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Tag Archives: MLD

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Understanding NDIS

Posted on by Giovanni La Rocca
NDIS Logo
01
Jul

The NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme) stands as a transformative initiative in Australia, particularly significant in Melbourne, Victoria’s vibrant capital. Designed to provide support and services to Australians with disabilities, NDIS embodies a commitment to inclusivity, empowerment, and improved quality of life for participants across the country. NDIS and Massage Therapy Understanding the NDIS Established in 2013, NDIS represents a shift towards individualised support plans tailored to meet the specific needs and goals of people with disabilities. In Melbourne, this framework ensures that individuals have access to necessary supports that enhance their independence and participation in the community. How It Works At its core, NDIS operates by providing eligible individuals with funding for a range of supports and services. These can include personal care, access to therapies, assistive technology, and modifications to homes or vehicles, all aimed at fostering greater autonomy and well-being. Impact on Melbourne Communities Melbourne, renowned for its diversity and inclusivity, has embraced the principles of NDIS wholeheartedly. The scheme not only supports participants directly but also fosters a network of providers and community organizations dedicated to delivering high-quality services. This collaborative approach ensures that Melburnians with disabilities have access to a wide array of support options, tailored to their unique circumstances. NDSI services at Melbourne Massage and Treatment Giovanni, a dedicated Myotherapist based in North Fitzroy, plays a crucial role in the local implementation of NDIS services. His practice extends its services to surrounding suburbs, providing essential musculoskeletal therapies that enhance the physical well-being and quality of life for NDIS participants. Giovanni’s personalized treatment plans are designed to meet the unique needs of each individual, contributing to their overall health and independence. Services covered by the NDIS scheme include Remedial Massage, Myotherapy, and Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD). NDIS and Myotherapy In the vibrant landscape of Melbourne’s National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), Myotherapy stands out as a pivotal therapy for enhancing participant well-being. Myotherapy focuses on assessing and treating musculoskeletal conditions through advanced techniques such as dry needling, joint mobilization, and tailored corrective exercises. For individuals with disabilities, this specialized approach targets pain management and improves physical function, empowering them to navigate daily life with greater comfort and mobility. NDIS and Remedial Massage Remedial Massage therapy plays a complementary role within the NDIS framework, offering participants relaxation, stress reduction, and relief from muscle tension. This therapeutic modality is essential for promoting overall physical and mental well-being. By addressing muscular discomfort and enhancing circulation, remedial massage supports participants in achieving a sense of relaxation and renewed vitality. NDIS and Manual lymphatic Drainage Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) emerges as a vital service under the NDIS, particularly beneficial for individuals managing conditions such as lymphedema. This gentle, specialized massage technique promotes lymph flow, reduces swelling, and supports immune function. MLD not only helps in managing symptoms but also contributes to enhancing participants’ quality of life by improving lymphatic circulation and overall wellness. In Melbourne, practitioners like Giovanni integrate these therapies into NDIS plans with a personalized approach, ensuring participants receive comprehensive care tailored to their specific needs and goals. Through Myotherapy, Remedial Massage, and Manual Lymphatic Drainage, NDIS participants in Melbourne are empowered to achieve greater independence, alleviate discomfort, and enhance their overall well-being. Challenges and Opportunities While NDIS has been instrumental in improving the lives of many, challenges such as navigating the application process or understanding available supports can arise. In Melbourne, organizations and advocacy groups play a crucial role in assisting individuals and families through these complexities, ensuring that every participant maximizes the benefits of the scheme. Looking Ahead As NDIS continues to evolve, Melbourne remains at the forefront of innovation and advocacy in disability support. The city’s commitment to accessibility and inclusivity is reflected in its ongoing efforts to improve service delivery and expand opportunities for those with disabilities. That said, if you need treatment, do not hesitate to book now an initial consultation with Giovanni. During the first session, Giovanni would be able to draft a personal treatment plan that works best for your presentation. If you are in doubt about what treatment works best for you, just get in touch with Giovanni, by clicking here. Conclusion In conclusion, the NDIS has had a profound impact on Melbourne, empowering individuals with disabilities to live more independently and participate fully in society. Through its person-centred approach and collaborative spirit, NDIS exemplifies Australia’s commitment to equity and dignity for all. As Melbourne continues to grow and evolve, so too will the opportunities for individuals with disabilities to thrive, supported by a framework that values their unique strengths and aspirations. Whether you’re a participant, a provider like Giovanni in North Fitzroy, or an advocate, NDIS in Melbourne represents a beacon of hope and progress towards a more inclusive future.  

