Stretching is very important to increase flexibility and decrease the chances of getting injured. Key points when stretching is to take your time and don’t hold the stretch too long. Muscles that are not held in a stretch long enough won’t release from its contracted state. Stretching a muscle too long and other connected muscles may go into spasms. Holding stretches for about 30 seconds is a good enough time. Anything over 30 seconds at a time and you are risking the possibility of muscles going into spasms.

There are 3 main ways of stretching; Ballistic, Actively, and Passively. Ballistic stretching is when you bounce in and out of a stretch. This type is very strenuous to the muscle groups and unless you are properly educated on how to do this, most of the time if you are involved with high intense sport that involves ballistic movements such as; martial arts or track in field, stay away from this type of stretching. You can really injure the tissues very quickly.

The second type is active range of motion. In this type you are moving yourself into a stretch and holding it for time. With this type of stretch you only want to go to the point of stretch, remember to relax your breathing (don’t hold your breath), and take your time (don’t rush in it and don’t rush out of it). Make sure you create good posture before going into the stretch so that you are stretching the right muscle groups correctly. When you are out of posture and you try to stretch you could be stretching the wrong muscles. Also don’t push though the stretch in which you are grinding your teeth. This is improper stretching and abuse to the muscle fibers. At the same time other muscles are guarding when you put yourself through such a strain and this is where injuries, knots, or trigger points spawn.

The next type of stretching is passive. This type of stretching should only be performed by Physical Therapists, Licensed/Board certified massage therapists, or Doctors. This is when these professionals move your body, for you in the state of a stretch. Those who have not gain the science back ground training in the high levels of anatomy, kinesiology, and hands on experience should not be stretching you. The person without these qualifications can create damage to the muscles, golgi tendons, and other parts of the body. If a practitioner like; personal trainers, training partners, even massage therapists who are not National Board Certified (NCBTMB) and did not meet these standards, it’s safer to stretch your muscles by yourself!

At Body Solutions Inc in Voorhees, NJ, only our Physical therapists and Licensed/Board Certified Massage therapists are the ones who perform any types of stretching to the patients/clients. The massage therapists also perform other styles of stretching integrated in their medical massage treatments and in their therapeutic relaxation massages such as; Mulligan’s Technique, Shiatsu, and Active Isolated Stretching. Integrating stretching, especially these types, into medical/therapeutic massages gives great results for fast pain relief, injury recovery, and here at Body Solutions Inc, serving the Cherry Hill/Marlton area, the therapists make time in the sessions to educate how do some of the stretches yourself to induce self-care.

Stretching has great benefits to the body, such as;

• Improve flexibility
• Postural improvement
• Prevent trigger points
• Increase blood circulation
• Releases endorphins (our natural “feel good” chemical in our body)
• Decrease soreness,
• And recovers  muscles from any work outs

The list goes on. Stretching the body is like flossing your teeth. We hate doing it but it’s essential to do it. As we know, flossing gets all the junk from in between the teeth, helping to prevent cavities, and keeps us away from the brutal times visiting the Dentist. Stretching elongates the muscles from being tensed, releases the “cobwebs” that surrounds the muscles and in between the muscles, called fascia, to make the muscles more moveable, keeping us away from the brutal visits to the physical therapists our medical massage therapists from having to do deep tissue or myofascial releasing treatments. Yet, some of us do enjoy that type of pain

By: Lynn Wang, LMT, NCTMB and Victor Lopez, LMT, NCTMB

Have you ever suffered a headache where it gives you pain only on one side of the head? As if it wraps right around the ear? How about a headache that gives you pain right behind or around the eye? Perhaps one could have felt the type of headache that gives you tension around the forehead as if you are wearing a tight head band?

These are all symptoms of someone who can be suffering from myofascial trigger points. These trigger points are buried in the myofascial planes in the neck muscles of the body and since fascia connects one muscle to the next, this built up adhesion (Trp), sends a pain referral using the fascia lines as its pathway. This is making the headache nothing but the effect of trigger points in the neck.

Trigger points can be caused by external and internal factors such as: muscle strain, overuse, emotional distress, poor nutrition, poor posture, exposure to cold temperatures, lack of regular exercise, and trauma (Motor Vehicle Accidents or contact sports).

As the tissue works to heal itself inflammation in the area causes the neuromuscular junction to become very sensitive and irritable. The muscle fibers respond by contracting and twisting making the area feel like a hard lump or a firmness that is tender to touch. This lump is a trigger point. The result of untreated trigger points is abnormalities in the function of the musculoskeletal and nervous system which can develop, causing pain, tingling, numbness, limited mobility, headaches, and migraines.

At Body Solutions Inc in Voorhees, this is one of many medical modalities our board certified and licensed massage therapists are trained in. The public can feel safe and secure receiving medical treatments from our therapists because they have met all standards as well as qualifications which displays the confidence and security that medical modalities such as trigger point therapy is applied by professionals. Trigger point therapy is not a massage treatment that should be applied by local spa masseuses, especially those who have not been tested by the National Board (NCBTMB). The wrong treatments applied can do even more harm to the nervous and musculoskeletal system.

