Nothing is a waste of time if you use the experience wisely.
Rodin, 1840-1917

_____________________________________________________

Keep In Touch Section
Keeping you in touch with what's happening at Balance.

Miwa Machida is offering Hawaiian Lomi Lomi Massage; time to try a Hawaiian vacation without getting on a plane!
Book a 60min taster session $95 or the complete treatment for 90min $130.

Andrei Iwanow is now available on Saturdays till 5pm and open on Sundays from 9.30am till 3pm, as well as Mondays from 10am till late.
Have you tried his Vacuum Cupping? See the article below for more information on this valuable technique.

Sue Pannetier is back this week! Book in advance to avoid disappointment for the best in Craniosacral Therapy, Reflexology and Massage!

Possible effects after a massage

Just a reminder to all you regulars and not so regulars about some of the effects you may feel after a massage.

Post treatment soreness is common, especially after deep tissue work and especially if you are not used to massage or if a particular area hasn't had much massage before. The tenderness should ease within a day or two. Apply ice or heat if uncomfortable. If you experience bruising please tell your therapist as this should not be common because we should be working to your pain/pressure tolerences.

Headaches are sometimes common after a massage especially after work around the neck and shoulders. This could be due to the release of metabolic waste products into your system and should be flushed out by drinking lots of water. Headaches could also be from trigger point work if there is some residual trigger point left.

Washed out feeling can be common as you adjust to your new relaxed state. Again the flushing out of metabolic waste can leave you feeling this way for a short time. Again, drink plenty of water and rest.

Dizziness and nausea are not common effects of a massage. Please contact your therapist immediately and you may be advised to contact your doctor too. There has been an inner ear infection going around that has these symptoms.

As your body gets used to having regular massage these effects should lessen, but of course it does also depend on how you treat your body in between massages...are you getting enough sleep, exercise, stretches, healthy food, enough water?

If you have any questions at all about how you are feeling after your massage please don't hesistate to call or email us.

Vacuum Cupping with Andrei

Vacuum cupping, second only to massage, must be one of the oldest treatments known to medicine. Ebers Papyrus, records it's use by the Egyptian priest/doctors as far back as 1,550 B.C. The material to make the cups has progressed over the years, starting from animal horns, bamboo to bronze, pottery and brass through to today where mostly glass or plastic is used.

There are two styles of vacuum cupping; the Eastern and the Western. Andrei uses the Western style in his practice and often will use cupping within a massage session.

In all cases, the vacuum is achieved by either heating the air inside the cup or by removing the air by a mechanical pump.
Andrei uses the pump method as it gives him more control, cuts out the risk of burning and also allows more extensive use.

Once the vacuum has been achieved, the cups are left on the skin for a few minutes (5 to 15 minutes), less in more sensitive areas such as the face and neck. They are then removed by releasing a valve or inserting a finger under the rim of the cup thus breaking the seal.

What can Vacuum Cupping help with?
Cupping has been used to treat many ailments over time, from muscular aches and pains, tight ITB's and other connective tissue areas to digestive disorders and colds. It has been found that cupping affects circulation as deep as four inches below the surface of the skin.

When cupping is used within massage therapy it is mainly used for the treatment of Trigger Points and the muscular pain and spasm that usually occurs along side them. Trigger Points are usually found in ischemic muscle tissue and therefore have resulting metabolic waste that needs flushing out, this is where massage and vacuum cupping are very beneficial.

Some of the effects of vacuum cupping are:

• localised stretch of the the muscle fibres
• increased blood and lymph flow
• reduction of oedema
• stimulated metabolism

Contraindications (when not to use)for vacuum cupping include:

• over or near open wound
• over recent scars
• over varicose veins
• on any person with a history of thrombosis
• on an area which has suffered from Phlebitis (inflammation of the lining of the vein)
• over or near any infectious skin condition
• over the abdomen during pregnancy or anyone prone to hernia
• over the Carotid artery

When the cups are applied you should feel a slight pinching sensation but no pain, if you do experience pain the cups can be loosened off. Vacuum cupping will almost always leave some discolouration on the skin that should not last more than 7 days. This is the result of lactic acid drawn to the surface not bruising. It is advisable to have a warm bath after the session and to drink lots of water otherwise you will feel stiff and a bit sore the next day.
In many cases you may feel full of energy the next day and be pain free.

Vacuum cupping is a fantastic technique to experience within your massage session and it may just be the thing to shift those stubborn areas of tightness.

For more information or to answer any questions about cupping please phone the clinic and speak to Andrei:

ph 378 0059

Andrei is available on Saturdays 10am till 5pm, Sundays 9.30am to 3pm and Mondays 10am till 7.30pm.

Reference: Melbourne Istitute of Massage Therapy