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MLD and Surgery

Posted on by Giovanni La Rocca
Wound of a knee post surgery
11
Jun

A surgery, even the most minor cut, is a big deal for the body. And a robust Lymphatic System can help you recover faster from this type of intervention. The lymphatic system is a body system that collects, moves and cleans the excess water and substances, like bacteria, viruses, dirt, tattoos, ink and more, from below the skin and then passes it to the bloodstream. Lymphatic System and Surgery. 80% of the Lymphatic System seats below the skin, and 20% sits with the deep fascia. When going for surgery and the skin gets cut, the superficial layer of the lymphatic system gets interrupted and so damaged. Unless we intervene, the lymphatic system will have a hard time regenerating. Indeed the lymphatic system can regenerate if stimulated. The stimulation of the lymphatic system happens through the touch, like with MLD or through the movement of the body, like exercises, even as simple as muscle contraction. How MLD can help the pre and post-surgery. Indeed, before or after surgery, it is recommended to stay active. This would allow the Lymphatic System to stay active and robust and regenerate quickly. On the other hand, being active post-surgery is not always an option. In fact, during the post-surgery, being active in the area that got stitches can be a contraindication, as the stitches could brake. A cast may be present in other cases, and the muscle near the surgery can’t be moved. That’s where MLD can help the lymphatic system to be stimulated. By doing so, we can guarantee the circulation of liquids in the body. But not only that. Reducing the swell around the cutting area or below the area affected by the operation would guarantee a fast recovery. This is because the oxygen released from the blood capillary, which would initially be too far from the swollen skin, can now reach the wound and help recover the skin cut. But if the area is puffed or swollen, that oxygen can’t travel as far, and the healing will not be as fast. So MLD, by boosting the lymphatic system, reduces the swelling and allows the body’s natural healing process. What to do if I have to go for surgery then? If you are up for surgery soon and you have no contraindication to MLD, what you can do to guarantee a faster recovery is, keep moving as much as you can, stay active, and book yourself in for a few MLD treatments just for the days before your surgery is due. That would help with the Lymphatic System recovery, as a more robust and healthier Lymphatic System would recover faster. And as the risk of infection and post-surgery are under control, and your blood pressure is within the acceptable range (this depends on what type of surgery you did), get moving as possible and come back for a few more sessions of MLD. Whit, what type of intervention can MLD help with? C-section (preeclampsia) bone fracture liposuction carpal tunnel knee reconstruction hip replacement day hospital intervention I went for surgery, and I got Lymph Nodes removed. As often can happen for cancer surgery, lymph nodes get removed if they are contaminated by the cancerogenic cells. Lymph node removal prevents the cancer cell from spreading along the rest of the body. If that’s the case, I may not be the practitioner that does this for you, as my qualification for MLD are up to a level where I can work with a patient who has an entire lymphatic system. Said so, I can still refer you to a practitioner who would be able to look after yourself. Do you have any questions about this topic? Or would you like to book in now your next session? Get in touch now through the contact page or place a booking by clicking here.

