Best of Utah Archives - Summit Spa & Float

Spanish Fork Spa Treatment & Float

Recovery after Plastic Surgery

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Plastic Surgery is such a personal and body altering decision, from choosing the right doctor, to deciding on what procedure you elect to have done. Recovery after plastic surgery is painful and takes weeks to months to see a full recovery. Choosing to put as much effort into your recovery as you did your procedure selection is important.

Just like you would plan to have a few weeks of physical therapy after an orthopedic surgery, you likewise should pre-plan your plastic surgery recovery with a Therapist educated in Lymphatic Drainage. You should also plan to receive 2-3 treatments a week for 3-5 weeks. An ideal plan, if you can make it happen, would be daily treatment for 2 weeks post op.

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DO YOU KNOW WHEN YOUR SURGERY IS?

The answer for this is most likely yes. Occasionally your doctor may have an opening leaving room to move up your surgery, but this is still usually a few weeks out. The time to call and schedule your post op visits is as soon as you know your surgery date. Scheduling ahead of time will allow you to pre-book your appointments with the same therapist. This is also extremely important. This therapist will get to know you and understand the procedures you’ve been through. It will also allow your therapist the opportunity to see how your body is reacting to each treatment and adjust methods used or maintain with your current plan.

WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER SURGERY

If you’ve received liposuction, Brazilian Butt Lift, tummy tuck, breast augmentation, lift, reduction or any other number of cosmetic or plastic surgeries you may experience the following:

  • Compression garments may be given to help decrease swelling and aid in lymphatic flow.
  • Maintain using compression garments for 6 to 9 months or until swelling completely decreases.
  • Your doctor may have used drains to capture lymph fluid. These are typically used if you’ve had a tummy tuck or “mommy makeover”.  They are typically take out a week or two post op.
  • Numbness on the skin, this could last for months.
  • Steri strips will be used to cover the surgical scars, leave these on as long as possible.
  • Avoid smoking as it interferes with the healing process.
  • You will have swelling and bruising, considering the procedures involved, this is expected.

Swelling will begin within the first 24 hours. This is why starting your lymphatic sessions the day after surgery is recommended.

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WILL LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE HURT?

Lymphatic Drainage itself does not hurt. As your session gets underway you may begin to feel relief from the pain caused by the swelling from your surgery. Lymphatic Drainage is NOT MASSAGE. Let me say this one more time, Lymphatic Drainage is not massage. It is simply drainage of the lymph. Lymph is located just under the surface of the skin and sits above the muscle tissue. To effectively do lymphatic drainage light pressure is done in a specific pattern. First to open the lymph nodes and then to push the lymph in the limb affected towards the lymph nodes.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT AT MY TREATMENT?

If you are wearing compression garments you may choose to have whomever drove you to assist in the removal of the garments and help you on to the table. If you don’t have anyone to help you rest assured that your therapist is familiar with and ready to assist you if necessary.

Once positioned on the table the therapist will begin to slowly palpate the axillary lymph nodes, or armpit lymph nodes. Starting here opens the doors or gates of the lymphatic system to allow the flow to return to the heart and circulate through the body. Once we open the lymph nodes we will move in a very specific pattern to help aid in the lymphatic flow. Remember this is nothing like a massage so removing that notion from your mind will help prepare you for this session.

The lymphatic system is one of the only systems in the body without a pump. This why it is important to come multiple times a week for a few weeks. Coming once will only produce temporary results for about 24-48 hours. If you really want to control the swelling you will experience after surgery you will want to be consistent with your treatments.

DAILY TREATMENT AFTER BREAST AUGMENTATION, LIFT OR REDUCTION

The swelling pain you will experience after having a breast augmentation, lift or reduction will be similar to what you may have experienced when your milk comes in after having a baby. By pumping the breast or having your child nurse the pressure begins to subside almost immediately. This is the type of relief you experience as your session progresses.

Imagine feeling that swelling feeling in your chest and then having to wait a few days between lymph sessions. This is why we would highly recommend scheduling once daily for approximately 2 weeks. Your recovery will progress quicker, you will reduce the pain associated with swelling, the tissue will return to a new normal state, and you may be able to reduce the amount of prescribed pain medication as a result of the relief experienced after each session.

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ARTICLE WRITTEN BY: Katrina Long

Katrina Long has been a Utah Licensed Massage Therapist for 22 years and is the co-owner of Summit Spa & Float located in Spanish Fork & Eagle Mountain Utah.

