Anyone who has experienced frozen shoulder knows how debilitating it can be with excruciating pain. It leaves you helplessly unable to do even simple tasks. You are, therefore, left unproductive for up to several months at times. Frozen shoulder can be prevented, though, and its pain can be eased by massage therapy at a professional therapeutic massage spa that offers reflexology massage therapy, deep tissue massage therapy, sports massage therapy, Swedish massage therapy and pregnancy massage therapy in Anonka County, Minneapolis, St Paul and Blaine MN.

Medically, frozen shoulder is called adhesive capsulitis. It involves the shoulder capsule which is the connective tissue around the shoulder joint. Inflammation of the shoulder capsule creates adhesions which are abnormally fused bands of tissue. This results in chronic pain and a drastic reduction in one’s range of motion.

Frozen shoulder has three stages. In stage one, or the freezing stage, the pain sets in gradually. This can take from six weeks to nine months. The end of the period is also the peak point of the pain. By then, motion has been lost totally. Stage two or the frozen stage then begins. It is also called the adhesive stage. The shoulder remains stiff for the next four to nine months during which the pain very gradually improves. Stage two ends and stage three begins when there is the barest return of mobility. Stage three is the thawing stage wherein there is a very gradual return to one’s normal range of motion. This can last for five months or even more than three years in certain cases.

The pain of a frozen shoulder is described as a dull ache that intensifies and erupts into sudden spasms when one makes certain movements. The pain also worsens at night and when the weather is cold. Satellite pain is felt in tissues surrounding the affected shoulder, including the neck and back. Because of this, the patient cannot sleep well. Chronic fatigue sets in, the patient becomes depressed due to the suffering, the immune system is weakened and other complications arise.

When frozen shoulder occurs spontaneously even without any trigger it is known as idiopathic frozen shoulder. Other factors that are often connected to it are extended immobility of the shoulder due to trauma, injury or recent surgery. Sometimes, in a patient with an autoimmune disorder, the body’s own immune system attacks the shoulder capsule tissues and creates adhesions. Also at high risk are patients suffering from connective tissue disorders, rheumatic disease, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, lung disease, heart disease and patients who have recently had a stroke.

People in high risk conditions can prevent the onset of frozen shoulder by never allowing the shoulders to become immobile for extended periods of time. Massage and exercise should be used to put the shoulders through their full range of motion regularly. Massage and physical therapy may also stop the progress of the condition if used just as the pain has begun to set in.

In full blown cases of frozen shoulder, though, treatment can be too painful without pain relief medication such as analgesics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and steroids. In extreme cases, anesthetics may be needed. With the inflammation under control and the pain masked, the shoulder tissues can be manipulated and stretched though massage therapy and physical therapy in order to break up the adhesions and scar tissues.

Various therapeutic massage modalities such as reflexology massage therapy, deep tissue massage therapy, sports massage therapy and Swedish massage therapy may be used to prevent frozen shoulder or alleviate its pain once it has set in. Even pregnant women may get frozen shoulder and in such cases, pregnancy massage therapy may be used. Any of these massage therapy modalities should be done only by professional massage therapists, though. Ensure this by going only to a reputable professional therapeutic massage spa in Anonka County, Minneapolis, St Paul and Blaine MN.

Sports massage therapy is offered by professional therapeutic massage spas along with reflexology massage therapy, Swedish massage therapy, deep tissue massage therapy and even pregnancy massage therapy. Like pregnancy massage therapy, however, sports massage therapy also has its own guidelines and contraindications. If you are a resident of Washington County, Clackamas, Keizer, Lake Oswego, Portland, Tualatin, Sherwood or Vancouver WA, make sure you take note of all these guidelines before availing of sports massage therapy at your therapeutic massage spa in Beaverton.

Sports massage therapy should be avoided by people with thrombosis or a blood clot in the vein, implanted artificial blood vessels, hemophilia and tumors because it can cause life threatening complications. Sports massage therapy can also spread bacterial, viral or fungal infections of the skin and soft tissue; and can worsen broken bones; contusions; burns of chilblains; periostitis, or the inflammation of sheath around the bone; gout; rheumatoid arthritis; and bursitis.

People with open wounds, lacerations, muscle ruptures, tendon ruptures, cuts and grazes have to wait until they are completely healed from these conditions before undergoing sports massage therapy.

To be safe, anyone should undergo medical examination and clearance before going for sports massage therapy. After all, only a doctor can correctly identify the existence of some of these conditions in a patient. There are many cases where a patient is totally clueless about having diseases that have not yet shown any symptoms.

