Massage/Questions Answered by Expert Rachel Beider, LMT
| Subject | Date Asked |
| Massage | 3/4/2011 |
| Q: I hope this is an okay question to ask here. I want to try a massage but I'm worried that I might ... A: I have spoken to several of my colleagues regarding your question and the response has been fairly ... | |
| too many massages bad for you? | 2/14/2011 |
| Q: I have been under great deal of stress and my body has been reacting with severe muscle spasms in ... A: I think, as your doctor recommended, you are doing your body and health a wonderful service by ... | |
| BLOD CLOTS | 9/29/2010 |
| Q: CAN I RECEIVE SWEDISH MASSAGE EVEN THOUGH I HAVE A BLOOD CLOT IN MY CALF, AND ON BLOOD THINNING ... A: Any time a patient is on blood thinning medication, I prefer that they get the OK from their ... | |
| nerve block injections and back massage | 8/2/2010 |
| Q: My husband had spinal fusion surgery 1 year ago. This past January through march he was finally ... A: Spinal fusion surgery is quite serious and does entail a long recovery time. I'm not sure what type ... | |
| pain during pregnancy | 7/9/2010 |
| Q: I am 18 weeks pregnant, and for the past two months, I have had pain on my back right-hand side, ... A: There could be several causes for the pain that you describe. I am not a doctor and this isn't a ... | |
| cancer | 3/16/2010 |
| Q: im not sure if you cover massage & cancer but none of us here in the clinic are too sure. when is ... A: M, Thank you so much for your question. I think that it's wonderful that you're providing ... | |
| pregnancy massage | 3/16/2010 |
| Q: most pregnant women I see suffer from fluid retention & are left with fluid for weeks after birth, ... A: M, Thanks for your question. Many women do experience fluid retention after giving birth, and the ... | |
| Massage Therapy as a Career | 3/13/2010 |
| Q: could you answer these questions for me? 1. What is your favorite part of your job? 2. How did you ... A: I'd be happy to answer your questions about massage therapy as a career! Q: What is your favorite ... | |
| Piriformis | 2/24/2010 |
| Q: I have started stretching my Piriformis and seem to be getting stiffer in that side, is this normal? ... A: Although I am not a Doctor, and this isn't a diagnosis, it sounds like what you are feeling may be ... | |
| massage and terminal cancer patient | 2/4/2010 |
| Q: Rachel I am wondering what precautions I need to keep in mind while treating a cancer patient that ... A: Shelly, Thank you so much for your question. I think that it's wonderful that you're providing ... | |
| Boop Disease | 1/30/2010 |
| Q: Can you massage a person with Boop Disease although the information I have read said it is possible ... A: Christina, Thank you for your question. First let's clarify, BOOP stands for Bronchiolitis ... | |
| massage | 1/10/2010 |
| Q: why is lung disease contra-indicated to massage? A: Lung disease is actually not contraindicated for massage therapy, though may present its own series ... | |
| lateral pterygoid muscle | 1/10/2010 |
| Q: I have ringing in my left ear. it started a few days after a dental visit that entailed pushing down ... A: I am sorry about the ringing in your ear that you are experiencing. I haven't heard of an auricular ... | |
| massage and sciatica pain | 1/4/2010 |
| Q: I have a client who gets a strange feeling (light headed, a little shaky, uncomfortable)when laying ... A: Angela, Thank you for your question. In a healthy client who is unable to lay prone, I often use a ... | |
| pain | 12/29/2009 |
| Q: i went to the doctor 3 years ago complaining of an ache in my lower right side of my back, the ... A: First, let me clear up the mystery of the "Floating Rib", for those of you wondering. Most of our ... | |
| prenatal massage | 12/2/2009 |
| Q: How long can a pregnant women receive a massage. Is two hours too long even if they are on their ... A: A typical Prenatal massage is 30, 60 or 90 Minutes. I prefer working for at least 60 minutes, as ... | |
| Scoliosis | 11/20/2009 |
| Q: I hope you can help with this question. My mother has scoliosis and I'm trying to work out the best ... A: Scoliosis can be either functional or structural. Functional scoliosis is acquired over years of ... | |
| Can you get sick from a massage? | 11/5/2009 |
| Q: This is the second time I went for a message (the firs time being two months ago) and the day after ... A: Nicole, Thank you for your question. Circulatory massage, like Swedish or Deep Tissue, can help the ... | |
| contraindication | 10/26/2009 |
| Q: Why cant you massage a patient who is under the influence of alcohol or drugs(medication) and if so ... A: Yanique, Thank you for your question. As licensed professionals, we want to work on our clients in ... | |
| NYC Marathon | 10/16/2009 |
