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Massage Therapy

Page Contents

Russian Medical Massage

Massage Therapy for StressMyofascial Release & Trigger Point

Therapy

Your First Massage

Will My Insurance Pay for Massage?

Dr. Hensel provides Russian Medical Massage, Deep Tissue Massage, Swedish Massage,

Myofascial Release and Trigger Point/Pressure Point Therapy to chiropractic patientswho will benefit from such care. Dr. Hensel also provides massage therapy to the general

 public (non-chiropractic patients) who wish to use massage for the reduction of stress or 

to those individuals who wish to use massage for other health purpose but do not want toreceive chiropractic spinal adjustment.

Russian Medical Massage

Russian Medical Massage - utilizes a wide range of different massage techniques toaddress the individual needs of the patient. Medical massage is used to stimulate the

nervous system, improve circulation as well as reducing swelling, spasms and pain. It is

also extremely effective at returning muscle tissue to normal functioning by breaking upmyofascial adhesions and scar tissue created by chronic physical stress, injuries,

inflammation, infections, surgeries and inactivity.

Massage improves circulation and thus helps deliver needed nutrients and white blood

cells as well as remove toxic waste products produced by cellular metabolism that notonly create sore muscles but can also play a role in chronic pain syndromes and many

other health conditions.

The ability of massage to decrease the dominance of the sympathetic nervous system

(drives the stress reaction) is well documented. This can decrease blood pressure and alter hormone levels to favor a state of relaxation.

Massage Therapy for Stress

Massage therapy for stress - It has been known for decades that stress can lead to a

wide range of chronic pain syndromes and other health problems. Massage has been used

for centuries in Europe and the East to help people stay mentally healthy as well asrecover from illness and injuries. This ancient form of health care is effective for many

reasons and is only beginning to be accepted by the medical community and the general

 public in the United States. Some of the more obvious benefits of massage are listedabove, however there is a very powerful benefit on the nervous system and emotional

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state of an individual that occurs during a massage. This effect on the nervous system and

 persons psyche is what most people have a difficult time understanding. The publics lack 

of understanding when it comes to the health benefits of massage, especially when itcomes to emotional health is a major reason why some insurance companies refuse to pay

for massage. (Remember health insurance in the U.S. is actually disease insurance and

stress is not classified as a disease)

The phrase "Laying on of hands" is used to describe the effect that therapies such asmassage and others involving a lot of touch, have on a persons psyche. These effects

work by stimulating the nervous system and altering the amounts of certain

neurotransmitters (chemicals released by the nervous system). One of the major neurotransmitters to be altered in the brain is serotonin. Massage increases the levels of 

this compound, which is the same compound that many of the anti-depressant/anxiety

drugs try to increase. Stress hormone levels also decrease which, will not only improve a persons sense of mental well being but also create changes in how the body functions. (

CLICK HERE to learn more about the effects of stress.) The simple act of being touched

in a caring fashion has well documented benefits on all aspects of a persons health. The best know example of this involves babies and how the lack of touch leads to a conditionknown as failure to thrive. This phenomenon was first identify at a hospital in the early

1900's. During this time period it was standard practice for newborns to be handled as

little as possible. The mortality rate of newborns was extremely high. One hospitaldecided to change this practice and instructed nurses to spend time holding and caressing

the babies. Immediately the death rate of newborns dropped by about 70%.

Myofascial Release & Trigger Point Therapy

Myofascial Release – Certification in the “Nimo Myofascial Release Technique” allows

Dr. Hensel to address trigger points and myofascial adhesions that are often over looked by many doctors. Trigger points and myofascial adhesions when present play a

significant role in how the musculoskeletal system functions. These trigger points and

adhesions are quite often the primary cause of a patients pain or aggravate the underlyingmusculoskeletal problems.

What are the signs and symptoms of trigger points? There are many signs and

symptoms of trigger points, however many of these signs can indicate other health

conditions so it is recommended that you consult with a doctor who is skilled indetermining if you are suffering from trigger points or some other health problem. Some

of the signs and symptoms are.

• Chronically tight muscles.

• Sore muscles or tender points with in a muscle.

• Hard knots within a muscle that may only be painful when pushed on.

• Pressure points, especially when pressure is applied to them, can cause pain to

travel down an arm or to spread to include a much larger area.

• Headaches, shoulder pain and low back are just a few of the pain syndromes that

are caused by trigger points.

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So what is a trigger point and what causes it? Trigger points as mentioned earlier 

occur when the blood supply is dramatically reduced to certain portions of a muscle. This

allows waste products to accumulate which irritate the nerves at the area causing them tosend an impulse to the spinal cord. The central nervous system then interprets the input to

mean that the muscle is injured. The nervous system then responds by instructing the

surrounding muscle fibers to splint or spasm in an effort to protect the injured fibers. Thiscuts off the blood supply and the entire process is sustained until some outside

intervention occurs. Trigger points occur at the same points on the same muscle on every-body, it is almost as though it is if there is a design flaw in the way our muscles areconstructed.

Individuals who develop trigger points easily or develop large numbers of them may have

underlying nutritional deficiencies. These nutritional deficiencies can limit the bodies

ability to generate ATP. The body uses glucose and oxygen to make ATP which is theenergy molecule used to drive all cellular functions. There are many other nutrients

needed to make ATP and deficiencies in any one of these can impact the bodies’ ability

to generate ATP.