Her love for massage came at the early age of 14 when as a gymnast she received massage therapy. It was instrumental to get her get back into the gym and competing. Massage isn’t something you do to feel good or relax. Massage has always been a necessary way to repairing and fixing ailments of the body.

Katrina did her Massage Therapy apprenticeship training in Aiea, Hawaii and her Anatomy through BYU.

The purpose behind starting Summit Spa & Float was to create a staff/employee environment that would offer insurance and benefits, things rarely offered to individuals in the spa industry.

In 2008 when Sam & Katrina worked together, Katrina was a single mother with 2 children. The spa where she was working would not give her 30 hours a week to work to qualify for insurance. She had to go and get another job to be able to afford health insurance. This experience is what lead her to want to create what they have developed at Summit.

At Summit we believe that if you put the employee first and people matter. We foster a sense of importance and knowledge with continuing education and then our clients will always feel appreciated because the employee feels appreciated.

Katrina is the wife of a first responder and a mother of 4, she loves water sports, canyoneering, and beekeeping. She also served her community for 4 years as an elected official.

Katrina is only taking new clients temporarily at the new Eagle Mountain location. She does not currently see new clients at the Spanish Fork location.

Book an appointment with Katrina in Eagle Mountain

Workplace Wellness

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For the last six years I’ve worked full time as a massage therapist that specializes in injury recovery and prevention. I’ve worked with pro athletes, hobbyists, and most often your average desk worker and ALL of them get injured or are doing things that will end up in injury.

 Over the years I’ve learned a lot about how we get injured and conversely how to help avoid injuries like carpel tunnel syndrome and throwing our backs out.

With 2020 moving so many people away from the office and into their homes. There was a HUGE influx of new clients complaining of low back, upper back, and neck pain; as well as headaches/migraines, burning forearms, and locked up shoulders.

I spoke with clients in length to determine the best possible treatment and to find the habits causing the issues. I found two major issues, both a simple lack of knowledge. Some regular self care and working with a therapist can help you start feeling like yourself again.

Proper Desk Setup

For the most part people just don’t know how to set up their home desk. Additionally, many offices spend thousands of dollars providing the best desks, chairs, and monitor stands to minimize workplace injury. Then came along the pandemic of 2020. Offices had to send everyone home for quarantine. Working from a laptop on the couch is a guaranteed way to get migraines.

You want your eyes to be level with the top of your monitor. This allows your eyes to stay in a resting position, reducing eye strain, and prevents your head from tipping too far forward or backward, preventing strain where your spine and skull meet.

Your armrests should be level with the desk, arms relaxed at your sides, hands resting gently on a flat keyboard. This prevents tension across the top and back of your shoulders by letting them stay relaxed, pain between your shoulder blades by avoiding pushing your arms too far forward, and undue strain on your wrists and forearms by letting your arm muscles move in a straight line.

Your feet should be against a flat surface with your hips, knees, and ankles all at about 90 degrees. You may need to get a box or footstool to do this. Even at 6’1″ tall, I almost always need a small box to keep my feet on. This is going to help prevent low back pain by keeping your hips from tilting forward, calf cramping, and burning pain on the bottom of your foot by keeping your Achilles tendon in a partially lengthened position.

Self Care Techniques

Even with your desk set up perfectly we all can experience stress and pain just from using our muscles. There are a ton of steps we can take to alleviate these pains and even to avoid them entirely without spending any money. I go over these techniques in more detail in my post here.

Getting yourself out of pain takes time and effort on your part, time you may not have a lot of. A great way to skip the “fixing” stage and jump right to the “maintaining” stage is to get a massage. Find a therapists best trained to help make a meaningful change throughout your trouble spots.

Finding the right therapist

At Summit Spa & Float there are several wonderful therapist here who are trained to target specific muscle groups.

First, realize that working an area in detail for an extended period of time is necessary to see change. An hour full body massage simply will not accomplish that.

Remember to talk in detail with your therapist about your goals for the different areas bothering you.

Finally, make sure you schedule enough time to allow your therapist to work your body in detail. This may require a few sessions only targeting 2-3 areas. Wanting detailed work with a full body massage? Make sure to book a minimum of 2 hours with your therapist.

You can also head to this Amazon List I created. It has a bunch of products that I use myself for pain prevention.

Article Written By: Benjamin Hale L.M.T.

Ben is a massage therapist of more than five years. A graduate of Utah College of Massage Therapy, his passion is helping people recover from injuries both old and new. Ben has worked on professional athletes, world championship winners, and Boston Marathon qualifiers. He has helped clients recover from pulled muscles, torn ligaments, and joint replacements and is comfortable working on a wide variety of injuries and conditions.

