San Francisco Massage Therapy News

2008-11-21T22:07:00.000-08:00

I am reminded by my Anusara yoga instructors that now--autumn/winter---is the time for old, dead things to fall away to make room for the new--including old habits and ways of being. That means old habits, relationships, stc.

Are there old things in your life you could be letting go of?

We Will Be Closed 11/15 & 11/16 to Move

2008-11-02T22:13:00.000-08:00

We are going to be closed on Saturday, 11/15 and Sunday, 11/16 to move into our new, larger space with our own waiting room! Thank you for your patience and we look forward to seeing you soon!

A Great Website for Nutritional Analyses

2008-09-30T18:15:00.000-07:00

As many of my regular clients know, I am kind of a nut about nutrition and how it affects how you feel. While I do enjoy a french fry now & then, or some ice cream, or some corn chips...well I'm all about the unprocessed food. Especially after reading Micheal Pollan's latest book, In Defense of Food, I am all about eating mostly plants--and yes, some animal protein too--but mostly really nutritionally dense food so I am getting most of my nutrients from the food I eat, rather than from supplements.

Here is a great site to research the nutritional values of foods you eat on a regular basis. You can even search by those lowest in fat and highest in Iron, for example. You can build your "pantry" and then create recipes and even do a nutritional analysis of those, and check out the nutritionally complete rating. One of my favorite features? It lists the "inflammatory factor" of foods. Why is this important? I read recently that prolonged inflammation is a factor in both heart disease and cancer. By working certain foods into your diet: like turmeric and fish, you can keep the inflammation in your system under control.

I have been paying more attention to this for the last few weeks, and you know what? I feel great, and look great! A little less creaky, a little less puffy.

Check out the website: www.nutritiondata.com

We're growing again!

2008-09-30T17:29:00.000-07:00

I am thrilled to announce that we will be moving into an office space that will have two studios and its own waiting room (don't worry--we'll be in the same building). So we'll be able to accommodate 2 clients at the same time!

In addition, we'll be adding more therapists and at least one acupuncturist. I 've returned from my laid back schedule...I feel rejuvenated and energetic, and I am currently back in the office at LEAST 5 days per week now. So, if you were disappointed in the last few months that you were not able to get an appointment: never fear, I am here!

On a similar note: we are currently wrapping up the hiring of a therapist who comes to us from Kamalaspa. She is bringing along her knowledge of Ayurvedic massage and I look forward to integrating that into the practice.

More later...

new people!

2008-06-03T09:34:00.000-07:00

Some of my regular clients may have noticed that I've reduced my availability. I feel so fortunate to be able to do the work I do, but as many of you know, it is demanding...so I have found that in order to continue to give you the quality care I have historically offered, I have had to cut my availability back to only 10 sessions per week. On Tuesdays, I see clients in their homes on the peninsula, and I currently have an opening in the afternoon between 2 and 4:30. If you are located between Hillsborough and San Carlos and would like to have a good massage therapist see you in your home, please send me an email.

Since we have this studio space, and the openings, I have also brought on some other new therapists, and I would like to mention them here:

First of all Jenny Parma--who was formerly a writer at Google, and is currently studying her premeds--she does a really great massage that is a good balance between the technical and intuitive. She is always learning about the body, and that is reflected in her work. Read the rave reviews about her work here. Book your first appointment with her online and get $20 off!

Simone Garrigues is currently in the MSW program at Berkeley, and is a very experienced massage therapist. In a session with her, it is obvious that she is experienced and talented--and that she's listening to what is going on in the body as she is working. Book your first appointment with her online and get $20 off!

Lastly, we are seeking either 2 more massage therapists or an acupuncturist and a massage therapist to work with us in our expanding practice. Please see our website for details.

Trigger Point Therapy

2008-04-24T09:03:00.000-07:00

As I have grown in my practice as a massage therapist here in San Francisco, I have been drawn to Trigger Point Therapy as a way to alleviate chronic and "mystery" pain.

A quick story: I had a young man come to my office complaining of facial pain, pain behind his eyes, headaches, a sore throat and a stiff neck.

He told me he was disappointed that he went to a neurologist and all the neurologist could tell him was that he didn't have a brain tumor. He then went to an Ear, Nose and throat specialist that told him nothing was wrong with his ENT passages, but that it could be muscular.

So he found me.

