Kathy Young Therapeutic Massage & Hypnosis

Anyone that “Likes” my Facebook page will be entered into a drawing to win a $35 Gift Certificate. What can $35 get you? Well it would cover a 30 minute Swedish Massage or one Reiki Session. It can also be applied towards the payment of other massage techniques I offer or towards a Hypnosis session.
Want to increase your chances of winning and help a friend win too? Since it is my first contest not only will the winner receive a gift card but the person that shared my page with them will get a $35 Gift Certificate to Kathy Young Therapeutic Massage and Hypnosis too! If you share my page with your friends and they “Like” it, have them post your name to my wall so I know who referred them. So get sharing so you can have multiple chances of winning!

Contest ends Friday, September 30 2011 at 11:59pm EST. Winner announced upon notification and will be chosen with random.org. The contact information you provide will not be shared and will only be used to notify winners. Winnings are not for resale. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook. Participation open to U.S. residents 18 years or older. One entry per person.

After working for several years with clients who have lower back pain, I have found that many people can absolutely be helped by massage and many without medications. Often times my clients feel some relief after the first massage. If there is no relief after the second massage we reassess the situation and possibly have them go to a Doctor or a Physical Therapist. Depending on the issue, I have my clients come in once a week for a few weeks. I will then work up to once every two weeks, then once every 3 or 4  or more weeks as needed. This all depends on the client and the issue/s involved.

It is always important that I work with my client to be sure I am not working too deeply, thereby causing pain. Sometimes a therapeutic discomfort might be felt, but I work with my clients on the difference between the two. I don’t believe in “no pain, no gain”.

I have worked with clients whose doctors have sent them to a massage therapist in an effort to avoid back surgery. At times these clients have been given medications for the pain also. As the muscles start to relax and the pain eases. I always tell my clients to speak with their doctor before reducing any and all pain medications.  I also tell them that it is important NOT to come in for a massage when they have just taken any pain medications because they will not know if I am working at a level that would under normal circumstances be too deep and have caused them pain. So I ask them to wait to take any pain medications until after their massage.

If there are any lower back pain sufferers out there you should definitely give massage a try, I have seen first-hand how the issue can be dramatically improved with massage!

TMJ is the abbreviation for “TemporoMandibular Joint” referring to the joint itself. This particular joint, the one that hinges your jawbone to your skull, is unique because it allows for both rotation and translation (or sliding) movements. TMD is the abbreviation for “TemporoMandibular Dysfunction”. TemporoMandibular Disorder (TMD) refers to a variety of conditions that affect TM joints, jaw muscles and facial nerves. TMD may occur when the jaw twists during opening, closing or side-motion movements.
TMD affects more than twice as many women (particularly those of childbearing age) as men and is the most common non-dental related chronic facial pain.

Stress is thought to be a factor in TMD. Even strenuous physical tasks, such as lifting a heavy object or stressful situations, can aggravate TMD by causing overuse of jaw muscles, specifically clenching or grinding teeth (also known as bruxism).
People with TMD may experience these symptoms:

• pain in or around the ear
• headaches and neck aches
• tenderness of the jaw or jaw muscles
• jaw pain or soreness that is more prevalent in the morning or late afternoon
• jaw pain when chewing, biting or yawning
• difficulty opening and closing the mouth
• clicking or popping noises when opening the mouth
• sensitive teeth when no other dental problems can be found

Researchers generally agree the most common form of TMD discomfort is a result of pain in the muscles and their connective tissue coverings. Most frequently involved are muscles that control the jaw, neck, and shoulders. Massage can relieve this pain by releasing muscle tension and stretching contracted tissue coverings. Massage also increases circulation which softens tissue coverings, cleanses tissues of irritations by products of inflammation, and improves nutrition to stressed areas. Improved circulation and relief of muscle tension can also help reduce frequency and stregnth of headaches, a common symptom of TMD.

If you think you have TMD , try these tests:

• Place an index finger in each ear. Now slowly open and close your mouth. If you hear clicking or popping, this may be an early sign of a TemporoMandibular condition.
• While watching yourself in the mirror, open your mouth and then slowly close it. If your jaw moves to the left or the right as you close, this may also indicate a TemporoMandibular condition.

You may also notice you have increasingly limited jaw movement. If so, or if you have positive results to either one of the tests, arrange an appointment with your dentist for a complete examination.