coppercity

[madlori]

My ankle journey

I am sharing this with all you good people on the dash because I am so fucking mad it took so long for me to learn it and if I can spare one (1) person the agony it will be worth it.

So for like...oh, 8 or 9 months, I've been struggling with pain/inflammation/tendinitis in my left Achilles tendon. I don't know what caused it. It just started up (welcome to middle age, this shit happens). It wasn't severe enough to be debilitating, but it was annoying and limiting. It was also intermittent, in that some days it would be very painful and other days hardly at all. The kind of shoe I was wearing affected it a lot.

Now, I have bone spurs on both heels (it's just a thing that happens as you get older sometimes). I'm also aware that heel pain is usually the result of tight calf muscles that pull and irritate the tendon. I tried stretching that calf muscle. You know the stretch, this bitch right here:

I did it all the time. I also iced the ankle after walking for awhile, hoping to avoid inflammation. Results were...unsatisfying.

I went to:

A chiropractor

A podiatrist

A physical therapist

A bodywork coach

They all gave me some variation on the "strengthen your calf muscle, stretch your calf muscle" advice. I continued doing this without results.

I was getting frustrated, and a little afraid that this was just my life now. Finally, I thought...maybe some targeted massage might help. I asked for rec on a local FB site and was pointed to a woman who specializes in therapeutic massage including cupping, etc.

I went to her a week ago.

She spent over half our first session working on my left lower leg. Within about 10 minutes of making my eyes water, she uttered the sentence I did not know I had been waiting to hear:

"Oh, it's your soleus."

Excuse me, what?

"It's your soleus that's the culprit. It's all tied up and stiff." She started digging into it and I felt literal sparks run up my leg as she released adhesions and got the muscle moving a little. When she finally put the leg down, it felt like it was on fire with all the blood rushing into it.

She said, "You'll need to stretch your soleus. It'll clear up, but it'll take a bit of time - tendons take ages to heal."

But I HAVE been stretching.

"No, you haven't. The usual straight-leg calf stretch only stretches the gastrocnemius, that's the big belly muscle in your calf. That's not your problem. That stretch doesn't stretch the soleus. Don't worry, I'll show you how to stretch it."

My mind is spinning.

So here are the muscles in question:

The gastroc (as the pros call it) just attaches down the back but the soleus runs underneath it from the knee around the side to the heel. The lower part above the ankle is where it typically gets tight and forms adhesions.

To stretch it, you do the same calf thing where you put your foot back and press your heel to the ground, but you have to do it with your KNEE BENT:

The bent knee keeps the gastroc from engaging. It's one of those selfish muscles (like traps) - if you give it an inch, it'll just take over and prevent other muscles from working or stretching. There are other ways to stretch the soleus but this is the easiest and you can literally do it anywhere. I've been doing it while standing and waiting for things (the elevator to come, the toast to toast). You just put the heel back and bend the knee. It's kind of like curtseying.

The minute I did this stretch, I could FEEL where it was pulling on my tendon. I knew that THIS had been the problem.

The massage therapist also told me to stop icing my heel. She said icing is for an acute injury, but a more chronic aggravation needs heat, to increase blood flow for healing. She recommended elevation with heat every day (I've been doing it in bed during "phone before bed" time).

I have been doing the soleus stretch at least half a dozen times a day for almost a week, and the ankle is at least 70% better. It is still a little tight and tender, but the improvement is significant. I think a few more weeks will have it feeling normal.

I am...blown away by this. This massage therapist was able to pinpoint an issue in only a few minutes that eluded all the other professionals I saw. I can't wait to go back to her and have her solve all my other problems, tbh.

[brian-in-finance]

Instagram

Remember… Kobido is a natural face lift treatment adapted to the aesthetics of your face, neck and décolleté, that sets back time, making you look more defined, younger looking and refreshed. Due to its deep and thorough techniques this massage’s side effects result in extreme relaxation and deep emotional release.

[nickmassage]

Asian guy receiving professional massage

[badsciencejokes]

I am pleased to announce the Bad Science Jokes grant presented by Orion Technical College! We are helping people go back to school locally in Davenport, IA, and AROUND THE U.S., with their online classes.

🚨   $100,000 in total tuition assistance for 100 eligible students !  🚨 

💻The current online offerings are:  

Medical Billing and Coding

Medical Assisting

Health Information Management 

🏫Current on-location offerings in Davenport, Iowa:

EET (Electronics Engineering Technology)

Mechatronics

Massage Therapy 

Medical Massage Therapy

🖱️Learn more by clicking here (or go to Orion.edu/BSJgrant ). It will take you to a #BadScienceJokes landing page. Fill out the form and someone from Orion Technical College will contact you soon to answer any questions you may have! All information you submit will only be seen by Orion Technical College staff.