If you are one who suffers with headaches residing in the Cherry Hill, Marlton, Voorhees, or Mount Laurel area, and want high standard, long term results, muscle re-education, manual therapy, Body Solutions Inc is the place to receive it. If taking medication is the only solution you came up with, tried massages before and you didn’t get the results you wanted, then this is definitely one treatment that you need to try and feel the results within your first session.  Keep in mind that depending on how long you suffered from headaches can give you an estimate of what stage you are battling, such as: acute (pain just happened), sub acute (pain has been there for a couple of weeks) or chronic (pain dealing with the pain for years) stages. Schedule your free massage consultation and feel for yourself how Trigger Point Therapy can relieve those many years of painful headaches.

By: Lynn Wang LMT, NCTMB

Massage can do more than relax and revitalize you. More growing research is recognizing the recuperative values of massage as part of a wellness routine and the ability of massage being a great source of therapy to improve overall well-being, especially when experiencing a serious health condition, such as breast cancer.

A recent study published in the Archives of Women’s Mental Health displayed a reduction in anxious depression, anger, and tiredness in women diagnosed with breast cancer when received, bi-weekly, 30 min massages compared to those who didn’t. Symptoms also experienced by cancer patients such as nausea, pain, and muscle tension, massage therapy is more often being applied increasingly for aide.

Research has also shown that massage therapy can relieve symptoms associated with a variety of conditions than just your typical knots, in addition to cancer, including whiplash from car accidents, back pain associated with sciatica, migraines, insomnia, carpal tunnel syndrome from over use of the computer, nerve entrapments that could be sport related, and anxiety.

Massage therapists, who are nationally certified and licensed, have met standards of education to understand how physical activity can impact the body and at Body Solutions Inc in Voorhees, NJ our massage therapists met these qualifications. The LMTs are trained on how to alleviate tension to restore balance, especially with those who suffer through these symptoms due to medical conditions listed above.

FYI when scheduling a massage:

Question your massage therapist expertise level before getting treated, especially when experiencing symptoms of medical conditions such as the ones listed above. Each massage school and state carries different requirements to practice as a massage therapist, and you don’t want to fall into the wrong hands. Things could get worse and the thought of massage therapy in the future, would just rub you the wrong way and you would miss out on an important resource that could help you during your healing process.

Here are some questions to ask that were provided by the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA):

1. Are you licensed to practice massage in this state?

Forty-four states regulate the massage therapy profession. Depending on the state, this regulation comes in the form of a license, registration or certification. Also, some local governments may have some form of regulation.

2. Are you a member of the American Massage Therapy Association?

Professional members of AMTA have demonstrated their competency through successful completion of the AMTA national exam or graduation from an accredited program. Members must also pursue continuing education standards in order to retain membership.

3. Are you certified by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB)?

NCBTMB offers a nationally recognized certification for massage therapists. Massage professionals earn the NCBTMB designation by demonstrating mastery of core massage techniques, passing a standardized exam, and abiding by the NCBTMB Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics. Requirements must be reestablished every four years to maintain certification.

4. Where did you receive your massage therapy training and did you graduate from a program accredited by the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA)?

To ensure that your therapist has had proper training, AMTA recommends you find a graduate of a COMTA-accredited program. COMTA confirms that massage schools offer rigorous training and possess qualified faculty and proper equipment.

5. How many hours of initial training did you have?

AMTA suggests that your massage therapist has completed at least 500 hours of training, which is also the standard for most states that regulate the massage therapy industry.

6. Are you trained in any specific massage modalities?

The various types of massage are termed massage modalities. Each massage and bodywork modality requires specialized training. While some massage therapists use just one or two types of massage, most employ a variety of techniques in their practice. Look at the Glossary for explanations of different massage modalities.

This will confirm your prospective massage therapists’ qualifications and ensure that your massage therapy will benefit your health needs.

By: Victor Lopez, LMT, NCTMB

Www.BodySolutionsinc.com

Massage Therapy has been around for thousands of years and is considered the first therapeutic touch. The benefits of a well designed therapeutic massage can assist one’s being with faster healing through acute, sub-acute or chronic phases of trauma to the body.

It is shame that the future of massage has been driven to local spas and so our health providers have ignored its tracks to the healing powers of its purpose. It is now, as the days go by, being takened back by its Registered/Licensed/ and Nationally Certified Massage Therapists, and being proven for its results for recovering injuries physically and mentally.

Integration of therapy is the key to success in reaching fast recovery. At Body Solutions Inc, not only do we provide western proven modalities, but we also provide the eastern proven modalities. In our massage therapy sessions, every session is designed with a combination of modalities, which our Licensed Massage Specialists provide, for the client’s needs.

I have had the opportunity to learning and being certified under Florida’s greatest Aromatherapists, Katie Haley, who guided me with an “eye opener”of the misunderstanding and true knowledge of essential oils. In one of many of our integrated massages is the combination of manual therapy with her study of Aromatherapy.

Aromatherapy is both a science and an art. It has been used successfully for thousands of years and has been documented with over 500 references, even in the Bible. With the right usage of Aromatherapy it can be a powerful way to help heal you of many physical and emotional concerns.

