Massage 101
Guidance from Dr. Philip Anloague, who directs the doctor of physical therapy program at the University of Dayton. He is a board certified orthopaedic specialists and certified in manual therapy. He is also the owner of Orion Physical Therapy Specialists, an outpatient PT clinic in the Dayton area.
• Massage is best when coupled with a regular exercise and healthy eating.
• Know thyself. Be aware of your own health, wellness and fitness.
• Are there issues, concerns, precautions (cardiovascular health, arthritis, musculoskeletal issues, back pain, fibromyalgia, etc.) Consult the appropriate healthcare professional (physician, physical therapist)
• What are your goals? What do you hope to gain? Why are you interested in massage therapy?
• Be aware of the different types of massage
• Be aware of the risks (bleeding disorders or take blood-thinning medication; burns, open or healing wounds; deep vein thrombosis; fractures; severe osteoporosis; severe thrombocytopenia)
• Anything that has an effect can have potential side effects. Be aware of the side effects (soreness, achiness, internal bleeding, nerve damage, temporary paralysis, allergic reactions to massage oils or lotions).
Aches, pains, sprains and strains — hardcore athletes and weekend warriors alike endure injury from time to time.
Massage might be the answer.
“Athletes need their muscles to perform optimally, regardless of the level of competition,” said Philip Anloague, chair of the department of physical therapy at the University of Dayton. “Massage can help the muscles to be prepared for the required components of their sport or activity.”
Not a fluffy robe, new age music, gentle massage followed by a facial but a deep-tissue, sports massage that can ease muscle soreness, aid in injury recovery, help prevent injuries and enhance performance.
And don’t expect it to be a one-way street.
“Some people expect us to fix them, that’s not what it’s about,” said William Mitchell, a licensed massage therapist and physical therapy assistant. “It’s about education — determining where they are in the healing process, showing them what they are doing and what they should be doing and creating strategies to help them move more efficiently.”
Benefits of massage
“There are physical, physiological and psychosocial benefits of massage therapy,” Anloague said. “The general physical benefits include the normalization of muscle texture and tone. This allows us to use muscles the way it is intended and allow normal or improved joint range of motion, flexibility and muscle contraction. Likewise, the muscles can be better prepared to be stretched, strengthened and exercised.”
A board certified orthopaedic specialist, Anloague also recognizes a variety of other benefits including improved cardiovascular health and circulation and reduced blood pressure.
“Massage can also help our immunity by boosting our white blood cell count, which helps us to defend against disease,” he said. “It also has been shown to improve lymphatic flow, helping to rid the body of waste products, swelling and other unwanted chemicals and toxins in the body — like a cleanse or detox.”
Massage can also reduce stress and anxiety and improve sleep.
Breaking patterns
Athletes dealing with an injury aren’t the only ones who can benefit from massage therapy. Increasingly sedentary workplaces, poor posture and repetitive tasks can also take their toll on our bodies.
“The result can be muscle imbalance,” Mitchell said. “You will have groups of muscles that are tight and want to restrict and, at the same time, other groups of muscles that are stretched and weak.”
Professionals who specialize in clinical sports massage can help patients restore optimal movement patterns over time.
Finding the right massage therapist is a critical component in the process. Mitchell, who has worked with Wright State and Central State universities as well as the Cleveland Cavaliers and the “Lord of the Dance” touring company when they were in town, advises people to get personal recommendations or contact sports medicine centers to find a licensed massage therapist that will best meet their needs.
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