congestion

[blackshoes]

Okay, I've noticed that alot of people get congested when laying prone. Is it something with the way the face cradle is positioned that causes this? Is there anything I can do to help relieve my client when this happens? (aside from handing them a tissue) Is there a certain positon I should adjust the face cradle in? Is there a technique I can use to help?

As a client, I find it annoying when it happens to me. It's hard to enjoy the massage when I feel like I have a stuffy or runny nose. I would like to prevent it from happening to my clients.

Anybody else have this issue?

 

[Pompal 09.]

congestion

I start my clients face down and have eucalyptus to offer - just a drop on the underside of the face cradle goes a long way towards easing the congestion. Then when I have them turn over, I can do some sinus drainage massage right away, and that seems to work very well for those who are bothered by it.

ETA: I like to end face up, myself, which means the congestion part is over with in the first half of the massage, so when I leave I am not all stuffy and I don't have the toilet seat looking "ring" on my face. I do give the clients a choice, and if they prefer to start face up, that is what I do. But if they are bothered by the stuffiness, I suggest my way and explain why.

 

[nette]

congestion

I find the use of the word "congestion" to be somewhat confusing. I see it applied to so many different tissues and conditions that I wonder if it has any true specific meaning any longer. One therapist will lable a client "congested" and another won't. What does the word mean to you, and what are the specific differences?

 

[Talltail]

congestion

I find the use of the word "congestion" to be somewhat confusing. I see it applied to so many different tissues and conditions that I wonder if it has any true specific meaning any longer. One therapist will lable a client "congested" and another won't. What does the word mean to you, and what are the specific differences?

It's pretty clear she is talking about sinuses, not "tissue congestion".....isn't it?

 

[jacovkss2]

congestion (nasal)

Jason- I ment stuffy head, nasal congestion. Like can't breath through their nose because their head is stuffed up.

 

[aeroqueen]

congestion (nasal)

Jason- I ment stuffy head, nasal congestion. Like can't breath through their nose because their head is stuffed up.

Thank you for the clarification. I didn't want to make assumptions about what meaning you intended to convey in your post.

The primary thing that contributes to nasal congestion in this situation is gravity. When the client is prone, mucus can move out of the sinuses and into their nasal passages. I feel that the face cradle design and position are very minor factors.

If a client has a history of sinus issues, I may offer them a choice of starting face up or face down, so long as that option will not inhibit the effectiveness of the work I intend to do. Otherwise, I try to have them prone for as short a time as possible, and give them the option of having their head turned to one side.

If they are currently dealing with sinus issues, I will start them supine and do some head, face, and neck work to help their sinuses drain prior to turning them prone. This often minimizes how much congestion they deal with later. After the massage, I may offer a hot cloth with a bit of peppermint to help reopen their air passages.

 

[G-man]

congestion

I have a client who has sinus congestion as a release (she assures me it happens every time, every style, and does not faze her).

I get it when recieving and it can cause headaches.
Stay in communication with your clients & find what works.

 

[Chotuzzz]

congestion

I've found that raising the head of the table one notch higher than the feet has helped cut a significant number of clients complaining about congestion. Also, having hardwood flooring has helped. I do have a carpet under the table but the office is hardwood. When I worked in a locale that was carpet there were a lot more clients with stuffy noses. Another thing I do is when I hear the client sniffing a lot or sounding congested, I go ahead and turn them over and complete the work supine, I don't see any reason working on them prone when they are all stuffed up. And there's such a variation of how we can work the tissues both sidelying and supine. I've also used a bowl of hot water with a couple drops each of thyme and eucalyptus and set that on the floor under the face cradle.

Although again, the best "cure" was no carpeting and raising the head of the table the extra notch, that's when I really noticed a difference.

 

[iLyAnA]

congestion

Hello!

Sidelying is really helpful for those with major sinus issues, among other things. It would be beneficial to learn this now while you're in school. Our school was not that great at teaching this position and draping, so for a while I was pretty pensive about using sidelying in my practice.

Thanks!

Sheena Elenbaas, LMT
Fort Worth, TX

PS - Always make sure that if you are using aromatherapy that your client is not allergic or sensitive to the oils you are using. Personally, I have a sensitivity to eucalyptus so my breathing is labored when it's in use.

 

[bhai_saddam]

congestion

Yes, excellent point. I do always check with my client first before using any aromatherapy.

 

[sassytheatrefriend]

congestion

I really noticed that if I turn my head to the side for a bit it helps me when my head feels all stuffed up. I think I will mention this to my client if they seem to be having trouble. The side lying position is also helpful. We have just started using that position in class and that was the first time I've received a massage without getting all stuffed up.

 

[Been]

congestion

I would be curious to see how well the use of a Neti pot prior to the massage would help with that. I've spent a short amount of time looking for a solution to providing a Neti pot to clients. I don't want to have to sanitize it after every client, and I don't think they would use it anyway if I told them it was sanitized anyway. I'm conceiving of a tip like a thermometer cover, or the plastic caps that are used at Hookah Lounges that could be placed in the spout to allow the client to feel like they are not putting something in their nose that another person had.

If anyone has experience with either using a Neti pot in the practice, or a solution like that I would be very interested in hearing from you.

 

[MJsLiberianGirl]

congestion

I would be curious to see how well the use of a Neti pot prior to the massage would help with that. I've spent a short amount of time looking for a solution to providing a Neti pot to clients. I don't want to have to sanitize it after every client, and I don't think they would use it anyway if I told them it was sanitized anyway.

Maybe you would like something like this: SinusAide® Nasal Wash and Rinsing Solution They say it is available at Kroger and Winn-Dixie. Maybe you can find something like this at Walgreens and CVS too...

Instructional video: http://www.sinusaide.com/sinusaide-video.html