What is Kinesio Taping?
Kinesio Taping gives support and stability to your joints and muscles without affecting circulation and range of motion. It is also used for Preventive Maintenance, Edema, and Pain Management. Kinesio Taping is a technique based on the body's own natural healing process. Muscles are not only attributed to the movements of the body but also control the circulation of venous and lymph flows, body temperature, etc. Consequently, so much attention was given to the importance of muscle function that the idea of treating the muscles in order to activate the body's own healing process came about. Employment of Kinesio Taping creates a totally new approach to treating nerves, muscles, and organs. For the first 10 years, orthopedists, chiropractors, acupuncturists and other medical practitioners were the main users of Kinesio Taping. Soon thereafter, Kinesio Taping was used by the Japanese Olympic volleyball players and word quickly spread to other athletes. The Kinesio Taping Method is applied over muscles to reduce pain and inflammation, relax overused tired muscles, and to support muscles in movement on a 24hr/day basis. It is non-restrictive type of taping which allows for full range of motion.
In contrast, traditional sports' taping is wrapped around a joint strictly for stabilization and support during a sporting event obstructing the flow of bodily fluids... an UNDESIRABLE side-effect. On the other hand, Kinesio Taping is based on a different philosophy that aims to give free range of motion in order to allow the body's muscular system to heal itself bio-mechanically.
Kinesio Tape is an elastic hypoallergenic tape, which works with the fascial, lymphatic and musculoskeletal systems. Kinesio Tape is the only one of the 3 medically accepted tapes in North America to provide the unique features that are essential to the Kinesio Taping Method.
all information referrenced from http://www.kinesiotape.ca
Talk to Angel and Cindy about Kinesio Taping Today!
Day 1 of Sarah Morgan's Elbow Taping.
October is Breast Cancer and Massage Thearpy Awareness Month!
October is Breast Cancer and Massage Therapy Awareness Month at Centre Ave.
Studies of massage for breast cancer patients suggest that massage can decrease stress, anxiety, depression, pain and fatigue. Many healthcare professionals recognize massage as a useful, noninvasive addition to standard medical treatments.
There is no scientific evidence that massage effectively treats cancer of any kind, or any other disease.
Check out our Featured Services for breast cancer patients
Chronic Pain: Based on preliminary evidence, massage alone, or in combination with mindfulness-based stress reduction, may benefit patience with chronic pain.*
Chemotherapy Induced Nausea and Vomiting: Massage has been used to treat nausea, anxiety and depression in patients with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy.*
Immune Function: Preliminary evidence suggests massage therapy may preserve (or increase, according to the AMTA) immune function.*
Postoperative Recovery: Various massage approaches have been used after surgery with the aim to improve recovery and decrease pain.*
Stress: Massage was found beneficial in reducing psychological stress levels.*
*according to the American Cancer Society
Please bring written clearance from your Oncologist before receiving any type of massage.
Contraindications for cancer patients:
- low blood platelet count, a common side effect of chemotherapy, which may result in bruising.
- patients that are taking blood-thinning medications such as Warfarin (Coumadin), which may also result in bruising.
Swedish Massage - Enter into a state of deep relaxation and well-being as your Therapist pampers your body with Swedish Techniques, long flowing strokes, traditional light-to-medium-pressure, improving circulation, relieving tension and eliminating muscle fatigue and tissue restrictions.
For cancer patients this massage can assist the body in delivering nutrients and removing waste products from various tissues. It is also said to transform nervous energy into a more steady state.
Shiatsu - Siatsu means 'finger pressure' in Japanese. This massage uses acupressure based on the Chinese principles of acupuncture. The therapist applies varying, rhythmic pressure using the fingers on particular parts of the body. The goal is to improve the body's ability to heal itself and to promote overall health.
Some people with breast cancer may find that Shiatsu helps relieve stress, muscle tightness and certain symptoms of breast cancer and side effects of treatments over the short term.
Lymphatic Drainage - Lymphatic Drainage drains waste, excess impurities from each part of the body as well as carrying useful white blood cells, or lymphocytes, to the ciculatory system. Lymph Drainage helps increase the flow of lymph fluid and decrease blockage by creating alternate passages for lymph flow. This is a very specific form of gentle massage without lubrication.
In breast cancer related Lymphedema, it is typically the arm and/or hand closest to the breast cancer site that is affected. Women with lymphedema report a swelling that worsens over time. Muscle aches, pains and a feeling of heaviness in the limb may occur after treatment.
Best (and Worst) of Pittsburgh
Check our our article in the September issue of Pittsburgh Magazine.
Best Chocolate Fix Without the Calories
Catherine and Sarah were lucky enough to attend The Best of Pittsburgh Party at The Andy Warhol Museum. Both were big fans of the Penn Ave. Fish Co. pennavefishcompany.com, and made sure to taste each of La Casa Narcisi Winery's samples narcisiwinery.com. Cookies and cupcakes by SweetHouse Bake Shop sweethousebakeshop.com. Dancers entertained the crowd from Bodiography Contemporary Ballet Co. bodiographybc.com. Sarah loved the bacon from Harris' Grill harrisgrill.com, and loved grossing Catherine out with it. It was a great evening and thank you to all of those who voted for us.
