Recent study show benefits of skilled massage for back pain relief

Study shows skilled massage helpful relieving low back pain.

A recent  Seattle study, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, concluded that skilled massage was as effective or more effective helping people with low back pain as compared to people receiving the usual treatment of medications or physical therapy. The Yale Medical Group published an article about this study 7-6-11.

In this study participants had an hour- long skilled massage for ten weeks. At 10 weeks a third of those in the massage group said their pain was better or gone compared to one in 25 who received the usual treatment. After 6 months those who received the massage stilled reported better results. At one year pain and function was about equal for all 3 groups in the study.

So if you know anyone who suffers from low back pain, please pass on this information. If they are interested in getting massage I would recommend that they look for a massage therapist with experience working with folks with back pain.

Until next time stay calm, relaxed and pain free.

David Engler 

Branford Massage Experienced – Effective – Affordable

26 years of experience

203-483-1978

$20.00 Savings on Morning Massages

Greetings and Happy Holidays.

For folks who like to get massages in the morning I have a limited time special offer to save you $20.00 a massage. For two days only, I am offering massage gift certificates at $60.00 each (reg. $80.00), to be used for massage sessions

Monday – Wednesday between 9am and 12pm.

Use these certificates for your own massage sessions or give as gifts to family, friends, co-workers, or anyone who enjoys getting massages. Purchase your gift certificates here, they are easy to get and great to receive. Remember you can use these for yourself as well as giving them to others. Go to my website for additional information about Branford Massage and this special offer.

This offer expires at midnight 12-4-12

Branford Massage, over 25 years experience offering: 

Totally Relaxing Swedish Massage

Deep Tissue Massage

Oncology Massage

Athletic and Performance Massage

Polarity Energy Bodywork

Reflexology

Special Event Massage

Questions? Please call me at 203-483-1978

Until next time.

David  Engler                                                                                                                                                                                             Branford Massage                                                                                                                                                                                        www.backrubs.com                                                                                                                                                                                       203-483-1978

Branford Massage Savings

Massage Savings

Two coupons for 1 hour massage sessions for only

$99.00 limited time only

Greatings, Spring is almost here.To celebrate the end of winter I’d like to offer you a substantial savings on skilled massages. From now until Saturday March 19 your can purchase coupons for two 1 hour massages for only $99.00. The coupons are good for massage by me and by appointment. Use the coupons until 12-31-11. After that date they revert to the dollar amount of $49.50 each to be applied to the current price of a one hour massage.

Take advantage of this offer by calling Branford Massage at 203-483-1978 or check out the details and order online on my website.

Massage coupons can be used by yourself or feel free to give as gifts.

Until next time be healthy and relaxed.

David Engler, Branford Massage                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         203-483-1978 http://www.backrubs.com

PS. please share this post with others, thanks!

Safe snow shoveling. Save your back. Repost

Snow is coming – Protect your back.

Dec. 26, 2010

Here in Connecticut we are expecting our first major snow storm of the season. It’s cold out so the snow should be dry and fluffy . according to the weather pros we’ll be getting a lot of it. So protect your back when you are out shoveling. If your back does tighten up a good professional massage might be just what is called for. Shameless self-promotion. I do have appointments available  next week to help relieve back tightness and spasms. www.backrubs.com

Suggestions to safely shovel snow and protect your back.

Warm up a few minutes before shoveling.Let your muscles stretch a little before doing any heavy lifting.

1. Use a shovel that is not too big with a curved handle.
2. Push as much snow as possible and bend you knees.
3. Lift with your legs, not your back. Make sure your knees are bending and straightening to lift the shovel instead of leaning forward and straightening with your back.
4. Avoid excessive spine rotation.Don’t twist your back. Twisting and throwing snow can really mess up your back. Throw the snow the direction your toes are pointing.
5. Shovel frequently so the snow doesn’t pile up too high and get too heavy.
6. Drink plenty of water, avoid dehydrating.
7. Take frequent breaks and do gentle back and leg stretches.
8. If you feel pain stop!
9. When finished make sure you stretch out you neck, arms, legs and of course back.
10. Consider getting a professional, skilled, massage. A massage therapist who is experienced and knows what they are doing.

Until next time enjoy the snow and protect your back.

David Engler                                                                                                      Branford Massage Therapy                                                          www.backrubs.com

Massage gift certificates available

Alex’s Lemonade Stand and Claires Corner Copia

Raising funds to fight childhood cancer

This coming Saturday, June 12, I will be participating in a great fund raiser at Claires Corner Copia at 1000 Chapel St. in New Haven. Again this year Claires will be hosting Alex’s Lemonade Stand to raise money to fight childhood cancer.  Sonia Baghdady – from News Channel 8, will be helping the volunteers with the festivities. Available for purchase will be lemonade, lemon squares, lemon hummos, lemon drop cookies and mini cupcakes, and lemon-colored balloons, and we’ll paint faces and hands with – well, lemons. You are of course welcome to enjoy Claire’s other wonderful food as well.

