Tennessee School of Therapeutic Massage

Believe!!

Failures are made only by those who fail to dare, not by those who dare to fail.
~Lester B. Pearson

Stay true to your dreams. Stay true to yourself!!

Posted by Lorie Warren - 01/30/12, 08:46 AM

TSTM Graduate Spotlight: Cyndee Good

Posted by Lorie Warren - 01/28/12, 03:38 PM

Cinderella Tissue

What is the most plentiful tissue in the body -- and the most ignored?

The answer is fascia -- the gooey, gliding stuff that holds you together. Fascia is a broad term for the extracellular matrix of fibers, "glue" and water surrounding all your cells, and wrapping like plastic wrap around muscle fibers and muscles, organs, bones, blood vessels and nerves -- and finally as a second skin around your entire body.

"Fascia is like the Cinderella tissues of the body," says Tom Myers, a leading thinker in integrative anatomy and author of Anatomy Trains. "It has been the most ignored of all the tissues in the body -- at least up until recently. Yet, fascia is critical to understanding the body and what it takes to keep your body functional and healthy all life long."

In recent years, the interest in fascia has surged. In 2007, fascial researchers and practitioners banded together to initiate the biennial Fascia Research Congress, where researchers and health practitioners can share new discoveries. (The Fascia Research Congress 2012 will be held in Vancouver in March.)

Understanding the elusive Cinderella tissues offers an important glimpse into important, yet not widely known, aspects of bodily health and function. Here are four fascinating facts about fascia:

1. All You Learned About "Muscles" Is Wrong

A primary lesson emerging from new research into fascia is that all we learned about muscles is wrong.

"That illustration in your doctor's office of the red-muscled human body is a body with its fascia cut away," says Myers. "It's not what you look like inside, but it's a lot neater and easier to study. And, it's the way doctors have been taught to look at you."

We commonly speak about the musculoskeletal system, and the muscles attached to the bones of the body. But according to Myers, muscles in fact don't attach to bones. Fascia does.

"Muscle is like hamburger; it can't attach to a bone," says Myers. "There's fascia going around and through the muscle. And when the muscle runs out, that fascia from the outside and the middle of the muscle spins into a tendon, just like yarn."

It may be useful for our thinking mind to dissect the body in to some 600 muscles and their tendon attachments to bones. However, the body doesn't think in terms of 600 individual muscles.

"Your brain does not think in terms of biceps and deltoids," says Myers. "There is one muscle that exists in 600 fascial pockets. Ultimately, the brain creates movement in terms of large fascial networks and individual motor units, not our named muscles."

2. Much More Than a Wrapping Material

Fascia is not just a passive wrapping material, but a live, biological fabric, which directs the traffic of forces around the body, and responds and remodels itself as forces change.

Some researchers, like Helene Langevin of the University of Vermont, suggest that the connective tissue network may function as a whole body communications system, which influence the function of all other physiological systems.

How exactly such a whole body network would be communicating within itself is as yet unknown, and there may be several pathways. Langevin has developed evidence, for example, that the fascial network may correspond to the network of acupuncture points and meridians. In this framework, acupuncture needles produce cellular changes that propagate along connective tissue planes.

A similar effect is created by the stretching of the connective tissue created by yoga poses or externally applied stretch and pressure during bodywork and massage.

3. Redefining Chronic Pain

In its healthy state, the fascial network stretches and moves without restriction. However, age, injuries, repetitive stress, poor postural habits and even emotional trauma can cause fascia to lose its flexibility and become tight and restricted.

This helps stabilize the body in the short term, but unfortunately, it also locks you into a chronic strain pattern that can be hard to correct. Think of it like wearing a thin silk suit. If you pull on one part of the suit, the tension patterns will show up throughout.

Fascial strain patterns translate through the entire body, and affect the structural network of the entire body. They may lie at the root of chronic pain issues like migraine headaches, chronic back pain, or fibromyalgia, or other pesky pain problems that just won't go away.

For this reason, bodywork techniques focusing directly on the fascia, such as Rolfing and myofasical release therapy, can sometimes stimulate tremendous physical and/or emotional release where other modalities come up short.

4. A New Understanding of Fitness

While we usually think in terms of fitness as strong muscles and cardiovascular endurance, we ignore fascia at our own peril. Having an integrated and well-trained fascial network is important not just for anyone engaged in sports, but for anyone wishing to retain a healthy and functional body throughout life.

When you train the body, the fascia is trained as well. However, it may not be the way you would want to train it. If your fitness routine involves mainly machines, you will not end up with a fascial network that is as strong, versatile and capable as you'd like, but rather a one-dimensional network that may respond less efficiently to challenges.

"Exercise machines are great for building individual muscles and terrible for training your fascia, because they train the fascia in one particular direction, one particular vector," says Myers. "You end up training fascia, which is not prepared for life, because life doesn't come at you right straight down the same vectors that the machines do."

In terms of training, Myers says, favor movement forms that involve a lot of variety in direction and load, which builds versatile balance and stability into your body. Yoga asanas are particularly useful for stretching the long chains of fasica in numerous directions ways, offering the kind of system-wide engagement it needs. Training too hard or repeating the same routine without variation can lead to fascial adhesions or injury.