| Q: Rachel, Can you give me some good advise concerning getting massage before and after a marathon. I ... A: Priscilla, Congratulations on taking such a huge step and running in the marathon! How exciting! ... | |
| bulging discs and si joint pain | 10/4/2009 |
| Q: I also went for a massage and my therapist said my SI joint was out of place also causing pain and ... A: It's likely that the pain and numbness down your buttocks and leg are actually from the discs and ... | |
| Blood Count and massage | 10/1/2009 |
| Q: Since 2007 my bloodcount have dropped considerably; bloodplatelets=67/white blood=3.1/red blood=10.2 ... A: I'm very sorry to hear about your situation. It's unlikely that a buildup of toxins in the muscles ... | |
| "flicking sensation" in gastrocnemius | 9/27/2009 |
| Q: I am a sports massage therapist working with a rugby team, a physiotherapist and I also have my own ... A: Is the pain sharp and shooting? Or more dull and aching? How about your client's strength? Without ... | |
| Massage oils | 9/13/2009 |
| Q: I am a sports massage therapist working with a rugby team, a physiotherapist and I also have my own ... A: It is possible that your client may be allergic to Arnica. The American Cancer Society website says: ... | |
| Pregnancy, Slipped Disc | 8/29/2009 |
| Q: Below is the response I received for my question...I am baffled as to why my question could not be ... A: Ruth, I'm terribly sorry I wasn't able to answer your question sooner. In addition to being a ... | |
| Prenatal Foot Massage | 7/25/2009 |
| Q: I am 32 weeks pregnant and I would like to have a foot massage done at an Herbal Foot Massage place ... A: Cynthia, Thanks for your question! It is true that in certain circumstances, getting a foot ... | |
| Important info not given/gotten in school! | 7/20/2009 |
| Q: I recently (2007) graduated from a program in Eugene, Or, where I never learned about (nor is it in ... A: Alexandra, Thanks for your question. Hot stones, as with all heat applications, are contrandicated ... | |
| health issues & meds | 7/7/2009 |
| Q: I am a remedial massage therapist, a new client suffers from polymyalgia, failed spine syndrome- ... A: I'm glad that you're taking your client's health very seriously and taking steps to educate yourself ... | |
| massage after a stroke | 6/17/2009 |
| Q: My friend has recently has a stroke, how long do they need to wait before going for a massage A: Beverley, I'm sorry to learn of your friend's recent stroke. There are several factors which will ... | |
| Symptoms from Toxins during a message | 6/14/2009 |
| Q: Not sure if your the person to ask or not but i was wondering what symptoms could be after a message ... A: Stephanie, In the spirit of promoting good health, therapists often recommend that their clients ... | |
| Epilepsy | 4/13/2009 |
| Q: Are there any other modalities that can be helpful to people that have epilepsy? What about children ... A: Deena, Some seizures can be caused by a build up of stress. Modalities such as a relaxing Swedish ... | |
| massage high blood pressure | 3/28/2009 |
| Q: With high blood pressure do you stroke towards the heart or away from it? I have heard different ... A: Domenica, In a healthy individual receiving circulatory massage, it is important to encourage the ... | |
| prolonged pain | 3/27/2009 |
| Q: I had a back, shoulder and neck massage and unfortunately suffered quite severe pains afterward(the ... A: Lesley, I'm very sorry that you had such a bad experience with your massage. To feel that much pain ... | |
| bolsters | 3/26/2009 |
| Q: What is the difference between bolsters. I see there are round and half round along with different ... A: Debi, There are a lot of options when considering different bolsters. To help you narrow it down, ... | |
| special conditions, chronic pain | 3/24/2009 |
| Q: I'm hoping this is in your expertise. I have client with lumbar spondylosis and myasthenia gravis. ... A: There are a few major conditions going on here. First lets define each issue: Spondylosis is a ... | |
| sciatica | 3/21/2009 |
| Q: The outside of my right leg has been very painful for about a month now. When my therapist was ... A: Donella, Pain on the outside of your leg, as you describe, could be attributed to a variety of ... | |
| About chronic pain | 3/19/2009 |
| Q: Name 2 factors that may contribute to chronic pain A: Gerardo, Two factors that may contribute to chronic pain are overuse injuries, such as tendonitis, ... | |
| massage health and safety | 3/15/2009 |
| Q: why is it important that the client fully understands all the procedures to be used during therapy? A: Kari, It is important to inform your client about the techniques and procedures used during their ... | |
| postnatal massage | 3/8/2009 |
