Whisper Wednesday: A Little Stretch Goes A Long Way

Client: I don't know why I'm always so stiff and aching. Especially in my lower back, neck and shoulders. I don't do anything active and at work I mainly sit at a computer booking appointments and answering the phone.

Me: What do you do when you feel the pain? Have you tried applying ice or heat to area? Does one or the other make it better or worse? And how good are you with drinking plenty of water?

Client: Sometimes I use heat. That makes it feel better for a little while. But I mainly just take an aspirin when I feel the pain. And I drink water. I'm sure I should be drinking more though.

Me: You implied that you aren't that active. Have you tried incorporating any stretches to your daily routine? Also, to make sure you're drinking enough water, TRY THIS.

Client: I can't find the time for stuff like stretching and exercising.

Me: Well, the great thing about stretching is that it allows you to multitask. Being that your job seems pretty sedentary, doing some simple stretches at your desk can greatly improve circulation to parts of your body, reduce muscle tension, increase your energy level and increase your joint range of motion. Also, if you can, get up and walk around every one or two hours to get the blood flowing.

Stretching won't replace all the benefits that massage or exercise can give you, however, with adding stretching to your daily routine you will start to notice a reduction in muscle tension and stiffness which allows me to avoid having to use too much pressure during your massage.

Client: Wow...sounds great! I'll definitely start stretching while at work and even while watching TV or reading a book.

Me: Excellent! Just remember to do a nice five minute warm up before you stretch. For example walking or jogging in place. Hold each stretch for 30-60 seconds and make sure you breathe to help you relax. Don't bounce while you're stretching and if you feel any pain while stretching, slowly ease up until you don't feel the pain and then hold the stretch.


For those of you that are active in sports. Stretching is vital for the longevity or your career. It will help reduce the occurrence of injury and decrease recovery time if you have been injured. The better conditioned your muscles and tendons are the more they can endure the intensity of your activity.

Here are a few quick and easy stretches you can try while at home or sitting at work. Don't worry if you aren't as flexible as I am. Just do what is comfortable for you.

Neck & Shoulder

Hamstrings & Lower back

Hip & Glutes (Can also be down laying on your back)

Torso

Chest

Shoulder

Wrist & Forearm

(For Wrist and Bicep stretch, face palm out and fingers toward the floor. Use opposite hand to stretch fingers toward your elbow.)    **This post is not meant to diagnose or treat injury or illness. Check with your doctor before starting any exercise or stretching routine.**

MIA....I'm baaacckkk!!

Hello there!! Hope you haven't forgotten about me so soon! My hiatus was a bit longer than expected. Between, no car for nearly 2 weeks, arguing with mechanics, buying another car and then traveling for the holidays...things have been quite eventful! And fortunately, it all ended on a happy note! ^_^

As for Christmas...Nick and I treated ourselves to a Trailblazer, so that was the extent of our gift exchange. Or it was supposed to be, until he surprised me with the first season of Glee. :D
I always hear such great things about that show. So, I'm excited to start watching it!

How was your Christmas? Anyone get or give any gifts they were really excited about?? Do tell!

Well, Stay tuned for more updates!
Until then, enjoy these funny clips of a couple amazing, massaging cats. LOL

On the Table with Ronald Brister

Everyone say hello to Ronald!!

(Photo courtesy of Ronald Brister)

Ronald is a good friend of mine and a very successful LMT in Slidell, LA. We had the fortune and pleasure of going to massage therapy school together. And he has been kind enough to answer a few questions about his work as a LMT and his various pastimes.


MW: How long have you been a MT and what inspired you to start?
RB: 7 years..I had always enjoyed massaging my friends. A girl I worked with was going to massage school and I thought I would give it a try.

What kind of workplace are you located at?
I worked at a Chiropractor's office for the first two years..now I work at Hairport Salon and Day Spa [in Slidell, LA].

The massage area...where the healing begins!
(Photo courtesy of Ronald Brister)

What modality/technique(s) do you specialize in and/or would you like to learn more about?
Most of my clients come to me for deep tissue, reflexology and myofascial release. I would love to learn lymphatic drainage and am currently learning table thai.

Any hobbies/pastimes?
My first passion has always been theatre and music. I still sing fairly often in churches and gospel programs. I can sang!

What was the most memorable performance/concert/show you've ever been to? 

The most memorable performance,etc..is a hard one since I have been to so many. I always said the Stephanie Mills concert was the only concert that was great from beginning to end..but then so was Tony Bennett. Watching Baryshnikov dance was euphoric. Wicked was spectacular. I don't know girl. Can't narrow it down. 

Where did you last go on vacation?
Miami....and going to New York for Thanksgiving this year.

