I have a client who is 90 and comes once a month for massage.  I have been working on the “frozen” big toe for 12 visits now because client cannot bend the toe.  It sticks up because the tendon is so tight. 

The last time client came in, they reported that I “Broke the spring”.  I asked what that meant and client replied, “You released the tendon so I can now bend that toe. Now every morning and evening I rub that toe and foot and clench the toe 20 times. I don’t want it to go back to being unbend-able.”

I was so happy I could help.  I know it was a bit painful every time I worked it but what a great result.  Client said the toe hadn’t bent in 20 years. 

It always bothers me when a finger or toe won’t bend so I do work them but that was the first time I ever made such a big difference.  I would massage the tendon and bend the toe a little past the comfort zone.  Client reports pain free walking for the first time in 20 years.

Call Loveland Massage by Helena at 970-218-7289 today to schedule your massage.  I would love to help you.

Truly yours,

Helena

Loveland Massage by Helena is paraben free mainly because so many clients request it.  Looking it all up on line tells me that no one knows for sure if they cause cancer but there is cause for concern.

Parabens are the most widely used preservative. They are used in food, 80% of cosmetics and skin care products. The concern is in a study published where parabens were found in breast cancer tumors. It is not known if parabens were the cause but it doesn’t look good. It may also mean that parabens mimic estrogen causing girls to go into puberty earlier. This in not a known fact but is concerning.

What this tells me is that we have a system of research that drug companies use to prove their products are safe period. We have no infrastructure to pay to test if things are not safe. Who would fund that?

I realize that the skin being the largest organ of the human body is wonderful at absorbing nutrients and toxins that are rubbed upon it.  I would rather be safe than sorry so, paraben free it is.

Call Loveland Massage by Helena now at (970) 218-7289 to schedule your appointment. I can’t wait to help you with your concerns.

Truly yours,

Helena

Scar tissue is the body’s natural response to tearing or cutting the skin. Muscle tissue forms in nice parallel lines. Scars are collagen fibers that form across the cut or tear to hold it together. The result can limit range of motion.

One case I worked with was a hernia scar that had staples under the skin. The staples were pushing toward the outside into scar tissue causing pain twelve years after the surgery.  One hour of massage on the site solved the problem.  Another was a pin and plate in the lower leg that was causing pain 15 years after the surgery.  One hour of massage on the site cleared that up.

Metal expands and contracts but scar tissue does not, so the scar tissue must be worked to allow it to stretch also.

Call Loveland Massage by Helena now at (970)218-7289 to schedule your appointment. I would love to help you with your issues.

Truly yours,

Helena

I received a very unpleasant email the other day and needed time to think about how to respond.  I slept on it and upon awakening found that I had clenched my teeth so hard all night I had severe pain in my jaw and cheek muscles, so bad; that it hurt to open my mouth.

I am glad I am a massage therapist because I had to work that cheek and neck 3 times a day for 3 days for all the pain to go away.  I used Traumeel on it each time. 

People usually clench lighter than that in the night and slowly build up to more and more pain.  I know someone  whom in the day time I see grinding and clenching their teeth.  If you have been clenching for a long time and slowly been building up the muscle, it becomes very strong and takes more time to treat.  That is true for any long term problem.  The longer you have had the problem, the longer it takes to treat.

I felt lucky I only clenched that night.  It is not something I do very often.

Call Loveland Massage by Helena now at 970-218-7289 to schedule your massage.  The sooner you call, the sooner we can work together to resolve the problem.

Truly yours,

Helena

Yes, I do use draping in my practice.  I think most people feel more comfortable being draped during massage.  People feel safer, warmer, and much less self conscious.

I do periodically receive calls asking if I require draping.  I think this is because some massage therapists move or quit practice and did not use draping.  Their clients look for some one else that does not drape. 

Sorry, I do prefer draping.  I don’t use the diaper drape, much too fussy for me.  I guess I have a more casual approach.  I do feel that it is important for the client to be able to talk to me about anything during the massage. 

I always start with a new client by saying, “I like to work to a hurts good feeling, it may hurt a bit but you know it will feel better when I am done.  You must not be clenching your teeth or holding your breath.  That would mean I am working too deep.  Please just tell me.  If at any time you don’t like what I am doing, or are uncomfortable; tell me and I will change what I am doing.  You will always be covered with a sheet and blanket and I will uncover your arm while working on it and then cover it up again.”

Call Loveland Massage by Helena today at 970-218-7289 to schedule your appointment.

