Healing Hands Massage Blog

Prenatal Massage Relieving Pain and Tension

tfertony@aol.com — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 11:17:00 GMT

Over the past decade, many studies have been conducted that showed the benefits of massage for pregnant women. I have performed many prenatal (or pregnancy) massages with great results. Certain techniques used during a prenatal massage focuses on relieving muscle tension and improving blood and lymphatic circulation. Body position during massage should be designed for maximum comfort and safety, providing support for the body in various modified massage positions. Most often, I use a special cushion system that helps the mom-to-be lie comfortable on her side.

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Treating Fibromyalgia with Myofascial Release Techniques

tfertony@aol.com — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 20:54:00 GMT

Fibromyalgia is a condition that is becoming more and more common, usually havening long term pain patterns throughout the body and can even be debilitating. Symptoms include tender points in joints, muscles, tendons and fascia. Fibromyalgia patients can also experience headaches, numbness in the hands and feet, and over all stiff achy muscles. Also can be associated with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus which have some of the same symptoms.

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You Can Do It! With Galloway

tfertony@aol.com — Tue, 11 May 2010 11:43:00 GMT

Do you have a dream of finishing a half or full marathon? Every year, Galloway Training groups help thousands of runners and walkers achieve their goals in events all over the world.
The most important part of preparing for an athletic challenge is avoiding injury. Since 1978, Jeff Galloway has been using his run-walk-run method to take people straight off the couch to join the growing ranks of marathoners and half-marathoners. Locally, the Jacksonville Jeff Galloway Training Program™ offers four different plans:

Getting Started
This 8-week program is designed for participants who are new to fitness walking (Session 2 only), new to the sport of running or new to the Galloway run-walk-run method. This program, will focus on the basics, allow for one-on-one coaching, and incorporate clinics designed to introduce participants to various aspects of cross-training, nutrition, and injury prevention.
Session 1: May 29 – July 17
Session 2: August 21 – October 9

Marathon Training - July 24 – February 13
Each Saturday for 6 months we take advantage of the best training locations in the Jacksonville area. Participants are placed in pace groups based on their speed and fitness level, and each pace group is supervised by experienced group leaders who make sure groups run safely and have lots of fun. Galloway programs nationally have a 98% success rate at getting runners to the starting line injury free!

Half-Marathon Training - October 30 – February 13
Run in conjunction with our marathon training, runners and walkers are placed in pace groups to make the miles go by easier. A daily training schedule is included to keep you on track between group runs.

Join us for our kick-off!

Wednesday, May 26, 2010
5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
26.2 with Donna Race Headquarters
2107 Mango Place
Jacksonville, FL 32207

For more information, visit www.RunInjuryFree.com, email JaxTraining@BreastCancerMarathon.com or call Chris Twiggs at (904)415-3097.

Chiropractic and Massage Therapy - Working well together

tfertony@aol.com — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 23:18:00 GMT

Chiropractic and massage therapy are two holistic therapies that share a common goal: to to treat the whole person rather than symptoms through natural, hands-on, drug-free techniques. When used in combination with each other, these therapies are preventative and restorative, helping to address the source of stress and pain so that you may achieve optimal health. Those that add massage therapy to their chiropractic care program, for example, will generally enjoy a faster recovery. And since multiple components of the pain are being addressed, the recovery is usually also more complete. Chiropractic adjustments will often proceed more easily when the soft tissue has already been relaxed by massage. And the massage is also helpful because it helps to relax the patient before chiropractic care, making them less anxious and relaxed and ready to receive chiropractic adjustment. The adjustments frequently last longer, too, because muscle tension has been released and joints are less likely to pull themselves out of alignment again.

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Hot Stone Massage

tfertony@aol.com — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 00:43:00 GMT

Hot Stone Massage, what is it and why is it gaining in popularity in spas and massage studios? It is a 60 or 90 minute massage session that is very relaxing and soothing, but then, what massage isn't! Add to the dynamic the ultimate in pampering and comforting and you have a good idea what a Hot Stone Massage is like. Imagine a child that is upset, and the mother coddles the child in a warm blanket. The child is comforted by the mother's touch and the warmth. In much the same way, the heat from the stones penetrates the muscle tissue and it leaves the client feeling very comforted. This is a great way to treat yourself after a long week, or a bad day.