Ben refers to his style as “I didn’t know that hurt,” and his clients constantly tell him how accurate that is. With a previous background in architecture and engineering Ben has a different way of looking at the mechanics of the body, and his in-depth knowledge of anatomy and kinesiology allows him to find and resolve tension quickly and efficiently.

Russian sports massage, trigger point therapy, and injury recovery are Ben’s favored styles of massage. He blends those more intense modalities with Swedish massage to make sure his clients experience both long lasting recovery and deep relaxation. While Ben specializes in deeper styles of massage, he understands the need to relax is just as important as the need to increase range of motion. He works hard to make sure his clients are always comfortable and his pressure is just right.

Whether you have carpal tunnel syndrome or are recovering from a broken bone, Ben’s unique approach and years of experience make him a perfect pick to help you find relief from your pain and tension.

Pain Prevention

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Chances are that if you are currently experiencing any pain, tension, or muscle fatigue from working at a desk, changing your desk won’t fix the issues. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve got a whole post about the benefits of setting up your desk in the best possible way to prevent pain and stress. The issue comes with the fact that the muscles causing your upper back, lower back, neck, or shoulder pain will continue to cause issues until they themselves are fixed.

Knowledge is Power

I’m in a unique position to discuss body position, muscle tension, and self care as I am a professional massage therapist of more than half a decade in addition to my marketing experience. I specialize in injury prevention and recovery and have hundreds of hours of training and thousands of hours of experience in resolving pain caused by everything from knee replacement surgery to years of awful posture. I’ve worked on pro athletes, international and national champions, and high schoolers with athletic scholarships. I even designed a wellness education program for a large corporate call center. In short, I my have some light to shed on the subject. So listen up!

Basics

There are a couple things to understand before we get into the actual techniques. The first is the concept of antagonist muscles. Every movement you can do comes with an opposite. You can both bend AND straighten your knee, and the muscles that control those opposing movements are antagonists to the other. An antagonist muscle pulls the opposite direction of whatever specific muscle or muscle group we are talking about.

A few examples of muscles and their antagonists are:

Biceps <—> Triceps

Traps <—> Pecs

Quads <—> Hamstrings

Spine Muscles <—> Abs

If an antagonist muscle has become shortened due to a posture habit or injury it will constantly pull against the muscle you are trying to use. If the antagonist muscle is stronger than the one you are trying to use, it will constantly pull against the weaker muscle. Often times the shorter muscle is the stronger muscle! Talk about double trouble!

Why do we get sore?

The other concept we need to understand before we continue is one reason our muscles get sore. The most common pain and soreness, the one we will be trying to fix, comes from regular, every day muscle use. Our muscles have a limited number of uses before they wear out, fatigue, or tear. You can increase the power and number of uses by exercising and training those muscles, but ultimately you are feeling the same kind of effect on those sore muscles. The problem is that regular, every day muscle use rarely strengthens your muscles, it only strains them.

Putting both concepts together we can see that a muscle that is under constant strain is going to constantly hurt, and that your own body can cause that strain against itself with tension in antagonist muscles or strength imbalances in antagonist muscle pairs.

TLDR: Muscles can get sore and even painful with strain. The more frequent or continuous the strain, the worse the pain. Your body can put itself under constant strain with tight or shortened muscles, thus causing you constant pain.

The Fix

The easiest way to “fix” this issue of imbalance that is causing your headaches is…*drum roll*…stretching! You might be thinking “But Ben, I’ve tried stretching, it works for a couple minutes, but then the pain just comes right back!” I hear you. Everybody has tried stretching at least once, and usually to little effect. There are two things that most people are missing that make stretching so ineffective.

The simplest thing to correct is the timing. When I watch people stretch at the office, I tend to see them stretch their neck down or to the side for a few seconds and then move on. That’s not long enough!

Take your time

When you are stretching to lengthen a muscles take your time. You have to do it long enough that the protective reflexes in your body let go of the muscle. This will let it actually stretch out and get longer. This takes between 15 and 60 seconds! Hold your stretches for around 30 seconds, this is long enough for most everyone to feel an effect.

The issue I see most, even in athletes, is that the person stretching only stretches the sore muscle. If I explained antagonist muscles the strain they can cause well enough, you should be able to see the issue now. While stretching the sore muscle can help to reduce soreness, the muscle causing the pain is going to keep yanking on the sore muscle! No wonder it’s sore again a few minutes later! The fix for this issue is simple, let’s talk about stretching.

Stretch in both directions!