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Body Biomechanics

Posted on by Giovanni La Rocca
representation of Moment Arm and torque
01
Jun

Biomechanics is a branch of biophysics, and it studies the structure, function biomechanics is a branch of biophysics, and it studies the structure, function and motion of the mechanical aspects of biological systems using mechanical methods.d motion of the mechanical parts of biological systems using mechanical methods. Why is Body Biomechanics important? The way we move is a crucial component of injury prevention. Ensuring we are moving using our advantage, forces like gravity and body weight can help us reduce the chance of injury and improve the load capacity. To do so, we must train with a specific protocol that ensures excellent mobility to achieve muscular strength. What is a force?  We can define a force as an influence that can change the motion of an object. Gravity is an acceleration that becomes a force when applied to a body. This concept was well explained by Netwon, with the announcement of Newton’s second law that can be summarised with F=m*a. F is the force, m is the mass, and a is acceleration. In the case of acceleration of gravity, it does measure 8.91 m/sec2. Said so, this means that we are constantly accelerated towards the ground. That’s why we don’t float in the air. And to better use this acceleration to our advantage, we have to move weight using the right angles. To better understand body biomechanics, we must introduce the idea of Moment Arm, Vector and Torque. What are Moment Arm Vector and Torque? And why are they essential for understanding human body biomechanics? The moment arm is the distance between the force and the joint that hold that force back. Think of yourself holding a water bottle up with your arm extended out. The joint holding up is your shoulder, the force is the combination of the bottle per the gravity a. (F=m*a). A Vector is the direction in which a force is applied. In this case, the direction is 90° downwards. Lastly, the Torque is the rapport between the Force and the Moment Arm. So, the shorter the moment arm, the easier it would be to lift an object. Understanding this concept would make your body biomechanics application much more accessible. Body biomechanics at the gym. When training at the gym, body biomechanics are fundamental. I often get clients in post-gym injury who don’t know much about mobility training, its importance, and body biomechanics. For example, keeping the weight so the bar is as close as possible to the leg is essential when doing a deadlift. This is because the weight has to be close to the Centre Of Gravity of the body, or the moment arm would be increased, so the torque required to lift the weight would increase too. In this case, the centre of gravity corresponds to the area where the actual torque is required, the lumbar area. Indeed, it is easy to hurt yourself on the lumbar when you bring that bar too far from your body. Body Biomechanic and Thai Massage Traditional Thai Massage, as offered at Melbourne Massage and treatment, tends to use the body biomechanics at its best. Even Thai Yoga exercises are based on the biomechanics principle, using lever and gravity as an advantage to create pressure on your body and reduce tension and heal aches. This, indeed, is what makes Traditional Thai Massage so unique. It is a technique of work where you don’t need great force, it is enough to use your body weight. And because it is delivered on a ground mat, it is easier to apply the biomechanics principles.          

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I did my back

Posted on by Giovanni La Rocca

“I was lifting the box from the floor, and then, ouch I did my back”! How often have you heard this? What’s going on here? Lower back pain is a common presentation that affects many people all around the world. But hurting your back when picking a box, or even a lightweight as the key, or tightening the shoes, is an injury that doesn’t affect only those with lower back pain. So to explain the mechanism behind these incidents, we have to look into what we call “proprioceptors”, specifically “muscle spindle”. Proprioceptors are body receptors within the skin, muscles and joints that reveal information about the body’s movement and send this information to the brain. How that information is transmitted to the brain is by different types of a pathway that we will see in a future post. In specific, today, we are going to look at the “muscle spindle”. So muscle spindles are proprioceptors that can tell the brain how the body is moving, specifically a muscle, and a proprioceptor that can tell a muscle to relax and change to stretch. Indeed, muscle spindles are different from other proprioceptors, as they can alter their sensitivity as needed. What did Muscle Spindles have to do with my back then? As mentioned above, a muscle spindle can alter muscle consistency. So, when banding forward to pick up the key or do the shoes lase, the back muscle must relax, as they have to stretch. But, if the muscle spindle doesn’t tell the back muscle to relax as you bend, those muscles will stay contracted, and guess what happens next? “Ouch, I did my back.” How to prevent the injury then? To prevent an injury as such, movement is the answer. Movement, as simple as a cat and cow exercise, would create that feedback response between your lower back area and the brain that, in the long term, would ensure your brain knows that when bending, the posterior portion of the body needs to be told to relax. Said so simple movement can prevent the injury, but further exercises, like a deadlift, can help your entire posterior chain to get stronger and get you to the next level of strengthening. But before lifting heavy weights, let’s not forget the importance of looking into mobility. In conclusion, to prevent this injury from happening, start moving. Incorporate regular breaks from your seating at the desk. Have a timer on your desk that, every 45 minutes, remind you to stand up, have a stretch and short walk, a water sip and get back to work. Book your next massage session at Melbourne Massage and Treatment if this post talks to you. How can Massage help? Massage therapy can help in different ways. First, it can help reduce the muscular tension within the lower back area. Second, the massage touch can help increase that body awareness, preventing further injury. The recovery process from an injury does depend from person to person. But within a few sessions within 1 to 2 months, using a mix of techniques, like MLD, Myotherapy and or Thai Massage, there is a good chance of good recovery and injury prevention. Exercises play an important role too in this recovery phase. How Many Sessions would I need? As already mentioned, everyone is different. Based on my experience, to help someone recover from an injury, initially, it can take up to 5 sessions spread over two months to achieve a good result. And again, this is not only about Massage but also about corrective exercises. Therefore, I offer a treatment plan allowing you to uptake five sessions of any treatment type at a discount rate of 10%. This offer is valid for returning clients who already had an initial consultation. This would allow me, as a therapist, to ensure I am the right therapist for you and that we can create a treatment plan that works for you and that you can use for your benefit.  

