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MORE MYTHS OF MASSAGE
There are several myths of massage that seem to be passed down through generations of massage therapy teachers. I am going to list a few of my favourites, and hope you will add yours.I'm sure there are lots more. Let's dispell the myths and teach fact-based massage therapy!
1. Massage releases lactic acid from the muscles
2. We cannot treat clients with cancer as massage will spread the cancer through the body
3. A crooked spine (scoliosis) can be straightened by doing tapotement on the "weak" side of the spine and relaxing massage on the "tight" side of the spine
4. We cannot do manual lymph drainage and effleurage in one treatment as the lymph nodes will shut down and the client's legs and arms will swell up
1. Massage releases lactic acid from the muscles
2. We cannot treat clients with cancer as massage will spread the cancer through the body
3. A crooked spine (scoliosis) can be straightened by doing tapotement on the "weak" side of the spine and relaxing massage on the "tight" side of the spine
4. We cannot do manual lymph drainage and effleurage in one treatment as the lymph nodes will shut down and the client's legs and arms will swell up
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Bert Davich on
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You are correct lee, muscle toxins are not drawn out of the skin. Removal of toxins would be the job of our kidney and for some things, our lymph system.
Also, drinking water after a massage does not 'flush out toxins' either. I call this the big myth. It does hydrate the client, and drinking adequate amounts of water is necessary for proper kidney function. An MD pathologist client of mine and I chuckle about this one.
lee kalpin said:You are assuming that some "toxin" is released from the muscles and can be drawn out through the skin.
We do excrete some substances through the pores of the skin, for example, when we sweat we excrete salt (sodium), and some medications such as chemo definitely are excreted through the skin.
But I don't believe there is evidence that something is released from the muscles and excreted through the skin. I'm sure some of the people on this site who have a good science background will be able to clarify on this.
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Permalink Reply by lee kalpin on
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This is another myth, not just of massage but it is common in all the "natural" or "Alternative" therapies - that we are full of TOXINS that have to be flushed out. Companies make a lot of money on Detoxifying remedies.
If you look up Toxins in the dictionary, it means "POISON, especially a protein or conjugated protein".. While we certainly ingest many things that are not so good for us, like excess sugar, saturated fats and chemical additives, they are not actually toxic. If you injested something toxic, you would certainly be very ill.
The substances we consume that cannot be used by the body are processed by the liver, kidneys and lymphatic system and eliminated either in the urine or in the feces. For example, if you swallow a penny or some other object that the body cannot use, you will probably see it come out in the feces. As I said, there is also a small amount of excretion through the skin
However, muscles do not produce toxins (POISONS).
Bert Davich said:You are correct lee, muscle toxins are not drawn out of the skin. Removal of toxins would be the job of our kidney and for some things, our lymph system.
Also, drinking water after a massage does not 'flush out toxins' either. I call this the big myth. It does hydrate the client, and drinking adequate amounts of water is necessary for proper kidney function. An MD pathologist client of mine and I chuckle about this one.
lee kalpin said:You are assuming that some "toxin" is released from the muscles and can be drawn out through the skin.
We do excrete some substances through the pores of the skin, for example, when we sweat we excrete salt (sodium), and some medications such as chemo definitely are excreted through the skin.
But I don't believe there is evidence that something is released from the muscles and excreted through the skin. I'm sure some of the people on this site who have a good science background will be able to clarify on this.
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I have another Myth of Massage, contributed by my friend Mike Dale in Calgary.
Trigger point therapy has to be very deep and painful in order to be effective.
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I'm not sure I am reading your posting properly. Are you saying that you have had results in straightening this client's spine?
I think that a curvature of 18 degrees would not produce a visible S-shape curvature. Anything under 10 degrees is generally considered within normal range. I have a lumbar deviation of 50 degrees and most prople - even professionals - cannot tell by just looking at me.
J. Arnaldo Pabon said:Greetings!
I have the experience that one of my clients have 13 degrees of deviation in the spine, she is now 20 years old, and I treatment her since she was 18. His back is literally almost a "S". I know, personally, any technique which "straighten" the spine, but the techniques of Quiromasaje help much to alleviate the severe back pain caused by muscle strains of the deviation. It takes me 60 to 75 minutes a session of massage for her. Working to address lumbar to trapezius (shoulders). Use a very leisurely pace and stimulating the nervous system rather than a way to "sleep" for a while. Incorporate these techniques with some deep tissue massage (but not so deep, because it can cause considerable pain). The techniques of cold and heat, sit up, but in her case it is not very useful, given for her physical therapist therapy heat and cold and it goes well annoyed that her massage therapist therapy makes better and better Results (lol).
