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Category Archives: Blog

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Range of Motion

Posted on by Giovanni La Rocca
Range of Motion Cervical Lateral Felxion
07
Mar

Range of Motion is the movement of a joint within a 3-dimensional space. For each joint, we expect a minimum and a maximum degree of movement. When to use a range of motion evaluation. Before performing a Myotherapy, Remedial Massage, or a Thai massage session, we check for a Range of Motion, also know as ROM. Checking for ROM is to establish the functionality of the joint and the muscles that surround it. For example, when a client walks in complaining of cervical pain, the first thing we look in too after the postural assessment is the ROM. A postural assessment is an evaluation of the skeletal structure. After that, we ask the client to do specific movements with their head. Like, Rotation side to side, flexion, extension, and lateral flexion. Indeed, these are the basic range of motion for the cervical area. What this range of motion can tell us? Well, depending on the essential mobility of the person, we expect a minimum and maximum range. Let’s say that the client has average mobility; we expect the range of motion of their cervical to be: Flexion (able to flex the head forward and leave a gap of 3cm between the chin and the sternum) Extension, we look in too 70° of movement Lateral Rotation we look in too 80° of rotation (the chin is nearly in line with the shoulder) Lateral Flexion we look in too 45°. If this post talks to you, book your next massage session by clicking here. Are the range of motion movements the same for everyone? A person with a hypermobile joint range may have a 10° about less ROM than this. Indeed, a person that has a hypermobile joint range can reach 10° furthermore. That’s why every person needs his evaluation. Moving forward, if the range of motion is limited, it could be a muscle tightness or a joint mobilization issue. The best approach for improving joint mobilisation is the Myotherapy treatment or Thai Massage.  Both techniques relieve muscle tension and improve muscle tone and joint mobility. The release of tension from the muscle would improve the ROM. On the other hand, when we ask a client to do a ROM, we don’t look only for the length of movement. Quality of movement. For the quality of movement, we refer to how smooth the movement is. Is the client trying to compensate for the cervical rotation by flexing the head? Is the client compensating for the flexion by shrugging the shoulder? Indeed, the movement of a joint is the key to understanding what muscle is responsible for the pain, discomfort or limited ROM. Once we individualise the key muscle/s, we can address the issue. Different types of ROM. In conclusion, the ROM can be active, passive and resisted. The client itself does active ROM. Passive are ROM done by the therapist with no assistance in controlling the movement by the client. Reisted is ROM active done by the client, with a resistance force applied by the therapist again the client’s movement. Each of this ROM can tell us something different about the joint. Active is about muscle lengthening. Passive is about joint mobility (ligament and tendon) Resisted is about the strength of the muscle. We can’t use the Resisted if Active or Passive reproduces pain. That would not be safe. Regarding the Resisted ROM, the resistance is applied in 3 different levels. When the pain gets reproduced, we stop the test. Occasionally, an orthopaedic test can be performed too. Orthopaedic tests are specific tests to evaluate in specific the muscle involved in the limited ROM.  

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Blog

Corrective Exercises VS Massage

Posted on by Giovanni La Rocca
corrective exercises fore arm
05
Mar

As Massage Therapist, I often see people who come in for treatment due to pain and discomfort. Indeed, I am more than happy to be that person who, by manual therapy, can alleviate others’ agony. Exercises post-treatment. At the end of the treatment, I tend to show the client a series of corrective exercises and, most of the time, a straightforward one. Those corrective exercises must be done to help maintain the change we created in the body along the massage session. Massage treatments like Myotherapy, Remedial Massage, Thai Massage or MLD can be a good starting point to change the musculoskeletal unbalance of the body. Even though the changes we created will not last long unless there is constant work done on it. So, when the client returns to routine life, those change tends to disappear quickly. That’s why we give clients exercises. How can exercises help? Exercise can help address everyday muscle weakness, joint stiffness and or painful presentation on your own time. And yes, I understand it’s hard to find the time to do exercises, but would you rather live a life in pain or find a way to feel better about yourself? It’s part of our behaviour to want the fast, quick and immediate change we want. Isn’t it?! But nothing comes easy in life. We must learn that changes take time, and along this time, we must work hard for it. Said so, I am more than happy, and I feel honoured to treat people. I feel like Massage skill is one of the skills that can change people’s life. And when I do run a Thai Yoga class and teach people the exercises, I feel even more accomplished as a massage therapist. Book your next massage session by clicking here if this post talks to you. In conclusion, postural exercises are the key if you are willing to get rid of the body ache and pain. Then, working at the gym or doing sports activities is still as important. But those activities, if not monitored by a coach or done professionally and with full awareness, can lead to injury and pain. Indeed, when doing strengthening exercises, you want to ensure you correctly use the body biomechanics. But not only that. Indeed, you want to make sure that your joint has enough range of motion to deliver that action correctly. Following this link will give you access to the Thai Yoga Class videos.    