Art at Centre Ave. Massage & Spa!
We have amazing clients, and we like to show them off when possible. Currently we are showing the works of Rachel Sager, Anita Kozinko and Jolene Elyse Drylie.
Stop in and take something home!
Blue Lotus Designs by Anita Kozinko
Rachel Sager, mosaic artist - these works nfs - www.rachelsagermosaics.com
Jolene Elyse Drylie, artist - www.followyourart.biz
G-20 Advantage
We will be giving 10% off the following 60-90 minute therapeutic services from Sept. 24th to the 26th.
Deep Tissue - 60 or 90 minutes
Orthopedic - 60 or 90 minutes
Offer is only good for the 24th, 25th and 26th of September 2009.
No other discounts or gift certificates apply.
Meet our Newest Massage Therapist!
When one door closes another opens, and we will be welcoming Amy to the Spa on August 3rd. She has a whole new bag of tricks for our clients to discover.
Amy Sakurai Dean, SMT/NCTMB, Reiki Master/Teacher - Amy graduated from the Chicago School of Massage Therapy and received her National Certification for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork in 1996. During her 14 years of practice she learned and experienced the amazing healing power of the mind, body and soul. She continuously studies various healing methods and integrates all of her knowledge and skills to offer the most effective way for each individual to help the client achieve their optimal health and wellness. Modalities she uses are Deep Tissue, Sports, Shiatsu, Reflexology, Neuromuscular Trigger Point Therapy and Myofascial Release. In addition to those modalities Amy also offers great energy work like Reiki, CSFT (Cerebral Spiral Fluid Technique), Cranioscral, Lymphatic Drainage and more.
Please feel free to ask Amy which technique would be best for you prior to your massage.
What is the Difference Between Swedish and Deep Tissue Massages?
During Swedish massage, massage therapists use massage oils to facilitate smooth, gliding strokes over the entire body. Other classic Swedish massage moves include kneading, friction, stretching and (sometimes) tapping. Swedish massage uses firm but gentle pressure to promote relaxation, ease muscle tension and create other health benefits. Generally during Swedish massage you're nude underneath a blanket and sheet. The therapist uncovers only the part of the body he/she is working on, a technique called "draping". You can keep your underwear on during Swedish massage, and many newcomers do. Feel free to state your preference for pressure during Swedish massage. It can range from light to firm. Swedish massage usually includes some deeper work on areas of specific muscle tension. If you want more intensive work and firmer pressure, get a deep tissue massage. Swedish massage was pioneered by a Swedish physiologist, Henri Peter Ling, at the University of Stockholm in 1812. It was introduced to the U.S. in 1858 as "The Swedish Movement Cure."
Swedish massage is the foundation for other types of Western massage, including sports massage, deep tissue massage and aromatherapy massage.
Deep tissue massage is a type of massage aimed at the deeper tissue structures of the muscle and fascia, also called connective tissue. Deep tissue massage uses many of the same movements and techniques as Swedish massage, but the pressure will generally be more intense. It is also a more focused type of massage, as the therapist works to release chronic muscle tension or knots (also known as "adhesion's.") It shouldn't hurt, but it's likely to be a bit more uncomfortable than a classic Swedish massage. You should always feel free to speak up if the pressure is too much for you. It's important to be realistic about what one massage can achieve. Many people ask for more pressure, thinking that if the therapist just pushes hard enough, they can get rid of all their knots in an hour. This just won't happen. In fact, undoing chronic knots and tension built up over a lifetime is best achieved with an integrated program that includes exercise, work on your posture and ways of moving, relaxation techniques and a regular program of massage.
Finally, while deep tissue is certainly valuable, you should be aware that there are many other styles of massage that can also produce profound release and realignment in the body.
Do you Tip a Massage Therapist?
Massage is considered to be in the service industry, so the general 15-20% would apply to massage just like it would to a waiter or nail tech.
It shows your appreciation for the massage therapist's work, and they appreciate it as well!
High Tech Ways to Extend Your Life
The next life extension tool that Dr. Oz wheels onto Oprah's stage can help you burn 700 calories…without lifting a finger.
Dr. Oz says his in-laws introduced him to the infrared sauna, which is slightly different than a normal sauna. "It makes the same rays that come from the sun and filters out the UV radiation, so it only gives you the infrared radiation," he says. "That radiation that's infrared goes a little bit into your skin so, without heating you up and the external environment too much, it heats the body up."
After a few minutes in the sauna, Oprah says she's starting to feel the heat. Dr. Oz says the high temperature helps lower blood pressure and increase blood circulation. "It gets your heart to beat faster, and it burns calories," Dr. Oz says. "It raises your metabolism a little bit, and also when you sweat, you sweat out toxins through the skin."