Massage Therapy and Then Some…
By: Kari Schroeder

Getting a really good massage is a very subjective thing. Every client walks in with a different goal and a different concept of how a massage should feel. As the practitioner, it is my job to discern what the client needs from their perspective and use my knowledge and experience to produce the best possible experience and outcome, both physically and emotionally. 

To create the ideal massage experience there are a number of steps that I follow:

Firstly, I offer a serene environment - from the moment clients walk into my treatment room, they enter a space that has been created to reduce stress – emotionally, physically and mentally. My treatment room is organized, fragrance free and relaxing. 

Next, I discuss the client’s history. It is the foundation for a truly effective treatment session. I recently had a client that was stressed, tired and suffering from neck and shoulder pain, and truly desperate to find some relief.  The priority for me was to see what was really going on, which often isn’t exactly what you would think it is. I did this by asking questions about what activities she had been doing, and observing her posture and finding out about her life in general.  From these baselines, I then tap into my proverbial tool kit and see what is going to help her get rid of her discomfort effectively. 

After having determined the exact cause of the problem, we then discuss the best approach for the session and the preferred form of treatment; type of massage best suited, supplemental energy work, stretching, etc.  Clients who visit the same, experienced and professional massage therapist on a regular basis really benefit as the therapist ends up with a clear vision of what is going on inside the clients’ bodies, which makes treating aches and pains so much easier.

There are two techniques that I consider essential for an effective treatment: Myofascial release and Trigger Point Therapy. Myofascial release works to loosen the continuous connective tissue sheath that runs through your body and muscles, which can become restricted from poor posture, injury, inflammation or stress. This, used in combination with Trigger Point Therapy, where you get deep into the points in your muscle that need a little rehab, are great for increasing range of motion, relieving pain and balancing the body. 

For some clients, especially my pre and post natal ones, the addition of energy treatments such as Matrix Energetics, the Yuen Method and Sekhem, addresses their pain/discomfort from more than one angle and gives them greater relief. These energetic techniques can add another dimension to the healing that clients receive and can speed them towards the relief they are looking for. Each method is based on a different theoretical foundation from quantum physics principals to affect change related to pain, to channeling focused energy or identifying weaknesses in your body and returning your systems to neutral state.

The use of any technique, whether a traditional muscular approach, or those based in energy work, is a key part of the discussion prior to the treatment that ensures the best possible experience and outcome for the client. 

So, in summary, the way to get the most out of your massage - a real massage - is to talk to your practitioner so they really get to know the root cause. Try and go regularly to the same therapist so they get to know your history and your body. Be open to trying some energy work and relax!

Kari Schroeder is a Certified Massage Therapist. She is specialized in clinical, sport and  pre / post-natal massages. She is a HypnoBirthing practitioner as well. Visit their website, www.balancehealth.com.hk or call 25303315 for more information.