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Blog

Neck Pain

Posted on by Giovanni La Rocca
neck pain
26
Feb

Neck Pain. Neck pain is something that we all did experience at some point in life and is not fun. Neck pain can manifest for very different reasons, it can be chronic, it can come and go and can debilitate our day. How we can prevent neck pain to happen? And, if I am in pain, what I can do? Firstly we should have an understanding of the neck anatomy. The neck is made from the cervical vertebrae that run from C0 to C7. The first 3, so C0, C1, C2 are a bit unique. Due to their position and to the muscle that they connect, they can be considered the upper portion of the neck. Along those 3 vertebrae, we find the Occipital Muscle Group, which we did talk about in this blog post. From C3 to C7, indeed we have the lower portion of the neck. Along those vertebrae, we find different muscle groups. Some of those connect cervical vertebrae to the thoracic one, like Splenius Cervicis. Others connect the vertebrae to the scapula or to the skull, like Levator Scapulae, and Splenius Capitis. As of last we then have the upper portion of the Erector Spinae group, which connects the rib cage to the Cervical and Skull area. Like, Longissimus Capitis, Longissimus Cervis, Illiocostalis Cervis and Semispinalis Capitis. Now that we are a bit more aware of what is where, we can start to understand that neck pain can be for many, many, and many reasons. So, what to do then? Well, a massage therapist can be the one that thanks to orthopaedic tests and Range of Motion analysis can tell you what’s going on and where. For booking now your next appointment with Melbourne Massage and Treatment click here. Indeed, neck pain can be present because of the rounding of the shoulders. Or even because of a flat foot instead. “And what about the wrong pillow?!” Yes, the pillow can influence the neck life, that’s for sure. But maybe is the way that you sleep, and not the pillow only. Said so, with either a Remedial massage or a Thai Massage neck pain can be healed and cured. Both those techniques can address the issue and help in preventing the flare-up of the pain. In regards to the Remedial Massage, it can be applied in a prone, supine or seated position, using hands and elbow mainly. When it comes to Thai Massage then, there is more fun. Well, at least for the therapist. In the Thai Massage that I offer here at Melbourne Thai Treatment, I can use my hands, elbow, or even my feet to work on the neck. Obviously, I did train for it. And let me tell you, not because I use my foot it means is a stronger work. Actually, it is a more delicate and accurate touch than what you may expect. If then the person presents with a bulging disk in the cervical area, then things get a bit more complicated. To receive a massage there, I would request the clearance of the GP, and I may proceed by using MLD only. MLD can be a fabulous technique to work on to the neck. It can help in reducing swelling and speed up the recovery of the building disk too. In conclusion, to avoid neck pain is good to take some precautions. Like, spending less time on the phone, moving the neck with gentle movement and stretching, taking regular breaks from the computer if working too many hours at the PC, make your deep flexor stronger (see the blog post about the Front Head Carriage).

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Blog

How Often Should I Get a Massage Appointment?

