Infrared Heat Therapy for Pain Relief (Copy)

I am excited to add an new therapeutic tool to my therapeutic massage services - infrared heat for pain relief.  I upgraded my massage table warmer and invested in an infrared warmer that can also be used as a full body wrap.

Yes, I know it’s HOT already, but I used it on several clients and no one asked to have it turned off because . . . Far-infrared heat is radiant heat. This is the same type of heat you feel from the sun on a warm, sunny day. It is not visible and it is not ultraviolet. Unlike a traditional saunas or table warmers which heat the body with air or steam, far-infrared sauna heats from the inside out, not the outside in. Far-infrared heat raises the core body temperature faster than either traditional sauna or exercise penetrates deeper (1” to 2 ½”) into the body and it also produces a deeper sweat (2-3 times greater).

Because of the wavelength of the infrared, it pulls toxins out of the cells. Circulation is improved because it expands and dilates the peripheral blood vessels. As a result, it delivers oxygen-rich blood throughout the body. There is an abundance of research available on the use of far-infrared therapy to successfully treat the following conditions:

Infrared Heat Therapy Helps:

• Sciatica
• Backaches
• Arthritis
• Nervous tension
• Diabetes
• Varicose veins
• Fibromyalgia
• Bursitis
• Rheumatism
• Strained muscles
• Fatigue
• Stretch marks
• Menstrual cramps

I plan to use infrared heat in two ways: Therapeutic Massage Warmer and Therapeutic wrap. 

Therapeutic Massage Warmer: 

I am now offering infrared heat to my therapeutic clients during their sessions at NO extra charge as a table warmer (you will absorb the heat from below).  Ask me about it when you book your cosult and appointment.

Therapeutic and Weightloss Wrap:

In October, I will begin offer a wrap service which the heat is wrapped completely around your body for 20, 40 or 60 minutes.   The circulation, cellulite, and therapeutic benefits are even more profound. 

Please check back for a blog on weightloss benefits, and the wrap service. 

Be Well, Jesse

646 128 5160

Additional References
Therapeutic Heat and Cold (Rehabilitiation Medicine Library), Fourth Edition, Chapter 9, Justus Lehmann, M.D.

Clayton’s Electrotherapy, Ninth Edition, Angela Forster

Heating the Patient A Promising Approach? Oxford Journals Annals of Oncology, Volume 13, Issue 8, August 2002, pages 1173-1184, J. Van der Zee

Far-Infrared Sauna Therapy, Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients, November 2002, Lawrence Wilson, M.D.

Thirty Years of Cardiovascular Health, Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients, February/March 2006, Michael Gerber, MD, HMD, MD (H)

Non Thermal Effects of Far Infrared (FIR) on Human Hepatocellular Cancer Cells HepG2 and their Tumors, Journal of Cancer Science & Therapy, December 2009, Tatsuo Ishikawa, Jun Ishibashi, Kikuji Yamashita, Shine-Od Dalkhsuren, Kaori Sumida, Takahumi Masui and Seiichiro Kitamura

Inhibition by Whole-Body Hyperthermia (wbh) with Far Infrared Rays of the Growth of Spontaneous Mammary Tumors in Mice, Udagawa Y., Nagasawa H., Kiyokawa S., September/October 1999

 

Massage Therapy Benefits People with Parkinson's (Copy)

My clients, and many other people, with Parkinson’s find Massage therapy has many benefits to help manage Parkinson’s symptoms and complications.  Some benfits are well documented and some are reported by patients.

 Researched & Reported Massage Benefits for People with Parkinson’s:

·         Improved motor function

·         Improved walking

·         Improved tremors

·         Reduced muscle ache & increased daily stamina  

·         Reduction in stress induced tremors

·         Improved bowl movements commonly associated with Parkinson’s and medications

·         Better and deeper sleep

·         Reduced anxiety / Increased relaxation

I have worked with several clients with Parkinson’s, with the severity ranging from occasional tremors, to severe muscle rigidity and difficulty talking.  My clients have found my work very helpful.  I use relaxation techniques, joint mobilization to decrease rigidity, stretching for range of motion, and occasionally deep tissue.  Each client is different and I adapt to each client.   

Sittara, one of my clients with early onset parkinson's remarked ”Thanks, Jesse. I wanted to tell you that the last session made a marked difference. I felt a lot of relief. Looking forward to Tuesday.” 

Clinical research reports improved motor function and better sleep (Hernandez-Reif, 2002).  On a study of 36 patients, research concluded with improved tremors using neuromuscular therapy (Craig, 2006).  After a weekly massage for 8 weeks, seven study participants with a variety of severity of Parkinson’s all showed improved walking and other parameters (Paterson, 2005).   A study of an hour long massage showed improved gait and increased shoulder mobility (Donoyama,  N., & Ohkoshi, N. (2012). 

References:

Blumenthal, Peter. Value of Massage for People with Parkinson’s. 2012  http://bit.ly/ParkinsonsMassage

Walton, Tracy. Medical Conditions and Massage Therapy. Wolters Kluwer, Chicago;  2011.