Mobile massage therapy is convenient

A certified massage therapist comes to your home for a mobile massage session. Before mobile massage therapy was available, you would need to drive to the massage therapy location and deal with the traffic, the task of finding parking and getting there on time. You got your massage and were enjoying the relaxation bliss until it was time to do that stressful round all over: drive back in traffic, find parking and get yourself back home., You eliminate those stressful factors when booking a mobile massage therapy session because the massage therapist is coming straight to your door and you can stay in a relaxed state after the session is over. If you get your mobile massage during the day, you can get back to your day. If booking your mobile massage in the evening, you could go straight to bed. Mobile massage gives you choices when it comes to scheduling and that is a big convenience. The last and most important part of having a convenient mobile massage is that I as a massage therapist, can go to a client who is elderly, recovering from an injury or a busy mom who only has a short window to get her massage scheduled. I’ve done massages at homes, offices, parties and even hospitals (with doctor’s clearance, of course).

Mobile massage therapy gives you choices

Having a mobile massage is so much better at home where you are familiar with everything around you. You set the mood for the session by either controlling the temperature, closing the curtains to avoid bright light, lighting your favorite candle or diffusing your favorite essential oil. Plan ahead with the details and you can make your mobile massage session better than any massage at an expensive hotel. Trust me, I’ve had that mentioned to me by clients right after their session.

Mobile massage can be both relaxing and therapeutic

The massage therapist will ask few questions right before your mobile massage session. It is important to know what kind of massage you are looking for: more relaxing, more therapeutic for pain relief or a little bit of both; if you have any important health aspects to consider during the session, etc. Make sure you answer honestly and that you mention any recent injuries or surgeries. If your hip has been hurting, a migraine has been creeping up for the past few days, you got pain that prevents you from resting, there is tingling in your arm recently – details like these will make a big difference in your mobile massage session. I can’t stress it enough, this part of your mobile massage session is crucial to make sure the session is fully customized for you.

Track progress of your mobile massage sessions

Whether you are suffering with chronic stress, a health condition or a recent injury, consider noting how each session helps you. This is important feedback for your massage therapist so each session can be gauged towards your progress. Have you noticed improvement with certain techniques your mobile massage therapist is using? Tell your therapist. The most rewarding part for a massage therapist is to hear and see how clients feel better after each session. It is important to be consistent with scheduling your mobile massage sessions and to work with the same therapist to track progress of your treatment.

Important considerations for a smooth mobile massage session

• Take in consideration the following tips after you booked your massage session to ensure everything goes smoothly:
  Share any directions to your location as well as for parking. Think road closures, garage or visitor’s parking, parking by permit only streets, etc.
• Avoid delays and be ready at the time of your appointment. Take time to get ready for your mobile massage session so that you don’t spend treatment minutes taking a shower instead. Mobile massage therapists are often on tight schedules and if you are late, most likely you’ll make them late to their next appointment.
• Select a room for your mobile massage therapist to set up. Consider your therapist by selecting an area easy to get, preferably on the first floor if possible. Also, the more clearance a massage therapist has around the massage table, the more pressure you can get during your massage. Plus I’ve never met a massage therapist who likes to work in a tight space.
• Think about your pets: are they going to be okay with a stranger by them for the length of the session or do they need to go to a different room? Check with your massage therapist if they are not allergic to cats or afraid of dogs. They’ll appreciate the consideration and many of us love pets.

These tips could help you have a wonderful experience in your next mobile massage therapy session.

Mobile massage therapy is a click away

The only thing keeping you from a great mobile massage therapy session is a click away so book an appointment today. Check availability in my calendar and I’ll be on my way to you!

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The Opioid Epidemic and Low Back Pain

The opioid epidemic topic is highly related to low back pain since opioids are mostly prescribed for this condition. For this reason, the largest medical society in the world known as American College of Physicians (ACP) has had a change of vision when it comes to treating low back pain.² After performing trials and studies, the ACP now recommends heat therapy, massage, acupuncture and spinal manipulation as non-drug options in their most recent guideline (2017) to treat low back pain. The next recourse in case no relief was provided by the previous therapies would be ibuprofen or muscle relaxants. Considering the high risk of addiction and overdosing, the prescription of opioids is the last recommendation on the guide to treat low back pain.
There are a few recommendations on behalf the American Chiropractic Association to help prevent low back pain:³

• Keep an active lifestyle
• Keep a healthy weight
• Perform proper warm ups before exercising
• Avoid high heels (use shoes that support you!)
• Do your best at keeping good posture (sitting or standing)
• Be careful when lifting heavy objects (lift with your legs, not with your back)
• Stop smoking. It affects your circulation!