Essential Oils are proven to fight infections, reduce pain, help skin problems, uplift the mood, ease depression, relax, excite, and rejuvenate you. There are two ways the body can accept the benefits of the essential oils and that is thru inhalation or skin absorption.

Inhalation – When you inhale a particular aroma the fragrant molecules travel through the olfactory system to the* limbic part of the brain, which is referred to as our old brain, that is connected to our basic drives, such as hunger, thirst, and sleep. This part of the brain is also linked to memories and emotions. The natural chemicals contained in the essential oils release carrier proteins that influence feelings and sensations in the body.

Through inhalation the essential oils are able to bypass the blood/brain barrier, allowing the oils to work almost instantly to relax, stimulate, arouse and produce a sense of well being in the body.

Skin Absorption – When essential oils are massaged into the skin, diluted w/ a base oil or lotion, it is absorbed through the capillaries into the bloodstream. They travel through the circulatory system and lymphatic tissue until they reach the body’s vital organs. This is how they help to cure many illnesses.

What many people do not understand about Aromatherapy is the amount of different botanical species that are out there for just one type of plant. Each species holds a different grade of quality and purpose. For example: Did you know that there are 700 different species of Eucalyptus in the world? Did you know that 500 of them produce essential oil? There is a difference between Eucalyptus globulus, Eucalyptus citriodora, Eucalyptus radiata, and that is to list only 3 types.

What is also misunderstood to our public is what true Aromatherapy is. It is not just the smell of nice things like candles, or room deodorizers. Here is an article by Katie Haley about this subject: http://www.cosmicflower.com/pdf/Article%203.pdf

At Body Solutions Inc, we only carry but the best quality of essential oils to be blended, by our Licensed Massage Specialist, to give the client the best quality massage for the fastest recovery from physical and emotional distress.

Here is a self aromatherapy tip: The next time you feel congested, stuffy in the nasal cavities, take one drop of peppermint essential oil on to a slice of apple, and eat it. That’s right, eat it, but make sure that the peppermint oil that you are using is “essential”, not your cheap kind you get at a local supermarket. Quality versus quantity can go a long way.  Feel an instant relief of being stuffy to not in seconds! Let us know the results.

Victor Lopez, LMT, NCTMB

Www.BodySolutionsinc.com

Alzheimer’s disease is a common form of dementia of unknown cause, characterized by memory lapses, confusion, emotional instability, and progressive loss of mental ability. There is no cure for this disease.

In the United States, more and more elderly are living longer and Alzheimer’s seems to target the elderly. It’s been seen and advertised that more “assisted living” homes, medical clinics, are incorporating Massage Therapy for their Alzheimer’s patients, because studies have shown that it has helped with agitation and other achievable benefits.

We are Licensed Massage Therapists at Body Solutions Inc, serving clients in Voorhees, Cherry Hill, and Marlton area of NJ. We provide this compassionate touch of massage that is needed for geriatrics, and those the conditions of Alzheimer’s. Our clients respond well to the massage therapy, over seen by Doctor and Physical Therapists, giving patients/clients the benefits they deserve through this form of communication, and in particular the elder population.

Touch carries an implication of intimacy and emotional connectedness. It maintains and rebuilds the nervous system’s response to stimuli, enabling seniors to resist physical and mental declines. Touch is the first and last sense to go. Studies show that senior citizens who are touched on a regular basis are healthier and less likely to develop Alzheimer’s and dementia.

The benefits of a Total Body Massage, overall, are great because it stimulates digestion and eliminates toxins in the body. It also boosts energy and mental awareness. Helps with insomnia and improves your immune system. Improves range of motion and reduces muscle pain.

What is more frequently used in the massage sessions, now in days, is the integration of Aromatherapy. The high standards at Body Solutions Inc, for their massage therapists, are not only licensed, but are nationally certified, and certified in Aromatherapy under well respected AromaTherapist, Katie Haley of Florida. We bring to the table the more advanced integrated massages in the Voorhees, Cherry Hill, Marlton area of NJ.

Here are some examples of two essential oils that are successful in the Aromatherapy Massage and blends well together: Lavender and Lemon.

With the use of lavender and lemon balm oils, it has been found to have a soothing effect on Alzheimer’s sufferers, particular those prone to agitation.

Lavender helps with mood swings and feelings of instability. It also balances the central nervous system, helps in cases of manic depression, soothes the spirit, and relieves anger and exhaustion. Lavender is helpful to ease headaches, aiding in restful sleep, and contains over 100 natural chemicals to restore balance to all systems of the body.

Lemon, on the other hand, stimulates by clearing the mind, is good for stress, for mild depression, and gives the body the sense of being refreshed. Lemon can also stimulate white and red blood cells throughout the body. When inhaled, it can help stop nose bleeds; stimulates organs like the kidneys and liver. It also works to rid the body of cellulite-decongests system as well.

All though massage cannot cure Alzheimer’s disease, the power of touch through massage therapy has only but given Alzheimer’s a much more comfortable sense of living, when going through such a dreadful condition.

By: Lynn Wang, LMT, NCTMB – Www. BodySoultionsInc.com- Voorhees, NJ