Posted on by Giovanni La Rocca
Upper Trap Remedial Massage
19
Feb

Massage appointments, how often? How often should I come for a massage appointment? Often I got asked this question, and the answer is not as simple as. A massage, that is Remedial Massage, Thai Massage or MLD treatment, has the aim to heal a condition or alleviate the pain. Well, at least that’s the main aim of those techniques. Said so, the second, but not less important task for a massage is to induce relaxation. Therefore, if you are aiming to get some relaxation, I would suggest considering getting a massage appointment regularly. Like, every 2 weeks, every month or every 2 months. Of course, depends mostly on finance. So, a regular massage appointment, allows the body and mind to aim for something positive. It is like a reward. On the other hand, if the message is not limited to relaxation time, then, you may need it more often. That’s the case when the client comes to the appointment that is in pain (99% of the time). If this post is talking to you, book your next massage session by clicking here. The fact that you are in pain can be a sign that the body issue has been there for a while. Indeed with a massage, we can alleviate the pain, but to actually fix the issue (if it’s fixable by the way) or to make the best out of what the condition is, we need to do more than one session. In fact, one session may release the pain for a couple of days, but then, as you go back to your daily routine, the pain would come back. Therefore, a series of close massage appointments, in a short time can actually help for the best. Another important aspect of pain management is exercise. Corrective exercises are a key role in expanding the time between one session and the next one. If you actually do the exercises, you can by yourself improve your body conditions, reducing the risk of injury and pain. In conclusion, the frequency for which you should attend a massage appointment is based on your needing. For a Remedial massage or a Thai Massage, you may wanna initially see the therapist once a week for the first 3 to 4 weeks. With MLD is different. With MLD the need for seeing a therapist can be more frequent. Obviously depending on the condition that has to be treated.    

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Blog

Sunburn and MLD

Posted on by Giovanni La Rocca
Sunburn on back
12
Feb

MLD and Sunburn. As already mentioned earlier, MLD stands for Manual Lymphatic Drainage and is a great technique to treat sunburn. Indeed MLD is a technique that works with a gentle touch and has a multitude of benefits, including the healing from sunburn. Firstly, we analyse what sunburn is about. So, a sunburn is the skin’s reaction to too much exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. Here in Australia, the amount of UV radiation is higher than elsewhere in the world. As per result, in Australia, we have to be extra careful. If the sunburn reaches the 3rd degree of burn, medical attention is required immediately. During summer or even winter when we expose our skin to the sun. You can have a sign of sunburn within minutes from overexposure. The first symptoms are skin redness, burning sensation and pain to the touch. Long-term sunburn can lead to bad scar or even to skin cancer. If this post is talking to you, book your next massage session by clicking here. So, How MLD can help if I get sunburned? MLD thanks to the light touch, firstly, will avoid the patients being in pain during the touch. Furthermore, by activating the suction effect of the Lymphatic System, MLD boosts the healing process. This is possible by removing the liquid from under the sunburned skin area. The lymphatic system would then, clear up the excess liquid and would allow the skin to get oxygenated once again. Said so, when treating someone with sunburn, as therapists we always have to look for possible skin infections and other absolute contraindications. If the skin over the sunburn area is craked and infected, then we will have to wait for the infection to heal. In addition to this, if the sunburn is as bad as 3rd-degree burn, we may don’t wanna touch the sunburn directly, but applying MLD in a close area can still help the lymphatic system to be activated remotely or on the area affected. In conclusion, remember always to put sun cream before exposing yourself to sunlight. Put the cream 30 mins before having a bath. Either in the sea or swimming pool, in order for the cream not to be absorbed and not be washed away. Avoid the hottest hours. Check the UV exposure on the Victoria Government weather website (https://www.bom.gov.au/vic/forecasts/melbourne.shtml). Stay in the shade and drink plenty of water.

