Massage: More Than a Luxury - Part II

 Last week we sat down with massage expert, Sarah Chapman, one of the professionals at Turner Professional Group. From the medical benefits of massage to reducing stress, a professional massage is often prescibed to increase the quality of life of patients. Sarah has graciously agreed to offer our clients suggestions on how to maximize their rejuvination and renewal through massage.

 

TPG: Do you specialize in a certain type of massage?

SC:      Yes, I specialize in Aromatherapy & Acupressure massage. I find these help my clients to release physical and emotional tensions more easily while maintaining the benefits of their massage for a longer time period. I also work primarily with Swedish massage, which is more relaxing, and Deep Tissue massage, which is more therapeutic.

TPG: Some people are more modest or dislike the idea of disrobing completely. Do clients have to take all their clothes off?

SC:      Not at all. I am so glad you asked this question as many people do not realize a massage is meant to be tailored to what is the most comfortable for them! I always ask clients to undress to their comfort level and having a massage or acupressure while fully clothed is an option too. When getting a massage, it’s always good to express your expectations and give feedback if you are too hot or cold, if the pressure is too light or deep, or anything else that may make it a better experience for you.

 TPG:  Are there any considerations before receiving a massage?

SC:      Yes, it’s important to remember to stay hydrated. A massage will flush toxins out of the system so drink extra water and think about skipping the extra glass of wine at dinner that night. If you feel sore after a massage take an epsom salt bath and remember, your therapist is always a phone call away if you have questions. I am also a big fan of “homework” as I believe massage is not just the hour on the table, and is more about your overall health goals. This is my favorite 5-minute fix routine to do at home: http://bit.ly/PpoMZm.


TPG:  What are the biggest barriers you see that keep people from getting massage?

SC:      We all think our budgets are our biggest constraint, and while that is definitely important I find time is the biggest barrier to getting a massage. We all lead busy lives and can forget that we need to put our wellbeing first in order to be our best selves. Once people make it a priority to care for themselves, it’s easier to make it a routine on the schedule. As far as budget is concerned, there are always options. Ask your therapist if they have specials or package discounts and think outside the hour massage. You may find a 30min. massage on your trouble spots is what you need, or a 90min. massage every two months might be best for you. Don’t let time or money stand in your way, chat with your therapist to find a solution that works for you both.

TPG: Can you suggest any resources?

SC:      There are a lot of great scientific studies that prove the benefits of massage. Dr. Brent Bauer of the Mayo Clinic speaks on the many benefitsof massage therapy. I think one of the best pieces of advice is get to know a massage expert by interviewing them for your wellness team. Ask questions to determine if its a good fit. Id be happy to visit with potential patients, but I think the best way to get to know me is to schedule an initial massage. Let me show you how I can benefit your life!

Feels Sooooo Good: A Massage Is More Than a Luxury!

Along with a diverse team of mental health clinicians, Turner Professional Group has several massage therapists to provide clients relief and rejuvenation. One of the many benefits of a multi-disciplinary practice is being able to offer patients who are struggling with stress a proven method of relaxation, such as massage. Massage Benefits Are More Than Skin Deep according to the NY Times. As holistic practitioners, this is a great alternative to the over-reliance on medications.

Some of the ways we utilize massage for our clients, include patients who are experiencing anxiety or stress. An example of this might be women who are seeking our help with painful intercourse. There can be great deal of emotional frustration with the process and massage can be a welcomed and soothing tool in their healing.

In addition, massage is a good tool to help clients become more mindful and present in the moment. For those folks who have a tough time slowing down or taking time for themselves, this can be a useful but sometimes challenging homework assignment. So suggesting a massage appointment can be a fun way to train patients in the skill of ‘self-care’.

To get a better understanding of massage, we sat down with one of the skilled massage professionals at Turner Professional Group,  Sarah Chapman.

TPG:    How long have you been practicing massage?

SC:       I began practicing after graduating from massage school and becoming nationally certified in August 2011. I have also been practicing Jin Shin Jyutsu acupressure since 2004 and Raindrop essential oil sessions & Emotional Release with essential oils since 2008.

TPG:    People think of massage when they have a kinked up back, but what are some other reasons a person might want to integrate massage therapy into their routine?

SC:      People who receive massage and bodywork on a regular schedule see improvement in their muscle tone, circulation, and overall body function. Their bodies are better equipped to cope instead of holding on to those knots and kinks, so they are able to perform at an optimal level and feel their best. A small portion of my regular clients also report that routine massage helps them lose weight and maintain their weight goals.

TPG:    Many people think of massage as a vacation-type luxury. Is there any benefit to routine massage?

SC:      Yes! Besides the physical benefits, there is a huge emotional and mental wellness component to massage. My clients share that they often feel more calm, balanced, and are better able to respond to stressful situations in their lives. It will also boost the immune system, keep brain function sharp, and lead to more restful sleep.

TPG:    How often should someone schedule a session?

SC:      This really varies for each individual. Some of my clients come weekly, others come every 6-8 weeks, but overall most people do really well with a monthly massage. For the majority of people, getting a monthly massage is the perfect schedule to keep the body and mind at optimal wellness. Another great benefit of routine massage is that the effects are cumulative. One massage does wonders, and the effects of receiving massage on a regular basis adds up!

TPG:  Sarah, this has been very useful. Thank you. Would you mind taking some questions from folks who are following us?

SC:     Thats a great idea! Ill post answers to more questions next week and Ill add some resources for folks. Hope everyone joins us here again soon. Thanks, again and happy relaxing to everyone!

TPG:   You can post your questions in the comments sections and Sarah will give you some useful tips.

