Island Massage

WE ARE MOVING!

admin — Fri, 13 May 2011 12:52:52 +0000

We are happy to say we have found a great new space. Our friends at Kailua Massage who have been serving the windward side for over 15 years have graciously invited us to share their space at 417 Uluniu St. #E. This is a Ground floor walk up with air conditioned waiting room and front desk area. It has spacious comfortable rooms and just steps away from the same public parking garage you park at now!

We will be starting the move as of May 20th and will be completed by the end of May. You can still book appointments during this time, we will let you know at the time of booking when you can come to the new location.
Pictures and map coming soon!

Therapeutic Communication Asking for What You Want is Key to a Great Massage

admin — Sun, 01 May 2011 13:29:21 +0000

By Mary Kathleen Rose

Receiving a massage is a time to rest and rejuvenate as you experience the deeply nourishing effects of skillful touch. As your muscles relax and your mind unwinds, do you ever wonder how to talk with your massage therapist or bodyworker? Here are some guidelines about what to expect regarding verbal communication before, during, and after a session.

Before The Session
Before beginning the hands-on session, you will usually fill out a client intake form with contact information, medical history, and your reasons for receiving massage. Your therapist will ask you, “Is there anything I need to be aware of?” Share any relevant information in order to ensure that you receive a session that is appropriate and safe for you. For example, if you have had recent surgery or an injury, it is important that the therapist know, in order to avoid causing further injury or discomfort. Your practitioner should also ask, “How can I help you?” This is your opportunity to tell your therapist what you need and to state your preferences for the kind of bodywork you like, and the parts of your body most needing attention. You can say what kind of techniques or degree of pressure you like. You can state your intention: “I need overall relaxation,” or “My back is in a lot of pain. Can you focus on that?”

During The Session
As you receive the hands-on work of the session, your therapist will ask, “How is the pressure I am using?” Give your honest feedback. After all, the therapist wants to accommodate your needs and preferences. Do not hesitate to speak up if anything is uncomfortable to you. Specify if you want more or less pressure, more or less of a particular technique, or if you want specific attention to an area of your body.

A massage is a time to relax, so you can expect that your therapist will be quiet and attentive. If you find that he or she is more talkative than you like, it is OK to say, “I’d just like to enjoy silence during my session.” On the other hand, if you like to talk, and it is helpful for you to talk–either about what you are experiencing in your body, or simply as a way of letting go of the stress of the day–that is also OK.

What is most important to remember is that this is your time to be nurtured. It is appropriate that the practitioner respond to your preferences. It is not a time for the therapist to carry on a personal conversation or talk in any way that detracts from your experience.

After The Session
Following the session, the therapist may ask, “How do you feel now?” or ask about a specific issue that was addressed in the session. Share anything that occurs to you that might be useful feedback. For example, you might say: “I feel great. Just what I needed!” or “I loved that work on my feet. Maybe next time, you could spend more time with that.” This brings closure to the session and also gives an idea about what you might expect in a future visit.

It is important to know that bodyworkers provide their services based on their specific training. It is not appropriate for massage therapists to answer medical questions that are beyond the range of their knowledge and/or legal scope of practice. The value of therapeutic massage and bodywork lies in skillful application of appropriate technique, as well as the sense of ease that is created by quality, mutual communication.

Mary Kathleen Rose, BA, CMT, is a massage therapist and wellness educator, and the author of the textbook Comfort Touch: Massage for the Elderly and the Ill (Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2009). www.comforttouch.com.

he Effects of Swedish Massage Therapy on Hormones

admin — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 01:58:53 +0000

Massage is used for many health purposes, but little is known about how it works on a biological level. A recent study published in The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine examined the effects of one session of Swedish massage therapy—a form of massage using long strokes, kneading, deep circular movements, vibration, and tapping—on the body’s hormonal response and immune function.

Funded in part by NCCAM, researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, randomly assigned 53 healthy adults to receive one session of either Swedish massage or light touch (in which the therapist used only a light touch with the back of the hand). Both interventions lasted 45 minutes and were performed by a licensed massage therapist. Blood samples taken before and after the sessions were used to determine blood levels of certain hormones and circulating lymphocytes (white blood cells). The researchers found that participants who received Swedish massage had a significant decrease in the hormone arginine-vasopressin (which plays a role in regulating blood pressure and water retention) compared with those who were treated with light touch. No significant differences between the two groups were found for the stress hormone cortisol or in circulating lymphocytes. Significant decreases in proteins called cytokines (interleukin 4 and interleukin 10), but not others (interleukin 1 beta, interleukin 2, interleukin 5, and tumor necrosis factor alpha), were found for the massage group compared with the light touch group.

These preliminary data led the researchers to conclude that a single session of Swedish massage produces measurable biological effects and may have an effect on the immune system. However, more research is needed to determine the specific mechanisms and pathways behind these changes.

References

Rapaport MH, Schettler P, Bresee C. A preliminary study of the effects of a single session of Swedish massage on hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal and immune function in normal individuals. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 2010;16(10):1–10.

Additional Resources

5 guestions to ask you massage therapist

admin — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 01:56:22 +0000

In order to confirm your prospective massage therapist’s qualifications and ensure that your massage therapy will benefit your health needs, consider asking him or her the following questions:

1. Are you licensed to practice massage in this state?

The state of Hawaii regulates massage therapy profession. Depending on the state, this regulation comes in the form of a license, registration or certification. Also, some local governments may have some form of regulation.

