Massage Q and A

So, there are a lot of myths about massage and a lot of questions as to the frequency of massage and when you should or shouldn't get a massage. Here are just a few facts and answers to those questions...

Q - Can I get a massage while I am pregnant?

A - Yes, as long as you are past the 13 week period and you have no complications with your pregnancy. Receiving a massage while you are pregnant is great for you and the baby. During pregnancy our muscles and ligaments shift and stretch in order to make room for the baby and to prepare for the baby's arrival. It is important to take care of the environment the baby is living in when it is born, why wouldn't you do the same for the environment the baby is growing in? Be sure the massage therapist is trained in Pre-natal massage in order to avoid any complications from the massage.

Q - At what age should someone start or stop getting a massage?

A - Touch is the first sense developed in humans and may be the last to fade. Touch has a natural calming effect therefore massage, with the right pressure and in the right environment, can be beneficial to all - young and old! We offer Mini-Me massage for children which is done fully clothed. Massage plays an important role not only in relaxation but it increases circulation, lowers blood pressure and can improve muscle function!

Q - Isn't massage just for women and just a luxury item rich people can afford?

A - No, absolutely not! Massage is beneficial for men and women. Over fifty percent of primary care physicians and family practitioners say they would encourage their patients to pursue massage therapy as a compliment to medical treatment. With increases in stress from work and environmental issues more and more men and women are turning to massage as a natural way of relieving stress and increasing function. Massage is very affordable with sessions as low as $20 for 15-minutes all the way to $100 for 90-minutes. Cost is very low compared the the amount one might spend on necessary medications if they don't do something about their health before it gets to that point.

Q - How often should I get a massage?

A - This answer would be different for every person. If you are merely using massage as a tool for relaxation, once a month for an hour would be sufficient. If you are recovering from a recent injury such as a strained muscle, more frequent treatments of a shorter duration would help. For example, 2 times a week for 30-minutes each to work specifically on the area of concern. If you have a chronic condition such as headaches, back pain, etc., you would start off with 1 time a week for an hour for 4 weeks then extend the time in between to see how your body is progressing. Again, these are just general guidelines. Each person is as unique as the massage performed on them.

I am sure you may have other questions about massage. Please feel free to call our office at 610-842-9257 and we will be happy to answer your questions for you.

Benefits of Massage for Weight Loss

Massage is something that all of us can certainly enjoy, but many of us may not really consider the therapeutic benefits of massage beyond the general feeling of well-being that it gives to us. You might be surprised to learn, massage can also be very therapeutic in a number of specific areas, one of which is weight control. 

The benefits of massage for weight loss are often misunderstood, but it is one of the prime benefits that can be received whenever it is administered in the proper way. Here is a little bit about how massage may help you to achieve the weight loss goals that you have been desiring.  

One of the first things that you need to understand is the connection between the various parts of the body and how well they function whenever they are working together properly. It is not one specific area that is generally responsible for your problems with weight gain and it may in fact simply be an imbalance that is present within the body. That is one of the things that massage is able to bring to you, a connection between various parts of your body and the ability for it to function as a unified whole. It does this in a variety of different ways.  

First of all, massage is an excellent choice for improving the circulation. If your circulation is not functioning properly, you are not going to be able to take vital nutrients and oxygen to the extremities of your body. This is often why you may experience a tingling in your hands and your feet, but it actually goes much deeper than that. Keeping in mind that our breath is our life, it is necessary for us to take this life in the form of oxygen to all areas of the body so that they are able to work for us. Through massage, we are able to accomplish this and our body is stronger as a result.  

Along with aiding us in circulation, massage can also have the effect of boosting our metabolism in a number of different ways. Muscle tone has a lot to do with how effective our metabolism is going to be running, and there is nothing quite like a good massage to increase the blood flow to the muscles and allow them to function better. If you spend a lot of time in the gym, a good massage can not only help you to achieve your muscle goal, it can help to boost your metabolism and assist you in losing additional weight.  

Aside from all of these secondary benefits that massage can bring to you for weight loss, it may also have some direct benefits as well. There is some thought that massage can help to burst the fat cells that are present within the body, allowing them to be absorbed and expelled. Working along with our metabolism, this can really help you to boost your weight-loss efforts. Regardless of whether you're able to get this effect or not, the therapeutic benefits of massage can not only make you feel great, it may also help you to look great as well.   

Stacy Madonna Gibson, LMT

Kennett Square Massage, Kennett Square PA

610-765-1148

www.KennettSquareMassage.com