If the back of your neck is sore, stretch that out for around 30 seconds. Here’s the trick, lean your head all the way back and stretch the front of your neck! Chances are high that the muscles under your chin are tight. This causes a pulling against those muscles at the base of your skull, wearing them out and causing pain.

If you have a sharp pain between your shoulder blades, sure, stretch your back out. Then immediately switch and stretch your chest and pecs! Pain in your low back? Stretch your hips and abs! Is outside of your elbow sore? Stretch the inside of your forearm!

You have the powah!

Conclusion

Now that you know how to find what is causing the issue and how to stretch it to get the most relief, all you need is to know how to stretch each muscle. Look for my blog post on common troublemaking muscles and how to stretch them!

 

Article Written By: Benjamin Hale L.M.T.

Ben is a massage therapist of more than five years. A graduate of Utah College of Massage Therapy, his passion is helping people recover from injuries both old and new. Ben has worked on professional athletes, world championship winners, and Boston Marathon qualifiers. He has helped clients recover from pulled muscles, torn ligaments, and joint replacements and is comfortable working on a wide variety of injuries and conditions.

Ben refers to his style as “I didn’t know that hurt,” and his clients constantly tell him how accurate that is. With a previous background in architecture and engineering Ben has a different way of looking at the mechanics of the body, and his in-depth knowledge of anatomy and kinesiology allows him to find and resolve tension quickly and efficiently.

Russian sports massage, trigger point therapy, and injury recovery are Ben’s favored styles of massage. He blends those more intense modalities with Swedish massage to make sure his clients experience both long lasting recovery and deep relaxation. While Ben specializes in deeper styles of massage, he understands the need to relax is just as important as the need to increase range of motion. He works hard to make sure his clients are always comfortable and his pressure is just right.

Whether you have carpal tunnel syndrome or are recovering from a broken bone, Ben’s unique approach and years of experience make him a perfect pick to help you find relief from your pain and tension.

Massage away Winter Blues

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Winter is here and it’s brought along seasonal pains, stiff joints, dry itchy skin, colds, and for some, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). There are so many magical things about winter, but let’s face it, for many of us the cold weather can really affect us physically and mentally.

Massage can help turn those winter blues into summer vibes. There are so many great benefits to massage therapy during the winter season. What are those benefits? We’re glad you asked! 

Relieve Seasonal Aches, Pains And Improve Circulation 

Even if you opt out of Snowboarding or Skiing down a mountain side this year, winter is never short of labor-intensive activities. Tasks like shoveling, plowing, or trudging through snow can really take a toll on your body. Especially your lower back, legs, shoulders, and your joints. And to add to injury, cold air, all by itself, often contributes to stiff achy joints. Massage can help relieve the aches and pains and is well-known for improving circulation. Improved circulation promotes body warmth, increases the flow of oxygen throughout the body, and can prevent muscle contraction, which is very common during the winter months.

Symptoms of Muscle Contraction may include:

  • Joint and muscle pain
  • Limited range of motion
  • Muscle fatigue/ weakness
  • Limited use of the affected area

If you want to know more about how massage impacts the immune system, check out this article by CentraCare.

Massage Can Promote Better Overall Physical And Mental HealthMental Health 

Massages are great for helping to heal damage to your nervous system, which then increases the flow of white blood cells. When you have a better flow of white blood cells, you have a better chance of recovering swiftly from your illness or not getting sick to begin with. 

Mental health is just as important as our physical health. If the winter blues have got you down, massage may be just what you need to get you back into your vibrant summer self! Massage helps your body release endorphins and serotonin. These chemicals increase feelings of happiness and can reduce feelings of depression, stress, and anxiety. Massage has also been shown to improve hormonal health and balance, which are largely responsible for your emotions and mood. A well balanced body and a well balanced mind can help you to have a well balanced life. 

Massage Can Reduce Flaky Dry Skin

It has been shown that regular massage therapy increases your skin’s production of collagen, which makes your skin more elastic and moisturized. Not to mention, that during your massage, oils will be used that keep your skin feeling smooth, soft, and hydrated. 

Don’t wait until the snow has melted to help your body feel like it’s best self! From Cupping massages to Foot Zoning, Summit Spa has got you covered

What is the difference between Microblading and Powder Brows?

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Microblading is used to create small hairlike strokes into your brows. The natural brow hair creates a pattern that the strokes blend right into. When completed, these microbladed brow strokes look so similar to eyebrow hairs that most people won’t even be able to tell that it’s not your natural hair.

On the other side of the spectrum is powder brows! These brows have more of a makeup “powdered” feel. Instead of hairstrokes, there is a soft, even look throughout the whole brow making it always look like you’ve gotten ready for the day.  

