"Pin and Stretch" - oh how I love thee!

"Pin and stretch" is a technique used to ease discomfort in muscles experiencing a heightened state of tension which can be attributed to any number of reasons (bad posture, sudden wrenching of the muscle, holding tension in that area, etc.)

The technique works by placing the targeted muscle in a shortened position (contracting the muscle) whereby a practitioner will maneuver a particular body part (while having the client relax that area as much as possible - deferring control over to the practitioner) to passively contract the targeted muscle (to "passively contract" means that instead of you - "the client" contracting the muscle - the practitioner will maneuver your body to contract the muscle for you).  The muscle is first placed into a shortened "contracted" position as this will bring the muscle tissue to a relaxed and more pliable state.  This enables the practitioner to apply a steady and firm pressure directly into the muscle, generally the belly of the muscle but could also be an attachment site of the muscle ("attachment site" refers to a spot where the muscle attaches to bone).  Once firm pressure is applied, the practitioner will then stretch the muscle by maneuvering a body part as needed.

One easy example for visual reference would be the biceps.  Although the biceps don't often need to be stretched out it provides an easy visual reference. You are laying on a table, face up - with your arm and palm straight (level with the table) and face up.  The practitioner will flex your forearm at the elbow - bringing your forearm 90 degree angle form the table - thus passively contracting the biceps muscle. This will make your bicep muscle more loose, at which time the practitioner will apply steady pressure somewhere within the biceps muscle and then slowly bring your forearm back down so it is again level with the table.  Once the stretch is complete, the practitioner will slowly bring the forearm back up to a 90 degree angle from the table, release the pressure, and smooth out the muscle area (think - relaxing strokes to make the area happy :D).


Incredibly often when using this technique, both yourself and the client will feel the tension simply melt away with the stretch, resulting in a ridiculously happy and giddy client when getting off your table (no - serious, ridiculously happy and giddy :D).

I *love* this technique because you get so much bang for your buck so to speak but more importantly - it's not an overly invasive technique.  The client is more likely to feel loose and relaxed afterwards with little to no discomfort as opposed to banged up and bruised as if they'd been hit by a mac truck :D when more invasive techniques are employed.

"Crazy Andy" - refer four friends and get a massage .. free of charge ..

Do you like massage? Ah - me too! Do you like free? Friggin' coincidence - me too! It's late, i'm sleepy so, what *better* time to come up with another "Crazy Andy" deal.

Have 4 friends book, come in & get an hour (or longer) massage with me @inSpa's Bellevue Mall location and I'll make sure you get a one hour massage - free of charge!

Please feel free to include yourself in "the four" - so, if you have 2 friends get a massage and you get 2 yourself - that's the "4" and bam - you're getting another massage free of charge! If you book and receive all four massages for yourself (and why shouldn't you - you're wonderful and you *deserve* it) - then you're getting 5 massages for the price of 4 ... you do the math.

I am going to keep this offer open until the end of my next work week @inSpa - which is next Friday - 9/30. If you'd like to take advantage - just contact me w/your intent and I'll personally track all of the details as the massages take place.

"Crazy Andy" - ** click these posts ** to see my latest discounted offerings

From time to time - I'm going to think up various discounting concepts - some of which might be logical and some a bit more on the far side but the one constant will always be providing some type of great deal for clients.

I have every confidence in the massages that I provide and I'm not above taking a steep loss in income per massage in order to get new clientele exposed to my style of massage.  I see this as a "win-win" for two major reasons.

First - because while I might not necessarily make substantial or heck, even any profits on these discounts in the short term - I am more focused on a long term goal of establishing a client base that can feel confident in the quality of massage they can expect to receive from me and hopefully mentioning the same to family/friends.

Second - and just as important - let's face it, massage can be expensive.  For many, while they would love to engage in massage appointments on a regular basis (say .. weekly, monthly, whathaveyou) - it is simply may not be a viable option at this time, especially given the difficult economic times we are all trying our best to muddle through.  As such, getting a massage may be more the exception then the rule - limited to maybe once every 6 months, a year, or even less frequent.  Given this, I think one of the most disappointing experiences would be to look forward to a massage only to be disappointed with the end results.  Being disappointed doesn't necessarily equate with the practitioner was being adept at their craft - rather more often, translates to style of the practitioner not being compatible with the type of massage a client may be in need of.  I don't know about everyone else - but the financial price of a massage can be a very daunting one if ultimately a client determines the practitioner is not the best fit for their needs.  So with this sentiment - I think it's extremely valuable and important for that first interaction to be less of a financial risk for the client and more of a journey to find the best suited practitioner for their continued needs.  So, one of my goals will *always* be to either innovate new ways for a client to experience a first session with a practitioner with minimal financial risk to the client, or - simply borrow any tried and true ideas I might happen along as well.

So, anytime you say a post with "Crazy Andy" - i highly recommending taking a few moments to open and read the post as it may be the perfect discount to get you in for that much needed massage!

Introduction ...

So, my intent is to use this space to blog about anything and everything - all the random and not so random musing as they apply to my travels in the massage therapy world (or yanno, close enough).

I guess the distinct benefit to doing a blog is at affords me a more solid platform to be as verbose (but hopefully with meaning and intent, although being a Gemini w/ADD - i make no promises - ha ha) as desired and needbe.

I'm thinking this should not only be a good outlet for me and my growth in the field, but an excellent opportunity to look back in the future and see the obstacles that have come before me and the various paths i've travelled.  Not only that but being Gemini/ADD - i'm afforded a unique combination of having the gift of gab along with voicing/expressing questions/concerns that others may (sensibly) think twice about airing.  See as how i've never much been one accused of having sense, aspiring or even current practitioners might find words of wisdom (inadvertent or otherwise) and if nothing else - a way to entertain themselves either intentionally on my part or yanno - even if at my expense.

So, at the risk of being cliche - pull up a chair, grab some popcorn, get settled in and .... enjoy the ride!