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Blog

Altar within a Massage Clinic

Posted on by Giovanni La Rocca
Altar with in a massage clinic
07
Feb

Altar within a Massage Clinic. As you may already know, part of my training was done in Thailand at Pichest Boonthumme Thai Massage School. That’s where I learn about Altar within a Massage Clinic Pichest, as already mentioned in a previous blog post, is a unique way of teaching. In fact, he doesn’t only share the massage knowledge. He included in his teaching a methodology of life. Included in this methodology there is the dedication to prayer and meditation. Even though I haven’t included the prayer yet in my experience, I did include the meditation. In order to do so, in order to build a stronger attitude toward those practices, at Melbourne massage and Treatment clinic there is a little altar the clinic. On the altar, based on the teaching of Pichest, I do expose my offer and memory to the Buddha, to Mamma and Papa’, and to the Teacher. In addition, I did decide to place objects or pictures that recall for me a special time, a memory o a person that someone, shared with me some teaching. Furthermore, just below the altar, there are the products that I sell as the Incenses. But you know what’s the funny thing about the altar present at the Home Clinic here in Blair St? Well, it was already there. I didn’t have to install it. If this post is talking to you, book your next massage session by clicking here. True fact is that, when we came for the house inspection, we right away address that room as the clinic, due to the presence of the wooden altar. A few days after we did move in, I did find out the truth about our neighbour that someone else, before us, already was running a massage studio in the same room. What a coincidence, right?! In conclusion, I am working on my way to improving my practice, and not as a massage therapist only, by taking the Myotherapy course, but also by improving my meditation practice and my prayer practice. I can’t define myself as a religious person, but even though I believe in trust and faith. Thanks again for reading my blog, Giovanni

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Blog

Water after a massage

Posted on by Giovanni La Rocca
27
Jan

Water after a massage. Have you ever noticed that after a massage you feel thirsty and depending on the treatment you may have an urgency to go to the toilet? Well, massages are diuretics, that’s why. Indeed, independently of the type of treatment that you receive, whether is MLD, Remedial Massage, or Thai Massage, the body fluid gets pushed and pumped around the all body. As per consequence, all these substances moved around need to find their way out. So, after any session, you wanna make sure to rehydrate your body. Drink water after a massage. Why water and not orange juice? Or an energy drink? Or coffee? Water is what is recommended after a massage because it’s what can at the best re-oxygenate the muscle and re-hydrate the body. Drinking a sugary drink, or a really acid beverage as it can be coffee will just dry off the body even more. Furthermore, water is quicker to be absorbed and can help the stomach to keep its natural PH balance. If this post is talking to you, book your next massage session by clicking here. Another effect of the massage can be the deep relaxation of the body, which can affect the stomach and abdominal feeling. Indeed, adding sugar or other substances to the PH of a stomach that feels so relaxed, may not work at the best. What about the water temperature then? Cold or warm? Well, let’s take down the myth that cold water makes you feel fresher. Sorry, it doesn’t. Drinking cold water brings the body temperature down, increasing then the difference in temperature between within the body and outside the body. That will make you feel even hotter. But I do understand that hot water unless is herbal tea, doesn’t feel so nice. Even though, warm water would be ideal, as its temperature would be the same as one of our inner organs. So, temperature-wise just drinks water at room temperature if you can’t stand hot water.  

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Blog

Music and Massage

Posted on by Giovanni La Rocca
Fip logo music for massage
22
Jan

Massage and music at Melbourne Massage and Treatment Studio. Music is such an important part of receiving and giving a massage. As our body gets stimulated from the touch of the practitioner, music can tune in with the healing touch and create a different atmosphere. Said so, I never found it too hard to choose what music to play. Lately, I did decide to step away from platforms such as Spotify or Youtube. Why? Well, starting with YouTube, there is way too much publicity, and I don’t really use it as much that I would need an account for it. In regards to Spotify, I just can’t stand their politics. The artists get paid nothing for each time we listen to their music, and I found it really unfair. So, more recently, I discover a really nice French Radio called FIP. FIP stands for France Inter Paris. The concept behind FIP has scarcely changed since its founding: commercial-free music interrupted only by occasional announcements about forthcoming cultural events. Why did I choose FIP? If this post is talking to you, book your next massage session by clicking here. I choose Fip as it has a broad range of music styles and is commercial-free The last thing you want to hear during a massage is publicity, isn’t it? Furthermore, I use it all day long in the house, it has a really massive range of music choices. During the treatments, I mostly play Jazz music as is the one that best suits the environment. In regards to MLD, though, I don’t play music during those sessions. Why? Well, MLD is a light touch treatment that doesn’t have to follow a bit. In fact, having music, for us MLD therapists can be distractive. Along with the MLD treatment, I have to be so focused that I can’t get distracted by the music’s rhythm. That would change the rhythmic of my touch and massage speed, interrupting the healing purpose of MLD. In conclusion, I never received a complaint about the Music choice, so I guess your customers appreciate the choice and respect the idea that under pay an artist, is just not fair.    