It is important to know the guidelines and contraindications of sports massage therapy before availing of it from the same therapeutic massage spas that also provide reflexology massage therapy, Swedish massage therapy, deep tissue massage therapy and pregnancy massage therapy in Beaverton, Washington County, Clackamas, Keizer, Lake Oswego, Portland, Tualatin, Sherwood or Vancouver WA. It is also very important to ensure that only a highly trained and qualified professional massage therapist gives the sports massage therapy.

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‘Arthritis’ applies to numerous conditions with various causes and symptoms. What they tend to have in common is that they cause inflammation or erosion in the joints, often resulting in pain, swelling, stiffness and impaired movement (other parts of the body can also be affected).

Osteo-Arthritis is also referred to as ‘wear and tear’. It affects most people to varying degrees, becoming apparent as our joints age. The most affected joints are knees and hips in males and hands in females around the menopause. The cartilage within joints roughens with use, particles of which can break loose and cause further damage. In reaction, the underlying bone thickens and ‘spurs’ or outgrowths of bone can result.

Rheumatoid Arthritis most commonly affects females between 30 and 50 years old and affects many parts of the body as well as the joints. It typically affects smaller joints (eg. knuckles) first, the lining of which becomes painfully inflamed and swollen. Over time the joint surfaces can erode and extra tissue can develop in and around joints.

Gouty Arthritis (or Gout) is caused by the build up of deposits of uric acid crystals in the body, particularly in the joints. If large deposits of these crystals are allowed to remain in the joints, over time permanent damage can result. Diet is generally a significant factor in Gouty Arthritis, which has been linked with foods rich in ‘purins’, such as red wine and red meat.

How can massage help?

Sufferers of arthritic conditions will tend to experience periods of ‘flare ups’, when pain and swelling is particularly present, as well as ‘remissions’, when these improve. Massage is best avoided during flare ups, but can be very beneficial if performed regularly during periods of remission.

Massage can help to keep the affected joints as mobile as possible, alleviate pain, reduce frequency and severity of flare ups and reduce tension in associated muscles. Regular massage also helps ensure a good blood supply to the affected areas and can boost the immune system to help the body repair damage. Stress and tension may also be a factor in arthritis and massage is certainly ideal for helping to relieve these, with the bonus that you’ll feel better too!

What else can help?

While drugs may benefit sufferers of some types of arthritis, many other factors can make a difference: changes to diet can have a real impact with some (eg. wheat and dairy sensitivities are common); regular, moderate exercise is essential for maintenance of healthy joints; supplements can play an important role – vitamin C and essential fatty acids are important for joint repair and glucosamine sulphate helps some; treatment with herbal remedies can also be useful for many.

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The history of shiatsu massage lies within the ancient Chinese. They used the principals of shiatsu in both their medical philosophy and practice. It was developed around 530 B.C. Later, shiatsu massage was exported into Japan, Southeast Asia, and Korea where it was widely practiced. In the 20th century, this therapy was used for treating simple muscular tension and providers were licensed. Shiatsu became popular in the United States, Europe and Australia in the 1970s.

Shiatsu massages last anywhere from forty minutes to one hour. It usually takes place on a padded mat on the floor. This type of massage begins with gentle stretching and manipulation of the skin to allow the stimulation of energy and relax the muscles. Depending on the need of the person receiving the massage, it can be very gentle and calming or used with high pressure, but should never hurt or feel painful. Acupressure massages are usually given using a rapid circular motion with medium pressure. The massages can last from five to fifteen minutes and include techniques such as rubbing, kneading, percussion, and vibration.

Today, shiatsu massages are performed not only for relaxation, but to aid a wide variety of ailments and symptoms. The following are five benefits of shiatsu massage.

Skin: Shiatsu massages, or acupressure, help stimulate circulation in the capillaries of the skin’s soft tissues. The massage also serves to stimulate the secretion of the sebaceous glands and keeps skin moist and smooth. This helps give skin resilience and helps prevent wrinkling. A shiatsu massage will help improve the look and glow of the skin with improved blood circulation.

Rheumatoid Arthritis and Muscle Pain: Shiatsu and acupressure massages can help alleviate the symptoms caused by arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammation of the body’s tissue and it attacks the linings of the joints. This disease affects one percent of the world’s population. Shiatsu applied to the hands and feet are most effective when suffering from arthritis. Pressure from the massage can also be applied directly to any area affected by Rheumatoid arthritis. Shiatsu can also be used to improve the overall health of muscles throughout the body. Shiatsu helps limber muscles and gives muscles nutrition by improved circulation. It also helps reduce muscular pain.

