Triggerpoints vs “Knots”: Understanding Adhesions and How Massage Helps
Have you ever complained to your massage therapist about a knot, only to have them reply with words like adhesion or triggerpoint? Are all three words truly synonymous? Understanding such definitions can help us appreciate how these stuck spots are formed in the body, namely through muscular overload. Muscles can be overloaded through acute, sustained, and repetitive movements. After a primer on each, we’ll [...]
How Massage Can Assist PTSD & Trauma Healing
Exposure to frightening, shocking, and/or dangerous events such as combat, abuse, or disasters can result in the experience of trauma and development of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). At any given time, about 24.4 million people are struggling with PTSD (McCafferty, 2016). While trauma is a universal experience, those with PTSD experience ongoing trauma reactions, leaving them feeling out of control and perpetually unsafe. [...]
Massage for Immunity: Research Reveals Weekly Massage Increases Immunity Markers
Massage therapy: We all know it’s relaxing, but did you know it can also boost your immunity? As cold and flu season drags on, we’re reviewing research on how receiving regular massage (such as through our Oregon massage school’s student clinic) can protect you against getting sick. Massage Therapy and Immunity Massage impacts immunity in several ways. Pain Relief. Researchers have uncovered a connection [...]
How Does Massage Reduce Pain? The Gate Theory and Vagal Pathways
During the initial courses at a massage therapy school like ours in Portland, Oregon, students focus on gaining the baseline knowledge and technical prowess to deliver a delightful massage. Once they learn the basics of giving relaxing treatments, our students begin to explore why massage therapy is so effective for pain regulation. Let’s examine two prevalent theories on how the brain perceives pain, and [...]
Clinical Research on the Benefits of Regular Massage
Unique mental, physical, and emotional benefits are enjoyed by those who regularly receive massage. But unless you’re attending massage school, you may not be aware of those advantages accrued when the body consistently enjoys the healing touch of massage. Health Benefits of Regular Massage A review of twenty-eight clinical trials revealed the following benefits of consistent massage. Relief for Work-Related Stress. Three different studies [...]
Tips to Find a Great Used Massage Table
Given that tables represent big purchases in most massage careers, the lower cost of used massage tables is appealing. LMTs fresh out of massage therapist school can more likely afford a used table than a brand-new one. However, it’s critical to select a reliable used massage table; otherwise, it could give out on you during a session, bringing embarrassment to LMT and client alike. [...]
Triggerpoints vs “Knots”: Understanding Adhesions and How Massage Helps
Have you ever complained to your massage therapist about a knot, only to have them reply with words like adhesion or triggerpoint? Are all three words truly synonymous? Understanding such definitions can help us appreciate how these stuck spots are formed in the body, namely through muscular overload. Muscles can be overloaded through acute, sustained, and repetitive movements. After a primer on each, we’ll [...]
How Massage Can Assist PTSD & Trauma Healing
Exposure to frightening, shocking, and/or dangerous events such as combat, abuse, or disasters can result in the experience of trauma and development of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). At any given time, about 24.4 million people are struggling with PTSD (McCafferty, 2016). While trauma is a universal experience, those with PTSD experience ongoing trauma reactions, leaving them feeling out of control and perpetually unsafe. [...]
Massage for Immunity: Research Reveals Weekly Massage Increases Immunity Markers
Massage therapy: We all know it’s relaxing, but did you know it can also boost your immunity? As cold and flu season drags on, we’re reviewing research on how receiving regular massage (such as through our Oregon massage school’s student clinic) can protect you against getting sick. Massage Therapy and Immunity Massage impacts immunity in several ways. Pain Relief. Researchers have uncovered a connection [...]
How Does Massage Reduce Pain? The Gate Theory and Vagal Pathways
During the initial courses at a massage therapy school like ours in Portland, Oregon, students focus on gaining the baseline knowledge and technical prowess to deliver a delightful massage. Once they learn the basics of giving relaxing treatments, our students begin to explore why massage therapy is so effective for pain regulation. Let’s examine two prevalent theories on how the brain perceives pain, and [...]
Clinical Research on the Benefits of Regular Massage
Unique mental, physical, and emotional benefits are enjoyed by those who regularly receive massage. But unless you’re attending massage school, you may not be aware of those advantages accrued when the body consistently enjoys the healing touch of massage. Health Benefits of Regular Massage A review of twenty-eight clinical trials revealed the following benefits of consistent massage. Relief for Work-Related Stress. Three different studies [...]
Tips to Find a Great Used Massage Table
Given that tables represent big purchases in most massage careers, the lower cost of used massage tables is appealing. LMTs fresh out of massage therapist school can more likely afford a used table than a brand-new one. However, it’s critical to select a reliable used massage table; otherwise, it could give out on you during a session, bringing embarrassment to LMT and client alike. [...]