Trigger points can exist in one of two forms. The first and early stage is known as anactive trigger point. These trigger points are the ones that you are aware of because they

hurt most of, if not all the time. They are those knots in the traps that a sore when you

 push on them. When nothing is done to resolve an active trigger point it becomes achronic problem and often goes latent. A latent trigger point is one that still exist it just

doesn't hurt until someone puts pressure on it and wakes it up. Latent trigger points often

times will only hurt when there is pressure applied to them.

There are several ways that trigger points develop. One way is to over work the muscles

and cut off the blood supply thus initiating it. Another cause of trigger points is thevertebral subluxation. Subluxations create trigger points by placing pressure on the nerve

root and making the nerves go hyperactive. If these hyperactive nerves happen to be the

ones that go to the muscle fibers at the area where trigger points develop the muscle becomes hyperactive / spasm and cuts off the blood supply. Another way subluxations

create them is by causing the sphincters (small round muscles, your mouth is a sphincter)

that control blood flow to the muscle fibers in that area to go hyper active thus cutting off  blood supply and allowing toxins to build up.

How does a doctor treat trigger points? Manual therapy is primary method of 

eliminating trigger points. There are several methods of manual trigger point therapy that

can be utilized these include direct digital pressure, deep massage, stripping massage,electrical muscle stimulation therapy and various muscle stretching and relaxations

techniques. Cryotherapy using ice or special coolant sprays can also be helpful. I have

also found that some forms of electric muscle stimulation is effective especially whencombined with ultrasound. In severe case when trigger points are unresponsive to manual

treatment they may require injection therapy from a medical doctor to eliminate them.

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The nutritional status of the patient should also be evaluated by the doctor. Patients

should be instructed on how they need to alter dietary habits and have an individualized

nutritional supplement plan designed for them by the doctor if needed.

The astute doctor will also try to identify emotional stress triggers and either teach the

 patient skills needed to deal with these issues or refer them to someone who can.

How serious a problem are trigger points? They can be very serious. A good example

of just how debilitating they can become is President John F Kennedy. Very few peoplerealize that at the time John F Kennedy took office he often used crutches or a cane to

walk. It is not common knowledge because in those days we had a politer press who did

not want to show our leaders weaknesses. Any way President Kennedy was treated

unsuccessfully by many doctors for his painful legs. He did not find an answer or cure towhat was afflicting him until doctor Janet Travel took over his case. She realized that he

was suffering from severe trigger points. President Kennedy's legs were so bad that they

had to use injection therapy to break up the vicious self perpetuating cycle that occurs

 between the muscles and the nervous system.

Dr. Janet Travel coauthored a two volume set of books on how to identify and treat

trigger points with Dr. David Simons MD called "Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction The

Trigger Point Manual". Volume 1 covers the upper extremities and is 700 pages inlength. The second volume covers the lower extremities and is 600 pages long.

When tissue samples are taken from chronic trigger points and examined under a

microscope it is possible to find muscle fibers that have basically died and became

fibrotic. Fibrotic tissue is very similar to scar tissue in it can no longer perform itsnormal functions and limits motion. Scar tissue and fibrotic muscle tissue both have

 potential to entangle and strangle nerves, blood vessels and lymph vessels. So yes trigger  points can be very serious and debilitating! Not only do they cause localized areas of intense pain, they also can cause paint to radiate down an arm, leg or into other areas of 

the body, especially when they are being treated.

How can I prevent Trigger points? Regular massages especially after extremely

strenuous physical activity helps to relax muscles, remove waste products and provideneuromuscular reeducation, helping to prevent the initiation of trigger points. Making

sure that you stay well hydrated during and after exercise can also help prevent the build

up of toxins that can irritate nerves and lead to trigger points. Learning to controlemotional stress is also critical to prevent trigger points as well as all other diseases.

Your First Massage

Prior to receiving a your first massage you will fill out a short form so that the individual

 providing your massage will understand why you are getting a massage. This form will

help identify if their are any contraindications to massage therapy or any areas that shouldnot be treated. One example of a contraindication that would prevent massage from being

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 performed on a specific area are those who have a history of blood clots in the legs. In

this case the individual can receive a massage but the legs should not be worked on.

After the massage therapist reads the intake form they will provide you with aconsultation to get additional information, find out what your goals are and allow you to

ask any questions you may have. Once the consultation is completed you will be asked todisrobe to your comfort level and lie on the massage table underneath a sheet after the

therapist leaves the room. Some people feel more comfortable taking all their clothes off while others prefer to leave their underwear on.

During your first massage or two the therapist will explain what is about to be done and

why with each time they move to a different portion of the body or change techniques.

The use of proper draping techniques ensure that your modesty is protected. The genitals,anal area or female breasts are never uncovered or massaged.

There are many different strokes, specific types of techniques, that can be used to deliver 

the massage. Some do not use oil and others will require the use of oil. Some therapistwill also use what are called essential oils which can be. Essential oils are oils derived

from herbs and other plants. Some of these are used for aroma therapy and others have

medicinal use. To provide a more relaxing environment therapist may dim the lights and

 play soft music.

Will My Insurance Pay for Massage?

While very few insurance companies pay for massage almost all of them will pay for atype of manual therapy called myofascial release. Myofascial release is a soft tissue

treatment, which is almost indistinguishable from some forms of massage. Most people

who receive massages would not know when they are receiving myofascial release unlessthey were told.

Individuals who receive one hour massage from Dr. Hensel's office will be pleased to

know that they can not only get a one hour massage but can also receive chiropractic

adjustments for about the same out-of -pocket cost and in some instances would need to pay even less then they would for a one hour massage, depending on your insurance and

deductible balance.

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