Reference: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/eva-norlyk-smith-phd/fascia_b_1207768.html

Posted by Lorie Warren - 01/25/12, 11:42 AM

TSTM selected as the Best Massage School in Knoxville for 2011

The Tennessee School of Therapeutic Massage has been selected by the U.S. Commerce Association as the 2011 Best of Knoxville Award in the Public Colleges & Universities category.

“We are excited to have been selected as the Best Therapeutic Massage School in Knoxville for 2011,” said Adam Brown, president of Tennessee School of Therapeutic Massage. “This reflects our hard work and what we have to offer the community.”

The USCA “Best of Local Business” Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country.

Posted by Lorie Warren - 01/09/12, 04:01 PM

Study Somatics to Become a Better Massage Therapist

Study Somatics to Become a Better Massage Therapist

I was reading an interesting article today in Massage Magazine about how to become a better massage therapist by studying and practicing somatics. So what exactly is “somatics?” According to The Free Dictionary (http://www.thefreedictionary.com/somatic), somatics is of, relating to, or affecting the body, especially as distinguished from a body part, the mind, or the environment; corporeal or physical.

• presence

• integrity

• unbiased perception

• contact

• commitment

• technique

Disciplines that stimulate embodied awareness such as vipassan meditation, conscious movement, Japanese martial art aikido, hands-on bodywork, Reichian breathwork and Gestalt are all examples given by the article.

Somatics teaches that high-quality body/mind function and awareness are central to the development and maintenance of psychological and physical integrity and well-being. It focuses on the connection between physical phenomena occurring in the body, cognition and human capacity. Many people are caught in mental habits of reaction, avoidance and belief, and physical habits of stress, fatigue and insensibility. The somatic process creates a more centered individual by working on conscious awareness and teaching the difference between thinking and sensation, seeing and imagining, self-consciousness and instinctive responsiveness.

Somatics Exercises to Try Now:

• What does it feel like to live in your body right now?

• Do you feel pain or discomfort anywhere?

• Are you breathing fully?

• Is your chest expanded or contracted?

• Is your tongue relaxed or pressed against the inside of your mouth?

• Does one arm swing more easily than the other?

• Does your mind wander?

• Notice the sensation of walking.... Are your feet turned in, out, or straight?

• Is your stride short or long?

• Is your lower back arched out or tucked under?

• Try walking like a duck with feet turned out, then like a pigeon with feet turned in. Notice how the position of the feet affects the body.

Once you as a therapist are comfortable inside your body, the mind can quiet making it possible to be more present during each session.

Michelle Accola

Student Massage Therapist

Posted by Lorie Warren - 01/03/12, 09:59 PM

TSTM Wins Award!!

2011 Best of Knoxville Award in the Public Colleges & Universities category by the US Commerce Association (USCA)!!

Posted by Lorie Warren - 01/02/12, 03:09 PM

Benefits of Geriatric Massage

Seniors massage doesnt differ much in technique compared to massage for younger adults. However the techniques used must keep in mind that an aging body requires a little extra tender loving care. Specially trained geriatric massage therapists are aware that an elderly body must be positioned carefully on a massage table, compared to a healthy 30-year-old body. Great care is taken in the positioning of an elderly client, and once positioned on the massage table, a senior will rarely ever be asked to move, as is so typical with other types of massage.

Seniors massage sessions will typically range from 30-mintues to an hour. However, when mobility is an issue for example the client is wheelchair-bound the massage therapist will be forced to adapt and the massage can take longer. For example, if the client is confined to a wheelchair, the massage therapist will administer massage to the client right in the chair.

Geriatric massage practitioners will often spend more time on the hands and feet of their clients - especially if the client doesnt walk or doesnt have full use of their hands. In cases such as these, a hand or foot massage can enhance body awareness, sensation and circulation in certain parts of an aging body.

The benefits of geriatric massage are numerous. Massage does the usual for seniors by encouraging circulation, decreasing muscular stiffness, and helping to decrease inflammation that may rest in the joints. However, it also treats so many of the typical conditions that arise with age - such as muscular stiffness, arthritis, skin discoloration, muscle and bone deterioration, tendonitis, bursitis, and respiratory problems such as asthma and emphysema.

Furthermore, the benefits of enjoying the simple pleasure of human touch and company for just a brief period of time is priceless for many lonely and depressed seniors. Careful massage can help provide the elderly with symptomatic relief and enable seniors to extend the vitality in their lives.

References: http://www.massagetherapy101.com/massage-techniques/massage-therapy-for-seniors.aspx

Posted by Lorie Warren - 12/07/11, 09:31 AM

Deep Tissue Massage

Special thanks to Ashley Brown (TSTM current student) for submitting this as her email blast for the week!!

Deep tissue massages are my favorite massages to recieve but its so different to give somebody a deep tissue i dont know about anybody else but it takes a lot of energy to give somebody one. After giving somebody one then i am always wore out but i love massage period i enjoy it and its made me a more relaxed and happy person its helped me deal with a lot of things differently.

 

 

What is Deep Tissue Massage?

Deep tissue massage is a type of massage therapy that focuses on realigning deeper layers of muscles and connective tissue. It is especially helpful for chronically tense and contracted areas such as stiff necks, low back tightness, and sore shoulders.

Some of the same strokes are used as classic massage therapy, but the movement is slower and the pressure is deeper and concentrated on areas of tension and pain.