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Giovanni’s Massage Qualifications

Posted on by Giovanni La Rocca
Qualifications Advance Diploma Myotherapy RMIT
14
Feb

I spent the last seven years achieving different massage qualifications to offer a service that is different from the standard massage. Why I started studying Massage therapy. My interest in the massage profession started as a curiosity and a desire for a career change. Indeed, before getting into the massage profession, I worked as Pizza Maker for a decade or so. That did allow me to get permanent residence in Australia. But I knew that hospitality life was not what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. So, in Jan 2016, I did enrol in a Certificate IV in Massage Therapy at the SSNT (Southern School of Natural Therapies) in Fitzroy. After that, as soon as I finished the course, I decided to go travelling and experience more of the outback life. It was not till February 2018 that I returned to studying massage practice. Thai Massage Qualification. That was in Chiang Mai, Thailand, with Pichest Boonthumme. I ended up in Chiang Mai, thanks to a friend who understood what I was looking for. And what was I looking for? Well, I was searching for someone to teach me more than a massage sequence or stroke. So I was not looking for just a random massage qualification. Someone that could show me how to improve myself as a massage therapist and person in the first place. Pichest is the right teacher. Anyway, I passed the first round of training in 2018 with Pichest, I then kept travelling, and before heading back to Australia, I did a second stopover in Chiang Mai, and that was in Jan 2019. But still, before starting the Diploma in Remedial Massage at the RMIT in July 2020, I did go to study with Pichest for another couple of weeks (November 2019). Do you feel like you need help with your neck pain? Book now your next appointment. Back to school. As already mentioned in 2020, in the full Covid-19 pandemic, I decided to completely abandon the hospitality industry and dive more into the massage practice. That’s why I did decide to go for a Remedial Massage course. Once the Remedial Massage course was over, in December 2021, I decided to step into the advance Diploma of Myotherapy, which would last one year more. Between those courses, I also found the time to take a class for MLD (Manual Lymphatic Drainage) with the Vodder Academy here in Australia. But, it was not till the latest training with Pichest Boonthumme (November 2022) that I understood how all those modalities are interconnected with the other one. Where am I now, along the massage qualifications journey? I just enrolled in the last year of my Bachelor of Health Science in Clinical Myotherapy at Torrens University. I did decide to enrol in this course for several reasons: Personal challenge. Learn more and more about body and massage practice. I am possibly going for a master’s after it (a master’s in acupuncture).  

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What to expect from Melbourne Massage and Treatment