(This is also the opening of New Haven’s Arts and Ideas Festival)

Back massage

For about 3 hours, from 11 AM to 2PM I will be offering seated massage – for a minimum donation of $5.00 you will receive a 10 minute relaxing back massage with all the proceeds going to Alex’s Lemonade Stand.

So I invite all you to come to Claire’s in New Haven for a great event, have fun, eat tasty treats, meet Sonia Baghdady & Claire, enjoy a back massage and help raise funds to fight childhood cancer.

See you there!

Until next time, be healthy and relaxed

David Engler

Branford Massage Therapy massage appointments available Monday – Saturday

203-483-1978

Follow Branford Massage on Twitter

Join my Facebook page

Contact Branford Massage or sign up for my newsletter.

10 ways professional massage can be helpful.

Greetings and Happy Spring.

For many people experience with massage has been limited to getting a massage while on vacation, at a resort, hotel or a day spa. Clients of mine are often pleased with these sessions, a nice relaxing session. Massage is terrific at helping people relax. In fact massage for stress management is one the reasons I got into this profession in 1983. Yet professional skilled massage can be very helpful in many ways in addition to relaxation.

The following is a list of 10 ways massage can be helpful now.

This list is in no particular order and represents only a few the many benefits of professional massage.

1. Massage has been shown to be helpful for people with high blood pressure.
2. Relief from muscle spasms.
3. Pain relief, especially neck and back pain.
4. Improved flexibility.
5. Helpful for people with MS.
6. People suffering from anxiety,
7. Often is helpful for those recovering from injury or surgery.
8. Helpful for people suffering from insomnia.
9. Often helpful in preventing muscles from tightening up and causing pain and discomfort.
10. Improved athletic performance.

While I certainly suggest getting a massage while on vacation I would also suggest to use professional massage regularly to address your concerns about stress or physical issues .

Find a massage therapist that is well-trained and has experience dealing with your concerns. Try to have a phone conversation and explain your goals and needs, Ask questions. What kind of experience to they have? What kind of massage do they do? Is the massage painful? Do they mostly do “relaxation massage”? People often comment to me that “relaxation massage” is a very gentle touch, sometimes just slathering the oil on the skin and not really working the muscles. Do they charge extra for “deep tissue massage”? If so why? By the way “deep tissue massage” does not have to be painful or uncomfortable. I’ll say it again, ask questions.

Before your first session begins go over your goals. During the massage session feel free to give feedback, it’s your body, time and money. As you get additional massages from the same massage therapist you will learn their style of massage and will become more comfortable communicating with them. As the massage therapist becomes more familiar with you, they will become better at tailoring each session to meet your needs.

Gift Certificate Savings

Now through Mother’s Day you can purchase gift certificates an significant savings. A gift certificate for one hour is $65.00 a $10.oo savings. or purchase a series of 3 – 60 minute sessions for only $180.00 a $45.00 savings. Easy to order and great to receive. You can purchase them by phone at 203-483-1978, in person, or online at  http://bit.ly/b92cjI .

Until next time be healthy and enjoy the Spring.

David Engler Branford Massage Therapy 203-483-1978

Follow on Twitter and Facebook

Getting the most out of your massage.

Getting a Better Massage

Massage has gone mainstream. Reasons people get massaged range from – it’s nice, feels good, got a gift certificate, thanks a lot, to massage has become an integral part of staying healthy. All are good reasons for getting a massage.

Whether you get massaged on a regular basis , once in a while, or even just once a year you owe it to yourself to have a very good experience.

Tips for getting a great massage.

1. Remember this is your massage, your time, your body, and your money. Your deserve to good experience.
2. Know what your goals are for the session and tell your massage therapist. They should listen , ask questions and do the best to meet your goals.
3. I suggest going to a massage therapist with a fair amount of experience. Ask them what types or styles of massage they use. Be informed, ask questions. Therapist should use an intake form and know your medical history and any health issues that you may have.
4. Know that you can talk or be silent during your session. Your massage person should respect that.
5. You should not have listen to the massage therapist talk all about their life, problems etc. unless you want them to.
6. You are to be respected at all times, no exceptions.
7. Speak up if something is not right, not how you like it, too much or too little pressure, not focusing on what you need. Give feedback.
8. The room should be warm enough, clean, and comfortable.
9. No up selling especially during your massage session.Of course massage therapist should not interrupt the session to take a call or book another appointment.
10. Make sure that the length of the session is hands on time . Sometimes a massage session will be scheduled for 60 minutes, for example, and this will include you getting ready for the massage and preparing to leave making the actual massage session several minutes shorter than what you expected.
11. Arrive a few minutes early for your appointment so you do not have to rush and give yourself a few minutes to prepare to leave without rushing.
12. Take a drink of water after your session.
13. Give your massage therapist feedback

First time Massage

Remember the first massage with a massage therapist is a learning experience for both you and your therapist. The therapist learns what you like and don’t like. Your learn about the style of the therapist. Feedback is important. Most people that have repeat sessions with a massage therapist find communication improves so the sessions improve.

