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Scar Improvement

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 Ugly Scars are only for Halloween

Few of us have lived past the age of twelve without an owie or two causing a scar. My most notable childhood scar is on my left knee. The tragedy happened at age ten when I was cruising on my bicycle. I was trying to outrun a bumble bee while crossing rail road tracks with a bit of gravel coverage. It was the perfect storm causing me to wipe out! Surprisingly, no tears! The scar is a daily reminder of the catastrophe though. It’s common in childhood but far more embarrasing as an adult! Yes, a massage therapist with a broken wrist, is not a bodyworker career builder. I blame the shoes! Surgery, physical therapy, four months of recovery and yes, another scar. It was 2010 so nearly ten years ago so I’m fully recovered (bionic even!)

 

Could the appearance of scarring been mitigated had I had massaged the site of surgery two weeks after the operation?  Could numbness of the effective area been avoided?  These are questions I ask and something everyone should consider after an injury or surgery.  

 

 According to the research, the appearance and effects of scarring can be minimized if massage is performed at the site of injury two weeks after a surgery. Unfortunately, studies have indicated that if massage is performed after two years of scar formation, little affect will be realized.

 

Scars form as part of the body’s natural healing process but if scars do not heal properly, it can lead to reduced mobility and even shrinkage of certain body parts (my ex’s punishment)! The first stage of scar formation is Inflammation which can last up to two weeks. You can expect the injured area to be red, swollen and tender in this first stage. Stage two is the Proliferation stage when the body starts to layer scar tissue around the wound to protect it. You should notice that the scar is now red, rigid and raised. It is at stage two that massage is indicated so that the tissue heals properly. Massage should be performaed two-three times a day at ten minute intervals. All sutures should be removed and any scabs should have naturally fallen off prior to massaging. Pressure should begin light with gradually more pressure as tolerable.

 

The techniques can be used through six months of recovery unless you notice that there is bleeding, warmth of the scar as opposed to the surrounding tissue, redness or unusual pain. Stop massaging and contact your doctor if you experience these symptoms. Our skin is the largest organ on our body that helps to regulate temperature and acts as a barrier to microorganisms that can cause infections. That’s why making sure your wound is at least two weeks old is important prior to starting the massage practice. Always, consult with your physician for best practices.

 

 

Correctly performing the massage techniques for scarring can aid in softening and flattening the scar. The pressure of massage promotes collagen remodeling, reduces the itching that often accompanies healing and aids in injury site flexibility because of improved blood flow by oxygenating the area. Massage can reduce build up of excess scar tissue that can cause stiff and weak muscles. Excess fluids causing inflammation can be drained through your lymphatic system to redue swelling by using Manual Lyphatic Drainage (MLD) massage techniques.

 

Other techniques such as cross-fiber friction and myofascial release can be performed by your certified massage therapist.

 

Although everyone’s healing process can vary, you can expect full wound healing in 12-18 months. If scar-related issues are realized after that time, you may need surgery to remove excess scar tissue and the cycle may begin again.  

 

Love exposing yourself to the healing benefits of essential oils? Frankensence has been known for its anti-inflamatory properties and has been used to improve the appearance of scars. Always choose a therapeutic-grade essential oil when experimenting. Ask me how to obtain the best on the market!

 

 

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Happy Grandparent’s Day

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September Gift Certificate Idea…

SUNDAY, September 8, 2019
 
HAPPY GRANDPARENT’S DAY!​ It’s not uncommon for grandparents to spoil their grandkids.  It may be time to spoil them!  May I recommend a spa gift certificate for a Vow to Relax Hot-Stone Blend Massage?  Yes, hot-stones, aromatherapy and hot towels deepen the already relaxing massage.  Be sure to include Love of Light as an addon service….
 
In honor of my own Grandma Margaret, I posted a picture of her to the right. Wasn’t she beautiful?!  Margaret lost her mother at the tender age of twelve after the birth of her brother. She was just coming of age when the 19th Amendment was passed granting women the right to vote!  Grandma also lost her husband when he was in his early 50s.  After the passing of her husband, she continued life on the farm in the Midwest.  One snowy winter night in1957, those traveling by were stuck in drifts nearby.  That night, my grandma welcomed forty six people into her home including a pregnant lady and a baby!  She still had guests 15 hours later while the roads cleared. Many of those stranded travelers kept in touch with her over the years. After her third granddaughter (me) was born, she told her son (my dad) that she probably wouldn’t live to see me get married.  Twenty two years later, just twelve days before my wedding day, she passed away. My Grandma Margaret suffered great losses and helped many people in need.  One of her biggest physical pains was osteoarthritis.  I remember her crooked fingers that were in so much pain that she suffered just writing a birthday card to the grandkids.  But she always did it anyway.
 
