Carlmt's Blog

Mesothelioma and massage

carlmt — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 22:02:00 +0000

Therapeutic Massage and Palliative Cancer Therapy

In recent years the role of alternative therapies in cancer care has transformed the way many patients cope with illness and related side of effects. An older paradigm suggested that cancer could only be effectively treated with traditional treatments like surgical resection, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Many patients refused this notion and sought alternative therapies outside of their treatment regimen not were not only relaxing but eased side-effects associated with traditional treatment regimens, including those caused y chemotherapy drugs.

Today, not only patients but also the medical establishment recognizes the importance of alternative therapies, and particularly the importance of massage therapy in comprehensive cancer care. Massage, like most alternative cancer therapies, is most effective when used in conjunction with traditional treatments.

Massage is unique in alternative cancer therapy because it is able to remedy feelings of isolation that many patients battling a difficult disease encounter. The experience of human contact is particularly important when facing a difficult diagnosis and massage can provide that unique experience to cancer patients, who often succumb to feelings of being overwhelmed by the nature of their diagnosis, family implications, and other difficulties associated with cancer treatments.

Often, the most valuable treatments to patients battling a difficult diagnosis are those which can allow the patient to be as comfortable as possible. Patients battling aggressive cancers, such as mesothelioma, often forgo traditional treatments which will put their body through a great deal of stress and discomfort in favor of those such as massage, which provide peace of mind and comfort. Patients undergoing chemotherapy often find that treatments which are able to relax their mind and body, will dramatically lessen side effects like nausea, restlessness, and fever.

As with any treatment, massage therapy may or may not benefit a particular patient’s treatment regimen. However, given the positive experience many patients have benefited from, it is certainly worth exploring. Maximizing your cancer treatment with cooperation between patient, family, and physician will allow patients to live longer, healthier, and be more comfortable, which is the goal of all comprehensive therapies.

Article written and used with permission by www.mesothelioma.com

What is Muscular Therapy?

carlmt — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 00:26:22 +0000

Developed by Ben E. Benjamin in the 60′s, Muscular Therapy is a comprehensive approach to coping with everyday tension and alleviating muscular pain through body re-education. Combining unique manual treatment with an emphasis on educating each individual client on bodycare is what distinguishes this modality. MT can be divided into four parts:

1. Deep Massage

2. Tension-Release Exercise

3. Body-Care techniques

4. Postural Realignment

Research that backs info in 1st blog post

carlmt — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 14:54:40 +0000

This research shows in a clinical setting how MT can really help cope with everyday stress and tension as I wrote about in my first blog. Published in PubMed :

Click on link to see it: http://tinyurl.com/c7gcra

Massage is body maintenence

carlmt — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 06:06:24 +0000

The perception of massage is beginning to change somewhat in the general public, but there are still many who just don’t understand those who are committed to scheduling regular treatments. Although relaxation is a direct by-product of getting a massage, physiologically the effects are more far reaching. Some examples of this are increased joint flexibility(something we could all use!), enhanced immunity by stimulating lymph flow, and also the body’s natural painkiller-endorphins, are released during a massage . These are just a few of the many benefits that keep my devoted clients coming back for more. I believe that everyone can benefit from receiving regular treatments and come to understand the value in it. I like to use the analogy of car maintenence-if you change the oil every 3,000 miles your car will run more efficiently and break down less. Massage does the same thing for your body as oil does for cars, and you to like your car will break down less if you view it this way.

Coping with tension and stress

carlmt — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 15:12:27 +0000

As a certified muscular therapist, I help people deal with everyday stress and tension in a practical manner with treatment, tension release exercises, stretching, and body education. I will shed some light on how to be proactive when it comes to dealing with stress and tension.
Many people are unaware of how accumulated tension from stress can affect the body and mind. A headache is a common example. Some people who get a headache pop a few pain pills and don’t think about the source of the headache. Instead of viewing headaches as a danger signal that something in your body needs attention, most people will take the approach I just mentioned. By doing this, the root cause isn’t being addressed. Headaches can be caused by environmental triggers or neurological disturbances. But the vast majority of cases are due to excess tension in the shoulders and neck. If your headache is sudden and severe, you should seek immediate medical attention.
Being mindful of this can truly make a big difference. Simple stretching with deep breathing can be very effective. Try this: Slowly roll your head until you’re looking down and roll from one side to the other and slowly back up again (like you’re tracing an invisible circle with the crown of your head). The emphasis here is on slow movements and deep breathing. When you notice more tightness in a particular area, stop in that position, and breathe more deeply into that area. Continue doing these slow neck rolls until you feel a noticeable difference. Using a microwavable heat pack/wrap can keep your muscles loose and increase circulation. Sitting at a computer causes your head to go into a forward tilt, which puts a strain on both your neck and shoulders. So I encourage my clients to keep one by their computer, so that when they see it, they are reminded. I also recommend misting the pack/wrap with water using a spray bottle. This creates moist heat, which will help penetrate the deeper tissues.
If you find yourself stressed during this winter season, just remember these simple yet effective suggestions. To learn more about Muscular Therapy and how I can help you, visit www.carlmt.com or contact me at (603) 233-9816 or bodyworks@carlmt.com