Migraine Headaches: Migraines are usually caused by a rapid widening and narrowing of the blood vessels in the brain or head, causing irritation and pain. Common symptoms of migraine headaches include nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, weakness, numbness and vision problems. Migraines are thought to be cause by changes in weather, stress, hunger, foods containing nitrates and sometimes caffeine. Shiatsu massages helps aid migraines by relaxing the body and increasing blood flow and circulation throughout the body.

Pregnancy: Shiatsu massages have been used for thousands of years to aid women during monthly cycles to alleviate symptoms such as menstrual cramps and depression. This kind of massage has also been used for years for also for pregnancy as well. Shiatsu has been known to help women in labor and help babies turn in the womb. It can induce labor in women who are overdue and help ease morning sickness and swelling often caused by pregnancy.

Circulatory and Digestive System: Shiatsu massages are also found to help aid the circulatory and digestive system. A gently massage helps improve circulation and cellular nutrition throughout the body. A massage also benefits the digestive system allowing food to digest more easily and aids in the elimination of waste products. A shiatsu massage also increases stamina by storing energy reserves and assists in fat metabolism and removal.

Learning basic shiatsu techniques at home is easy with a book or video. It can also reap huge benefits to practice basic techniques at home. When looking for a practitioner experienced with shiatsu, look for one that has at least three years worth of experience. Feeling comfortable with the provider is also important. A session of shiatsu massages generally last from thirty to ninety minutes and can cost anywhere from $20 to $80 for a more experienced practitioner.

These are some of the contraindications to sports massage therapy.

Those of you with open wounds, lacerations or even just cuts and grazes should wait until these have healed and closed before getting sports massage therapy. This takes about one to two weeks. A scar should have formed to prove that the wound has closed properly.

Those of you with muscle ruptures will be experiencing muscle bleeding during its acute stages. Sports massage therapy will worsen the bleeding and delay healing. Allow the rupture to heal for two to three days before getting a massage. More extensive ruptures will take longer to heal. The same rules apply to those who have tendon ruptures. Sometimes, however, tendon ruptures need surgery to be healed.

Those of you with contusions resulting from impact will also be experiencing bleeding in the muscles. The aforementioned rules also apply. Furthermore, undergoing massage while suffering from contusions may result in myositis ossificans or the growth of bone within the muscles. Any existing condition of myositis ossificans will be worsened by massage.

Those of you with broken bones or burns of chilblains should not undergo sports massage therapy because it will be painful and will just worsen the existing condition.

Those of you with periostitis, or the inflammation of sheath around the bone, should avoid sports massage therapy because it will irritate the bone. In fact, under such conditions, the bone should not be touched.

Those of you with gout or rheumatoid arthritis should avoid sports massage therapy because it will worsen the inflammation.

Those of you with bursitis are suffering from the inflammation of the sack of fluid sandwiched between the tendons and bones at the junction of joints. The area will be red and swollen. Avoid sports massage therapy which will worsen it.

Those of you with bacterial, viral or fungal infections of the skin and soft tissue should avoid sports massage therapy which may further spread the infection.

Those of you with thrombosis are suffering from a blood clot in the vein, usually felt as a soreness deep in the muscles. The condition can be lethal when the blood clot travels through the veins to the heart and causes irreparable damage. You should avoid sports massage therapy since this could trigger the movement of the blood clot toward the heart.

Those of you with implanted artificial blood vessels should avoid sports massage therapy since this can damage the artificial blood vessels.

Those of you with bleeding disorders like hemophilia should avoid sports massage therapy since this can cause bleeding which may be difficult to stop.

Those of you with tumors should avoid sports massage therapy. If you have an unidentified and undiagnosed lump in your muscles or beneath the skin, have it checked by qualified specialists first to determine whether it is a tumor or a knot in the muscles.

Those of you who are pregnant should consult your doctor first and then ask for pregnancy massage therapy instead of sports massage therapy from your therapeutic massage spa in Beaverton.

Those of you who have other unusual physical conditions that have not been medically diagnosed yet should undergo medical evaluation first before getting sports massage therapy.

Keep this information on hand and consult it before you decide on your next sports massage therapy session in Beaverton, Washington County, Clackamas, Keizer, Lake Oswego, Portland, Tualatin, Sherwood or Vancouver WA.

Sports massage therapy may worsen bleeding. People with open wounds should wait until the wounds have healed and closed completely with scars. People with muscle or tendon ruptures should wait at least three days for them to heal and for bleeding within the muscles and tendons to stop.

