The next time you come in for a massage, you may notice some changes in our space.  We will be joining forces with two other local massage therapists, Monica and Julie.  Sharing space means sharing energy and ideas, and we think that this collaboration will provide nothing but growth.  Meanwhile, you’ll still receive the same excellent, individualized service you’re used to from Sportzbizz.  We hope that these changes will be beneficial as Sportzbizz continues in its mission to help athletes achieve their very best.

Don’t hesitate to call or email if you have any questions, and don’t forget to get in for a massage as Mini training starts heating up.  Regular massages throughout your training cycle will help your muscles to recover quickly so you can absorb those extra miles and sessions on the track.

Tai Massage is now offered for those interested in trying something new.   Thai massage is also called Thai yoga massage, because the therapist uses his or her hands, knees, legs, and feet to move you into a series of yoga-like stretches. Many people say Thai massage is like doing yoga without any work.

I saw this article on twitter and just had to share it with everyone!

Numerous studies show that massage relieves pain, and there’s no shortage of anecdotal evidence that a good massage can work the kinks out of your muscles and relax your mind and body. In fact, 90 percent of adults believe that massage is effective in reducing pain, according to a survey by the American Massage Therapy Association.

I client friend sent me a great article on how massage helps inflammation.

Super Bowl players and weekend jocks routinely head for the massage table after competition, figuring it helps reduce muscle   soreness.  That search for relief has been more out of hope than  based in fact.  But scientists now say that massage reduces inflammation caused by exercise, making a rubdown nature’s answer to Advil.   MORE….

If you have unused money in your Health Savings Account why not schedule a SPORTZbizz massage before the end of the year?

2011 is coming to an end.  For many of us, it’s a time to celebrate the close of another year of giving our all to a sport that we love.  As we celebrate, we should make sure to remember the sacrifices and gains that we have made throughout the months.  We also should keep in mind that often, we aren’t doing it alone.  Take a moment to think of your entire support team–the friends who have served as cheerleaders and shoulders to cry on, the family members who have put up with sweaty workout laundry and the crazy hours of training, and of course, yourself and your own inner strength.

Up through December 23rd you can purchase discounts on a wonderful way to say “thank you:” Gift Certificates for massages from SPORTZbizz.  What a great way to show how much you care for your support team and loved ones!

SPORTZbizz clients can now purchase massages sessions online and save money with volume discounts!  PURCHASE ONLINE

Over the past 10 years working as a Massage Therapist (MT) and working with mostly athletes, there are a few issues that I want to discuss in a few articles.  These are not backed up by science nor blind studies but more of an assessment and observation on my part.

So here’s the first question: Which body part do I work on the most?

This does depend on the sport and also I also see differences between men and women.  Road bikers and swimmers tend to have some of the same upper torso issues with tight Rhomboids,  Erectors, Levator Scapulae, etc…  Very few swimmers have lower torso issues but every once in a while a biker comes in with a calf issue which seems to be caused by bike shoe placement, saddle height, and yes overuse.  Running tends to be more mid-body for the most part and the reason is fairly the same for most of us.  I read that 80% of us tend to have short leg which I always said 75% so it does stand to reason that something is going on with one side of our body.  I see that most of us always get our injuries on one side or the other and I don’t think it has anything to do if you are left or right handed.  For runners, I look at shoe wear patterns I can quickly see how the body is working when placed under force.

In my assessment, females tend to have more problems with Glute/Piriformis/Sciatica  while males tend to have either tight hamstrings or calf problems.   My only conclusion is that with the width of the hips for women is just not as strong and with all the ‘pounding pavement’ for marathoners so it’s the weak area for women.  My observation is that when I spend time loosening up the Quadratus Lumborum (QL)   and Iliopsoas along with trigger point therapy in the Glute Medius/Minimus along with piriformis (along with the other deep 6 muscles) things begin to eventually relax.

Another observation is that it also depends how long the person has the issue.  I see athletes come in that have been fighting glute issues for 3-6-9 months and think that one massage will fix the problem.  99% of the time it doesn’t but over time it can drastically help and with reducing mileage or intensity training can go on.  Sometimes it’s best to get off the road for a short period and get in the pool or on a machine to relax the area of concern.

