Blog - Compassion Massage

How You Can Support Breast Cancer Awareness In October

During the month of October, our staff at Compassion Massage Therapeutic Clinic is dedicated to supporting the fight against breast cancer. Through our work with The Virginia Thruston Healing Garden and the Amerian Cancer Society, we’ve learned more about the healing process and have been able to refine our own therapeutic services. However, we’d love for all of Massachusetts to be involved in the fight, but understand it can be hard to know where to start.

In this article, we’ll discuss just a few ways you can partake and make a difference for those studying and fighting breast cancer.

Attend Local Breast Cancer Awareness Events

Massachusetts has no shortage of wonderful people and businesses organizing events to raise money for breast cancer research. Look for local events near you, like benefit concerts, Zumba classes that dedicate proceeds, or breast cancer walks. These events expose you to people actively researching and battling breast cancer in a fun, interactive way while raising money for research. Not to mention it’s just a great way to spend an afternoon or evening!

Want to be even more awesome? Why not volunteer in one of these events as well! Volunteering supports the cause by offering your time and effort towards events that directly support the breast cancer fight. Not to mention exposing yourself to dedicated people who care for others and the strong breast cancer fighters and survivors of the world.

Donate To or Join A Non-Profit Fighting Breast Cancer

There’s no shortage of non-profit organizations working year-round to raise money for support. Organizations like the Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition, the American Cancer Society, and others are always looking for more help and would love to have talented, motivated individuals. There’s also just simple donations, which fund research and outreach that further helps the effort.

Help Through Therapy or Research

One of the best ways to aid in the breast cancer fight is to directly help through cancer research or care. While this route takes a lot of schooling, patience, and expertise, it can be one of the most rewarding professions available. At Compassion Massage, we take pride in the therapeutic services we offer and continue to grow our knowledge to alleviate the pain felt by breast cancer fighters. We’re always encouraging more people to learn and spread pain-relieving techniques because the courage and strength of our clients drives us.

How Massage Therapy Can Impact Breast Cancer

At Compassion Massage, we truly believe in the physical and emotional benefits of massage therapy for those with breast cancer. Breast cancer can be a painful, draining experience, and massage therapy can be a tool in the toolbox of breast cancer care. In a 2003 study by the University of Miami, researchers found that healing touch and massage therapy lowered anxiety, depression, pain, and even the need for pain medication in certain individuals. Specifically, dopamine and white blood cell levels increased in women who received massages over the 5-week course.

Since that time, several more studies from across the globe have found similar results in people with breast cancer. The jury is still out on how exactly the body responds to massage therapy to achieve these results, but it’s clear that there is a significant effect on mental and physical health. By no means should massage therapy be the only treatment someone should receive, but it can be a great way to reduce physical and emotional pain from breast cancer.

How We Structure Breast Cancer Massage Therapy

Since breast cancer is a highly individualistic disease, we listen to each client’s feelings and circumstances to craft a unique massage. Part of living with and beating a disease like cancer is being heard, and we make sure we listen to everything each client says to guide our own practice. We will adjust our massages if you have a change in treatment or medication, so you receive the maximum benefit from our services.

After we’ve developed an individual plan for you, you’ll come in and have your first massage with one of our highly trained massage therapists. You will only work with therapists that have intimate knowledge of your individual plan, so you can be assured you get the right treatment. Our cushioning system is state-of-the-art and prevents excess pressure on other areas of your body. Most importantly, we try to foster an inviting and productive environment for our clients to relax and feel comfortable in. The key to many of the studies conducted over the years was the feeling of relaxation, connectedness, and a truly tailored experience. At Compassion Massage Therapeutic Clinic, we strive for our clients to experience these feelings in every massage.

Schedule Your Appointment With Compassion Today!

If you or someone you know is in need of massage therapy, schedule an appointment with us today! Follow our Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn for updates on our specials and community outreach!

Cold Stone Therapy: A Great Way to Treat Migraine Pain

People who suffer from migraines know how much of a pain they are to treat. Pain relievers, pills, and being able to narrow down the cause of headaches can be overwhelming, especially when the pressure and pain in your head become unbearable. Thankfully, Compassion Massage offers cold stone therapy to those who suffer from migraines.