Following the same logic, people suffering from any of several bleeding disorders, including hemophilia, should stay away from sports massage therapy because any bruising of tissues may initiate bleeding which will then be unstoppable.

People with contusions will also be having bleeding within the muscles. Undergoing sports massage therapy may cause them to develop myositis ossificans which is the growth of bone within the muscles. People who already have existing conditions of myositis ossificans should likewise avoid sports massage therapy which will worsen it.

Sports massage therapy will also cause more damage to people suffering from broken bones, burns of chilblains, rheumatoid arthritis and gout, or who have artificial blood vessels that had been implanted through surgery.

Bursitis or the inflammation of the sack of fluid between the tendons and bones of the joints will be aggravated by sports massage therapy.

People with periostitis have an inflammation in the sheath that surrounds the bone. The bone should not be touched and, therefore, sports massage therapy should be avoided.

People with thrombosis have a blood clot in their vein, often located in the area of the calf and felt as a deep muscle soreness. This soreness should never be treated through sports massage therapy, though, because the massage may dislodge the clot and cause it to travel along the vein. If the blood clot reaches the heart, it could cause great damage and even lead to death.

People with tumors or who suspect having a tumor should also stay away from sports massage therapy since any tumor should never be massaged. A tumor may seem just like a knot in the muscle and until you are very sure about what it is exactly, you should not take any risks.

People who have any sort of bacterial, viral or fungal infection affecting the skin should not undergo sports massage therapy because it could actually cause the infection to spread even more.

Aside from all these conditions, any other suspicious physical condition you may have that has not undergone proper medical assessment and diagnosis is cause for concern. Make sure you get it checked by the appropriate medical specialists before even considering sports massage therapy.

Your licensed massage therapist or LMT will be very knowledgeable on all the aforementioned contraindications to sports massage therapy and you will be in safe hands. Furthermore, a licensed massage therapist or LMT will also have the necessary expertise for acupressure massage therapy, shiatsu massage therapy, reflexology massage therapy, craniosacral massage therapy, deep tissue massage therapy and pregnancy massage therapy, should you need any of these. A caring licensed massage therapist or LMT even does insurance billing for people in auto accidents after treating them. Now that’s service with a heart.

Is migraine any different from a regular headache? Migraine is only one type of headache. It is characterized by throbbing pain usually concentrated in one part of the head, often in the eye area. The pain can range from moderate to severe and is accompanied by nausea. Light and noise usually worsen the pain and discomfort of the patient. Before a migraine episode, many patients experience warning signs including seeing light flashes, having blind spots or experiencing a tingling sensation in the arm or leg.

Medical science has made many advances in the management of migraine through the years. No definitive cure has been found for the condition yet but several medications have been found to be helpful to patients. Alternative treatments have also been found to be complementary in migraine control. Massage therapy is one of the alternative treatments that could make migraine episodes less frequent and less severe.

According to The Touch Institute at the University of Miami’s School of Medicine, research has proven that massage therapy results in less sleep disturbances and less symptoms of distress while at the same time heightening levels of serotonin in migraine afflicted adults. This results in stress reduction and tension relief. Since stress and tension have also been identified as two main triggers of migraine pain, eliminating them results also in mitigation of migraine symptoms.

According to the Mayo Clinic, migraine afflicted patients should allot a minimum of thirty minutes in every day to activities that would either be relaxing or would result in the relaxation of their muscles.

It would help a lot if the massage therapy is given by professional massage therapists who have been specially trained in treating migraine symptoms. They can use several different massage therapy modalities such as reflexology, Swedish massage therapy, deep tissue massage therapy or sports massage therapy in order to meet the patient’s particular needs and provide not only immediate but lasting relief.

The Massage Envy chain of massage clinics has developed a Wellness Program that is well suited to the treatment of migraine and other types of severe chronic headaches. Massage sessions can be availed of as frequently as desired at affordably low prices, whether during pain episodes or to pre-empt and prevent such episodes from occurring.

In an article in the Fall 2008 online issue of Massage Envy magazine, Amy Lynn Smith cites Diana L. Thompson, Massage Therapy Foundation president and licensed massage therapist, saying that she has seen how massage therapy has helped people suffering from chronic pain, providing them with relief even up to a year after a regular massage therapy regimen.

According to Thompson, “We can help people retrain their thinking so they can establish a better relationship with their own body. Then they can make decisions about how to take care of themselves, such as knowing when it’s time for a massage, or to use an ice pack, or to do some stretching exercises or just take a break.”

