alwmassage's posterous

     If I had a dollar for everytime someone tells me, "sorry I didn't shave my legs today" or that , "they had to loose 15 pounds before they felt comfortable getting a massage."  As a massage therapist I work on a lot of people daily and I honestly don't care that you didn't shave your legs or that you kept your underwear on during a massage. I am not looking at your body in a critical  or hyper- critical way.  Because honestly I don't always remember to shave my legs for my therapist and he doesn't care!!  The only thing massage therapists care about is how your muscles feel, where the tension and knots are, and has any change occured since we worked that particular area of tighness. 

What am I thinking about during a massage?

     During your massage session I am thinking about you!!  If I am working on your back and your upper traps, infraspinatous and rhomboids are super tight I will ask you how are you sitting at your desk, or are you sleeping on your right or left side at night?  If I am stretching you during your session, (which is very likley) I am thinking about your range or motion and where I am feeling a restriction in movement during your stretch.   Massage therapists usually focus on the work at hand, literally.  What you should be focused on during a session with me is breathing and relaxing.  

I usually do more therapeutic massage,and more medical massage in my sessions.  Which means if you come to me for a relaxation massage you will receive that; if I find a knot chances are I will work on it!! :-)  But if you come to me for heavier pressure like my athletes, hockey players and football players I can totally do that!! I also work on sciatia, neck and shoulder tension, rotator cuff issues, TMJ disorders, sports massage and stretching, cancer patients and pediatric cancer patients, pregnancy massage, and Thai Yoga massage for table.  Check out my site www.alwmassage.com  or check me out on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/ALW-Massage-Therapy/113276038699085

Call or text me for massage specials 480-221-8099

Even Dr. Oz gets weekly massages                                                               For more information contact Audrey www.alwmassage.com

Some of the fantastic benefits of massage therapy are:

• Improved Range of Motion and joint flexilibity- if you don't keep the joints and muscles moving you loose flexilibity. 
• Stimuates lymph flow- massage helps move the circulation and lymph
• Helps athletes prepare for and recover from strenous workouts- receiving massage prior to and post event helps keep muscles
• Decrease anxiety and depression- releases endorphins, the body's natural pain killer
• Promotes tissue regeneration and reduces scar tissue- post surgery scare adhesions and swelling will also be reduced.  Scar tissue grows like a weed after you have surgery.  Scar tissue therapy is specialized around the scar to help break up scar tissue.
• Reduces spasms and cramping- if you have Charlie horses and muscle cramping in your legs back neck, massage can help release those hypertonic muscles
• Relieve migraine pain- I have worked on clients who come in with migraines and leave without one.  The migraines usually don't return unless there is something in the diet that is triggering them or if you need a Chiropractic adjustment I suggust www.carterfamilychiropractic.com  or http://www.greatchoicechiro.com
• Increase sleep quality- this one is self explanatory.  If you are not sleeping well at night come get a massage and you will have a better night's sleep

Massage also helps release toxins from muscles.  The importance of moving toxins out of the body has long lasting benefits. As we are living in a toxic environment everyday it is important to move those daily toxins out of the body. 

The type of massage I do is specially taylored to fit your needs.  I am certified in Medical Massage, Therapeutic, Swedish, Thai Yoga for Table, PreNatal, Hot Stone, Sports Massage and Cancer massage.   I can vary my pressure to be gentle enough for cancer patients and tough enough for my Tri-Athlete clients.  

Don't let stress over take you get in today for a full 60 Min session! www.alwmassage.com  480-221-8099 ask for Audrey

1st time Clients $50.00 for 60 Minutes

Follow me on Facebook for Special Deals and Pricing http://www.facebook.com/pages/ALW-Massage-Therapy/113276038699085

Follow me on Twitter http://twitter.com/#alwmassage

Massage and Rotator Cuff Injuries/ Strain

     The rotator cuff muscles that act and allow shoulder movements and allow joint movement are the SITS muscles:

• Supraspinatous- abducts the arm (brings it away from the body)
• Infraspinatous- externally rotates the arm (rotations away from the body)
• Teres Minor- externally rotates arm (rotations away from the body)
• Subscapuaris- internally rotates the humerus (rotates towards the body)

The function of these four muscles are so you can throw the football, raise your arm, swing your tennis racquet, the motion of swimming is possible, throwing the baseball and picking up your kids.

Injuries of the Rotator Cuff

• Rotator cuff tear-this can be a tear of the tendons that attach the muscle to the shoulder
• Rotator cuff tendonitis-inflammation and overuse
• Rotator cuff impingement-impinged tendon causing pain
• Frozen shoulder-non movement due to overuse

The symtoms of these injuries include, pain when using the shoulder and doing activities, weakness in the shoulder, burning sensation when trying to do activities using the shoulder; such as getting dressed, throwing a ball or driving a car.