Studies of massage and chronic low back pain

Massage could provide significant relief to people with chronic low back pain.⁴ A study performed by William G. Elder, PhD, Family and Community Medicine at the University of Kentucky and Niki Munk, PhD, LMT, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis showed that massage helped more than 50% of the participants with “clinically meaningful improvement.” People who participated in the study received 10 massage sessions during a 12 week period. By the end of their sessions, 54.1% reported vast improvement in their chronic back pain and then at 24 weeks 75% of those benefited from massage still maintained the benefits of the massage therapy sessions. Dr Munk emphasizes that massage should be considered as maintenance therapy and people should not expect a quick fix on the first session – especially if suffering with chronic low back pain for 10 to 15 years. It is not realistic to expect results that quick so be patient with your body and your healing process!

Massage therapy helps with pain relief and getting back to your normal life quicker than the usual medical care when it comes to chronic low back pain. ⁵ This statement is backed by the University of Vermont in Burlington, the Oregon Health and Science University in Portland and Group Health Research Institute at the University of Washington in Seattle. They researched results of structural massage, relaxation massage and the by-the-book medical treatment for chronic low back pain. Participants received 1 hour massage therapy a week during 10 weeks and their results were reported at the end of the treatment as well as 6 months and 1 year after. At 10 weeks or right after the end of the massage sessions, people in the massage groups showed significant improvements in their symptoms and disabilities compared to the regular medical treatment group. They showed a more active lifestyle, less time in bed and less use of medication than people in the by-the-book medical treatment. The massage groups retained some of the benefits of the massage and at 1 year all the groups reported about equal improvements. But remember, the massage groups were benefited quicker, without drugs! So that means no side effects or risks from medications or injections.

Massage therapy could help people with chronic low back pain, even if they are already using strong pain medications. This study was done with a 63 year old former construction worker who suffered with scoliosis, spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease and osteoarthritis. The man’s goal was to decrease the pain medication he was taking. His prescription was Percocet at 7.5mg, 4 times a day and he indicated it made him feel lethargic and disoriented. During this study, this male received 4 massages in a 20 day period. By the end of his massage therapy treatments he improved on 9 out of 10 measurements on his reports of pain and activities. The most improved were his ability to walk and the intensity of the pain he was going through. He was also able to decrease his medication (down to 1 or 2 a day max) and he used his bike (after the 3rd massage session) for the first time in years! This man’s Oswestry Disability Index Score was 60% at the beginning of the study and 38% at the end of his 4th massage session. That is a 22% reduction from severe disability category to moderate disability category. The initial plan was to complete 6 massage sessions but since the male reported zero pain after the 4th massage therapy session, it was agreed to end this study after the 4th session.

Treating Your Low Back Pain with Massage Therapy

Debilitating and limiting low back pain can be a thing of the past but truth be told, there is no therapy that can help you unless you try it. As a therapist, I’ve personally worked on numerous people with low back pain that have had great results. The most memorable clients with low back pain are people who shared how grateful they felt after their 4th or 5th massage therapy session to treat their condition because it really worked for them! Sometimes all your body needs is a Muscle Therapy Tx (treatment) so book your appointment with us or with your local therapist.

May you always have a healthy body and a heart filled with gratitude!

<sup>References
1,2, 3. https://www.acatoday.org/Patients/Health-Wellness-Information/Back-Pain-Facts-and-Statistics [accessed 2/14/29]
4. https://www.spineuniverse.com/treatments/alternative/massage/massage-real-deal-option-chronic-low-back-pain [accessed 2/14/19]
5. https://www.spineuniverse.com/treatments/alternative/massage/massage-real-deal-option-chronic-low-back-pain [accessed 2/14/19]</sup>

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