Enjoy Swedish massage therapy, deep tissue massage therapy, sports massage therapy or pregnancy massage therapy from a professional massage clinic in South Tampa 33629, Downtown Tampa, Macdill AFB and Hyde Park and do away not only with migraine but also with a whole lot of other chronic pain conditions such as fibromyalgia, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, back pain and carpal tunnel syndrome.

In medical terms, frozen shoulder is called adhesive capsulitis because it is the inflammation of the connective tissue surrounding the shoulder joint, and this tissue is the shoulder capsule. Because of the inflammation, the tissue develops adhesions or fused bands. These adhesions cause restricted movement in the shoulder, hence the term frozen shoulder. Any movement causes great pain.

Frozen shoulder has three stages. The freezing stage involves the slow setting in of the pain until it peaks. This takes six weeks up to nine months. The frozen or adhesive stage is when the shoulder is immobile but the pain is very slowly improving. This takes four to nine months. The thawing or recovery stage is when the shoulder slowly returns to its normal range of motion. This takes five months up to three years or even more.

The pain of a frozen shoulder is described as an unceasing dull ache that erupts into sudden spasms and intensifies with particular movements or postures. The pain increases even more in cold temperatures and at night. The patient’s interrupted sleep patterns leads to chronic fatigue, lowered resistance, lowered immunity, depression and referred pain in the neck and back.

Frozen shoulder can be caused by anything that immobilizes the shoulder for a length of time. This can be trauma or injury or even surgery. There are also cases called idiopathic frozen shoulder when the condition just occurs spontaneously without cause.

There are other existing medical conditions that also put patients in high risk of developing frozen shoulder. This includes patients with autoimmune disorder, connective tissue disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatic disease, diabetes, heart disease, history of a stroke and lung disease.

People who are already in such high risk conditions should undertake preventive measures against frozen shoulder such as ensuring full range of motion in all directions several times in every day. They could also undergo massage and physical therapy.

When the condition has already set in, however, its treatment can be very painful such that medication is given to alleviate the pain and soothe inflammation. This is necessary before massage therapy and physical therapy can be undertaken to manipulate and stretch the muscles and break up adhesions and existing scar tissue.

Therapeutic massage can be used not only to release the adhesions of frozen shoulder but also to prevent its onset. So whether you are suffering from a frozen shoulder or if you want to avoid it, you can get reflexology massage therapy, Swedish massage therapy, deep tissue massage therapy, sports massage therapy or pregnancy massage therapy from a massage spa in Rocky Point NY that serves Suffolk County, Rocky Point, Manorville, Miller Place, Mount Sinai, Port Jefferson, Ridge, Yapank, Shoreham, Weeding River, Riverhead, Setauket, East Setauket, Port Jefferson Station, Coram, Seldon, Farmingville, Brookhaven, Middle Island, Medford and Sound Beach.

Types of arthritis

Osteo-arthritis – Osteoarthritis is a type of arthritis that is caused by the break-down and ultimate loss of the cartilage of one or more joints.

Rheumatoid arthritis – An autoimmune disease that causes chronic inflammation of the joints, the tissue around the joints, as well as other organs in the body

Gout – Condition characterized by unusually elevated levels of uric acid in the blood, chronic attacks of joint inflammation (arthritis), deposits of hard lumps of uric acid in and around the joints, and reduced kidney function and kidney stones

Arthritis Treatment for Arthritis Pain Relief

Arthritis as mentioned earlier also is a condition in which inflammation of the joint occurs. In some conditions there occur some anatomical changes that leads to permanent changes in the joint and the reverse of it is impossible. But there are certain methods that are extremely beneficial in attaining a good arthritis pain relief. Herbal massage is one of them.

Historically, herbal massage has been known for its numerous health benefits as early as the second century BC. It was Hippocrates (father of allopathic medicine) in the fifth century who espoused the benefits of rubbing a joint.

Herbal massage therapy cannot cure or stop the sequence of any of these arthritic conditions, but massage can most confidently ease the symptoms associated with inflammation, and help improve the quality of life of someone affected by arthritis.

The Benefits of Herbal Massage in arthritical conditions are:

Herbal massage helps in increasing blood circulation in the particular area.

Herbal massage increases the flexibility and mobility of the affected joint
These massages also decreases pain and inflammation of the joint

Herbal massages relieves the muscle form aches and stiffness

An herbal massage makes a sense of overall relaxation and wellness of the affected joint by arthritis.