Friday, October 27, 2017

Should Massage Hurt?



Have you been wondering if a massage has to hurt to be effective? 

If so, you are not alone. Many people believe that a massage has to hurt in order to be effective. Well it definitely DOES NOT! You will be happy to hear that the saying "No pain, no gain" doesn't apply to massage therapy. Sometimes the most effective massages are the ones that don't cause you any pain. Something that feels marvelous, and it's good for you too? It doesn't get much better than that!

Deep Tissue Massage might cause some discomfort...

A deep tissue massage is when the massage therapist manipulates the deeper layers of your soft tissue. Soft tissue includes your muscles, ligaments, fascia, and tendons (it's pretty much everything that isn't bones or organs). Usually your massage therapist will use lotions or oil, and will work lighter at first (this is crucial) as it helps relax the top layer of tissue and muscle, meaning less pain for you. Then the deeper layers of muscle can be worked on more easily and with less pain. This will feel much better and you will get better results!

Typically, deep tissue massage is recommended for those with chronic pain caused by tight muscles or injuries. Deep tissue massage can be very therapeutic because it helps with relieving patterns of tension that have developed over time and helping with muscle injuries. With a good deep tissue massage session, you will feel more relaxed after the massage if no pain was endured during it. It's hard (nearly impossible) to relax if you are in pain, and muscle tension will release in a state of relaxation.

Deep tissue massage is not for everyone! You are not a wimp if you don't like it. It is one of the more involved and intense massage techniques around. Some people simply like the feeling of more pressure, and a firm massage isn't always deep tissue. Just be sure to communicate with your therapist at Infinity Massage and Wellness Center about what you prefer and need. Speak up about your needs and your therapist will appreciate your feedback. Happy clients are regular clients and we love our regular clients! Our therapist wants you to LOVE your massage!

Pain versus Discomfort

Muscles naturally react to any sort of pain. When your muscles feel that your body is about to be injured the reflex to deflect the pain is stimulated. If your massage therapist, at Infinity Massage and Wellness Center, is ever applying too much pressure, your muscles tighten together to naturally counterattack the force, and that is not a great way to relax. In fact, you will end up doing just the opposite. A massage is meant to relieve the tension of your muscles, so if you feel as though the massage therapist is applying too much pressure for comfort, please just ask them to use less pressure. Seriously, they want you to.

Don't go into the massage thinking that there won't be any discomfort at all though. Pain and discomfort are two different things. People usually describe discomfort as a "good hurt" - especially in reference to getting a massage. When you experience pain during a massage, it is more than discomfort and could even cause bruising or injury.

Everybody has a different tolerance for pain, so a massage that is painful for one person, may not be painful for you. If you find that your massage therapist isn't working between your tolerance levels for pain, then it's important that you say something. Massages should almost never cause you physical pain and very rarely is it okay for you to be left with marks on your body afterwards.

If you are booking your first massage, you probably don't want to start out with a deep tissue session. Ease your way into massage therapy and start with something less specific like a Swedish, in our case it would be our Infinity Classic Massage". Most therapists combine massage techniques and will try to give you the best massage for you and that is exactly what our Infinity Classic Massage is.

Are you ready to schedule your next (or first) Massage Appointment at
Infinity Massage and Wellness Center?

You can do it one of several convenient ways:

Online from our website: www.InfinityMWC.com,  click the "Book Now" button
Directly from our Facebook page: www.Facebook.com/InfinityMWC
Email: info@InfinityMWC.com (evening appointments must be made via phone or email)
Phone: 847-363-4844 (evening appointments must be made via phone or email)

Friday, October 20, 2017

How Often Should YOU Get a Massage?