Well this is my experience with deviations in the column.
lee kalpin said:Hi Bert
I was unable to find the link to the article you mentioned, and I would very much like to read it.
Most of the clients I treat are adults - I have one child client at present.
From my own experience with scoliosis, as well as the many people I have treated, I can give you the following input.
I don't believe we can change a structural scoliosis (one where bony changes have taken place). We can be effective on three levels.
1. Symptomatic relief. Using myofascial release, trigger point release, deep petrissage, and all techniques that we have at our disposal for relief of muscular back pain. Most of the pain from scoliosis results from the muscles being pulled in unnatural directions, and from the client having to work/ use their muscles with these unnatural imbalances. So all techniques that relieve muscle pain are helpful.
2. Therapeutic exercise> The goal is for the client to maintain mobility and strength of the back - in all directions and in all ranges. We want the client to be able to maintain normal function, or as close to normal as is possible for them. I have had clientscome to me with dire predictions from their doctors,(that they would soon be confined to a wheelchair). We need to reassure the client they they can live a normal life, always. Active range of motion exercises in all directions, in all ranges. Stretching to lengthen shortened muscles. Strengthening exercises to build up any muscles that have become weak. Strengthening core muscles (abdominals) to support the back.
And general encouragement that they can live normally. They may never be completely pain free, but they can have function
3. Emotional support.
In most cases of adult scoliosis, the curvature will not progress very much. I find I have more rotation of the spine as the years go by. Arthritis is likely to set in earlier than it might in a person with a straight spine. The therapist can provide emotional support and encouragement. The client should be encouraged to maintain as normal a llifestyle as possible, but also helped to modify their lifestyle in ways that are necessary to avoid excessive pain.
The person will scoliosis will probably never be pain - free. Our goal is to maintain FUNCTION as well as possible for that person.
None of this is rocket-science. It is really what we do for most of our clients.
I hope some of these comments might be useful to you.
Lee
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Agreed lee,
I just improperly used 'toxins' to refer to any substance that is normally removed, whether a by product of a physiological process or a substance introduced through diet, breathing or osmosis. There are toxins such as arsenic or mercury that we are unable to remove very well, if at all.
lee kalpin said:This is another myth, not just of massage but it is common in all the "natural" or "Alternative" therapies - that we are full of TOXINS that have to be flushed out. Companies make a lot of money on Detoxifying remedies.
If you look up Toxins in the dictionary, it means "POISON, especially a protein or conjugated protein".. While we certainly ingest many things that are not so good for us, like excess sugar, saturated fats and chemical additives, they are not actually toxic. If you injested something toxic, you would certainly be very ill.
The substances we consume that cannot be used by the body are processed by the liver, kidneys and lymphatic system and eliminated either in the urine or in the feces. For example, if you swallow a penny or some other object that the body cannot use, you will probably see it come out in the feces. As I said, there is also a small amount of excretion through the skin
However, muscles do not produce toxins (POISONS).
Bert Davich said:You are correct lee, muscle toxins are not drawn out of the skin. Removal of toxins would be the job of our kidney and for some things, our lymph system.
Also, drinking water after a massage does not 'flush out toxins' either. I call this the big myth. It does hydrate the client, and drinking adequate amounts of water is necessary for proper kidney function. An MD pathologist client of mine and I chuckle about this one.
lee kalpin said:You are assuming that some "toxin" is released from the muscles and can be drawn out through the skin.
We do excrete some substances through the pores of the skin, for example, when we sweat we excrete salt (sodium), and some medications such as chemo definitely are excreted through the skin.
But I don't believe there is evidence that something is released from the muscles and excreted through the skin. I'm sure some of the people on this site who have a good science background will be able to clarify on this.
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Permalink Reply by Rachel Sheard, LMT, NCTMB, CIPI on
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My understanding regarding toxins within the body...is basically that that is the job of fat cells--holding "toxins" (excess fat, pollution, cleaning chemical vapors that we inhale, etc) to prevent them (toxins) from affecting our more vital organs. I am curious to know if anyone has nutritional knowledge to confirm/disprove this.
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A very brief and overly basic over -view of the digestive system is as follows.
We eat / ingest something. It goes to the stomch where some of the nutrients are absorbed into the blood stream,and then into the small and large intestines where moe nutrients are absorbed. The stuff the body absolutely cannot use, like fibre and that penny we swallowed, travel through the large intestine and out through the rectum in the form of feces.
