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Content Marketing Sample
Content Marketing Sample
Have you ever had that sharp ache you get after an intense workout that’s usually in
your neck, shoulders, or upper back? It can be difficult just to move your shoulders
without feeling it, let alone continue with your workout. It can linger on for weeks,
or even months. If you are active, or lift weights and feel a constant stinging pain in
your muscle, you probably have muscle knots.
Muscle knots are points within a muscle where contracted fibers are unable to
release. It’s a common problem for active people, muscle knots—technically called
Myofascial Trigger Points. These knots can range from the size of a pinhead in
smaller muscles to the size of your thumb in larger muscles.
Muscle knots can cause pain in two ways: (1) latent trigger points, which are knots
that only hurt when you put pressure on them, and (2) active trigger points, which
are knots that actively refer pain along your neural pathways, which is a fancy way
of saying that constant pain or aching you feel in certain parts of your body.
The most common causes of muscle knots are:
1) Accidents – Such as bad falls & sports injuries that strain your joints and muscles
2) Postural Stress – Sitting too long with poor posture, sitting with no support, &
lifting improperly
3) Overstimulation – Strenuous exercise and sport activities, especially lifting
weights
How Can I Treat Muscle Knots?
If you do have a painful knot, you’ll be glad to know that you can treat it yourself
until your next massage therapist visit (yay!). Some tools you can use are a massage
ball or a foam roller. While using a massage ball is ideal, you can also use a tennis
ball, or a lacrosse ball work well in a pinch.
Simply roll the massage ball pressed either to the wall or the floor one side, and
your body on the other over your muscle. You can use two tennis balls, or massage
balls if you want to go firmer or deeper. The massage ball will conform to the tissue
and surrounding area slightly, so it mimics the feel of a therapist’s hands. This helps
to truly mobilize the tissue beneath and release the tension and knots being held
there.
How can a Massage Therapist tell and find the knot?
Massage Therapists can find the knot with a thorough massage of multiple areas.
Usually they apply a deep, stroking massage directly to the muscle knot; however,
not the usual “I’m going to be pampered” massage, instead, it’s a more intense
massage but when your pain vanishes, you’ll feel tremendous relief.
Here is what to expect from a massage therapist
• They will use a deep stroking massage, not static pressure.
• They will use six to twelve strokes per knot.
• The pain will go away after several sessions.
Get a professional deep stroking massage 2‐3x a week until the pain subsides and
the knot releases. This can take anywhere from a couple days to a couple of weeks
depending on the size of the knot and the intensity of the Massage. This should be
able to clear up any muscle knots you may have. However, just because you’ve
gotten rid of them doesn’t mean they won’t come back!
Stay consistent with foam rolling and deep tissue massages, they can work wonders.
What to Expect at My First Massage Therapy Session
Preparing for your first massage? Nervous about what to expect? Here’s a quick
rundown of what’s going to happen so you can be ready and relaxed.
Before the Massage.
We went through some tips of how to get the most out of your massage before but
basically, ensure it’s a good time for you to have a massage so you won’t be rushed
or stressed between things. In the days before your massage, drink plenty of water.
Eat a light meal a couple of hours before your massage so you won’t feel hungry
during. However, don’t overdo it because eating big meals may cause discomfort or
gas during the massage.
Be Open About Your Health History
First appointments expect to start with a health history and will be asked about:
• Medical conditions
• Areas of concern
• Your level of pain or discomfort on good and bad days
Knowing your history allows a therapist to determine if there are any reasons you
should avoid massage or a particular technique. The massage therapist will design a
session specifically for you but don’t be afraid to discuss any apprehensions or
concerns. All information you give is confidential.
Get Comfortable.
The therapist will outline what will happen in the session and then leave the room
so you can undress to your comfort level. Being completely without clothing allows
them to use lotion and get a deeper massage into your muscles, but if its your first
time and feel awkward about it you can leave your knickers on.
When you are ready, lie down on the massage table and cover yourself with the
sheet or other towel/draping on the table.
During the Massage.
Make sure you are comfortable and let the therapist know if you are not. Tell the
therapist if you are cold, want to be covered, don't want an area of your body
touched, don't like the music, or are experiencing discomfort with the technique or
how it is being applied. Remember, you are in charge, and can ask for changes or
stop the session at any time.
Music.