When it comes to cold stone therapy, it’s all in the name; massage therapists place chilled stones along the surface of a client’s face for a cooling and soothing effect. There are many ways you can go about tending to a headache, but we’re here to provide some enlightenment on the wonders that cold stone therapy can offer.

The Underlying Science of Cold Stone Therapy

The act of placing cold stones on the skin’s surface causes the blood vessels to narrow. Removing the stones causes the blood vessels to dilate and expand. This process brings fresh blood and oxygen to the targeted area, thus increasing the flow of circulation. Even the stones themselves are specially chosen for this process. We use sedimentary stone (limestone) and marble because they can retain and absorb the cold better than other stones.

Feeling Good is Equivalent to Cold Stone Effectiveness

Once our massage therapists apply the cold stones, you should feel relief. But be aware that the stones will be cold, not cool. They are, quite literally, stone cold! This doesn’t mean you should worry about having freezing stones all over your face, however. In fact, if the stones aren’t cold enough, then the sensation can actually worsen.

We encourage you to move your face and head very slowly, as this process provides the stones a chance to penetrate all areas of the muscle tissue. Cold stones should be applied when there is an abundance of heat lying in the tissue of your face. This way, cold stone therapy will be able to create a perfect balance of temperature and blood flow.

A More Nuanced Look at Cold Stone Therapy

Now it comes down to how much time, how many stones, and the temperatures necessary for cold stone therapy. The number of stones required changes from person to person, but it usually ranges anywhere from three to seven slabs. The ideal temperature for the stones should be thirty-six degrees Fahrenheit. Lastly, the amount of time the stones should be on your face depends on how soon you start to feel relief. This may occur within five or thirty minutes. Either way, the amount of time necessary is wholly dependent on your sense of comfort.

Contact Compassion Massage Therapeutic Clinic Today!

Cold stone therapy is an excellent treatment option for migraines and pressure headaches. It’s also proven to help clients who suffer from anxiety and fatigue. At Compassion Massage Therapeutic Clinic, we’re proud to offer cold stone therapy as well as several other remedies for pain, discomfort, and stress. Contact our team to get started!

How Massage Treatments Can Help Patients with PTSD

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a condition in which a person has a difficult time completely recovering from experiencing or witnessing a terrifying event. People are quick to associate this disorder with troops, but individuals with PTSD tend to be from all walks of life. Those with PTSD undergo several sessions of therapy and treatment plans to help cope and overcome the scarring of traumatic experiences. Believe it or not, massaging is a significant form of physical therapy that helps relieve people of the terrifying experiences and we’ve provided you with the facts.

Loosening the Muscles

People who suffer from PTSD or any anxiety-related disorder experience an imbalance of chemicals that the brain releases. When an individual undergoes heightened anxiety, their bodies will go into flight or fight mode, causing the muscles to become tense. By massaging the muscles, they will react calmly, and loosen up. With loose muscles, those with PTSD are able to shake off the anxiety and resist the fight or flight state of being.

Targeting Stress

Stress plays a major part in our health, which is why it is extremely important to fight it. Individuals with PTSD find themselves not being able to eat or sleep comfortably and that is due to the number of stress hormones that are running throughout their bodies. With massaging, the human body releases serotonin. This release of serotonin helps a person to adjust focus and improve the circulation of blood and oxygen. The more fresh blood and oxygen can reach the brain, the more inclined an individual can become to control anxious sensations.

Creating Healthy Communication

Early in therapy sessions, individuals with PTSD can have a difficult time bringing themselves to talk about the experiences that haunt them. Stress hormones can be strong enough to dominate their ability to talk thoroughly. This is where massage therapy can come into play. Not only does massage therapy lead to significant reductions in pain and tension, but it may also aid in reducing irritability, anxiety, and depression in veterans with PTSD. Massage therapy helps the human body become used to working in a relaxed state. This, in turn, will allow the individual with PTSD to speak calmly during their therapy sessions in order to get to the root of the problem.

Compassion Massage Cares

Compassion Massage specializes in massages and physical therapy because we know how much it can make a difference in your life. Contact us today to receive the massage therapy you need.