My recommendation

If you are interested in getting regular massages consider staying with a massage therapist you are happy with for at least 3 or 4 sessions. You comfort level will improve as well as communication leading to even better massage sessions.

Until next time, be healthy and relaxed.

David Engler

Branford Massage Therapy

www.backrubs.com

Follow me on Twitter

http://twitter.com/BranfordMassage

Deep Tissue Massage – Why Extra Charge?

Deep tissue massage

It happened again. A new client came to my office seeking relief from aches and pains especially in her back and completely relax, get rid of stress. She mentioned  getting occasional massages from some of the day spas in Branford and Guilford but found too many of her sessions were just too lite, “just slathering on the oil and mushing it around”. Never really getting into the muscles and working out the kinks.

Many people seem to believe that a relaxing massage needs to be only a lite touch, just mushing around the oil. The type of massage usually seen in movies. Wrong. Another misconception is that  firmer or deep tissue massage has to be painful and not relaxing. Again wrong. A skilled massage therapist, in my opinion, should be able to work deeply without  discomfort and still create a very relaxing therapeutic session. Deeper work helps break up muscle spasms and tightness usually leaving the client with less discomfort and better movement.  Most sessions I use various techniques, including deep tissue, to meet the needs of the client, usually to work out tight sore areas, and still have very relaxing session. I am aware that each client is unique with individual likes, dislikes, and goals for massage. Pressure is adjusted accordingly.

Don’t get me wrong. I am not saying you can’t get a good massage at a day spa. I know some very good massage therapists working in day spas who give terrific massages.

My question is why charge extra for deep tissue, sports, stretching, or therapeutic massage? I have been told that it takes extra effort to do deep tissue instead of “Relaxation Massage“. My response, nonsense!

Give me a call to discuss how skilled massage can help you. 203-483-1978

Follow me on Twitter

www.twitter.com/branfordmassage

check out my website

www.backrubs.com

Until next time.

David Engler                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Branford Massage

Neck Pain and Skilled Massage

Look around and watch folks move. You’ll notice some people turn their body’s instead of their head when looking at something. Others will just turn their head part way or very cautiously. Avoiding causing pain is the goal. Neck pain can be very uncomfortable, annoying and debilitating. Driving becomes a chore and very unpleasant. Clients I see with neck problems can be frustrated, angry and depressed. Massage often helps these folks. Range of motion improves and pain decreases or stops entirely.

In a recent study a the the University of Washington 64 patients with chronic neck pain were studied. Half the group received a self- help book for neck pain. The other half received up to 10 massages over a 10 week period. These folks reported a 39% improvement on the neck diasbility index. 55 percent said their neck pain became less of a problem overall, especially at the four week point in the study. The study, published in The Clinical Journal of Pain, suggests that massage has promise in helping people suffering with neck pain.

In my experience clients with neck pain, massage along with gentle stretching often helps to reduce neck pain and increase range of motion. I often demonstrate gentle self stretches they can use to keep their neck loose and avoid muscle spasming and pain.

Know anyone suffering from neck pain? Try massage from an experienced and skilled massage therapist.

Until next time…Stay relaxed and healthy.

David Engler                                                                                                                         Branford Massage Therapy                                                                                           www.backrubs.com

Follow me on Twitter

Become a fan of Branford Massage on Facebook

Student Athletes – warming up is important

Recently I gave a massage to a student athlete. A freshman basketball player from a local high school. Seems like a great guy. He had fairly tight leg muscles and I suggested to him to make sure to to warm up before intense workouts or games and also to effectively stretch. Warming up can help prevent injuries and lead to more success in sports not to mention more enjoyment.

Coaches, take your athletes’ health seriously. Your star players, all you players are no good sitting on the bench with pulled muscles or sprained ankles.I know from personal experience a good warm up is important. Unfortunately I also personally know the downside of not warming up. Not doing so can certainly lead to injuries. You owe it to these young athletes.

David Engler

Branford Massage Therapy

www.backrubs.com

203-483-1978