The Bodysex Effect

 

"My research will assess women’s perceptions of the effects of the Bodysex workshops, including feelings of sisterhood, decrease of shame, and increased sexual agency and ownership of one’s own body and sexuality. Gathering the narrative experiences of female participants in Bodysex workshops may yield answers to why such an experience is an effective method of sexual healing and whether it needs to be more broadly incorporated into other educational and therapeutic activities directed at personal growth and problem solving." ~Lisa Meyers

I am thrilled that Betty and Carlin are as excited as I am about my dissertation research! Check out their podcast here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMt6b8hocsc

Dr. George Turner Joins KU Social Welfare Faculty

Dr. George Turner joined the KU School of Social Welfare in the Fall 2013. In addition to his private practice, George is an Associate Professor of Practice. Becasue of his expertise in sexual health, he was actively solicited to teach a human sexuality course once taught by Dennis Dailey. "It was surreal... teaching the sexuality course taught by my mentor and colleague, Dr. Dennis Dailey. Dennis is legendary at KU and to walk in his shoes is an honor." Additionally, George has taught an undergraduate practice course and a graduate course, Multicultural Practice. "I love teaching. It provides me another venue to directly impact the quality of life of others. And, I value the opportunity to interact with social work students especially.  Im  a JayHawk so its a full circle experience for  me to facilitate the professional development for the BSW and MSW students so that they can deliver best practices to the community. Rock Chalk!"

Healing Power of Dogs

A little dog love eases anxiety and stress.

Cannine assisted therapy is a powerful healing tool. Our frisky little fur buddies are everywhere spreading their laps of love. Dogs are being used to ease the anxiety and frustration of travel with airport DE-stressors. They are connecting with children with autism and prisoners Prison trained service dogs and working with war veterns Healing Wounds of War. WOW... what a great underutilized source of healing! Of course, our Moko, Lily and Mitchie couldnt agree more. Check out our own doggie greeters.

Is Fido the answer to your stress?

"Dad, dont make me wear the witches hat!"

 "Pet a dog and call me in the morning", might just be the next prescription you get from your doc.



Moko ready for Halloween

Lilly, Moko and Mitchie, our doggie greeters, are more than just slobbery tail waggers. There is science behind those furry little bundles of love. Canine assisted therapy makes for good results, especially for guarded patients who see therapy as foreign, painful or challenging.
But these benefits go beyond our office. Finals are just around the corner for students and who doesnt have a lil stress each and every day. A little doggie love can be just the destressor you need. Petting a dog increases a human’s level of oxytocin, a hormone that reduces anxiety and blood pressure.

Others have also reported how schools are using dogs to help students prepare for testing Get your "Fur Fix".

Kansas Sex Education Owes Youth Better

Recently the Lawrence World Journal asked Dr. George Turner, sexuality educator and certified sex therapist to comment on sex education. Lawrence Journal World

Here are some additional comments by him.

Kansas is at it again. No sooner than we put behind us a bill allowing businesses to refuse service to gay customers and we are back in the public spotlight as a sex negative state. Now sex education is open for debate. A state senator introduced a bill recently to require parents or guardians to "opt in" for their children to receive sex education. This sets a harmful precedence and is not quality education.

I support parents being involved in their child's education and I think sexuality education needs to be

Robie Harris' book, Its Perfectly Normal

culturally sensitive. However, we MUST move beyond fear and shame informing educational policy. The world is NOT flat! Period!!! Best practices should be leading the call for sex education with professionally trained sexual health experts at the forefront of classroom implementation. In no other subject deemed valuable and fundamental to student success, do we wait until high school to provide instruction and then suggest that it is an elective to be approved by parents. In order for kids to appreciate Shakespeare, we begin teaching them their alphabet, in order for kids to excel in algebra we start with the basics of adding and subtracting. Sexuality education needs to be elevated to the status of reading, writing and arithmetic.

While parents should be the primary sexuality educators, most are often not prepared or too embarrassed by the topic. Most parents welcome the help and support of trained sexuality professionals to provide a formal age-appropriate, medically accurate comprehensive sexuality education curriculum. It is a minority voice that often sets a conservative policy in sex education and this is unfortunate. Great resources for parents are a series of books by Robie Harris.
Also check out these organizations:SIECUS and Advocates for Youth

I often urge parents to recognize that with the absence of sexuality education from parents or the school, youth are still learning about sex. First they receive a take away lesson from us that includes: "it is not safe to discuss this topic here", "your sexual health has little value", "we (adults) are too uncomfortable", and finally "go figure it out for yourself". Second, we place youth at the mercy of social media and peers who become the default sexuality instructors. Adults should be very concerned with WHAT is the content of this informal education and WHO is providing it?

Comprehensive sex education is more than teaching intercourse. And, research has demonstrated the effectiveness of these programs. It helps youth make responsible decisions. A sexually literate public is a sexually healthy public. Illuminating sexual health as public health addresses a multitude of issues including: STIs, sexual misuse, body shaming, bullying of marginalized youth, relationship satisfaction, sexual dysfunction, rape culture, and self-esteem.

I suggests the following changes to our approach to sexuality education:

A. Stop making this a cultural war where our children are the causalities.

B. Remove shame and fear approaches

C. Elevate sexual health to the basics of reading, writing and arithmetic.

D. Don’t forget our youth in special ed!

E. Make it a goal: prepare sexually literate, healthy, graduates capable of critical thinking.

G. Lead a new dialogue to redefine and reframe sexual health and well-being to reflect a holistic, rights-based approach throughout the lifespan.

 

Our commitment should be to provide comprehensive sexuality education that supports the attainment of sexual health and well-being throughout the lifespan. Placing our head in the sand doesn't fulfill this and neither does the ineffective and incomplete"Abstinence Only –Until Marriage" curriculum, which are often fear and guilt based. Parents generally want a better life for this kids. The question is, wouldn't you want your children to have a better, more sexually healthy relationship?