TherapeuticMassage

I wrote last time about the excellent biography of Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson. Steve jobs really had a devotion to work arguably unrivalled in the business world. His methods were effective but much more … challenging than my own. He was, however, very much aligned personally with his work, striving for perfection in both.

I think it is important that we are aligned with our own work; it is such a large part of a life and a part that can bring great rewards. Otherwise work becomes just a job, something we do because we have to rather than because we want to. Mr. Jobs was so in tune with his chosen field he knew what the public needed before we even knew we wanted it! He was visionary.

The life of a massage therapist has parallels to this vision in that many of the people who come to us don’t always know what they have done to cause injury. They may acknowledge pain, injury or stress but not be able to see a clear way to change the patterns and rid themselves of what they perceive as a problem. It is my job to try to put pieces of information together and ask relevant questions to unravel the issues and come up with a program to help. I love this investigative part of my job and feel it is just as important to know when I cannot help as when I can. This isn’t easy as it would be great to help everyone but massage doesn’t work for everyone and it is important that I recognise that and don’t waste people’s time and money. Having said that when I can help unravelling a condition and looking for self-help avenues is so interesting, we really are fascinating beings! Not perfect but potentially so!

I have just finished reading a great biography of Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson; a fascinating story of a very complex man. He was driven by his vision of perfection and it seems many would testify he could drive others to distraction and tears.
The author gives many insights into Jobs’ personality showing why he became the CEO of the richest company in the world. When he faced criticism regarding the iPhone he declared “We’re not perfect. Phones are not perfect. We all know that. But we want to make our users happy”. What a simple philosophy that set me thinking about perfection and our desire for it.
Human design is not perfect, the human body can malfunction in a way more spectacular than any man-made product but it can also function in that same spectacular way. Our hospitals are full of malfunctioning humans and also of high achieving humans working hard to put us back together, maybe even better than before. Sadly Mr. Jobs lost his fight against human design but left a magnificent legacy of perfection and simplicity, not only in design but in living an honest, worthy life. He tried so many ways to improve his health and didn’t give up on the possibility of perfection and we shouldn’t either.
Rather than thinking we have problems perhaps we should redefine our outlook. To quote Mr. Jobs again “We’re not perfect” but maybe we should embrace the possibilities of improvement and challenge. How do you know how good you can become if you never try? How do you know you cannot run a marathon if you never put on your trainers? How do you know you cannot write a book if you never put pen to paper? To steal a well-worn phrase how do you know you cannot make an omelette if you never break an egg?
Steve Jobs lived his life to his own standards and created a lasting legacy for the world, he did actually change the world in which we live. What is stopping you from doing the same?

There was a really interesting episode of Horizon on the BBC last week exposing ‘The Truth About Exercise’. It raised some excellent and thought provoking points not least that a ‘one-size fits all’ approach to exercise is not the way forward, we need less generic fitness manuals. As we all respond to and like different things so it will be with our chosen form of exercise.

However, for me the most striking point was raised by Dr. James Levine (Mayo Clinic) who claimed with a touch of hyperbole that “the chair is a killer”. He is advocating a ‘get moving stay active’ approach to health. In the episode present Michael Mosley tested the theory for 24 hours. He admitted to a sedentary job and similar lifestyle so for the 24 hours he moved about as much as possible, standing when talking on the telephone, taking stairs instead of lifts, walking whenever possible. Just everyday activities we can all take advantage of if we put our minds (and bodies) to it. In the one day he burned an extra 500 calories – no sweat, no cost, no extra time, very little effort but a great result. By simply moving more in our daily lives we could see real health benefits, more so if we are currently stuck in a sedentary way of life.

I accept that this is a limited form of exercise but it is an excellent starting point for anyone new to exercise and a way to increase for those of us already convinced of the benefits of staying fit and active. So my challenge to us all echoes Dr. Levine – my new mantra is ‘the chair can kill so don’t sit still’. I invite you to join me.

*If you have any medical condition or are unused to physical exercise it is advisable to consult your physician before beginning any exercise program.

I have been reading with interest over the weekend all the ‘New Year New You’ articles and adverts in the press and media. It seems every newspaper had something to offer fuelling our obsession with diet and fitness. The most recent Government figures estimate one in three UK adults will be obese in 2012 making these articles of great importance rather than great ideas to be ditched by February.
Being a healthy weight isn’t just about ‘looking good’ it is about ‘being good’. It is the path to good health not illness, to motivation and contentment not apathy and depression.

In his New Year Fitness Plan Matt Roberts (trainer to Prime Minister David Cameron) has three categories not the more usual two. He aims to get us to exercise better, eat better and feel better. Feeling better isn’t just about punishing exercise and denying yourself the things you enjoy to eat; it is about moderation and discipline. The plan needs to become a sustainable way of life or it will never last.