2. Are you a member of any Massage or Business Associations?

Professional massage therapists demonstrate their competency through being part of associations relevant to their profession or business. It demonstrates commitment and good business sense as well as a certain transparency to the community about who they are and what they do.

3. Where did you receive your massage therapy training and did you graduate from a program accredited by the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation?

To ensure that your therapist has had proper training, the AMTA recommends you find a graduate of an accredited program. This makes sure the massage schools they attended offers rigorous training and possess qualified faculty and proper equipment.

4. How many hours of initial training did you have?

AMTA suggests that your massage therapist has completed at least 500 hours of training, which is also the standard for most states that regulate the massage therapy industry.

5. Are you trained in any specific massage modalities?

The various types of massage are termed massage modalities. Each massage and bodywork modality requires specialized training. While some massage therapists use just one or two types of massage, most employ a variety of techniques in their practice. Finding a therapist who is experienced in the modality you need, will ensure that you get more from your sessions.

Holiday Gift Certificates

admin — Sun, 05 Dec 2010 04:22:28 +0000

Don’t forget, we offer gift certificates. Give the gift of massage this holiday season!

We can take orders over the phone and will mail them in a nice card on your behalf.

Call 808-469-6031

Now taking Massage apprentices

admin — Sun, 05 Dec 2010 04:20:35 +0000

There is still room left in the massage apprentice program. You can get hands on training and work while you obtain your license more affordably than schools.

Clients, we will be offering intern massages again starting 2011! Prices range from $30-40 an hour.

For more information! http://windwardmassage.com/apprenticeship.html

Hawaii Massage Directory

admin — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 02:27:11 +0000

Island Massage is proud to sponsor the Hawaii Massage Directory, a great resource for finding massage therapists and information for massage therapists here in Hawaii. Massage therapists can add their business listings for free. Learn about becoming a massage therapist, find a school and most importantly FIND A MASSAGE THERAPIST!

Check it out! http://www.hawaiimassagedirectory.com

Reflexology, Acupressure, Cranial Sacral, Shiatsu

admin — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 14:38:01 +0000

Acupressure: Ancient healing art using the fingers and other parts of the body to skillfully press key points, which stimulate the body’s natural self-curative abilities. When these trigger points are pressed, they release muscular tension, and promote circulation of blood, and the body’s life force energy to aid healing. Acupuncture and acupressure use the same pressure points and meridians, but acupuncture employs needles, while acupressure uses gentle to firm pressure and integrates bodywork therapies, therapeutic touch, somatic work, healing imagery, energy psychology, and massage therapy techniques.

Reflexology: The physical act of applying pressure to the feet and hand with specific thumb, finger and hand techniques without the use of oil or lotion. it is based on a system of zones and reflex areas that reflect an image of the body on the feet and hands with a premise that such work effects a physical change to the body.

Cranial Sacral: A gentle, noninvasive form of alternative medicine that deals with the movement of the fluid surrounding the skull and spine. Cranial sacral therapists ease the restrictions of nerve passages by focusing on the membranes that encase the central nervous system. Cranial sacral therapy seeks to restore misaligned bones to their proper position and is thought to eliminate the negative effects of stress as well as provide relief from migraine headaches, neck and back pain, TMJ and more.

Shiatsu: Shiatsu is a Japanese form of bodywork. Like acupuncture, shiatsu is based on the holistic system of traditional Chinese medicine, where illness is thought to result from imbalances in the natural flow of energy, or qi (pronounced “chee”) through the body. The therapist uses finger and palm pressure to energetic pathways, called meridians to improve the flow of qi. The scientific explanation is that shiatsu calms an overactive sympathetic nervous system, which improves circulation, relieves stiff muscles, and alleviates stress.

Russian Sports Massage

admin — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 14:30:16 +0000

Russian massage is a system of therapeutic and sports massage developed in the former Soviet Union. Some describe it as being like a combination of swedish and therapeutic massages. It uses a variety of manipulations of the body’s soft tissues to achieve benefits, including stressreduction and relief from muscle aches. It is considered to be one of the most non-invasive and relaxing from of massage therapies. It employs techniques such as petrissage, effleurage, friction and vibration to relieve pain and induce relaxation. A typical course of treatment may last from fifteen minutes to an hour depending on the nature of the ailment.

The therapist uses a combination of gentle stretching, kneading, gliding strokes, vigorous rubbing and vibratory motions to massage the muscles and joints. The relaxing effects of the massage are felt almost immediately. A complete cure may take a dozen or more sessions, depending on the severity of the ailment.

Lymphatic Drainage Massage

admin — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 14:21:48 +0000

*as seen on KHON Channel 2 Lymphatic Drainage Massage - The lymphatic massage is essential as the body’s drainage system for cleansing and filtering out of bacteria and toxins. Congested lymph pathways can cause soreness, aches, pains and flu-like symptoms and can lower your immune system leaving you succeptible to the flu and other illnesses. It is a very soft and minimum pressure type of massage. The American Cancer society views this treatment as “one of the most supportive and helpful complementary therapies available” and is recommended for Cancer related Lymphedema. This therapy can also reduce and prevent cellulite.