Treatments

Regular medical treatments may include one or all of the following

• Medication- anti-inflammatory, pain killers and steriod injections
• Physical therapy and/or Occupational therapy http://exercise.about.com/b/2010/05/18/exercises-of-the-week-strengthen-your-shoulders.htm
• Surgery
• RICE- rest injured limb, ice, compression-ace bandage, and elevation
• Medical Massage Therapy http://www.alwmassage.com

As always please contact your Dr or Physican for medical diagnosis before you start treatment of any kind. 

For further information about Medical Massage Therapy click here: www.alwmassage.com

 Audrey Washington is a Nationally Certified Massage Therapist, Certified in Medical Massage and State Licensed by the State of Arizona.

Audrey can also be reached at 480-221-8099

 Sciatic Pain and symtoms 

       Sciatic pain is often caused by a herniated disc or underlying back issue from compression of the sciatic nerve. A diagnosis from your Doctor or Physician would be the best advice. Some of the symptoms are numbness and tingling, a burning sensation on one side of your buttock that goes from low back to knee, weakness and a sharp pain when standing or trying to walk, and pain in the lower lumbar back.

What can be done for Sciatia Pain?

(download)

Click here to download:

sciatic-pain-and-medical-massage-FGfBtJdqDFqyeDIagrmi.zip (93 KB)

     While there is no quick overnight fix there are things that can be done to alleviate the symtoms of the pain and I have had successful treatment of sciatic issues at my office www.alwmassage.com Some of the options available to you are:

• Chiropratic www.carterfamilychiropractic getting an adjustment done will help open up the spine so healing can take place.
• Massage Therapy by a Certified Medical Massage Therapist www.alwmassage.com will also help relax the piriformis muscle
• Stretching will also help open release the piriformis muscle that often causes the impingment of the sciatic nerve.  Here is a good link that will show some stretching excercises  http://www.spine-health.com/wellness/exercise/sciatica-exercises-sciatica-pain-relief
• Cold pack/ice pack will also help the irration and swelling
• Accupunture- the practice of inserting needles into specific points to allow energy to flow www.acuhealingtherapies.com will also help.

More information of prevention of Sciatica Pain and what preventative things you can do can be found here http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/sciatica/DS00516

For information about Certified Medical Massage please check my website @ www.alwmassage.com

Follow me on Twitter  http://twitter.com/#alwmassage

Follow me on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/ALW-Massage-Therapy/113276038699085

      Stress at work. Stress at home.  Stress driving. Worrying about the economy.  We are surronded by stressful things and situations right now.  How do we combat stress in our lives and if you are stressed what are some of the signs?

Some signs that you are stressed

• Being Anxious
• Racing thoughts
• Moody and irratibale
• Feeling overwhelmed
• Chest pain
• Upset stomach or constipation
• Using alcohol or drugs as stress relieff
• Eating more or less
• Inability to relax
• Shortness in temper

 How to manage Stress before it manages you

    Learn how to manage stress before it manages you.  The results from feeling anxious, and having chest pains and a inability to relax is higher blood pressure, heart problems, stomach problems, obesity, lowered immune system, and sleep problems, just to name a few.  The goal should be less visits to the hospital and the Doctor office and less down time from work and family.  Here are some tips to help you manage stress:

• Take a break from your desk- go for a short walk, get some tea or water
• Excercise is a wonderful outlet for feeling or being stressed
• Take charge of how you feel and how you react to stress and stressful situations
• Try yoga- its medatitive properties are key to relaxing the mind and body
• Try massage- regular massage helps reduce stress and depression without the use of drugs
• Spend time with loved ones doing fun activities such as bike riding, hiking, watching a movie
• Listen to relaxing music

Feel free to check out my website for prices for massage sessions www.alwmassage.com

     Massage feels absolutely heavenly to receive but if your an expecting mother it feels even better. Massage helps increase circulation, and helps to release endorphins- the body's natural pain killer.  Expecting mother's who are experiencing anxiety, poor sleep, physical and emotional stress should take time for themselves today!

If you are experiencing any of the following please speak to your Doctor prior to receiving massage.

Precautions during pregnancy

• High Blood Pressure
• High risk pregnancy
• Preeclampsia
• Recent Birth
• Severe sweling
• Pregnancy induced Hypertension
• Headaches severe and severe migraines 

   What to expect during your session

    An experienced massage therapist will usually do side-lying  technique during your session.  There are pregnancy pillows which allow you to lay face down, however, they put undue strain on the low back and the ligaments in the pelvis area.   If you are in your 1st trimester you can lay face down but it is only to your level of comfort.  2nd and 3rd Trimester the side lying technique will be used. 

Benefits of Prenatal Massage 

• Reduced swelling (edema)
• Decreased pain in the hip and pelvis
• Promotes scar tissue regeneration and reduces stretch marks
• Increasing circulation
• Helps release endorphins- the body's natural pain killer
• Increases sleep quality
• Increase joint flexilibity
• Decreases anxiety and depression

 The benefits of massage for the expecting mother will allow for a easier delivery as well as decreased stress on the baby and mother.

For more information email help@alwmassage.com  or check out www.alwmassage.com