When you looked at yourself in the mirror today, what was the first thing you thought?
I don't have any wrinkles on my face..considering I am 49 years old. And OMG..I hate my double chin!

If aliens came to grant you one wish, what would it be?
Lots of money.

What is your mission statement as a LMT?
 To provide the utmost professional and caring body work possible.

For people considering going into the MT profession, what advice would you give them? And what should they and shouldn't they anticipate from such a career?

That it must be something you feel very deeply about. If you have any hangups about touching people, this is not the job for you. Don't expect that you are going to start making lots of money right away. Like any business, it takes time and commitment. You have to earn the trust of your clients. You have to put the time in at the office. So many young therapists are not disciplined enough.

Whisper Wednesday: How To Make Your Own Massage Tool

Being that not all of us have the time or money to receive a massage for the recommended once every 4 to 6 weeks, our bodies tend to accumulate a needless amount of tension, stress and pain. To help hold you over in between those massage sessions here is an inexpensive and easy massage tool you can make yourself in as little as a minute!

I present to you...The Sockball Massager! Sorry, that's as fancy as the name gets.

All you need is a tube sock and three tennis balls. Once assembled, use as needed...legs, back, neck, arms, etc. Use as frequently as needed to temporarily relieve the pain and/or discomfort until you can see your MT.

Leaning on a wall or lying on the floor will allow you to control how much pressure you see fit to use.

Here are the necessary items and how to accessible and use them. 

Tube sock

3 tennis balls

^_^

Place the 3 tennis balls into the tube sock and tie a knot in the sock.

 

Place behind your neck

Turn your head towards the desired side

Place behind your back

Lean towards the desired side

Place on your lower back

Squat up and down to massage your lower back

 There you have it! Happy Sockballing!!

Facing my fear: Podophobia

That's right, those five little piggies used to freak me out more than you'd ever know! You'd never realize it today being that I have such an interest in foot reflexology. One of my massage instructors even told me I was one of her favorites when it came to foot massage and she had no idea about the Podophobia I used to have.

I tried not to let my family or friends know how truly terrified I was of even the sight of other people's feet. Saying the word, talking about them or even looking at pictures of feet would give me the most irrational sense of anxiety and panic. And don't you even think about touching my foot, especially with your own foot, I would have a heart attack!

Growing up I always tried to keep my feet covered using socks, shoes, slippers, sitting on top of my feet, whatever I had to do to protect them from others eyes. If I did confess to someone about my phobia, they didn't hesitate to chase me around trying to give me a close up of their stubby toes. YUCK!!

When and why did this phobia start, I have no idea. I do remember giving my mom foot massages until I was 8 years old, but I can't recall any scarring events dealing with feet. Was never bulled and forced to smell Susie's sweaty feet after P.E. or anything cruel like that. I'm not too fond about how my own feet look, but they function properly and help me walk, so I don't hate them as much as I used to. haha

So, how did I get over this fear of the little piggies?? Slowly...My seven younger brothers were good about testing just how scared I was of their feet. Many wars were started and even more battle wounds were given. Over time I was good enough at faking that the sight of their feet no longer bothered me; and eventually it actually didn't anymore. So immediate family was no longer part of that equation. But that left the rest of the outside world.

When I started massage school, I knew I'd have to touch someones feet as well as have mine touched. The instructor would always demonstrate a technique before we were asked to perform it and with such a small group we usually had one person we worked with regularly. I always tried to partner myself with Ronald. He was hilarious! And having something to laugh at and keep me distracted always helped. Initially, I would never look directly at the foot and taking slow deep breaths helped calm my budding anxiety. When it came to having my own foot touched that was a bit harder to deal with. I would just close my eyes and imagine I was somewhere else. And holding my breathe helped. LOL After months of being immersed in the same situation I grew more and more comfortable with having someone even stand next to me with no shoes on, although I would prefer if they at least had socks on. Sweaty feet to this day gross me out, but I think that's normal. haha

All in all, I'd say I'm cured! I've read many stories of Podophobics and as with any phobia there are varying degrees of severity. Therefore, not everyone is able to get over a phobia of their own will. But, I wasn't going to let a pair of feet stop me from my passion to become a massage therapist!

Hmmm...I think I'll treat myself to a pedicure tomorrow! ;)

Whisper Wednesday: Waiting to Exhale

Breathing is a natural, involuntary and voluntary act that we do every moment that we're alive. Conscious and unconscious. On average a person breathes 23,000 times a day. Of course those numbers can greatly fluctuate depending on how active the person is.

Another factor that can change ones rate of breathing is stress. Stress can cause you to tense up, contracting the muscles of your neck, shoulders and chest which restricts the expansion of your ribs and lungs resulting in short labored breathes. With a daily accumulation of stress it can trigger internal effects such as tension headaches, increased blood pressure, diarrhea/constipation, suppressing your immune system and in some people, triggering panic attacks.