The substances that have been absorbed into the blood stream travel through the liver, where impurities are filtered out (and most of them stay in the liver - this is why the liver is badly effected eventually if a person ingests a lot of alchohol or medications). The blood circulates on and liquid and other impurities are removed by the kidneys.and is excreted in the urine. The blood then circulates to all the other tissues and organs and any impurities that have escaped filtering by these organs can now reach other tissues and organs.. Extra nutrients are stored as fat in the body, but the blood has already passed through the liver before it ever gets to the fat.
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Permalink Reply by Jorge Arnaldo Pabón Acevedo on
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Oh no, her spine not straightening with the therapy, just give her freedom from the pain. In her case, she is very thin, so, you can see in her spine the curvature a simple eye.
(the problem here is my english, :o) It's terrible.
lee kalpin said:I'm not sure I am reading your posting properly. Are you saying that you have had results in straightening this client's spine?
I think that a curvature of 18 degrees would not produce a visible S-shape curvature. Anything under 10 degrees is generally considered within normal range. I have a lumbar deviation of 50 degrees and most prople - even professionals - cannot tell by just looking at me.
J. Arnaldo Pabon said:Greetings!
I have the experience that one of my clients have 13 degrees of deviation in the spine, she is now 20 years old, and I treatment her since she was 18. His back is literally almost a "S". I know, personally, any technique which "straighten" the spine, but the techniques of Quiromasaje help much to alleviate the severe back pain caused by muscle strains of the deviation. It takes me 60 to 75 minutes a session of massage for her. Working to address lumbar to trapezius (shoulders). Use a very leisurely pace and stimulating the nervous system rather than a way to "sleep" for a while. Incorporate these techniques with some deep tissue massage (but not so deep, because it can cause considerable pain). The techniques of cold and heat, sit up, but in her case it is not very useful, given for her physical therapist therapy heat and cold and it goes well annoyed that her massage therapist therapy makes better and better Results (lol).
Well this is my experience with deviations in the column.
lee kalpin said:Hi Bert
I was unable to find the link to the article you mentioned, and I would very much like to read it.
Most of the clients I treat are adults - I have one child client at present.
From my own experience with scoliosis, as well as the many people I have treated, I can give you the following input.
I don't believe we can change a structural scoliosis (one where bony changes have taken place). We can be effective on three levels.
1. Symptomatic relief. Using myofascial release, trigger point release, deep petrissage, and all techniques that we have at our disposal for relief of muscular back pain. Most of the pain from scoliosis results from the muscles being pulled in unnatural directions, and from the client having to work/ use their muscles with these unnatural imbalances. So all techniques that relieve muscle pain are helpful.
2. Therapeutic exercise> The goal is for the client to maintain mobility and strength of the back - in all directions and in all ranges. We want the client to be able to maintain normal function, or as close to normal as is possible for them. I have had clientscome to me with dire predictions from their doctors,(that they would soon be confined to a wheelchair). We need to reassure the client they they can live a normal life, always. Active range of motion exercises in all directions, in all ranges. Stretching to lengthen shortened muscles. Strengthening exercises to build up any muscles that have become weak. Strengthening core muscles (abdominals) to support the back.
And general encouragement that they can live normally. They may never be completely pain free, but they can have function
3. Emotional support.
In most cases of adult scoliosis, the curvature will not progress very much. I find I have more rotation of the spine as the years go by. Arthritis is likely to set in earlier than it might in a person with a straight spine. The therapist can provide emotional support and encouragement. The client should be encouraged to maintain as normal a llifestyle as possible, but also helped to modify their lifestyle in ways that are necessary to avoid excessive pain.
The person will scoliosis will probably never be pain - free. Our goal is to maintain FUNCTION as well as possible for that person.
None of this is rocket-science. It is really what we do for most of our clients.
I hope some of these comments might be useful to you.
Lee
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Hi. Thanks for clarifying this. Your English is pretty good - I cannot speak any second language so I am very impressed by people who can speak and write in more than one language!
I agree, we can give people with scoliosis a lot of pain relief. This sounds like a wonderful treatment.
I understand how you could see the curvature on a thin person. You cannot see it on me - I am too fat!
J. Arnaldo Pabon said:Oh no, her spine not straightening with the therapy, just give her freedom from the pain. In her case, she is very thin, so, you can see in her spine the curvature a simple eye.
(the problem here is my english, :o) It's terrible.
lee kalpin said:I'm not sure I am reading your posting properly. Are you saying that you have had results in straightening this client's spine?