How Does Deep Tissue Massage Work?

When there is chronic muscle tension or injury, there are usually adhesions (bands of painful, rigid tissue) in muscles, tendons, and ligaments. 

Adhesions can block circulation and cause pain, limited movement, and inflammation.

Deep tissue massage works by physically breaking down these adhesions to relieve pain and restore normal movement. To do this, the massage therapist often uses direct deep pressure or friction applied across the grain of the muscles.

Will Deep Tissue Massage Hurt?

At certain points during the massage, most people find there is usually some discomfort and pain.

It is important to tell the massage therapist when things hurt and if any soreness or pain you ecperience is outside your comfort range.

There is usually some stiffness or pain after a deep tissue massage, but it should subside within a day or so. The massage therapist may recommend applying ice to the area after the massage.

Benefits of Deep Tissue Massage

Unlike classic massage therapy, which is used for relaxation, deep tissue massage usually focuses on a specific problem, such as:

• Chronic pain
• Limited mobility
• Recovery from injuries (e.g. whiplash, falls, sports injury)
• Repetitive strain injury, such as carpal tunnel syndrome
• Postural problems
• Ostearthritis pain
• Fibromyalgia
• Muscle tension or spasm

According to the August 2005 issue of Consumer Reports magazine, 34,000 people ranked deep tissue massage more effective in relieving osteoarthritis pain than physical therapy, exercise, prescription medications, chiropractic, acupuncture, diet, glucosamine and over-the-counter drugs.

Deep tissue massage also received a top ranking for fibromyalgia pain. People often notice improved range of motion immediately after a deep tissue massage.

What Can I Expect During My Visit?

Massage therapists may use fingertips, knuckles, hands, elbows, and forearms during the deep tissue massage.

You may be asked to breathe deeply as the massage therapist works on certain tense areas.

It is important to drink plenty of water as you can after the massage to flush metabolic waste from the tissues.

Precautions

Massage is not recommended for certain people:

• infectious skin disease, rash, or open wounds
• immediately after surgery
• immediately after chemotherapy or radiation, unless recommended by your doctor
• people with osteoporosis should consult their doctor before getting a massage
• prone to blood clots. There is a risk of blood clots being dislodged. If you have heart disease, check with your doctor before having a massage
• pregnant women should check with their doctor first if they are considering getting a massage. Massage in pregnant women should be done by massage therapists who are certified in pregnancy massage.
• massage should not be done directly over bruises, inflamed skin, unhealed wounds, tumors, abdominal hernia, or areas of recent fractures.

Additional tips

• don't eat a heavy meal before the massage
• if it's your first time at the clinic or spa, arrive at least 10 minutes early to complete the necessary forms. Otherwise, arrive 5 minutes early so you can have a few minutes to rest and relax before starting the massage.

http://altmedicine.about.com/od/massage/a/massage.htm

Posted by Lorie Warren - 11/28/11, 09:03 AM

fascia Fascia FASCIA!!!!!

For those of you who know our director of education you know her obsession with fascia. Right? She's crazy about it!! Here's a few questions we found answered by the Fascia Research Project:

Is it true that you discovered that fascia is highly innervated by sensory mechanoreceptors?

No. We never performed any actual laboratory research related to fascial innervation. Several years ago we conducted a literature research related to the sensory innervation of fascia. This suggested that both myelinated nerve endings as well as unmyelinated ones (free nerve endings) can be found in most fascial tissues. For a review see http://www.fasciaresearch.com/Innervation.htm  While several of those studies suggest a proprioceptive, ergoceptive and/or nociceptive function of some of those nerve endings, further research is needed to clarify their in vivo function in normal as well as pathological conditions. This is a promising area of research, in which we follow with interest and appreciation the spearheading research of Langevin, Mense, Stecco and others.

An interesting sub-aspect is the question whether the sensory innervation of fascial tissues can be modified, e.g. via skillful mechanostimulation over a period of several months/years. We are not aware of any studies in that respect and suggest to refrain from any claims in support (as well as against) that possibility.

Can fascia contract on its own, independently from adjacent skeletal muscle fibers?

If one includes long term tissue contractures (like Morbus Dupuytren, Palmar Fibromatosis, etc.) within the realm of that question, then the answer is a clear yes. The work of Tomasek et al. strongly suggests that incremental summation of active cellular contractions plays a substantial role in such tissue contractures. The suspected contractile cells are fibroblasts or myofibroblasts.

In our own research, we performed an immunohistochemical examination for the presence of myofibroblasts in lumbar fascia, plantar fascia and Fascia lata from human donors. (For this we used the presence of alpha-smooth muscle actin containing stress fiber bundles as a marker for myofibroblasts, after subtracting those bundles which are associated with vascular vessels). We found such cells in all examined fascial tissues. We also observed a large inter-individual as well as intra-individual variance regarding the density of those fiber bundles, as well as indications for an increased density in perimysial tissues. 