So, take a chill pill, a few deep breathes and relax!! Easier said than done, right?

Well, aside from keeping us alive, certain breathing techniques can significantly decrease your levels of stress and increase your level of relaxation. When these breathing techniques are practiced during a massage session, it can greatly enhance your relaxation and allow for a deeper massage, if so desired. And I'm not talking about the Lamaze "he, he, hoo" breathing. If your massage session is causing you to breath like that, I'd jump off the table quick!

It should also be noted that for those who have problems with hyperventilation or dizziness you should consult your doctor before practicing any breathing exercises. And if you do become dizzy while performing the breathing exercises, you should stop immediately. Not breathing, just the exercise. Smarty pants.

A common breathing exercise used in yoga is called, Ujjayi. It is a perfect breathing technique to use during massage. Especially for those more therapeutic and deep tissue massages. It's a deep, slow technique that causes you to make a sound as you inhale and exhale. Almost like listening to the ocean or a whisper, therefore causing you to focus on your breathing and calming your mind and body.

Here is a guide on the Ujjayi breathing. VERY relaxing.



Happy Breathing!!! Whoo-saaaa....

Shout Out!!: My little brother is off to bootcamp!!

They grow up so fast. Sigh.
It wasn't so long ago that I remember Da'Very as a young teen, saving up his checks for music recording and mixing software. He even organized his closet and made it into a recording booth. He had high hopes of becoming a rapper. And he is quite the lyricist. And not because he is my brother. However, that teen has now become a man is a husband and father to two adorable children!

Da'Very with wife, Dominique and children, Jai'Maree and Jaidyn.
(All photos used courtesy of Da'Very Joseph)

After enduring a couple of job layoffs and a few setbacks, Da'Very sought out many options to help get him and his family back on a forward trajectory. He then spoke to two of our step-brothers who are members of the Army and Air Force. They gave him all the pros and cons of joining the military, what to expect and how it would affect him and his family. Da'Very has always been one to put others needs before his own and this decision to join the Army is an example of that.

He is leaving today for boot camp and will be stationed in Lawton, Oklahoma. Luckily we have family there that he can get reacquainted with.


Here are some family pictures that were taken before Da'Very's leave.

With our father, David; stepmom, Vanessa; and Da'Very's family.

3 generations of Joseph's.

Da'Very with his in-laws. Mother, Tracy; Brothers, Zeb and Dov; Sister, Ocean; Wife and children.

Father and son.

We will all miss you while you're away, Private Joseph!!

Also, a big congrats to Da'Very's wife, Dominique for graduating from Everest College as a medical administrative assistant!

Frustrated Friday: Hi My Name Is....

Dawnette..NOT Donna, Darnit (c'mon, really?), Dinnette or Dawanna..Dawnette!! : )

The only person I answer to as Donit is Miss Sophia. She is 3 years old and she can call me Donit till I'm 80.

Cheers!!

Finding the Right Massage Therapist For You

In my years as a massage therapist, I've met many massage virgins. Giving someone their very first massage is always exciting for me, because I am setting the standard of expectations for their future massages. And yes, I think highly of my skills as a LMT (Licensed Massage Therapist). ;)

Searching for the right practitioner in any trade can be a stressful and tedious process. Not everyone's perception of a good hair stylist, doctor, surgeon, or dentist is the same. So, it goes without saying that finding a massage therapist that fits all of your needs won't be any easier.Whether you take your chances searching the yellow pages or asking for referrals from family or friends, you should ask yourself a few questions to make sure the MT can fit your needs.

1. What are your specific needs? Relaxation, therapeutic, stress, acute or chronic pain, injury rehab, sports enhancement?
2. What area(s) do you want to focus on?
3. How frequent do you want to schedule appointments?

From here you can now narrow your search based on these questions. Before booking your appointment you can call and ask a few questions to your potential MT.

1. Are they licensed or certified in the state they work in? (Difference between Licensed and Certified) 
2. If licensed, is it up to date?
3. How much experience do they have?
4. What other modalities are they certified to perform?
5. How much do they charge and where are they located?

When the time comes for you to meet your massage therapist make sure that all forms of communication are open. You want to ensure that the needs you are paying for are being met. If something the MT does is either uncomfortable or painful, make sure you let that be known. No matter how skilled the MT is, if you can't relax you won't enjoy your massage session and you won't reap it's benefits. 

Happy Massage Therapist Hunting!!

.Dawnette.
LMT

Whisper Wednesday: Increase Water Intake

One of the many benefits of massage is increasing the flow of your lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is part of the immune system, which has several functions. Some of these include filtering out cellular waste; providing nourishment for the tissues of the body; helping to maintain the body's fluid balance; and assisting in the digestion of fats.