I think that a curvature of 18 degrees would not produce a visible S-shape curvature. Anything under 10 degrees is generally considered within normal range. I have a lumbar deviation of 50 degrees and most prople - even professionals - cannot tell by just looking at me.
J. Arnaldo Pabon said:Greetings!
I have the experience that one of my clients have 13 degrees of deviation in the spine, she is now 20 years old, and I treatment her since she was 18. His back is literally almost a "S". I know, personally, any technique which "straighten" the spine, but the techniques of Quiromasaje help much to alleviate the severe back pain caused by muscle strains of the deviation. It takes me 60 to 75 minutes a session of massage for her. Working to address lumbar to trapezius (shoulders). Use a very leisurely pace and stimulating the nervous system rather than a way to "sleep" for a while. Incorporate these techniques with some deep tissue massage (but not so deep, because it can cause considerable pain). The techniques of cold and heat, sit up, but in her case it is not very useful, given for her physical therapist therapy heat and cold and it goes well annoyed that her massage therapist therapy makes better and better Results (lol).
Well this is my experience with deviations in the column.
lee kalpin said:Hi Bert
I was unable to find the link to the article you mentioned, and I would very much like to read it.
Most of the clients I treat are adults - I have one child client at present.
From my own experience with scoliosis, as well as the many people I have treated, I can give you the following input.
I don't believe we can change a structural scoliosis (one where bony changes have taken place). We can be effective on three levels.
1. Symptomatic relief. Using myofascial release, trigger point release, deep petrissage, and all techniques that we have at our disposal for relief of muscular back pain. Most of the pain from scoliosis results from the muscles being pulled in unnatural directions, and from the client having to work/ use their muscles with these unnatural imbalances. So all techniques that relieve muscle pain are helpful.
2. Therapeutic exercise> The goal is for the client to maintain mobility and strength of the back - in all directions and in all ranges. We want the client to be able to maintain normal function, or as close to normal as is possible for them. I have had clientscome to me with dire predictions from their doctors,(that they would soon be confined to a wheelchair). We need to reassure the client they they can live a normal life, always. Active range of motion exercises in all directions, in all ranges. Stretching to lengthen shortened muscles. Strengthening exercises to build up any muscles that have become weak. Strengthening core muscles (abdominals) to support the back.
And general encouragement that they can live normally. They may never be completely pain free, but they can have function
3. Emotional support.
In most cases of adult scoliosis, the curvature will not progress very much. I find I have more rotation of the spine as the years go by. Arthritis is likely to set in earlier than it might in a person with a straight spine. The therapist can provide emotional support and encouragement. The client should be encouraged to maintain as normal a llifestyle as possible, but also helped to modify their lifestyle in ways that are necessary to avoid excessive pain.
The person will scoliosis will probably never be pain - free. Our goal is to maintain FUNCTION as well as possible for that person.
None of this is rocket-science. It is really what we do for most of our clients.
I hope some of these comments might be useful to you.
Lee
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Permalink Reply by Erica Olson on
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However, LSD is stored in the body's fat cells, is it not? The kidneys and liver may do a fine job, but it appears that they don't get everything.
As for "toxins," my understanding of those released by the muscles are metabolic wastes, such as lactic acid. I know that everyone on here has been going on about massage does not release lactic acid from muscle tissue, nor does water flush "toxins" out, but my understanding is thus:
- muscles contract, producing lactic acid and other waste products
- muscles can stay contracted, due to various reasons (overwork, neurological stimulation from stress, splinting effect from injury, etc.)
- lack of blood flow makes it more difficult to manufacture ATP & creates greater amounts of waste product
- finally, the muscle is so weak and overloaded that the waste products create irritation, leading to a state of constant contraction (the Fenn effect)
- MT helps muscles trigger and finish the contraction cycle
- water is needed to fully hydrate starved tissue, allowing waste products to be removed into blood stream and filtered out of the body
Am I totally wrong on this?
lee kalpin said:The substances that have been absorbed into the blood stream travel through the liver, where impurities are filtered out (and most of them stay in the liver - this is why the liver is badly effected eventually if a person ingests a lot of alchohol or medications). The blood circulates on and liquid and other impurities are removed by the kidneys.and is excreted in the urine. The blood then circulates to all the other tissues and organs and any impurities that have escaped filtering by these organs can now reach other tissues and organs.. Extra nutrients are stored as fat in the body, but the blood has already passed through the liver before it ever gets to the fat.
