| "Gina is my personal massage therapist - and she is VERY good at what she does. If you need massage; weather it's for health reasons, relaxation, or sports recovery I highly recommend her; she makes a big difference." - Sensei Hurtsellers |
Gina's Bio:
Hello, my name is Gina Wilson and as the new Massage Therapist for The Martial Arts Center I thought you might like to know a little about me, my licensing and my practice.
I first became interested in Massage Therapy at Mount Union College while studying Sports Medicine. When working directly with college-level athletes and their acute chronic injuries, I learned how to assess, triage, treat and rehabilitate them. Massage was often included in treatment plans because when applied properly, it proved to promote and increase the healing process.
While working in the Sports Medicine field and starting a family, I decided to pursue my interest and returned to school to become a Licensed Massage therapist, (LMT) at Northwest Academy of Massotherapy. In 2005 I was licensed to practice by the Ohio State Medical Board and also earned certification to perform Baby’s First Massage for newborns and to teach it to parents and caregivers.
Over the years I have found that Swedish Massage is the basis of my massage style, but often I incorporate Trigger Point Therapy, Deep Tissue Massage and stretching into treatment when I encounter muscular issues.
Today, I enjoy massaging people of all ages and activity levels! One of my favorites is a 94 year old woman who I massage weekly to help her stay active and mobile. Another weekly favorite is a 63 year old who plays volleyball 2-3 times a week, and uses massage as a means to keep her health and muscle tone at peak levels. A mother of three, who recently went back to college, comes to me regularly to reduce stress and keep her immune system running effectivly. Finally, I regularly do chair massage work on pre-teen and teens to help keep their backs and immune systems strong and healthy while reducing physical injury risk from activities like sports all the way to computer gaming!
I truly enjoy helping people begin, improve, reach and maintain their goals through Massage Therapy. Whether it is recovery from injury, stress reduction, immune system boosting, infant bonding or just a fun party with the girls, massage is a wonderful tool for people of all ages.
Massage: Get in touch with its many health benefits
A soothing massage can help you unwind, but that's not all. Explore the possible health benefits and risks of massage therapy, plus what to expect.
Massage is no longer available only through luxury spas and upscale health clubs. Today, massage therapy is offered in businesses, clinics, hospitals and even airports. If you've never tried massage, learn about the possible health benefits of massage and what to expect during a massage therapy session.
What is massage?
Massage is a general term for pressing, rubbing and manipulating your skin, muscles, tendons and ligaments. Massage therapists typically use their hands and fingers for massage but may also use their forearms, elbows and even feet. Massage may range from light stroking to deep pressure techniques.
There are many different types of massage, including these common types:
- Swedish massage. This is a gentle form of massage that uses long strokes, kneading, deep circular movements, vibration and tapping to help relax and energize you.
- Deep-tissue massage. This massage technique uses slower, more forceful strokes to target the deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue, commonly to help with muscle damage from injuries.
- Sports massage. This is similar to Swedish massage but is geared toward people involved in sport activities to help prevent or treat injuries.
- Trigger point massage. This massage focuses on trigger points, or sensitive areas of tight muscle fibers that can form in your muscles after injuries or overuse.
Benefits of massage
Massage is generally considered part of complementary and alternative medicine. It's increasingly being offered along with standard treatment for a wide range of medical conditions and situations.
While more research is needed to confirm the benefits of massage, some studies have found massage helpful for:
- Stress relief
- Managing anxiety and depression
- Pain
- Stiffness
- Blood pressure control
- Infant growth
- Sports-related injuries
- Boosting immunity
- Cancer treatment
Beyond the benefits for specific conditions or diseases, some people enjoy massage because it often involves caring, comfort, a sense of empowerment and creating deep connections with their massage therapist.
Despite its benefits, massage isn't meant as a replacement for regular medical care. Let your doctor know you're trying massage and be sure to follow any standard treatment plans you have.
Risks of massage
Massage is generally safe as long as it's done by a trained massage therapist. But massage isn't appropriate for everyone. Discuss massage with your doctor first in cases of:
- Unexplained pain or other symptoms
- Burns or open wounds
- Cancer
- Blood clots
- Fractures
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Severe osteoporosis
- Pregnancy
Some forms of massage can leave you feeling a bit sore the next day. But massage shouldn't be painful or uncomfortable. If any part of your massage doesn't feel right or is painful, speak up right away. Most serious problems come from too much pressure during massage.
In rare circumstances, massage can cause:
- Internal bleeding
- Nerve damage
- Temporary paralysis
- Allergic reactions to massage oils or lotions
What you can expect during a massage
You don't need any special preparation for massage. Before a massage therapy session starts, your massage therapist should ask you about any symptoms, your medical history and what you're hoping to get out of massage. Your massage therapist should explain the kind of massage and techniques he or she will use.
In a typical massage therapy session, you undress or wear loosefitting clothing. Undress only to the point that you're comfortable. You generally lie on a table and cover yourself with a sheet. You can also have a massage while sitting in a chair, fully clothed. Your massage therapist should perform an evaluation through touch to locate painful or tense areas and to determine how much pressure to apply.
If you want, your massage therapist may use oil or lotion to reduce friction on your skin. Tell your massage therapist if you might be allergic to any ingredients.
A massage session may last from 15 to 90 minutes, depending on the type of massage and how much time you have. No matter what kind of massage you choose, you should feel calm and relaxed during and after your massage. Pain that's more significant than momentary discomfort could indicate that something's wrong. If a massage therapist is pushing too hard, ask for lighter pressure. Occasionally you may have a sensitive spot in a muscle that feels like a knot. It's likely to be uncomfortable while your massage therapist works it out. But if it becomes painful, speak up.
Use massage as another health care tool
Brush aside any thoughts that massage is only a feel-good way to indulge or pamper yourself. To the contrary, massage can be a powerful tool to help you take charge of your health and well-being, whether you have a specific health condition or are just looking for another stress reliever. You can even learn how to do self-massage or to engage in massage with a partner.
Thank you to the staff at the Mayo Clinic who provided this great information on the general health benefits of massage therapy atwww. mayoclinic.com/ health/ massage/SA00082.
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