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How many use topical heating/cooling products?

I'm just curious how many of you use topical heating/cooling products on clients in your practice. Also, what are your favorites, and what do you see as the benefit of using that product in particular?

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Permalink Reply by Daniel Cohen on September 1, 2011 at 9:39am

Sombra for both.

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Permalink Reply by Tonya Brooks-Taylor on September 1, 2011 at 10:16am

Sombra and Biofreeze.

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Permalink Reply by Massage Gnome on September 3, 2011 at 11:13pm

I have used both for as long as I have been practicing. I like Prossage Heat and Biofreeze, but I have to say I have only tested a few altogether. China Gel and Tiger balm I have used in the past and did not like at all. I use the Prossage Heat if I have a client that only comes for a massage periodically but wants a deep tissue massage or has lots of problem areas because it warms the muscle more quickly and allows more time for me to work the rest of the body as well. After each and every massage I apply Biofreeze to the clients back, neck and shoulders (applying just after finishing the area). Clients love the way it feels, it helps calm the muscles back down, reduces post massage stiffness and makes a great upsell for my retail center. Our clients love to use it at home in between sessions and will recommend it to their friends. Hope this helps.

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Permalink Reply by Daniel Cohen on September 4, 2011 at 8:12am

Post massage stiffness? Never heard of that or experienced it. Can you explain please?

Massage Gnome said:

After each and every massage I apply Biofreeze to the clients back, neck and shoulders (applying just after finishing the area). Clients love the way it feels, it helps calm the muscles back down, reduces post massage stiffness ...

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Permalink Reply by Jason David Bratcher on September 4, 2011 at 5:49pm

Sombra Cool therapy gel,,,,,Po Sum On,,,,Yee Tin Medical Oil.

I like Sombra because it is not greasy nor will it stain clothing or sheets. Has more stuff in it so that the skin will not dry out and it is not as intense as other topical analgesics. An overall fine product.

Po Sum On is what I use as a heating and a bruise treatment. It is an asian product that works very nicely on injured areas,,Some interpret the oil as heating and others will feel it as cooling,,interesting that I have had both interpretations. Its a good product and unlike most Asian Topical analgesics it does not contain turpentine or formaldahyde.

Yee Tin Medical oil is by far the best topical analgesic out there, it is VERY hard to find. What is available right now in this country is the Yee Tin "Skin Care" Ointment, which is devoid of certain ingrediants that would make it the "Medical Oil". It is very good for headaches when applied to the proper points for headaches and Nausea, dizzyness due to heat exhaustion and also is a great dit da jow for minor bruising.

I am currently in the process of making Yee Tin on my own.

Much Love and release.

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Permalink Reply by Stephanie Keffer on September 5, 2011 at 5:06pm

I use Biofreeze from time to time or arnica

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Permalink Reply by Massage Gnome on September 5, 2011 at 9:19pm

Sure Daniel, I would be happy to explain. I am very surprised that you have not heard about this as it was addressed even during our short training at massage school. There are actually many causes for someone to get stiff the day or or a day after a massage. Most commonly is that they come in dehydrated and don't drink enough, or any, water after the massage. The next day they will feel tight or sore, similar to what would happen if they work out too hard at the gym. Other reasons for this could be a medical reason such as having fibromyalgia, RA, or the like because massage increases inflammation as a healing mechanism. Or it could be that they had a lot of toxin build up and when it's released from the muscles it has to be processed and drained from the body via the lymph system so there is a short period of increased swelling in the areas that were massaged. Hope this helps, if not you can google it for more info, consult your mt training manual or let me know I would be happy to give you more information.

MG
Daniel Cohen said:

Post massage stiffness? Never heard of that or experienced it. Can you explain please?

Massage Gnome said:

After each and every massage I apply Biofreeze to the clients back, neck and shoulders (applying just after finishing the area). Clients love the way it feels, it helps calm the muscles back down, reduces post massage stiffness ...