Truly yours,

Helena

I have had women come for massage near the end of their pregnancy where the baby was in the breech position.  I was fortunate in massage school to learn some techniques to help the baby turn.

Massage for the prenatal client includes stretching of the leg and hip to help create more space for the baby to turn naturally.  It does not include pushing on the baby to force it to turn.  This is a very important distinction as we want the massage to be firm but gentle to show the baby there are more possibilities.  It does not have to remain stuck in that one position.

I work with the client in the side lying position so I can work the back, hip and leg.  This work will also help the low back pain that can accompany pregnancy.

Call Loveland Massage by Helena now at 970-218-7289 to schedule your massage. I look forward to helping you with your massage needs.

Truly yours,

Helena

I have been noticing a problem with clients big toes that when the foot is in a resting position on the floor, the big toe sticks up unless the client consciously pulls it down to the floor.

This is an over use issue, with the muscles on the bottom of the foot not exercising enough.  This leads to plantar fasciitis.  Massage can help relieve the pain but exercising the foot is the most important thing.

One of the best exercises for this is to wear sandals with no back strap that you have to clench your toes to keep them on.  Also, place thirty marbles on the floor and pick them up with the toes and place them in their container.  You can also place a hand towel on the floor and roll it up with the toes ten times. 

I have a client (89 years) who can not do these things as the tendon on top if the toe is so tight, it can’t be clenched any longer.  At this age, the top of the toe rubs on the shoe and is ulcerated and sore most of the time.  Don’t let that happen to you.  Start these exercises now and do them daily.

Call Loveland Massage by Helena now at 970-218-7289 to schedule your massage.  I would love to help you too.

Truly yours,

Helena

I have a client coming to me for problems after a car accident.  Client went to another massage therapist for the first three months post accident and Client came to me complaining that the other therapist only worked on the shoulder and neck.  Client had pain in many other areas but the neck and shoulder were the most affected.  Client felt that the limited work actually made the less affected muscles even tighter causing a frozen shoulder which was much worse than when Client started massage right after the accident.

I began working on all the areas that were painful, because all muscles affect other muscles.  One tight muscle will pull on the next one etc. causing pain in other seemingly unrelated areas.  So first the knee pain went away, then the leg pain left etc. Now the work focuses on the neck and shoulder and includes what came up that week.

We are down to the last one to three inches of range of motion to yet recover depending on the motion.  I have been working with this client for eight months and Client has made amazing strides.  We are both pleased and excited to see the recovery rate.

If you are not receiving the results you expect, look for another therapist that will help you on the road to recovery.  Body work is very personal so go the extra mile to find the right therapist for you.

Call Loveland Massage by Helena at 970-218-7289 today to schedule your massage.  I am looking forward to meeting you and your needs.

Truly yours,

Helena

I have a client that was in a car accident about a year ago and receives massage, physical therapy, chiropractic and medical care for shoulder/arm pain.  When I first saw this client, they were holding the right arm against their body and had hardly any range of motion (ROM).  At first, my job was to relieve the pain the client experienced from the PT so the muscles could relax and heal and the client could sleep.  Now that client is released from PT, my job is to help return the last 4 or 5 inches of ROM. 

It is very gratifying to see the gap closing and the ROM returning.  As I stretch the arm I find what is tight and holding the full ROM back and really focus on that muscle.  There are three movements the client can’t quite do yet but the progress is so exciting at this stage.  Each visit sees improvement and soon client will have full ROM.

As much as I love my clients and don’t want to loose them, seeing healing and recovery take place is thrilling.  I know this client will have full use of their arm soon and be able to resolve the law suit.

Call Loveland Massage by Helena today at 970-218-7289 and schedule your massage so we can figure out how I may be of service to you.

Truly yours

Helena

I had a new client the other day who, during the intake interview; said, “I know you will be tempted to find knots and work them.  Please don’t, I want only a relaxing massage.  I don’t want to experience any pain at all.” 

That is the exact massage the client got.  This client was so happy with the massage, they bought a package of massage. 

As for me, it is a great success for me to know exactly what the client wants and plan the massage accordingly.  I really enjoy my job when the client is happy.  I love a client that knows their mind and can express it to me so they get what they want. 

Now when I ask how the pressure is I follow that question with, “Would you prefer the pressure deeper or lighter?”  This offers the client who may be uncomfortable to speak their mind and get what they want from the massage.

I want to give the best massage I can every time I give a massage.  Client feedback is a very important part of the loop.  Just like any relationship it takes two.

Call Loveland Massage by Helena at 970-218-7289 now to schedule your perfect massage.  I want you to have a great experience also.

Truly yours,

Helena