Please share and let your friends know about the new Bad Science Jokes grant from Orion Technical College! 

⏰Next start date is April 8th!

[worshipfulmercy]

freudian implications, m.d

[renphousa]

People who are exposed to life's realities experience eye strain.

Cracking the Code: Life's Realities and the Eye Strain Dilemma

In the realm of ocular well-being, a Reality Check unveils an intriguing correlation between life's unfiltered truths and the pervasive issue of eye strain. Delving into this intricate tapestry, one encounters the enigmatic concept of Eyeris 3 Gold Benefits, a term that resonates with those navigating the labyrinth of existence.

The visual discomfort that plagues individuals exposed to life's raw realities unfolds like an unsolved mystery. Amidst this, the profound influence of THermalcool Massage gun benefits emerges as a silent protagonist. It intricately weaves its therapeutic prowess into the narrative, offering a respite for fatigued eyes ensnared by the harsh truths of existence.

In the symphony of ocular discourse, the harmonious notes of a Renpho bundle product resonate. This holistic solution intertwines with the multifaceted challenges of eye strain, providing a nuanced approach to address the intricate dilemma.

Cracking the code of life's realities and the eye strain dilemma requires a meticulous examination of these facets. The interconnected dance of Eyeris 3 Gold Benefits, THermalcool Massage gun benefits, and the Renpho bundle product unveils a tapestry where relief and revelation converge, offering solace to those grappling with the intricate interplay of perception and veracity.

[auntymurda]

bittermelonbotanicals on instagram.

[eternalreignblog]

Love the moodboard for your happy endings fic 🩷

Ahhhh thank you 😘

I think it sums up the fic nicely 😏

(Clarke gripping the sheet for dear life while Lexa rides her like a mechnical bull)

[claudiaortiz]

Am always available for you service 🥰❤️

I’m a massage therapist 👙😋

Are you coming now or appointment 😋

[bodyalive]

“swinging” (c) Bernd Walz

* * * *

Descending Modulation: Why Massage Therapy Can Alleviate Pain Posted by Mark Olson | Oct 24, 2019 | Massage, Massage Science [Thanks Barbara Sharp Lmt]

“Clients walk out of a massage session feeling better, not because circulation was altered in the tissue or because of any direct mechanical manipulation of soft tissues, but because of the symphony of nociceptive modulatory activity that emerges both from tactile input and from the meaning the client derives from environmental and social cues. (11)

Once we understand that the tissue is (often) not the issue and how pain is generated and modulated in the brain, we can realize that placebo effects are nowhere near fake but rather an essential therapeutic tool to wield against the real basis for pain. Understanding the mechanisms of descending modulation’s nonspecific effects means that our treatment strategy doesn’t require mechanical focus on the region with the pain. It also means that educating our clients about how pain works becomes part of the treatment (since it can further enhance descending inhibition), and that what and how we communicate to the client about their condition plays a much more central role than what would be expected with the common, passive, unidirectional, tissue-centric model of pain.

Classes on effective listening and communication skills may truly be more valuable than classes in one massage modality or another.” I think the Neuromuscular Reprogramming model using competent, exacting and still soft manual muscle testing fulfills the active communication aspect better than words. Gently teaching a nervous system how to achieve a motion or hold a joint using a fully balanced set muscles does reduce pain.

[madlori]

Ankle journey continues

I'm so, so gratified at the number of people replying to or reblogging my Ankle Journey post about how a new massage therapist helped solve a nagging ankle issue. So many people have been struggling with the same thing and if that soleus stretch helps I'm thrilled!

I'm going back to the massage therapist tonight and I'm eager to hear if my leg feels more loose and agile to her given all the stretching I've been doing.

[lovelyladylavie]

Day 4: Pampering

Y'all know I had to do a massage. 💆‍♂️

Here's a scene from my fic "Shell Rubs" where they celebrate "Donnie Appreciation Day" after Donnie gets left out of a shell-care day. One of April’s former jobs was as a massage therapist (until she realized how quiet and boring it could be and quit. The girl needs adventure. And noise.) She happily provides her professional services for her chronically-in-pain bestie. (The fic takes place before they would get together):

Clip:

" “It’s just…I DON’T know what kind of specific pain they’re going through, but I do know a lot about a lot of minor pains, stacking up until you’re overwhelmed! And all you want is some relief and-!” Don snorted, words failing him. “I’m just…doing my best, you know?”

April put her hand over his. “I know.”

