My canine friend Toby meditating.

Reduce your stress by reducing your pets stress with a massage. When I was learning all of the different techniques of massage I did two things to practice at home. I made bread, the kneading of the dough was an exercise for my hands and taught me how to “see” with my eyes, and I massaged my dog, a lot!

When I say canine massage is a good thing I really mean it. My dog was very chilled and happy and even learned how to ask me for massage. A gentle nuzzle to my hand when we were sitting around relaxing told me she’d really appreciate a little rub. It’s been proven that our animals are stress reducers for us. Why not return the favor with a canine massage.

Like humans, there are many benefits of massage therapy for our dogs:

• Improves trust and bonding between dog and human
• Calms the nervous system, reduces anxiety/stress, eases traumas
• Builds self-confidence and sociability
• Increases overall sense of wellness
• Reduces discomfort from stiffness, inflammation and muscle spasm
• Improves muscle tone, spinal alignment, flexibility and range of motion
• Increases energy, concentration, alertness and endurance
• Promotes blood and lymph circulation, improves cardiovascular health
• Heightens immune system function

My current canine companion Toby (the handsome little guy meditating in the photo) is a rescue dog. I have always adopted rescues and am familiar with their idiosyncrasies; shyness, fear, lack of trust, anxiety, worry and suspicion to name a few. By giving him massage on a regular basis, he learned to let his defenses down, to trust me, to relax and enjoy this compassionate touch. In just a short time I have created another little massage junkie who now lives with me in harmony and is a happy go lucky little guy.

In nearly every massage therapy session I give, nearly every client has muscle knots and asks me what they are and what causes them. To understand them is to appreciate their complexity, here we go!

In the science world many call them Myofascial Trigger Points. In massage school we called them “LSD,” Little Squirty Dudes. And that they are, just when you think you’ve got one pinned, they squirt out from beneath your touch. The physiology of muscle knots is complex and is still being researched and studied by the scientific world. In my world muscle knots indicate a place that is stuck in constant spasm caused by a build up of toxins.

Muscle Knots are toxic, irritated molecules that cause most aches and pains. They cause pain that can move in random, confusing patterns and partner with other problems and injuries. Think of the knot as a bed of tissue fluid pollution consisting of waste products from muscle cells. As they intensify in contraction the byproducts accumulate causing pain and discomfort. New research continues to support this theory which originated from the pioneer of trigger point research, Dr. Janet Travell.

One of the goals of massage therapy is to “flush” trigger points out of the muscles by pushing stagnant tissue fluids out. When new oxygenated blood arrives to the area it is much less toxic and assists in the recovery of the muscle. Deep breathing also assists as it sends oxygen rich blood through your system.

Next time you receive a massage and you feel your massage therapist riding the lumps and bumps in your neck, shoulders and back you can help in your own healing by taking a deep breath, relaxing and releasing as you assist in the flushing out of your muscle knots.

“Touch has a memory.”  ― John Keats

The touch of massage therapy can release emotional memories stored in your muscles. Emotional memories stored in your muscles might be happy or sad, joyous or traumatic. It is a natural response to massage therapy to have these memories triggered.

Ida Rolf, biochemist and creator of Rolfing or “structural integration” believed that we store thoughts and their emotional reactions in the cells of our body.  That memories are stored in our brains and our physical bodies. That touch can trigger memories in the muscles that our mind has forgotten or buried.

When this occurs in a client’s massage session I reassure them that they are safe and in control. I remind them that they do not need to be concerned with the affect this has on me and that I am prepared to hold space with them without expectation. I tell them I will stay or leave the room, that I will bring them a drink of water or a tissue and reassure them that what they are experiencing is completely normal.

I remember the first time a memory was triggered for me when receiving a therapeutic massage. I didn’t know what I was experiencing until much later. In the moment I thought it was just another random thought drifting through my consciousness as I relaxed and let go and received. When I experienced it again I started to pay attention to when it would be triggered. I began to realize that when the massage therapist was working in a certain area of my upper back the memory would start drifting to my consciousness. It doesn’t happen every time and there is more than one memory that comes back, some happy, some more somber. I have learned to embrace them all, to accept them and to let them flow in and out like the ebb and flow of waves along a beach.

I invite you to share any experiences you may have had with emotional memories when receiving a therapeutic massage.

I have been a massage therapist in Iowa City for many years. My work is continuously rewarding as I witness the transformation massage therapy makes on my clients. You may come in with discomfort in your body and a stressful mind, but you will leave with relief from both. You will know that you have done something important to take care of your health and well being.

I continue my education through workshops and classes, honing in on specific techniques to add to my toolbox of therapies. I am certified in Pregnancy Massage and feel rewarded working with expecting moms.

Massage Therapy has always been a part of my life. For many years I was exclusively on the receiving end. I know first hand the accumulative benefits of receiving regular therapeutic massage. I know how important it is to find the right massage therapist and how important it is to communicate with my therapist. I have learned how to listen to my body and understand the language it is speaking to me.

In my blog I will share the benefits of therapeutic massage, inspiring stories and helpful resources. I encourage you to contact me with your questions and comments. Blessing to all! Barb

Therapeutic Massage Therapy is one way to invest in your health and yield a high return. It’s an investment that impacts your overall heath and well being and all that’s required of you is to stop, relax and breath. Massage therapy is an easy and enjoyable way to gain a high yield on your own health investment.

All types of Massage Therapy; Swedish, Shiatsu, Integrative, Heated Stone and Reiki will stimulate circulation and oxygenation that increase flexibility, mobility and loosen your joints. Stretching and manipulation of muscles will keep you moving more smoothly with less discomfort. Calming your nervous system and stimulating feel good hormones will increase your overall coping abilities and outlook on life. These are just a few of the benefits of massage. And all you have to do is stop and get off the fast moving train of life and onto a massage table.

Your body is the vessel you travel the world in and houses your energetic and spiritual self. You eat healthy, get enough sleep, do cardio exercise 5x a week and meditate as part of your daily routine. Make one more investment in your health and well being and begin a massage routine. Your body, mind and spirit will prove it is a healthy investment with a high return.