In addition we conducted mechanographic examinations of rat lumbar fascia in an organ bath environment for a potential contractile reaction in response to stimulation with different pharmacological agents. We were able to induce a clear contractile response in a significant number of fascia specimens in response to either the thromboxane analogue U46619, fetal calf serum (FCS) or high dosages of mepyramine. While not all samples responded to such stimulation, retrospective tissue analysis revealed a higher density of alpha smooth muscle actin containing stress fiber bundles in responder tissues compared with the non responding ones. Samples pretreated with the cell disrupting substance cytochalasin-D showed insignificant responses only. Neither adrenaline (epinephrin), acetylcholin, caffeine, angiotensine nor adenosine triggered any contractile responses. Currently we are examining samples pretreated with a a specific thromboxane receptor antagonist for their response to U46619 and also samples pretreated with a Rho-kinase inhibitor substance for their responses to U46619, FCS and mepyramine. Here we have not found any contractile response so far. Maximum force response in successful contraction tests usually occurs 15-45 minutes after substance addition; and seems to reverse when the stimulatory agent is removed. 

Based on these findings, we are currently convinced that - at least in some samples of rat lumbar fascia, and within the in vitro conditions used in our examinations - fascia can actively contract within a time frame of minutes and that the presence of intrafascial myofibroblasts seems to be responsible for that capacity. We also performed a hypothetical calculation of the potential contractile force (applied to the paraspinal fasciae of the human lumbar area, based on the histological density values of our human fasciae examinations or alternatively on the measured contractile forces in our in vitro examinations with rat fascia). The resulting force values (of approx. 5 N for the whole lumbar are) were strong enough to predict a potential impact on normal musculoskeletal behavior, such as in gamma motor regulation. Yet they are far below the force quantities of skeletal musculature (and are not sufficient to e.g. move a limb in space in a matter of several seconds).

Why haven't you published your findings on active contractile properties in a peer reviewed journal yet? 

We will! Since we believe that our findings could be of substantial interest to a larger field within musculoskeletal medicine, we decided to add several additional control investigations in order to further substantiate our suggested conclusions (e.g. by using the Rho-kinase inhibitor mentioned above). While we are just completing these additional examinations, we plan to submit our findings to a respectable peer reviewed medical journal by January 2010. Our related publications in the past consisted of two peer reviewed articles in Medical Hypotheses (which did not yet contain our own data collection), as well as in several short abstracts presented at international congresses. We highly believe in the value of peer review process related to original scientific research. Based on this, we suppose that the extra time taken by us for the further substantiation of our reports will contribute to making these findings more acceptable to the wider scientific community. In the meantime we can happily email you upon request the fulltext version of Robert Schleip's PhD dissertation from 2006 (PDF- file, 3MB), which already contains a large portion of the relevant data. 

Does fascia contract in response to emotional stress?

That was the original hypothesis put forward by Staubesand in 1996, which stimulated our research project to a large degree.  While we were quite 'convinced' of that assumption during the first two years of our research, our organ bath experiments failed to support them ... no matter how much we tried. Neither adrenaline (epinephrine) nor acetylcholine addition showed any significant effects in our experiments. 

Today we tend to believe, that given the mobile character of myofibroblasts (related to their tissue repair function) it seems unlikely that these cells are directly stimulated via synaptic transmission. It is nevertheless possible, that a sympathetic stimulation or other stress related arousal may indirectly lead to expression of stimulatory cytokines (e.g. from mast cells) which may influence myofibroblast behavior. Given the presence of sympathetic nerves in fascia (indicated by Staubesand and very recently also by Tesarz) there could be some vague support for that possibility ... yet we suggest that at this time a correlation between emotional stress and fascial tonicity remains 'a matter of brave speculation'. 

Do you propose that a typical 'tissue release' (which is often experienced by practitioners in response to their myofascial release treatment techniques, such as in osteopathy or in Rolfing Structural integration) is due to a decrease of active fascial contraction? 

Since we haven't been able to observe any tissue contracton or relaxation changes happening within seconds in our own in vitro contraction experiments, we tend to doubt such an explanatory model. While the potential forces of active fascial contractitlity could be strong enough - based on our measurements and related hypothetical calculations - to result in palpable tissue changes, it seems like the common duration of individual treatment techniques of below 2 minutes would be too short for such a tissue response. Yet we cannot rule out the opposite, as our organ bath experiments may not be reflecting the complete spectrum of fascial contractility in vitro.

Several other body processes appear as more appealing explanations to us:

• Changes in matrix hydration, induced by the technique

• Possibly changes in resting tone (Gamma tone?) of skeletal muscle fibers which are capable of transmitting their tension force to the respective fascial tissue

• Ideomotor dynamics (Carpenter effect): Associated with an unconsconscious expentency bias in the practitioner, the palpating hand/body of the practitoner may change their resting tone in an involuntary and subtle manner, thereby creating a palpatory illusion.

Does an acidic pH level of the ground substance increase fascial contractility?

That is possible, yet not yet clear. Since a change in pH occurs in the early stages of wound healing, it has been suggested that the development of myofibroblasts and their contractile activity could be influenced by the pH of their enviroment. Pipelzadeh et al. showed that a low pH level (i.e. an acidic environment) tends to increase the contractile force of rat lumbar fascia in response to pharmacological stimulation in an organ bath environment. In case this finding could be generalized for human fasciae in vivo, it could have interesting implications regarding the potential effects of nutrition, of the presence of chronic silent inflammation, or of chronic breathing pattern disorders on fascial tonicity. However,  this in vitro study included a very small sample size only and has not yet been repeated by others or under different experimental conditions.  We therefore suggest to wait for further clarifications before making any definite 'claims' regarding the complex physiological dynamics of this field.