Posted on by Giovanni La Rocca
MLD hand
14
Jan

Here is a list of services available at Melbourne Massage and Treatment: Myotherapy Exercises Rehabilitation Remedial Massage Thai Massage MLD Thai Yoga What are these services about? First, any of those services are holistic services, so they can’t be official diagnoses for medical conditions, and Giovanni can’t prescribe any medications. What to expect is guidance on how muscularscaletol conditions, such as plantar fasciitis, tight muscle, muscle tear and more…can be looked after and overcome with manual therapy and exercises. As Myotherapist, Giovanni can guide you on how possibly the pain manifests and how with massage and specific exercises, the pain can be placed at ease. Part of the process of pain management is the change in habits. This can include posture at the workstation, but not only, but other changes can also include your training program, which maybe is too intense for your body and needs to be adjusted. How is the massage delivered? Any massage is delivered in total respect of the patient and the therapist. No nudity or sensual massage are available. Only the body area that needs attention would be exposed. The rest of the body is covered in a towel. Undress level is down to bra and underwear when need it. If we are working on your shoulder, there is no need to remove the pants. Regarding individual massage sessions, like myotherapy treatment, remedial massage, and/or Thai massage, an assessment of the muscular scale of the system would be delivered before the treatment. This assessment included a series of ROM. These assessments would help Giovanni understand what muscle or groups of muscles needs more attention during the treatment. What should I do before the massage session? Treatments such as myotherapy, remedial massage, and MLD include exposing the body parts that need to be worked on. Said so, having a shower before the treatment would be much appreciated. You don’t need to wear any perfume, a deodorant is enough. Should I shave? No, you don’t need to shave. If rock tape needs to be used, the rock tape can be placed over body hair. When you have to remove it, make sure to roll it downwards. Do not pull it off like it is a wax treatment. That could lead to ripping hair and skin off. Where does Giovanni work? Melbourne Massage and Treatment services are available at the Fitzroy North studio on Holden St. Book now your next appointment. If this post didn’t answer all your questions, don’t hesitate to message Giovanni through the Contact Page.

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Fibromyalgia

Posted on by Giovanni La Rocca

Fibromyalgia is a health condition that causes widespread pain and sensitivity to touch. This type of condition is more common in women than in men. Is still unknown to science why some people may suffer from Fibromyalgia, even though is known that stress can play a major role. On the other hand, genetics can also be the reason why someone can suffer from Fibromyalgia. Signs and symptoms Symptoms of fibromyalgia may include: headaches sleep disturbances numbness and tingling of the hands and feet muscle and joint stiffness after a period of rest (after sleeping) restlesconditionsndrome Other conditions could occur during the manifestation of symptoms for FiTo Diagnosis of fibromyalgia To be diagnosed with Fibromyalgia you have to visit your GP at first, who may will refer you to a specialist. The most widely used clinical criteria for diagnosing fibromyalgia is sourced from the American College of Rheumatology: pain and symptoms over the past week, based on the total of: number of painful areas out of 18 parts of the body the severity of these symptoms: fatigue waking unrefreshed cognitive problems (that can be memory or thought) plus other general physical symptoms symptoms lasting at least 3 months unchanged exclusion of other health problems that could reproduce the pain and other symptoms. Treatment and management So, currently, there is no direct cure for fibromyalgia, but there are many treatments that can help, like: improving your sleep routine more of a balanced diet relaxation meditation exercise MLD You can also talk to your GP to see what medications can reduce or manage the pain. Regarding MLD, it is an effective technique, as already disgusted in another blog post that can help with chronic pain management. Furthermore, MLD has a powerful relaxation effect, that can help in reducing the stress response and so alleviate the symptoms of Fibromyalgia. Are you in need of treatment? Follow this link to book your next massage session.