Along with a full massage, we did some focused work on his Scalenes and his Sternocleidomastoid (two important muscles in the neck that help support and turn the head that often have trigger points due to whiplash or unhealthy holding patterns. Although the work for these muscles is done on the side and front of the neck, the work is *never* done on the esophogas, or throat and is well-documented. )

Amazingly, his symptoms were gone. He was thrilled.

So, what is trigger point therapy?

Here is the Wikipedia entry on it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trigger_point

And this book is fantastic for explaining not only what it is, in layperson's terms, but how you can work on yourself. I recommend it to everyone: http://www.triggerpointbook.com/

For more information about my San Francisco Massage Therapy Practice, please visit www.true-massage.com

It's Official!

2007-09-26T22:47:00.000-07:00

We're moving! Yes, as of October 1, 2007, we will be located at 760 Market Street, in Suite 1023. Just a few doors down from the Virgin Megastore and at the Powell Street BART/MUNI station.

We expect it to be quieter, cleaner, and more professional. Ah...I am grateful to be a massage therapist in San Francisco!

If it's the first time you've had a professional massage

2006-09-18T13:08:00.000-07:00

If you have never had a professional massage before, it can feel a little odd. Having worked as a massage therapist in a busy San Francisco spa, I've had the opportunity to work with many people who have never had a massage before, and I realize you may have a lot of questions, and there are some things you can expect. I'll attempt to address concerns here, but please feel free to email me or visit my website to ask any questions you may have.

It's difficult to pick a massage therapist if you're never had a massage before, but here are some things that may be helpful to know:

1) The first session you have may feel oddly intimate, and you may feel somewhat vulnerable. It's natural to feel that way, and a professional therapist should be sensitive to that. They should be doing everything to make it a comfortable experience for you--especially when it comes to draping, boundaries and requests you have made. They should ask questions, check in with you about pressure, and listen to what you tell them you want or don't want.

2) A massage is probably one of the only times in your life you don't have to do anything! You don't have to help lift an arm or leg or your head. In fact, all you have to do is be a wet noodle, and breathe! Your therapist will tell you if the work they are doing requires you to do anything, such as push your head into their hand, or trun over.

3) You shouldn't feel exposed. If the therapist is sensitive to the fact that you are new to massage, they typically will be a little more conservative with the draping. If you feel to exposed and it feels uncomfortable, I recommend saying something. After all, your session is ultimately about you.

4) That brings me to my next point. If something doesn't feel right, then you should never hesitate to ask a question or speak up. Even people that are experienced with massage often doubt themselves when it comes to questioning what a practitioner was doing in their session. You're doing a disservice to yourself and to the therapist if you don't speak up when something doesn't feel right.

5) If you have knots or tension in an area, it may be sensitive, even if the therapist is not using a lot of pressure. Without getting into that technical aspects of why, I'll just say that it is usually a feeling where you're not sure if it feels good or bad, but it actually feels kind of good. And the bad dissipates. The therapist may be spending some time in this area, and it may feel to you like it's a little "crunchy". It is usually helpful to take a couple of deep breaths at this point, and let them go like a sigh. That helps release the tension. Your therapist won't mind, I promise.

6) And that brings me to making noise. You don't have to remain completely quiet & still if you don't want to. If you feel like audibly breathing, groaning, or even stretching, go ahead. It's actually very helpful to do so, and can enhance the benefits of your massage.

7) If your first massage was not what you were expecting, don't hesitate to try other therapists, as sometimes it take a while to find one that is right for you.

What Does "Therapeutic" Mean?

2006-09-17T22:06:00.000-07:00

It seems that when it comes to massage, the word "therapeutic" is often used to differentiate between massage that is purely for pleasure, and one that is more health-oriented.

But Mirriam-Webster Online defines it, not necesarily in a massage context, as follows.

1 : of or relating to the treatment of disease or disorders by remedial agents or methods
2 : providing or assisting in a cure

What is "Wellness?"

2006-09-17T21:59:00.000-07:00

It seems to be a buzzword that a lot of holistic practitioners are using these days.

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign defines it here. In summary, they say, "Wellness is a state of optimal well-being that is oriented toward maximizing an individual’s potential. This is a life-long process of moving towards enhancing your physical, intellectual, emotional, social, spiritual, and environmental well-being."

I like their definition because it is holistic. It reminds us to onsider our entire beings in finding a state of wellness, not only our bodies or our minds. It's worth a look.

If your practitioner uses this buzzword, have they actually been down this path?