What about your findings on strain hardening properties of fascia?

When we conducted a modified repetition of some of the viscoelastic tissue tests reported by Yahia, we found indications that fascial tissues can be induced to increase their stiffness by a sequence of 15 minutes isometric strain application followed by subsequent rest. Apparently these property changes are not due to cellular contraction but to a temporary increase (or supercompensation) in tissue hydration. While we conducted these examinations with mice lumbar fascia (and partially with pig lumbar fascia) in an organ bath environment, these findings are as such too limited to make any substantial claims about the occurrence of similar hydration changes and resulting 'strain hardening' behavior of human fascia in vivo. However, we have submitted our findings to a sports medicine journal, as we hope to stimulate further research in this direction. 

Does the lumbar fascia play an important function in the biomechanics of human walking?

Yes, based on our current data analysis we suggest that the spring-like elastic property of the human lumbar fascia could play a more substantial role than is commonly assumed in the field of human gait biomechanics.  Our kinematic measurements indicate that there are probably large differences between people as to the usage of those properties during everyday walking. We are currently completing our mathematical modeling project, to estimate the particular contribution of the lumbar fascia to various gait dimensions. For a brief overview, click here. Projected submission date to a peer reviewed journal: July 2010.

Are you claiming that most cases of low back pain originate from micro injuries in the lumbar fascia?

We are not the only ones to question the common tendency, to attribute most cases of acute low back pain to spinal disc damage. MRI imaging data indicate that disc bulging and disc protrusions are not significantly more present in back pain patients than in their healthy peers of the same age group. Furthermore it has been shown that MRI imaging data of spinal discs are not predictive of the development or duration of low-back pain. Panjabi in a Eur Spine paper in 2006 suggested an alternate model, in which subfailure injuries in spinal ligamentous tissues can lead to chronic low back via related muscle control dysfunction and resulting tissue changes including subsequent neural inflammation. Based on the positioning of the lumbar fascia and several other indicators we subsequently published a response in the same journal, in which we suggested that micro injuries in the posterior layer of the human lumbar fascia should be included in that model as a potential back pain generator. Since then several other authors have published similar suggestions, such as the very comprehensive paper by Langevin, or the new findings about nociceptive properties of the lumbar fascia in rats by Taguchi. 

In our own histological analysis of the posterior layer of the lumbar fascia from human donors, we found areas with an exceptional high density of myofibroblasts in some people, comparable to that found in healing wounds. While it is too early to claim a clear causal relationship between such tissue changes and low back pain, we suggest that these indications - together with the exciting reports by Fox, Tesarz, Taguchi, and others - support the notion that micro injuries and related downstream effects could play a significant role in many cases of low back pain. Yet it is far too early to estimate, whether this may apply to the majority of low back pain cases or only to a minor and specific fraction of those cases. 

Posted by Lorie Warren - 11/14/11, 07:13 PM

World Massage Conference

We're excited for our students who are enjoying the 2011 fall World Massage Conference this week!  

"The way one walks through the room is the way one walks through the world."  

~Til Luchau

Posted by Lorie Warren - 11/14/11, 04:21 PM

Music and Massage Therapy

Massage & Music Therapy

Massage and music therapy helps depressed teenagers

Massage and music therapy can alter brain patterns and offer therapeutic help for patients suffering from anxiety and depression. There are a number of clinical research studies showing the benefits of both of these therapies, and this prompted researchers at Florida Atlantic University, USA to investigate exactly how and why these therapies work so well.

The researchers monitored brain activity in depressed teenagers. It is known that EEG asymmetry, specifically greater relative right frontal activation, is associated with negative emotions and depression, and examination of depressed adults invariably shows this phenomenon. The researchers therefore decided to assess the effects of massage therapy and music therapy on frontal EEG asymmetry in thirty depressed teenagers, all showing greater relative right frontal EEG activation and symptoms of depression.

Fourteen of the teenagers were given massage therapy or and sixteen were given music therapy. EEG levels were recorded for three-minute periods before, during, and after each therapy session.

The results revealed that the frontal EEG asymmetry was significantly improved both during and after the massage and music sessions. The study demonstrates that both massage therapy and music therapy have positive effects on brain activity in depressed teenagers and indicate that these therapies should be more closely reviewed for inclusion in conventional treatment programmes.

Posted by Lorie Warren - 11/10/11, 06:26 PM

Do the Adductors Perform Medial or Lateral Hip Rotation?

Please see below the response I received from The America Association of Anatomist regards the debate over whether the adductors perform medial or lateral hip rotation:

Posted by Lorie Warren - 11/09/11, 03:47 PM

Ask Our Director of Education

We're pleased to announce a new avenue to our TSTM Bog. We are opening up a discussion forum for students, clients and anyone else who might have a question about massage therapy, massage therapy education, anatomy or any other health related topic. Just simply click 'comment' below and ask your question. Your question(s) will be answered shortly by our director of education: Lorie A Warren, LMT, RCR. Thanks in advance for participating in our effort to educate everyone about massage therapy, health and well being!!