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Patella Tracking Disorder

Posted on by Giovanni La Rocca
Knee Pain
12
Dec

Patellar tracking disorder is a condition that occurs when the patella, also known as the kneecap, moves out of its original place when the leg straightens or bends. What causes Patella Tracking Disorder? In most cases, the kneecap shifts towards the outside of your leg, called “Lateral Patella tracking”. Occasionally in some cases, it may shift toward the medial side too. Why this shift happens due to the force applied to the kneecap itself. It was said that the knee joint is a hinge joint, which connects the tibia and fibula of your leg with the femur. The kneecap is held in its natural position by ligaments on the medial and lateral sides and by tendons on the top side. Below the patella is a cartilage layer that helps the patella glide along the femur’s groove. When the cartilage below the patella does wear out, it can create pain and discomfort in the knee. The misalignment of the patella results from tendons, muscles or ligaments that are either too tight or too loose. Lateral patella tracking VS Medial patella Tracking In the case of Lateral Patella Tracking, the Vastus Lateralist is over-developed compared to the Vastus Medialis or the IT Band (Iliotibial Band) pulling too much. Vastus L. can overtake Vastus M’s strengthening due to the muscle size. Indeed the V.L. is visibly bigger than the V. M. On the other hand, tension along Gluteus Max and or tensions in the TFL can play a role in the pulling of the IT band.   Are you in Pain, and you suspect to have a Patella Tracking disorder? Get in touch with Giovanni now. Risk factors for Patella Tracking Disorder Here is a list of reasons that can lead to Patella Tracking Disorder: Footwear Running Weakness in the quads muscle Unbalance of muscle between the inner and outer regions of your tight Sports that require excessive knee bending, jumping or squatting Improper form or techniques while working out or during sports activities Overweight Genetics (structural reasons) Incidents or trauma to the knees Malformation within the femur bond Damaged cartilage Symptoms Pain is the most symptom of Patella tracking disorder. The pain caused by this condition can occur during regular activity such as standing up, walking and or sitting down. Any knee movement can recreate the pain. In the case of arthritis, the pain can be more intense, and swelling is present at the knee joint. Treatment Options At Melbourne Massage and Treatment, the services available for Patella tracking are multiple. Depending on the severity of the condition, Myotherapy treatment and or MLD are the most recommended. Thanks to Dry Needling and/or Joint Mobilisation therapy, Myotherapy treatment can help rebalance the muscle forces surrounding the knee cap. On the other hand, MLD can help in reducing the inflammation and the swelling present eventually on the knee joint. What then Giovanni would look in, too, is also the mobility of ankles and hips. The correct mobility of these two joints would ensure that the knee is not compensating for the poor joint quality of movement, which can be part of why the patella tracking disorder is in the first place.  

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Nervous System

Posted on by Giovanni La Rocca
nervous system components
04
Dec

The Nervous System (NS) controls the voluntary and automatic functions of the body. It is made up of: brain spinal cord nerves Subdivision of the Nervous System The nervous system, initially, can be divided into the Central Nervous system (CNS), which is made of the Brain and Spinal Cord and the Perhiperic Nervous System (PNS), which consists of nerves that connect the CNS to the rest of the body. In more detail, the PNS can be divided into Sensory Neurons and Motor Neurons, the Motor Neurons can be divided into Somatic Neurons and Autonomic Neurons, and finally, this last is divided into the Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Nervous Systems. The function of the Nervous System The nervous system can also be defined by its functionality. For this subdivision, we have three categories: Sensory Affarent function Integrative function Motor Efferent Function The afferent function is characterised by a signal that travels to the brain from the PNS. The integrative part analyses the sensory information, stores some aspects, and makes decisions regarding appropriate behaviours. The Motor does respond to the stimulus by initiating an action. The Nervous System is made of Neurons. Neurons carry messages to and from different parts of the body. To be functional, neurons need three components: Oxygen Stimulation Food Neurons can start within the brain and travel down to the spine or can begin with the peripheric portion of the body and travel to the spine and brain next. Either way, the information can travel in one direction only. For afferent neurons, the direction is from the peripheric body portion to the brain, and the efferent is from the CNS or Brain to the peripheric part. Synapses connect neurons. The Synapse is the space where information is exchanged between two neurons. For a signal to be transmitted along a neuron, a chemical reaction has to happen within the neuron cell. This chemical reaction is better known as Action Potential. Once an Action Potential is started, an electric signal, within the order of mV would be transmitted from the Neuron cell to the opposite end, called Axon Terminal. At The Axon Terminal, the neurotransmitter would be passed and sent to the next neuron, receiving those substances through the receptors on its cell membrane. This is just a simplification of how communication between two neurons happens. In reality, there are variations to this communication methodology, and not always does the communication succeed. The NS is responsible for the following: memory, learning and intelligence movement controls the organs’ functions: – heart beating – breathing – digestion – sweating the senses: – sight – hear – taste – touch – smell The Sympathetic and Para-Sympathetic NS. The  Autonomic NS controls the body parts we don’t have to think about it, like breathing, sweating or shivering, indeed the main organs. The SNS controls how we respond to emergencies. It makes our heart beat faster and causes the release of adrenaline. Where the parasympathetic nervous system prepares the body for rest (for example, when we go to sleep). The PSNS and the SNS work together to manage the body’s responses to our changing environment and needs. Massage and Nervous System As massage or manual therapy is a direct stimulus of the body, it plays a role in the response of the NS. What can happen is due to genetic factors, muscle tensions, and bulge disk nerves can get trapped along the way. Using the different testing approaches, such as Myotome and Dermatome, Giovanni can guide you through understanding where the nerve got entrapped or pinched. But this type of work is mainly for conditions where physically the nerve is involved in pour functionality. An example can be when someone has poor strength, on one hand, compared to the other, or when the sensitivity of a patch of skin is not so accurate. MLD and Nervous System Another technique, such as MLD (Manual Lymphatic Drainage), plays a role in the Parasympathetic Nervous System. An MLD treatment is profoundly relaxing, as it calms the nervous system, reduces pain and restores balance. This happens because of the mechanic repetitive movement used during the technique. There for, no pain has to be replicated during the treatment, or the SNS gets activated, as per pain response, and the body goes into “alarm” mode. Physical or mental pathologies can play a crucial role in the functionality of the nervous system, and techniques like MLD or Massage therapy generally can help in reducing symptoms and assisting in overcoming pain and body dysfunctions. Along the mental conditions, we find Anxiety or Depression too. In conclusion, any Massage Therapy or Manual Therapy, including Thai Massage, Remedial Massage, MLD and or Myotherapy, are great tools to release the tension in the body and improve the status of the nervous system. On the other hand, breathing, as per already disgust in the breathing wave blogs (Blog 1, Blog 2) plays a vital role in the well-being of the body, mind and nervous system. Feel stressed and need to release some tension? Book now your next massage at Melbourne Massage and Treatment.        