To ensure that you are drinking the minimum amount of water for your size, take your weight and divide it in half. The resulting number is the minimum amount of water that you should drink in ounces. Depending on your level of activity, you'll need to increase this amount.

Easy peasy! Now, drink up!

Shout Out!!: BFF, Tammy!

To one of my most awesome, best and creative friends, Tammy!!

(Photo courtesy of Tammy Tso)

She is a true artist and storyteller.

She has been endlessly persistent about me starting a blog ever since I casually mentioned the desire to do so.

Tammy has been sooo enthused about the idea, I almost forgot whose blog it belonged to! haha

Aside from my boyfriend, Nick...Tammy is one of the few people I share my funny, frustrating and heartwarming massage stories with. She also is one of the few friends that takes FULL advantage of my knowledge and skill as a massage therapist. LOL

So, I make sure to frequently brush up on my A&P lingo and various massage techniques.

I'm glad Tammy pushed me to open up and share my experiences and knowledge.

It's been years since I've had to write any form of literature. So this will be both intimidating and exhilarating!

As an example of one of the MANY things that Tammy and I get ourselves into, I'd like to share a fairly recent project we did together.

Click the title below to enjoy our (P)ieces of (C)reativity.

RECYCLED POCKETS

Allow me to introduce myself....

My name is Dawnette aka, Sputnik, by my Papa who thinks anything I do is amazing;
 Likkle but Tallawah, surprisingly strong for such a small being;
Bgirl Patience, personal massage therapist to bboys and bgirls; 
and my newest favorite, Muscle Whisperer, thanks to Mrs. Bev.

I hadn't always wanted to be a massage therapist. In fact it's a career I stumbled upon one day while discouraged and frustrated in college. I was majoring in Biology at Xavier University of Louisiana with the hopes of becoming a doctor of some sort. Yeah, I hadn't planned that far ahead. I just knew I that I wanted to help people that were injured and/or sick. But, the path I was taking through college wasn't as fulfilling as I'd hoped and I had to finally be honest that I didn't really want to be a doctor. It was a childhood dream that my family kept alive in me. I didn't want to disappoint them and I thought I'd find a career in the medical field that I could love and that they would be proud of. 

Despite my fears, they were all VERY supportive of my decision to pursue massage therapy. My Auntie Gaye even bought my first massage table when I graduated from Delta College!

So, how DID I become a muscle whisperer, you ask? 
**Alright, this will be a bit lengthy, but please bare with me!**

Right time. Right place. I saw an ad for massage therapy school and it just all seemed to come together. Out of all my biology courses, Anatomy and Physiology was the one I excelled in and was most captivated by. Then, reflecting on my childhood and adolescence, I realized I've been a massage therapist in the making! 

As a child my mom would often beg for foot rubs and I would happily oblige her, receiving much praise and then a sense of pride as she fell peacefully asleep. My father, the hardest working man I know, always came home sweaty and beat. And being the daddy's girl that I was (and still am), I'd massage his shoulders without hesitation and walk on his back at his request.

Then came my grandparents. I didn't know this until recently, but all those head massages I'd give my Papa and the head oiling and combing I'd give my Grandma were to ensure they knew where us grandkids where when they babysat us. And here I thought it was because I had a magical and relaxing touch at such a young age. I still think it was a bit of both. :)

They always dozed off and I would still happily massage and comb their hair.

Through middle and high school I was quite the athlete and joined the track & field team. I then found myself giving back and shoulder massages to my teammates during track meets and receiving an abundance of thanks and praise. It didn't hurt that during the off season, the football players would also join the track team and required the use of my budding massage talent as well. It was all for the good of the team! ;)

 

With the realization that I had an affinity for giving, an immense interest in A&P and received satisfaction from others alleviation of stress and discomfort, I heard a whisper in the back of my mind and felt the strongest state of awareness....
I KNEW I COULD DO THIS!

I could be a massage therapist.

I could make people feel better. 

I could comfort someone with something as simple as a touch.

I could make someone drift off into unconsciousness and forget about a stressful day or event. Even if for a little while.

What I didn't realize, is that it would eventually become more than that. Much more. And much more rewarding. After close to eight years of being a massage therapist. I wake up every morning and go to bed every night thankful for what I do. And most of all, grateful to those who trust my skills and knowledge when they're at their most vulnerable.

I hope that you will share in this experience with me. I want this blog to be more than a technical narrative about massage therapy. You can easily Google those inquires for yourself. However, I want to be more of a voice about my experiences and insight as a massage therapist, sprinkled with helpful info and product reviews.

For those of you that survived reading this novel, thank you and congrats!
And, I look forward to sharing more with you!

.Dawnette.
Muscle Whisperer