Posted by Lorie Warren - 11/09/11, 10:41 AM

The Muscular System

The muscular system includes all the skeletal muscles that can be controlled voluntarily. Most of the muscle tissue in the body is part of this system, and approximately 700 skeletal muscles have been identified. Some are attached to bony processes and others to broad sheets of connective tissue, but all are directly or indirectly associated with the skeletal system. Rather than attempt to survey all 700 skeletal muscles, we will focus on a relatively small but representative number of muscles, about 20 percent of the total. To simplify the memorization, we have organized these muscles into anatomical and functional groups.

The shape or appearance of each muscle provides clues to its primary function. Muscles involved with locomotion and posture work across joints, producing skeletal movement. Those that support soft tissue form slings or sheets between relatively stable bony elements, whereas those that guard an entrance or exit completely encircle the opening.

At the level of the individual skeletal muscle, two factors interact to determine the effects of its contraction: (1) the anatomical arrangement of the muscle fibers and (2) the way the muscle attaches to the bones of the skeletal system. We can understand the performance of muscles in the body in terms of basic mechanical laws. The analysis of biological systems in mechanical terms is the study of biomechanics. In this chapter, we examine the biomechanics and gross anatomy of the muscular system.

If you have a thirst for knowledge then you might be interested in taking our massage therapy program. Classes starting soon: 865-588-2324

Posted by Lorie Warren - 11/06/11, 01:38 PM

New for 2012 Massage Therapy Classes: Muscles and Motion!

We're pleased to announce the addition of Muscles and Motion to our 2012 Massage Therapy Education Program. 

All Tennessee School of Therapeutic Massage students will receive an online discount for subscribing to this amazing software!

Please contact our Director of Education for more details: teachers@tennesseeschoolofmassage.com

Posted by Lorie Warren - 11/04/11, 11:54 AM

How to get your doctor to approve massage for insurance

At times, a massage is more than a mere stress-relief tactic. Therapeutic massage can help people deal with pain, depression and other maladies. In these cases, the massage is deemed medically necessary, and should be covered by health insurance. Before your insurance will pay for the massage, you must provide proof from your primary health care physician that it is a medically necessary procedure. Talk to your doctor and explain why you'd like massage therapy to be part of your treatment.

Step 1

Read through your health insurance policy to verify that your health insurance covers medically necessary massage, suggests MassagePost.com. Some insurance policies don't cover massages, doctor prescribed or not, so it would be ill-advised to try and have your doctor approve it without having the ability to pay for it through your health insurance.

Step 2

Research the possibility that massage therapy is a good choice for treatment for your particular malady. If it is not a well-known or recognized treatment for your condition or injury, your doctor will likely be hesitant to give you the go-ahead to pursue prescribed massage therapy as a treatment. You may need to print copies of case studies to show for evidence; for instance, the Journal of Alternative Complementary Medicine recommends massage therapy for cancer care treatment.

Step 3

Visit your doctor and speak with her about your symptoms and the available tactics on how to cope with your sickness. It's likely that your doctor will suggest pain medications before suggesting massage therapy as a viable treatment option, so you may need to bring it up yourself. Explain why you'd like to undergo massage therapy, and cite successful cases in which massage therapy has been used to treat a similar malady as you suffer from with the research you've obtained.

Step 4

Discuss potential massage therapy clinics. SelfGrowth.com cautions that your doctor will likely disapprove of a "wellness spa"-type setting for a massage. Instead, look for rehabilitation and medical massage clinics that accept various types of insurance to be sure that you can be covered.

Step 5

Allow your doctor to express any concerns and reservations in prescribing massage treatment he may have. He may only sign off on it along with other treatment options, such as medications and frequent doctor's visits. If your doctor refuses to approve massage for insurance, ask for a referral for a second opinion. If he agrees, wait for him to write a prescription for massage, and then send the authorization to your insurance company along with your massage receipts for reimbursement.

Posted by Lorie Warren - 10/26/11, 09:20 PM

Leslie's Words

I have learned so much over the last few weeks that it is almost overwhelming. Luckily for me, my excitement and passion for this information supersedes the overwhelming feeling. Now, I could go into all of the medical terminology, pathology, cells, tissues, bones, joints, muscles...that I have learned since my previous email, but that may not be of interest to you. If it is, I know of a great career for you, and an awesome place to learn about it. ;) What I would like to share with you today is information about the benefits of massage. I know some of you may be thinking, "duh, it feels good." Well, it goes much deeper than that (no pun intended). Massage is not just a pampering treatment for fortunate women, nor is it only for injured athletes. Please, take a minute to read the following information. Hopefully, it will answer any questions you may have about about whether massage would be right for you. Be on the look out for more in depth information about the importance of touch therapy. 

Leslie B

Posted by Lorie Warren - 10/25/11, 08:53 PM

Get rid of your back pain through massage & EASY exercise

Multifidus Muscle Recovery

The muscles of the spinal column play an important stabilization role in the body, and they assist in a number of the torso's movements. Injuries to these muscles, including the multifidus, can cause back pain and make normal movements uncomfortable. Only your doctor can diagnose a specific injury to the multifidus. Treatments to the injured muscle may include massage therapy sessions, ice, and exercise.