Can we combine both microblading and powder brows?

Combo = Powder and Microbladed Brow

Yes!! There are a few different ways to combine powder brows, but the most common way to have both is to have hairstrokes added throughout the entire brow. Then we go back in and add shading usually to the tail up to the middle section of the brow. 

Which is better microblading or powder brows?

This depends on the type of look you are going for! If you want your permanent makeup to look like your natural hair then microblading is for you! If you are interested in having more of a makeup feel, then you may want to go for the powder brows. 

Not sure which one would work best for you?  Consult with your permanent makeup artist to discuss your options and we can find the brows perfect for what you’re looking for.

What looks more natural, microblading or powder brows?

Microblading

Both brows can look pretty natural, but if you’re wanting it to look like you haven’t had any permanent makeup done, then microblading may be your best bet. 

Which procedure hurts more?

For each procedure, the eyebrows are numbed two separate times to make the customer feel as comfortable as possible. As the procedure goes on, the brows will usually become more numb. 

From our customers we have heard that powder brows tend to feel more gentle on the skin. 

If you are worried about pain, talk to your permanent makeup artist so they know your concerns and they will do their absolute best to make you as comfortable as possible. If your skin is very sensitive they can always numb you two tim

es BEFORE the procedure starts, instead of the typical one time before the procedure begins. 

Is microblading and powder brows suitable for all skin types?

Powder Brow. Client has oily skin, microblading strokes didn’t last on her skin so we went with powder brow.

Powder brows are more versatile and work for MOST skin types. While microblading has the best results on dryer skins. Microblading is typically NOT suitable for those with oily OR mature skin. 

The procedure:

Both microblading and powder brows take two to three hours to complete. The healing time for both procedures is the same, between 10-14 days, and the same aftercare products are used. Pain levels can be slightly less with powder, but both procedures you are numbed before any of the permanent makeup is added. 

 

 

Healing and future appointment

Microblading for a natural look

The microblade artists at our spa use a wet healing method. This is when we apply creams and cleansers to our brows when they are healing. We’ve found when apply ointment to our new brows, the process is much more comfortable for our customers. At the end of our appointment, we will give all of the aftercare items needed to take care of your brows while they are recovering. 

On average it takes between 10-14 days for your brows to fully heal, and we recommend coming back in for your first touchup six weeks after your initial appointment. 

Each type of brow WILL need future touchups to boost the color. Microblading and powders brows are a semi-permanent procedure and do fade with time. On average most brows need to be touched up every year, but depending on how well your skin retains the ink, they can last up to three years. 

What lasts longer, microblading or powder brows?

Combo Brow

They are about the same! But on average powder brows tend to last a tiny bit longer. The biggest factor in retention is based on each individual skin type. On average we recommend getting your color boost touchup a year after your first procedure. 

 


Article Written By: Kaliana Buckles

Kaliana Buckles is a certified microblading artist with a passion for creating beautiful brows and confident customers. Her certifications include microblading and microblading removal, and she currently attends Taylor Andrews Academy where she is pursuing a cosmetology certificate. Kali loves talking with her customers to figure out their eyebrow goals and working to make those goals come to life! 

Kali first realized she was interested in the beauty industry when she was a teenager participating in musicals. She enjoys the relaxing environment of the spa and loves knowing she’s helping to make people feel more confident. 

When not working with her clients, she loves reading novels, baking, and spending time with her husband and two children.

 

Black Friday – Cyber Monday Specials

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Don’t miss out on our biggest SALE of the entire year. Shop online now through midnight on CYBER MONDAY, or shop in store BLACK FRIDAY 9AM through CYBER MONDAY 10PM.

 

 

Give the Gift of Massage

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE

Choose a 60, 90 or 120min massage at rock bottom prices.

60min= ONLY $49.95 NORMALLY 89.95

90min= ONLY $74.95 NORMALLY 134.95

120min= ONLY $99.95 NORMALLY $179.90

*Valid for use beginning December 26, 2021 and expire 6 months from date of purchase (no exceptions). 

Give the Gift of Float Therapy

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE

Choose a 60 or 90min float or choose a 3 series

60min= ONLY $39.95 NORMALLY 79.95

90min= ONLY $74.95 NORMALLY 115.95

(3) 60 min Float Sessions = ONLY $99 ($33 each) NORMALLY $239.85

*Valid for use beginning December 26, 2021 and expire 6 months from date of purchase (no exceptions)

Enjoy a full hour of clear blue skin temperature water suspended in weightlessness as you float in 1000 lbs. of Magnesium Sulfate (salt water). This out of body experience has been scientifically proven to decrease blood pressure, cortisol levels, depression, anxiety, aches and pains in both the joints and muscles. Give your mind and body the gift of ultimate relaxation.

