I hope everyone has an amazing holiday season. I have the next two weeks off from nursing school and will be working with my clients.
Enzo
massage therapy
Massage FIXX: I graduated!
I completed my 900-hour, 11-month advanced massage therapy course through CNI College and wanted to take a moment to rave about the school and their staff. I thought I knew everything there was to know about providing professional massage to my clients, but this extensive massage course really impressed (and challenged) me. I learned so much about anatomy, business practices, industry trends, professionalism and ethics. It not only drilled the basics (Swedish, Deep-Tissue, Sports and Chair) but also taught spa services such as hot stone, aromatherapy, body scrubs and mud treatments as well as more specialized modalities such as Trigger-Point, Infant Massage, Reflexology, Pregnancy Massage, Shiatsu, and Elderly Massage.
I recommend CNI College here in Orange County, CA to anyone looking to become a well-trained massage professional. Check out the school’s website here
Enzo
Travel-FIXX – Palm Springs
My trusty massage table and I are heading to Palm Springs for the weekend to work with a few clients, catch up with some great friends and enjoy a midnight swim. Have a great weekend
Massage FIXX: Deep-Tissue Massage
Deep tissue is a form of Swedish massage, but the movement is slower and the pressure is deeper and concentrated on areas of tension and pain in order to reach the sub-layer of muscles and the fascia. The massage therapist uses their fingertips, knuckles, elbows and even tools and stones to physically break down adhesions (known as “knots”) to relieve pain and restore normal range of motion.
At certain points during the massage, most people experience some discomfort and pain during deep tissue work and it is important to tell the massage therapist when things hurt and if any soreness or pain you experience is outside your comfort range. There is often some stiffness or pain after a deep tissue massage, but it should subside within a day or so.
The client is generally nude during a Swedish massage and the therapist only uncovers the part of the body being worked on at that time, a technique called draping. Your comfort is the most important part of the massage, so you are welcome to wear undergarments or even shorts if you prefer not to be nude. Continue reading
Massage FIXX: Swedish massage
Swedish technique is the most basic of Western massage modalities and what most massage clients experience in a spa. Swedish is a relaxing, full-body massage in which your therapist uses their hands and forearms to provide long, soothing effleurage (French word meaning “to glide”) strokes to relax and warm the superficial layers of your muscles and fascia.
The client is generally nude during a Swedish massage and the therapist only uncovers the part of the body being worked on at that time, a technique called draping. Your comfort is the most important part of the massage, so you are welcome to wear undergarments or even shorts if you prefer not to be nude.
A common misconception is that Swedish has to be a light touch and that it will not help relieve tension or knots, but a surprisingly deep pressure can be applied during these gliding strokes for those preferring deeper work.
While Swedish tends to be the starting point for deeper massage work such as Trigger-Point therapy and Deep-Tissue Massage, a full session of Swedish massage is an amazing way to relax your body as well as your mind.
Thank you for allowing me to share your journey towards total wellness.
Enzo (about Enzo)
Massage FIXX: The True Benefit Of Massage
While most people get a massage to lower stress or reduce muscle aches, therapeutic massage can also:
- Decrease anxiety and fatigue
- Improve the quality of sleep
- Enhance the immune system by stimulating lymph flow
- Improve range of motion
- Ease medication dependence
- Help athletes prepare for and recover from strenuous workouts
- Nourish and improve the skin
- Improve circulation
- Release endorphins that work as the body’s natural painkiller
- Lower blood pressue
- Reduce scar tissue and stretch marks
- Ease spasms and cramping
- Reduce postsurgery adhesions and swelling
- Relieve migraine pain
I’ve witnessed variations of each of the above-listed benefits first-hand during my 16 years working as a therapeutic massage therapist. However, the most profound benefit — in my opinion — is the simplist of all: Massage makes my clients happier. The science geek in me understands this is a partially the result of increased oxytocin and decreased Adrenocorticotropin hormones and suggests you read an amazing research paper by on the subject (click here for the research paper), yet the holistic healer in me suggests you simply get a massage and see for yourself: It really works.
Enzo
Welcome to BodyFIXX
I’ve been a massage therapist for more than fifteen years and have found my clients often ask for guidance with workout routines or advice on the latest diet scams. Realizing my clients need more than just a massage therapist, I have gone back to school to expand my knowledge of human anatomy at CNI College and am also training to be a certified personal trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine so that I can take my massage business to the next level: BodyFIXX Total Wellness.
The BodyFIXX Mission:
We empower our clients to better themselves through the healing practices of massage therapy, personal training, nutritional guidance and goal-setting in order to help them achieve a state of total wellness.
BodyFIXX Total Wellness will officially open for business on October 1, 2014, yet the massage portion of the business has soft-launched already. This blog is designed as a resource for anyone seeking to improve their state of wellness and will include massage therapy updates, nutritional information, fitness assistance and simple recipes.
BodyFIXX Total Wellness 