Importance

The Nicholas Sports Medicine Institute says although most lower-back pain will resolve in a couple of weeks, 60 to 80 percent will result in a recurrence of pain within a year. Current research has reported that in most cases of LBP, certain muscles of the back that stabilize the spine are reflexively inhibited (shutdown) after injury. These muscles do not spontaneously recover even if patients are pain free with a return to normal activity levels.

What is the Multifidus Muscle?

• According to Sports Injury Clinic, the multifidus is a muscle that runs up the spine, all the way from the sacrum to the base of the skull. This thin muscle is responsible for extension of the spine, moving the spine to the left or right, and rotation of the spine. The multifidus muscles cross each spinal segment, making them one of the best muscles to help stabilize the spine. People who've had back pain, even once, may lose the ability to work the multifidus muscles in the problem area. If the multifidus muscles aren't working right, the problem segment is left unprotected and is free to shift around during daily activities. 

Massage for the Multifidus

• The multifidus rests deep within the groove of the spinal column. Since it is rarely touched, deep tissue massage to this muscle can be especially pleasing. Massage therapy can also help to repair any muscle strains in the area, and promote proper blood flow to the damaged tissue. The massage therapist will use his fingers to dig into the spinal groove. Starting at your neck, he will trace your spinal column to the sacrum. Usually, this stroke will be repeated numerous times.

3 Best Lumbar Multifidus Exercises

The multifidi are the deepest layer of muscles in the lower back. Together with the transversus abdominis muscles in the front of the torso, they form a protective blanket like a corset for a core of stabilization supporting the lower back and protecting you from injury. Specific exercises are needed to strengthen these muscles.

References

• Nicholas Institute of Sports Medicine and Athletic Trauma; Physical Therapy Corner: Low Back Pain and Lumbar Stabilization Exercises; March 2007
• "British Journal of Sports Medicine"; Rehabilitation of Lumbar Multifidus Muscles...; R.S. Jemmett; 2003
• Chiro Geek; Dynamic Lumbar Spine Stabilization Exercises; Douglas Gillard
• Copyright © 1999-2011 Demand Media, Inc.

Karen Grimes-Kelley

Student Massage Therapist

equinoxlmt@gmail.com

If you want further info:

http://www.massage-research.com/blog/?p=112

http://www.nismat.org/ptcor/lbp

http://www.livestrong.com/article/391123-what-are-the-multifidus-back-pain-solution-exercises/

http://www.ehow.com/info_7974968_exercises-strengthen-multifidus-muscles-spine.html

Posted by Lorie Warren - 10/25/11, 08:51 PM

Why I Chose a Massage Therapy Career

Why I Chose a Massage Therapy Career

   So, I am nearing the completion of my massage education here at Tennessee School of Therapeutic Massage. I have learned a lot about massage history, the uses of massage and human anatomy. All of these topics are so broad, I feel I could study a lifetime and still continue to learn. But the question I am asked most is, “why did you go into massage.” Through this time of exploration, I have further delved into an answer to that question.

   So my initial interest in massage peaked when I found myself constantly giving friends shoulder rubs. I would find myself doing this without thinking. It was like I was drawn to doing this. People would feed this interest by giving me positive reinforcement. “That feels really good” or “You should look into going to school for this, you’re good.” I started thinking about it and thought that maybe that may be something that I would be interested in. So, my interest in massage started out pretty simply.

   My next step was looking into massage. What it is. And I found that massage was in line with all I believed and practiced already. I advocate natural methods of healing. I believe in maintaining health and wellness. Massage was such an easy fit. So, I looked into getting an education in massage.

   Since I’ve been at the school, I’ve had the chance to learn both in theory as well as in practice. In theory, massage is really cool. It has been awesome to learn how massage affects the body and how it can help. But in practice, it is simply amazing. I’ve been able to help others feel better. Most amazing has been the repeat clients. They tell me what made them feel better and I am able to incorporate that into their next session or try similar approaches on other clients with similar issues.

   When I am giving a massage, I feel very in tune with the person I am working on. And so massage is also very therapeutic for me. All other thoughts disappear and I totally focus on listening to what that person’s body is telling me. What muscles need to be relaxed?Where is this person storing their tension? Does this person let go? How can I help them feel better and maintain health?

   Basically, I have been drawn to massage as a natural way to help people heal. Massage can be such a powerful tool. For me, it has been awesome to learn this tool and be able to practice it and see benefits. So, why am I in massage? I want to be involved in helping people heal in a safe and natural way. I love the feeling I get when I help someone feel better. It is simply amazing!  ~Penny Packer

Posted by Lorie Warren - 10/25/11, 08:48 PM

Symptoms of Dehydration

Symptoms of Dehydration

Here are some of the symptoms that you need more water:

• Dark Urine – Dark Yellow or Orange in Color: Urine is generally pale yellow to clear when you have sufficient water intake. Dark color or smell strong indicates that you need to drink more water.
• Dry Skin: Skin is the largest body organ and requires its share of water.
• Thirst: Thirst is the most obvious sign that you're already dehydrated. It is always a good practice to drink more water when your are not thirsty, don’t wait until you're thirsty.
• Hunger: Most people mistaken hungry is the indication to eat more, whereas in actual fact, you may be dehydrated. So before you have your meal, grab a glass of water.
• Fatigue: Water is a source of energy, give you a boost in energy.