“And I rarely, if ever, get the same sort of spa day they do! They get the peeling, the shell rubs, the scrubs, and the heat lamp, and I just end up exhausted!”

April thought about that. It was true, they never reciprocated the favor, because he was never in as dire straits as they were when it came to shell care. No, Donnie had day to day aches and pains from his battle-shell grips, the sweat from between the metal shell and his real one and the weight of it on his shoulders all the time. But he didn’t complain too much to them, as there was nothing they could do about it. Maybe he was due some true TLC."

It would take some planning and research, but…"

[nickmassage]

Professional massage for a hairy daddy

[trashyswitch]

Day 28: Massage

Emile treats Remy to a massage in an attempt to help him relax. But much to Remy's dismay (and Emile's excitement), Remy's a little bit ticklish on his back ribs and lower back. Can he tolerate it, even while Emile finds it funny?

Day 28! Another massage fic, cause why not. Remy and Emile are back, baby! I hope you like it!

Dr. Picani walked up to Remy, and smirked at him. “I want you to close your eyes and come with me.” Emile told him. 

“Oooh? A little surprise? For moi?!” Remy reacted, surprised. 

“Yup! But close your eyes first!” Emile ordered with a giggle before grabbing his hand. When Remy had his eyes closed and his left hand over his eyes, Emily brought Remy into the usual therapy room and closed the door. “Open your eyes.” Emile told him. When he opened his eyes, Emile presented the room to him excitedly. “Tada!” he declared happily. 

Remy looked around, and noticed that the room was pretty much the same…only it was set up as a massage room instead of a therapy room. “Wow…It’s kinda…looks like you moved only 3 things, Emile.” Remy admitted. 

Emile laughed as he placed his hands on Remy’s shoulders. “Well, kinda…but that doesn’t matter. You need a break, and I’m going to provide you one.” the doctor decided. 

Remy raised an eyebrow. “Emile, you don’t have to…seriously-”

“Shhhh.” Emile gently laid him down onto the bed, and . “Just lay yourself down…get yourself comfortable…relax…” He told him. “And let me massage your troubles away.” Emile started rubbing into his shoulders and kneading his lower neck. “B-But…Buuut…Oooooh mygod- that’s good.” He reacted, surprised to feel such professional massages against his neck. Did Emile have a secret massage therapy degree or something?!

“See? Worry not. Just unwind and allow yourself to rest.” Emile told him softly. “Dr. Picani will take care of you.” 

“Mmmm…Ohyeah…Ooooh yeah…Mmmmmhmmm…” He mumbled, grunting and humming. The massage felt amazing. Emile was such a nice person to come up with an idea like this…he had no idea what he did to deserve it. 

“How about here? Is this too painful?” Emile asked, moving down to his back. 

“Oooohgosh-” Remy grunted and let out a breath. “It’sfine. Fine. Good.” He replied with an awkward smile.  

“You sure?” Emile reacted. 

“Positive.” He replied. “Don’t underestimate me and my pain tolerance.” Remy warned. 

“Or else what?” Emile asked, poking his side. “You’ll leave your massage early?” He teased. 

Remy jumped and attempted to slap Emile with his hand behind his back. “Dohon’t poke me!” Remy warned. 

“Awww.” Emile went back to massaging his back again. “Alright.” 

Remy held onto the side of the bed as he tittered and squeezed his eyes shut. Oh no, oh no! “E-Emile-!” 

“Hm?” Emile replied. 

“W-Whahat did I j-juhust say?” Remy asked. 

“Oh? Does it hurt too much?” Emile asked, removing his fingers. 

“Noho…No. It just tickled a bit…that’s all.” Remy admitted.

“Oh?” Emile reacted, before moving to the same spot. “This…” Emile pushed down a little bit on the spot on his back. “Tickled you?” He asked. 

Remy felt a smile grow onto his face as plenty of giggles filled his lungs. “E-Ehemile!” Remy reacted. “Dohohon’t eheven think about tickling me.” Remy warned. 

“Does that mean you admit it?” Emile asked. 

“Admit what?” Remy asked for clarification. 

“That you’re ticklish.” Emile replied. 

“Well…well yeah, but-” Remy squeaked and hugged himself as Emile started kneading his lower back. “WAHAIT! EMILENO!” Remy shouted. 

Emile giggled and rubbed the lower back near the buttocks. “How’s this area?” Emile asked, rubbing his back with his thumbs.

“Ihihit’s fihine. Aha lihihittle ticklyhyhyhy, buhut not bahahad.” He admitted softly. “Oh, that’s good. We don’t exactly want to kill you during your relaxing massage, do we?” Emile teased. 