History

Hot stone massage is a healing treatment that has a historical basis in several different cultures worldwide. Some Native American cultures used hot stones to help detoxify and promote balance, healing, and harmony in the body. The use of hot stone therapy for curing muscle aches and tension in the body dates back to 1500 BC in China. There are also a number of European cultures who used this technique for healing and muscle relaxation. Many cultures believe in an energy component to the hot stone massage that promotes an over all calmness to the experience.

Today

Hot stone therapy is used in conjunction with massage to increase the benefits of both. Basalt stones are heated in warm water and then placed on the body in specific sites to relax muscles and open up energy meridians in the body. For massage therapists, the use of hot stones can pre-treat muscles, allowing them to do deep tissue work more easily. Some degree of massage may also be performed with the hot stones themselves, and cool stones are sometimes alternated with the hot stones.

Benefits

The benefits of hot stone massage include toxin release, stress alleviation, muscle and tissue relaxation, energy balancing, and improved circulation. It can calm the mind and spirit, as well as the body. For those suffering from muscular pain, back pain, depression, insomnia, circulatory problems or high stress, this is an ideal massage to receive. Hot stone massage can also be used to help treat Multiple Sclerosis, fibromyalgia, and arthritis.

Tension Headache Relief

tfertony@aol.com — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 03:05:00 GMT

Many people suffer from a variety of headaches. Probably the most common is the "tension headache". Often times they can last from a few hours to a few days. The good news is that massage therapy can help with tension headache relief.

Clients sometimes confuse tension headaches with migraines. Unlike true migraines, tension headaches are caused by overly tightened muscles in the neck, shoulders, upper back, and even muscles in the jaw and face. These tight muscles can create nodules called "trigger points" that "refer" pain to the head. These trigger points are areas of restricted blood flow, which cause a buildup of toxins that lead to irritation to the muscle tissue. Common places will be base of the skull, behind the eyes, or in the temple area. Many of my clients have had very positive results from receiving more of the therapeutic styles of massage. Read the comment below...

"Tony Hanneken is very knowledgeable about the muscles of the body and really knows how to alleviate pain that you experience. I carry a lot of tension in my shoulders, which led to headaches. After two visits with Tony they were gone." Holli, Southside

Trigger points can form due to over use or improper posture. They tend to be accumulative in nature and build over time. If a client is experiencing headaches or neck and shoulder pain there are usually several causes that add to the problem. The way you sleep or sit at a desk, if done improperly, will eventually cause some discomfort. Working out or playing sports without warming up and cooling down can also be a concern.

How can you deal with these problems? Regular massage sessions, drinking plenty of water, and stretching can reverse the condition, alleviate pain, and restore proper function.

Sports Massage and Tennis

tfertony@aol.com — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 20:45:00 GMT

Successes in Massage Therapy

Client One - Female, early 40's - Plays tennis recreationally. Recently started getting massage therapy sessions.

First session client was complaining of pain in right shoulder and restriction of range of motion when playing tennis. Pain was a constant dull ache with an occasional sharper pain when moving arm in certain directions. Client was unable to raise hand above her head completely with out pain.

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New Changes at Healing Hands Massage

tfertony@aol.com — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 04:28:00 GMT

I am very excited about a lot of new changes at "Healing Hands Massage" including the launch of my new website. I have had a very limited one page website for well over a year, and I thought it was about time that I had it updated. This site is a bit more substantial and will have much more information for clients and those interested in Massage Therapy and it's benefits. A new feature to this site is the blog, which will allow me to discuss information about massage, available services and treaments, and success stories. A feature of this blog allows readers to post comments making it an interactive. Feel free to comment on the information in this web site or my newsletter, or ask questions by posting here. By the way, feel free to subscribe to my monthly newsletter on my home page.

Additional changes include my new location at Deerwood Park in Southside. The address is 7545 Centurion Pkwy #304, Jacksonville, FL 32256. It is located right next to Children's Light House. This new location allows me to offer some new services such as salt scrubs and hand and foot treatments.

I would like to thank my friend Erica Lee with New Age Solution, LLC for making this possible. This new site truly represents my massage practice.

Visit often to see new changes to this site, new information, or blogs that may be of interest.