EVERY DAY! Well, okay maybe that's not practical, even though it would be awesome. Trust me...in massage school I was receiving massages almost every other day...it REALLY is pretty AWESOME! This is one of the most common questions clients ask about massage therapy, and it really all depends on WHY you get massages. Do you get massages for health benefits? Or, to help you relax and handle the stress of everyday life? Most likely it's a combination of the two, so let's take a look at some of the most commone reasons people get regular massages:

Relaxation and Stress Relief

One of the very best reasons to get a massage is for relaxation. Relaxation massage helps to support your body, including blood circulation and flexibility of joints. Regular massage can help prevent pain, muscle tension, and stress points from building up and causing problems. Why wait until you have a problem to get a massage? Massage is perfect for preventing issues with your tissues. Relaxation massage is usually recommended at least once per month, or as often as you want!

There may be times in your life where you experience higher levels of stress and more muscle tension than normal. It is especially important to practice good self-care during these times. When we "don't have time" for a massage, is usually the times when we need it the most. Make yourself a priority even during stressful times, your health (and YOU) are more than worth it.

If you are in a high-stress job or you work in an environment where you stay in a certain position for a long period of time (at a computer for example), you may begin to develop tight or "knotted" muscles. This will frequently occur in your shoulders, arms and back. All of this increased muscle tension will make movement harder and can cause a great deal of pain. Regular massage can help to keep you loosened up and will help to prevent pain and stiffness.

Living with high levels of stress for a prolonged period of time increases the risk of contracting heart disease and other diseases. It has been estimated that 75-90 percent of all visits to primary care physicians are for stress related illnesses/problems. The good news is, massage CAN help! Just knowing your massage is coming up in a few days can relieve stress, and a massage every 2-4 weeks will help with stress related tension.

Sports Recovery

Are you a weekend warrior, or do you just like to stay in shape? Either way, massage can help with sports performance and recovery. Many athletes and physically active people receive sports massage because it enhances their performance, prevents injury, and speeds up their muscles' recovery. Competitive sports can put a lot of stress on a person's muscles! Research conducted at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging at McMaster University in Ontario shows that massage reduces inflammation and stimulates growth of new mitochondria, the energy producing units in the cells, after strenuous exercise. This means that massage can help relieve pain, build muscles and help with muscle recovery too! For these benefits it is recommended that you get a massage up to three times a week or at least three times a month.

Chronic Health Conditions


People with ongoing health issues often find massage very helpful to alleviate symptoms. Chronic health problems that greatly benefit from massage therapy include back pain, joint pain, and localized inflammation. If you get therapy for specific issues, the frequency of getting massage therapy varies with the type of condition you have and how severe it is. Relief from pain can usually be achieved with 2-4 massage sessions per month. Your massage therapist at Infinity Massage and Wellness Center will work with you to help you get on the best schedule for your body.


Pregnancy
Pregnant women can greatly benefit from massage therapy! Prenatal massage is popular among expectant mothers, who often experience a lot of aches and pains as their pregnancy progresses. Many women suffer from back pain, hip & sciatic pain, headaches and tired legs/feet. But you don't have to be one to suffer, a licensed massage therapist from Infinity Massage and Wellness Center can help you to relieve those discomforts.


Going to your massage therapist about once or twice a month can help with the symptoms associated with pregnancy. Symptoms such as low back pain, swollen ankles, headaches and anxiety that are caused by pregnancy, and as a bonus, it can also help you sleep better!
Of course, it is always a good idea to check with your doctor and your massage therapist to ensure that you don't have any pregnancy related conditions that would contraindicate massage therapy for you. Most women experiencing a healthy pregnancy can and should enjoy regular massage sessions.

If you are ready to schedule your next appointment with Infinity Massage and Wellness Center 
(860 Biester Drive, Belvidere, IL 61008), you may do so in several convenient ways:

Click the "Book Now" button on our website: www.InfinityMWC.com
Email us: info@InfinityMWC.com (evening appointments can only be scheduled by calling or email)
Call: 847-363-4844 (evening appointments can only be scheduled by calling or email)
Click the "Book Now" button on our Facebook page: www.Facebook.com/InfinityMWC