Massage and the correct stretches can definitely help!   If  I don’t see improvements within 3-4 sessions then I begin to start opening conversation up to other options.  The traditional sports physician route is one of the best actually and what I highly recommend if I can’t resolve the issue.    There are many great doctors around so find one that understands that you are an runner and will probably not stop running for an extended period of time.  A good Physical Therapist is worth their weight in gold and will provide the necessary exercises or stretches for you to resume training.  You will probably start off with a very reduced running/walking schedule but it will get you back on the roads safely.  One of the main reasons why athletes do not get better is that they do the necessary things to get by and once they start getting better they stop doing the exercises at about the 3-4 week period.  It eventually comes back and we can’t understand why it’s happening again.

One of my ‘pet peeves’ right now is that there are so many options about who to go to that it’s just overwhelming.  Some are good but I would just stay away from someone that keeps telling you after 12-13-14-15 sessions that we are ‘almost there’ and I know you will get better soon and you are still injured.  You feel good when you leave the office and maybe a day or two later but eventually it comes back.   I know several people that have spent over $1,500 on a certain therapy and they finally came to me and had their main issues resolved in 3 sessions ($105).   It doesn’t happen that way all the time but my advice is that if you are not getting better in 3-4-5 sessions Iwould start asking questions.  Sure your friend got help but that doesn’t mean you will.  Beware!

Also:  All Massage therapist are not created equal!  There are many massage therapist in the world doing good things and that seems to be what we love to do since we are part of the service sector. Some are great at relaxation and spa massage while others are great at energy healing work and there are many many types of massage right now.  Find someone that has the knowledge to get you through the good times in training as well as the bad times. They know when you need deep tissue, stretching, relaxation, and yes maybe even talk therapy.   Use your MT as the sounding board for everything else.  They should know your body/mind more than anyone else and should be considered part of your support team.

Can massage fix everything or everyone?  NO -  If your MT thinks they can – quickly  find another Massage Therapist!

Next articles:

How does Massage Therapy really help an athlete?

What can I do to work on my issues without going to a professional all the time?

Many of my athlete clients use my services for injury rehab, getting ready for a single event, or scheduling several massages over a training cycle which is great.   This article, by Kristyn Kusek Lewis of  Health.com, helps us understand why it is so important to use regular massage as a basis for controlling pain, reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol while boosting the feel-good hormones serotonin and dopamine.  Those changes slow your heart rate, reduce blood pressure, and block your nervous system’s pain receptors.     More…

I have personally used regular massage for over 25 years and when I receive regular massages I just personally feel better physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Hey Everyone,   First of all THANK YOU very much for being part of the Spring Race Prediction Contest!  The winners are:

120 Minutes -  Melissa Huebner   -    3 seconds

90 Minutes – Wendi Robinson – 4 seconds

60 Minutes – Cyndi  Lindeman – 16 seconds – and won with a tie break number of 217 – the actual number was 17

45 Minutes – Krista Pratt – 16 seconds  – tie breaker number of 279

30 Minutes – Gina Naas – 19 seconds

25% off next massage – Glenn Hines

25% off next massage – Mike Smith – Smitty

25% off next massage – Maria Broaddus

25% off next massage – Michael Hoyt

25% off next massage – Travis Rassat

A few other items:

The average time between the predicted and actual is:  4:52

30.65% of the entries set PR’s!  CONGRATULATIONS….

I had to laugh a few weeks ago when a client athlete came in for a 30 minute rehab session and had a hamstring/hip issue.  It was her third session and said something about going to a spa for a 60 minute massage (gift certificate from her husband) and complained that it just wasn’t what she was looking for.   It was relaxing and when she ask for more pressure the therapist kept using the same pressure as before.

As she talked about it I said something like I do 60 and 90 minute therapeutic massages on clients.  She got this look on her face and was surprised that I did regular therapeutic massage.  So with that in mind:

I do 60 and 90 minute Therapeutic massages and I also do Gift Certificates!