Masai Barefoot Technology Shoes

2006-09-17T10:57:00.000-07:00

Intially, I thought they were just an over priced gimmick, but I finally tried on a pair of Masai Barefoot Technology shoes, and felt an immediate difference in my lower back.

Since my whole career is about the back and body, I broke down and bought some. I've been wearing them for at least a week now, and have noticed marked improvement in my balance, as well as my ankle strength & stability. They're definitely worth checking out.

A Great Book That Explains the Body/Mind Connection

2006-09-16T08:34:00.000-07:00

As a San Francisco massage therapist, I've recently found a book that is a good resource for anyone interested in exploring the body/mind connection. Very helpful in managing chronic pain issues. Discovering the Body's Wisdom, by Mirka Kastner. It does a great job of explaining different approaches one can take to manage pain, especially to people who are new to holistic health modalities.

What Does "Deep Tissue" Mean?

2006-08-23T08:52:00.000-07:00

The American Massage Therapy Association defines the term "Deep Tissue" as: "releases the chronic patterns of tension in the body through slow strokes and deep finger pressure on the contracted areas, either following or going across the grain of muscles, tendons and fascia. It is called deep tissue, because it also focuses on the deeper layers of muscle tissue".

Deep tissue is extremely helpful in managing chronic pain issues, and my ability to do deep tissue work is one of the things many of my clients like about my work.

But I don't believe Deep Tissue has to hurt to be effective. To me, "deep" means listening intently to what is happening in the body and paying attention to what is happening to the different layers of tissue during the massage--going deeper as the tissue allows you to rather than forcing your way through. It's like knocking on a door rather than barging in. I feel that it is less violating and is more of a collaborative experience with my client than a Deep Tissue massage that is done primarily with the elbows.

I Am Seeking New Office Space in the South Beach Area of San Francisco

2006-08-21T20:28:00.000-07:00

I'm currently working at 300 Brannan Street, but since I share that space with another professional, my hours there are limited. I really like the person who I am sharing with, and the space too, but I am actively looking for commerical office space to work out of in the South Beach area of San Francisco--preferably near 2nd & Brannan. I only need about 150-300 square feet. The only absolute musts are security, electricity of course, and access to a bathroom. Any leads on space are welcome.

Some Notes and Articles on Nutrition

2006-08-13T09:29:00.000-07:00

This is an article from the San Francisco Chronicle, Sunday, August 13, 2006. Though not directly related to back health, it seems important, nonetheless. Counter to conventional nutrition wisdom, it highlights the dangers of soy consumption. My Dr. has been telling me this for months.

From what I understand, Soy consumption should be avoided in infants and women who are prone to either breast cancer and low thyroid function.

On another note, I am currently reading The Omnivore's Dilemma by Micheal Pollan, which I think will be known as one of the most significant nutrition books to come out in our lifetime. He discusses the politics and history of the American diet. If you eat any food produced in the US, you should read it, if for anything, to know what you're really feeding yourself--and why.

Massage Research

2006-07-31T21:34:00.001-07:00

An article about massage research.

Those who get massages more alert and less stressed, study shows

2006-07-31T21:34:00.000-07:00

An article about massage in the workplace. Apparently it increases productivity and morale: "Research shows massage can lower stress, tension and fatigue, and one study in the International Journal of Neuroscience showed people given massage therapy proved more alert and calculated math problems faster and more accurately."

Not only that, but it supports employee retention in a competitive market.

Neuromyofascial Pain Syndromes are often Misdiagnosed as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

2006-07-27T15:40:00.000-07:00

Over the years as a massage therapist in San Francisco, I've had quite a few people come to me complaining that they have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS), but that their doctor simply gave them a wrist brace, but it didn't help. After a massage, the "Carpal Tunnnel Syndrome" miraculously went away. This could be why. The nerves of the brachial plexus (a major bundle of nerves) come from your spine at about the 6th or 7th vertebrae. This bundle of nerves runs through your shoulder & pectoral area, all the way down your arm to your fingertips. If you're having pain, tingling or numbness in your arm, wrist or fingers, be aware that it may not be carpal tunnel. Whichever sort of doctor you go to, be sure they are looking at your whole limb, not just your wrist.

I'll be posting some more articles on the topic.

My new massage blog

2006-07-14T17:40:00.000-07:00

I'm always finding news articles & books about massage and new related businesses that are interesting, and I love to share. I'll be posting things I learn and discover about therapeutic massage & wellness, as well as info about related practioners & businesses I like.