“Ihi’d rather nohohot behe kihihilled todahahay.” Remy admitted. 

“Aw man…” Emile placed his fingers near Remy’s spine. “Would you rather be killed tomorrow?” Emile asked. 

“Whahahat?! Nohohoho!” Remy replied. 

“What about Monday?” Emile asked with a giggle as he moved his fingers up his spine towards the back ribs. Emile chuckled and shook his head. “Plehease nohoho! HahahAHAHA!” Remy gripped the bed as he let out some extra pent-up giggles he had saved up in his lungs. “EHEHEMILEHEHEHEE! TOHOHOO MUHUHUCH!” Remy reacted. 

“Goodness! Looks like I found a ticklish little pot at the end of the rainbow~!” Emile teased. 

Remy snorted and cackled a little harder. “GOHOHOHOD! PLEHEHEHEASE STOHOHOHOP!” Remy pleaded. “IHIHIHI CAHAHAHAN’T! IHIHIHI CAHAHAHAHAAA!” Remy shouted. 

“I’m not killing you! I swear!” Emile reacted, stopping his fingers. 

Remy’s laughter lessened back to softer, more breathless giggles as he tried to calm down. “Ihi…” He looked at Emile. “I thought this was a massage appointment!” Remy admitted. 

“It’s not completely a massage appointment.” Emile admitted. “It’s more a ‘loosen and relax’ appointment.” Emile explained. 

“T-tickle fights only tense me up and make me jumpy.” Remy admitted. “Tickles don’t exactly help me calm down.” Remy admitted.

Emile bit his lip as he felt Remy tense up the moment he felt his back. “I can see that…Why is that?” Emile asked, tilting his head. 

“Ihi don’t know…It just does.” Remy admitted. 

Emile smiled and started slowing down his back rubs. “How about…I slow down the massages a bit.” Emile offered, drawing circles with his thumbs. “Mmmmmhmhmhmmm…Ohokahay.” Remy replied. “Ihit feels…” He gasped and squealed in a high-pitched voice. “eeEEK! Hehe…Hehe! Suhuhure.” Remy replied. 

“Okay.” Emile focused his hands on his upper back to give Remy a bit of a break from the tickles. Though it still tickled a little bit, Emile was able to manipulate his hands so it was a little more bearable. “Is this a little better?” Emile asked him softly. 

Remy sighed, letting out a couple giggles. “Yehes…this ihis behetter. Sooo much betteher.” Remy replied. 

Emile smiled and kept it up for a little longer. He kept things somewhat quiet for a bit, letting Remy rest softly on the bed. He wanted to ensure he stayed calm and comfortable while in his massage room. 

“So…Whehen did yohou…get your massage degrehee?” Remy asked him. 

Emile smiled. “I got it at around the same time I got my psychology degree. I was very spry back then, and worked my head off for both degrees.” Emile told him. “I remember I had to finish my anatomy exam, and then head right to my graduation to get my Massage Therapy degree.” Emile told him. 

Remy smiled. “Wow…That’s a lot.” Remy reacted softly. 

“It was…It was the most stressed I’ve ever been. I couldn’t technically take a break. But…thankfully, some of my courses ended up turning into my breaktime, so it turned out fine.” Emile told him. 

“That’s…wow. I wohould never be able to doho that.” Emile admitted, still slightly giggly. 

Emile smiled and rubbed into his back ribs again, making Remy squeak. “Well…I did. So beat that.” Emile declared. 

“BAHAHA-” Remy pounded his fists into the bed. “EEEHEHEHEHEHE! EMILE NOHOHOHO!” He shouted. 

“Sorry, sorry.” He said with a giggle. “I couldn’t resist.” He admitted. 

Remy sighed and hid his face in his arms. “Picani…I can’t relax when you’re tickling me like that.” Remy told him. 

“Okay, okay. I’ll stop now. I promise.” He told him, before rubbing into his neck and shoulders. “There. Is that better?” Emile asked him. 

“Mmmmm…Mmm hmm. Thaaaat’s soooo much better.” Remy admitted. 

Emile smiled and massaged his neck and shoulders for a while. He didn’t dare go back down to his back, for fear of tickling him again. He rubbed through the traps, moved his fingers up to the spine of his neck, up to the lower scalp and scratched there a bit, before going back down to the lower neck and shoulders. 

Then, Emile grabbed some oil and started rubbing it all over his neck and shoulders, before moving down his back, and down to the lower back before moving back up to the neck and shoulders. All the while, Remy was groaning and humming softly and contently. Emile seemed to just know the spots to go for. It was…rather inspiring, actually. 