Posted by Lorie Warren - 10/25/11, 08:46 PM

Penny's Words

I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for all you are. It has truly been a blessing to have had you as a teacher. I don't necessarily want to make you cry (again), but you are amazing. I think you are truly wise about people. I watched how you interacted with each of our differing personalities in order to encourage and bring out the best in each person. You did not bring a "cookie cutter" approach to your interactions, you individualized it. And not for one moment, do I believe you did anything randomly or by accident (including the class split). You are awesome! And amazing! You made learning difficult material much easier. You lifted us up. You encouraged us. You've made us believe we can fly. And you are the reason I attended TSTM. I was still searching schools when I called the school to see if I could tour the facilities. I wanted to see what the school was like in person, not just on the internet. You took me on the tour that day and really spent your time answering questions (honestly even). That day, I made the decision to go there. I could sense your sincerity and knew you truly cared. Would I have rather gone to a school that was accredited, so I could get aid, or use my Chick-fil-A scholarship? Maybe, but no, I needed a teacher like you. I want to thank you for pouring out your soul, spirit and energy for your students.

I'll keep in touch!

Penny

Posted by Lorie Warren - 10/25/11, 08:41 PM

I am ready to move forward with my life...

My name is Rosanne Jones and at age 18 I was diagnosed with a mental illness and at age 25 years old I started taking medication for 10 years continuously and progressively got worse, ending up with more and more diagnoses for more illnesses. I ended up on disability and have been for the past 7 years.

 About 1 year and a half ago, I was feeling hopeless and at the end of my rope, and started learning about natural medicine, and then was diagnosed with celiac disease. So I started eating gluten free and weened myself off of all prescription medications. I also started seeing a Naturopathic doctor to learn what I needed to do to become healthy again, through vitamins, herbs and diet.

 In the past year, I've lost 82 pounds (so far) and about 90% of all my illnesses and their symptoms have cleared up...if not completely vanished! I feel better than I ever have in my entire life and am now an ardent believer in natural healing and medicine.

 I am ready to move forward with my life and get off of disabilty and i want to help others through natural healing.

My main mission or goal in becoming a massage therapist is to study chronic pain and how the art and skill of massage can relieve and help to heal some of this pain. i want to specialize mainly in chronic back pain due to muscular imbalance, and postural dysfunction. I would also like to study fibromyalgia, arthritis and similar conditions to become more aware of those kinds of pain and how massage can also help alleveate those types of chronic pain.

atural healing. I also want to be a productive member of society and inspire others to live healthy and take care of their bodies, and to show others that being diagnosed with any illness is not the end of their lives. Healing IS possible and dreams do come true with hard work, dedication, and lots of encouragement!

Thank you,

Rosanne Jones, Student Massage Therapist

Posted by Lorie Warren - 10/25/11, 08:36 PM

Massage for chronic pain can break the vicious cycle of pain, where pain leads to muscle tension, reduced circulation, and restricted movement, which in turn lead to more pain.

Massage for Chronic Pain Reduces Muscle Tension

Muscles contract around any painful site to protect the area. If pain is resolved quickly, muscles relax. If pain persists, muscles can become habitually tight.

Sometimes tight muscles press on nerves, causing tingling, numbness, or more pain. Massage therapy helps by stretching tight muscles and by stimulating the nervous system to relax muscle tension.

Massage for Chronic Pain Improves Circulation

Tight muscles reduce circulation, letting waste products accumulate, which can leave you feeling fatigued and sore. Plus waste products can irritate nerves, causing pain to spread.

Massage therapy releases contracted muscles and increases circulation. As massage relaxes the nervous system, blood vessels dilate to increase blood flow. Waste products are flushed away and replaced with oxygen and nutrients.

Areas with poor circulation often develop trigger points—highly irritable spots that refer pain, tingling, or other sensations to other places in the body. Trigger points respond well to standard massage techniques.

Massage Stretches Muscles and Improves Movement

Eventually, the body lays down connective tissue in any contracted area with poor circulation. While helpful for healing injuries, this natural reaction can "glue" muscles and their connective tissue coverings into a shortened state. The stretching and kneading of massage therapy softens and lengthens connective tissue.

Summary

Irritating waste products, painful trigger points, and shortened muscles make even simple actions difficult and tiring. As your capacity for movement and exercise decreases, you lose the most important means for maintaining good circulation throughout your body, risking pain in new areas.

Massage for chronic pain helps restore normal movement by releasing trigger points, removing waste products, and stretching shortened muscles. Also, because you feel better after a massage, you may find renewed energy and motivation for physical activity.

Note on Choosing a Massage Therapist

Some massage therapists and some types of massage are better at relieving chronic pain than others. While a feel-good Swedish massage is great, you can often get more permanent relief by finding a massage therapist who specializes in a massage technique especially geared toward relieving pain, such as Neuromuscular Technique, deep tissue massage, or Myofascial Release.

Other Resources

Relax The Back offers ergonomic office chairs and other ergonomic items, massage and hydrotherapy products, and many other items that can be helpful in reducing and managing chronic pain.

For more information about chronic pain and methods to relieve it, visit The Chronic Pain Haven.

-- 

Karen Grimes-Kelley

Student Massage Therapist

http://www.bellevuemassagetherapy.com/index.html

Posted by Lorie Warren - 08/28/11, 09:29 PM