Massage

Hip Pain Relief |Remedial Massage Case Study

Tightness in left shoulder and hip, relieved through Remedial Massage.

CASE STUDY –   55 year-old Counsellor / Educator

THE SITUATION

I first met my client when she booked her first massage at our Centre in November 2006, complaining of tightness in her left shoulder and left hip.

SYMPTOMS: My patient was complaining of tightness in her left shoulder, but of most concern was pain in the left hip. She decided to incorporate massage with physiotherapy for her shoulder. She was given strengthening exercises for her upper back by the physiotherapist. She wanted to have massages for her hip as the muscles were very tight and knew massage could help. Whilst working long hours, sitting at a desk or standing in front of students she developed a lot more tension in the hip than when she was not at work. The hip joint would get “stuck” when travelling long distances, sitting on floor for a extended periods of time or standing for too long.

TREATMENT

She was having massages every 2 to 3 weeks for shoulder and hip. A regular exercise regime was suggested, especially walking. It helped with pain management and building strength. She also wanted to build strong bones so she used small hand weights in a variety of arm positions when her shoulder had recovered. We monitored the regime to make sure this didn’t aggravate her shoulder. It had recovered by then. She used a hot wheat bag whilst sitting at night and on rising in the morning for her hip to help with circulation. I suggested a range of exercises for the lower back, buttock muscles, hip flexor, quadriceps and hamstrings to maintain flexibility in the joints. I suggested a strengthening exercise regime to help improve posture and reduce the tension in the lower back and hips. I also offered some nutritional tips and advice to complement the treatment.

OUTCOME

She has regular massages and meditates to maintain a healthy mind, body and soul. She looks forward to her regular massages and meditation, as part of her healthy lifestyle regime, to compensate for her busy work schedule.

 

Written by Narelle Kennedy

Dip. Remedial Massage, Certificates in Nutrition, Reflexology, Reiki, Personal Trainer and Gym Instructor and Ear Candling.

Health rebates available.

 

Restricted Shoulder Movement |Remedial Massage Case Study

Radio Producer’s severely restricted movement in left shoulder relieved through Remedial Massage.

CASE STUDY – JULIE STREET, 49-year-old radio producer

THE SITUATION

Severely restricted movement in left shoulder and shooting pain in upper left arm when reaching backwards or forwards.

SYMPTOMS: When I first consulted Catherine I was experiencing severe pain in my upper left arm which occurred whenever I extended my arm backwards or forwards. I was unable to reach my left arm behind my back to fasten my bra and could not raise it above my head at all. I also regularly woke with pain in my left shoulder whenever I slept on my left side during the night. I had been experiencing these symptoms for a few weeks and struggling to live with them, but secretly hoped (as we all do) that things would get better on their own. The day I actually called Catherine was when I reached forward to pull the passenger door of a car shut and felt as though my entire shoulder was about to lock. It was at that moment I knew I had to act. I called Catherine and she saw me within the hour.

EMOTIONAL BUILD-UP: I don’t think my shoulder and upper arm problem was ever caused by anything as obvious as a fall. I used to carry an extremely heavy bag on my right shoulder which I believe impacted the back of my neck over time and probably caused imbalance to my shoulders as a whole. I occasionally carried the bag on my left shoulder too and remember leaning down to let it slide to the floor one day, jerking my left shoulder uncomfortably ‘out of place’. 2015 was an extremely stressful year for me. I went back to studying full-time (while also juggling the demands of raising a 10-year-old), doing a course which was extremely challenging with a group of students half my age. Meanwhile, a construction site was going on right next door to my house with a full-scale demolition and rebuild taking place in what can only be described as a very fractious atmosphere with my neighbours. By the time I saw Catherine I’d say I was literally cracking up in both body and soul.

TREATMENT

FIRST MASSAGE (30/11/2015): I found my first arm, neck and shoulder massage with Catherine quite tender, but the results I experienced over the following days were well worth the pain on the massage table. This is the text I sent Catherine the morning immediately after the massage:

Just slept for 36 hours ‘cos that’s what my body was crying out for. Much more flexibility this morning and pain nearly all gone… Thank you so much for the massage. I think it shifted a lot of emotion as well as muscles!!!

Over the following days I recovered a lot more freedom of movement in my left shoulder and it became less and less painful to sleep on my left side at night. My left arm still hurt when I reached forward for things and was still a bit restricted when I reached behind my back to fasten my bra. But it was a great relief to live a pain-free life when not making these movements.

SECOND MASSAGE (19/1/2016): I did a follow-up arm, neck and shoulder massage with Catherine in January as, while most of the pain in my left shoulder and upper arm had gone, I still felt as though some of my arm movements (particularly reaching above my head and behind my back) were restricted.

