behavior. Some believe that stress is a major contributor to 80% of all illness. A few of the health concerns of stress include irritability, fatigue, anxiety, indigestion, tension, and chest pains. Don't stress though, Massage La Mesa is here to help!

How does massage help reduce stress?
Massage has been proven to reduce stress and promote relaxation in clients. A recent study found that after subjects received a massage, the levels of cortisol (a hormone contributing to stress) in their saliva decreased significantly. This means that massage can greatly benefit any client trying to reduce stress and tension and increase relaxation. Although any massage is great for reducing stress, there are 3 areas of the body that are best to help reduce stress.

What 3 body parts can reduce the most stress if massaged?

Hands
Your hands are a great place to get massaged if experiencing moderate to extreme stress. Your hands have 10x more nerve endings that any other place in your body and are the hardest working areas of our body, especially for those who who works with their hands. Over time, the muscles that run through the palms of your hand can become shortened from excessive overuse. Because of this, stretching your hypertonic muscles can be extremely beneficial and surprisingly relaxing!

Feet
Just like your hands, your feet are packed with tons of nerve endings. Your feet are also essential to reflexology. Reflexology is a theory that certain areas on your feet, hands, and ears correspond to organs and systems of the body, according to Dr. Weil. Reflexology has been known to help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, help with headaches and migraines, and lower blood pressure. Plus, who doesn't love a good foot massage?

Face
Your face may not seem like a place you would normally want massaged, but think about it- your face has over 30 pairs of muscles alone. These muscles are used to do everything from frowning and smiling to squinting and moving our eyebrows. On top of all of those important muscles, your face also has two sinus pressure points and the ever-important muscle of the jaw, the masseter. The masseter is the strongest muscle in the body relative to it's size and severely overworked. It is extremely common for us to clench our jaw or grind our teeth in a time of stress, which causes tension and strain on out masseter. This is why a massage of the hinge of the jaw will help to reduce stress and tension in our face.

Are you over-stressed? 
Everyone has some stress in their life, but when we have too much, there can be some serious health issues. Between jobs, school, finances, and a hectic home life, stress can sometimes get the best of all of us. If you are over-stressed, massage is a great way to help reduce stress and improve relaxation. Wanting more information about the different types of massage we offer? Click here!
You can find out today if you are over-stressed by taking this quick, online quiz from Mental Health America!