Give the Gift of Youthful Skin

Choose from one of our options below

FACIAL 45min= ONLY $49.95 NORMALLY 89.95

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE

MICRONEEDLING  ONLY $125 NORMALLY 249.95

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE

PEDICURE 60min= ONLY $39.95 NORMALLY 49.95

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE

*Valid for use beginning December 26, 2021 and expire 6 months from date of purchase (no exceptions). 

Give the Gift of Permanent Make-up

Choose from one of our options below, 6 week free touch up included.

Lip Blushing $200 NORMALLY 400

Eyeliner (Choose top or bottom) ONLY $250 NORMALLY $300

Microblading ONLY $300 NORMALLY 350.00

PURCHASE IN STORE

*Valid for use beginning December 26, 2021 and expire 6 months from date of purchase (no exceptions). 

Arm Pump: What Moto riders need to know

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Arm pump is easily the number one issue we deal with regularly when working on Moto Racers. Having the opportunity to work consistently on the muscles involved with this particular problem is crucial. It allows the body to heal and recover faster so you can get back to doing what you love.

A day in the life of a moto racer or weekend warrior usually involves a fun day at the moto track, riding across the desert or exploring single track. To keep a bike running well it takes time and care. A bike typically gets tuned up, fluids checked or changed and then cleaned immaculately after riding. Most riders will end up spending thousands of dollars in race fees, gear and bikes. Self care comes last, they forget to take care of the one thing that determines how long they’ll continue to ride and that is their body.

What is Arm Pump?

Arm pump is a term commonly used among motorcycle riders but the clinical term for it is CECS or Chronic Extertional Compartment Syndrome.

CECS is described by this medical article as being, “most common in the lower legs, CECS can occur in any compartment of the extremities; for example, it has been described in the forearms of motocross racers and other athletes.  The estimated incidence is about 1 in 2000 persons each year. 

CECS is characterized by exercise-induced pain that is relieved by rest. In some cases, weakness and paresthesia may accompany the pain.”

Symptoms may include:

  • Weakness in the forearms or hands
  • Swelling
  • Severe Pain
  • Numbness in forearms or hands
  • Tightness or tingling
  • Induced by riding
  • Subsides shortly after riding

What causes Arm Pump?

Let’s review some basic anatomy to get abetter look at what is happening.

Blood flow increases exponentially to the muscles tissue in the forearm. The cobweb or fibrous fascia surrounds and encases the connective tissue and muscles. Because blood flow from repetitive movements can increase the muscle tissue the muscle expands.

Consequently, the fascia can prevent the muscle from expanding too much because its job is to keep everything in place.

Riders may start experiencing one or more of the symptoms listed above. This is why having regular fascial release work done is important.

What Can I Do To Avoid Arm Pump?

The answer really is pretty easy. Take the time to get your body worked on.  It takes weeks, months and sometimes years to build up the issues that will cause arm pump. One session with your Massage Therapist, PT or chiropractor is not going to magically get rid of your pain.

If you are currently experiencing arm pump we recommend a series of 5-10 appointments targeting the upper body. Consistent body work (1-2hr a month) will help you maintain and repair your body. Surgeries for CESC could be avoided if you are being proactive with your bodywork.

Search out and find a therapist who will use cupping, IASTM (Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Manipulation), and trigger point therapy to relieve the tension that builds up in your shoulders, forearms and fingers.

Riders We Have Worked With:

Here at Summit we’ve had the opportunity to work with a few professional moto athletes, like off-road racer Skyler Howes. 

“I did the Float tank, massage and cupping and feel like a new person. It was so nice to go in to relax and clear the mind and recover the body.

The staff is really nice and personable, 10/10. Feeling recovered and ready. Thank you for tuning me up!”

And Enduro and Desert racer Josh Knight.

“I completed my second session today at @summitspaandfloat. This has really been my first experience with massage therapy and it’s been really good and very different from what I expected.

Honestly I always assumed massage therapy was more focused on pleasure and relaxation, however after completing a few sessions I’ve learned that there are far more healthy and athletic benefits to receiving consistent massage therapy.

I’ll describe it as a pleasant discomfort, for me it feels like working out. I experience some temporary discomfort, however I know that it’s doing a lot of good.

