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LOOK AT WHAT WE CAN DO FOR YOU!
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| Testimonials | 
Dr. Louis D'Amico, DC, R.Ph, BS Pharm
via LinkedIn, May 3, 2012 "I have known and worked with Richard Russ for a number of years and recommend him highly to my patients who need massage therapy. I have come to know a lot of massage therapists over my 15 years as a chiropractor and Richard ranks among the best. Not just in his hand skills but also his approach and understanding of the human musculoskeletal system. He is constantly refining his technique and learning new skills. Give his clinic a try, you will be glad you did !" |
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Welcome to Our August 2012 Newsletter |
Greetings!
We hope you are having a fun and safe summer thus far!
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Nathan Cook, LMT (PA) |
August will be a bittersweet time for us here at Russ Medical! Some of you may have heard the news that Nathan will be leaving us! We would like to wish him well as he continues his life in South Korea! Nathan is with us through August 10th; so if you would like to receive one last treatment with him before he leaves, give us a call! 724-774-8470.
In this month's Newsletter you'll find a neat little article about preventing and managing a repetitive strain injury or RSI. Take a few minutes to read it. I think you'll really find it interesting and helpful.
We are looking forward to seeing you at your next bodywork session.
Rick, Nathan and Melanie |
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Save $10 |
 $10.00 OFF One-Hour Massage or Longer!
Print and present this coupon to receive your dicount. Offer is good for the month of August 2012 only. Limit of one per customer and not combinable with with other offers, specials or coupons. | |
Offer Expires: AUGUST 31, 2012 |
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By Richard Russ, LMT (PA, OH), CMMMT, AMTA
Most homeowners know all too well that every season of the year brings with it seasonal home improvement, maintenance activities and duties.
- Spring with gardening and landscaping
- Summer with home improvement projects and lawn maintenance
- Fall with leaf raking and winterization and
- Winter, (if you live where there is snowfall) snow removal
Just to name a few.
All of these activities carry with them the potential to leave you suffering with a repetitive strain injury or RSI. If you do too much too quickly, use improper body mechanics or are deconditioned to that particular activity.
Here at Russ Medical and Sport Massage Clinic, it is a weekly occurrence that a patient walks into our clinic complaining of pain in a body part and states that, "it is a direct result of their latest home improvement project."
According to the US Department of Labor, " RSIs account for one in four lost-time injuries and illnesses reported by employers to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 615,000 in 1993. Of that number, 65 percent involved backs and 32 percent involved upper extremities."
Mosby's Dental Dictionary, 2nd edition defines repetitive strain injury as:
Repetitive strain injury (RSI)-n a loose group of injuries that occur to muscles, nerves, and tendons as a result of repetitive movements of particular body parts. It is caused or aggravated by frequently repeated movements, such as computer strokes or the use of vibrating equipment. Symptoms include pain, tingling, or swelling of the affected body part.
Repetitive Strain Injury is also known as:
- overuse syndrome or
- cumulative trauma disorder.
To avoid having to rehab a repetitive strain injury, listen to your body when you are performing strenuous or repetitive activity. If your muscles begin to burn, ache, pinch or become weak, stop and rest.
Try stretching the affected area(s). You can find a full body stretch routine on our website at: http://www.beavercountymassage.com/stretching-illustrations/
If you do find yourself dealing with an RSI remember the acronym R.I.C.E:
R- Rest from or adjust the pace of the offending activity.
I- Ice the affected area for twenty-minutes on and twenty-minutes off as needed.
C- Compression, via an elastic wrap or sleeve to reduce swelling of the body part when applicable.
E- Elevate the affected area when applicable, to allow gravity to assist with reducing the inflammation.
 If the self-help approach mentioned above does not seem to relieve your symptoms, call your doctor and set up an appointment. It is not uncommon for an RSI to need medical intervention to manage the inflammation and tissue damage.
Since many repetitive strain injuries are diagnosed as soft-tissue injuries, treatments that focus on those tissues can be helpful. Massage therapy can be beneficial in numerous ways. Massage therapy is a type of therapy that can relieve stress, lessen pain, help prevent injury, and speed the healing process. In certain cases, massage therapy can eliminate or reduce the need for surgery or pain medication. Massage therapy is a natural healing mechanism for various illnesses and injuries, including repetitive strain injuries. The kneading and stretching techniques that massage therapy incorporates can improve circulation, reduce tension and improve joint movements.
Don't let your next home improvement or home-related activity come to a screeching halt because of an RSI.
Now that you know what to look for, you can take the appropriate precautions before you are dealing with a full-blown RSI. Remember, "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" - Benjamin Franklin.