| Q: I am a remedial therapist getting into postnatal massage, I'm talking postnatal as in the first few ... A: Kali, I'm so glad that you've taken an interest in massage after birth - as so many women can ... | |
| prenatal massage | 2/26/2009 |
| Q: I'm 30wks pregnant, still working, & have placenta previa and wish to have regular prenatal massages ... A: Kate, Thank you for your prompt response, and I'm glad that you are comfortable asking your ... | |
| prenatal massage | 2/26/2009 |
| Q: I'm 30wks pregnant, still working, & have placenta previa and wish to have regular prenatal massages ... A: Kate, In a regular prenatal massage, there are certain specific areas on the ankles, legs and feet ... | |
| prenatal massage | 2/26/2009 |
| Q: I'm 30wks pregnant, still working, & have placenta previa and wish to have regular prenatal massages ... A: Kate, I'm so glad that you chose a therapist who is certified in prenatal massage. Under healthy ... | |
| CONTRA-INDICATIONS | 2/25/2009 |
| Q: WHY DOES SEVERE BRUISING CONTRA-INDICATE SWEEDISH BODY MASSAGE A: Mohammed, Bruising, especially of a severe nature, is a contraindication for Swedish massage ... | |
| Back pain | 2/23/2009 |
| Q: I injured one of my ribs a few years ago (the costal cartilage on the tip of my 10th rib in the ... A: KC, Sitting in front of a computer for long periods of time is the cause of so many issues - ... | |
| myofascial pain | 2/19/2009 |
| Q: I have been suffering from chronic right jaw (upper/lower) pain for over five years. It has only ... A: Lisa, To answer your first question, Massage Therapy can absolutely help with the trigger ... | |
| Feeling sick after massage | 2/10/2009 |
| Q: I've noticed that every time that i've gotten a massage I have felt sick after..sluggish, migraine ... A: Angie, I'm sorry to hear that you've felt ill after receiving massage therapy. There may be a few ... | |
| massage side effects | 1/29/2009 |
| Q: The day after I had a massage (medium pressure), I began experiencing some joint pain and swollen ... A: Tonya, It is highly unlikely that a massage would cause swelling in any extremity or the kind of ... | |
| Psoas muscle and massage? | 1/2/2009 |
| Q: Several years ago I had what I would call a routine fall from my horse. Nothing hurt right away, so, ... A: Sarah, It sounds like if massage therapy has helped you in dealing with the pain in the past, it's ... | |
| Pain from Massage | 1/2/2009 |
| Q: Rachael, I went to a new Massage Person recommended. It was the most intense deep muscle massage I ... A: Pam, I'm so sorry that when you asked your therapist to adjust her pressure, she didn't. Getting a ... | |
| contra-indications for massage | 1/2/2009 |
| Q: I am re starting my practice and want to revise the list of contra indications. Can you remind me ... A: Maggie, Congratulations on re-starting your practice. For an update of the contra-indications for ... | |
| pregnancy massage | 12/26/2008 |
| Q: Is it contraindicated to massage the ankle of a pregnant woman? A: Prenatal Massage is a wonderful way to help alleviate tired and swollen feet, ankles and legs. In ... | |
| Brain aneurysims | 12/17/2008 |
| Q: Is it ok to massage a client who was just released from the ICU, she was hospitalized for three ... A: If your client is alert and neurologically normal, I would say that its ok to massage them. Of ... | |
Massage
Answers by Expert:
Rachel Beider, LMT
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
I can answer questions regarding Therapeutic Medical Massage, Prenatal Massage, and Chronic Pain Management. I can also answer questions relating to the business of massage therapy, starting a private practice, and running a small business.
Experience
I am a NY State Licensed Massage Therapist, Certified in Prenatal Massage, and working as a Professional Doula. I have worked with Chiropractors, Physical Therapists, and in a Surgeon's Office, providing Medical Massage Therapy. I have taught a basic anatomy course to yoga students at a school in Brooklyn. I have volunteered massage work for the NYC Marathon and massaging patients at Beth Israel in the Jacob Perlowe Hospice Center. I currently own a business, Massage Williamsburg (www.massagewilliamsburg.com), in Brooklyn, NY, and write a blog at www.massagewilliamsburg.com/blog
Organizations
American Massage Therapy Association, National Association of Women Business Owners
Publications
www.massagewilliamsburg.com/blog
Education/Credentials
Swedish Institute of Health and Sciences, WatPo Thai Medical Massage School in Bangkok, Carole Osbourne Sheets Prenatal Massage Certification, Doula Training by Association for Labor Assistants and Childbirth Educators
Past/Present Clients
My clients include dancers, athletes, a neurosurgeon, a chiropractor, yoga instructors, and moms-to-be
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