Volume II - Issue 5

Medications and Massage

Whenever you walk in to Alvino Massage for the first time, I ask you to fill out a tedious form. Among the multitude of questions is a section looking to discover what medications you are taking. What I am looking for are signs to what to watch for during a massage. The vast majority of time, you can get a massage no matter what you are taking, but there are a few things to look out for. Please, consult your doctor first if you have any doubts. Here is a list of the three most common types of medications:

Pain Killers

Let’s face it; you take pain killers because you hurt. Pain killers work to alter tissue response and possibly reduce inflammation. When you receive a massage while on these medications, the biofeedback your therapist receives is different than when you are not on the medications. There are changes to your body’s temperature, muscle guarding and blood flow.
You can get a massage while on these medications, but it is best to get the massage at the end of your dosage cycle, when your body is a more natural tolerance. Common painkillers include Tylenol, Advil, and aspirin.

Cardiovascular Medications

Most people take cardiovascular medications to regulate your blood pressure or minimize the response of your sympathetic nervous system. If you get a massage while on these medications, you may feel dizziness, fatigue, or lethargic. It is okay to get a massage while on these medications, but you may be better suited to have shorter, brisker strokes. Remember to get up slowly after a massage and don’t leave until you feel your head is on straight. Common cardiovascular medications include ACE inhibitors, Beta blockers, cholesterol lowering drugs and diuretics.

Diabetes Management

You need to be cognizant of the effects of diabetes medications. Massage is generally a good thing, because it will lower blood glucose. Paired with medications, you may become unbalanced the other way and trigger a hypoglycemic episode. You should get your massage while in the middle of your dose’s activity, not at the beginning or end. Check your blood glucose before and after a massage to make sure you are okay and bring a snack!

If you have any worries or questions to whether a massage is the right decision at the time, please consult your doctor! I promise to do my best to stay attentive!

Save the World campaign

Yes. I have a green heart.

It's important for many reasons to have a clean environment at work. I can't imagine going in for a massage myself and having to disrobe to somebody else's used sheets. I would never do that to you.

That said, one of the biggest bummers about massage is having to wash sheets after they were only used for 90 minutes. There is the water usage. The energy usage. Whatever chemicals are involved in detergent. It adds up.

One of the more interesting concepts I have encountered from other therapists is a member linen program. If you are a member, and are interested in taking a small step to trying to be more ecologically friendly, I will buy you your own sheets. I will use these sheets for you and only you. I will store them at Alvino Massage. We will tag them with the frequency to which you want them washed. Your sheets will be pretty. They may be stripped, or have stars, or solid purple... who knows, but they will easily be uniquely identifiable as your sheets.

I can wash three sets of sheets at a time. If 48 members enroll in the linen program, and we wash the sheets once every three uses, We can save nearly 6,000 gallons of water a year! (45 gallons per load, approximated)
email me today! dan@alvinomassage.com

Customer Corner - Iron Clad Fitness

Iron Clad Fitness, owned and operated by Shari Wagner, RKC, specializes in the Russian Kettlebell Challenge (RKC) style of kettlebell training, which has been hailed as the gold standard in kettlebell technique and certifications. No other tool is more effective for fat loss, strength training and cardiovascular fitness; all in one short workout. If you have an interest in kettlebell training, allow yourself to be taught by a competent expert. You deserve it.

Kettlebell training has been Shari's choice for fitness since 2007. She discovered kettlebells while searching for something to strengthen quads and glutes to combat chronic knee pain and avoid surgery. What she found was that and so much more. After gaining and losing over 40 lbs, kettlebells reshaped her body. Back, neck and knee pain no longer plagued her and she saw a strong and muscular new physique emerge before her very eyes.

Shari is offering friends of Alvino Massage a 25% discount on your first class package. All students must take the required Intro to Kettlebells class to learn safe technique in some of the basic exercises. Click on Shari's Class Schedule and enter the promotion code Alvino25 at checkout to recieve your special discount.

If you have any questions or would like to learn more about the benefits of kettlebell training, please contact Shari directly at shari@ironcladfit.com