Today I had a full massage therapy treatment including cupping as well as a 60 minute float. The cupping treatment is really interesting and provides an inverted massage by pulling up on the muscles. There are many different benefits to the cupping treatment including increased range of the muscles…I’m excited to find new ways to improve my riding and take care of my body.”

At what age can you start working on Arm Pump?

Are you racing? Do you train regularly? Is this a sport or hobby you plan on taking a part in for years to come? Then no age is too early.

Athletes need consistent bodywork to keep up with the physical demands their sport requires.

Children and teens are especially important because their body is changing constantly and they are learning how to ride. Children and teens are crashing, training, and riding hard, and they need parents and coaches who will help them recover fast.

Bodywork isn’t a luxury, it’s necessary for functional body movement, recovery, and improving skills on and off the race course. Parents or guardians of minors are encouraged and required to come and sit in the room for the entirety of the session. This allows both the parent and the child/teen to feel comfortable at all times.

This particular child shown gets worked on at least once a month and regularly asks for cupping for his sore muscles.

Book by clicking HERE

Article Written By: L.M.T. Katrina G. Long

Katrina Long has been a Utah Licensed Massage Therapist for 22 years and is the co-owner of Summit Spa & Float located inSpanish Fork & Park City Utah.

Her love for massage came at the early age of 14 when as a gymnast she received therapy that helped to facilitate her getting back into the gym and competing. Massage for her has always been a necessary avenue to repairing and fixing ailments of the body so that a person can have a better quality of life.

Katrina did her Massage Therapy apprenticeship training in Aiea, Hawaii and her Anatomy through BYU.

She is the wife of a first responder and a mother of 4, she loves water sports, canyoneering, beekeeping, and has enjoyed the last 4 years being involved in her community as an elected official.

By day you may see her as a put together professional, but in the early morning and weekends you can find her with her muck boots on, feeding animals with hay in her hair or covered in dirt from gardening.

Book With Katrina:

  • New client
  • Returning client who hasn’t been in for over a year
  • Current client who didn’t book out their next few appointments and absolutely NEEDS Katrina to work on them last minute.

2hr minimum session may include various techniques at no additional cost.

TO BOOK WITH KATRINA CLICK HERE

 

Intra-Oral Massage and TMJ Relief

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What is intra-oral massage? Intra = Inside, Oral = Mouth

While you may have just raised an eyebrow or crinkled your forehead, I can assure you that when I first heard of this type of massage, my first though was, “that’s weird.” Then I had it done, and I realized that I’d been missing out on amazing work for both myself and hundreds of clients who could’ve benefited from this type of work.

Intra-oral is a modality in massage that targets relaxing the Temporomandibular joint from the inside of the mouth.  You may have heard someone say that they have “TMJ dysfunction” and their jaw clicks or pops quite often. They are talking about the joint that connects the jaw to the skull. TMJ can often cause headaches, migraines, neck, and jaw pain.

What causes TMJ dysfunction?

  • Chronic Grinding / Clenching
  • Jaw injury
  • Improper alignment
  • Various types of arthritis
  • Tissue diseases

These things cause damage to the structural integrity of the joint and can lead to :

  • Pain or tenderness in the jaw
  • Pain in one or both of your joints
  • Aching pain in or around your ear
  • Difficulty chewing
  • Facial pain
  • Difficulty opening and closing the jaw (lockjaw) 

What can we do to prevent pain from TMJ?

Well, we could eat soft foods forever or workout/stretch our jaw; but that sounds like a terrible crash diet and “working out” doesn’t sound like fun. Certainly talk to your doctor about your symptoms, if they are serious these may be some options for those with more serious TMJ pain. 

As a massage therapist what I can tell you for sure is that intra-oral massage is most definitely a preventative measure, and can help manage painful symptoms in most cases. Roughtly 10 million people in the US suffer from TMJ. Many of these cases are acute which means that the signs and symptoms can last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. Massage therapy can help to reduce tension in the joint letting it stabilize.

How do you massage TMJ in your mouth?

With non-latex gloves our trained staff will glove up and relax the muscles attached to the joint, as well as the gums and drain your sinuses. Typically the therapist will use one to two fingers inside the mouth while the other fingers are working on the outside of the mouth, cheek and jaw. But don’t worry, your entire massage won’t be spent on just your face and mouth. Your therapist will assess your needs and target those areas as well. During this massage the therapist may also work on the neck, scalp, shoulders and head as needed for your symptoms. 

Does it hurt?

This is the question I get most from clients. As we all know the mouth is a sensitive area of the body. While this treatment can be uncomfortable, it should never be extremely painful. During your massage your therapist will have one of your arms visible to them at all times. We like to use this as a warning system. This helps us to communicate with you while it’s not so easy to talk. 