Mr. Roberts discusses therapies to make you feel better and states “regular deep-tissue massage isn’t a maybe, it is a must”. Anyone who has regular sports massage from a well-trained therapist will not deny this for a moment. It is an integral part of any lifestyle plan. The benefits are manifold:

 Ease muscle pain
 Ease muscle tension
 Muscle relaxation
 Identify potential injuries
 Assist rehabilitation after injury
 Motivation
 Help mental focus
 Improve removal of products of fatigue
 Provide relaxation
 Identify muscle imbalances form poor training/technique
 Advice and recommendations to motivate and promote health and vitality

This is not an exhaustive list but surely you can see the benefits for yourself? So if one of your resolutions is to get fit (or indeed if you wish to maintain fitness or improve) then you need a 2 for 1 resolution. Fix your appointment for a deep-tissue massage TODAY, before it’s too late.

It seems to me Christmas comes around earlier every year. It was in October this year that I first saw signs of twinkling lights being put on trees in stores in town. Do we really need three months to prepare? As usual I will still be shopping on Christmas Eve for that last minute adrenaline rush and then home to complete the wrapping (with a glass of mulled wine perhaps?). I love the Christmas food and generally eat too much of it—so the diet begins in January!

I especially enjoy the fact that no matter how remiss we have been throughout the year in keeping in touch with friends and family we all make that extra effort for Christmas. Christmas can be a busy and expensive time for us but I hope you find time for yourself in your busy schedule. I am constantly amazed how many people tell me they were unwell during the holidays, most likely due to the stress we place on ourselves to produce the perfect Christmas. Don’t let this year be the one you tell me you were poorly, make time to enjoy all the festive season offers. It is the time of good-will to all so I believe you must include yourself in that good-will gesture and be kind. Stay safe and healthy this year to enjoy all the fun the season has to offer.

I hope Santa Claus is good to you this year, providing you’ve all been good boys and girls of course! I wish you all a happy and peaceful Christmas and hope for rest, relaxation, health and harmony once again throughout 2012.

I spent a couple of days last week at the O2 Arena in London watching the final Associated Tennis Professionals tournament of the year, The Masters.

The top eight male tennis players put on a great if surprising show. Sadly British interest Andy Murray had to withdraw early due to injury so was never really in the running. I witnessed the number one seed Novak Djokovic play surprisingly poorly and yet still win his match.

The results started me thinking about the making of a champion in that Djokovic could play badly and still win, he made the right shots when he had to. Like all great champions he has that extra special ‘something’ that can raise the performance when necessary.

It was a disappointing tournament for the lovely Rafael Nadal losing to the magnificent Roger Federer in his first game. It has been a long year of hard work for these guys yet they still turned up in London and gave us their best. It is little wonder the end of the year tournaments can have poorer performances and injuries. It would be easier I’m sure to give up early for the holidays – but champions don’t do that. It made me realise there are lessons here for us all so we can all be champions whatever dreams we pursue.

1. Work hard because it does pay off
2. Never give up, as the saying goes ‘it ain’t over ‘til it’s over’. Despite the tiredness and fatigue always leave knowing you gave your best. Regrets are worthless.
3. Practise, practise, practise! In any field whether sport, business or life those who make it to where they want to be keep going and learn from mistakes.

I came back from London inspired and determined. Whatever your sport or field learn from the masters – and I don’t just mean the tennis masters!

I have always believed it is important to stay relevant and up to date. This is especially true from a work point of view but makes good sense in life. The old maxim ‘use it or lose it’ applies to work skills, talents and intellectual capacity. I really believe keeping the mind active and pushing boundaries however small is essential for a happy and healthy life.
I originally qualified in my profession in 1993 and have spent more time in education than out since then. I have advanced my initial skills and added new ones. It keeps me relevant, focused and interested as well as motivated and challenged. It also gives me a great sense of achievement when I step out of my comfort zone and learn something new.
What I am really leading up to here is some fantastic personal news. I have been studying for the new sports massage qualifications and have become the first therapist to pass the International Therapy Examination Council Level 5 Diploma in Sports Massage. I passed all four exams with distinction and I am absolutely delighted. It is a personal achievement to know I could not be better trained and a privilege to be the first in the profession and the world to get the Diploma.
It is a great feeling and I encourage you to join me, getting out of your comfort zone is nerve wracking but the rewards are worthwhile.

Out injured!