After about 30 minutes of proper massaging with minimal tickles, Emile removed his hands and cleaned up his back a bit. “There. How do you feel now?” Emile asked. 

Remy smirked and brought his head to the right to look at him. “I feel like a million dollars.” Remy told him. 

Emile smiled and dabbed his hands with a towel. “I’m glad.” he replied. “Now: I want you to take your time getting up. And if you feel any muscle aches or headaches, don’t worry…It’s normal, and it should go away in a day or two.” Emile told him. 

Remy nodded his head and slowly began to get up. “How much do I owe ya?” Remy asked, pulling out his wallet. 

“Oh my gosh, Remy…” Emile shook his head and pushed Remy’s hand of cash away. “It’s all on me.” Emile told him. 

“B*tch, no! I’m paying you.” Remy ordered, pushing the money back. 

“Nonsense. Take it back.” Emile insisted. “Emile…” Remy warned. 

“Helping my friend is reward enough.” Emile told him. 

“No, no. I’m not going to allow myself to take your love for granted. Take it.” Remy insisted. 

“You never take me for granted. So don’t worry about it. My treat.” Emile said. 

“Oh my go- At least let me buy you a coffee, or something!” Remy begged. 

Emile chuckled and rolled his eyes. “Fine…A cappuccino?” Emile asked. 

Remy smirked and nodded his head. “With pleasure.” Remy pulled out his keys and rang them in his hand. “Be right back!” Remy declared, running out of the room. Emile chuckled and shook his head as he put the fold-up mattress back into the closet. It’s a good thing he holds onto that thing after all these years…

[dornish-queen]

Here are some updated photos of the new space with working lights for spa environment. Got the 2 beds in so I can offer couples massage now and work with a fellow therapist. If I change anything around, it will be very little tweaks.

[cass-ass]

i am so happy i became a massage therapist. I love it.

i don't think i'd have been able to recover from autistic burnout otherwise. I also didn't even know I was autistic until a year and a half into the field, massage as a career actually helped me figure it out cause it helped me calm down and be able to take care of my needs.

like this job was basically made for autistic people who are touch friendly:

have dim lights constantly

soothing music- I can also choose my own music in the room I work in

everyone is quiet and talking is soft (usually)

I can wear whatever I want to work, but the more comfy the better. Generally I wear tshirts and nice lounge pants. Some of my coworkers wear yoga pants, or bright hippie-like pants.

I have to talk to at most 2 clients in an hour, at best 1 every 2 hours

I work half as much as other people (I work 20 hours a week, up to 29 if I need extra money, but I have to do that sparsely or else my body hurts too much)

I make 60% of the massage cost + tip so I can afford to work that 20hrs a week and still pay bills and buy some things that I want. The cost is the amount of time plus 10. so $70 for an hour, I earn $42, people usually tip between $10-20 so I make $52-62 an hour.

15 minutes between each massage where I am able to be alone and just clean the room I was using. I am able to calm down any sensory issues in this time. (I am not paid for this time, as I earn commission from the massages so I get about 16 actual paid hours per week)

tactile work where my hands are constantly busy and my sensory sensitivity actually comes in handy

pattern recognition helps me figure out how to help specific pain patterns

able to stand or sit whenever I need to. I can even kneel while I work. some massage techniques you do just from sitting and kneeling on the floor, such as Thai massage

the people that do talk to me during the massage generally tend to be neurodivergent. I get a lot of infodumps about interesting things and it can be pretty fun

the people I work with tend to be neurodivergent as well, usually undiagnosed older neurodivergent people, but one of my coworkers is just a year older than me and has autism and adhd too. We just kinda flock to the career cause it's comfy.

if I feel uncomfortable with someone I can reject them as a client. it's about safety and comfort for the therapist and the client. so if someone says anything homophobic or transphobic I can walk out and reject them immediately or I can stay quiet, get money for the work I have done and then reject them for future appointments.

I can also reject people who don't respect my time, such as people who don't show up for appointments or people who constantly show up 10+ minutes late and expect to get their full time. This can make me have a meltdown, and so I cut them out of my schedule if they want to walk all over it.

There are clear boundaries and rules that are outlined for the field. we have to take ethics classes every 2 years while in the field so everyone is on the same page about these rules.

school was 7 months for full time and could be done in a year and a half for a part time student. It was short enough that even as a college dropout, it wasn't daunting. And grades kinda mattered, but not to a point where I stressed myself out about things like I did with college. and a lot of grades were just based on participation and how well we could follow a physical massage routine that we learned.

and one of the best things:

I can work barefoot and no one cares.