According to MedTV, more than half of all Americans 65 or older suffer with osteoarthritis.  It is one of the most common in the arthritic family and typically affects the joints of the hands, knees, spine, hips and ankles.  Genetics play a part in your predisposition to develop the disease as does repetitive stress injuries. My dad had both.  After years of running up and down stairs fixing customer’s furnaces, my dad’s ankle joints had succumbed to the wear and tear. By the time he retired, he was suffering so much that he sought medical attention.  Of course, like many Americans, he sought relief with drugs but they only mask they pain and can damage organs over time.  While a few of my clients have enjoyed tremendous results with hip, shoulder and knee replacement surgeries; ankles are a bit more difficult to replace.  The physician recommended that my dad have his ankle bones surgically fused to combat the friction causing the pain due to the loss of cartilage.  The expense and recovery time were substantial and he lost range of motion but, his pain was now manageable.  I sometimes wonder if massage and light therapy had been offered to my Grandma Margaret and dad, would they had suffered as much or could have avoided surgery.  
 
In a study conducted by the Unversity of Miami School of Medicine in 2015  indicated that after medium pressure massage was performed, arthritis knee pain subsided and range of motion improved!  Massage improves circulation bringing more oxygen to damaged tissue.  Massage coupled with red-light therapy may bring even more healing to the arthritic joint and is also offered at this Sacramento Massage studio.  This low-level light therapy deeply penetrates light energy to boost circulation and decrease inflamation and joint pain.  Choose Love Of Light as an add on to your massage for the temporary relief of arthritic pain. 
sources   2015 Nov;21(4):233-7. doi: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2015.08.002. Epub 2015 Aug 13.

 
Click Here to Easily Purchase Gift Certificates Online​

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3 ways to Beat the Heat….

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3 Things you can do to Beat the Heat this summer….

1.  Wearing loose fitting clothing can help keep you cool. While some fabrics are tightly woven causing heat to be trapped, cotton is “breathable” allowing air to circulate keeping you cooler.  
 
 
2.  Lightly colored fabrics are preferred to darker colored materials when trying to stay cool.  Dark colored clothing absorbs heat from the sun.  Try an experiment (or just watch a youtube) if you don’t believe me……Heat Absorption by Color
 
 
3.  Remove ALL clothing and receive a relaxation massage (with proper draping of course) in a quiet, AIR CONDITIONED massage therapy studio!  Body temperature drops as clients start to drift off. Receiving a relaxating massage at Married to Massage, will definitely get you closer to dream land!  Don’t forget that this midtown massage therapist offers a cool bottle of water on your way out.  Yes, staying hydrated in these hot summer days is imperative for optimal health. Without it, your body is more likely to experience LOW blood pressure.  We are often checking our blood pressure to be sure that it isn’t too high but some of us (myself included) experience low blood pressure which has it’s own host of issues.  I experience dizziness, headaches and muscle cramps as a result of dehydration.  Yes, I’m a diet coke-a-holic.  It’s a problem for me, I know and the caffeine only exacerbates the problem.  It also doesn’t set a good example for my clients. How much water should we be drinking for optimal health?  In massage school, we are trained to tell clients to drink half your body weight in ounces.  (IE: a 100 lb woman would require 50 ounces of water intake daily).  Be sure to drink more as the temperature rises and when you exercise.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
Beat the Heat Bonus Days!  Receive a FREE $10 Amazon E-Gift Card when you purchase at least $75 in massage services. Offer while supplies last.  The hot summer heat is on!  Why not get out of the sun and destress for 60 or 90 minutes?  Check out our home page to choose the right service for you…   Choose Your Service
 
 
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May Day May Day Try our new Love of Light Service for Free*

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Inspired by Light, Proven by Science​

 Have you been looking for an excuse to try our new Love of Light service?  This is a great opportunity!  For the month of May 2019, you will receive a *FREE 30-minute Celluma Light therapy session with the purchase of a Register to Relax Massage!  Celluma is FDA approved for the treatment of acne, antiaging and PAIN MANAGEMENT!  Experience safe, proven results using the low-level light therapy.  This award-winning therapy uses deeply penetrating wavelengths of light energythat are absorbed by photoacceptors in the mitochondria of compromised cells to regain and restore vitality naturally.  The process increases the production of ATP (the fuel that drives all cells).  The resultingboost in cellular energy leads to a cascade of metabolic events which can increase micro-circulation and decrease arthritic and joint pain, muscle spasm and muscle and joint stiffness.  

  • Non-toxic
  • Non-invasive   
  • Proven NASA researched technology
  • Whole Body wellness system

 

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“This is the best beauty and therapy product I have ever experienced. I use if four times a week for beauty, aches, back problems and pain relief”  –Sally P., New York, NY​

 

 REFERENCE:  1. The Nuts and Bolts of Low-level Laser (Light) Therapy-Hoon Chung, et al. Annals of Biomedical Engineering, Vol 40, No 2, February 2012. pp 516-533.