Give us a call to schedule a fantastic massage therapy session. Our professionally trained and Pennsylvania licensed massage therapists at Russ Medical and Sport Massage Clinic can make sure that your body is in the best shape possible to take on your next physical activity.
Schedule Your Next Appointment Now!
724-774-8470 |
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Older Americans Are Opting for Massage to Soothe Away the Aches and Pains.
By MARIE GILBERT marieg@herald-mail.com
2:25 p.m. EST, February 4, 2011
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Antionette Ayers, a licensed massage therapist at The Bodyworks Massage in Hagerstown, gives a massage. More and more seniors are getting massages as part of their regular health-care routine. (By Joe Crocetta/Staff Photographer) |
When Ella Williams was a member of her college's track team, a massage was part of her weekly routine. Forty years later, Williams said she's no longer running long distances - just neighborhood jogs and lots of walking. But she continues to reap the rewards of a good rubdown.
Twice a month, the 62-year-old Hagerstown woman puts her body in the hands of a massage therapist.
"At my age, it's not a luxury," she said. "It's a necessity. I want to remain active but my muscles have become a lot tighter. A half-hour on the table works wonders."
Williams is among a growing number of senior citizens who are making regular appointments for a massage.
A 2008 survey by the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) showed that more than 47 million American adults received a massage. The largest increase was among people older than 60.
And while many devotees know a massage can be relaxing, the survey noted that more than 40 percent used massage to improve their health and well-being.
"Massage can benefit the older adult in so many ways," said Antionette Ayers, a licensed massage therapist with The Bodyworks Massage Center on Pennsylvania Avenue in Hagerstown.
"It can improve circulation, loosen the tightness in muscles, warm the joints and help calm you," she said.
Since joining Bodyworks in 2008, Ayers said she has seen "quite a few more seniors coming in for a massage. Many people are trying it for the first time. But we also have regulars who come in twice a month."
Ayers, who is a graduate of the New York Institute of Massage Inc. in Buffalo, N.Y., practices Swedish, deep tissue, myofascial, prenatal, hot stone and onsite, seated-chair massage.
The chair massage often is good for seniors who have some physical disabilities and are unable to position themselves on a table, she said.
Massage therapy for senior citizens doesn't differ in technique but it does differ in application of that technique, says the AMTA. The skin of older adults usually becomes thinner and joints are stiffer with reduced range of mobility. Overall health and vitality also are considerations.
Most massages for senior citizens are limited to less than one hour and greater time is usually spent on massaging hands and feet, especially with those seniors who are wheelchair-bound or have arthritis.
According to the AMTA, a massage therapist can use gentle techniques such as tapping and light kneading to mobilize tender muscles, tendons and joints.
Massage therapy helps reduce inflammation-related pain around joints, according to the AMTA, promoting the restoration of range of motion. Improved range of motion can enhance a person's ability to perform regular daily activities, which in turn can lead to increased independence and a higher quality of life.
The Mayo Clinic reports that improved circulation is one of the principle benefits of massage therapy. Healthy circulation of blood and lymph is especially important as a person ages and reduced circulation is particularly problematic for diabetics.
And, Ayers said, for people who have sleeping problems, a massage can help relax them.
But, in addition to the physical benefits, there are emotional benefits, as well.
According to a 2010 study about massage therapy and health outcomes in older adults published in the Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, those who received massage therapy produced significantly higher health outcome scores in emotional well-being. Participants said massage therapy helped reduce their anxiety, stress and loneliness.
Ayers said the human touch should not be dismissed for its impact on a person's well-being.
"It was one of the reasons I got into this profession," she said. "People told me I had great hands."
"The way society is today, there is a lack of touch," she said. "It's so taboo. Massage has an important emotional benefit, especially for the elderly."
For those who say a massage isn't for them, Ayers has a challenge.
"Just try a chair massage for about 5 to 10 minutes," she said. "That's all it will take."
Massage tips
Before you make your first appointment, the American Massage Therapy Association offers these tips:
- Find a massage therapist that is licensed and properly trained.
- Limit your appointment to 30 to 45 minutes at a time. Older adults appear to respond better to shorter sessions.
- Be careful when positioning yourself on the massage table. If you have mobility problems, ask for help or request a chair massage.
- Tell your massage therapist this is your first massage. Request a gentle relaxation massage. Ease into it.
- Let your massage therapist know if you have areas of pain or discomfort.
- Request use of lotions or oils or bring in your own favorites. Senior citizens' skin tends to be thinner and less pliable and using oils will avoid cracking or damaging the skin. Lotions will soften and moisturize the skin.
- Ask about the different types of massage that are available. With your help, the massage therapist will find the one that's suitable for you.
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Thanks for reading our August 2012 newsletter! We hope you found some helpful information in this issue. We hope your month of August 2012 is filled with joy and health!
Sincerely,
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