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Blog

Massage History

Posted on by Giovanni La Rocca
Egyptian Massage History
15
Jan

Massage History. Massage history dates back many centuries ago. The association between touch and healing is longer than what you may expect. In fact, the history of massage goes back to 5000 years ago. As per the result of the first finding, the first appearance of massage as a healing technique is founded in India. Is the Ayurveda history then that can be pushed so far. Along the millennia and centuries, this healing technique gets spread all around. Firstly the massage approach spreads to China ( 2700BCE ) and is here that the technique starts to be mixed with martial arts and spiritual yoga. Indeed, this will create the base for Chinese Medicine. From China then, the massage techniques and knowledge moved to Japan, and that’s when Shiatsu was born. Shiatsu is a technique that regulates and strengthens organs by moving energy levels through the stimulation of pressure points aiming to bring natural resistance to illness. If this post is talking to you, book your next massage session by clicking here. Along with the eastern culture, let’s not forget the Thai Massage. About this specific technique, I did dedicate a full blog post. In regards to the western culture were Egyptians the first who start practising massage then influence the Greeks and the Romans (800BCE). As per result, the Greeks put the base for western medicine. Thanks to the passion and devotion to sports (Olympics game) figures like Hippocrates start to associate facts with time in nature, music, rest, good food, and massage as a good practice for the body and essential for healing. Hippocrates can be considered the father of modern medicine. In regards to the Romans, made massage was a popular practice. The reach people could get a massage as a private service, whereas, everybody else would have a massage at the public bath. The Roman public bath is the precursor of the modern SPA. Timepass by and massage lose its popularity, especially in the western world. We have to wait till the 19th century. Is then when a Swedish doctor Per Henrik Ling, developed the base for the Sweedish massage or better known as relaxation massage. From this time onward than all the modern medicine techniques start developing. Remedial Massage (19th century) Myotherapy (1970) Osteopathy (1874) MLD (1930) In conclusion, several are the technique of massage available today. There is a massage that works better than others? Possibly yes, like some massage techniques can work more deeply than others. Said so, depending on the need of the person and the body conditions that may a specific technique is recommended more than others.      

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Blog

Pain and MLD

Posted on by Giovanni La Rocca
MLD on Lower Leg
08
Jan

MLD and Pain. As previously mentioned, MLD is a massage technique pain-free. This is one of the reasons that makes it so special. It doesn’t matter where the technique is applied, the touch has to be so light, that the patient doesn’t have to feel any pain. And believe it or not, MLD can be applied right after surgery, when you get sunburn or right after physical trauma. Indeed, what MLD does is prevent the body to feel the pain. So, in order to explain this, I may use the mosquito bite example. When a mosquito bites us, after several minutes we start to feel itchy. In fact, the first auto-reaction is to start stretching the body. What does the scratching do? Firstly, by scratching, we stimulate the mechanoreceptors of the skin. The mechanoreceptors, send a signal to the spine (to CNS) that inhibit the pain receptors, which are constantly stimulated from the mosquito bite. Indeed, the pain receptor can be stimulated once and keep reacting, whereas the touch receptors, in order to be activated need constant stimulation. Now, in MLD that’s what we do, we constantly and gently stimulate the mechanoreceptors. If this post is talking to you, and you are in need of a massage, book your next session by clicking here. In fact, we keep inhibiting the pain receptors, reducing the pain signal frequency. Secondly, and no less important, by stimulating the lymphatic system activity, we reduce the amount of nociceptors. Per nociceptor, we refer to the actual sensory neuron that transports the pain signal to the spine and brain. Furthermore, by reducing the pain, the client can start experiencing a high state of relaxation. Indeed a high state of relaxation is another efficient way to deal with pain and eventually pour mobility, due to the injury the client is dealing with. In conclusion, this is how MLD can reduce the pain in an injured area.

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Melbourne Massage and Treatment - - - Close for Holiday till the 25th/9/2023 - - -
To all the new and returning clients, thanks for being here . I am currently in holiday, and I will be back to give treatment on the week of the 25th/Sept/2023. If you are in severe pain, and feel unwell, please reach out for your GP. If you have any inquire, contact me by clicking here. Booking are open for the month of September and onward. Click here to book your next appointment.