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Hi! Well, most of the time before a massage session, I note the position of the person. If you put the person in front of a wall, you can ask him to stand up straight, looking at body structure you can see any abnormalities in body posture. I ask the client to walk and watch how they move when walking. Then when lying prone on the massage table carefully watch them back before beginning the massage. With my fingers I follow the contour of the spine from the lumbar to the occipital area. For the customer whos I'm talking about she comes to me with a condition certified by her doctor, in her case it is more useful to me because I already know the diagnosis that the doctor has given you. In these cases it helps the Kinesiology. but if you look at the person in front of a wall can easily see deviations. I have not had experience with deviation lumbar area, perhaps in this area more difficult to visualize with the naked eye.
she's back has two bends, one near the scapula and another near the area of the latissimus dorsi.
lee kalpin said:Hi. Thanks for clarifying this. Your English is pretty good - I cannot speak any second language so I am very impressed by people who can speak and write in more than one language!
I agree, we can give people with scoliosis a lot of pain relief. This sounds like a wonderful treatment.
I understand how you could see the curvature on a thin person. You cannot see it on me - I am too fat!
J. Arnaldo Pabon said:Oh no, her spine not straightening with the therapy, just give her freedom from the pain. In her case, she is very thin, so, you can see in her spine the curvature a simple eye.
(the problem here is my english, :o) It's terrible.
lee kalpin said:I'm not sure I am reading your posting properly. Are you saying that you have had results in straightening this client's spine?
I think that a curvature of 18 degrees would not produce a visible S-shape curvature. Anything under 10 degrees is generally considered within normal range. I have a lumbar deviation of 50 degrees and most prople - even professionals - cannot tell by just looking at me.
J. Arnaldo Pabon said:Greetings!
I have the experience that one of my clients have 13 degrees of deviation in the spine, she is now 20 years old, and I treatment her since she was 18. His back is literally almost a "S". I know, personally, any technique which "straighten" the spine, but the techniques of Quiromasaje help much to alleviate the severe back pain caused by muscle strains of the deviation. It takes me 60 to 75 minutes a session of massage for her. Working to address lumbar to trapezius (shoulders). Use a very leisurely pace and stimulating the nervous system rather than a way to "sleep" for a while. Incorporate these techniques with some deep tissue massage (but not so deep, because it can cause considerable pain). The techniques of cold and heat, sit up, but in her case it is not very useful, given for her physical therapist therapy heat and cold and it goes well annoyed that her massage therapist therapy makes better and better Results (lol).
Well this is my experience with deviations in the column.
lee kalpin said:Hi Bert
I was unable to find the link to the article you mentioned, and I would very much like to read it.
Most of the clients I treat are adults - I have one child client at present.
From my own experience with scoliosis, as well as the many people I have treated, I can give you the following input.
I don't believe we can change a structural scoliosis (one where bony changes have taken place). We can be effective on three levels.
1. Symptomatic relief. Using myofascial release, trigger point release, deep petrissage, and all techniques that we have at our disposal for relief of muscular back pain. Most of the pain from scoliosis results from the muscles being pulled in unnatural directions, and from the client having to work/ use their muscles with these unnatural imbalances. So all techniques that relieve muscle pain are helpful.
2. Therapeutic exercise> The goal is for the client to maintain mobility and strength of the back - in all directions and in all ranges. We want the client to be able to maintain normal function, or as close to normal as is possible for them. I have had clientscome to me with dire predictions from their doctors,(that they would soon be confined to a wheelchair). We need to reassure the client they they can live a normal life, always. Active range of motion exercises in all directions, in all ranges. Stretching to lengthen shortened muscles. Strengthening exercises to build up any muscles that have become weak. Strengthening core muscles (abdominals) to support the back.
And general encouragement that they can live normally. They may never be completely pain free, but they can have function
3. Emotional support.
In most cases of adult scoliosis, the curvature will not progress very much. I find I have more rotation of the spine as the years go by. Arthritis is likely to set in earlier than it might in a person with a straight spine. The therapist can provide emotional support and encouragement. The client should be encouraged to maintain as normal a llifestyle as possible, but also helped to modify their lifestyle in ways that are necessary to avoid excessive pain.
The person will scoliosis will probably never be pain - free. Our goal is to maintain FUNCTION as well as possible for that person.
None of this is rocket-science. It is really what we do for most of our clients.
I hope some of these comments might be useful to you.
Lee
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Yes, her curvature can clearly be seen in this photo, particularly by looking at the different positions of the scapulae. You are correct - , a standing postural assessment is very valuable, as well as the evaluation by palpation.
When I was teaching, the assessments teacher used to ask me to come into the class so the students could do a standing postural evaluation on me, using a plumb line. That was the way they learned to recognize what a scoliosis looked like.
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