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Back to Chiang Mai, Thailand back to Thai Massage Training

Posted on by Giovanni La Rocca

On the occasion of my 4th time in Chiang Mai, since 2018, I am dedicating this post to Thai Massage in Pichest Boonthumme Style. When and where did it all start? In March 2018, I started studying and practising Thai Massage. I came here to Chiang Mai, to see Pichest Boonthumme, after a friend’s recommendation. I was looking into finding someone, that could teach and share a massage technique, not only based on sequence and repetitive movement. As often happens, as long as you ask, what you are looking for will show up. And now, after 3 long years of the Covid pandemic and limitations on travelling, I am back in Chiang Mai. This is my first trip out of Australia since 2019, so it was an excellent way to celebrate the freedom of travelling, once again. Being back at Pichest Thai Massage School is always challenging. Even though I spent the last three years training for Remedial Massage, Myotherapy and MLD, when I came here, there was always something new to learn. Along with that new practice, there is always the Thai/Buddhist philosophy aspect of how to see things. I did really like the way Pichest, with his limited English, can explain the complex way life can present and shape, and how simple it is to learn how to deal with it. Just observe the breath. Well, no surprise, as this is the principle of Vipassana Meditation itself. That said, what most often happens is that people who come here to study with Pichest ask to learn how to breathe, even before they can receive a massage. Many people come here because they heard of how good Pichest is at giving massages. And they all come with the expectation to get fixed. And it is just hilarious to see how Pichest, every time, turn these people away from treatment and asks them to learn how to breathe. We are used to thinking of Thai Massage as a painful approach, a strong technique, and it is. But not because we are physically suffering means we are getting better. If we can’t deal with the pain if we stop breathing as we perceive that pain, we keep creating tension in the body and will not let the healing process happen. Breathing during a massage comes with a  series of benefits: helps the blood to be pushed around Oxygenation of the muscle tissues Improve relaxation It helps in dealing with the pain reproduced by the touch of a tense area Stimulates the Vagus Nerve, which controls the parasympathetic nervous system On the other hand, before we start doing deep work on the body, the patient does better take 5 minutes to practice breathing, and the first area to work would be around the posterior portion of the shoulder and the hip or Tibia area, to stimulates the blood flow within the body. In conclusion, Thai Massage as we know it in the West is a bit of a distortion of the real thing. Thai Massage, as with any deep tissue massage, can replicate pain, but the pain must be good, not sharp. The pain must help to release tensions and not increase them. And to be a Thai Massage therapist, you better know your anatomy well. Are you curious to find out what a traditional Thai Massage is like? Bookings are open for Traditional Thai Massage at Melbourne Massage and Treatment Fitzroy North studio.  

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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.