My follow-up massage with Catherine was a lot more enjoyable than the first. As a result of gentle but deep massage around the front of my shoulder and the back of my neck, my upper left arm and shoulder became a lot looser and I was able to raise my left arm much higher over my head. At the end of the session I was able to fasten my bra behind my back relatively easily.

OUTCOME

In the days following the massage I was able to sleep on my left side without any problem whatsoever. My arm movements have become much freer and I no longer feel as though my left shoulder could lock at any moment. What’s more, reaching behind my back in the morning is now a real possibility. I realise that my left shoulder is not working to 100% of its capacity and it may require a few more massages to get it back to full working order. However, thanks to my new-found flexibility, I can put my hand on my heart and say I am amazed at the progress my left shoulder and upper arm have made in just two in-depth massages from Catherine. I’ve promised my body – and soul – they can have another one in a month!

Just for a moment… Imagine that your body is your best friend!

It is easy for us to take the body that we live within, and that we in fact are, for granted. Our body and its functions can seem so automatic to us that we come to ignore it even when it starts to cry out for help in the form of pain or fatigue.

We put up with physical discomfort so often because ‘we have no time’ and defer addressing it indefinitely thinking that work and other responsibilities are so much more important.  It is only when these ‘cries for help’ become severe and chronic problems that many of us consider them worthy of any consideration.

If your closest friend told you that they were being pushed around and ignored in this way, you would probably think it was abusive.

Often people only come for massage treatment once their stress and discomfort have built to a point where they are already experiencing pain, numbness, chronic stiffness or tingling in the limbs. In these cases, I believe that a series of targeted massage treatments over a 4 week period can have a cumulative benefit which far exceeds that of the same treatments given intermittently.

Far from being merely a luxury, regular massage can be a very effective strategy to alleviate pain and accumulative fatigue in a stressful world.  Massage helps to prevent small physical discomfort from becoming chronic problems, while providing rejuvenation and boosting productivity, vitality and alertness. This in turn nourishes other aspects of our lives

Massage can help us to unclench from the stress response providing immediate results in a number of ways because it can be targeted during the session to affected areas. Massage can alleviate fatigue and tension from muscles while also assisting the release of toxins via the lymphatic system. It also improves blood circulation and digestion and regulates our breathing. The various massage traditions differ from each other in focus and emphasis but they can all enhance the functioning of these systems.

Massage is also an enjoyable way to reinforce a natural posture, increasing health and vital force.

So be kind to yourself and support your best friend with regular massage.

Catherine Allegade is an ATMS accredited remedial massage therapist specialised in a range of massage traditions.

Narelle Kennedy adds Kahuna Massage techniques and Reflexology to Remedial Massage

It’s always very inspiring for me when I attend courses to enhance my massage skills.

My most recent courses were Hawaiian massage for Remedial Massage Therapists and Hand Reflexology.

When I studied Foot Reflexology I decided there were many occasions whereby Hand Reflexology would have been a useful option.

I have received all of these treatments in the past and loved the results each time.

The long strokes and nurturing nature of Hawaiian massage, also known as Kahuna massage or Lomi Lomi, has a very therapeutic and long lasting effect.

This style of massage sends caring and healing energy to the person receiving it.

It enhances a remedial massage as it not only works on physical conditions, but also on the mind and spirit.

The body feels more balanced, tension is released and better circulation is achieved as the lymphatic, circulatory, respiratory and digestive systems are stimulated.

To finish the treatment head and face massage is a soothing accompaniment.

I use other techniques including trigger point therapy and deep tissue massage if necessary for areas of the body that need more attention.

The feedback so far is that the clients feel taller as tension in the body is released.

At the same time the client feels very relaxed.


Reflexology has been part of ancient medical traditions in Egypt and China for thousands of years.

The theory is that there are 10 energy zones running through the body from head to toe and head to hand. Energy flows through these zones, also known as meridians.

Using Reflexology techniques in these zones will stimulate an organ or gland in the same zone.

Among the many added benefits the treatment improves blood flow throughout the body.

Reflexology also induces a state of deep relaxation and improved body function.

If a client has a foot injury, Hand Reflexology is the best alternative to Foot Reflexology and will achieve the same benefits.

Clients who are elderly, or have sensitive feet and other foot problems would enjoy the soothing effects of this type of treatment.

 

These treatments are available with Narelle Kennedy

DRM, Cert. Reflexology, Nutrition, Reiki.

Treat your feet!

Are your feet tired and swollen in the summer heat?

Reduce inflammation and relax the whole body with a foot treatment as part of your next massage.

Special Offer

Massage therapist Narelle Kennedy is offering an extra FREE 15 minutes foot treatment with your next massage.

Offer only available till 16 December 2014 so take advantage of it before Christmas!

To book your massage and FREE 15 minute foot treatment call 9953 8503.