Beth A. Getz, LMT - Clinical & Sports Massage Therapist

10/28/2024

GOT KNEE PAIN? Let's talk about how massage can help alleviate it.

🍂 Massage increases blood flow
Massage improves circulation which is vital to getting oxygen and nutrients delivered to the joint and surrounding tissues. This can assist in repairing damaged muscles and ligaments, and reduce inflammation.

🍂 Massage reduces swelling
Got knee swelling and stiffness? Massage can help reduce that swelling and stiffness in the knee.

🍂 Massage releases endorphins
What are the body's natural painkillers? Endorphins! Massage can stimulate endorphins to help reduce pain.

🍂 Massage improves mobility
Massage can help improve mobility, flexibility & tone of the muscles that support the knee.

🍂 Massage reduces inflammation
Massage assists in inflammation reduction by stimulating the lymphatic system, therefore removing excess fluids and toxins from the body.

🛑 NOTE: If your knee pain is severe or chronic and you're considering massage for relief, you should consult with a healthcare pro first.

✨💆‍♀️ As part of your treatment plan with me, I offer self-care tips, including stretches and exercises, to do in between your sessions. This helps to keep the pain and tension away & will help make those massage session benefits stick!

Source: https://www.verywellhealth.com/knee-massage-5092495 #:~:text=Because%20many%20of%20the%20commonly,side%2Deffects%20associated%20with%20massage.

A knee massage can help with relieving pain, particularly from osteoarthritis. Learn more about the benefits of self-massage and therapy.

10/08/2024

IYKYK

According to Mayo Clinic, massage can lower stress levels and feelings of anxiety. It can also improve mood and relaxation while increasing confidence and self-image.

The full article is linked in the comments! 👇

10/02/2024

After a long hiatus, it's time for me to reenter the world of massage and education. Part of my healing since returning from CA entails getting back to my passion for healing others and sharing my knowledge & expertise to help people live fully functional, healthier lives. With that being said, let's bring it back by talking about... muscle spasms.

This topic of discussion is inspired by a dear friend's recent FB post about her experience with muscle spasms. What are they? What are causes? How to treat them? Let's dive in!

😖 WHAT ARE MUSCLE SPASMS? 😖
The definition frequently used by clinicians is that muscle spasm (aka cramps or charley horses) is a strong involuntary muscle contraction caused by hyperactive motor neurons. (That's about as sciency as I'll get right now 😂) Often times, 'spasm' is an umbrella term used to describe a multitude of things. Spasms can be brought on by:

⭕ Medication
⭕ Dehydration
⭕ Electrolyte deficiency
⭕ Uncomfortable positioning
⭕ Overexertion during physical activity
⭕ Fatigue during physical activity
⭕ Inadequate stretching
⭕ Exercising in intense heat
⭕ Nerve compression

✴️ SPASM? WHAT TO DO ✴️
During a muscle spasm, it's important to take certain steps to alleviate discomfort and promote relaxation of the affected muscle. Here's what you can do during a muscle spasm:

✴️ Stop activity. Halt whatever activity you are doing during which spasm occurred.

✴️ Stretch gently. Slow and gentle stretching of the affected muscles can help release the contracted muscle. Avoid any sudden or forceful movements that could exacerbate the spasm.

✴️ Apply heat or cold: Applying heat (such as a warm towel or heating pad) or cold (such as an ice pack) can assistant relieving any muscle tension or pain.

✴️ Massage: Lightly massaging the muscle in the direction of the muscle fibers can promote relaxation and improve blood flow to the area.

✴️ Hydrate and hydrate done more, and replenish electrolytes. Drinking water and electrolyte-rich fluids or foods (like bananas for potassium) can help prevent further spasms, especially if dehydration or electrolyte imbalance is a contributing factor.

💆‍♀️ MASSAGE & MUSCLE SPASMS 💆‍♀️
Muscle spasms tend to occur when some sort of nerve signals the muscle to contract involuntarily and painfully (seems cruel, doesn't it?). Due to the fact that it is a nerve signal, it's highly unlikely that applying direct massage pressure to the muscle will relieve the spasm. However, due to the fact that it's a nerve that's signaling the muscle to contract in such a way, let's look at how massage benefits the nervous system.

💆‍♀️ Helps to reduce stress and anxiety, improving mood & relaxation.

💆‍♀️ Increases circulation and promotes healing, reducing inflammation and improving overall health.

💆‍♀️ Helps improve quality of sleep, reducing fatigue, therefore improving energy levels.

💆‍♀️ Help reduce tension, as well as improve range of motion & flexibility.

💆‍♀️ Help to improve focus reduce mental fatigue.

💆‍♀️ Help improve balance & coordination, and reduce the risk of injuries

NOTE: If muscle spasms occur frequently, are severe, or are associated with other concerning symptoms, it's essential to seek medical evaluation to identify underlying causes and receive appropriate treatment.