I can relate to my personal experience as a client for massage therapy. Apparently, many of us experienced the feeling of urgency and haste to get onto the massage table. However, as a professional massage therapist, I understand the reason and advantage of delayed gratification. Certainly, you may ask why is that?

Did you know the whole package and benefit of massage therapy does not rest on manual manipulations alone? Instead, it centres on keen observation and listening skills just as pivotal is robust assessments, reliable findings and clinical reasoning. Last but not least, data gathering and medical history. Those components determine the direction of treatment and their outcomes.

Behind the scene of a treatment session.

Let me shine a light on a previous case where a client complained of pain in the groin. They reported no pain with weight-bearing and standing on their feet. However, all movements which require lifting their leg provoked pain. As usual, this client belongs to the general pool of massage clients. One more word and breath stood too much in the way of getting onto the massage table!

I explained conducting testings and assessments would not take long. Besides, it brings us closer to the root of the problem and resolving the issue. Alternatively, we could proceed straight into massage without any guarantee of alleviating pain or tracing the cause. Which option would you have chosen if the shoe was on the other foot?

This client tested positive to a degenerative condition at the hip joint. That explains their perceived pain at the groin. Consequently, there are three critical points worth noting. (1) Location and origin of pain traced through testings and assessments (2) Massage treatments were not administered to the site of perceived pain (3) Pain sensations are not limited to muscles alone.

Working in with other health professionals.

I suspected a hip replacement was inevitable. Therefore, I advised consulting the GP for a diagnosis and treatment plans. Meanwhile, I administered massages to the surrounding tissues at the hip – joint as the client found them helpful in aiding movements. Correspondently, the results from their X-Ray confirmed my findings. So then the client elected for surgery. Furthermore, post-surgery massages and scar tissue release therapy assisted with their successful rehabilitation.

Embracing a new perspective in massage therapy.

Efficient massage therapists use testings and assessments tools to achieve strong outcomes. It is part and parcel of high-quality massage treatments. These therapists are in a disposition to initiate visual clinical assessments ahead of the initial handshake. Hence, there is no reason to short-change yourself of a massage therapist’s expertise (aligned with their scope of practice) when in treatment.

Hello Everyone! We are now into the fourth week of lockdown. Our PM will be making an announcement later today at 4 pm. In the event of a downgrade to level three, I am afraid my practice is likely to remain close for a further two to four months. My work is my passion and I do miss attending to all my clients!

Nevertheless, I would like to share with you a common question that is frequently asked by many of my clients. It arises whenever I recommend medical compression stockings for the management of their conditions.

They have a pair of white coloured stockings (T.E.D) at home in the drawers from when they last had a surgical procedure. Can they use those instead? Yes, some of my clients are already laughing in the background! Under normal circumstances, the answer is no. Although both are compression stockings, let me explain the differences and purposes for their usage.

T.E.D stands for Thrombo – Embolic Deterrent. That means preventing blood clots from occurring. People who have had surgical procedures are on bed-rest because they are unable to walk. Consequently, blood pools at their legs and they are at risk for blood clots, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and embolism which is dangerous. T.E.D stockings are worn for those reasons. The compression grade is mild for T.E.D measuring at 8 mmHg – 18 mmHg. It is fit for purpose for three weeks and needs to be replaced for a new pair after that period.

Medical Compression Stockings, on the other hand, have a pressure gradient and enhances blood/fluid circulation. It is the highest distally at the ankles and the lowest proximally, further up the limb.

Mild compression measures at 8 mmHg – 18 mmHg. It helps with energising tired aching legs with spider veins and minimal swelling. Moderate compression measures at 15 mmHg – 20 mmHg. They are used during pregnancy, travels/flights, mild swelling/varicose vein and for people who sit or stand at their feet for long hours.

Firm compression measures at 20 mmHg – 30 mmHg. They suit people who can walk with pain. Their legs are moderately swollen with a moderate amount of varicose veins, Chronic Vein Insufficiency (CVI)) and Congestive Heart Failure (CHF). Blood and fluid pools at their ankles. Extra-firm compression measures at 30 mmHg – 40 mmHg. They are best suited for severe swelling, oedema, post sclerotherapy, a venous ulcer, Lymphedema and Lipedema,

Now that you have a better understanding of uniform/pressure gradient compression and their functions, next question?

You may be interested in further reading:

https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/boosting-circulation-with-compression-stockings

#pressure gradient #compression stockings #TED #circulation #chronic venous insufficiency

What are some personal changes which you aspire to this year? Does it ring a bell the standard ones are losing weight, exercising more and eating healthier?

You are absolutely resolved when you set your resolutions, aren’t you? However, statistics reveal a grim picture. Many of us lose our resolve within three months! Unfortunately, a dismal 80% of us fail because of unrealistic expectations. I too am guilty of recycling some of my resolutions from previous years.

However, I have a success story to share from 2019. I learnt from my experience; you are more likely to succeed when you start with the minimal – one proactive goal. My goal was “staying healthy” and I planned to execute a single prong approach rather than multiple. I choose to merely increase my water intake to achieve my goal.

The process was a slow and steady plan of small increment daily. Hence, it was neither daunting nor stressful for me. The key to my success was choosing my preferred fluid which was water from the tap. Besides, I reigned in my ambitions when setting my goal.

The take-home message is you too can be successful with your set goal(s). Any, if not all decisions can be made at any time of year not limited to the crack of dawn on New Year. Suppose your goal is to lose weight, I suggest choosing a single approach for the likely chances for success. Is there any physical activity that you might enjoy consistently for over a long period? Hence, there is no stress and no pain involved.

This ingenious little plan may yield the desired result you are after!

I hope you had a Merry Christmas and fabulous New Year celebration with friends and family. A penny for your thoughts on how 2020 will play out for you? As for myself, I like to think 2020 will bring 365 opportunities! For the time being, I have hit the pause button on setting new years’ resolution. However, I’m excited to discover, learn and hone my skill sets and knowledge that 2020 has installed for me.

My practice is open on the 6 January for bookings and appointments. I hope 2020 brings a fresh wind of change, dreams and inspirations for you. Enjoy your summer holidays.

Suannie