As I like to say to my clients, “communication is key”. Above all, we ask that you please be honest with us as to what you feel whether that be too much or too little pressure. This massage does not have to hurt in order to work. 

What can I expect after this massage?

  • Reduced jaw pain
  • Reduced neck and shoulder pain
  • Increased mobility in jaw 
  • A natural “facelift” (more sculpted features)

How do I book?

Click here or you can call into Summit Spa and Float during business hours (9AM-10PM Monday- Saturday) and speak to one of our guest specialists to book today! 

Article Written By: C. G. L.M.T.

Microneedling – What is it, and what you need to know.

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Microneedling is a minimally invasive treatment that uses tiny needles to prick the skin creating superficial micro-channels. These tiny needles create micro-injuries to the skin which will stimulate the skin’s natural ability to heal itself and increase its production of collagen. Collagen is a protein that is naturally produced in our body, as we age the production of collagen decreases. Dermatologist Dr. Ohara Aivaz says  “Collagen is what keeps our skin from sagging, giving us that plump, youthful look”.  While microneedling is most commonly done on the face and neck, it can be safely done anywhere on the body.

What is Microneedling good for?

  • Fine lines and wrinkles
  • Acne scarring or general scarring
  • Enlarged pores 
  • Uneven skin tone
  • Can Improve appearance of stretch marks
  • Under Eye bags

Book a Microneedling appointment by clicking here.

How long will it take to see results from Microneedling?

You can notice an immediate glow to the skin after the treatment. Visible changes to the skin will develop over the course of several days and weeks. You may see continued improvement up to 6 months as the collagen production continues.

Does Microneedling hurt?

A numbing cream is applied to the area making your microneedling session more comfortable. Everyone’s pain tolerance is different while some may feel a slight pricking sensation others may feel hardly nothing at all. Certain areas on the face may feel more sensitive than others. 

Immediately after the treatment you may experience redness and feel tighter than usual. You may feel as if you have a mild to moderate sunburn. This is a normal reaction and generally subsides after a couple hours and diminishes within 24 hours. You may see redness after 24 hours but only in minimal areas.  You may also experience flaking of the skin as your body is producing new layers of fresh skin.

Do I have to bleed to get good results?

Definitely not! While some may experience pinpoint bleeding, others may not and that is perfectly normal! You will still get the same amazing results!  In some areas of your skin,  the Dermis layer is thinner which can result in small bleeding. Our trained Aestheticians control the depth of the needle depending where on the skin they are performing and how many treatments the client has done. We can ensure that you will get an excellent treatment every time regardless of whether you bleed or not.

How should I care for my skin after Microneedling?

  • Your Aesthetician will provide you with a take home cleanser and moisturizer to use. 
  • Avoid touching the treated area for 24 hours as your skin is still healing. 
  • Sleep with a clean pillow to avoid any bacteria getting in the skin.
  • Avoid wearing makeup for 24-72 hrs or as directed by your Aesthetician. 
  • Avoid any active ingredients such as AHA’s, BHA’s, Retinol, or Vitamin C for at least 72 hours.
  • Avoid direct sunlight for 24 hrs and wear sunscreen with an spf of 25 or greater.

How often should I come in for Microneedling?

The amount of times someone should come in will vary from person to person depending on their concerns and skin condition. If you have minimal concerns and are coming in more for preventative measures then, we suggest coming in once every season (Winter, Spring, Summer, & Fall). If you have concerns such as scarring or wrinkles then we suggest coming in for at least 3 sessions spaced out 3-4 weeks apart. We also recommended getting on a good homecare routine to see optimal results. We also suggest pairing microneedling with a chemical peel to boost your results. Our trained Aestheticians can discuss with you what they feel would be best for your skin.

This article was written by: Clarissa Hadley

A recent graduate of Acaydia Spa & School of Esthetics. Clarissa is passionate about all things aesthetics. She loves being able to be a part of her clients skin care journey. Helping people to feel confident in their own skin is part of why she loves what she does.

Clarissa loves listening to her clients and talking them through different treatments that would best fit their needs. Making people feel comfortable and relaxed is definitely a gift. Her first client here at Summit told our front desk staff, “That was the best facial I’ve ever had in my life!”

Some of her favorite services to perform are: chemical peels, Microneedling, and facials. These are her favorite because she loves seeing the results that follow those treatments.

When she’s not at the spa she loves to draw and spend time with her husband, playing softball, going on rides, or playing games.