A couple of months ago I returned from visiting a friend in London with a mild pain on the top of my foot. Not one to ignore any potential injuries I checked the soft tissues involved and my range of movement to find them all perfect. This led me to think the problem had to be a bone problem – not what I wanted. I had a stress fracture confirmed by a local physiotherapist and was on rest from many of the sporting activities I usually enjoy.
Although bones need some weight bearing activity to allow them to repair and remain strong the fracture needed some rest to heal. I decided my job as a massage therapist was probably all the weight bearing I needed and had to look for alternative forms of exercise for 6 weeks. Any athlete whether professional, amateur or occasional will tell you enforced rest is difficult and maybe more so as I wasn’t really in any pain.
So with this in mind I joined a gym so I could cycle and use weights and maintain as much fitness as possible during the six week period. I usually don’t enjoy working out in a gym preferring running outdoors or a class situation but I am pleased to say I managed to keep the cycling up for the 6 weeks.
The key to a quick and sustainable recovery is to be sensible. Nobody really wants to be sidelined by injury and we all have our preferred activities we want to carry on with. However, we are usually talking about a short period of time to maintain fitness levels while the body heals. It is not what you want to happen but when you stay fit and push yourself to achieve sometimes injuries occur. When they do accept them and use the recovery time wisely:-
 Accept the injury and make the most of the rest period
 Get good advice on how to look after yourself
 Maintain fitness as much as possible
 Look for alternative training methods
 Assess why the injury occurred, could you adapt training to prevent future problems?
 Allow the mind to recover as well as the body
 Be sensible and give yourself time to recover

*NB. Stress fractures usually occur from overload and need proper diagnosis and treatment. Exercise is important as is diet and rest. This advice does not replace correct diagnosis and individual aftercare advice.

For centuries massage has been used throughout the world to aid and promote health and well-being.   It is especially useful in stress related conditions and to bring a feeling of calm and relaxation.  Massage has been used since the earliest civilisations; writings and pictures have been found from ancient Rome and Greece, China and Japan and massage continues to figure prominently in eastern thinking.  But what place does it have in modern Britain?  Is it still seen as an indulgence for the rich and famous?  Certainly massage treatments are indulgent; they provide relaxation, they are soothing and pampering and provide some rare ‘me time’ in a busy world.  However, massage provides much more than a calming fragrant room with gentle music and muted lighting.  I agree these adornments can help the experience and induce relaxation but the treatment itself is the thing to search out.

Studies have shown massage can be effective in lowering blood pressure, a major indicator in heart disease and stroke.  It is effective to calm and soothe thus helping to reduce feelings of stress and depression and allow the mind and emotions to recharge.  Deep tissue or sports massage helps increase local circulation to tight, painful muscles easing tension and muscle spasm from overwork or sporting activity.  It is effective in improving general circulation and therefore in helping to move unwanted chemicals and encourage the systems of the body to work to maximum efficiency.

That said, massage is not just for the unhealthy, it has the same effect on a healthy body and is an excellent way to maintain a balanced, healthy lifestyle to keep stress under control.  Stress is unavoidable to some extent, as we all like to enjoy life and perhaps try to fit too much into it at times.  Of course there will always be times of trauma in a life when illness or a bereavement affects us, but remember it is only by having bad periods in our lives that we know we are alive and can truly appreciate the good times.

It is important to find a therapist qualified and insured to put together a treatment that will work for you, perhaps by combining the many facets of massage as used around the world.  Often a combined approach of sports techniques, trigger point therapy, muscle assessments, lymphatic drainage and acupressure can produce an effective and pleasing therapy with physiological and psychological benefits.  Whatever your reason for having a massage, be it relaxation, stress relief, injury, muscle pain or for pure enjoyment, you won’t know how good it can be until you try it.

What to look for in a massage therapist?

How do you know when you search the internet looking for a therapist you are finding the right person?  It can be difficult to know as websites can be very impressive but that doesn’t necessarily mean the therapist will be!  There are some easy ways to ensure you find a suitable person who not only has the relevant qualifications and insurance but also the correct experience to suit your own unique needs.

So how can you judge?  Firstly you must ensure the therapist is:

• Qualified
• Insured
• Experienced in your field
• A member of a professional body with Code of Practice.

Secondly don’t be afraid to ask questions or ask for proof of the above, if the person is suitably professional they will have the qualifications and insurance documents and will be happy to put your mind at rest.

It is also important to understand that the person you chose does only practice what they are qualified to and does not pretend to be anything other than a massage therapist.  Many offer ‘medical massage’ or ‘physiomassage’ but don’t be fooled into thinking they are necessarily medically trained or physiotherapists.  These are quite different careers and a good massage therapist will have good relationships with the medical profession and other bodywork therapists.

I do feel the ‘therapeutic relationship’ is important and you must feel you can trust your therapist and rely on them to always provide the optimum treatment for you and give you valuable and honest advice.

Of course one of the most personal ways to find your therapist is ask those who know – ask friends, relatives or colleagues for a recommendation.