The therapist may play music, but be sure to tell your therapist if you would prefer a
different type of music or if you would like quiet. Typically, you can also bring your
own music to play while they work on you.
Relax.
While they massage, relax and try to let your thoughts go. One way to do this is to
focus on how the touch or technique feels.
Remember to breathe, as this helps you relax. Sometimes people hold their breath
when a sensitive area is massaged, but it is best to breathe through it. Falling asleep
is a good thing! It means you are truly relaxed, let yourself get into that kind of
peaceful state. The more relaxed you are the more they can work on your muscles
when they aren’t tense.
After the Massage.
At the end of the massage, drink plenty of water to help the body flush waste
products. Hydration is so important!
If possible, allow some quiet time after the massage and don't go back to work or
other responsibilities immediately. That is why is best to plan a day when the kids
are in school or you’re off from work.
Don’t Stay Away.
Realize that the benefits of massage tend to be cumulative, so typically, you will feel
better as you get additional massages. Twice a month is ideal and be sure to do
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Post Caption Image
Blog 1 What the heck are
muscle knots
anyway? Check
out the blog to get
the complete low
down.
Facebook Did you know a
Post 1 couple tennis
balls from your
local $0.99 store
can help relieve
some of those
muscle knots?
Simply place them
where its paining
you between you
and the floor and
roll those sore
spots away.
Facebook Foam rolling is an
Post 2 amazing way to
relieve your
muscle pain and
knots between
appointments‐
you can find them
at almost any
local store. This
one has special
nuances to it to
really get in
between the
muscle fibers.
Anyone else
love/hate their
foam roller?
Facebook How do you get
Post 3 rid of knots? Use
your foam roller,
massage ball or
tennis balls.
Roll the massage
ball pressed
either to the wall
or the floor one
side, and your
body on the other
over your muscle.
The massage
ball will conform
to the tissue and
surrounding area
slightly, so it
mimics the feel of
a therapist’s
hands. This helps
to release the
tissue beneath
and release the
tension and knots
being held there.
“Ugh, why does
my back hurt?”
Well its probably
Facebook due to an accident
Post 4 like a bad fall or
sport injury, or
sitting too long
with poor
posture, lifting
improperly, or
just over
strenuous
exercise like
weight lifting.
Facebook How does your
Post 5 massage therapist
get those knots
out? Here is why
you love them so
very much.
To get rid of the
knots they use a
deep stroking
massage, not
static pressure.
They’ll use 6‐12
strokes per knot
and the pain will
go away after a
couple sessions.
Blog Post 2 Nervous or
curious about
your first
massage? Here’s
what you can
expect!
Faceboo It’s important to be open
k Post 6 about your medical
history with your massage
therapist! Let them know
of any medical conditions,
areas of concern and your
pain or discomfort levels
on good and bad days.
Don’t be afraid to discuss
any apprehensions or
concerns!
Faceboo Although you don’t have to
k Post 7 undress completely for
your appointment, it’s
always recommended.
This way your therapist
can massage deeper into
your muscles with lotion.
However if its your first
time and you’ll feel
awkward, keep some
clothing on! All your
therapist cares about is
that you are comfortable!
Faceboo During your massage try
k Post 8 to RELAX and let your
thoughts go. Breathe
through any painful
pressure points and try
not to tense up. Let your
mind wander and try to
enter just a calming
peaceful state.
Faceboo Your massage therapist
k Post 9 may play music during
your session, be sure to let
them know if you’d like
them to play something
different or if you prefer
quiet.
Faceboo Don’t forget the benefits of
k Post massage are cumulative,
10 you always feel better as
you get additional
massages.
Article 1 Curious where to get these http://www.amazon.com/Premium‐Density‐
massage balls we keep Massage‐Recommended‐
talking about? Get yourself Fasciitis/dp/B00ZOTK1UG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=
some relief between 1442898285&sr=8‐1‐spons&keywords=massage+ball
appointments with some
of these babies!
Question What’s your favorite
1 music to listen to while
getting a massage?
Tranquil? Trancey? Indie
Chill?
Video 1 Love these professional https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nO1VRTv‐GJs
cyclists (with cute
accents) showing you
exactly how to use the
trigger point massage tool
to release tension in your
muscles after a strenuous
workout. I promise this
applies to
EVERYONE…not just
cyclists with accents.